Used 2012 Volkswagen Passat Consumer Reviews
Used Passat for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
In for the long haul
gopadge, 08/29/2014
updated 03/10/2025
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof, Nav (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
92 of 92 people found this review helpful
08/2016 Initial review: I now have 65,000 miles on this Passat. It has been without a doubt, the most reliable vehicle that I have owned so far. And while the 2.5l is probably not a fun to drive as the 1.8t on current models, the performance is more than enough for daily driving and I appreciate the lower cost of ongoing maintenance and simplicity. I routinely average 32+ mpg on long trips a highway speeds and have averaged 29+ in combined mpg over the past 10,000 miles. The car has plenty of room even in the rear for my 6'3" teen. 08/2016 update: I'll pass 100,000 miles within the month, and the car continues to be reliable, comfortable, and fuel efficient. On a business trip this morning, I averaged 33.7 MPG at an average speed in the mid 70's, having covered just over 300 miles. 8/2018 update: I have just gone over 150,000 miles. So far routine maintenance and tires have been my only expenses. Last summer, between July and December we took the Passat across the country several times, (KS - SC - CA - SC - KS - SC - TX) and it performed beautifully, handling the heat (115F at the Hoover dam), Colorado mountains and SC / TX humidity with no issues. I continue to be amazed at the fuel efficiency for such a large sedan, still averaging 32+mpg at highway speeds. 08/2019 update: I've got 170,000 miles on the Passat, with only one issue so far. The leatherette drivers seat is starting to tear, I guess I'll have to replace that at some point. The car still runs fine, with the economy still in the low 30's on the highway. 03/2020 update: I passed 195,000 miles on the Passat this winter and still have no complaints. The car continues to run strong with no warning lights or issues (outside the torn driver's seat). 9/03/2020 update: Just pasted 205,000 miles. No issues or complaints. Last month I drove from Texas to Alabama and back and a separate trip up to Kansas and back with no issue. 9/06/2021: 217,000 mile, no issues. We just took a 2700 mile trip from Alabama to Maine in 6 days and the Passat ran like a champ! 2023: 250,000 miles, just spent the weekend in Kansas city with no issues or worries. I still haven't put anything more than oil and tires into the Passat. This has been one of the most reliable vehicles we have owned. 2025: Other than the N80 purge valve ($13 on Amazon) and the wheel hubs and bearings ($154 shipped from 1A Auto), the past two years of maintenance has been oil changes and tires. The car now has 280,000 and I would still drive it cross country without a hesitation.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Couldn't be happier!
silo3, 01/18/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
18 of 18 people found this review helpful
I love this car. After serious comparison shopping, no other car in the class came close in terms of interior size, instrument layout, and aggressive pricing. The car is well appointed, handles and rides nicely, and has a great service agreement. Many reviewers have said is that the styling is boring. Sorry, but I got mine in black/black and it's anything but boring. I'd call it "classic." And it's a design that will stand up over time. In fact the 2012 Passat is an antidote to the excessive curves and swoops of the Japanese makes. Definitely put the 2012 Passat on your list if you're looking for a mid-priced sedan.
You can't beat buying a Passat off of lease.
jimbogus, 10/24/2015
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
17 of 17 people found this review helpful
I only buy vehicles that have three or more years of depreciation. I compare VW's to Toyota / Honda in reliability without the price. To purchase a late model competitor like a Camry or Accord you'd not only have to shell out more money but you also get a vehicle with more mileage. I'm very happy with the Passat as it drives with a more firm / sporty nature as compared to other vehicles in its class. Its like an inexpensive Audi A6 but without the price but also minus the luxury. The 2.5L motor is a quality engine with no turbo to worry about and a timing chain that never needs to be replaced. I get 26 MPG average and the vehicle won't need much maintenance over its lifespan plus its got enough HP with good gearing to pass on the highway with ease. All manufacturers have reliability issues here and there just inspect the car well or take it to an independent mechanic for evaluation before you buy. The best feature about the car is the very spacious passenger compartment and large trunk. Go with the 5 cylinder 2.5L and not the turbo diesel ... the TDI has allot more maintenance and quality issues so whatever you save in fuel cost is spent on keeping it on the road.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
My third diesel, 2012 Passat TDI SEL Premium.
rfb70, 06/18/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
28 of 29 people found this review helpful
My wife and I have driven it approx. 3,400 miles and have no rattles, squeeks or any other problems. We use it almost all open road and average 43 mpg. We drove from Pa. to Fl. and back, 2400 miles, got to try almost every gadget in the car. The Bluetooth was very easy to set up to our cell phone, also the seat memory settings and the remote key memory. The radio and nav. took quite a bit of reading up on, but operate very well after using them on the trip. I did'nt baby the car, drove with the traffic, about 75 mph with the air on and still averaged 43 mpg.
