2018 Volkswagen Passat problems
The Volkswagen Passat is a nameplate of large family cars (D-segment) manufactured and marketed by the German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen since 1973. It has been marketed variously as the Dasher, Santana, Quantum, Magotan, Corsar and Carat, with varying body styles such as saloon, estate, and hatchback.
A "four-door coupé" variant of the Passat with a lower roof was released in the North American market in 2008 as the Passat CC, which was then renamed to Volkswagen CC. The CC was succeeded by the Arteon in 2017.
In January 2011, Volkswagen introduced a separate Passat model line, internally designated "Volkswagen New Midsize Sedan" or NMS, that was manufactured in the US at the Chattanooga assembly plant and in China at Nanjing by SAIC-Volkswagen. Developed to increase Volkswagen sales in North America, the Passat NMS is larger and cost less to produce. sold in the North America, South Korea, China, and Middle East. The separate B8 Passat model entered production in Europe in 2014, based on the MQB platform.
In 2019, the Passat NMS program was split into two as the North American one continued being produced on an older platform while the Chinese Passat moved on to the MQB platform, which resulted in Volkswagen marketed three models under the Passat nameplate globally at that time. The North American Passat was discontinued after the 2022 model year.
Volkswagen ended the production of the saloon Passat for the European market in 2022. The B9 Passat, released in 2023, is only available in an estate body style. The Passat continues to be available as a saloon in China.
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Common 2018 Volkswagen Passat problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 2018 Volkswagen Passat, several common problems have been reported:
- Limited V6 Availability: One of the drawbacks reported is the limited availability of the more powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine. This engine, which offers enhanced performance with 280 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, is only available on the top trim level, making it inaccessible for those seeking a more potent engine without all the features of the top trim.
- Poor V6 Fuel Economy: For owners opting for the V6 engine, another reported problem is its fuel economy. The V6 engine achieves an EPA-estimated 19 miles per gallon in the city and 28 miles per gallon on the highway, which is notably lower than the fuel efficiency of the standard engine. Additionally, the V6 engine requires premium fuel for optimal performance, adding to the long-term costs of ownership.
- Interior Finishes: Complaints have been raised about the interior quality of the base model Passat. Owners have noted that the trims feel basic with a significant amount of plastic surfaces, giving the interior a more economical feel. While higher trim levels offer improvements such as leather seats, the overall interior ambiance may still lack the premium feel expected in this segment.
- Infotainment Screen: Some owners have expressed dissatisfaction with the infotainment system in the Passat. While the system is user-friendly and includes features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the 6.3-inch touchscreen is considered too small by some users. Placing the screen low on the dashboard can also make it challenging to use, especially when navigating or accessing information while driving.
These reported problems highlight areas of concern for owners of the 2018 Volkswagen Passat, ranging from performance issues to interior quality and technology shortcomings. Addressing these concerns can help potential buyers make informed decisions when considering this vehicle.
Is the 2018 VW Passat a reliable car?
Good looking and reliable car
Owned it from new, bought it simply because of 6 years 72k miles manufacturer's warranty. Car has been very reliable, comfortable to drive and spacious midsize sedan. Would recommend it to people who are looking for inexpensive and reliable car.
What is the common problem in VW Passat?
The VW Passat scores well in major reliability ratings with a 3.5 out of 5.0 from RepairPal and a 4.5 out of 5.0 from J.D. Power. Common Volkswagen Passat problems include issues with interior accessories, steering problems, and oil sludge problems.
Are there any recalls on 2018 VW Passat?
(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. Tip: Recalls don't affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model.
Is Volkswagen Passat high maintenance?
The 2021 Passat and Arteon have lower maintenance costs than similar midsize sedans by Toyota, Honda, or Hyundai. The 2021 Atlas Cross Sport has the lowest maintenance costs of the midsize SUV category. The 2021 Tiguan has lower maintenance costs than other compact SUVs by Honda, Toyota, and Subaru.
Is the 2018 VW Passat a reliable car?
Good looking and reliable car
Owned it from new, bought it simply because of 6 years 72k miles manufacturer's warranty. Car has been very reliable, comfortable to drive and spacious midsize sedan. Would recommend it to people who are looking for inexpensive and reliable car.
