MYRModel Year Report

2016 Volkswagen Passat

▲ Better than typical
2016 Volkswagen Passat
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:51:03.769Z

This year had at least 30% fewer 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
106
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Air bags

24% of complaints

Complaints per year

1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2013: 749 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 106 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2021: 19 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1996 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 749 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 106 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 19 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1996 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 749 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 106 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 19 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022

2016: 106 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19880
19890
199034
199124
199240
199368
199425
199594
1996142
199770
1998331
1999664
2000507
2001430
2002636
2003629
2004279
2005148
2006576
2007262
2008168
2009146
2010163
201116
2012484
2013749
2014594
2015243
2016106
2017110
201846
201912
202018
202119
202213

Known problem areas

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

Air bags

24% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing driver clockspring/spiral cassette.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Takata recall- not sure if it is but my car has issue on the steering. Also my airbag light is on and along with that my horn is disabled. Not sure if its under recall but how do I get those…

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-04

Also filed under Steering and service brakes

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while parked, the horn, cruise control, and the radio became inoperable. The message “air bag not available”, check clockspring, and check oil messages were displayed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-21

Also filed under Engine

Electrical system

21% · 22 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Steering column makes noises when turning. Airbag Light is on and the none of the steering wheel controls for the radio, phone etc are functioning properly.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-02

Steering

18% · 19 reports
CRASH

Engine

16% · 17 reports

Service brakes

16% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. 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 →

  2. R
    2016-09-16Fuel system, gasoline16V403000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. 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 →

  4. R
    2020-10-06Unknown or other20V561000 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.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2021-05-20Unknown or other21V321000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 25 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 19 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 15V705000 · Engine and engine cooling, service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 16V403000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 19V389000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 20V561000 · Unknown or other
  • Recall 21V321000 · Unknown or other
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Volkswagen Passat is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen Passat?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Passat have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.