Is the 2015 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2015 Volkswagen Passat is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Volkswagen Passat?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2015 Volkswagen Passat have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

2015 Volkswagen Passat

◆ Worse than typical

2015 Volkswagen Passat
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 243
Recalls: 7
Investigations: 0
Top problem: Air bags

Complaints per year

2015: 243 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1988	0
1989	0
1990	34
1991	24
1992	40
1993	68
1994	25
1995	94
1996	142
1997	70
1998	331
1999	664
2000	507
2001	430
2002	636
2003	629
2004	279
2005	148
2006	576
2007	262
2008	168
2009	146
2010	163
2011	16
2012	484
2013	748
2014	594
2015	243
2016	106
2017	110
2018	46
2019	12
2020	18
2021	18
2022	13

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

37% · 89 reports

Most commonly citing driver clockspring/spiral cassette.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle was totaled but I continue to receive recall notices to the point of harassment. I have called the hotline number and notified them dozens of times. I signed the vehicle over to the insurance. It is scrapped.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-08-16

Takata recall. Tl* the contact owned a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. While driving 4 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-09-25

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. While driving at a low speed, the driver side air bag deployed inadvertently. As a result, the vehicle spun and the contact crashed into a tree.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-07-30

Engine

22% · 53 reports

FIRE

Electrical system

20% · 48 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and horn.

CRASHFIRE

Service brakes

12% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

My pregnant fiance, her 3YR old son and I were driving on a city street approximately 35MPH. A vehicle cut off the truck in front of me and the truck in front of me slammed on their beaks, which made me slam on mine.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-09-21

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. While driving 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to repond. The contact mentioned that the emergency brake was used to stop the vehicle. The malfunction indicator lamp illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-02-09

Steering

11% · 26 reports

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

R

2014-11-19Seats14V670000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Jetta and Passat vehicles manufactured September 23, 2014, to October 9, 2014, and equipped with manual front seatback recliners.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the assembly of the seatback recliner retaining bracket, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014.

Check if this car was fixed →
▮
2015Complaint volume 243 complaints filed for this model year.
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2015-02-09Fuel system, gasoline15V028000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2015-06-11Service brakes, hydraulic15V373000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Passat vehicles manufactured May 18, 2015, to May 21, 2015.

Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will tighten the brake line fitting, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47M3.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2016-03-09Engine and engine cooling, service brakes, hydraulic15V705000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles.

Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2019-03-04Air bags19V014000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015 Passat, 2015-2016 Eos, 2015-2017 CC, 2016-2017 TT Roadster, TT Coupe, 2017 Audi R8 Coupe, and R8 Spyder vehicles.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2019-07-16Exterior lighting19V389000 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.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2019-12-20Air bags19V862000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2015 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Air bags: 89 reports on file for this year.
Engine: 53 reports on file for this year.
Electrical system: 48 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 14V670000 · Seats
Recall 15V028000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 15V373000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Recall 15V705000 · Engine and engine cooling, service brakes, hydraulic
Recall 19V014000 · Air bags
Recall 19V389000 · Exterior lighting
Recall 19V862000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2015 Volkswagen Passat reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2015 Volkswagen Passat is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Volkswagen Passat?: The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2015 Volkswagen Passat have?: 7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.