2015–2022 · 8 model years · 28 recalls
No Volkswagen Passat year we rate stands out as one to avoid: every one scores at least 25 out of 100. The best years to buy are 2019, 2020 and 2021; the weakest is the 2015 (33/100).
None of the years we rate score below 25 out of 100, so there's no clear year to avoid. The lowest-scoring is the 2015 (33/100).
Well above average for its class. Expected repairs: $1,620 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $940 over 5 years. 3 recalls, 18 owner complaints.
Well above average for its class. Expected repairs: $1,695 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $866 over 5 years. 1 recall, 12 owner complaints.
Well above average for its class. Expected repairs: $1,615 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $893 over 5 years. 1 recall, 20 owner complaints.
| Generation | Years | Average score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| NMS | 2015–2019 | 63/100 | Above average |
| NMS facelift | 2020–2022 | 84/100 | Well above average |
| Model year | Reliability | Complaints | Recalls | Best mpg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Passat | 80/100 · Well above average | 13 | 0 | 28 |
| 2021 Passat | 84/100 · Well above average | 20 | 1 | 28 |
| 2020 Passat | 88/100 · Well above average | 18 | 3 | 27 |
| 2019 Passat | 86/100 · Well above average | 12 | 1 | 29 |
| 2018 Passat | 71/100 · Above average | 46 | 4 | 29 |
| 2017 Passat | 68/100 · Above average | 110 | 7 | 27 |
| 2016 Passat | 58/100 · About average | 106 | 5 | 29 |
| 2015 Passat | 33/100 · Below average | 243 | 7 | 34 |
Reliability compares each year with similar cars from 2015 to 2024, using owner complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold. Complaint counts on their own aren't a score: popular cars get more of them.
No Volkswagen Passat year we rate stands out as one to avoid: every one scores at least 25 out of 100. The best years to buy are 2019, 2020 and 2021; the weakest is the 2015 (33/100).
The 2020 scores best for reliability (88/100) of the years we rate.
The 2017, with 7 recalls on record with NHTSA.