What are the most common problems with the 2020 Volkswagen Passat?

Engine complaints are the biggest group. Air bags and forward collision avoidance follow close behind.

Does the 2020 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?

Yes. See the Recalls section on this page for the full list.

What is the gas mileage of the 2020 Volkswagen Passat?

See the fuel economy section on this page.

Is the 2020 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

Owner complaints are listed by group above. Also see the by-year comparison and the safety section on this page.

2020 Volkswagen Passat Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2020 Volkswagen Passat have?

NHTSA has 18 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 18 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Volkswagen Passat^[1]. The biggest group names the engine, with 5 complaints^[2].

18owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[3]

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 groups of complaints that owners filed, biggest first.

Engine. 5 complaints^[2]. Owners describe odd noises, a costly repair on a car not long out of warranty, a sensor trouble that led to leaks, and a warning code that shops could not agree on.
Unknown or other. 4 complaints^[6]. These reports did not fit a clear component group.
Air bags. 4 complaints^[7]. In the stories we read, owners describe a warning light that stayed on, steering wheel controls and horn that quit working, and one crash where the bags did not deploy.
Forward collision avoidance. 3 complaints^[8]. Owners describe the automatic braking kicking in with nothing ahead, and a message saying the system was unavailable.
Electrical system. 3 complaints^[9]. Owners describe a dead center screen and a failing sensor that switched off safety features.
Wheels. 2 complaints^[10].
Brakes. 2 complaints^[11].
Steering. 2 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2020 Passat is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Passenger Side Frontal › Cushion (20V533), September 2020. About 1,829 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[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]
Air Bags › Side/Window (19V218), March 2019. About 3 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]

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^[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
2020 Volkswagen Passat with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[16]	174 hp

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

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
PASSAT 4DR SEDAN^[17]	194 in	72 in	58 in	110 in	3,325 lb

How 2020 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Passat model year. The 2020 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 18 complaints and 3 recalls for 2020^[3]. Among the 27 model years listed, 2 have fewer complaints than 2020 and 23 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 2020 Passat?

The 2020 Passat has a small pile of complaints, 18 in all^[1]. Engine reports lead the list^[2]. Air bag and collision avoidance reports matter because they touch safety^[7]^[8]. Recalls also exist for this year, so check the Recalls section^[3]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide and not a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Volkswagen Passat?: Engine complaints are the biggest group^[2]. Air bags and forward collision avoidance follow close behind^[7]^[8].
Does the 2020 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?: Yes. See the Recalls section on this page for the full list^[3].
How many complaints does the 2020 Volkswagen Passat have?: NHTSA has 18 owner complaints on file^[1].
What is the gas mileage of the 2020 Volkswagen Passat?: See the fuel economy section on this page.
Is the 2020 Volkswagen Passat reliable?: Owner complaints are listed by group above^[1]. Also see the by-year comparison and the safety section on this page.

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 46 complaints, 4 recalls
2020 this page

Compare all model years of the Volkswagen Passat

Other Volkswagen models from 2020

2020 Volkswagen Atlas 134 complaints, 11 recalls
2020 Volkswagen Jetta 54 complaints, 6 recalls
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan 141 complaints, 3 recalls

All Volkswagen models

Similar cars from 2020: midsize cars

2020 Ford Fusion 235 complaints, 3 recalls
2020 Honda Insight 31 complaints, 6 recalls
2020 Kia Forte 78 complaints, 0 recalls
2020 Lincoln MKZ 3 complaints, 1 recall
2020 Tesla Model 3 452 complaints, 21 recalls
2020 Toyota Camry 284 complaints, 3 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 18 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Volkswagen Passat (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). 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: 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
4 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 20V533, filed September 2, 2020: Air Bags › Passenger Side Frontal › Cushion. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V389, filed May 22, 2019: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V218, filed March 20, 2019: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
EPA Test Car List, 2020 Volkswagen Passat with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 174 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PASSAT 4DR SEDAN: length 194 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,325 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.

2020 Volkswagen Passat: problems, recalls and fuel economy