Volkswagen Passat VIN Number Check

Enter a Volkswagen Passat VIN for a free NHTSA vPIC decode: build details, the generation it belongs to and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. Owner reports follow below.

VIN prefixWVW1VW

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Volkswagen Passat

About the Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen sold the Passat in the US for model years 1990–2022, across five generations. The B3 came first (1990–1994); B4 (1995–1997), B5 (1998–2005), B6 (2006–2010) followed, and the NMS took over for 2012–2022. Across those years NHTSA lists 54 vehicle recall campaigns and 7,756 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the B5. Its 1999 and 2002 model years alone account for 1,307 of them, with owners bringing up engine and cooling most often and the brakes after that. EPA rates the B3 at 18–22 mpg combined, while the NMS gets 22–34 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years1990–2022

GenerationsB3 · B4 · B5 · B6 · NMS

NHTSA recall campaigns54

Owner complaints7,756 at NHTSA

Volkswagen Passat photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Volkswagen Passat generations

Five generations since the 1990 model year. The B5 (1998–2005) has the most owner complaints, the NMS (2012–2022) the most recall campaigns (27).

5 / 5

NMS

2012–20225th generation

Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1990199520002005201020152020

2012–2022· Generation 5 of 5

NMS · 5th generation

EPA classMidsize Cars

EPA combined mpg22–34

NHTSA recalls27

Engines (EPA)

2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo, diesel) · 2012–2015
2.5 L 5-cyl · 2012–2014
3.6 L 6-cyl · 2012–2018
1.8 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2014–2017
2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2018–2022

Drive & transmission (EPA)

FWD
manual (2012–2015), automatic (2012–2022), automated manual/dual-clutch (2013–2018)

Known issues to check

Air bags (1,190)Electrical system (376)Engine and cooling (320)15 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 2,392 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · NMS1VWBP7A3?DC······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2013 Volkswagen Passat Comfortline, built in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Check a Passat VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Passat model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 54 campaigns on file for Passat model years 1990–2022, and the 2012 shows up in more of them than any other year (11), ahead of the 2014 (10). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Volkswagen Passat owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 2013 (748 of 7,756). Tap any bar or generation.

7,756NHTSA complaints, 1990–2022

230mention a crash

300mention a fire

247injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearNMS: 2,392 complaints · most for the 2013 (748)

Top complaint areas · NMS

Mentions in 2,392 complaints, 2012–2022.

Air bags1,190

Electrical system376

Engine and cooling320

Fuel system230

Steering211

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)114

Crashes 94Fires 14Injuries 72

2012–2022 (NMS)

NHTSA data summary

The 2013 is the outlier. On its own it has 748 of the NMS’s 2,392 complaints (31%), more than any other Passat model year, and owners across the generation name air bags most often (1,190 mentions), then electrical system (376).

What Passat owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2012–2022 (7th generation)

Air bag clock spring failure dominates the early years. On the 2013, NHTSA owners most often report a failed clock spring that disables the driver air bag, horn and steering wheel buttons, and CarComplaints ranks clock spring failure first for 2013, followed by A/C blowing hot air. For 2014 and 2015, excessive oil consumption and hesitation lead CarComplaints. Recalls cover the clock spring on 2012–2014 models, diesel parts on 2012–2014 TDI models that raise fire risk and headlight aim caps on 2012–2020 models. [1] [2] [3]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the clock spring recall and, on TDI models, the fire risk recalls and emissions fix paperwork.
Check that the horn, steering wheel buttons and air bag light all work normally.
Ask for oil consumption records on the 1.8T, confirm the A/C blows cold and feel for hesitation when pulling away.