What is the common problem in VW Passat?
The VW Passat scores well in major reliability ratings with a 3.5 out of 5.0 from RepairPal and a 4.5 out of 5.0 from J.D. Power. Common Volkswagen Passat problems include issues with interior accessories, steering problems, and oil sludge problems.
Which model of Passat is best?
Best Volkswagen Passat for...
- Best for Economy – VW Passat GTE 1.4 TSI DSG. ...
- Best for Families – VW Passat 2.0 TDI 150 SE Business. ...
- Best for Performance – VW Passat 2.0 BiTDI DSG 4Motion GT. ...
- One to Avoid – VW Passat 1.6 TDI S. ...
- Engine 2.0 TDI BMT 150. ...
- Trim level SE Business. ...
- Gearbox DSG.
Is Volkswagen Passat high maintenance?
The 2021 Passat and Arteon have lower maintenance costs than similar midsize sedans by Toyota, Honda, or Hyundai. The 2021 Atlas Cross Sport has the lowest maintenance costs of the midsize SUV category. The 2021 Tiguan has lower maintenance costs than other compact SUVs by Honda, Toyota, and Subaru.
2018 Volkswagen Passat car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volkswagen Passat problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Engine problems
- Electrical system problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Air bags problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2018 Volkswagen Passat
The NHTSA has received 35 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Volkswagen Passat. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-23
- VIN: 1VWAA7A3XJC
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 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. This problem has been reported out in several cars including a fire….
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-08
- VIN: 1VWAA7A34JC
- Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: EPC light came on & check engine light Car shakes
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-02
- VIN: 1VWAA7A3XJC
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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. They did suggest to come visit them after 600 miles which I did. And after check up they did end up saying yes your car did burn oil around 0.25 quart. And I suggest you to come after 600 miles again. I need that issue to be fixed and they are wasting my time in this unnecessary procedure. It was confirmed that my engine burn oil and I have got extended warranty plus my car was always been serviced by the vw dealership.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-02
- VIN: 1VWBA7A3XJC
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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. The primary engine water pump began to lose pressure over time causing increased tail pipe emissions. I tried to report this issue to VW but fell on deaf years. Since the primary engine water pump was part of a recall i was explaining that the air pump control valve also had to be replaced because the open/close relay stopped working. I spent 820 $ parts + labor to get this fixed and VW does not even want to accept it as a problem. I have been constantly encountering these problems with my VW car. This is a safety issue and hence wanted to report this to NHTSA.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-05
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1VWAA7A30JC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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 .
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-10
- VIN: 1VWAA7A31JC
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: First/only owner of a 2018 VW Passat GP r-line, scheduled maintenance intervals followed religiously and performed by VW; only filled with top tier fuel (mid/premium), no prev. indicator lights ever illuminated until ECM light (no accompanying warning lights) came on while driving at highway speed with Adaptive Cruise Control engaged. Immediate loss of power and shaking vibration upon any attempt to accelerate/change lanes to safely get off of roadway. Once off roadway, all systems shut down and engine turned off for several minutes. Restarted car w/o difficulty, remained parked for 5 more minutes to monitor ECM light which did not return after shut down/restart. Returned to highway while safely merging into lane with conservative acceleration. ECM warning light did not return and vibration/shutterring had ceased. No unusual or abnormal gas mileage readings found upon close monitoring. Vehicle was driven x3 (relatively short distances) with speeds no greater than 65 mph; no return of ECM or any other warning lights. On the 4th drive, while attempting to evade an idiot, accelerator was applied more aggressively so as to avoid a near-catastrophic collision (nowhere to slow down or go to shoulder safely within 0.75/sec) which triggered the ECM light accompanied with loss of power/shuttering/vibration when pressure applied to accelerator. Pulled over, shut down, waited, panicked a little, then restarted engine. ECM light did not reappear after shut down/restart. Vehicle operated flawlessly once more. Injector/fuel system cleaner added to fuel tank and driven 40 mins in Sport mode to burn corrosive buildup effectively. Fuel tank refilled at new fueling station (thinking bad gas was a differential) and no issues since. Codes not showing up when diagnostics are ran. VW won’t fix something that isn’t presenting itself as a problem, at that very moment. 93k miles w/ NO prev. engine/emissions/transmission probs.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-30
