MYRModel Year Report

2018 Volkswagen Passat

▲ Better than typical
2018 Volkswagen Passat
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:45:44.534Z

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
46
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2018

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Service brakes

26% 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 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 46 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 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 46 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 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 46 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 19 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022

2018: 46 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.

Service brakes

26% · 12 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I am at the burger king drive thru jan 23, 2021, there are a few cars ahead of me.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-01-26

Engine

24% · 11 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My father was heading home when he stopped the hill down from his house. Upon trying to accelerate he noticed the vehicle did not want to go. The engine had stalled/hesitated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-02-01

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

First/only owner of a 2018 VW Passat GP r-line, scheduled maintenance intervals followed religiously and performed by VW; only filled with top tier fuel (mid/premium), no prev.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-20

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system

Electrical system

22% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing interlock/lockout and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASH

Fuel/propulsion system

13% · 6 reports

Air bags

11% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing driver clockspring/spiral cassette.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Collision around 45 to 50 mph. Airbags frontal and side airbags didnt deployed Two vehicles invaded my lane and I ran into the second vehicle .

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-01-06

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    2018-06-29Service brakes, hydraulic18V369000 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.

    Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2018-09-13Service brakes, hydraulic18V536000 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.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper bracket bolt tightness, replacing and re-torque the bolts as necessary, free of charge.

    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 →

Buy-smart checklist

2018 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 18V369000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 18V536000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 19V389000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 20V561000 · Unknown or other
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2018 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 Volkswagen Passat is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Volkswagen Passat?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Passat have?
4 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.