2020 Volkswagen Passat
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 5 of 18 complaints (28%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 12 in 2019 to 18 in 2020.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2020 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,150–2,850 | 2,150 | 2,300 | 2,250 | 2,250 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–25 / 28–36 | 25 / 36 | 23 / 34 | 24 / 36 | 24 / 36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 302–396 | 302 | 330 | 314 | 315 | |
| Complaints filed | 45 | 12 | 18 | 18 | 12 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 1 | 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 2020 Volkswagen Passat have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2020 Volkswagen Passat?
Engine: 5 of 18 NHTSA complaints (28%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Volkswagen Passat get?
EPA rates it 27 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Volkswagen Passat?
EPA estimates $2,300 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 | 23 mpg | 34 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 330 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 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 (3)
AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL:CUSHION · Campaign 20V533000 · Sep 2, 2020
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Passat vehicles. The passenger frontal air bag may have been folded incorrectly affecting its deployment force. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An incorrectly folded air bag can deploy with too much force, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69AY.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 19V389000 · May 24, 2019
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.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW · Campaign 19V218000 · Mar 22, 2019
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas and 2020 Passat vehicles. An incorrect driver and/or front passenger side impact air bag may have been installed.
Consequence: In an event of a side impact crash, an incorrect side airbag may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen has inspected and replaced the side air bags, free of charge. The recall was completed in April 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Y8.