Volkswagen Passat recalls and problems by year
NHTSA lists 44 recalls and 6,336 owner complaints for the Volkswagen Passat (model years 2000–2022). The most reported problem area is air bags (1,602 complaints), followed by electrical system (1,004 complaints). The 2012 model year has the most recalls (11).
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 1 | 18 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 3 | 18 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 4 | 46 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 7 | 110 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 5 | 106 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 7 | 243 | 11 | 2 | |
| 2014 | 10 | 594 | 19 | 3 | |
| 2013 | 9 | 749 | 29 | 4 | |
| 2012 | 11 | 484 | 14 | 3 | |
| 2011 | 0 | 16 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 4 | 163 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 4 | 146 | 5 | 12 | |
| 2008 | 4 | 168 | 3 | 6 | |
| 2007 | 7 | 262 | 4 | 6 | |
| 2006 | 7 | 576 | 21 | 6 | |
| 2005 | 3 | 148 | 7 | 11 | |
| 2004 | 3 | 279 | 9 | 25 | |
| 2003 | 6 | 628 | 14 | 94 | |
| 2002 | 3 | 636 | 10 | 46 | |
| 2001 | 3 | 430 | 14 | 14 | |
| 2000 | 3 | 507 | 11 | 25 |
By complaints filed, the peak model years are 2013 (749), 2002 (636) and 2003 (628). Among model years at least two years old, the 2019 has the fewest complaints on file (12).
Most reported problem areas
What owners name in their complaints across all Volkswagen Passat model years. A complaint can name more than one area.
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 1,602 | 18 of 23 | |
| Electrical system | 1,004 | 22 of 23 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 674 | 12 of 23 | |
| Engine | 609 | 19 of 23 | |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 438 | 18 of 23 |
Latest 8 of 44 recalls
| Recall | Date | Problem area | Model years | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24V834000 | Oct 30, 2024 | Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module | 2006–2007, 2012–2014, 2017 | 248,330 |
| 21V812000 | Oct 15, 2021 | Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs | 2021 | 30 |
| 21V321000 | May 5, 2021 | Unknown or other | 2016–2017 | 46 |
| 20V561000 | Sep 16, 2020 | Unknown or other | 2016–2018 | 23 |
| 20V533000 | Sep 2, 2020 | Air bags: passenger side frontal, cushion | 2020 | 1,829 |
| 19V862000 | Dec 4, 2019 | Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module | 2012–2015 | 226 |
| 19V679000 | Sep 25, 2019 | Unknown or other | 2017 | 113 |
| 19V389000 | May 22, 2019 | Exterior lighting: headlights | 2012–2020 | 662,185 |
Vehicles: the manufacturer's estimate of all vehicles potentially affected by the recall, across every model it covers. Each model-year page lists what its recalls fix.
Owners reported a crash in 197 complaints and a fire in 261 complaints; 204 people injured and 5 deaths are recorded in these reports. These are the owners' accounts, not findings of cause.
Complaint counts grow with how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road; compare years with that in mind. Complaints are unverified owner reports.