Best and worst years for the Volkswagen Passat

Of the 31 model years of the Volkswagen Passat with enough data to compare, the 2013 has the most complaints filed within five years of the model year (682), and the 1996 has the fewest (3).

Complaints in the first five years, by model year

Most complaints
Fewest complaints
In between

Every bar counts only complaints about failures within five years of the model year, so older and newer years are measured on the same footing.

View the numbers

Model year	Complaints (first five years; total for recent years)
1990	8
1991	4
1992	26
1993	50
1994	19
1995	78
1996	3
1997	5
1998	255
1999	471
2000	353
2001	346
2002	525
2003	576
2004	207
2005	107
2006	397
2007	105
2008	56
2009	67
2010	56
2011	11
2012	453
2013	682
2014	559
2015	250
2016	111
2017	130
2018	45
2019	17
2020	24
2021	28
2022	21

What stands out

The 2013 stands out, with about 6.5 times the typical number of complaints. Other years well above the median: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001.

Look closer at the years with the most complaints: 2013 and 2003. Or the years with the fewest: 1996 and 1991.

All model years

Model year	First five years	All complaints
2022	21	21
2021	28	28
2020	24	31
2019	17	18
2018	45	66
2017	130	177
2016	111	179
2015	250	389
2014	559	791
2013	682	1,029
2012	453	664
2011	11	27
2010	56	226
2009	67	211
2008	56	240
2007	105	341
2006	397	779
2005	107	172
2004	207	348
2003	576	816
2002	525	772
2001	346	558
2000	353	625
1999	471	854
1998	255	476
1997	5	57
1996	3	48
1995	78	142
1994	19	36
1993	50	90
1992	26	60
1991	4	30
1990	8	50