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EnginePart report

2018 Volkswagen Passat Engine Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
24%of 46 total for the year
Median mileage
74,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Volkswagen Passat, 24% of the 46 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My car is under 7000 miles, don't even have the first schedule oil change and experience excessive oil consumption. I have taken it to the car dealer and just top off the oil. Something is wrong with the engine.”

NHTSA complaint #11156844, filed 2018-12, 6,700 miles

“My oil sensor started blinking while I am driving. I stoped and added oil to the car because the level was in low level. Went to the dealership to check my car in if I do have leakage or if my engine did start to burn oil. They did suggest to come visit them after 600 miles which I did. And after check up they did end up saying yes your car did burn oil around 0.25 quart. And I suggest you to come after 600 miles again. I need that issue to be fixed and they are wasting my time in this unnecessary procedure. …”

NHTSA complaint #11579645, filed 2024-03

“I received a check engine light and my mechanic diagnosed the problem and attributed it to an the air pump control valve which was connected to primary engine water pump. A slight leak in the air system was noticed since the check valve failed. The primary engine water pump began to lose pressure over time causing increased tail pipe emissions. I tried to report this issue to VW but fell on deaf years. Since the primary engine water pump was part of a recall i was explaining that the air pump control valve also had to be replaced because the open/close relay stopped working. …”

NHTSA complaint #11570751, filed 2024-02

“The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with battery failure. The contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then towed to a different dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #11715843, filed 2026-02, 136,000 miles

“A major engineering and material design failure occurred involving internal fluid containment seals, resulting in a severe electrical safety hazard. Pressurized engine coolant breached an internal component seal and began migrating internally directly through the vehicle's engine wiring harness via capillary/siphoning action. The fluid used the sealed wiring loom as a literal pipeline, traveling inside the wire insulation to bypass all outer weather seals and completely flood the Engine Control Module (ECM) pin connectors. …”

NHTSA complaint #11741923, filed 2026-06

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2022323%
202116%
2020422%
2019217%
20181124%
201776%
20161716%
20155322%
20147713%
201310514%
2012408%
2011638%
20104125%
20096041%
20084326%
20072811%
20066411%
2005128%
2004186%
2003234%
2002132%
200151%
200082%
199920%
199810%

Other parts of the 2018 Volkswagen Passat

Brakes
13 complaints
Electrical system
10 complaints
Fuel system
6 complaints
Air bags
5 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
3 complaints
Other or unknown
3 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
3 complaints
Steering
2 complaints
Suspension
2 complaints
Wheels
2 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Volkswagen Passat

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology