NHTSA lists 45 complaints for the 2018 Volkswagen Passat, 5 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 2 complaints mention an injury, with 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-09.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT.
Model-generated complaint tags
These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.
Failure modes| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| electrical electronic | 14 | 31.1% | 0.79 |
|---|
| mechanical failure | 11 | 24.4% | 0.74 |
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| loss of control | 8 | 17.8% | 0.85 |
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| restraint or airbag | 4 | 8.9% | 0.80 |
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| noise or comfort | 3 | 6.7% | 0.68 |
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| fluid or fuel leak | 2 | 4.4% | 0.93 |
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| fire or overheating | 1 | 2.2% | 0.88 |
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| unclear | 1 | 2.2% | 0.87 |
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| visibility or lighting | 1 | 2.2% | 0.73 |
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Severities| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| moderate | 24 | 53.3% | 0.76 |
|---|
| low | 15 | 33.3% | 0.67 |
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| high | 6 | 13.3% | 0.83 |
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Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 45 tagged complaints of 45 complaints (100.0%).
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
4 recalls.
Date: 2020-09-16. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Defect: 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. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of var (excerpt)
Consequence: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2019-05-22. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2018-08-15. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Defect: 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. (excerpt)
Consequence: The loose brake bracket bolts can allow the caliper to move, reducing braking ability or causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
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. Additionally brake caliper fasteners, bleeder valve, and brake hose bolts will be checked and torqued to the correct specification, if necessary, free of charge. For Passat vehicles, dealers will also inspect the parking brake cable for (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2018-06-01. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Defect: 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. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance. (excerpt)
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
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. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volksw (excerpt)
Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.
Manufacturer communications
609 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 257 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 125 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 97 |
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| ENGINE | 71 |
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| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 42 |
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| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 38 |
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| VISIBILITY | 32 |
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| STRUCTURE | 29 |
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11038146
Date: 2026-09-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
Suggested fuel additive
11038143
Date: 2026-09-09. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
11036878
Date: 2026-08-27. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.
Repair or Replace Information
11036867
Date: 2026-08-21. Type: Other. Systems: ENGINE.
This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward.
11036874
Date: 2026-08-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Replacement instruction
11036868
Date: 2026-08-06. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
11036870
Date: 2026-08-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Differences between a leak and seepage
11036880
Date: 2026-08-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STEERING.
Clean and install an additional plastic "ring" to prevent ingress of dirt,hair. Foreign bodies into the clock spring.
11035772
Date: 2026-07-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: DA 0019 - Hotfix 12-V battery test(s) a No battery diagnosis - Inconclusive test result.
11035762
Date: 2026-07-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement