Volkswagen · Passat · 2016
2016 Volkswagen Passat
5
Recalls
105
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2016 Volkswagen Passat has 5 recalls and 105 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: fuel/propulsion system (10 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2016 Volkswagen Passat page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is fuel/propulsion system with 10 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Compare the recall list with the complaint mix to see whether the most reported issues overlap with formal NHTSA safety campaigns.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2016 Volkswagen Passat currently shows 5 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 105 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are fuel/propulsion system (10), unknown or other (8), engine (7).
- Vehicle
- 2016 Volkswagen Passat
- Recalls
- 5
- Complaints
- 105
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
10.7% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 21V321000May 05, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas 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.
Remedy Status
Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.
NHTSA ID: 20V561000September 16, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 19V389000May 22, 2019
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. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy Status
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 ID: 16V403000June 06, 2016
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles, equipped with 1.8T engines manufactured November 13, 2015, to December 9, 2015, and 2016 Golf vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to November 11, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.
Remedy Status
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 15F7.
NHTSA ID: 15V705000October 26, 2015
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Remedy Status
Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
Owner Complaints
105 totalFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Dec 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Upon investigatio...
Preview excerpt
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Dec 1, 2025
currently leaking raw fuel under the hood (matching Recall 15F7) and stalling after fill-ups (matching Recall 24V110000). I am requesting a Specialized Safety Review and Goodwill Assistance to cover the repair because this is a documented manufacturing defect, not wear-and-tear."...
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FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Nov 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, there was a strong gasoline odor inside the cabin. The contact immediately pulled over and exited the vehicle to inspect for visible fuel leaks, but found no leaks. While attempting to res...
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FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jul 3, 2025
Description of the Problem: The fuel pump housing on my 2016 Volkswagen Passat (1.8L TSI) developed visible cracks, which caused a persistent fuel vapor smell around the vehicle, especially after refueling. The failed component — the plastic fuel pump assembly manufactured by Co...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Jul 1, 2025
The vehicle has been alerting error codes 16352 for failing to communicate with ABS module causing warning lights for ABS, brake and the ESC systems to illuminate. The brake system related vehicle stabilizing functions (ABS/ESC) is not be available, increasing the risk of a loss ...
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FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Apr 1, 2025
Smell of fuel near rear seat. Gasket OK.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 28, 2025
Unknown my water pump failed and all out of nowhere
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Feb 15, 2025
While driving on a residential street the VW Front Assist suddenly engaged the brakes. There was no car in front or any cars driving in the area. The car came to a complete stop. The only explanation may be that it had been recently raining in Seattle and it was also late in t...
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FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Jan 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate above 35 MPH, there was an abnormal burning odor inside the vehicle and the EPC warning light had illuminated briefly then the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over onto...
Preview excerpt
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jan 4, 2025
The fuel delivery system appears to have failed. Specifically, there is an active gasoline leak from a fuel line inside the cabin, near or under the rear seat. The source may be related to an unresolved recall involving the fuel rail detaching from the engine, which causes pressu...
Preview excerpt
Showing 10 recent complaints from 105 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2016 Volkswagen models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Volkswagen Passat Years
2017 Volkswagen PassatCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.7r107c2015 Volkswagen PassatCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.7r242c2018 Volkswagen PassatCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.4r44c2014 Volkswagen PassatCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.10r588c2019 Volkswagen PassatCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.1r12c2013 Volkswagen PassatCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.9r746c
More 2016 Volkswagen Models
2016 Volkswagen JettaAnother 2016 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.5r160c2016 Volkswagen TiguanAnother 2016 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.2r95c2016 Volkswagen GolfAnother 2016 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.9r84c2016 Volkswagen GTIAnother 2016 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.4r66c2016 Volkswagen BeetleAnother 2016 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.4r57c2016 Volkswagen TouaregAnother 2016 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.2r44c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Passat have?
The 2016 Volkswagen Passat has 5 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has received 105 owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat?
The 2016 Volkswagen Passat received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen Passat?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat are fuel/propulsion system (10 reports), unknown or other (8 reports), engine (7 reports).
Does the 2016 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 5 recalls on record for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.