2019 Volkswagen Passat: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2019 Volkswagen Passat at 29 mpg combined across 1 version. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 12 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
1
EPA combined mpg
29
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Volkswagen dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2019 Volkswagen Passat recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat, newest first.
Exterior lighting: Headlights
NHTSA 19V389000Reported May 22, 2019
Filed by
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 94L9)
Units affected
662,185 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Remedy
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.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2019 Volkswagen Passat fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2019 Volkswagen Passat crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2019 Volkswagen Passat owner complaints
Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Volkswagen Passat, most recently on Mar 16, 2025. 0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2019 Volkswagen Passat complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Electrical system
4
Service brakes
3
Engine
2
Power train
2
Forward collision avoidance
1
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system
1
Fuel/propulsion system
1
Seats
1
Steering
1
Unknown or other
1
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
