Used 2012 Volkswagen Passat Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Fabulous Passat
Paul Woolner, 11/06/2016
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Great value for a family economy car.
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Power!
Hunter, 11/30/2017
2012 Volkswagen Passat V6 SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (3.6L 6cyl 6AM)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I came from driving a 2003 BMW 330i and I don't drive that often other than weekends and to the train station on week days. But when I do get a chance to "actually" drive the car it is very quick to 60 (I got it in 5.7 with performance tires) but when driving at high speeds the car steering gets light. Accelerating hard off the line the car has lots of wheel spin but I fix that with sport tires. have not had any reliability issues. The car still drives great and I plan on keeping it for another 2 years!
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2012 Volkswagen Passat for sale near you
Showing 3 of 257 listings
- S Sedan w/AppearanceMSRP: $8,99012 mi away
- SEMSRP: $5,99083 mi away
- SE SedanMSRP: $7,400131 mi away
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Great car and value for the money!
PNWDriver, 01/03/2018
updated 07/10/2020
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE PZEV 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We bought this car used in February of 2017 and waited to write a review after seeing how the car held up. So far the car is NOT a disappointment. We have a family of 5 and have taken 3 trips over 1000 miles RT. 2 of our kids are under 12 years of age, so all the kids fit great in the back seat with TONS of leg room. The trunk is so big we have extra room for stuff that normally has to be placed next to our feet on long trips. I specifically looked for a 2.5 5cyl model to avoid a turbo failure. Take off with the 2.5 is OK even when it's fully loaded; acceleration seems to improve after the second gear. On our recent trip we got 530 miles on a tank of gas fully loaded with passengers and luggage. The only complaint we can make on this car are the front seat cushion bottoms. On a long trip they don't seem to have adequate support so we have to add an extra layer of cushion for long hauls. The lumbar on the front seats are great and the back seats seem fine so long as you sit on a pillow for the middle. Being 6'3" I love that I can put my seat all the way back and not hit the knees of my rear passenger! Fit and finish seems top notch and while the exterior styling isn't earth shattering it looks good in graphite and silver color. The interior, IMHO, is best in class. We also considered this car because it's a top safety pick. I would recommend this car without hesitation. In fact, we're thinking of passing this one down to our son for his first car and buying another used 2.5, maybe an SEL. 7/10/20 REVIEW UPDATE: Still have this car love it at 72,000 miles. One annoying issue I currently cannot find/fix is the creaking squeak that comes from the drivers seat occasionally. Mechanically, the car has been good and has never left us stranded. However, we had to replace the leaking water pump at 60,000 miles and pay for a software update after replacing a secondary air injection part which was covered under the emission warranty. Very strong engine and good fuel economy for the size of car and performance. We'll probably keep it and pass it on to one of our kids.
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Passat 2012
PBruhn, 07/09/2018
updated 07/19/2022
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I had this car almost a year now, runs well. I drive alot and recently I got 505 miles before I had to refuel which is a bonus. The only thing missing is a sunroof however the way the windshield is I get decent sun. Going on year 2 and a few months ago the power steering was leaking and all had to be replaced. 3 years love took a couple trips outstate. I have had the car for several years now, just replaced the master cylinder for the clutch at a 172000, was pricey as everything is now.
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American version of Ford Taurus
agn_gazer, 01/03/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
16 of 63 people found this review helpful
Driving and exterior feels more like an old Ford Taurus with an upgraded interior.Reliability and safety ratings are unknown at this time.Toyota Camry SE(2012 model) feels more sporty with a better handling. Camry also comes with a usable cruise control, better ground clearance, usable middle backseat, and better fuel economy.It also has more cup holders, fan openings in the back of the center console (for rear seat passengers), and no hump in the floor. Poor factory installed tires (Hankook Optimo 426). VWs small side-mirrors offer limited side-visibility. OK front visibility. Ride is comfortable but too bouncy for my taste. Definitely does not feel sporty with 2.5l engine and suspension.
