Volkswagen Passat 2020 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls issued for the Volkswagen Passat 2020 and 18 complaints filed by owners. It has 59% 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.
Own or buying a Volkswagen Passat 2020? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Volkswagen Passat 2020
Air bags
NHTSA campaign 20V533000 · 2020-09-02
What happens
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Passat vehicles. The passenger frontal air bag may have been folded incorrectly affecting its deployment force. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence
An incorrectly folded air bag can deploy with too much force, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69AY.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
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.
Air bags
NHTSA campaign 19V218000 · 2019-03-20
What happens
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas and 2020 Passat vehicles. An incorrect driver and/or front passenger side impact air bag may have been installed.
Consequence
In an event of a side impact crash, an incorrect side airbag may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Volkswagen has inspected and replaced the side air bags, free of charge. The recall was completed in April 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Y8.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
18 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
1 with a crash · 1 injury
Most reported problems on the Volkswagen Passat 2020
- Engine: 4 (22% of complaints)
- Forward collision avoidance: 3 (17% of complaints)
- Electrical system: 2 (11% of complaints)
- Wheels: 2 (11% of complaints)
- Brakes: 2 (11% 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 2020
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- Start it cold, listen for noises, look for oil or coolant leaks and exhaust smoke.
- Ask whether the system braked on its own for no reason ("phantom braking") and whether software updates are pending.
- Test lights, windows, locks, the screen and dashboard warning lights; have trouble codes scanned.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
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
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Volkswagen Passat 2020 have?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls issued for the Volkswagen Passat 2020. 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 2020?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: engine (4 of 18 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 23, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).