Volkswagen Passat years to avoid
The Volkswagen Passat years to avoid are 2013, 1999, 2003, 2014, 2006, 2002, 2012, 2000, 2001, 1998, 2015, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1989 is the cleanest year on record.
10,526
Total complaints
56
Recall campaigns
1988–2022
Years covered
15
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Passat years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | High complaints + open investigation | 1,027 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 854 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 823 | |
| 2014 | High complaints + open investigation | 788 | |
| 2006 | High complaint rate | 779 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 772 | |
| 2012 | High complaints + open investigation | 662 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 625 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 558 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 476 | |
| 2015 | High complaint rate | 389 | |
| 2004 | High complaint rate | 348 | |
| 2007 | High complaint rate | 341 | |
| 2010 | Open safety investigation | 226 | |
| 2011 | Open safety investigation | 27 |
Every Passat year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 20 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 28 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 25 | 3 | |
| 2019 | 18 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 65 | 4 | |
| 2017 | 175 | 7 | |
| 2016 | 179 | 5 | |
| 2015avoid | 389 | 7 | |
| 2014avoid | 788 | 10 | |
| 2013avoid | 1,027 | 9 | |
| 2012avoid | 662 | 11 | |
| 2011avoid | 27 | 0 | |
| 2010avoid | 226 | 4 | |
| 2009 | 211 | 4 | |
| 2008 | 240 | 4 | |
| 2007avoid | 341 | 7 | |
| 2006avoid | 779 | 7 | |
| 2005 | 172 | 4 | |
| 2004avoid | 348 | 4 | |
| 2003avoid | 823 | 7 | |
| 2002avoid | 772 | 4 | |
| 2001avoid | 558 | 4 | |
| 2000avoid | 625 | 5 | |
| 1999avoid | 854 | 6 | |
| 1998avoid | 476 | 5 | |
| 1997 | 105 | 1 | |
| 1996 | 185 | 1 | |
| 1995 | 142 | 1 | |
| 1994 | 36 | 1 | |
| 1993 | 90 | 3 | |
| 1992 | 60 | 1 | |
| 1991 | 30 | 1 | |
| 1990 | 50 | 2 | |
| 1989 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1988 | 0 | 1 |
Common questions
What are the worst Volkswagen Passat years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Passat years to avoid are 2013, 1999, 2003, 2014, 2006, 2002, 2012, 2000, 2001, 1998, 2015, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011. The cleanest year on record is 1989.
What is the best year for the Volkswagen Passat?
By complaint volume, 1989 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Passat years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Volkswagen Passat have?
Across all model years, the Passat has 56 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 10,526 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.