MYRModel Year Report

2015 Volkswagen Passat

◆ Worse than typical
2015 Volkswagen Passat
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Passat Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2015 highlighted. 1988: 0 complaints 1988 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 34 complaints 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 39 complaints 1993: 68 complaints 1993 1994: 25 complaints 1995: 93 complaints 1996: 40 complaints 1997: 37 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2003: 628 complaints 2003 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 481 complaints 2013: 747 complaints 2013 2014: 592 complaints 2015: 242 complaints 2015 2016: 106 complaints 2017: 107 complaints 2018: 45 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 15 complaints 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 11 complaints 2022
2015: 242 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19880
19890
199034
199124
199239
199368
199425
199593
199640
199737
1998331
1999664
2000507
2001430
2002636
2003628
2004279
2005148
2006576
2007262
2008168
2009146
2010163
201116
2012481
2013747
2014592
2015242
2016106
2017107
201845
201912
202015
202118
202211

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 36%

36% of complaints: air bags — 86 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20240816

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, 20190925

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, 20150730

ENGINE 22%

22% of complaints: engine — 53 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 44 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
STEERING 11%

11% of complaints: steering — 26 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES 11%

11% of complaints: service brakes — 26 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20180921

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, 20160209

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20141119 — seats

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.

Campaign 14V670000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2015 — complaint volume: 242
R 20150209 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Campaign 15V028000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150611 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 15V373000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160309 — engine and engine cooling, service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 15V705000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190304 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V014000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190716 — exterior lighting

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.

Campaign 19V389000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191220 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V862000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2015 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (86 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (53 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (44 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 14V670000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V028000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V373000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V705000 (engine and engine cooling, service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V014000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V389000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V862000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1997 ▲ 1992

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 1999 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

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 36% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2015 Volkswagen Passat have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.