Most common 2019 Volkswagen Passat problems
Share of the 12 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volkswagen Passat complaints by model year
Best Passat years: 2011, 2019, 2020. Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2012, 1999, 2002. Compare all years →
2019 Volkswagen Passat recalls (1)
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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.
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.
What 2019 Volkswagen Passat owners say
Electrical system
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 not determined. Additionally, on several occasions the vehicle would not start when pushing the start/stop button and the message "no key detected" was sometimes displayed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 15,000.
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 to let them know what was going on and they had me bring it in even though they already knew there was an issue. How can vw get away with selling a feature on a vehicle that does not work a year after they are aware of it?
Brakes
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 warning.
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 not determined. Additionally, on several occasions the vehicle would not start when pushing the start/stop button and the message "no key detected" was sometimes displayed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 15,000.
2019 Volkswagen Passat engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 25 / 36 / 29 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2019 Volkswagen Passat a good car?
Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 Passat rates better than average: 91% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Passat at the same age. It is one of the best Passat years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2019 Volkswagen Passat?
The electrical system — 4 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the brakes (3) and transmission & drivetrain (2).
How many recalls does the 2019 Volkswagen Passat have?
There is 1 recall for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat, the most recent from May 22, 2019 (headlights). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Passat?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2019 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2014, 2012, 1999 and 2002. See the full Volkswagen Passat years comparison.
At what mileage do 2019 Volkswagen Passat problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 4,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.