Luxury meet some value
Trey Eanes, 01/13/2017
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have been very happy with my purchase. I like the way the car handles and feel most of the interior technology is up to par with newer cars. I have had to adjust my driving habits as I get used to the sub par throttle response and wish there was a back up camera. Overall though it a sharp car that seems to be very well built. I'm happy.
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VW still has rust issues and high maintenance cost
Jason, 10/15/2017
updated 04/16/2020
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Rides great and great gas mileage. However, high maintenance cost and quarter panel rusting at 5 years old. Started from behind the panel. I researched this and it is due to a manufacture defect of moisture being in the paint booth when they painted the vehicle...so be careful...sounds like poor quality control for paint. They claim to have a 12 year corrosion warranty but when I brought to the dealer they wouldn't honor it. Due to rust and high cost of ownership, I will not buy another VW.
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2012 Passat S Automatic w/Appearance Pkg
jt4210, 05/06/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat S 4dr Sedan w/Appearance (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
9 of 42 people found this review helpful
I own a 2012 Passat S class, before owning this car I drove a 2000 Honda Civic EX that I had the misfortune for acquiring in 2008. My Passat is equiped with a 5 cylinder 2.5 liter engine. This is an incredible car to drive! When you shift this car into D it drives like a Benz E-Class, when you shift it into S in drives like an Audi S4! The car is beautiful inside and out! When you sit down in the back seat of this car you get the same feeling like when you climb into a Suburban or a Yukon. All three feel like stepping into a house.
Fabulous Passat
Paul Woolner, 11/06/2016
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great value for a family economy car.
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Sporty and reliable
Sportyboi, 06/12/2017
2012 Volkswagen Passat V6 SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (3.6L 6cyl 6AM)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've only owned my 2012 for the past year and I've never had an issue with it. I bought it with 25,000. miles and I've driven it all over Florida. Fun car to drive and great on gas.
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Get the vr6
dmg193, 10/20/2020
2012 Volkswagen Passat V6 SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6AM)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I grew up as a vw junkie, and I’ve owned in chronological order, mk4 jetta 2.0, b5 s4, mazda protege5(beater), mk4 gli vr6 24v, bmw 128i, b6 a4 3.0 ultrasport, mk4 jetta 1.8t, and now this. I got it about a year ago. It has a grown up vibe to it. I appreciate This car for it’s general competence accross the board, it feels upscale and comfy just enough to be considered entry luxury. The engine and transmission in this thing are a major strong point. The 3.6 is bulletprooof, regular oil changes and just runs. The dsg is working like a champ at 210k kms, just do the 60k changes. It’s not a sports car, it’s a bit wafty and it feels very soft in high speed corners. I’m sure one could fix this with upgraded suspension or a rear sway bar if they have the means. The steering doesn’t have that driver to road connection, but i guess it’s not what it was intended for. Another gripe would be that it feels big so you have to adjust your driving style a little if you live in the city, but maybe that’s just me since I’m used to smaller cars. Speaking of which, theres so much space inside and I really appreciate that. My favourite car was probably the jetta vr6 for how balls out it was, and it felt genuinely fun to drive with a bilstein cup kit. But this passat is good in that at 27 years old, it gets the job done reliably, it’s safe, it doesn’t taunt me to drive it like the stig, it feels somewhat luxurious, and the vr6 is strong. Overall a great car for what they can be had for now.
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My favorite car
Jean-Claude Péladeau, 01/04/2022
2012 Volkswagen Passat S 4dr Sedan w/Appearance (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought a Volkwagen Passat 2012 2 years ago now. I am in love with that car and want to keep it forever... Before i never think i'll buy a Volkswagen and i've been charmed by the style of the car when i went to buy in a used car place. Very classy looking and everytime i drive this car, i feel the comfort, the silent and just enough performance for what i need. The 2,5 liter with manual transmission are making this car a great experience to drive. I putted 4 Toyo winter tires last fall and its a great mix. The trunk is very large and all the passengers are comfortable, also in the back. The sound system is performing very good also. I drive especially in the city and its a very resonnable consommation of gas. The Volkswagen car dealer Campbell Cameron in LaSalle gives also a great service. Sorry for the mistakes, my first langage is french.