- VIN: 1VWBA7A36JC
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Intake Manifold Runner is failing. This could suddenly put the vehicle in limp mode on the open highways, resulting in a hazardous situation due to sudden slowing. MIL light is illuminating and diagnostics from Meineke Car Care Center confirms failure of the Intake Manifold Runner. Similar issues have been noted with past VW models, with Intake Manifold warranty extension to 10 years, 120,000 miles for 2006-2008, 2008-2012, and 2013-2017 model years. It seems the problem continues through 2018 as I reached 90,000 miles with a failure. Volkswagen service specialists was quoted as "that sounds about right" so the problem clearly lingers for the 2018 model years and beyond.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-07-09
- VIN: 1VWBA7A32JC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced unstated electrical failures while driving at various speeds. Additionally, the rear-view camera would activate while the vehicle was in drive(D). The contact stated that the passenger occupant air bag sensor was flashing on and off without a passenger being seated in passenger’s side seat. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was determined that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-08-14
- VIN: 1VWBA7A38JC
- Components: SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH or at various speeds, there was a delay while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle was also pulling to the left and the right while depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the suspension was loose while driving over bumps in the roadway causing the vehicle to bounce. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front wheel bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
STEERING,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-04-04
- VIN: 1VWBA7A36JC
- Components: STEERING,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: 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. This has affected the adaptive cruise control, the electronic stability control, and now it engages the brake system when not called for.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-04-23
- VIN: 1vwaa7a36jc
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Airbag error notice and cracking sound when turning steering wheel. Error light for cruise control, front end assistance. This is the second time this has occured. It was previously fixed in 2018.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-11-17
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1VWBA7A38JC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: 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. There was no warning and it just happened suddenly. My family and other drivers safety were at risk. The dealership said it was due to impact but their estimate didn't mention or included any of the brake components. The brake caliber bracket is broken and the holes were the caliber bolts attached are elongated. The brake caliber and bracket are protected inside the rim and brakes just don't fall off. It is a VW certified car. I put 4,000 miles since I purchased and the accident happened on November 17, 2021. I have all the components and pictures.
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-08-05
- VIN: 1VWAA7a37jc
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: Purchased on 08/05/2021. The suspension in the rear right passenger side. Went on a 5 minute test drive with Yancey Cobb who stated there was nothing wrong with the car and that I needed to call the Finance company and finalize the deal or I wouldn't have a car. Meaning I couldn't get my traded car back either. They shut the dealership down on me and left me on the lot to retrieve my articles from one car to the next and there was no gas in the car because the gas light was on. They gave no paperwork. I had no idea there was no warranty until I took it to Heritage Harford Rd who gave the car back broken. 3 times. They keep saying they can't duplicate the problem. I contacted the BBB and they Mike Molnar lied and said he contacted me. Never responded to the rebuttal. I contacted Volkswagen customer care via Twitter with Stephani S. Nothing. I went to Country Dubbs, nothings wrong, Brooks Huff, Nothing wrong. T&S Auto, nothing. This vehicles stops traffic everyday on York Rd. I've contacted the FairTrade Commission. Nobody will help with this issue. It sways, it wiggles, the wheel rides like it's bent, it feels like it sticks at times and looks like crap on the road, but nody knows what's wrong. I've called Antwerpen Corporate. Spoke to Aileen Sanders who won't return my calls after telling me there was no paperwork in the jacket for the deal. Who sells a car at 19k miles on it with no warranty, they don't give you a bill of sale, and they treat women like dirt. They have so many negative and sheisty reviews on their website. Why are car dealers such liars and cheats. I don't want this car for all the hassle and deception and a note on a car that's been broke since the turn of the key for me.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-08-11
