Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Volkswagen Passat problems

Owners filed 18 complaints about the 2020 Volkswagen Passat with NHTSA between Sep 2020 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is engine (4).

Complaints
18
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine4
  2. Air bags4
  3. Electrical system3
  4. Forward collision avoidance3
  5. Wheels2
  6. Service brakes2
  7. Fuel/propulsion system2
  8. Steering2
  9. Visibility/wiper1
  10. Back over prevention1
  11. Engine and engine cooling1
  12. Seat belts1
  13. Other / unknown4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20202
20211
20221
20233
20245
20252
20264

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

4 reports
“2020 Volkswagen Passat SE 2.0L VIN: [XXX] Complaint Summary: I am reporting a persistent and unresolved fault involving the secondary air injection system (DTC P0491 – insufficient airflow) that has resulted in repeated, conflicting diagnoses across multiple repair facilities. This raises concerns about a potential systemic defect affecting this vehicle model. Detailed Description: The issue began prior to March 2025 while the vehicle was still under warranty. The vehicle displayed a Check Engine Light associated with diagnostic trouble code P0491 (secondary air injection system insufficient airflow). On April 3, 2025, a repair facility diagnosed the issue as a failed secondary air injection pump and replaced the component. However, the Check Engine Light returned within 24 hours with the exact same fault code, indicating that the repair did not resolve the issue. A second independent diagnostic evaluation was performed later in April 2025. This inspection confirmed that: The secondary air injection pump was functioning correctly Airflow through the system was present Electrical controls and PCM commands were operating properly The fault was attributed instead…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 23, 2026Unknown or other, EngineODI 11726512

Air bags

4 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“Steering wheel controls stopped working, no horn either. Probably no airbag but haven't got into an accident. There was recall on the same part for the until 2018, but the new part I was going to install lists that if fits cars 2016-2022 Part # 5K0-953-569-BC Recall from VW. Number: VWP-18-11, Will replace part for my fiance,”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2025Steering, Air bags, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11705961

Electrical system

3 reports
“my 2020 vw passat has less than 60k mikes and i am replacing my 3rd wheel sensor. they fail without warning disabling my antilock brakes. And other safety features”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 10, 2026Electrical system, Wheels, Service brakesODI 11763407

Forward collision avoidance

3 reports
“Error message alerted to maintenance needed and the air bag light has turned on and remained on. Also said message that front assist inls unavailable.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 17, 2025Air bags, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11648696

Wheels

2 reports
“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY SOUTH SHORE IN RANDOLPH MA STOUGHTON EXITS AND I HEARD A POP IN MY DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE AND WHEN I PULLED OVER I CHECKED MY TIRE AND MY TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT AND THERE WAS A HOLE APPROXIMATELY THE SIZE OF A HAND GUN BULLET HOLE IN MY RIM. I WAS GOING A LITTLE UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT DUE TO HAVING A 3 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE IN THE FAR RIGHT SLOW LANE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING I WENT TO GET THE TIRE INSPECTED IT WAS CONFIRMED THERE WAS A HUGE PIECE OF GLASS IN MY TIRE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2020WheelsODI 11361235

Service brakes

2 reports
“THE BREAKS IS VERY WEAK I WAS GOING TO HIT THE CAR AT THE FRONT OF ME WITH 1 INCH ! IT TOOK THE CAR LIKE 4 SECONDS TO STOP NOT SURE WAS IT JUST THE BREAKS OR THE BREAKS AND TIRES , THE CAR KEPT MOVING AFTER PRESSING THE BREAKS HARD ENOUGH , I WAS SHAKING SINCE I JUST GOT THE CAR 4 DAYS AGO !”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 16, 2021Service brakesODI 11403222
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.