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Best car I’ve ever owned!
Nathaniel, 01/07/2023
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE PZEV 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I’ve owned 3x 2.5 VW vehicles and you can’t go wrong with this engine! I put on 180,000 miles on my 2012 Passat without any major issues and not one check engine light. Only complaint was the throttle body went out at 125,000 miles but was a fairly easy job to replace. The valve cover and MAP sensor are prone to going out prematurely as well so I ended up replacing those ever 60,000 miles. Overall I wish VW still made these engines as they were sound. Only complaint would be the BRAKE NOISE, it’s awful, I thought my brakes were bad but after replacing all of the pads, rotors and bleeding the brakes they still creaked everywhere I go.
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This particular VW Passat checked all my boxes.
Pieter Wallace , 01/25/2023
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Very clean, runs great with good tech. I live in the mountains. This VW hasb that wonderful German ride and scooted around hairpin turns like a champ.
German quality, American space, Japanese price!
Kalyan Jagarlamudi, 03/17/2023
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought this gem of a car in 2012 after my trusty Hyundai Elantra went kaput. I thoroughly enjoyed this car. It was my trusty steed during my winter storms in the Midwest doing launch hauls to Chicago from Detroit with ease. The ride was extraordinarily well planted. It was not plush but was definitely comfortable. Steering was a bit weighted. Build quality was superlative. My biggest concern was the lack of punch from the 5cyl engine. The transmission also lacked life and was slow to respond. The interior was very well appointed. Class leading interior space and trunk space. Overall great car for a young professional starting a career. It was not pretentious. Maintenance was a touch expensive. Fuel economy was decent. I took this with me to Arizona and it did the Phoenix to Los Angeles hauls with ease. The air con always was impressive. I moved to Las Vegas and the car was totaled due to an unfortunate accident. I would have kept it for the long run but had to part ways.
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Denver47
Denver47, 06/22/2023
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE PZEV 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We have had this VW since new in 2012. It is approaching 68,000 miles and has pretty much been trouble free. It has the 2.5 liter five-cylinder engine and never uses a drop of oil between the 5000-mile oil changes.
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Engine problems
Scott M, 07/09/2023
2012 Volkswagen Passat S 4dr Sedan w/Appearance (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
At 60,000 miles the engine became bogged down and misfiring constantly. TWO different Volkswagen dealerships had the car for one week each and after spending $1600 for a "DIAGNOSIS" both service managers stated they could not figure out what was wrong with the engine. They said they were in contact with Volkswagen which did absolutely nothing. I love VW but absolutely hate this vehicle.
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Great Car!
Andrew, 11/15/2023
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof, Nav (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Car has been pretty reliable for its mileage at 150k, it’s really only needed things like suspension bushings, an alternator pulley, and a sensor. I find that the parts are so much cheaper than on our other car which is a honda. This is one of three passats in my family. They all have been great. I will say though the rack and pinion also did need to be replaced but that was from accident damage. My next car will definitely be another VW.
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Excellent car
Kevin Alvarez , 04/08/2025
2012 Volkswagen Passat S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Handles great, runs awesome. No problems at all.
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Great solid car!
Ben, 04/03/2016
2012 Volkswagen Passat S PZEV 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Very well solid built car tight steering doesnt shake at all at high speeds just a solid built german car what I expected
A great ride!
John Heffernan, 04/03/2016
2012 Volkswagen Passat SEL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Don't expect a lot of pick up but beyond that, an amazing car!
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A good looking nice ride.
Larry Hilliard, 10/28/2016
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Some road noise.
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REVIEW
Patti, 09/01/2019
2012 Volkswagen Passat V6 SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (3.6L 6cyl 6AM)
0 of 14 people found this review helpful
As a single woman I found this site to be very helpful