Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 71/100 (GOOD)

2018 Volkswagen Passat Reliability Report

The 2018 Volkswagen Passat rates good and beats most 2018 sedans, but infotainment and other electrical faults lead owner complaints.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

10.9per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$639

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,050–$2,750

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity64/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact60/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity86/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Weakest of the five scored Passat years, with four recalls and more complaints than 2019, though it still rates good.

Top Issues to Watch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (10)
SERVICE BRAKES (8)
ENGINE (6)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 4)

2018 is year 4 of the Eighth generation (B8).

Redesigned for the 2015 model year.
Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
8th generation Passat (US).

What this means for buyers

Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.

2015: Eighth generation (B8) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2018: This Model Year

2018 is year 4 of the Eighth generation (B8).

Should You Buy the 2018 Volkswagen Passat?

Reliability is good, but this is the weakest of the five scored Passat years. It rates above average among 2018 sedans and earned 5 of 5 stars in federal crash testing. The 2019 rates better, with far fewer complaints and one recall. Independent repair-cost data puts model-wide yearly repairs at $639, above the $526 typical for the class.

Electrical faults lead the complaints. The infotainment screen goes black or stops responding, and the radio, navigation and backup camera go with it. Dealer visits do not always fix it. Brake owners describe ABS kicking in during ordinary stops, which lengthens stopping distance. Some engines lose oil between changes, sometimes before 7,000 miles. A failed intake manifold runner can put the car in limp mode at highway speed, reported around 90,000 miles. One of the four recalls is a do-not-drive recall.

Check federal recall records by VIN and confirm every recall, especially the do-not-drive one, was completed. Ask for repair records covering the screen, the brakes and oil consumption. Price a 2019 alongside it.

Compared to the 2019 Volkswagen Passat, which scored 6 points higher.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+Low major repair risk (9%)
+Below-average complaint rate for Sedan

Cons

−Above-average repair costs for its class
−Moderate recall count
−ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues reported (10 complaints)

Compare 2018 Volkswagen Passat With

2018 Subaru Legacy

Reliability: 70/100

Good

2018 Ford Fusion

Reliability: 68/100

Good

2018 Buick Regal

Reliability: 74/100

Good

2018 Buick LaCrosse

Reliability: 75/100

Good

2018 Genesis G80

Reliability: 55/100

Mixed

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

4 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

HIGH RISK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (10)
SERVICE BRAKES (8)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

Park It

A moderate 4 recalls are on file for the 2018 Volkswagen Passat. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

10.9

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 25.7

LowAvgHigh

Moderate

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2018 Volkswagen Passat Recall Details

4 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Volkswagen Passat. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

20V5610002020-09-16

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Consequence

Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.

19V3890002019-05-22

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.

18V5360002018-08-15

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened sufficiently.

Consequence

The loose brake bracket bolts can allow the caliper to move, reducing braking ability or causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper bracket bolt tightness, replacing and re-torque the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Additionally brake caliper fasteners, bleeder valve, and brake hose bolts will be checked and torqued to the correct specification, if necessary, free of charge. For Passat vehicles, dealers will also inspect the parking brake cable for proper connection, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46H6.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2018 Volkswagen Passat? Check its history first

Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2018 Volkswagen Passat, and 4 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2018 Volkswagen Passat NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 4/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 10.7%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Pelvis/Torso (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Not Available)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Volkswagen PassatRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$639

vs $526 avg for midsize cars

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.4

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Passat

$639

Category Avg

$526

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

22–29 MPG

Running cost: $2,700–$3,400/yr

Fuel + repair

19–25 city / 28–36 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2018 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Passat 2.0L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	25	36	29	$2,050
Passat 3.6L 6-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AM-S6)	19	28	22	$2,750

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2018 Volkswagen Passat.

Cycle the infotainment screen and backup camera several times; watch for blackouts, frozen touch response, or the camera turning on in Drive.
Scan for stored airbag, ABS, and adaptive cruise fault codes, and turn the wheel fully each way listening for cracking.
Check the oil level and ask for service records showing frequent oil top-offs between changes.
Smell for gasoline around the car after a drive and ask whether the battery has died overnight.
Brake firmly several times in traffic; watch for ABS engaging in normal stops, pulling, a sinking pedal, or scraping in curves.
Accelerate from a stop on a hill and watch for hesitation, stalling, or a sudden surge.
Ask for records of transmission, rear main seal, catalytic converter, or intake manifold runner work, especially past 70,000 miles.
Drive over bumps and make sharp left turns; listen for clicking and feel for a loose, bouncy front end.

2018 Volkswagen Passat Common Problems by Component

45 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (10)SERVICE BRAKES (8)ENGINE (6)FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (4)AIR BAGS (4)POWER TRAIN (3)VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (2)SUSPENSION (2)Other (6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

10 complaintsSafety-related

The infotainment screen goes black or stops responding to touch, taking the radio, navigation and backup camera with it, and dealer visits do not always fix it. Random warning lights, airbag and adaptive cruise errors, and a rear camera that switches on in Drive are also reported. Stalling and power loss are traced to battery or wiring harness failure, with harness and screen faults between 55,000 and 70,000 miles. A crash-related report says the engine can be shut off in gear with only a brief chime, letting the car roll away.

10 complaints total1 crash

SERVICE BRAKES

8 complaintsSafety-related

ABS kicks in during ordinary stops, so the car takes longer to stop, and ABS warning lights come on. Other reports describe front brakes that run very hot even after new pads and rotors, whistling and slipping in rain, and a pedal that needs excessive force, with the brake fluid warning lit at about 800 miles. A crash-related report involves a broken caliper bracket and a wheel that locked up, causing loss of control. Confusion over whether replacement pads need a wear sensor also appears.

