Volkswagen Passat 2019 recalls, problems, complaints and safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall issued for the Volkswagen Passat 2019 and 12 complaints filed by owners. It has 72% fewer complaints than the average Volkswagen Passat from 2016–2022 (44 per year).

These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.

Recalls issued for the Volkswagen Passat 2019

Exterior lighting
NHTSA campaign 19V389000 · 2019-05-22

What happens

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.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 19V389000

Complaints from other owners

12 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.

Most reported problems on the Volkswagen Passat 2019

• Electrical system: 4 (33% of complaints)
• Brakes: 3 (25% of complaints)
• Engine: 2 (17% of complaints)
• Powertrain and transmission: 2 (17% of complaints)
• Fuel system: 1 (8% of complaints)

Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.

What to check before buying a Volkswagen Passat 2019

• Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
• Test lights, windows, locks, the screen and dashboard warning lights; have trouble codes scanned.
• Brake hard somewhere safe: the car shouldn't pull to one side and the pedal shouldn't sink; check rotors and pads.
• Start it cold, listen for noises, look for oil or coolant leaks and exhaust smoke.
• Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.

Safety rating (NCAP)

Volkswagen Passat recalls by year

• 2016 : 5 recalls · 106 complaints
• 2017 : 7 recalls · 110 complaints
• 2018 : 4 recalls · 46 complaints
• 2019 : 1 recall · 12 complaints
• 2020 : 3 recalls · 18 complaints
• 2021 : 1 recall · 0 complaints
• 2022 : 0 recalls · 13 complaints

Guides for this check

• What is a car recall and how to get it fixed for free
• Pre-purchase inspection for a used car: what to check
• Questions to ask the seller of a used car

Frequently asked questions

How many recalls does the Volkswagen Passat 2019 have?

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall issued for the Volkswagen Passat 2019. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.

What is the most common problem with the Volkswagen Passat 2019?

In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: electrical system (4 of 12 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.