2020 Volkswagen Passat Owner Complaints
Complaint Summary
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat has 22 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve air bags and engine.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 22 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
AIR BAGS
4 18.2%
ENGINE
3 13.6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 13.6%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
2 9.1%
STEERING
2 9.1%
Quick Insights
The top category is AIR BAGS, accounting for 18.2% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 13 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.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2020 Volkswagen Passat
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat has 22 owner complaints in this dataset. AIR BAGS is the most common complaint category, representing about 18% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2020 Volkswagen Passat are AIR BAGS (4), ENGINE (3), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 13 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 2020 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.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 13 of 13 systems
AIR BAGS
4 Reports18% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
HELLO MY DOUGHTER HAD A ACCIDENT CAR WAS TOTAL LOSS AND AIR BAGS DID NOT POP UP AND SEAT BELT WAS NOT TIGHT ENOUGH
5/19/2023
My clock spring isnât working after having my vehicle for barely a year. My air bag light is currently on. I canât use my horn nor use any of the controls on my steering wheel. Iâve paid already 800 plus on previous car issues such as my harness hose. Iâm still awaiting reimbursement. Further review and assistance needed.
8/2/2023
ENGINE
3 Reports14% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
PARK ASSIST NOT AVAILBLE. LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON LEFT OR RIGHT TURN
9/22/2020
Bought car from dealer. Vw Manhattan. 42000miles. 8 months later at 53000 miles. Engine problems. Went to Vw service. Head gasket. Lemon car. Warranty till 50000 miles. Cost? 4800$ Worse car possible.
4/19/2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 Reports14% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
PARK ASSIST NOT AVAILBLE. LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON LEFT OR RIGHT TURN
9/22/2020
Our vehicle will not speed up after accelerating but you can hear the engine making noise like itâs trying to speed up. We have taken our vehicle 3-4 times back to the dealership and they have told us they found nothing.
3/7/2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
2 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
The Volkswagen Front Assist (sometimes referred to as Forward Collision Warning) system employed without having anything/anyone in front of the vehicle - no traffic in front, behind or on the side and the brakes engaged the brought the car to a complete stop in the street. This has been reported to Volkswagen and we have been told that their engineers are working on this issue but the vehicle is safe to drive. The day was a clear day. Date is approximate - I don't have my phone on me with the photo.
9/7/2022
Error message alerted to maintenance needed and the air bag light has turned on and remained on. Also said message that front assist inls unavailable.
3/17/2025
STEERING
2 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
My clock spring isnât working after having my vehicle for barely a year. My air bag light is currently on. I canât use my horn nor use any of the controls on my steering wheel. Iâve paid already 800 plus on previous car issues such as my harness hose. Iâm still awaiting reimbursement. Further review and assistance needed.
8/2/2023
Steering wheel controls stopped working, no horn either. Probably no airbag but haven't got into an accident. There was recall on the same part for the until 2018, but the new part I was going to install lists that if fits cars 2016-2022 Part # 5K0-953-569-BC Recall from VW. Number: VWP-18-11, Will replace part for my fiance,
12/18/2025
WHEELS
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY SOUTH SHORE IN RANDOLPH MA STOUGHTON EXITS AND I HEARD A POP IN MY DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE AND WHEN I PULLED OVER I CHECKED MY TIRE AND MY TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT AND THERE WAS A HOLE APPROXIMATELY THE SIZE OF A HAND GUN BULLET HOLE IN MY RIM. I WAS GOING A LITTLE UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT DUE TO HAVING A 3 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE IN THE FAR RIGHT SLOW LANE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING I WENT TO GET THE TIRE INSPECTED IT WAS CONFIRMED THERE WAS A HUGE PIECE OF GLASS IN MY TIRE.
9/26/2020
SERVICE BRAKES
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THE BREAKS IS VERY WEAK I WAS GOING TO HIT THE CAR AT THE FRONT OF ME WITH 1 INCH ! IT TOOK THE CAR LIKE 4 SECONDS TO STOP NOT SURE WAS IT JUST THE BREAKS OR THE BREAKS AND TIRES , THE CAR KEPT MOVING AFTER PRESSING THE BREAKS HARD ENOUGH , I WAS SHAKING SINCE I JUST GOT THE CAR 4 DAYS AGO !
3/16/2021
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The Volkswagen Front Assist (sometimes referred to as Forward Collision Warning) system employed without having anything/anyone in front of the vehicle - no traffic in front, behind or on the side and the brakes engaged the brought the car to a complete stop in the street. This has been reported to Volkswagen and we have been told that their engineers are working on this issue but the vehicle is safe to drive. The day was a clear day. Date is approximate - I don't have my phone on me with the photo.
9/7/2022
SEAT BELTS
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
HELLO MY DOUGHTER HAD A ACCIDENT CAR WAS TOTAL LOSS AND AIR BAGS DID NOT POP UP AND SEAT BELT WAS NOT TIGHT ENOUGH
5/19/2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made abnormal sounds. The contact stated that the vehicle started independently, and the Driver Assist function engaged independently. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was swerving unintendedly and would vibrate while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times; however, the dealer informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The dealer later replaced the brake rotors; however, the failure persisted. The electronic power control (EPC), the Adaptive Cruise Control and low oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the message "Front Assist Error" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake caliper was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the thermostat as the message "Coolant Error" was displayed on the instrument panel. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.
6/22/2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
My clock spring isnât working after having my vehicle for barely a year. My air bag light is currently on. I canât use my horn nor use any of the controls on my steering wheel. Iâve paid already 800 plus on previous car issues such as my harness hose. Iâm still awaiting reimbursement. Further review and assistance needed.
8/2/2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
Car wasnât pulling up the road the epc light came on had to have my vehicle rolled to the next dealer which was 36 miles from where I was. I was traveling from grapevine tx and it start acting up in Huntsville tx. Came out of pocket 1085.00 and that was with a discount for the fuel injector #3 My warranty expired 3000 miles ago. I am the first owner on my vehicle.
2/13/2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
Steering wheel controls stopped working, no horn either. Probably no airbag but haven't got into an accident. There was recall on the same part for the until 2018, but the new part I was going to install lists that if fits cars 2016-2022 Part # 5K0-953-569-BC Recall from VW. Number: VWP-18-11, Will replace part for my fiance,
12/18/2025
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2020 Volkswagen Passat?
Are complaints about the 2020 Volkswagen Passat a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2020 Volkswagen Passat?
Are complaints about the 2020 Volkswagen Passat severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Volkswagen Passat: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 22
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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