Passat! Love it!
sigjuliussen, 12/03/2011
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
16 of 16 people found this review helpful
I'm 6'4" and over 300 lbs and the car fits great. Can stretch out my legs all the way. Drove 400 miles round trip to my cabin and with studs and snowy Alaska mountain conditions the car still go 41 mpg. 3 fill ups so far with all Anchorage city driving and twice it got over 30 mpg, and one time with lots of snowy cold days and still got 27.5 mpg. Can't wait ti see what it gets with summer tires and no snow (I have a few months to god lol) Car handles great in the snow and drives like a dream.
Best car we've ever owned
longstreet, 04/20/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
52 of 56 people found this review helpful
We traded our beloved 2007 Jeep Commander gas hog for the TDI Passat hoping to average 35 to 38 mpg's. (As an engineer, I could not bring myself to buy a hybrid). So far, after 8000 miles, we are averaging 44 mpg with a few tanks over 50. The torquey TDI almost never downshifts (max torque is at 1750 rpm) even in the hills and mountains of Western PA. In addition, and unlike the Ford Fusion we test drove, the bluetooth, electronics, voice dialing, etc. all work! The first time, and every time. The car has plenty of power, and will chirp the tires from a standing start if you are a bit too heavy on the gas. Handling is very European, with predictable steering and confident roadhandling
My first VW
shandipassat12, 02/16/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
With the new Passat, what grabbed me was the luxurious exterior style...without knowing any better, you'd think it was an Audi A6, which the Passat shares the same frame with. The interior space is unbelievable paired with a HUGE trunk...best in both areas in the "Mid-Size Class." I like technology, well I got everything I need a lower trim on the Passat: Auto headlights, bluetooth, a Premium 8 touch-screen radio with SIRIUS (YAY!), dual climate control. The car is extemely user friendly and the dash layout is flush and simple...not complicated or a million buttons like Honda. The 2.5L engine is SMOOTH!! No hesitation in acceleration, jerking, all around THE BEST CAR I'VE BOUGHT!
2012 Passat SEL Premium
lighthouse2012, 05/11/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
40 of 43 people found this review helpful
I purchased my 2012 Passat on April 22nd. 1. Infotainment unit was replaced after 2 visits to the dealership. 2. Infotainment continues to not function properly. 3. Driver side door rattles and squeaks upon opening and closing of door. 4. Steering Wheel is not aligned to center. 5. Strutts replaced due to loud noise upon turning left or right at high and low speeds. 6. The dealership has yet to resolve other issues.
Couldn't Pass Up this Passat SE TDI!
partymarty, 07/16/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6M)
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
I have owned this car for four months and am just about to take her in for the (free) 10K service. I owned a 2011 Jetta TDI, and fell in love with the Passat when I saw her in the showroom while my Jetta was being serviced. The folks at my local VW dealership worked their fannies off to make this deal happen, as I am fanatic about shifting my own gears and will not ever own an automatic. There was only one 6-speed manual car available several hundred miles away, and the dealer had it trailered to me at no additional charge. So far, this vehicle has been an absolute pleasure to drive, and it actually exceeds the published mileage figures by about 2 mpg.
2012 Passat TDI (DSG)
proboss, 12/04/2011
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
44 of 48 people found this review helpful
This is my 3rd TDI. I've owned a 2003 Jetta TDI (5 spd), 2010 Jetta Sportwagen TDI (DSG). Neither of the newer models could reach the 47MPG that the 2003 Jetta got. That said the 2010 was a great car (39 MPG), but I've been waiting for the Passat TDI for the size and comfort. Both of which are 5's in my book. I've had the Passat now for 2 weeks and about 1000 miles. Averaging 41.5 MPG with mostly commuting at 70-75 MPH. Very nice car with one exception. At higher speeds the car seems to wander slightly as if you were driving through gusty winds requiring small steering inputs. A bit annoying i might add. I have a call into the dealer asking for help. I suspect it's the tires. we'll see...
Great Highway Sipper - First VW & First TDI
ricknlaser, 08/01/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
20 of 21 people found this review helpful
I researched and negotiated a great deal over the internet with a local dealer. Got the color and interior that I wanted in the SEL (Opera Red with Black interior). Took over a month to get from the factory but has been well worth the wait. So far I have 2700 miles and have only filled (16 gal) the tank 3 times (first one on the dealer!). Great driving and handling. I have a 90 mile per day commute in busy highway with a reasonable amount of slow down and speed up type driving. So far - averaging 46 mpg in my 3 fill ups. It is really FUN to drive! Better than any Hybrid I test drove.
unexpected pleasant surprise
imfarkle, 10/26/2011
2012 Volkswagen Passat V6 SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6AM)
35 of 38 people found this review helpful
I never expected to do a deal,but i had read alot of good things about the new passat, and went for a test drive.I tested the V6 SEL and i fell in love with it. I've had it for 1 month 1000 miles. I still love it, No problems so far.
