volkswagen Passat problems
0 safety recalls. 105 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
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.…
I HAVE HAD 2 DIAGNOSTICS DONE ON THIS CAR AT 69 THOUSAND MILES EPC LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN AND NOW THE FUEL SYSTEM IS MESSED UP, FUEL INJECTORS ALL 4 I WAS TOLD IS BAD,THE DEALERSHIP PRINCIPLE VW TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE FUEL SYSTEM AND THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS BUT WANT TO CHARGE…
SAME ISSUE AS NHTSA ID # 11096639. CAR WAS PARKED, TURNED OFF, AND LOCKED AFTER 3 ADULTS EXITED THE CAR AND ENTERED A STORY. A FEW MINUTES LATER A CONCERNED PERSON RAN IN THE STORE ASKING WHO OWNS A BLACK VW? THE CAR HAD ROLLED AWAY, UNATTENDED, AFTER BEING PARKED ON A…
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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 105 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.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Volkswagen Passat?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 18 complaints filed. 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. 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 105 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 aren't always better value.