CARFOCALvehicle research
Research CarsCompareRankingsArticles
  1. Home›
  2. Manufacturers›
  3. Volkswagen›
  4. Passat›
  5. 2019›
  6. Complaints

2019 Volkswagen Passat Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 2026
Daniel Wilson
2019 Volkswagen Passat Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2019 Volkswagen Passat has 18 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve electrical system and service brakes.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

8.3/ 10

Based on 18 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 22.2%

SERVICE BRAKES

3 16.7%

POWER TRAIN

2 11.1%

ENGINE

2 11.1%

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 5.6%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 22.2% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 11 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

Subscribe to Recall Alerts

Get notified when a new recall or important ownership update lands for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat.

Free alerts based on U.S. recall data. Unsubscribe anytime.

Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2019 Volkswagen Passat

The 2019 Volkswagen Passat has 18 owner complaints in this dataset. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the most common complaint category, representing about 22% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4), SERVICE BRAKES (3), POWER TRAIN (2).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 12 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2019 Volkswagen Passat?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2018 Passat complaints2020 Passat complaints2017 Passat complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 11 of 11 systems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 Reports22% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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 THAN THE MILEAGE LISTED BOTH FOR CITY, HIGHWAY, AND AVERAGE. THIS IS ALSO TRUE ON THE LOANER VEHICLE. ALMOST LIKE THE DIESEL EMISSIONS PROBLEM THEY HAD WITH MY 2015 PASSAT!

6/29/2019

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?

11/26/2019

2 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

3 Reports17% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

4/16/2019

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.

9/10/2020

1 more complaint is available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

2 Reports11% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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 ALIGNMENTS ON THE CAR WITH ONLY 6400 MILES ON IT.

11/5/2019

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 KNOWING THAT THE DEALERSHIP KNOWS THERE'S AN ISSUE AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE.

11/26/2019

ENGINE

2 Reports11% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

12/17/2019

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 NATIONAL PIKE, BALTIMORE, MD 21228) FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE AND FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE OR RESOLUTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. *TP

2/5/2020

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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.

7/12/2019

STEERING

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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 ALIGNMENTS ON THE CAR WITH ONLY 6400 MILES ON IT.

11/5/2019

SEATS

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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 HEATED SEAT GOT SO HOT THAT IT BURNT A HOLE IN THE DRIVER CAR SEAT AND MELTED THE LEATHER . WE ALL GOT EXTREMELY SCARED OF A POSSIBLE FIRE IN THE CAR AND COULD HAD GOT INJURED OR STRANDED ON A VERY COLD DAY. THERE ARE 100'S OF SIMILAR ISSUES POSTED ONLINE BUT I AM NOT SURE WHY THIS IS NOT BEING FIXED. IF THE CLOTHS FIRE CATCHES ON AND WE ARE ON A FREEWAY AT A HIGH SPEED THEN MY FAMILY'S LIFE COULD BE ENDANGERED IF I LOOSE CONTROL BECAUSE OF THIS BURN. THE CAR IS 2019 JANUARY VW PASSAT BOUGHT FROM VW AND IS ALMOST BRAND NEW . I HAVE TAKEN A DEALER APPOINTMENT AND WILL BE VISITING ON 11/16/2019 TO GET THIS CHECKED AND PROBABLY FIXED. BUT SHOULD I TRUST THAT THIS WONT HAPPEN AGAIN ?

11/12/2019

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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.

12/17/2019

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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 NATIONAL PIKE, BALTIMORE, MD 21228) FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE AND FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE OR RESOLUTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. *TP

2/5/2020

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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.

9/10/2020

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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 was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

10/13/2022

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat?

The most reported complaint category for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, with 4 owner reports. That is about 22% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN.

Are complaints about the 2019 Volkswagen Passat a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 12 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2019 Volkswagen Passat severe?

12 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Volkswagen Passat: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
18
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

We may earn a commission via links on this page.

In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

Start here

Buyer guideMaintenance guideRecall reportTuning guide

Get recall and ownership alerts for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat

Get our free model-year alerts and ownership updates.

Sign Up

We may earn a commission if you buy parts through our links. Learn more.

Carfocal

Automotive Research

Real data on vehicle reliability, safety, and ownership costs.

  • Used Car Research
  • Reliability Rankings
  • Buying Guides

  • Data Sources & Methodology
  • Editorial Standards
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Disclosures
  • Terms of Service

© 2026 Carfocal · All Rights Reserved