Great car, lousy service
dplok1, 07/12/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
It disappoints me to write a negative review since this is a great car, but, the electrical problems, dealer service, and VW of America's poor service are genuine issues. For the first 5K miles this car was outstanding. After that it began having unusual issues -- seat belt warnings for no reason, losing Infotainment presets, cruise control switching off, instrument cluster resetting to factory settings, etc. Several trips to the dealer resulted in repeated "We just can't find the problem". Eventually, the instrument cluster began returning to zero everytime the car was turned off so I no longer know it's actual mileage. VW claims it was designed to do this. Still not working.
My First Volkswagen
trashman00, 12/09/2011
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
25 of 27 people found this review helpful
I recently leased this car because it caught my eye while working one day. The interior space is awesome!! We are big people all over 6ft. Legroom to spare all around. Fun to drive when shifting to Sport-Mode. Great bang for buck!! All my neighbors seem to love it. My only gripe so far is the car doors make a boing sound when closing them. I don't like that and find it annoying. Overall I'm pleased and I would recommend this car for looks, interior space, and decent performance.
Better Than Expected
tourqer, 06/05/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
I have just over 1800 miles on a new tdi sel and have become more satisfied with it the more I drive it. How a car this big with this much power gets 45 MPG still amazes me. The interior is top notch and feels like your in a much more expensive car. The only complaint is that the driving experiance VW is known for has been dulled to some extent. This car is more of a long distance cruiser that has very good handling as opposed to the sporty sedan of old. All and all this car is a winner in my book and worth a look.
Far Exceeds My Expectations
triumphguy, 11/30/2011
2012 Volkswagen Passat V6 SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6AM)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
I wanted to test drive the new Passat because I had read so much about it in the car mags and on line. The Fender sound system and interior space intrigued me, and I was not disappointed. This car is huge inside, and it actually has an upscale feel in SEL Premium trim. I feel like I have a less expensive luxury car instead of a tricked out midlevel sedan.
First VW owner
GrantK, 01/28/2018
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
Overall not a bad vehicle, great mileage for a car this size, huge trunk, rear folding seats increase storage. Doors are very light and sound deadening could be better, drives nice and plenty of leg room both front and back. Seat quality is less than average, no drivers seat tilt is a joke, there is zero bolster for thigh support. The "leatherette" seating is ok, not great, front seat heaters are nice. Starting to experience some mechanical issues, suspension rattles, drivers door locking module is failing, doors constantly auto locking after stopping or slowing down, gas cap light causing an EVAP code even after replacing the cap with a factory supplied unit. I was warned by a former VW owner that once you hit 100K things will start failing, hope that isn't the case.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Impressive car on multiple fronts
kscommuter, 12/01/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6M)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
Purchased this car in December of 2011 and have put 49K miles on it. It gets over 40 to 41 mpg and I typically drive 79 mph on my 180 mile daily commute (all highway miles). It will get upper 40's mpg if we lower the average speed to 65 to 70 mph. The ride and handling are very good. The car is nicely equipped for a base model, with a very solid feel and generous cabin and trunk spaces. The diesel engine is very responsive in combination with the manual transmission. The 10,000 mile service intervals for the oil change and basic service are great. I opt to use the shop my husband works at for this basic car maintenance versus paying a VW dealership the overpriced fee of $400.00+.
What a car!
bobthebike, 03/02/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat S PZEV 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
Having 9K miles, I just don't have anything negative to say. The mileage is utterly unbelievable as I consistently get 35+ mpg. All the electronics work as advertised and are intuitive. It racks down the road smoothly and quietly. I know the 5 cylinder has been around for awhile, but it has been really refined into a first-class powerplant. Lastly, the fit and finish (especially the paint) of this car is believably world-class. Good job VW!
Power Style Pleasure to Drive
goodgame3, 02/08/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat V6 SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (3.6L 6cyl 6AM)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
The new Passat is a great family car. The DSG transmission is super smooth and quick gear changes. Merging on the freeway in sport mode always puts a smile on my face. There is more than enought power in this V6 so much so you have to goose it slowly to stop traction control taking power away from those not so sticky stock tires. I am sure they will not last long given the tendancy to slip on take off. Then I can get some really sticky performance tires on those 18 inch rims a couple profiles wider and really make use of the 280 Hp and 258lb of torque. Interior is solid with a great sound system. Seats are firm and supportive and give plenty of adjustment options.
