2020 Volkswagen Passat recalls and problems

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat has 3 recalls and 18 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is engine.

2020 Volkswagen Passat
Photo: 2020 Volkswagen Passat by Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2020 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Lowest complaint count among 23 Passat model years — 20th most.

3recalls
18complaints
1crashes
0fires
1injuries
7,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

3 recalls

Air Bags

Sep 2, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V533000 · 1,829 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: An incorrectly folded air bag can deploy with too much force, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Exterior Lighting

May 22, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V389000 · 662,185 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Air Bags

Mar 20, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V218000 · 3 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: In an event of a side impact crash, an incorrect side airbag may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2020: 2 complaints20202021: 1 complaints20212022: 1 complaints20222023: 3 complaints20232024: 5 complaints202452025: 2 complaints20252026: 4 complaints20264

2020 vs. other Volkswagen Passat years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2020. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2020 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns covering the 2020 Volkswagen Passat, the latest from Sep 2, 2020 (air bags). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Volkswagen Passat?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention engine (5), air bags (4), unknown or other (4). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.