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

Brakes lead the complaints, then the engine and the electrical system.

Does the 2018 Passat have recalls?

Yes, recalls are on file for this year. See the Recalls section for the list.

Is the 2018 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

Complaints are spread across several groups, led by brakes. See the by-year section to compare model years.

What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Passat?

See the fuel section on this page for the EPA figures.

2018 Volkswagen Passat Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2018 Passat have?

NHTSA has 46 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 46 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Volkswagen Passat^[1]. Brakes top the list, followed by the engine and the electrical system^[2]^[3]^[4].

46owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[5]

22–29MPG combined (EPA)^[6]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[7]

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

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.

Brakes. 13 complaints^[2]. Owners describe a pedal that needed extra force, odd scraping or whistling sounds, and warning lights after a brake scare.
Engine. 11 complaints^[3]. Owners describe stalling at stops, hesitation when pulling away, a drop in power with a warning light, and oil use that seemed too high.
Electrical System. 10 complaints^[4]. Owners describe a dash screen that goes dark, a backup camera that quits, stray warning messages, and a horn that stays silent when the car is off.
Fuel/Propulsion System. 6 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a strong fuel smell, a leaking fuel pump, and a battery that drains overnight.
Air Bags. 5 complaints^[9]. These are the fifth largest group.
Speed Control. 4 complaints^[10]. A smaller group.
Unknown Or Other. 3 complaints^[11]. These do not fit a named group.
Power Train. 3 complaints^[12]. A smaller group.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2018 Passat is necessarily included.

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.^[13]
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.^[14]
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.^[15]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper (18V369), June 2018. About 10,225 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking.^[16]

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, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[6]	25 / 36 / 29	$2,300
Passat, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (AM-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[17]	19 / 28 / 22	$3,050

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD^[7]	5	4	5	4	10.7%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2018 Volkswagen Passat with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[18]	174 hp
2018 Volkswagen Passat with 3.6L 6-cylinder^[19]	280 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
PASSAT 2.0L TSI 4DR SEDAN^[20]	192 in	72 in	58 in	110 in	3,263 lb
PASSAT VR6 4DR SEDAN^[21]	192 in	72 in	58 in	110 in	3,446 lb

How 2018 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Passat model year. The 2018 is highlighted^[5].

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 46 complaints and 4 recalls for 2018^[5]. Among the 27 model years listed, 6 have fewer complaints than 2018 and 20 have more^[5]. The fewest complaints are for 2019 (12) and the most are for 2013 (749)^[5]. 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 2018 Passat?

The 2018 Passat has a modest complaint record, with 46 reports on file^[1]. Brakes, engine and electrical issues make up the biggest groups^[2]^[3]^[4]. Some reports mention crashes, and these are unverified owner accounts^[1]. Recalls exist for this year, so check the Recalls section on this page^[5]. Read the numbers as a guide and not a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Volkswagen Passat?: Brakes lead the complaints, then the engine and the electrical system^[2]^[3]^[4].
Does the 2018 Passat have recalls?: Yes, recalls are on file for this year^[5]. See the Recalls section for the list.
How many complaints does the 2018 Passat have?: NHTSA has 46 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2018 Volkswagen Passat reliable?: Complaints are spread across several groups, led by brakes^[2]. See the by-year section to compare model years.
What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Passat?: See the fuel section on this page for the EPA figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Volkswagen Passat

2004 285 complaints, 3 recalls
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 110 complaints, 7 recalls
2018 this page

Compare all model years of the Volkswagen Passat

Other Volkswagen models from 2018

2018 Volkswagen Atlas 466 complaints, 17 recalls
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan 292 complaints, 14 recalls

All Volkswagen models

Similar cars from 2018: midsize cars

2018 Toyota Camry 778 complaints, 8 recalls
2018 Chevrolet Malibu 711 complaints, 6 recalls
2018 Ford Fusion 508 complaints, 2 recalls
2018 Lincoln MKZ 37 complaints, 2 recalls
2018 Mazda 6 58 complaints, 2 recalls
2018 Nissan Maxima 36 complaints, 2 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 46 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Volkswagen Passat (5 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 34,853). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
10 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 49,900). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Volkswagen Passat model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Passat, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 36 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. 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
6 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 20V561, filed September 16, 2020: 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 18V369, filed June 1, 2018: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Passat, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (AM-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2018 Volkswagen Passat with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 174 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2018 Volkswagen Passat with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 280 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PASSAT 2.0L TSI 4DR SEDAN: length 192 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,263 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PASSAT VR6 4DR SEDAN: length 192 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,446 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.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.

2018 Volkswagen Passat: problems, recalls and fuel economy