2016 Volkswagen Passat problems
The 2016 Volkswagen Passat has 106 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2016 Volkswagen Passat has 106 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 19 complaints, typically surfacing around 43,714 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Passat | 747 | 1 |
| 2014 Passat | 592 | 3 |
| 2015 Passat | 242 | 3 |
| 2016 Passat (this page) | 106 | 0 |
| 2017 Passat | 108 | 1 |
| 2018 Passat | 45 | 2 |
| 2019 Passat | 12 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2016 Volkswagen Passat? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- steering — 19 owner reports · tends to show around 43,714 mi · ~$700 to fix
- electrical — 17 owner reports · tends to show around 39,220 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 95,350 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- airbags — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 44,000 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 43,714 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2016 Volkswagen Passat
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I started my vehicle and the airbag light was on. Also the adaptive cruise control warning light was on and none of my steering wheel controls work. Not even the horn works. This is a huge safety issue that Volkswagen is aware of based on a past recall. There are no open…
2016 vw passat. Driver's side door latch freezes shut in temperatures below freezing. The key-less entry fob unlocks the door but the door cannot be opened when pulling the handle. Also, the inside handle will not open the door. All of the other door latches work normally.…
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle was vibrating abnormally while in park(P) and had started jerking while driving. The contact stated that while driving and exceeding 70 MPH, the shaking and vibrating became worse. The contact stated…
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen passat. While driving 45 MPH, without depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle began to brake independently and a wavy line warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the steering wheel started to vibrate violently without warning. The…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Volkswagen Passat is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Volkswagen Passat?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Volkswagen Passat does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 Volkswagen Passat?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 19 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 43,714 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 106 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 43,714 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Volkswagen Passat?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 19 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 43,714 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 43,714 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Volkswagen Passat has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Volkswagen Passat?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 106 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.