NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 244 owner complaints for the 2015 Volkswagen Passat. Most complaints involve air bags (88) and engine (53). The EPA rates it 23–34 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
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."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015 Passat, 2015-2016 Eos, 2015-2017 CC, 2016-2017 TT Roadster, TT Coupe, 2017 Audi R8 Coupe, and R8 Spyder vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Passat model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 151 |
| 1997 | 76 |
| 1998 | 330 |
| 1999 | 664 |
| 2000 | 518 |
| 2001 | 441 |
| 2002 | 650 |
| 2003 | 641 |
| 2004 | 283 |
| 2005 | 148 |
| 2006 | 576 |
| 2007 | 273 |
| 2008 | 174 |
| 2009 | 152 |
| 2010 | 172 |
| 2012 | 484 |
| 2013 | 749 |
| 2014 | 594 |
| 2015 | 244 |
| 2016 | 106 |
| 2017 | 110 |
| 2018 | 46 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 13 |
“The vehicle was rear-ended, lost control, traveled approximately 500 feet, and rolled multiple times. Side and curtain airbags deployed; however, the front airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was declared a total loss. The driver exited the vehicle without assistance. The vehicle is currently preserved at a tow lot.”
“The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle sputtered intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that fuel was leaking into the engine compartment, causing engine failure. The contact stated that the dealer had repaired the vehicle and possibly cleaned the engine. The dealer had informed the contact that the engine would last 4-6 months before complete engine failure. The vehicle was returned to the contact; however, while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle sputtered and then lost power. The vehicle was restarted after several attempts to continue driving. The vehicle was returned to the dealer but was not repaired. The dealer suggested that a new vehicle be purchased. The contact searched online and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V028000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.”
“The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that cool air was being blown inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the heater failed to heat the passenger’s side of the vehicle. Additionally, the defroster failed to properly defrost the windshield while activated. The contact linked the failure to VWP:16‑05; (Heater Core Limited Warranty Extension). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passat Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 42 | 34 | $2,800 | 299 |
| Passat Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 40 | 33 | $2,850 | 305 |
| Passat Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 35 | 28 | $2,200 | 315 |
| Passat Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 34 | 28 | $2,200 | 318 |
| Passat Auto (AM-S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,350 | 390 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
7 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 244 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (88), engine (53), electrical system (48). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2015 Volkswagen Passat at 23–34 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Volkswagen Passat 5 out of 5 stars overall.