2018 Volkswagen Passat: reliability, problems and cost to own
Smart buyAbove average
It scores 71 out of 100 for reliability compared with other midsize sedans. Over the next 5 years we expect it to cost about $11,988 to own, including $2,212 in repairs.
Early estimate: this rating uses our own sales estimate for the Volkswagen Passat.
These are estimates, not guarantees. They come from public NHTSA complaint and recall data and EPA fuel economy, assuming 5 years of ownership and 12,000 miles a year. Change the assumptions or see how it works.
Where repair money is likely to go
Engine & cooling$1,273
Transmission & drivetrain$334
Electrical system$148
Driver-assist & stability$135
Steering$85
Brakes$82
Expected over 5 years, by area of the car.
Recalls
Unknown Or OtherSep 16, 2020 · campaign 20V561000
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 var
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."
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › CaliperAug 15, 2018 · campaign 18V536000
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › CaliperJun 1, 2018 · campaign 18V369000
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.
Check whether a specific car still has open recalls with its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
No. It scores 71 out of 100, one of the more reliable midsize sedans of 2015–2024.
Is the 2018 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
It scores 71 out of 100 against other midsize sedans from 2015 to 2024, which is above average. Based on 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, we expect about $2,212 in repairs over the next 5 years at 12,000 miles a year.
How much does a 2018 Volkswagen Passat cost to own?
About $11,988 over 5 years: $2,742 in lost value, $2,212 in repairs and $7,034 in fuel at $3.40 a gallon. A typical one sells for about $10,579 today.
What are the best years of the Volkswagen Passat?
Of the years we rate, the 2020 scores best (88/100) and the 2015 worst (33/100).
How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Passat have?