Every 2018 Volkswagen Passat recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Unknown Or Other · NHTSA 20V561000
Sep 16, 2020Unknown Or Other
- Problem
- 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 to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
- Risk
- Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V561000 →Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 19V389000
May 22, 2019Exterior Lighting:Headlights
- Problem
- 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) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 19V389000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 18V536000
Aug 15, 2018Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V536000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 18V369000
Jan 6, 2018Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:CaliperDo not drive
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V369000 →
2018 Volkswagen Passat complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Volkswagen Passat, reporting 5 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries. Volkswagen has issued at least 609 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Service Brakes12
- Engine11
- Electrical System10
- Fuel/Propulsion System6
- Air Bags5
- Vehicle Speed Control4
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (257)
- Electrical System (125)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (97)
- Engine (70)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (42)
- Unknown Or Other (38)
Read Volkswagen Passat owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Volkswagen Passat. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“I was driving my 2018 Volkswagen Passat when suddenly I felt the car started to lose acceleration even though my foot was still on the acceleration paddle. The car started to slow down, not knowing what was going on, I started to pull to the shoulder.”
2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATOct 7, 2026 · NJ
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11769713
Crash
“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 .”
2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATJan 6, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11563910
Crash
“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. There was extensive damage to the vehicle, tire, rim, suspension components and brake components.”
2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATDec 29, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11445457
Crash
“The vehicle can be turned off while in drive, and gives no extra signals (beeps, flashing lights, etc. with the exception of a brief message on the dash and single ding (same ding for door open, and other low importance messages).”
2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATAug 11, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11428647
Injury reportedCrash
“I AM AT THE BURGER KING DRIVE THRU JAN 23, 2021, THERE ARE A FEW CARS AHEAD OF ME.”
2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATJan 26, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11389957
Check your Passat by VIN
Not every 2018 Volkswagen Passat is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Volkswagen dealer.
Run a free VIN recall check →