Representative model. Photo: SsmIntrigue, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2018 Volkswagen Passat recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2018 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 4
Park-it warnings: 1
Complaints: 46
Latest campaign: Sep 16, 2020

Recall summary by component4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Park‑it	Latest	Campaign IDs
Service brakes, hydraulic	2	1	Aug 15, 2018	18V536000 18V369000
Unknown or other	1	–	Sep 16, 2020	20V561000
Exterior lighting	1	–	May 22, 2019	19V389000

Safety recalls4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

1Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Sep 16, 2020Latest campaign


Sep 16, 202020V561000	Unknown or other Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants. DetailsHide details for campaign 20V561000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 20V561000 · Sep 16, 2020
May 22, 201919V389000	Exterior lighting: headlights Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 19V389000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 19V389000 · May 22, 2019
Aug 15, 201818V536000	Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components disc 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V536000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 18V536000 · Aug 15, 2018
Jun 1, 201818V369000	Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components disc A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash. Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 18V369000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 18V369000 · Jun 1, 2018

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Volkswagen recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2018 Volkswagen Passat? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component46

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

46Complaints filed

5Involving a crash

1Involving a fire

2Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Service brakes	12	26	2	0	1
Engine	11	24	1	0	1
Electrical system	10	22	1	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	6	13	0	0	0
Air bags	5	11	1	0	0
Vehicle speed control	4	9	1	0	1
Power train	3	7	0	0	0
Forward collision avoidance	3	7	1	0	1
Unknown or other	3	7	1	0	1
Suspension	2	4	0	0	0
Wheels	2	4	0	0	0
Steering	2	4	0	0	0
Structure	1	2	0	1	0
Exterior lighting	1	2	0	0	0
Parking brake	1	2	0	0	0

An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Structure
“I was driving my 2018 Volkswagen Passat when suddenly I felt the car started to lose acceleration even though my foot was still on the acceleration paddle.”
Filed 10/07/2026 · ODI 11769713
Electrical system
“A major engineering and material design failure occurred involving internal fluid containment seals, resulting in a severe electrical safety hazard.”
Filed 06/03/2026 · ODI 11741923
Electrical system
“The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the infotainment screen failed to respond to touch commands, preventing the contact from viewing the GPS feature.”
Filed 04/15/2026 · ODI 11731417

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2018 Volkswagen Passat recall questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Passat have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2018 Volkswagen Passat. The most recent, 20V561000 (reported September 16, 2020), concerns unknown or other. 1 campaign carries a park-it or park-outside warning. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2018 Volkswagen Passat recalls for?

The largest group is service brakes, hydraulic, with 2 campaigns. Others: unknown or other (1), exterior lighting (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Volkswagen Passat?

Service brakes is the most-reported component, named in 12 complaints out of 46 filed with NHTSA (26%). Across all complaints, owners reported 5 crashs and 1 fire. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2018 Volkswagen Passat?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Volkswagen recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Volkswagen dealer.

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