VehicleVerdict

2018 Volkswagen Passat problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2018 Volkswagen Passat sits mid-pack among Passat years: 65 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 181, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (13), engine (11), and electrical system (10), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

65

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Passat years?

Passat NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted1,026 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 50 complaints1991: 30 complaints1992: 60 complaints1993: 90 complaints1994: 36 complaints1995: 142 complaints1996: 185 complaints1997: 105 complaints1998: 476 complaints1999: 854 complaints2000: 625 complaints2001: 558 complaints2002: 772 complaints2003: 823 complaints2004: 348 complaints2005: 172 complaints2006: 779 complaints2007: 341 complaints2008: 240 complaints2009: 211 complaints2010: 226 complaints2011: 27 complaints2012: 660 complaints2013: 1,026 complaints2014: 785 complaints2015: 388 complaints2016: 179 complaints2017: 173 complaints2018: 65 complaints2019: 18 complaints2020: 24 complaints2021: 28 complaints2022: 19 complaints
Passat NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Passat years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Volkswagen Passat problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1320%
Engine1117%
Electrical System1015%
Fuel System69%
Airbags58%
Speed Control46%
Transmission35%
Driver Assistance35%
Other35%
Steering23%
Suspension23%
Tires & Wheels23%
Lighting12%

Does the 2018 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V561000OtherSeptember 16, 2020 · 23 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Consequence

Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.

19V389000LightingMay 22, 2019 · 662,185 units

Defect

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.

18V536000BrakesAugust 15, 2018 · 8,416 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened sufficiently.

Consequence

The loose brake bracket bolts can allow the caliper to move, reducing braking ability or causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper bracket bolt tightness, replacing and re-torque the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Additionally brake caliper fasteners, bleeder valve, and brake hose bolts will be checked and torqued to the correct specification, if necessary, free of charge. For Passat vehicles, dealers will also inspect the parking brake cable for proper connection, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46H6.

18V369000BrakesJune 1, 2018 · 10,225 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.

Consequence

A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I was driving down the road and the wheel locked up and I lost control of the car. I thought it was just a flat tire. I noticed the tire was flat and brake caliber was lying on the inside of the rim. There was extensive damage to the vehicle, tire, rim, suspension components and brake components.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 17, 2021 · crash

“MY FATHER WAS HEADING HOME WHEN HE STOPPED THE HILL DOWN FROM HIS HOUSE. UPON TRYING TO ACCELERATE HE NOTICED THE VEHICLE DID NOT WANT TO GO. THE ENGINE HAD STALLED/HESITATED. HE PRESSED THE GAS A FEW TIMES AND NOTHING HAPPENED, THE RPM HA D WAS THE ONLY THING MOVING. THEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 24, 2019 · crash

“The vehicle can be turned off while in drive, and gives no extra signals (beeps, flashing lights, etc.) with the exception of a brief message on the dash and single ding (same ding for door open, and other low importance messages). The vehicle will then roll until the brake is applied or it comes…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 11, 2021 · crash

“Fuel pump Leak. Strong order of gasoline has been coming from the car. I had a check and the fuel pump is leaking. Other vehicles have been recalled due to this, but the Passat has not been included. This problem has been reported out in several cars including a fire…. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 23, 2024

“Collision around 45 to 50 mph. Airbags frontal and side airbags didnt deployed Two vehicles invaded my lane and I ran into the second vehicle . ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 5, 2024 · crash

2018 Volkswagen Passat — common questions

Is the 2018 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 65 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Passat year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2018 Passat problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (13 complaints), engine (11 complaints), electrical system (10 complaints).

Does the 2018 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Volkswagen Passat. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volkswagen Passat years should you avoid?

Based on 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 record among Passat years belongs to 1989.

How safe is the 2018 Volkswagen Passat?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Volkswagen Passat earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.