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1VWBA7A34JC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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). The vehicle will then roll until the brake is applied or it comes to a rest on a flat surface or against a pole or hard object. This is a significant safety hazard that has occurred to me 3-4 times, the most recent was today when the vehicle rolled backwards down my mothers driveway. Crossed the street, entered the neighbors driveway/yard, contacted the mail box and came to rest in the front yard. The vehicle rolled approx. 200ft. The vehicle is equipped with auto braking and parking collision warning, that are capable of sensing a collision while driving and notifying the driver of objects while parking. The same system should be able to prevent a car turned off while in drive from rolling uncontrolled and striking a person or object. In addition the car should have generate a significant audio and visual warnings to the driver, furthermore the car should not be able to be turned off while in drive. It’s a fundamental flaw that it can be turned off, drivers door opened, driver and keys step out of the vehicle with no response from the vehicle.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-07-20
- VIN: 1VWBA7A32JC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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. We have been given no reason to why the transmission would have went out like it did. But we are stuck making payments on it and the cost of repair from the dealership itself is $4,500
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-05-03
- VIN: 1vwca7a34jc
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-03-09
- VIN: 1VWAA7A31JC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: 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.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-01-23
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1VWBA7A3XJC
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: I AM AT THE BURGER KING DRIVE THRU JAN 23, 2021, THERE ARE A FEW CARS AHEAD OF ME. I SIT AT DRIVER THRU WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE ABOUT 3 TO 5 MINUTES, WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME MOVES CLOSER TO PICK UP HIS FOOD, I LET OFF OF THE BRAKE AND DRIFT FORWARD AS I GET CLOSER TO CAR IN FRONT OF ME , I PRESS THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I PRESS HARDER AND MY CAR BANGS DIRECTLY INTO THE BACK OF A 2015 CAMARA THAT HAS BEEN GARAGED KEPT AND HAS ONLY 3,000 MILES ON IT. I GIVE THE DRIVER MY PHONE NUMBER. VERY MINOR DAMAGE TO HIS CAR AND ONLY DAMAGE MY LICENSE PLATE AREA. I PULLED MY CAR INTO THE PARKING LOT , TURNED OFF IGNITION, I THEN STARTED PUMPING MY BRAKES AND EVENTUALLY THE BRAKES FELT MUCH STIFFER AFTER ABOUT 15 PUMPS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL . ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THIS , I TOOK MY CAR TO THE VW DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGE AND SPECIFICALLY ASKED FOR THEM TO CHECK MY BRAKES AND TIRES. I WAS TOLD WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR THAT TIRES SHOULD BE REPLACE IN ABOUT 5,000 MORE MILES,BUT MY BRAKES WERE FINE. MY CAR JUST PASSED 40,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER 2 DAYS AFTER THE OIL CHANGE. YESTERDAY JAN 25 ,2021 , I TOOK THE CAR TO VW DEALERSHIP EXPLAINING WHAT HAD HAPPENED, TODAY IS JAN 26 THEY KEPT THE CAR OVER NIGHT WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM SPECIALIST FROM VW. MEANWHILE I SEARCHED INTERNET FOR INFO. THAT IS WHEN I REACHED THIS SITE. ALSO MY FORWARD COLLISION SHOULD HAVE COME BEFORE I MADE CONTACT WITH THE CAR I HIT AT BURGER KING. I SERIOUSLY DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE. I DON'T TRUST IT. I ALSO INJURED MY LEG PRESSING SO HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-01-11
- VIN: 1VWAA7A35JC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: WHILE REVERSING IN MY DRIVEWAY, MY DASH LIGHTS UP WITH WARNING: ACC ERROR AND WARNING : AIRBAG ERROR AND STAYED WHILE I WAS PARKED AND KEPT MY CAR STATIONARY. THE NEXT DAY IT SHOWED UP AGAIN AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT MY AIRBAG DEPLOYING ON ME WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I AM WORRIED ALSO THAT MY AIRBAG MIGHT NEVER GO OFF AND THESE CODES DAMAGE SOMETHING ELSE INTERNALLY IN THE CAR.
