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2018 Volkswagen Passat Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Volkswagen Passat, most often about the brakes (28% of complaints, typically around 35,000 miles). It is 18th of 23 Passat model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2018 Volkswagen Passat problems
Brakes
13 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles.
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.
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…
Engine
11 complaints · 24%My car is under 7000 miles, don't even have the first schedule oil change and experience excessive oil consumption. I have taken it to the car dealer and just top off the oil. Something is wrong with the engine.
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…
Electrical
10 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery.
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…
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and failed to accelerate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a wiring harness failure.…
Fuel system
6 complaints · 13%Air bags
5 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: frontal.
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…
Speed control
4 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: cruise control.
Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 7%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…
Transmission
3 complaints · 7%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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Volkswagen Passat recalls
Other: unknown or other
Risk: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Lights: headlights
Risk: Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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."
Brakes: caliper
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Brakes: caliper
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2018 Volkswagen Passat
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Volkswagen Passat?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (13 complaints, typically around 35,000 miles); engine (11 complaints); electrical (10 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Passat have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 16, 2020 (other). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Volkswagen Passat?
- It is 18th of 23 Passat model years by number of complaints, with 46 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.