New TDI SE - MPG King!!!
mkholmes, 04/04/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6M)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
Just purchased my black on black 6 speed manual SE on 3/31/12. Was lucky enough for my local dealership (Chattanooga, TN) to have one in stock. Was just off the truck and the white wrap had to be removed in order for my wife and I to test drive. After a minute in the car my wife said this was it so we made the purchase. Have only run one tank of fuel through it so far but have to say that you can set the cruise at 65 mph and get 53 mpg all day long on the highway. The TDI has plenty of power for almost anyone and build quality is impressive. Seats are very comfortable and the interior space is unbelievable. Radio works great and the bluetooth functions perfectly with my IPhone.
Too bad the refresh does not look as sharp!
Bill Jackameit, 11/23/2015
2012 Volkswagen Passat S 4dr Sedan w/Appearance (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
This is an excellent car classy looking has gone 80,000 miles in four years with no issues or repairs whatsoever. Gets just over 30 mpg on trips and runs great on regular gas. I have owned two VW's with turbo engines that were not nearly as reliable. Too bad VW dropped the 5 cylinder and also the great Tungsten Silver color. It is time for a new car and while I have looked at the 2016 refreshed Passat it won't be the replacement the refresh while not bad looking is not as sharp and clean as the original and the 4 cylinder turbo knocks it out of consideration I just don't trust it based on experience with these small VW turbo engines. A nice low mileage 2012 to 2014 Passat 5 cylinder would be a great car for someone on a limited budget. VW should have kept the 5 cylinder its great reliability is worth the lower but still good mpg compared to the new turbo. Also finding out that the trade-in value on the Passat is lower than expected.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
I like this car
mronyx1, 01/21/2013
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Having been a person who has never cared about such things as cars. point A to Point B dry, I'm good. This car is a treat I did buy a 2012 with 8000 miles on it but have no break in worries and it sure is easy to drive. There is a little warming up to the gas peddle, over all this is a smart vehicle and for the price get a few options, you'll be glad you did. Very pleased with the gas mileage.
Punches above its weight
caesara, 11/08/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Decided on Passat as best option among mid-size sedans with a manual option. Others with manuals only did so with uninspiring entry-level trim. Also like the SE/non-sunroof combination as I rarely use sunroofs and they reduce headroom. Looked at upscale sedans with manuals (BWM 5-series, Acura TL), but Passat ticks most of the boxes, and I have other uses for the cash. German engineering with made in the USA is a plus. So far (5 mos, 6k miles), very pleased in a variety of situations (commuting, kid hauling, nights out). No problems with build quality or otherwise. Black on black, with the style of the car, has a classic look that gets complements. Zehr gut!
Fun MPG hauler
fenders, 05/25/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
With an imminent 45 mile commute after years of public transport, sold my 300hp awd manual Subaru wagon to look for a comfortable, fuel-efficient auto-transmission cruiser that could haul baby stuff on weekends but still be fun to drive during the week. Really wanted a GTI but the cargo area was too small. Compared the Passat to other midsize sedans and it just had the right feature set and driving vibe for me. Didn't expect to end up with a diesel; it's growing on me! I agree with another reviewer that you're rewarded by staying in the TDI torque sweet-spot. Getting advertised mileage in 1000 miles of mixed driving so far, hope to see even higher.
Engine tried to fall out.
vwdumpsterfire, 04/14/2014
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6M)
17 of 20 people found this review helpful
I love the gas mileage my Passat gets, in fact I have averaged 48.2 MPG over 71,000 miles. Everything I have ever gained in gas savings has been completely erased by repair bills. The engine mount bolts fell out and the engine fell forward into the radiator hoses. Apparently the nuts and bolts for the DPF and EGR filter were missing as well, lucky me! I contacted VW and asked them how long they expected their engines to remain in the vehicle along with other miscellaneous nuts and bolts. In short the answer was, "just long enough to get you through the warranty!" In short I was told that none of this could possibly be VW's fault (since I was out of warranty) and good luck!
2012 TDI
catom, 05/09/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
I purchased my Passat 3 months ago and have driven it 5200 miles. I had to search for 2 weeks to find a White car with black interior but I located it in Fairfiel, CA. The salesmen, Zain, had the car as he promised and the whole process went smoothly. I have had a high of 44MPG and a low of 38MPG with a combination of city and freeway driving. It performs great once you learn to use the torque of the engine and not floor it. The radio is great and the bluethooth works every time. I've had no problems to date , it;s been a fun car to drive with loads of room.
