BestCarRank

Volkswagen PASSAT — Years to Avoid

Which model years have the most problems and which are safe to buy.

Avoid These Years

2013 Volkswagen PASSAT

1026 complaints (593% of segment average)

Avoid This Year

Main issue: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CRASH FORCED THE VEHICLE INTO A CONCRETE WALL. A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAUS

2014 Volkswagen PASSAT

785 complaints (454% of segment average)

Avoid This Year

Main issue: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING AND POPPING NOISE WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH NOTIFIED THE CONTACT OF AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT I

2012 Volkswagen PASSAT

660 complaints (382% of segment average)

Avoid This Year

Main issue: PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, I FELT A CLICK VIBRATION ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND THEN A MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE DASH SCREEN: AIRBAG: ERROR NONE OF THE ELECTRONIC SWITCHES ON THE STEERING COLUMN FUNCTION, NO AIRBAG AVAILABILITY, NO HORN. I TOOK IT TO THE ONION CREEK DEALERSHIP IN AUSTIN, TX AND

2015 Volkswagen PASSAT

388 complaints (224% of segment average)

Below Average

Main issue: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SPUN AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS UNCONSCIOUS AT THE SCENE AND WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE CONTACT REQU

2010 Volkswagen PASSAT

226 complaints (131% of segment average)

Below Average

Main issue: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN REVERSING AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE SPIRAL CABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFI

Safe to Buy