2018 Volkswagen Passat problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 11, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Volkswagen Passat, most often about electrical system. There are 4 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 37
Recalls: 4
Crashes: 4
Fires: 1
Injuries: 1
Median mileage: 43,118 mi

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners not to drive it until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 9 of 37 complaints (24%).
Electrical System (9) and brakes (8) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 43,118 mi.
Owners reported 4 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury.
The 2018 Volkswagen Passat has 4 recalls on file, including at least one “do not drive” warning.
It ranks 6th of 18 Volkswagen Passat model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 52% fewer complaints than the 2017 model year (77).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Engine	9
Service brakes	8
Electrical system	7
Fuel/propulsion system	6
Air bags	4
Unknown or other	3
Power train	3
Wheels	2

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2018 Volkswagen Passat complaints that list mileage.

2018 Volkswagen Passat recalls (4)

Recall 20V561000Sep 16, 202023 vehicles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Risk: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
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.
Recall 19V389000May 22, 2019662,185 vehicles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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: 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.
Recall 18V536000Aug 15, 20188,416 vehicles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
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.
Risk: 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.
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 proper connection, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46H6.
Recall 18V369000Jun 1, 201810,225 vehiclesDo not drive
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
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.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
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. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.

Recent 2018 Volkswagen Passat complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Oct 7, 2026NJFireBody & Structure
I was driving my 2018 Volkswagen Passat when suddenly I felt the car started to lose acceleration even though my foot was still on the acceleration paddle. The car started to slow down, not knowing what was going on, I started to pull to the shoulder. I came to a complete halt and was trying to figure out what might have happened. In few seconds I saw black smoke and a lady from the other side of the road was shouting run run. I immediately ran out of the car and noted fire…
NHTSA complaint #11769713 · source
Filed Jun 3, 2026NJElectrical SystemEngine
A major engineering and material design failure occurred involving internal fluid containment seals, resulting in a severe electrical safety hazard. Pressurized engine coolant breached an internal component seal and began migrating internally directly through the vehicle's engine wiring harness via capillary/siphoning action. The fluid used the sealed wiring loom as a literal pipeline, traveling inside the wire insulation to bypass all outer weather seals and completely…
NHTSA complaint #11741923 · source
Filed Apr 15, 202670,000 miNJElectrical System
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the infotainment screen failed to respond to touch commands, preventing the contact from viewing the GPS feature. The contact performed a hard reset on the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #11731417 · source
Filed Feb 5, 2026136,000 miNCTowedElectrical SystemEngine
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with battery failure. The contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then towed to a different dealer; however, the…
NHTSA complaint #11715843 · source
Filed Feb 3, 2026FLFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
I initially brought my vehicle in for service due to a strong gasoline odor and the vehicle failing to start. At that time, I was informed that no gasoline smell was detected and that the issue was instead a faulty starter, which I authorized for repair. Approximately two weeks later, my vehicle again would not start. I was then informed that the issue was a lower fuel injector, which required additional repairs. Just three days after that service, the vehicle once again…
NHTSA complaint #11715421 · source
Filed Jan 30, 202655,000 miPAElectrical System
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and failed to accelerate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a wiring harness failure. The vehicle was repaired. The contact had received an unknown notice, which was related to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted for reimbursement, and a…
NHTSA complaint #11714408 · source
Filed Jan 19, 2026NYFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
Battery drains overnight. Started with a boost all dashboard warning lights on, vehicle runs fine all day with many starts and stops, battery dies again overnight. Diagnosed with a bad fuel pump control module that continues to run and does not shut off until all battery power is drained. Mechanic changed the fuel pump control module, cleared all fault codes, and vehicle fixed. I saw a Carfax report for an identical 2018, SEL Premium Passat to mine with the exact same issue…
NHTSA complaint #11711803 · source
Filed Nov 25, 2025CATransmission & Drivetrain
The catalytic converter on my 2018 Volkswagen Passat failed and the vehicle has been at an authorized Volkswagen dealership since May 16, 2025. The dealership confirmed that the catalytic converter is defective and must be replaced, but the part has been on national backorder with no estimated delivery date for several months. The vehicle cannot be safely driven in its current condition and has been unavailable for all normal use. The issue has been confirmed by the…
NHTSA complaint #11701576 · source

Compare the 2018 Volkswagen Passat with another vehicle →

Other 2018 Volkswagen models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology