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Volkswagen Passat Reliability by Model Generation

Results are for year ending June 30, 2018. Only successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
Year and Model % of Average Repair Frequency  
2012 - 2018 Volkswagen Passat Reliability by Generation2012 - 2018 Volkswagen Passat
67.714285714286% Best 156% Worst
See problems for this generation
2006 - 2010 Volkswagen Passat Reliability by Generation2006 - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
99.714285714286% Best 212% Worst
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What Our Members Are Saying about the Reliability And Durability of the Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen Passat Reliability And Durability: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2010 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
The Passat is a very solid and well-built car; our previous Passat was very reliable (if maintained properly). full 2010 Volkswagen Passat review
2007 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
my last Passat lasted 190,000 miles never garaged it and the paint was still glossy after 11 years. full 2007 Volkswagen Passat review
2006 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
History of reliability on all product models. full 2006 Volkswagen Passat review
2006 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
In two years i never had any real problems with it. full 2006 Volkswagen Passat review
2006 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
I have 98000 miles I have had to replace the turbo bypass valve 100bucks and thats it... just change the oil and air filter every 5 to 7k miles always use mobil 1. full 2006 Volkswagen Passat review
2005 4dr Sedan turbocharged 134hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Very solidly built car. full 2005 Volkswagen Passat review
2003 4dr Sedan turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
I bought two Passats at the same time. Both proved equally reliable without any major repairs. full 2003 Volkswagen Passat review
Volkswagen Passat Reliability And Durability: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD
many breakdowns full 2009 Volkswagen Passat review
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Minor problems so far such as driver information computer information screen showing inaccurate readings, example reading for average miles per gallon bouncing around from 78 to 08. full 2008 Volkswagen Passat review
2008 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
High maintenence costs when the car ages. full 2008 Volkswagen Passat review
2006 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Not as reliable and trouble-free as its Japanese competitors. full 2006 Volkswagen Passat review
2006 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
This was a used model, several years old, and had not held up well. Lots of rubber coated plastic bits were deteriorating, discoloration was common. full 2006 Volkswagen Passat review
2005 4dr Wagon 190-horsepower 2.8L V6
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
Buggy with a bad reliability record. full 2005 Volkswagen Passat review
2005 4dr Wagon 190-horsepower 2.8L V6
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
Though garaged when not in use and with less than 60k miles, exhaust hangers had rotted through such that the exhaust pipe literally fell off the car while driving down the road. Additionally, neither rear window motor remains in working order. full 2005 Volkswagen Passat review
2004 4dr Sedan turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
The 1992 VW we owned we could never be sure it would get us to our destination with out some thing happening to it. Things would fall off of it just sitting in the garage. The alarm system would go off as we drove down the street. It lost two hub caps. full 2004 Volkswagen Passat review
2004 4dr Sedan turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
VW have spotty reliability full 2004 Volkswagen Passat review
2003 4dr Sedan turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
I disliked that every time I had to bring the car in for maintainance (less than 5000 mi)there was always something else to repair. Brakes on the rear lasted 7500 miles and front 15000 mi, and rotors had to replaced each time as well. full 2003 Volkswagen Passat review