Power
0–100 km/h
Top speed
Fuel (combined)
What owners say
Overview
Sentiment is highly polarized and varies significantly by generation, engine, and market. For certain generations and powertrains, particularly the 2.5L 5-cylinder and pre-2012 TDI models, owner feedback is positive, praising solid build quality, timeless design, comfortable high
Best version
For reliability and low cost of ownership, the 2.5L 5-cylinder naturally aspirated gasoline engine (available in North American models circa 2006-2014) is very frequently recommended as "rock solid" and dependable, despite being less powerf
Generation by generation
Owner insights per generation and US complaint/recall records (NHTSA).
Complaints and recalls by model yearSource: NHTSA (US)Show table
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2020 | 15 | 3 | unknown or other |
| 2019 | 12 | 1 | electrical system |
| 2018 | 45 | 4 | service brakes |
| 2017 | 107 | 7 | air bags |
| 2015 | 243 | 7 | air bags |
| 2014 | 592 | 10 | air bags |
| 2013 | 747 | 9 | air bags |
| 2012 | 481 | 11 | air bags |
| 2011 | 15 | 0 | engine |
| 2010 | 172 | 4 | air bags |
| 2009 | 152 | 4 | engine |
| 2008 | 174 | 4 | fuel/propulsion system |
| 2007 | 273 | 7 | air bags |
Complaint counts come from owner reports filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices116 on record · Source: NHTSA (US)Show recalls
2021 · wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studscampaign 21V812000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and Passat vehicles. The front wheel bearing bolts may have been incorrectly tightened.
2020 · exterior lighting:headlightscampaign 19V389000
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
2020 · air bags:side/windowcampaign 19V218000
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.
2020 · air bags:passenger side frontal:cushioncampaign 20V533000
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 Pro
2019 · exterior lighting:headlightscampaign 19V389000
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
2018 · service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:calipercampaign 18V536000
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.
2018 · service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:calipercampaign 18V369000
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.
2018 · exterior lighting:headlightscampaign 19V389000
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
2018 · unknown or othercampaign 20V561000
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 t
2017 · unknown or othercampaign 20V561000
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 t
2017 · unknown or othercampaign 21V321000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have
2017 · service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:calipercampaign 18V536000
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.
2017 · unknown or othercampaign 19V679000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and
2017 · exterior lighting:headlightscampaign 19V389000
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
2017 · service brakes, hydraulic:fluidcampaign 17V075000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Passat vehicles. Brake fluid may leak slowly from the some of the brake line connections, resulting in a low brake fluid level.
101 older recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Specifications
Generation
Version
2.0 TSI (265 Hp) 4MOTION DSG
From 2024-2026
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