2016 Volkswagen Passat: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Volkswagen Passat: 5 recalls, 106 owner complaints and up to 29 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling, Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #15V705000 · 2015 · 91,867 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #16V403000 · 2016 · 55 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #19V389000 · 2019 · 662,185 vehicles
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."
Why it matters: Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Other / unknown Vehicle recall #20V561000 · 2020 · 23 vehicles
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…
Why it matters: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements May have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020.
Other / unknown Vehicle recall #21V321000 · 2021 · 46 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements May have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
The fix: Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (25): the most common themes are warning light on (8).
- Electrical (22): the most common themes are warning light on (5), stalls / loses power (2).
- Steering (19): the most common themes are steering problems (13), warning light on (7), noise or vibration (4).
- Engine (17): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (6), warning light on (6), leaks (4).
The 2016 Volkswagen Passat has 106 owner complaints, ranking #20 of 33 Passat model years for complaints (well below the 238 average). Complaints peaked in 2018 (16 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 34,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (243 complaints, 7 recalls), 2017 (110 complaints, 7 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 36 | 29 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Volkswagen Passat problems?
Owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (25), electrical (22), steering (19).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Volkswagen Passat get?
EPA ratings run up to 29 mpg combined (1.8 L, Automatic (S6)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Volkswagen Passat repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.