STEERING,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-08-21
- VIN: 1VWAA7A39JC
- Components: STEERING,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-01
- VIN: 1VWBA7A33JC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: ABS INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON WHEN BRAKES ARE BEING USED UNDER REGULAR PRESSURE. SOMETIMES WHEN TRYING TO STOP AT A LIGHT OR SLOWING DOWN WHEN A CAR IS TURNING IN FRONT OF ME, THE ABS COMES ON AND THE CAR DOES NOT STOP AS IT SHOULD. I HAVE ALMOST HIT THE BACK OF A CAR IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE THE ABS CAME ON WHEN THE CAR NORMALLY WOULD HAVE JUST STOPPED AS USUAL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT FOR ROUGHLY 6 MONTHS. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-04-08
- VIN: 1VWBA7A34JC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-03-30
- VIN: 1VWBA7A33JC
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: 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. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER DOUGLAS VOLKSWAGEN (491 MORRIS AVE, SUMMIT, NJ 07901) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-28
- VIN: 1VWBA7A36JC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WAS INOPERABLE WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK AND GETTING EXTREMELY CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE, THE HORN PAD WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO NOTIFY THE OTHER DRIVER OF THE CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,500.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-13
- VIN: 1VWAA7A32JC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: UPON INSPECTING THE BRAKES FOR WEAR I FOUND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, I CHOSE TO GO TO PEP BOYS FOR THE BRAKE PADS. THESE PADS CAME WITH A WEAR SENSOR INSTALLED, SO I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN TO VERIFY WITH THE PARTS DEPARTMENT MY VEHICLE INDEED NEEDED THE WEAR SENSOR THEY CONFIRMED UTILIZING MY VIN HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE WEAR SENSOR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT I SHOULD JUST CUT THE WEAR SENSOR CABLE AND INSTALL THE BRAKE PADS AS THIS WOULD BE WHAT THE TECHNICIANS WOULD DO AS WELL. I CALLED OTHER DEALERSHIPS TO CONFIRM THESE ACTIONS, WITH POSITIVE CONFIRMATION OTHER DEALERS WOULD FOLLOW THE SAME PROCESS. THIS DOES NOT SEEM SAFE TO CUT A SENSOR THAT IS MEANT TO NOTIFY THE DRIVER OF BRAKE PAD WEAR.
2018 Volkswagen Passat recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2018 Volkswagen Passat.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
- Summary: 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."
- Consequence: Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Park It: 1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: 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.
Negative 2018 Volkswagen Passat car reviews
Positive 2018 Volkswagen Passat car reviews
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I bought this car as a replacement for my Honda Accord, which in turn replaced my Toyota Camry. As you can tell, I have moderate experience with family sedans. Before making my purchase, I test drove all the major brands and best-selling vehicles, as is the norm. I really enjoyed the way the Accord drove, but with all the issues Honda was having with its 1.5, I decided to pass. The modern Camry did not fit me at all, no matter how I tried to adjust the seat, not to mention the ridiculous front-leaning headrest. When I drove the Passat, everything seemed just right in the world. No crazy swoopy boy racer plastics, a nice clean, easily accessible, and understandable interior, and of course, the solid, nice feeling while driving. I now have 17k miles on my Passat R, and I average a little over 31mpg. Other than oil changes and tire rotations, I have nothing else to complain about. The vehicle still looks as good as it did the first day I brought it home. It has held up well to triple-digit heat, and the mouldings trim haven't yet experienced any of the fade commonly found here in the southwest Mojave desert. It's still quiet and smooth as well. My only complaint is that I wish this vehicle had about 20 more horsepower. It's a large vehicle, and it's not going to be an economical vehicle of any noteworthy extreme. I just wish VW gave us the same powerplant in the Tiguan, at the very least. I'm not asking for GTI or Arteon level performance, but for a car that looks this nice, a little oomph would be much appreciated. Other than that, VW hit a homerun, and I wouldn't change anything else.
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One of the things that I absolutely loved about the 2018 VW Passat was the spacious rear trunk. With a trunk space of 15.9 cu. ft., I was able to easily fit 2 sets of golf clubs, a couple of overnight suitcases, golf shoes and a few other things without any hassle. It's not just the golfers who will appreciate the roominess of the trunk, but anyone who needs to carry a lot of luggage. Despite the spacious trunk, the interior of the car is surprisingly roomy and comfortable, especially the rear seats. The exterior appearance of the car is also very sharp and contemporary, which makes it a perfect choice for anyone who wants to make a statement. Even my 16 year old granddaughter loved the car and said that it didn't look like an
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I recently purchased a VW Passat and had little knowledge about VW vehicles at the time. However, I chose this vehicle due to its safety rating, size, gas mileage, and transferable warranty. The Passat's comfortable seating makes it an excellent choice for long commutes or frequent travel. Despite having a 4 cylinder engine, the turbocharged Passat has impressive acceleration. Additionally, it is equipped with many features that I appreciate, including the adaptive cruise control option. This feature is a must-have for all my future vehicles as it transitions smoothly and slows down evenly without being jerky or jarring. Overall, I am confident that I made the right choice in purchasing this vehicle.
