2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
22
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
27
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
The 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has received a total of 22 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL:CUSHION, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW. 27 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (4 complaints), Engine (3 complaints), and Unknown Or Other (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, potentially affecting up to 664,017 vehicles.
Recall 20V533000 — AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL:CUSHION
| 1,829 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Recall 19V389000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 662,185 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Recall 19V218000 — AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
| 3 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
22 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Steering wheel controls stopped working, no horn either. Probably no airbag but haven't got into an accident. There was recall on the same part for the until 2018, but the new part I was going to install lists that if fits cars 2016-2022 Part # 5K0-953-569-BC Recall from VW. Number: VWP-18-11, Will replace part for my fiance,
Steering wheel controls stopped working, no horn either. Probably no airbag but haven't got into an accident. There was recall on the same part for the until 2018, but the new part I was going to install lists that if fits cars 2016-2022 Part # 5K0-953-569-BC Recall from VW. Number: VWP-18-11, Will replace part for my fiance,
Steering wheel controls stopped working, no horn either. Probably no airbag but haven't got into an accident. There was recall on the same part for the until 2018, but the new part I was going to install lists that if fits cars 2016-2022 Part # 5K0-953-569-BC Recall from VW. Number: VWP-18-11, Will replace part for my fiance,
Error message alerted to maintenance needed and the air bag light has turned on and remained on. Also said message that front assist inls unavailable.
Error message alerted to maintenance needed and the air bag light has turned on and remained on. Also said message that front assist inls unavailable.
Safety Rating for the 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
The 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 27 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
Circ91BMREV2 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
As indicated on the Monroney label at the time of retail sale, the vehicles included in this service action were sold before July 1, 2020 with a non-functioning Car-Net® Operating Control Unit (OCU). Purchasers were advised that a functioning OCU would be installed free of charge once parts became available....
Dealer91BMREV2 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
As indicated on the Monroney label at the time of retail sale, the vehicles included in this service action were sold before July 1, 2020 with a non-functioning Car-Net® Operating Control Unit (OCU). Purchasers were advised that a functioning OCU would be installed free of charge once parts became available....
VIN4APIN20211116 — ENGINE
Customer states MIL-on with P0087 P0149 P053F in the ECM Customer states MIL-on with any combination of P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P1D74 and/or P1D75 in the ECM Customer states rattle noise from the underbody heat shields Customer states noise from front suspension Customer states noise during clutch pedal operation...
VIN4APIN20210913 — POWER TRAIN
Customer states MIL-on with P0087 P0149 P053F in the ECM Customer states noise during clutch pedal operation Customer states no crank/no start. Vehicle is towed in. Customer states there is a popping/clicking noise while operating temperature settings Customer states MIL-on with P0401
Circular91BMREV1 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Updated Car-net Quick Reference Guide. 2020 MY Passats are excluded from the remote start function via the Car-net app
UMHomelink — VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
Prism mirror Owner's manual
Circular 69BS — SEAT BELTS
Although the front passenger seat belt is compliant with regulatory requirements, Volkswagen has developed a software update that will (1) adjust the front passenger's seat belt load limiter timing and (2) increase the robustness of the system by decreasing the front passenger's potential chest acceleration during a frontal crash.
Circular 91BM — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
As indicated on the Monroney label at the time of retail sale, the vehicles included in this service action were sold before July 1, 2020 with a non-functioning Car-Net Operating Control Unit (OCU). Purchasers were advised that a functioning OCU would be installed free of charge once parts became available.
Dealer 91BM — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
As indicated on the Monroney label at the time of retail sale, the vehicles included in this service action were sold before July 1, 2020 with a non-functioning Car-Net Operating Control Unit (OCU). Purchasers were advised that a functioning OCU would be installed free of charge once parts became available.
Dealer 91BM — EQUIPMENT
As indicated on the Monroney label at the time of retail sale, the vehicles included in this service action were sold before July 1, 2020 with a non-functioning Car-Net Operating Control Unit (OCU). Purchasers were advised that a functioning OCU would be installed free of charge once parts became available.
Showing 10 of 27 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
- 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 388 complaints
- 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 173 complaints
- 2017 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 173 complaints
- 2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 62 complaints
- 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 18 complaints
- 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (current)
- 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 26 complaints
- 2022 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 14 complaints
Other VOLKSWAGEN Models
- VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 13,715 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 3,613 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN — 3,104 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS — 2,635 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 1,991 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 1,916 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 — 1,568 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN CC — 1,356 total complaints