Exceeds each expectation
Chris, 03/13/2018
2012 Volkswagen Passat SEL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
Bought mine for $9,345 OTD with 101k miles but excellent service records. It's my first car and I can confidently reccomend the Passat (2012 anyway) or Jetta (2011) to teen drivers. The interior feels like a luxury car and is more spacious than some vans. The small little German engineering touches that you pick up on are genious. It's fun to drive (feels and sounds like a V6 but it's an I5); Sport mode is peppy but you'll see about 19 mpg city tops. The cabin is rather quiet and comfy. From what I've heard, if you take care of it, the cliché high cost-of-ownership seen on VWs can be avoided.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
initial review and findings
gphin305, 05/20/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I also own a 2008 Passat 2.0T which I leased for three years and decided to purchase last year since it is such a great car. Just leased our new 2012 SE with roof last week and so far so good. This a totally different car from the B6 model (2006-2010), a good size family type sedan.....more conservative but still high quality and distinctive. Although now made in the U.S>, still has that German solid feel and look. We only have a 150 miles recorded so far and all is fine. No rattles, no wind noise. Will update at 1000 miles.
Exploding sunroof?
aaronnandi, 01/30/2014
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Up until now I have loved my Passat. Unfortunately the events of the last week have changed my view. I was driving down the freeway with three children in the back seat and the sunroof completely exploded and rained down small sharp glass pieces all over my head and face. The Dealership will not stand by the warranty and is trying to charge me for this repair! I called VW directly and they are taking the same stance. This is absolutely a manufacturing defect as I have found reports all over the internet of other cars having the same issue. Great car, but next time I will not give my business to a company that doesn't take care of it's customers and honor their warranties.
A nice large, fuel effecient cruiser
chuck150, 10/10/2011
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
29 of 38 people found this review helpful
I traded in my 2005 Phaeton for the Passat TDI. I did so with a little trepidation. I've had the car for 3 weeks and my anxiety has passed. I did a round trip from PGH to NYC on one tank of fuel with the cruise set at 70mph! The TDI averaged around 48 mpg for the trip. The interior is spacious, quiet and comfortable. Much like the Phaeton. It also hunkers down on the highway and provides a competent German ride quality. It also handles long sweepers and off ramps with confidence. The DSG works smoothly with the TDI. The exterior has a chiseled, masculine shape. IMHO, it looks very good. If you're looking for a spacious, fuel efficient cruiser, you must check out the Passat TDI.
2012 Passat SE
jrind2, 06/29/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE PZEV 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof, Nav (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
So far after 3 months we love this vehicle - the extra room inside is amazing especially in the back seats.
Owned Since May 2012
Brian Reed, 10/03/2018
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This has been the best car I have ever owned. Mechanical: I have the underrated 2.5L 5 cylinder with the 6 speed automatic (not DSG). While this transmission is not particularly quick shifting what it does do and do very well is smoothness. It shifts right when I'd want it to and doesn't wait to downshift when I need it to. The manual mode also holds gears clear up to redline as well as when I am climbing grades. I live in Utah so, there are many, many grades to climb. The Passat handles them all. I have 115,000+ miles on this car in the 6+ years I've had it. I have had zero issues. I change the oil regularly and keep up with the service schedules for everything else. This engine gets awesome MPG too. Throughout its life with me, I consistently see 28 mpg city/36 mpg highway. My highest mpg I've gotten is 44.1 on I-80 from Reno to Wendover. This car has great torque down low too so it squirts off the line. Stick the shifter in Sport mode and all that torque will squeal the tires and match revs as it speeds away. Manual mode is a blast too. It is a controllable Sport mode. Interior: Rattle-free to this day. I am a big guy. I have long legs and like to stretch out as I drive. I do not want the keys to hit me in the leg. In other cars, this driving position clobbers rear seat legroom and limits it to a duffel bag on the seat as the only thing that fits. In this car, I have friends, some of which are 6 foot 6 inches tall, sit behind me there and still have room - knee, foot, whatever. The car is a limo. The seat material has held up great. No tears, no split seams, nothing. The only issues I have with the interior are the lack of rear seat HVAC vents in the center console. That and the metallic coating on the front passenger door latch has started to come off. EVERYTHING else looks like new. This car has been used in grizzly Los Angeles rush hour traffic, 1,000+ mile road trips, dogs, suitcases, packages, BBQ grills, whatever. It still looks new!!! Recommendation: I wish VW still made this car with the 5 cylinder. I love this car and highly recommend it to anyone looking for something reliable, roomy, and economical.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
THE VW PASSAT 2012
ALDO, 04/25/2019
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE PZEV 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
The VW Passat is one of the best vehicle on the market before and now with the 7 years warranty bumper to bumper I recommend the VW vehicles and specially the Passat used 2012 i own one with 129,400 miles and is in top condition or a new one they are all good with minor problems nothing is perfect is a machine made by us Aldo
- Safety
- Technology
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Canadian Passat TDI Trendline +
smilenacadian, 11/07/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
VW, did a lot of things right this time around. I have a love hate relationship with this car however. I find the cost of maintaining the Passat over the top. U.S. consumers I understand have free maintenance for the first part of the ownership. At almost 90,000 kms The warranty is history. The exhaust flap had to be replace at 70,000 kms. After which the exahust shield had to be replaced at 72,000 kms or there about. I guess another drawback is there dealer network. From Burlington Ontario to Newfoundland. There is only two out of the 6 dealers I went to that are there for the customer. Five stars to Steel VW in Dartmouth Nova Scotia and 5 stars to Belleville VW in Belleville Ontario.
