What are the most common problems with this Passat?

Owners name air bags most often, then unknown or other issues, electrical trouble and brakes.

Does this Passat have recalls?

Yes, the model year has recalls. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.

What is the gas mileage?

See the Fuel section of this page for EPA figures.

Is this Passat reliable?

Complaints are spread over several groups, led by air bags. See the by-year section to compare it with other model years.

2017 Volkswagen Passat Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints are there in total?

NHTSA has 110 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 110 owner complaints on file for this Passat^[1]. Air bags are the group named most often, with 28 complaints^[2].

110owner complaints^[1]

7recalls^[3]

23–27MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners name most, biggest first.

Air Bags. 28 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe clicking sounds from the steering wheel, then an air bag warning light, a dead horn and steering wheel buttons that stopped working. One owner says a seat belt and air bag did not do their job after being hit from behind.
Unknown Or Other. 21 complaints^[6]. These reports do not fit a named component group.
Electrical System. 18 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a rearview camera that stays blank, a car that would not recognize its key fob, sudden loss of power while driving and seat heaters that behave oddly.
Brakes. 17 complaints^[8]. Owners describe brake fluid leaks, squeaking, shaking when braking and a brake pedal that moved on its own. One owner says the car slowed too little in traffic.
Steering. 16 complaints^[9].
Forward Collision Avoidance. 16 complaints^[10]. Owners describe the automatic braking system stepping in when the road ahead was clear, and warnings that the front sensor could not see.
Engine. 7 complaints^[11].
Fuel/Propulsion System. 6 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2017 Passat is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (24V834), October 2024. About 248,330 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Unknown Or Other (21V321), May 2021. About 46 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash, injury.^[14]
Unknown Or Other (20V561), September 2020. About 23 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury.^[15]
Unknown Or Other (19V679), September 2019. About 113 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash, injury.^[16]
Exterior Lighting › Headlights (19V389), May 2019. About 662,185 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper (18V536), August 2018. About 8,416 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Fluid (17V075), February 2017. About 1,007 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[19]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Passat, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (AM-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	20 / 28 / 23	$2,900
Passat, 1.8L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	23 / 34 / 27	$2,500

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD^[5]	5	4	5	4	10.7%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2017 Volkswagen Passat with 1.8L 4-cylinder^[21]	170 hp
2017 Volkswagen Passat with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[22]	200 hp
2017 Volkswagen Passat with 3.6L 6-cylinder^[23]	280 hp

How 2017 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Passat model year. The 2017 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	93	1
1996	40	1
1997	37	0
1998	331	4
1999	664	5
2000	507	3
2001	432	3
2002	643	3
2003	631	6
2004	285	3
2005	148	3
2006	576	7
2007	273	7
2008	174	4
2009	152	4
2010	172	4
2012	484	11
2013	749	9
2014	594	10
2015	244	7
2016	106	5
2017	110	7
2018	46	4
2019	12	1
2020	18	3
2021	18	1
2022	13	0

NHTSA's counts for the Passat show 110 complaints and 7 recalls for 2017^[3]. Among the 27 model years listed, 9 have fewer complaints than 2017 and 17 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2019 (12) and the most are for 2013 (749)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2017 Passat?

The complaint file is a mix of groups, with air bags at the top^[2]. Owners also talk about electrical trouble^[7], brakes^[8] and the forward collision system^[10]. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name several parts. Recalls exist for this model year too^[3]. Check the recall section on this page and ask a seller or dealer about repair history before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with this Passat?: Owners name air bags most often^[2], then unknown or other issues^[6], electrical trouble^[7] and brakes^[8].
Does this Passat have recalls?: Yes, the model year has recalls^[3]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
How many complaints are there in total?: NHTSA has 110 owner complaints on file^[1].
What is the gas mileage?: See the Fuel section of this page for EPA figures.
Is this Passat reliable?: Complaints are spread over several groups, led by air bags^[2]. See the by-year section to compare it with other model years.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Volkswagen Passat

2012 484 complaints, 11 recalls
2013 749 complaints, 9 recalls
2014 594 complaints, 10 recalls
2015 244 complaints, 7 recalls
2016 106 complaints, 5 recalls
2017 this page

Compare all model years of the Volkswagen Passat

Other Volkswagen models from 2017

2017 Volkswagen Golf/GTI 301 complaints, 7 recalls
2017 Volkswagen Jetta 160 complaints, 6 recalls
2017 Volkswagen Tiguan 76 complaints, 4 recalls

All Volkswagen models

Similar cars from 2017: midsize cars

2017 Lincoln MKZ 158 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 Mazda 6 60 complaints, 1 recall
2017 Nissan Maxima 106 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 Nissan Sentra 231 complaints, 3 recalls
2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback 1,038 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 Toyota Corolla 190 complaints, 3 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 110 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat (9 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
28 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Volkswagen Passat model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Passat, 1.8L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 34 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
21 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,124). NHTSA vehicle records
18 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,078). NHTSA vehicle records
17 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,000). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,000). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 24V834, filed October 30, 2024: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 21V321, filed May 5, 2021: Unknown Or Other. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V561, filed September 16, 2020: Unknown Or Other. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V679, filed September 25, 2019: Unknown Or Other. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V389, filed May 22, 2019: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V536, filed August 15, 2018: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V075, filed February 8, 2017: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Fluid. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Passat, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (AM-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2017 Volkswagen Passat with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 170 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2017 Volkswagen Passat with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 200 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2017 Volkswagen Passat with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 280 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2017 Volkswagen Passat: problems, recalls and fuel economy