2020 Volkswagen Passat: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
3 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer. Few owner complaints for this year.
Ask for the VIN and check it, then get a pre-purchase inspection.
Known problems on the 2020 Volkswagen Passat
No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.
2020 Volkswagen Passat recalls
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2020 Volkswagen Passat. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- Airbags
An incorrectly folded air bag can deploy with too much force, increasing the risk of injury.
Details 20V533000
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."
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.
- Airbags
In an event of a side impact crash, an incorrect side airbag may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Details 19V218000
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.
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.
- Lights
Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Details 19V389000
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."
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.
2020 Volkswagen Passat safety investigations and free repairs
No open safety investigations.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Warranty extension: These documents are for the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Limited Warranty Extension as part of the Class Action Settlement
- Steering: The model year chat was removed for VWP-18-11 for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring Limited Warranty Extension
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2020 Volkswagen Passat safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
18 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is few.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
Other Volkswagen Passat years
Printable inspection checklist · Out-the-door price calculator