2016 Volkswagen Passat: common problems and reliability
· 2015-2019An average Passat year.
106 owner complaints, most about air bags. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2016 Passat?The 2016 Volkswagen Passat has 106 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and electrical system. Owners most often flag vibration at highway speeds (70+ mph): very frequent: many owners report a chassis vibration above 70 mph that persists after replacing tires, wheels, cv axles, brakes, suspension components, and alignments. some have traced it to wheel balance issues, inner cv joints, or possibly the dual-mass flywheel/transmission.
Safety record for the 2016 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2016 Volkswagen Passat vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Passat years only. How we score it
Is 2016 a good year for the Passat?
Across the 26 Passat model years we track, complaint volume runs from 12 (2019) to 1,304 (2002). With 106 complaints, the 2016 Passat sits below the model's median of 244.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2016 Passat
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 19V389000Volkswagen 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."
fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail
Campaign 16V403000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles, equipped with 1.8T engines manufactured November 13, 2015, to December 9, 2015, and 2016 Golf vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to November 11, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.
engine and engine cooling:engine
Campaign 15V705000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
unknown or other
Campaign 20V561000Volkswagen 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.
Show 1 more recall
unknown or other
Campaign 21V321000Volkswagen 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 been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
What owners report on the 2015-2019 Passat
Owners of the 2015-2019 Passat generally express satisfaction, praising its comfortable ride, spacious rear seat and trunk, and the improved reliability of the 1.8T TSI engine compared to older VW engines.
- Vibration at highway speeds (70+ mph)
Very frequent: Many owners report a chassis vibration above 70 mph that persists after replacing tires, wheels, CV axles, brakes, suspension components, and alignments. Some have traced it to wheel balance issues, inner CV joints, or possibly the dual-mass flywheel/transmission.
- AC blend door actuator failure
Recurrent: Several owners report the driver's side blowing hot air while the passenger side blows cold, diagnosed as a faulty blend door actuator. One owner notes the system can sometimes be fixed by recalibrating the dual climate control module.
- Rough idle / misfire on cold start
Recurrent: Owners of the 1.8T engine report rough idle that smooths out as the engine warms. Causes mentioned include carbon buildup on intake valves, a sticking N205 camshaft adjustment valve, bad PCV valve, clogged injectors, or worn spark plugs/coil packs.
- Blower motor noise
Isolated: One owner describes a metallic shrieking noise from the blower motor, which can be cleaned and lubricated or replaced.
- No-start condition
Isolated: One owner reports a no-crank, no-start situation that was not resolved by a new battery or jump start, with a bad ignition switch suggested as a possible cause.
Owner insights for the 2015-2019 Passat. Read the full 2015-2019 owner report.
Typical used price
Used Passat listings typically run $9,995–$16,052 across 2012 to 2022 model years.
Other Passat model years
Compare every Passat year side by side to see how 2016 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Passat against its rivals
Looking at a specific car?
We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.
One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy