The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 4 of 12 complaints (33%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 46 in 2018 to 12 in 2019.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 12
- Recall campaigns
- 1
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,150
- Combined MPG
- 29
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
Advertisement
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | vs. 2019 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,300–2,700 | 2,150–2,850 | 2,150 | 2,300 | 2,200 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–27 | 22–29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–23 / 28–34 | 19–25 / 28–36 | 25 / 36 | 23 / 34 | 24 / 36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 329–390 | 302–396 | 302 | 330 | 314 | |
| Complaints filed | 110 | 46 | 12 | 18 | 20 | |
| Recalls issued | 7 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 9 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2019 Volkswagen Passat have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2019 Volkswagen Passat?
Electrical: 4 of 12 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Volkswagen Passat get?
EPA rates it 29 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Volkswagen Passat?
EPA estimates $2,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 25 mpg | 36 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 302 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
- Defect
- 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."
- Consequence
- Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.