Last updated: 2026-10-10
Ford Fusion vs Volkswagen Passat: Reliability Compared
Ford Fusion
Volkswagen Passat
Choosing between the Ford Fusion and the Volkswagen Passat? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize sedans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Volkswagen Passat currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Volkswagen Passat is more reliable than the Ford Fusion, scoring 76/100 vs 69/100.
Key Differences
- 1Ford Fusion costs $58 less per year to repair
- 2Volkswagen Passat has 11.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Volkswagen Passat scores 7 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Ford Fusion vs Volkswagen Passat: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Fusion | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 69/100 | 76/100 |
| Years Tracked | 3 | 5 |
| Total Recalls | 8 | 9 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 21.1 | 9.4 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $581/yr | $639/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.4/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 12% | 9% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2020 NHTSA | 2022 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 | 3 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Fusion and Volkswagen Passat?
| Component | Ford Fusion | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 5.7Average | 0.9Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 5Average | 0.3Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2.6Low | 1.5Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2.9Low | —None |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.5Low | 0.6Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | 1.6Low |
| STEERING | 0.8Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.3Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.2Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| WHEELS | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Ford Fusion vs Volkswagen Passat Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Fusion | Volkswagen Passat | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 71/1003R / 176C | 75/1003R / 15C | Volkswagen Passat |
| 2019 | 68/1003R / 370C | 77/1001R / 12C | Volkswagen Passat |
| 2018 | 68/1002R / 429C | 71/1004R / 45C | Volkswagen Passat |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Ford Fusion scored 71/100 and the 2019 Volkswagen Passat scored 77/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Ford Fusion vs Volkswagen Passat: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Fusion more reliable than the Volkswagen Passat?
- Based on our data, the Volkswagen Passat is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Fusion or the Volkswagen Passat?
- The Volkswagen Passat has more recalls (9) compared to the Ford Fusion (8). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Fusion or the Volkswagen Passat?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Volkswagen Passat has a lower complaint rate at 9.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 21.1 for the Ford Fusion. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Fusion or the Volkswagen Passat?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Ford Fusion is cheaper to maintain at $581/year versus $639/year for the Volkswagen Passat.
- Is the Ford Fusion or Volkswagen Passat safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Ford Fusion has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Volkswagen Passat. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Ford Fusion and Volkswagen Passat? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Ford Fusion and Volkswagen Passat
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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