Updated review now at 60,000 miles
Scott Johnson, 03/13/2015
updated 03/21/2018
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Updated review from 25,000 miles. Electronics are iffy. Back doors constantly engage the locks while driving at low speeds. Tire light switches on almost immediately after reset. Sensors are o.k. Mechanics cannot determine cause. Interior dome light turns itself on randomly. Passenger window opens and closes of its' own mind. Master cylinder went out at 47,000 miles. Insanely expensive to replace and part not in U.S. at the time- had to be imported from Germany! Front brake pads and rotors replaced. Again, insanely expensive. Engine light keeps coming on- no one so far has been able to determine why. Gas cap release/closure mechanism had to be replaced at 32,000 miles. Warning light that gas cap is not seated comes on. Pressure tests run. Say it passes. Once again, no one can determine why the light goes on and off. Bluetooth turns itself off and is stubborn to get it back on line again. Engine/transmission all solid so far. Ride still great so far. Interior has held up amazingly well. Looks new.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Very happy with my Passat
johnwild, 12/23/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
The last VW I owned was a Rabbit Diesel, I loved that noisy, smelly car and it got great mileage. Since then I have had a couple of Mercedes Diesels, I also loved them but the mileage was nothing to brag about I bought my Passat 4 months ago and now have almost 8,000 miles on it. I recently took a 2400 mile round trip and got an easy 45 mph at highway speeds. Now at almost 8,000 miles I get amazing mileage. If I keep my speed around 50mph I get almost 60 mpg!! I'm loving this car, even though the oil companies are ripping us off on Diesel. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one or send a friend to VW to buy one either. Great Car........5 stars!
seats and tires
jimmyv123, 07/11/2013
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
The leatherette seats are comfortable however I've noticed a seam is starting to open along the left side bolster padding of the driver's seat. It's not an aread that I sit on nor is it a stress area from getting in and out so I have no idea why it would be failing. It probably won't completly open up until after the 36,000 mile warranty expires and I don't think the dealer will repair something that hasn't happed yet. No more leatherette for me. Also, the Hankook tires are less than satisfactory. They are extremely noisy on anything but smooth-as-glass pavement and with 27,000 miles on them with rotation every oil change they are about done.
Made in the USA
plodnik, 02/06/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
17 of 23 people found this review helpful
After having this car for several weeks, all I can say is I'm completely pleased. Hat's off to the VW engineers on putting all the right features into an American made VW and to the people in TN for putting it all together! I've averaged 37.6 MPG on mix of highway/street driving. The diesel torque combined with the well mannered turbo are more than sufficient for a fun ride. Who needs hybrids! Interior is cavernous for the rear passengers. Only complaint I can lodge is that the distance between the brack and gas pedal is narrow.
Reliability Issues
as0723, 12/04/2014
2012 Volkswagen Passat S 4dr Sedan w/Appearance (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
11 of 15 people found this review helpful
Purchased new and in the past 3 years have had a wheel bearing replaced, suspension makes creaking noises, and the vehicle starts very rough and has even not started several times when cold. The last two items listed (suspension and starting issues) have been dismissed by the dealership service and VW as normal. Even when it wouldn't start and I had to have it towed to the dealership, they eventually got it to start, said they couldn't find anything wrong, nothing they can do and even that the vehicle is operating normally. Normal for it to not start? That's not normal to me for a new vehicle, and not what I want out of a new car, I expect it to start every time and provide reliable service.