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Roomy interior, huge trunk, and better MPG than estimated. The ride is smooth and quiet. Even after 3 years, I still feel the same. The car runs flawlessly, with a gas mileage of 30/40/35 city/hwy/comb. I can't give it up. It looks very classy in black with a gray interior.
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Comfortable, reliable, and with excellent fuel economy!
Other years of Volkswagen Passat
Are you having problems with your 2018 Volkswagen Passat?
William Beahan 2024-11-22
Hi there! I have a Volkswagen Passat R Line 2018 with an odometer reading of 40,000 miles and it's still under warranty. Unfortunately, I'm experiencing an issue with the EPC light and a loss of power while driving. I reached out to the Volkswagen dealership service, but they put me on a waiting list for 3 weeks. I also asked for a shuttle rental, but unfortunately, I didn't receive the help I was hoping for. It's frustrating that even though I have a warranty bumper to bumper, it doesn't seem to matter when there's a problem. Thanks for listening!
Blake Hyatt 2024-10-15
I purchased a 2019 VW Passat R-Line on 3/2/19 for its impressive technology and assist options. Unfortunately, the remote start stopped working on 3/11/19. I took it to the dealer on 3/12/19 and they informed me that it is a known issue with an unknown fix. They are hoping that the new software update will resolve the issue, but they are unsure when that will be. I am a bit disappointed with VW. Additionally, the remote start (when it did work) would turn off when a door was unlocked or opened for theft prevention. It would be great if VW could follow the lead of other OEs and allow the engine to keep running when the cockpit is entered with a key in possession and the start button is pressed. It is impossible to shift out of park without the key. This design could be improved, as the engineering on this one is not up to par.
Rex Hill 2024-08-24
In July 2022, I purchased a 2018 Volkswagen Passat r-line 2.0 turbo, which I consider to be a significant investment. Although the car initially drove well, I experienced an issue with the fuel emissions system in January 2023, which triggered the check engine light. Despite feeling disheartened, I took the car to the nearest auto zone to have the code read, and the technician advised me that I could drive it home and get it checked out soon. However, when the EPC light came on, I decided to contact the Volkswagen dealership where I purchased the car. I was pleased to discover that the warranty was still valid, and I was able to bring the car in for a check-up the following day. Although I was disappointed that I couldn't get a loaner car, I waited patiently while the dealership assessed the issue. The dealership provided me with an estimate of $3500 for the necessary repairs, which included new injectors, new spark plugs, a coolant flush, and a few other items. Despite the cost, I felt confident in the dealership's expertise and was grateful for the warranty that covered the repairs.The car has been experiencing multiple issues, including a tire pressure sensor light that remains on despite the pressure being fine. The $4000 warranty purchased did not cover much except for a broken oil pan. However, my husband and his auto body team were able to fix all the issues, including changing the injectors, spark plugs, coils, and other parts. The car was running smoothly for a while, but the issues resurfaced. Despite this setback, my husband was able to adjust the spark plugs, which made a significant difference. Although there was a minor issue with the check engine light blinking three times, we are confident in our ability to fix it. We are determined to find a solution and ensure that the car runs smoothly.
Jared Greenholt 2024-07-09
The 2018 VW Passat has unfortunately not met our expectations. We have had a negative experience with this vehicle and have incurred a significant repair bill of $7,000.00. As previous Nissan owners, we have not encountered such issues before. We hope that VW can improve their quality control in the future. It did take the dealership over a month to diagnose the issue, which was a frustrating experience. We believe that it is important for mechanics to have the necessary skills and knowledge to diagnose and repair vehicles effectively.
Lafayette Schimmel 2024-06-25
Ensure that you purchase the warranty as it will be necessary. Although my personal experience with this car has been negative due to recurring issues, it is important to note that individual experiences may vary. It may be worth considering other options before making a final decision.