2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Complaints and Recall Information
The 2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has 5 complaints and 4 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report sensor malfunctions, such as air bag and seat belt sensor warnings. There are also issues with ABS sensor warning lights and fuel pump leaks even though no recall covers the fuel pump problem on this model.
Common Issues- Sensor malfunctions. Multiple complaints about air bag and passenger seat belt sensors showing errors consistently.
- ABS sensor warnings. Warning lights for the ABS sensor activate indicating possible braking system faults.
- Fuel pump leakage. Fuel pump modules leak, a problem reported widely online for this model though not officially recalled.
The vehicle has 4 recalls affecting various components including safety compliance, lighting, and braking systems. The recalls impact critical safety and operational systems on the Passat.
Recalls- Regulatory compliance. (NHTSA 20V561000) Affected 23 vehicles that might not meet all federal safety standards due to unknown modifications. This poses increased crash or injury risk. Volkswagen will repurchase affected vehicles. Owners were notified starting October 2020.
- Headlight adjustment. (NHTSA 19V389000) Over 662,000 vehicles had missing caps that prevent proper horizontal aim of headlights. This can reduce visibility and increase crash risk. Repair involves installing blocking caps at no cost. Recall began July 2019.
- Brake caliper bolts. (NHTSA 18V536000) About 8,400 vehicles had loose brake caliper bracket bolts which may reduce braking or cause loss of control. Dealers inspect and tighten bolts, including additional brake components and parking brake cables, free of charge. Recall started September 2018.
- Brake caliper pistons. (NHTSA 18V369000) More than 10,200 vehicles face brake performance reduction due to insufficient piston coating. Owners were advised not to drive until repairs. Dealers bleed front and rear brakes to address the defect. Recall notification began June 2018.
Owners dealing with repeated repairs for sensor or braking issues, or those facing unresolved recall repairs, may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Consulting with a legal professional experienced in lemon law is advised for guidance on potential claims.
2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Summary
2018
Model Year
5
Total Complaints
4
Total Recalls
680849
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
23 vehicles affected
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Risk: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
662185 vehicles affected
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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."
Risk: Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
10225 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
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.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
8416 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
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.
Risk: 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.
Complaints
2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
ID: 2122718FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
ABS sensor warning lights are coming on showing there is an issue.
2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
ID: 2122717SERVICE BRAKES
ABS sensor warning lights are coming on showing there is an issue.
2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
ID: 2111019UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We have been having numerous sensor issues. Sensors showing air bag malfunction and with passenger side seat belt on the front right side. We bought the car in used condition from pat lobb toyota of mckinney less than a year ago. Constantly having sensor issues with it.
2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
ID: 2111018AIR BAGS
We have been having numerous sensor issues. Sensors showing air bag malfunction and with passenger side seat belt on the front right side. We bought the car in used condition from pat lobb toyota of mckinney less than a year ago. Constantly having sensor issues with it.
2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
ID: 2073317FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Car Fuel Pump Leaking. Fuel pump Module failure. There was a recall for this issue on other Volkswagens, but not on the Passat. There are hundreds of cars online with the same issue.