Awesome car, with BAD customer service!!
ashafi, 01/19/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
30 of 44 people found this review helpful
This is my first VW, and it's awesome, it caught my eye and I couldn't resist it and had to get it. However, I had so many issues, from bad dealership experience to bad customer service from VW corporate office of America. I completed the paperwork with Momentum VW of Fairfield, CA, initially everything went smooth, but the car wasn't in stock and was promised to be delivered in 1-2 days, which took more than a week, but in wrong color, plus very poor customer service, no followup. Contacted VW USA, but regional mgr, Daryl didn't help at all, in fact didn't even return my calls. I ended up canceling my order with this dealer and went to a different dealership, compromised on the options!!!
Great Car
belaircarguy, 10/30/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
Traded my 2009 Jetta for a manual (5 speed) Passat SE. Car is well built, good visibility, and quite on the highway. I would say the ride is medium firm, as compared to the Jetta, which was firm. Seats are very comfortable for long trips, with no backaches after a 3-4 hour journey. Huge trunk, and giant backseat with loads of room.
Avoid this car!
Cameron Davis, 09/11/2018
2012 Volkswagen Passat V6 SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6AM)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
I brought a 2012 in 2013. It had 15K miles. It was fun to drive and pretty much trouble free until I got to about 110K miles. Check engine light came on in October of last year. Needed catalytic converter and brakes. It set me back 3500.00 I was hesitant, but didn't want to trade it because it was worth about 5000.00 and I owed about 10,000.00. In January after sitting for about 5 days while I was on vacation every light on the dash came on. ABS, airbag, traction control and tire pressure. The dealership said it may be the power steering rack. May be? They wanted another 4000.00. I said no way. The service adviser at Piazza Volkswagen in Ardmore Pa said, well it has 135K miles". I gave up. I'm now driving a 2018 Honda Accord EX. I will never buy another European car. No BMW, no Mercedes, Audi... Stay away from VW is my advise. I want a car that I can pay off and still drive. The Passat is not that car. No resale value and too expensive to maintain.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Worst car and customer service in the world
totsntators, 07/29/2014
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
18 of 26 people found this review helpful
EPIC FAIL: 44K miles in and my engine completely dies on a busy interstate while i'm 5 months pregnant. apparently a bolt holding the injector pumps in place broke, dislodged the pumps and killed the engine. breakage was traced back to fuel system replacement done 3 months ago. i filed a formal complaint with dealership and GM of dealership reacted by aggressively demanding his rental car back and threatening to call the cops on me if i don't return it immediately (we were loaned the car until our repairs were done). customer care heard about all the incidents but took no action or accountability for what happened. worst car ever owned and will never buy VW ever again. buyers beware!
I Can Afford A Passat?!!
westys_4_ever, 06/13/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Yes. Yes I can! This car is so packed full of value, bought on a lease, anyone could afford it. And they would be right to do so. The details inside the cabin are so thought out, they really didn't cut any corners. All of the cubbies found in the car are lined with grippy rubber to prevent sliding of phones or other hard items. The top of the dash, near the bottom of the windshield has a strip of brushed stainless matching the stuff on the dash and center console. The seats are supportive and comfortable. The driver's seat has power lumbar which feels amazing. I really like the stark white dash numbers at night. They are easier to read at a glance than the blue ones.
80,000 Care Free Miles
Brian Reed, 03/02/2016
updated 03/09/2017
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE PZEV 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I am the original owner of this 2012 Passat SE 2.5 6A and it is still the best car I have ever owned. Everything it does is effortless. I am a big guy with long legs and sit far away from the steering wheel and yet my friends, also tall, can fit comfortably behind me in the backseat. Long trips or commuting, both are easily handled with this car. Now, to be fair, I have had one repair after the warranty expired. It was a software update for $50. That's it. That is the total amount I have spent on repairs. This car is rock-solid reliable. The 2.5L 5 cylinder is an underrated engine in my opinion. It makes good torque down low and thru the midrange making for good acceleration off the line as well as passing power, when needed. Also, the car climbs grades, long, tall grades like they were flat. That is when I use the manual mode of the transmission, shifting it from 6th gear into 5th and letting the cruise control pull the car over the grade. It started its life in Utah and traversed those passes with ease in snowy or dry conditions without drama. MPG - That always seems to be the knock on this engine but I haven't seen that. The worst MPG I have ever seen from this car is 24. Most of the time, I get 30 combined with 34 - 36 mpg on road trips. The car only needs 87 octane and just hums along. At 75 mph, the tach barely turns at 2,200 rpm. Seriously, this car is the total package - comfortable, power, efficient. *Update - March 2017 This car has been incredible. Completely reliable and I think is getting better with age. Interior shows no signs of wear at all. In fact, when we drive for double dates, our passengers always compliment on how nice the car is inside - roomy and clean. I use it as a part time commuter car now. My commute is in heavy Los Angeles traffic driving the 91 freeway from Riverside County to Orange County everyday. My total commute round trip is about 102 miles. With stop and go traffic and some highway speeds, the car gets 29 mpg. The SiriusXM shortens trips. Radio everywhere. When I want to listen to iTunes, bluetooth is a great option with excellent sound quality both in music as well as for phone calls. Two words - GET ONE You will not be disappointed.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Diesel engine. VW dealerships are scammers
