Last updated: 2026-10-10
Volkswagen Passat Reliability by Year
Volkswagen Passat reliability is good for a midsize sedan, with brake wear and infotainment glitches the main things to check before you buy.
Volkswagen Passat Reliability Overview
Used Passats rate good for reliability and sit above average among sedans. The 2021 is the year to favor, while 2018 and 2020 rate lowest, though none is a year to skip. Brakes draw the most complaints, from ABS kicking in on ordinary stops to rear pads wearing out early. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at $639, against $526 for midsize cars.
Current generation: 9th gen (2023–2023).
Best & Worst Volkswagen Passat Years
Best Volkswagen Passat Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2021 has had one recall and 18 owner complaints, well below the 2018, which has four recalls and 45 complaints. The 2020 has three recalls. Check the rear brakes, since early wear is the main 2021 complaint, and ask whether the lane assist has been a nuisance.
Volkswagen Passat Years to Avoid
No Volkswagen Passat years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 71 and 78 across 5 scored model years.
Volkswagen Passat Reliability Score Trend
Volkswagen Passat reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 76/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 77/100 | Good |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2022 Volkswagen Passat
0 recalls · 11 complaints
Good standing with no federal recalls, but owners report rear brakes wearing unevenly and a turbo engine that burns oil.
2021 Volkswagen Passat
1 recalls · 18 complaints
Best of the five scored Passat years, with one recall, though early rear brake wear and intrusive lane assist show up in owner complaints.
2020 Volkswagen Passat
3 recalls · 15 complaints
A middle-ranked Passat year with good reliability and a 5-star crash rating, with owner complaints centered on air bags, engine failures, and the steering clock spring.
2019 Volkswagen Passat
1 recalls · 12 complaints
Rates well above other 2019 sedans with only 12 complaints, though owners report unexplained hard braking and remote start failures.
2018 Volkswagen Passat
4 recalls · 45 complaints
Weakest of the five scored Passat years, with four recalls and more complaints than 2019, though it still rates good.
Found Your Volkswagen Passat? Check Its History
Service brakes (3) problems come up most in Volkswagen Passat owner complaints, and 9 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Volkswagen Passat Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
4/5
Annual Repair Cost
$639
Repair Frequency
0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk
9%
$113 above the midsize cars average of $526/yr.
Ranked #17 of 24 among midsize cars.
Volkswagen Passat Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Volkswagen Models
Compare all Volkswagen models by reliability
Compare Volkswagen Passat With Similar Sedans
The Volkswagen Passat competes with other midsize sedans such as Subaru Legacy, Ford Fusion, and Buick Regal.
Passat vs Subaru Legacy
8 years tracked · 455 complaints
Passat vs Ford Fusion
3 years tracked · 975 complaints
Passat vs Buick Regal
3 years tracked · 39 complaints
Passat vs Buick LaCrosse
2 years tracked · 18 complaints
Passat vs Genesis G80
9 years tracked · 164 complaints
More Volkswagen Passat comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for the Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2021 is the best pick. It rates good, has one recall, and draws far fewer owner complaints than the 2018. The 2019 also rates well. The 2022 shows no recalls, but it is less proven, so do not treat it as the safer choice on that alone.
- Is the Volkswagen Passat reliable?
- Yes, it rates good overall and above average among sedans on this site. Every model year from 2018 to 2022 rates good. The weak spots are brakes, electrical faults, and some engine complaints, so a careful inspection matters more than the model year.
- What are the most common Volkswagen Passat problems?
- Service brakes lead the complaints, followed by the electrical system, engine, and steering. Owners report ABS kicking in during ordinary stops, infotainment screens going black, oil disappearing between changes, and a steering wheel that pulls itself straight in curves.
- How much does the Volkswagen Passat cost to repair?
- Independent repair-cost data estimates $639 a year. That is higher than the $526 average for midsize cars. Budget for brake work in particular, because rear pads and rotors wearing out early is a repeated complaint on newer cars.
- Do Volkswagen Passat infotainment screens fail?
- Some do. Owners report the screen going black or ignoring touch, which also takes out the radio, navigation, and backup camera. Dealer visits did not always fix it. Reports of screen and wiring harness faults fall between 55,000 and 70,000 miles.
How we score the 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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