Owners have reported 5 crashes and 2 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Volkswagen Passat. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Volkswagen Passat frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly involving the infotainment screen, wiring harness, and battery. Common symptoms include the infotainment screen becoming unresponsive or going black, wiring harness failures leading to abnormal sounds and acceleration issues, and battery failures causing stalling and the inability to restart. These issues are often reported around mileages of 35,000 to 136,000. Safety concerns are noted in cases where electrical failures lead to loss of engine propulsion or unintended vehicle movement, including one incident involving a crash when a vehicle rolled backwards after being turned off while in drive. These patterns suggest potential risks for used car buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints8
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Volkswagen Passat frequently report issues with the service brakes, including ABS sensor warnings and intermittent ABS activation during normal braking, which can lead to reduced stopping ability. Some complaints describe excessive heat in the front brakes despite replacing pads and rotors, and others mention a whistling noise and slippage in wet conditions. A particularly severe incident involves a crash where a brake caliper detached, causing loss of control. These issues appear at varying mileages, with some reports occurring shortly after purchase, and one complaint notes a brake-related safety recall not disclosed at the time of sale. Safety implications are significant, given the reported crash and instances of brake failure.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints6
ENGINE
Owners of the 2018 Volkswagen Passat frequently report issues related to excessive oil consumption, with some noting the problem occurring under 7,000 miles and others around 90,000 miles. Complaints also mention the illumination of the EPC and check engine lights, often accompanied by vehicle shaking, as well as intermittent stalling, particularly at stops. Additional issues include failures in the intake manifold runner and air pump control valve, which may lead to increased emissions and potentially hazardous situations like limp mode on highways. While no crashes or fires are reported, these symptoms suggest potential reliability concerns for prospective buyers.
Owner complaints4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners report several issues with the fuel propulsion system of the 2018 Volkswagen Passat, notably involving fuel pump control module failures and fuel pump leaks. Common symptoms include a strong gasoline odor, vehicles failing to start, and battery drainage overnight due to the fuel pump control module continuing to run. These issues have been noted at various mileage points, with some owners incurring significant repair costs. Safety implications are suggested by reports of gasoline leaks, which could potentially lead to fires. Buyers should be aware that similar issues have been documented in other Volkswagen models and forums.
Owner complaints4
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Volkswagen Passat frequently report issues related to airbag system malfunctions. Commonly mentioned symptoms include persistent sensor warnings for airbag malfunctions and seat belt alerts, often occurring soon after purchase in used condition. Some owners describe repeated failures of the clockspring, impacting systems like adaptive cruise control and electronic stability control, with one instance leading to unintended brake engagement. A serious safety implication is highlighted by a crash at 45 to 50 mph where neither frontal nor side airbags deployed. These issues suggest potential reliability concerns for prospective used car buyers, particularly regarding sensor and airbag system functionality.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints3
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2018 Volkswagen Passat report issues with the power train, specifically involving the catalytic converter, transmission, and rear main seal. Complaints frequently mention the catalytic converter failing and being unavailable for replacement due to a national backorder, rendering the vehicle undriveable. Transmission failures are reported around 98,000 miles, with owners noting a lack of explanation for the failure and high repair costs. Additionally, at approximately 74,000 miles, a rear main seal issue is described, accompanied by abnormal noises but no warning lights. These issues can lead to significant downtime and repair expenses, with the catalytic converter problem potentially affecting emissions compliance.
Owner complaints2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Volkswagen Passat report issues with vehicle speed control, specifically involving engine hesitation, stalling, and sudden loss of power. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as vibrations, shuttering, and the illumination of the ECM light when attempting to accelerate, particularly during critical maneuvers. One report involves a crash resulting in injury, where the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated after an initial stall, leading to a loss of control. These issues are reported at mileage around 93,000 miles and are not consistently reproducible, complicating diagnosis and repair. Potential buyers should be aware of these intermittent speed control issues that could pose safety risks.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints2
SUSPENSION
Owners of the 2018 Volkswagen Passat report issues related to the suspension, with symptoms including the vehicle pulling to the left and right while braking and a loose feeling suspension that causes bouncing over bumps. A delay in braking response is also noted. Another complaint describes a clicking noise during sharp left turns, which some believe is related to the CV joint. These issues are reported at mileage around 25,000. While no crashes or immediate safety hazards are mentioned, the described symptoms could potentially affect vehicle control.
Owner complaints2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2018 Volkswagen Passat report issues with the braking system and the front assist feature. One complaint describes a crash incident where the brake pedal unexpectedly went to the floor, leading to a collision at low speed, despite a recent inspection stating the brakes were fine. This incident occurred around the 40,000-mile mark and resulted in a minor injury. Another complaint highlights the front assist feature's failure to function properly in adverse weather conditions, specifically when the VW emblem is covered by rain or snow. These issues suggest potential safety implications, particularly in conditions where reliable braking and collision avoidance are critical.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints2
STEERING
Owners report issues with the steering of the 2018 Volkswagen Passat, particularly when navigating curves. Complaints frequently mention that the vehicle attempts to straighten itself out during a turn, requiring additional effort to maintain the desired steering angle. Additionally, multiple owners describe a scraping sound and vibration felt through the brake pedal when slowing down in curves. These issues occur at both low speeds of around 30 mph and higher speeds of 50-60 mph, with one owner noting the problem has been present since the vehicle was purchased. Safety implications are noted, as drivers have experienced close calls with other vehicles due to these steering and braking concerns.