Richard Fleming, 04/28/2016
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Not sure why I couldn't select anything but gas models from the drop-down list here but I have the 2012 TDI SE with automatic. The car was in the dealership so many times for repairs and recalls that the salesman joked about how he saw us there all the time. Very amusing. The windows got noisy when moving them up and down. We had wind noise from the windows that took two trips to the dealership to get corrected. The vehicle came to us from the factory with damage to the interior trim in five places. We had ordered ahead of time and that's the thanks we get? The "leatherette" vinyl looks nice but is very stinky for years from off-gassing. The rubber matts are very smelly, too. Cloth wasn't available with an automatic transmission which is stupid. You're forced to buy a sunroof you don't want and smelly vinyl seats. I can go on but the real scandal is how we started having problems with the emissions system near the end of the warranty. We took the vehicle to Fairfield Volkswagen three times for "repairs". The first one was them turning off the issue in the computer and telling us to wait and see. The same problem happened again (the urea system told us it would shut off the car in X miles). The third time they said they had done this and that. Well, then the warranty expired and the same problem happened again. I took it to another VW shop in Cincinnati and had to fight to get VW to cover the repair under warranty. Well, apparently that "repair" didn't actually repair anything. My spouse, when it acted up again, took it back to Fairfield because we started having tire pressure warnings. They replaced all four tire sensors, claiming they were faulty. They also claimed the entire urea system needed to be replaced. He ended up paying $2400 for these repairs – repairs that had allegedly been done already by the other dealership under warranty. The reason the tire pressure light had come on? There was a nail in the back tire that VW never found and repaired. None of those tire sensors were actually bad. I bet the urea system had already been repaired by the other dealership and Fairfield knew it could scam my spouse because he's too nice a person so they probably either ripped out the replacement system or just charged us for something they didn't even do. So, we have a car with poor resale value thanks to DieselGate and it's a ticking time bomb, knowing VW's legendary reputation for reliability. And we can't rely on the dealerships to even remove a nail from a tire rather than charge us thousands for alleged repairs to things that should have been fixed before and which weren't a problem in the first place. VW doesn't just lie to the world its dealerships have a reputation for lying to customers.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
WISHING FOR MORE
rjtrepanier80, 11/07/2014
updated 05/09/2016
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
My biggest complaint about my passat is seat comfort. Terribly supportive seats uncomfortable for trips longer than 4 hours and unbearable for anything over 8. The resale is the worst of any vehicle I have ever owned. I love the gas mileage and the tech on the car. It is quiet and I do enjoy the manual, although I wish it had 6th gear but thats my fault for purchasing the 5 speed. So far its been very reliable. I have put on around 15,000 miles and the car was used when I bought it. So its now over 60,000 miles. I pile the miles on. All in all not my favorite car but not my least favored either. Def worth consideration if you find the seats comfortable. Update: I sold this car and was never so glad to be rid of a vehicle. It was a poorly made Americanized version of what once was a great German brand. Never again.
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
Just got my Passat TDI SE
cracovia, 10/01/2011
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
23 of 34 people found this review helpful
Two days ago I picked my 2012 Passat TDI SE. Did not fancy more options than those that came with the standard options package. Did not care much for a motorized glass sunroof that one has to take if one wants a 6 speed GSD transmission, but accepted it after trying how it works on a demo car. The car is phenomenal. On the way to work (20 miles one way) twice in the row I got an average of 45 mpg. hitting in some places 50.8 (what the gage said anyway). The inetrior is as roomy as my old 2003 Infiniti I35 that I was parting with. Got as many or more features. Quiet, soft but sensible ride, good road adhesion and styling. If f you have to chose between this car and Camry or Accord buy TDI.
Like the car but very poor headlights
caseydog3, 11/21/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
12 of 17 people found this review helpful
i bought this car in July and overall I've been pleased with it EXCEPT for one extremely important thing. The headlights are terrible. I traded in a 1999 Nissan altima for this car and never had one problem seeing at night. Not only did the passat not come with foglights, but the low beams aren't the projector type. The combination of the two is very poor. Now I had to go to a specialty shop to inquire about custom headlights just so I feel safe driving at night. I did a test drive during the day with this car and all the others. I never even considered this would be a problem. I called the dealership about it and they don't even make upgrade headlights for the passat in U.S.