8 complaints total1 crash

ENGINE

6 complaints

Oil disappears between changes, sometimes before 7,000 miles, and dealers respond with top-offs and repeat consumption checks rather than repairs. Intake manifold runner failure turns on the check engine light and can drop the car into limp mode at highway speed, reported around 90,000 miles. Other complaints describe the EPC and check engine lights coming on with shaking, a failed air pump control valve, and stalling at stops shortly after startup. The car restarts after these stalls, and a mechanic could not reproduce the problem.

6 complaints total

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (4 complaints)

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

4 complaints

The fuel pump module leaks, leaving a strong gasoline smell, and fire is raised as a concern. A faulty fuel pump control module can also keep running after the car is shut off, draining the battery overnight and leaving every dash warning lit on the next start. Replacing the module fixed that problem. Repeated no-starts are also reported, blamed in turn on the starter and fuel injectors, with costly repairs spread across several shop visits.

4 complaints total

AIR BAGS (4 complaints)

AIR BAGS

4 complaintsSafety-related

Airbag warning lights and sensor faults come and go, sometimes along with errors for adaptive cruise, front assist and the passenger seat belt. A cracking sound when turning the steering wheel accompanies the warnings in one report. A clockspring that fails more than once is blamed for disabling adaptive cruise and stability control and for applying the brakes when not needed. A crash-related complaint says the front and side airbags did not deploy in a collision at around 45 to 50 mph.

4 complaints total1 crash

POWER TRAIN (3 complaints)

POWER TRAIN

3 complaints

Major drivetrain repairs show up between about 74,000 and 98,000 miles. Complaints include a transmission failure with a dealer repair quote of $4,500, a rear main seal that needs replacing after an abnormal noise, and a failed catalytic converter that followed emissions warning lights. The converter replacement part is on national backorder, which has kept a car at the dealer for months with no repair date.

3 complaints total

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (2 complaints)

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 complaintsSafety-related

The engine hesitates or stalls when the driver tries to accelerate, then can surge forward without warning. One of these episodes ended in a crash with serious injuries. Another report describes a check engine light at highway speed with adaptive cruise on, then sudden power loss and shaking on any attempt to accelerate, and finally a full shutdown that cleared after a restart. Similar hesitation and stalling is said to affect other 2018 Passats.

2 complaints total1 crash1 injury

SUSPENSION (2 complaints)

SUSPENSION

2 complaints

Front wheel bearings wear out, bringing a delayed brake response, pulling left and right under braking, and a loose, bouncy ride over bumps. In one case the car had to be towed to a dealer. A clicking noise during sharp left turns is also reported. The CV joint is suspected, but the dealer found nothing wrong and called the car safe to drive.

2 complaints total

UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaintsSafety-related

The brake pedal sinks to the floor at low speed after the car has been held on the brake for a few minutes. The car then drifts forward, and this has caused a minor rear-end crash with an injury. Separately, the Front Assist collision system stops working in snow or rain once water covers the VW emblem, which is when drivers need it most.

2 complaints total1 crash1 injury

STEERING (2 complaints)

STEERING

2 complaints

In curves, the wheel tries to pull itself straight, so the driver has to hold extra effort to stay on line. Braking mid-curve brings a scraping sound and a vibration felt through the pedal. Both problems happen around 30 mph and at 50 to 60 mph, and close calls with other vehicles are reported. The trouble began at purchase.

2 complaints total

Best & Worst Volkswagen Passat Years

Best Volkswagen Passat Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Good

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.

See full Volkswagen Passat years-to-avoid analysis

Volkswagen Passat Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Volkswagen Passat reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	71/100	Good
2019	77/100	Good
2020	75/100	Good
2021	78/100	Good
2022	77/100	Good

Volkswagen Passat Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2022	77/100	-1	Good	0	11
2021	78/100	+3	Good	1	18
2020	75/100	-2	Good	3	15
2019	77/100	+6	Good	1	12
2018(selected)	71/100	—	Good	4	45

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2018 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

Yes, it has good reliability and rates above average among 2018 sedans. It is still the weakest of the five scored Passat model years. Owners filed 45 complaints, mostly about electrical, brake, engine and airbag problems, and the 2019 model rates better.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Volkswagen Passat?

Electrical faults lead, with 10 complaints. The infotainment screen goes black and takes the backup camera with it. Brakes follow with 8 complaints, mainly ABS activating in ordinary stops. Engine complaints cover oil loss and intake manifold runner failure. Airbag warning lights and sensor faults also appear.

Does the 2018 Volkswagen Passat have oil consumption problems?

Some owners say so. Oil disappears between changes, in some cases before 7,000 miles. Owners report that dealers responded with top-offs and repeat consumption checks rather than repairs. Ask the seller for oil change records and check the level before you buy.

How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Passat have?

Federal records list four recalls. They cover exterior lighting, service brakes (hydraulic) twice, and one unknown or other area. One is a do-not-drive recall. Run the VIN through federal recall records to see whether the repairs on a specific car were done.

Is the 2019 Volkswagen Passat more reliable than the 2018?

Yes, the 2019 rates better. It has good reliability like the 2018, but with 12 complaints and one recall, against 45 complaints and four recalls for the 2018. Compare actual repair records on any specific car before you decide.

Don’t buy a 2018 Volkswagen Passat without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2018 Volkswagen Passat

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2018 Volkswagen Passat does best on how many systems draw complaints (86/100) and worst on recall impact (60/100). 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.

Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Volkswagen Passat.

No spam. Only data updates for this model.