Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the airbags, engine, and steering. The 8 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2020Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/8 checked
2020 Volkswagen Passat: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2020's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2020 Volkswagen Passat. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 27 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Volkswagen Passat, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Failure to deploy in a crash is the most serious report here. The car was a total loss, one person was injured, and the seat belt reportedly did not hold tight enough. In the other report, the air bag warning light comes on and stays on, along with a maintenance-needed alert and a message that front assist is unavailable. With only 2 reports, the pattern is thin, but both point to the air bag system either failing in a crash or signaling a fault.
Head gasket failure appears at 53,000 miles, just past the 50,000-mile warranty, with a dealer repair bill of about $4,800. A second pattern starts with a failed oil pressure sensor, which leads to high oil pressure, a destroyed valve cover, and an oil pan leak that drains the engine oil. Both reports describe expensive repairs, and an oil leak that empties the engine calls for prompt attention.
The clock spring fails, and the steering wheel buttons and horn stop working. The air bag warning light can also come on, which means the system has detected a fault. One failure happens after barely a year of ownership. Both reports describe the same symptoms: dead wheel controls, no horn, and concern about whether the driver air bag will deploy. Losing the horn and possibly the air bag makes this a safety issue, not just an inconvenience.
Excerpts from complaints Passat owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Error message alerted to maintenance needed and the air bag light has turned on and remained on. Also said message that front assist inls unavailable.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2025
Bought car from dealer. Vw Manhattan. 42000miles. 8 months later at 53000 miles. Engine problems. Went to Vw service. Head gasket. Lemon car. Warranty till 50000 miles. Cost? 4800$ Worse car possible.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2024
Oil pressure sensor fails. Causing high oil pressure. Causing the valve cover to be destroyed and the oil pan to leak. Draining the car oil.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2024
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,
Filed with NHTSA, December 2025
My clock spring isn’t working after having my vehicle for barely a year. My air bag light is currently on. I can’t use my horn nor use any of the controls on my steering wheel. I’ve paid already 800 plus on previous car issues such as my harness hose. I’m still awaiting reimbursement. Further review and assistance needed.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2023
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2020 ranks third for owner complaints among 5 Passat years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2020 is the sixth model year of the Passat's eighth generation (2015–2023).
Recall repairs are free at any Volkswagen dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.".
Risk: An incorrectly folded air bag can deploy with too much force, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69AY.
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.".
Risk: Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.
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.
Risk: In an event of a side impact crash, an incorrect side airbag may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Volkswagen has inspected and replaced the side air bags, free of charge. The recall was completed in April 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Y8.
Cars shoppers compare with the Volkswagen Passat, with their own 2020 checklists.
2020 owner complaints, side by side
