What's Wrong with the 6th Generation (2012–2021) Passat?

Passat owners have made 212 complaints about the 2012–2021 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 39th out of 46 VW generations in overall reliability, with real interior and engine concerns.

Compare With Other Passat Generations

Common 2012-2021 Volkswagen Passat Problems

Some of the worst issues 6th generation Passat owners have to deal with.

  1. Defective Timing Chain

    Volkswagen’s EA888 2.0-liter engine has a history of tensioner problems that can lead to a loose timing chain and catastrophic engine failure. A series of lawsuits eventually led to a settlement that offers an extended warranty and potentia…

    Continue reading article "Defective Timing Chain" Gold timing chain in a VW engine

  3. Diesel Emissions Scandal

    Volkswagen has admitted to using a defeat device on its supposedly 'clean diesel' vehicles. The reason? To skirt around US emissions standards. This doesn't sit well with ... well, just about anybody. In fact, the only group who seems reall…

    Continue reading article "Diesel Emissions Scandal" Emissions cloud coming out of a tailpipe

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

6th Generation (2012–2021) Passat Key Numbers

  1. 10 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 212 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 39th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 46 eligible generations.

Recent 6th Generation (2012–2021) Passat News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Volkswagen and Audi are recalling 119,000 vehicles to replace dangerous Takata airbag inflators.

    This campaign is part of an industry-wide effort involving more than a dozen automakers and 1.7 million vehicles. The chemical inside of Takata airbag inflators can become unstable over time, leading to violent and sometimes deadly airbag deployments. The recall is for both driver and passenger side inflators in the 2015-2017 CC, 2015-2016 Eos, and 2015 Passat.

    keep reading article "Takata Inflator Recall for TT and R8 Vehicles"

  2. When Volkswagen agreed to a multi-district settlement for selling polluting engines marketed as clean diesel, it did so knowing it’d have to pay billions of dollars to customers that owned or leased an affected vehicle when the news about the scandal broke.

    Some owners that had sold their affected vehicles before the news came out tried to file for compensation in court, but didn't get very far. That may be about to change due to an interesting court decision in California.

    Former owners and lessees of Volkswagen "clean diesel" vehicles can proceed with their lawsuit even though the customers got rid of their diesel vehicles before anyone knew the emissions systems were illegal.

    Volkswagen, as you might image, is less than impressed with this decision.

    Volkswagen says the case is nothing more than trial attorneys trying to suck more money out of the automaker that has already paid more than $25 billion for its emissions sins.

    keep reading article "Judge's Decision May Open to the Door to New Diesel-Scandal Claims"

  3. Like many diesel vehicle owners, Allen and Jennifer Pickard chose to keep their two Passats as part of Volkswagen's $10-billion diesel emissions settlement.

    The agreement came with compensation contingent upon the exhaust system being modified to meet EPA standards. And sure, every owner knew that likely meant a knock to engine performance or fuel economy. But I doubt anyone expected this...

    According to court documents, both Passats have been in the custody of an authorized Volkswagen mechanic for months because the emissions repairs caused both cars to not start.

    The plaintiffs claim numerous attempts made by VW technicians have failed to fix the no-start problems, so the owners tried to trade in one of the Passats. The lawsuit alleges they were told a trade wasn't possible because the car was worth $0 since it couldn't be started.

    Needless to say the couple is … let’s call it, “unimpressed” with VW’s “fix” and has filed a lawsuit against the automaker.

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says the VW Emissions “Fix” Has Disabled the Car Entirely "

  5. It appears Volkswagen is close to settling 7 lawsuits regarding defective timing chains and the threat of engine damage.

    The proposed settlement includes all consumers who purchased or leased certain 2008-2014 Audi and Volkswagen vehicles that will be determined by the vehicle identification numbers (VINs).

    According to the terms, reimbursement amounts will be determined based on the age of the vehicle, how many miles are on the odometer and if the timing chain tensioner, timing chain or engine was replaced."

    Reimbursement amounts are highly favoriable to owners who get work done at an authorized VW dealership. Our advice – if something goes wrong with your timing chain or tensioner and you're covered under this settlement, skip your local mechanic and go to an authorized dealer.

    keep reading article "VW Owners to Receive Reimbursements for Busted Timing Chains and Tensioners"

  6. **Re

    ember the good ole days? Baseball on the radio, lemonade at Grandma's house and cars that could make it to their first oil change before getting recalled? These days it feels like every new car that rolls off the lot needs to roll right back in to the service station.

    The 2015 VW Passat, for example, has just been recalled for a faulty brake line connection that can allow fluid to leak. That fluid is critical to your stopping power, so as it leaks out the car will need longer and longer distances to stop.

    VW says workers used a busted torque wrench during assembly.

    keep reading article "Leaking Brake Lines in the 2015 Passat"

  7. Turns out VW had a good reason for issuing a stop sale on some 2014 models last week -- they were catching on fire.

    The manufacturer recognized a potential safety defect, stopped selling cars, found the problem and issued a recall, all within a month -- see how that's done, GM?

    According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), O-ring seals in some VWs can leak between the oil cooler and the transmission. Once flammable transmission fluid hits a hot surface only bad things can happen.

    The recall affects the 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat equipped with the 1.8T engine and an automatic transmission. Owners should see a notice in the mail soon at which point they can bring their cars in to have the O-ring seals replaced.

    keep reading article "Transmission Leaks and Fire Risk"