2019 Volkswagen Passat Safety Report
2019 Volkswagen Passat Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2019 Volkswagen Passat. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (12) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Service Brakes | Compare service brakes issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Volkswagen Passat with 0 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Volkswagen Passat before buying across this generation. |
Volkswagen Passat Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Volkswagen Passat years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Volkswagen Passat | 15 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Volkswagen Passat | 43 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Volkswagen Passat | 0 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Volkswagen Passat | 107 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Volkswagen Passat | 9 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Volkswagen Passat | 104 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2019 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2019 Volkswagen Passat, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Service Brakes
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Volkswagen onlyElectrical System
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Volkswagen onlyFuel System, Gasoline
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel System, Gasoline issues Volkswagen onlyElectrical System,Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Volkswagen onlyEngine,Fuel/Propulsion System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Volkswagen onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Engine issues Volkswagen onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat
Reliability Score
The 2019 Volkswagen Passat receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes Brakes may not engage immediately, causing delayed response and potentially unsafe driving conditions. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Forward Collision Avoidance System The system has been reported to malfunction independently, potentially leading to accidents. |
Low | Occasional | N/A miles |
| Engine And Fuel/Propulsion System Engine and fuel system issues have been reported, affecting vehicle performance and reliability. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Multiple electrical system issues have been reported, including problems with remote start and inconsistent ride quality. |
High | Common | N/A miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2019 Volkswagen Passat:
Issues with brake engagement and pedal return are common.
System malfunctions have been reported.
Engine and fuel system issues are reported.
Multiple electrical system issues are prevalent.
Recall Details for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat by NHTSA:
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."
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2019 Volkswagen Passat with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Brake issues that consist of brakes not engaging immediately as I press the brake pedal. Brake pedal also doesn't return as fast as my foot lets off of it. It could be inspected upon request. If the brakes dont engage immediately then there is a potential for an accident if I need to brake at a moments notice. Yes the problem has been confirmed. No it hasn't been inspected. No there isn't a warni...
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking and then lost motive power. The contact pushed the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel injector needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced the fuel injector. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there ...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY STOP EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE NO VEHICLES OR OBJECTS NEARBY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER FAIRFIELD VW LOCATED AT 5071 LYCOMING MALL DR, MONTOURSVILLE, PA 17754 HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE IDLED WITH THE EPC LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS BELABORED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS AND AT LOW SPEEDS. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN CATONSVILLE 6624 BALTIMORE ...
VEHICLE WAS SOLD WITH REMOTE START FEATURE. DEALER AND SALESMAN KNEW THE REMOTE START DID NOT WORK. THIS WAS A SELLING POINT ON THE CAR. THEY KEEP PUTTING OFF FIXING THE ISSUE WITH THE CAR.
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OFF, THE FACTORY REMOTE START DOES NOT FUNCTION. THE CAR WILL TURN OVER, BUT IMMEDIATELY DIE. VW HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS SINCE LATE 2018, BUT HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THE ISSUE. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2019, AND THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME WITHOUT THE DEALERSHIP LETTING ME KNOW THE REMOTE START WOULD NOT WORK. I HAD TO FIND OUT MYSELF ON A COLD MORNING. I EVEN CALLED ...
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT SLOWER SPEEDS, IT IS CONSTANTLY SHIFTING TO TRY AND SAVE ON FUEL. THIS RESULTS IN THE VEHICLE NOT PROVIDING A CONSISTENT RIDE. THE NOISE WHEN IT SHIFTS IS VERY LOUD AND CAN SOMETIMES BE FELT THROUGH A JERKING MOTION. BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP RESULTED IN THEM SAYING THEY KNOW IT'S AN ISSUE AND HOPEFULLY VW COMES OUT WITH A SOFTWARE FIX. IT'S NOT COMFORTING KN...
ON 11/10/2019 WHILE DRIVING I CONSTANTLY FELT BURNING SENSATION ON MY RIGHT THIGH WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS AROUND 70 MILES. THE NEXT DAY ON 11/11/2019 WITH THE FAMILY AND KIDS MY RIGHT THIGH STARTED FEELING LIKE ITS BURNING. SUBSEQUENTLY WE STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING BURN AND SWITCHED OFF ALL HEAT AND HEATED SEATS AND DROVE BACK HOME WITH OUT ANY HEAT IN 15 F . ON ARRIVAL WE NOTICED THAT THE...
CAR HESITATES ERRATICALLY AND UNPREDICTABLY WHEN ACCELERATING MOST NOTICEABLY FROM A DEAD STOP, AND AT SLOW SPEEDS WHILE TURNING. ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP TO CROSS A STREET IN BUSY TRAFFIC THE CAR WILL JUST SIT UNRESPONSIVE FOR SECONDS AND BARELY ACCELERATE AND THEN UNPREDICTABLY ACCELERATE. DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING THE R-LINE, IT DRIFTS ALL OVER THE ROAD. I HAVE HAD 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT...
WINDSHIELD BEGAN CRACKING IN THE MIDDLE FROM PASSENGER SIDE TOWARD DRIVER SIDE. NO ROCK OR OTHER DEBRIS HIT WINDSHIELD. IT IS A CONTINUOUS CRACK THAT IS A FINE LINK CRACK THAT CONTINUES TO SPREAD.
SPEEDOMETER READS 2 MPH LOWER THAN ACTUAL SPEED AT 70 MPH AS MEASURED BY RADAR INSTRUMENTS ON ROAD AND MY GPS WHICH READS THE SAME AS THE RADAR. I ALSO AM DRINKING A LOANER VEHICLE OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND READS 1 MPH SLOWER AT 70 MPH. ALSO HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONING. THEY ALSO LIED ABOUT THE FUEL ECONOMY POSTED ON THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS CONSISTENTLY LOWER TH...
NORMAL HEEL TOE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE IMPOSSIBLE. WHILE DRIVING, I WENT TO STEP ON BRAKE. POSITION OF PEDAL WAY AHEAD OF GAS PEDAL. RESULT I WAS PUSHING DOWN ON FIRE WALL. WHEN I TRIED TO STEP ON BRAKE, MY FOOT WAS TRAPPED BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2019 Volkswagen Passat
Has the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT been recalled?
Yes, the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT have?
The 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has 12 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
The 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT involve service brakes (2 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints), fuel system, gasoline (1 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system,service brakes,forward collision avoidance, engine,fuel/propulsion system, electrical system,unknown or other,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT have?
There are no fire reports for the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT.
How many injuries are reported for the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT.
Should I buy a 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT is generally recommended. It has 12 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
The components with the most failures on the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT are: 1. SERVICE BRAKES (2 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints), 3. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (1 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints), 5. ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1 complaints). SERVICE BRAKES is the single most-reported problem area with 2 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
Be cautious of brake and electrical system issues. Consider a thorough inspection before purchasing. The 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has 12 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
The 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 12 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Service Brakes and Forward Collision Avoidance System.
What are the known issues with the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
Known issues with the 2019 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT include: Service Brakes, Forward Collision Avoidance System, Engine and Fuel/Propulsion System, Electrical System. These are based on patterns found across 12 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any known issues with the brakes?
Yes, brakes may not engage immediately and the pedal may not return as expected.
What about the forward collision avoidance system?
It has been reported to malfunction independently, potentially leading to accidents.
Are there any electrical system issues?
Yes, multiple issues including remote start problems and inconsistent ride quality have been reported.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of brake and electrical system issues. Consider a thorough inspection before purchasing.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2019 Volkswagen Passat
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat. The data includes 12 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2019 Volkswagen Passat an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16