2018 Volkswagen Passat: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2018 / volkswagen / passat
known issues8 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-29)
complaints45 on file (2018-06-26 → 2026-06-03)
recalls4
investigations0
fars12 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Brake noise, heat, and warning-light issuesSERVICE BRAKES5 complaints2018-07 → 2025-08passat-2018-brake-noise-heat-warning
  • 11352058 WHILE GOING THROUGH A CURVE, IF ATTEMPT TO SLOW DOWN, MY BRAKES SEEM TO MAKE SOME TYPE OF SCRAPING SOUND AND I CAN FEEL THE SCRAPE OR VIBRATION OF THE PROBLEM THROUGH THE PEDAL
  • 11404415 I PURCHASED MY CAR AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE. WITHIN FOUR DAYS, I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES GET EXCESSIVELY HOT DURING NORMAL STOPPING. I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS & ROTORS, AND THE CONDITION STILL EXISTS
  • 11243483 FRONT BRAKES MAKES WHISTLING NOISE WHEN ACTIVATED. SLIPPAGE OCCURS IN RAINY CONDITIONS. THE FRONT BRAKE DISCS ARE NOT VISUALLY SMOOTH
Infotainment and accessory electrical malfunctionsELECTRICAL SYSTEM4 complaints2019-09 → 2026-04passat-2018-infotainment-electrical
  • 11731417 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
  • 11322383 THE RADIO/VIDEO MONITOR ON THE DASH GOES BLACK AND NO SOUND AND NO BACKUP CAMERA WILL ENGAGE AFTER DIFFERENT PERIODS OF TIME THE MONITOR COMES BACK ON THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED WITH DAYS OF SERVICE AT THE VW DEALERSHIP OVER TWO WEEKS AT THIS TIME
  • 11308549 TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WAS INOPERABLE WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION
Power train component failuresPOWER TRAIN3 complaints2020-04 → 2025-11passat-2018-powertrain-failures
  • 11701576 The catalytic converter on my 2018 Volkswagen Passat failed and the vehicle has been at an authorized Volkswagen dealership since May 16, 2025
  • 11426230 The 2018 vw Passat se is only 3 years old and the transmission went out. The mileage was just a little over 98,000. The car has been kept up with as far as oil change, routine maintenance, and extras, such as tires and brakes
  • 11320140 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 8 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED
Engine stalling and loss of power while drivingELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE7 complaints2019-02 → 2026-06passat-2018-engine-stalling-loss-of-power
  • 11715843 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
  • 11741923 A major engineering and material design failure occurred involving internal fluid containment seals, resulting in a severe electrical safety hazard
  • 11425683 Intermittent stalling. Typically at stop, when vehicle has been running a short time. Vehicle restarts. Occurs frequently, every week, but not every trip. Started in spring 2021, recurring issue. Mechanic unable to replicate
Fuel pump leaks and no-start failuresFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4 complaints2024-09 → 2026-02passat-2018-fuel-pump-leak-no-start
  • 11648212 Car Fuel Pump Leaking. Fuel pump Module failure. There was a recall for this issue on other Volkswagens, but not on the Passat. There are hundreds of cars online with the same issue
  • 11613209 Fuel pump Leak. Strong order of gasoline has been coming from the car. I had a check and the fuel pump is leaking. Other vehicles have been recalled due to this, but the Passat has not been included
  • 11711803 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
Air bag warning lights and clockspring failuresAIR BAGS6 complaints2021-01 → 2025-07passat-2018-airbag-warning-clockspring
  • 11469260 Clockspring. Failed 1st time under recall and was replaced by dealer. Failed 2nd time and replaced outside of recall by indepenent. Failed 3rd time and has not been replaced
  • 11563910 Collision around 45 to 50 mph. Airbags frontal and side airbags didnt deployed Two vehicles invaded my lane and I ran into the second vehicle
  • 11674522 We have been having numerous sensor issues. Sensors showing air bag malfunction and with passenger side seat belt on the front right side
Brake pedal failure and reduced stopping powerSERVICE BRAKES6 complaints2018-06 → 2023-02passat-2018-brake-pedal-failure
  • 11155638 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE
  • 11445457 I was driving down the road and the wheel locked up and I lost control of the car. I thought it was just a flat tire. I noticed the tire was flat and brake caliber was lying on the inside of the rim
  • 11103971 I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ON JUNE 8, 2018, FROM HERITAGE VW. THE CAR ALREADY HAD A SAFETY RECALL FOR BRAKES WHICH WAS ISSUED ON MAY 25, 2018. THE DEALER FAILED TO INFORM ME ABOUT IT BEFORE PURCHASE
Engine oil consumption and check-engine light faultsENGINE5 complaints2018-12 → 2024-04passat-2018-engine-oil-consumption
  • 11579645 My oil sensor started blinking while I am driving. I stoped and added oil to the car because the level was in low level. Went to the dealership to check my car in if I do have leakage or if my engine did start to burn oil
  • 11570751 I received a check engine light and my mechanic diagnosed the problem and attributed it to an the air pump control valve which was connected to primary engine water pump. A slight leak in the air system was noticed since the check valve failed
  • 11156844 MY CAR IS UNDER 7000 MILES, DON'T EVEN HAVE THE FIRST SCHEDULE OIL CHANGE AND EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE CAR DEALER AND JUST TOP OFF THE OIL. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
452018-06-262026-06-0350SERVICE BRAKES:12; ENGINE:11; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:10; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM:6; AIR BAGS:5

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
18V53600015/08/2018SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPERVolkswagen 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.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.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.
18V36900001/06/2018SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPERVolkswagen 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.A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.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.
19V38900022/05/2019EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTSVolkswagen 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."Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.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.
20V56100016/09/2020UNKNOWN OR OTHERVolkswagen 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.Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.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.

Investigations all years →

none listed

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-202412legacy-code0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2018/volkswagen/passat
@misc{wrenchpro_2018_volkswagen_passat_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2018 Volkswagen Passat},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2018/volkswagen/passat}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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