2020 Volkswagen Passat: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2020 Volkswagen Passat: 3 recalls, 18 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.
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Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V218000 · 2019 · 3 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 atlas and 2020 passat vehicles. An incorrect driver and/or front passenger side impact air bag May have been installed.
Why it matters: In an event of a side impact crash, an incorrect side airbag May not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volkswagen has inspected and replaced the side air bags, free of charge. The recall was completed in April 2019.
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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V533000 · 2020 · 1,829 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 passat vehicles. The passenger frontal air bag May have been folded incorrectly affecting its deployment force. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Why it matters: An incorrectly folded air bag can deploy with too much force, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2020.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Other / unknown (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Forward collision avoidance (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat has 18 owner complaints, ranking #29 of 33 Passat model years for complaints (well below the 238 average). Complaints peaked in 2024 (5 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 4,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2019 (12 complaints, 1 recalls), 2021 (18 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 34 | 27 | 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 2020 Volkswagen Passat.
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FAQ
Does the 2020 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2020 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 2020 Volkswagen Passat problems?
Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (4), other / unknown (4), airbags (4).
What gas mileage does the 2020 Volkswagen Passat get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S6)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2020 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.