Volkswagen Passat Engine Problems
Owners have filed 643 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Volkswagen Passat across 25 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (104). The words owners use most often: “timing chain” (10% of reports).
- 643engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 10mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $4,200typical repair cost reported by owners
- 39%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Timing chain: mentioned in 67 of 643 complaints (10%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Volkswagen Passat at $4,200, and half of them between $1,500 and $6,550.
Based on 32 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 487 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 643 complaints, 10 mention a crash, 46 a fire, 7 an injury.
Volkswagen Passat engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Passat | 3 | 23% | — |
| 2021 Passat | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2020 Passat | 4 | 22% | 2,000 |
| 2019 Passat | 2 | 17% | 3,005 |
| 2018 Passat | 11 | 24% | 74,000 |
| 2017 Passat | 7 | 6% | 32,000 |
| 2016 Passat | 17 | 16% | 86,334 |
| 2015 Passat | 53 | 22% | 45,000 |
| 2014 Passat | 77 | 13% | 54,400 |
| 2013 Passat | 104 | 14% | 45,000 |
| 2012 Passat | 40 | 8% | 59,400 |
| 2011 Passat | 6 | 38% | 110,000 |
| 2010 Passat | 41 | 25% | 91,449 |
| 2009 Passat | 60 | 41% | 78,000 |
| 2008 Passat | 43 | 26% | 92,000 |
| 2007 Passat | 28 | 11% | 100,500 |
| 2006 Passat | 64 | 11% | 107,114 |
| 2005 Passat | 12 | 8% | 123,750 |
| 2004 Passat | 18 | 6% | 117,000 |
| 2003 Passat | 23 | 4% | 136,400 |
| 2002 Passat | 13 | 2% | 131,400 |
| 2001 Passat | 5 | 1% | 130,500 |
| 2000 Passat | 8 | 2% | 144,850 |
| 1999 Passat | 2 | 0% | 192,015 |
| 1998 Passat | 1 | 0% | 105,090 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Power train:driveline:driveshaft; engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel
Model years: 2012, 2013, 2014
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG). The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.
Risk: If the leaking grease contacts a heated surface, such as the exhaust system and/or the diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could increase the risk of fire.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft heat shield, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23W5.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum; engine and engine cooling:engine
Model years: 2015, 2016
Problem: Volkswagen 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.
Risk: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2008
Problem: Volkswagen is recalling 4,079 my 2008 passat and 2,500 my 2009 tiguan passenger vehicles equipped with 2.0t fsi ulev ii engines. These vehicles have an engine control module (ecm) containing software that may not properly control engine idle with the air conditioning turned on. In rare cases, the ecm may unexpectedly increase engine rpm.
Risk: An engine surge caused by an unexpected increase in engine rpm may surprise the vehicle operator and can result in a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and update the ecm software free of charge. The recall began on may 30, 2008. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system
Model years: 1998
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the engine backfires during a cold-start, an air screen which is loosely seated in the air flow meter can become damaged.
Risk: Screen pieces could enter the intake air flow system and prevent the throttle plate from returning to its full idle position.
Fix: Dealers will install a retaining ring to hold the air screen in place.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan
Model years: 1995
Problem: Improper material was used in manufacturing the radiator fan motor shaft causing the shaft to wear and become noisy.
Risk: A worn and noisy fan motor shaft can seize renderingthe fan motor inoperative, eventually causing the engine to overheat and stall. A stalled vehicle in traffic can increase the potential for a vehicle accident.
Fix: Dealers will replace the complete cooling fan assembly on vehicle having the potential shaft material problem. Dealers will install a new fan blade including a new lock nut on vehicle with loose fan blade lock nuts.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
My car consumes an over abundant amount of oil about 1 quart every 1000 to 1500 miles. There is a civil lawsuit right now about the piston rings having low tension and my car has every symptom of this. This could lead to turbo issues, and several thousands of dollars in repair costs. Iâve already…
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the Check Engine warning light illuminated, and there was no heat coming from the front passengerâs or driverâs side air vents. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed…
I am requesting that Volkswagen open a formal case regarding a fire involving my 2021 Volkswagen Passat. On May 6, 2026, at approximately 9:30 PM, after driving about seven miles, I came to a complete stop and the vehicle began smoking before catching fire. The vehicle has been declared a total…
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…
The vehicle experienced repeated catastrophic engine failures, including failure of a replacement engine. Approximately six months after purchase and at around 80,000 miles, the engine failed and required a complete engine replacement through Volkswagen and the MaxCare service contract…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Volkswagen Passats have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 643 owner complaints about engine for the Volkswagen Passat. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Volkswagen Passat engine?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Volkswagen Passat?
Owners report a typical cost of $4,200 (half paid between $1,500 and $6,550), from 32 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Volkswagen Passat?
The most frequent phrase is “timing chain”, in 67 of 643 complaints.
Other Volkswagen Passat problems
See all Volkswagen Passat problems.