Used Volkswagen Passat GTE 2015-2024 reliability

This isn’t a small car, so make sure to check the bodywork over carefully for scuffs, scratches and grazes where a less-than-careful owner might have had a run-in with the scenery.

Check, too, that the interior hasn’t been trashed by a careless family – look for stains on the upholstery, cracked or loose plastic fittings and worn out fabrics.

Steering issues

Some Passat owners have noted issues with the steering on their car, so make sure you watch out for any irregularities or odd sensations through the steering on the test drive. Along with this, be sure to check there are no faults with the hybrid system – the GTE should feel relatively gutsy, so if it doesn’t, there may be a fault with the electric components.

Rear wheel bearing housing

Passats manufactured between August 21 and August 29 2017 may have an issue where the rear wheel bearing housing could fracture under extreme conditions. Symptoms include unusual noises from the rear of the vehicle and uneven tyre wear. If neglected, this could result in the wheel detaching. Contact a Volkswagen dealer to confirm whether this recall has been addressed.

Sunroof trim

A limited number of vehicles produced from November 2 2015,to May 31 2017 may experience improperly bonded sunroof trim. Any Volkswagen dealer can verify if your vehicle is affected and provide the necessary repair.

Insufficient engine torque at low speeds

Vehicles manufactured between October 9 2018 and May 28 2019 require a software update to enhance engine torque at lower speeds, improving overall drivability.

Airbag and seatbelt tensioner defects

Vehicles produced from May 1 to October 31 2016 may have faulty airbags and seatbelt tensioners that could fail to function effectively during a collision, increasing the risk of injury. Visit your dealer to determine if your vehicle is affected, as these components will need replacement.

Headrest issues

Two separate recalls have been issued for headrests. The first concerns a defective spring in vehicles built between May 5 and May 18 2018. The second relates to front headrest locking mechanisms that may malfunction in vehicles produced between February 14 and March 31 2018. Contact a Volkswagen dealer for further details and necessary replacements.

Light failures without warning

Vehicles manufactured between June 1 2015 and October 31 2016 may have a software issue in the onboard supply control unit. This can prevent warnings about light bulb failures or display false fault messages. New software installation is required to resolve the issue; check with your local dealer to see if your vehicle is impacted.

Child lock malfunction

Some vehicles built between November 25 2015 and April 14 2016 may have child locks that could disengage unexpectedly, allowing rear doors to open. If affected, the locks will need to be inspected and replaced if necessary.

Rear seat backrest welds

Two recalls concern the rear seat backrest. In vehicles produced between May 1 and August 31 2018 the welds on the headrest mounting could fail during an accident. A second issue involves vehicles built between February 12 and February 22 2019 with faulty welds on the rear seat frame. In either case, contact your dealer to determine if a replacement seat frame is required.

Electronic Stability Program (ESP) failure

A hardware issue in the ESP system may cause it to malfunction in vehicles built between May 20 and June 30 2015 potentially compromising safety. Verify with your local Volkswagen dealer if your vehicle is part of this recall.

Panoramic sunroof issue

For Passats manufactured between February 17 2015 and February 15 2016 and equipped with a sunroof, the anti-trap feature may fail to activate when using the global close function via the key. If your car is affected, the global close function will need to be removed from the sunroof to prevent injuries. You can contact your dealer to rectify this.

The Passat scored badly in the executive car category in our most recent reliability survey, finishing 19th out of 20 cars with a score of 82.2%. That placed it below the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes C-Class and all its main rivals, other than the BMW 5 Series that finished in 20th place.

Volkswagen as a brand finished in 18th place out of 31 manufacturers in the same survey with a score of 90.5%, which was an improvement on recent years. The brand finished above Audi, Jaguar and Mercedes, but below BMW, Ford and Skoda.

Used Volkswagen Passat Estate reliability: the owners’ view

In the 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, Volkswagen Passat 2015–2024 owners reported mixed experiences. While many praised the Passat’s dependability in its early years, recurring issues became apparent as the vehicles aged. Common complaints included faulty sensors, persistent electrical problems and misleading warning lights. Hybrid models, meanwhile, were criticised for software glitches, whereas diesel variants were plagued by expensive and recurrent emissions system repairs.

Opinions on dealership support were mixed. Some owners highlighted efficient and supportive service for warranty-covered repairs, while others faced lengthy delays in securing parts and high out-of-warranty costs. Hybrid owners were especially vocal about dealerships lacking the necessary expertise to address the specific challenges of their models.

If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.