Midsize sedans · NMS facelift generation
Smart buy Well above average
It scores 88 out of 100 for reliability compared with other midsize sedans. Over the next 5 years we expect it to cost about $12,455 to own, including $1,620 in repairs.
Early estimate: this rating uses our own sales estimate for the Volkswagen Passat.
Reliability
88/100
Well above average
Repairs, 5 years
$1,620
at 12,000 mi a year
Fuel, 5 years
$7,556
27 mpg, $3.40/gal
Price today
$12,653
$11,135 – $14,172, estimate
Recalls
3
on record
Owner complaints
18
filed with NHTSA
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.
Expected over 5 years, by area of the car.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Passat vehicles. The passenger frontal air bag may have been folded incorrectly affecting its deployment force. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
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."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas and 2020 Passat vehicles. An incorrect driver and/or front passenger side impact air bag may have been installed.
Check whether a specific car still has open recalls with its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
These links go to independent sites. We don't earn anything from them.
Of the years we rate, the 2020 scores best (88/100) and the 2015 worst (33/100).
| Year | Reliability |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 80/100 |
| 2021 | 84/100 |
| 2020 | 88/100 |
| 2019 | 86/100 |
| 2018 | 71/100 |
| 2017 | 68/100 |
| 2016 | 58/100 |
| 2015 | 33/100 |
No. It scores 88 out of 100, one of the more reliable midsize sedans of 2015–2024.
It scores 88 out of 100 against other midsize sedans from 2015 to 2024, which is well above average. Based on 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, we expect about $1,620 in repairs over the next 5 years at 12,000 miles a year.
About $12,455 over 5 years: $3,279 in lost value, $1,620 in repairs and $7,556 in fuel at $3.40 a gallon. A typical one sells for about $12,653 today.
Of the years we rate, the 2020 scores best (88/100) and the 2015 worst (33/100).
3 recalls on record with NHTSA.