Sources (3) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Passat complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Diesel Passat versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

7,756complaints, 1990–2022

230mention a crash

300mention a fire

247injuries reported

8complaints report a death

Most complaints: 2013 (748), 1999 (664), 2002 (643)

2013 · 748 complaints

Crashes 29 · fires 4 · injuries 24 · complaints reporting a death 2

Air bags382

Engine104

Electrical system93

Unknown or other77

Fuel/propulsion system65

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Passat CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 209 Passat versions for model years 1990–2022 (gas and diesel). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 275 g/mi, for the 1998 diesel. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

B31990–1994

18–22 mpg · CO₂ 404–494 g/mi

B41995–1997

18–36 mpg · CO₂ 283–494 g/mi

B51998–2005

18–37 mpg · CO₂ 275–494 g/mi

B62006–2010

19–25 mpg · CO₂ 355–468 g/mi

NMS2012–2022

22–34 mpg · CO₂ 290–396 g/mi

Model year2022

28combined MPG

315CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$2,400EPA yearly fuel cost

7/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

6/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2022: Passat · Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo — 28 MPG · 315 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasDiesel

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Passat vs Honda Accord vs Chevrolet Malibu

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 1998–2005. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the Passat, against 33 for the Honda Accord and 13 for the Chevrolet Malibu. Pick a range to compare.

Volkswagen PassatNMS

Model years 2012–2022

NHTSA recall campaigns: 27
NHTSA owner complaints: 2,392
EPA combined mpg: 22–34
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.8, 2.0 L · 5-cyl 2.5 L · 6-cyl 3.6 L
Also listed: turbo, diesel
Drive (EPA): FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 4★ overall (2022)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Air bags 1,190
Electrical system 376
Engine and cooling 320

Honda Accord

Model years 2012–2022

NHTSA recall campaigns: 26
NHTSA owner complaints: 8,411
EPA combined mpg: 21–48
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.5, 2.0, 2.4 L · 6-cyl 3.5 L
Also listed: hybrid, plug-in hybrid, turbo
Drive (EPA): FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2022)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 2,137
Engine and cooling 1,586
Forward collision avoidance 1,239

Chevrolet Malibu

Model years 2012–2022

NHTSA recall campaigns: 33
NHTSA owner complaints: 5,334
EPA combined mpg: 20–46
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.5–2.5 L · 6-cyl 3.6 L
Also listed: turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA): FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 4★ overall (2022)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 1,657
Engine and cooling 1,551
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 865

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Volkswagen Passat VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Passat

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Silver Volkswagen Passat (NMS generation) sedan, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Locate the Passat's VIN on the dashboard plate at the lower driver's windshield. Door jamb sticker, a B-pillar label, and a trunk lid label are secondary locations. The NMS generation starts with the 2012 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (C for 2012) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Volkswagen Passat VIN questions

Which Volkswagen Passat model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2013 leads with 748, ahead of the 1999 (664) and 2002 (643). Those first two alone make up 18% of the 7,756 Passat complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Volkswagen Passat had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 54 vehicle campaigns for model years 1990–2022, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, NMS leads with 27. Then come the B5 (13), B6 (12), B3 (5) and B4 (2), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Volkswagen Passat recalls are high risk?

16V-079 and 16V-078 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. 18V-406, 18V-247, 24V-834, 18V-148, 19V-862 and 19V-014 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 92V-058, 02V-026, 08V-156, 04V-586, 12V-146, 16V-171, 17V-309, 18V-329 and 5 more. Do-not-drive advisories came with 18V-369. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Passat generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the B3 is 1990–1994 and the B4 1995–1997. B5 spans 1998–2005, B6 2006–2010 and NMS 2012–2022. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (C is 2012).

What fuel economy does the Volkswagen Passat get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2012–2022 NMS at 22–34 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 18–22 mpg for the 1990–1994 B3 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Volkswagen Passat compare with the Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu on recalls?

For 2012–2022 models the Passat has 27 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda Accord has 26, the Chevrolet Malibu 33. Complaints run 2,392, 8,411 and 5,334 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Volkswagen Passat have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2022 Passat 4 stars overall. One version, FWD, is rated.

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