Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 77/100 (GOOD)

2019 Volkswagen Passat Reliability Report

The 2019 Volkswagen Passat has good reliability, but owners report the collision avoidance system braking hard with nothing ahead.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

8.5per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$639

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,050

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity69/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact88/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity78/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Rates well above other 2019 sedans with only 12 complaints, though owners report unexplained hard braking and remote start failures.

Top Issues to Watch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)
SERVICE BRAKES (2)
FUEL SYSTEM (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 5)

2019 is year 5 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.

2019: This Model Year

2019 is year 5 of the Eighth generation (B8).

Should You Buy the 2019 Volkswagen Passat?

Good reliability puts this Passat well above other 2019 sedans and among the stronger of its five scored years. Owners filed 12 complaints, and it earned 5 of 5 federal crash-test stars. Repairs cost more than the class, an estimated $639 a year against $526.

Electrical faults lead the complaints. The collision avoidance system can brake hard with nothing nearby, and dealers could not find the cause. Push-button start sometimes shows "No Key Detected," and factory remote start makes the engine turn over and die. Two brake reports describe late engagement and a slow pedal return with no warning light, plus a brake pedal set far ahead of the gas pedal. The one recall covers exterior lighting.

The 2018 rates worse, with 45 complaints and 4 recalls. The 2020 rates about the same. Ask for records showing the recall was done and any dealer work on braking or remote start, and check pedal reach on a test drive.

Compared to the 2020 Volkswagen Passat, which scored 2 points lower. See also the 2018 Volkswagen Passat for an earlier comparison.

Pros

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

Cons

−Above-average repair costs for its class
−ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Collision avoidance system can brake the car hard at various speeds with no... (4 complaints)
−SERVICE BRAKES: Brakes are reported to engage late after the pedal is pressed (2 complaints)

Compare 2019 Volkswagen Passat With

2019 Subaru Legacy

Reliability: 69/100

Good

2019 Ford Fusion

Reliability: 68/100

Good

2019 Buick Regal

Reliability: 73/100

Good

2019 Buick LaCrosse

Reliability: 76/100

Good

2019 Genesis G80

Reliability: 66/100

Good

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

1 manufacturer recall issued

Other

HIGH RISK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)
SERVICE BRAKES (2)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recall on record

The 2019 Volkswagen Passat carries 1 recall — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

8.5

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 19.1

LowAvgHigh

Low

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.

2019 Volkswagen Passat Recall Details

1 recall has been issued for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

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.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2019 Volkswagen Passat? Check its history first

Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2019 Volkswagen Passat, and 1 recall was 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

2019 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

29 MPG

Running cost: $2,700/yr

Fuel + repair

25 city / 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 2019 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

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2019 Volkswagen Passat.

Drive at several speeds on an open road and watch for automatic braking with nothing ahead.
Restart the car with the push button several times and watch for a "No Key Detected" message.
Try the factory remote start with the car off and confirm the engine keeps running.
Ask for dealer records covering collision avoidance, remote start, or no-start complaints.
Compare the speedometer against a GPS app at a steady highway speed.
Press the brake pedal repeatedly and confirm it bites right away and springs back as fast as you lift off.
Move your foot between the gas and brake pedals and make sure it cannot get caught behind the brake pedal.

2019 Volkswagen Passat Common Problems by Component

12 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)SERVICE BRAKES (2)FUEL SYSTEM (1)ENGINE (1)POWER TRAIN (1)SEATS (1)STEERING (1)VISIBILITY/WIPER (1)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 complaints

The collision avoidance system can brake the car hard at various speeds with no vehicle or object nearby. A sudden stop like that raises the risk of being hit from behind, and dealers could not find the cause. Other reports describe the push-button start failing with a "No Key Detected" message. The factory remote start also fails: the engine turns over and dies right away. Several owners say dealers knew about the remote start fault and kept putting off a fix. A smaller complaint has the speedometer reading slightly below actual speed on the highway.

4 complaints total

SERVICE BRAKES

2 complaints

The brakes are reported to engage late after the pedal is pressed. The pedal also returns slowly when the foot comes off it, and no warning light appears. A separate complaint concerns pedal placement. The brake pedal sits well ahead of the gas pedal, which makes a normal move from one pedal to the other difficult, and the driver's foot can get caught behind the brake pedal. Both problems raise the risk of a collision when the driver needs to stop quickly. Neither report mentions a repair.

2 complaints total

FUEL SYSTEM

1 complaint

2022-10-01

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking and then lost motive power. The contact pushed the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel injector needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced the fuel injector. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

ENGINE (1 complaints)

ENGINE

1 complaint

2019-03-29

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE IDLED WITH THE EPC LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS BELABORED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS AND AT LOW SPEEDS. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN CATONSVILLE 6624 BALTIMORE NATIONAL PIKE, BALTIMORE, MD 21228) FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE AND FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE OR RESOLUTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. *TP

POWER TRAIN (1 complaints)

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

2019-07-01

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT SLOWER SPEEDS, IT IS CONSTANTLY SHIFTING TO TRY AND SAVE ON FUEL. THIS RESULTS IN THE VEHICLE NOT PROVIDING A CONSISTENT RIDE. THE NOISE WHEN IT SHIFTS IS VERY LOUD AND CAN SOMETIMES BE FELT THROUGH A JERKING MOTION. BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP RESULTED IN THEM SAYING THEY KNOW IT'S AN ISSUE AND HOPEFULLY VW COMES OUT WITH A SOFTWARE FIX. IT'S NOT COMFORTING KNOWING THAT THE DEALERSHIP KNOWS THERE'S AN ISSUE AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE.

SEATS (1 complaints)

SEATS

1 complaint

2019-11-11

ON 11/10/2019 WHILE DRIVING I CONSTANTLY FELT BURNING SENSATION ON MY RIGHT THIGH WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS AROUND 70 MILES. THE NEXT DAY ON 11/11/2019 WITH THE FAMILY AND KIDS MY RIGHT THIGH STARTED FEELING LIKE ITS BURNING. SUBSEQUENTLY WE STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING BURN AND SWITCHED OFF ALL HEAT AND HEATED SEATS AND DROVE BACK HOME WITH OUT ANY HEAT IN 15 F . ON ARRIVAL WE NOTICED THAT THE HEATED SEAT GOT SO HOT THAT IT BURNT A HOLE IN THE DRIVER CAR SEAT AND MELTED THE LEATHER . WE ALL GOT EXTREMELY SCARED OF A POSSIBLE FIRE IN THE CAR AND COULD HAD GOT INJURED OR STRANDED ON A VERY COLD DAY. THERE ARE 100'S OF SIMILAR ISSUES POSTED ONLINE BUT I AM NOT SURE WHY THIS IS NOT BEING FIXED. IF THE CLOTHS FIRE CATCHES ON AND WE ARE ON A FREEWAY AT A HIGH SPEED THEN MY FAMILY'S LIFE COULD BE ENDANGERED IF I LOOSE CONTROL BECAUSE OF THIS BURN. THE CAR IS 2019 JANUARY VW PASSAT BOUGHT FROM VW AND IS ALMOST BRAND NEW . I HAVE TAKEN A DEALER APPOINTMENT AND WILL BE VISITING ON 11/16/2019 TO GET THIS CHECKED AND PROBABLY FIXED. BUT SHOULD I TRUST THAT THIS WONT HAPPEN AGAIN ?

STEERING (1 complaints)

STEERING

1 complaint

2019-10-01

CAR HESITATES ERRATICALLY AND UNPREDICTABLY WHEN ACCELERATING MOST NOTICEABLY FROM A DEAD STOP, AND AT SLOW SPEEDS WHILE TURNING. ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP TO CROSS A STREET IN BUSY TRAFFIC THE CAR WILL JUST SIT UNRESPONSIVE FOR SECONDS AND BARELY ACCELERATE AND THEN UNPREDICTABLY ACCELERATE. DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING THE R-LINE, IT DRIFTS ALL OVER THE ROAD. I HAVE HAD 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENTS ON THE CAR WITH ONLY 6400 MILES ON IT.

VISIBILITY/WIPER (1 complaints)

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

2019-07-08

WINDSHIELD BEGAN CRACKING IN THE MIDDLE FROM PASSENGER SIDE TOWARD DRIVER SIDE. NO ROCK OR OTHER DEBRIS HIT WINDSHIELD. IT IS A CONTINUOUS CRACK THAT IS A FINE LINK CRACK THAT CONTINUES TO SPREAD.

Best & Worst Volkswagen Passat Years

Best Volkswagen Passat Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Good

2021

1Recalls

18Complaints

Good

2022

0Recalls

11Complaints

Good

2019

(Current Model)

1Recalls

12Complaints

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(selected)	77/100	+6	Good	1	12
2018	71/100	—	Good	4	45

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2019 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

Yes, it has a good reliability standing. It sits well above average among 2019 sedans and ranks among the stronger of the five scored Passat years. Owners filed 12 complaints, and the car earned 5 of 5 stars in the federal crash test. Repair costs run higher than its class.

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Volkswagen Passat?

Electrical problems lead, with 4 of the 12 complaints. They include hard braking from the collision avoidance system, push-button start failing, and remote start that stalls the engine. Two complaints involve the service brakes, covering late engagement, slow pedal return, and pedal placement. None of the brake reports mention a repair.

Does the 2019 Volkswagen Passat brake by itself for no reason?

Some owners say so. Complaints describe the collision avoidance system braking the car hard at various speeds with no vehicle or object nearby. Owners note the sudden stop could get them hit from behind, and dealers could not find the cause. It is a small number of reports, but worth testing.

Does the 2019 Volkswagen Passat have remote start problems?

Owners report that it can. With the factory remote start, the engine turns over and then dies right away. Several say dealers knew about the fault and kept putting off a fix. If you plan to use remote start, test it before buying and ask for any dealer service records.

Is the 2019 Passat better than the 2018 or 2020?

The 2019 holds up better than the 2018, which rates worse and has 45 complaints and 4 recalls. The 2020 rates about the same, with 15 complaints and 3 recalls. The 2019 has just 1 recall, covering exterior lighting.

Don’t buy a 2019 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 2019 Volkswagen Passat

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2019 Volkswagen Passat does best on recall impact (88/100) and worst on complaint severity (69/100). 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.

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