Used 2016 Volkswagen Passat Consumer Reviews
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Staying with VW
Esko Nopanen, 09/01/2016
updated 09/05/2017
2016 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
Performance of the 1.8L engine continues to impress me. No maintenance aside from oil change at 10000 miles has been needed. One area of car's performance that is less than expected is shifting of the transmission during slow speed operation. Transmission shifts to a lower gear unexpectedly as the vehicle slows down. That action is not smooth but results in jerking. At normal speeds there is no unpleasant shift action.
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So far so good
Happy Passat Owner, 05/02/2016
2016 Volkswagen Passat SE w/Technology 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
16 of 18 people found this review helpful
Recently bought a new 2016 Passat SE with Tech and Lighting Packages. I test drove many other vehicles before deciding on the Passat. The only factors causing any hesitation are the current resales values and VW's reputation of average (at best) reliability. The Passat drove and fit my needs much better than an Accord or Mazda 6. It really seems to fit between the BMW/Audi/Lexus level and the CamCord level. Great ride, incredible usable space, excellent infotainment features and functionality, strong MPG and decent engine/transmission performance. I was consistently disappointed in the Accord (interior and ride), Mazda 6 (noisy, rear seat space), Subaru Outback (power) with each test drive and was pleasantly surprised each time I drove the Passat. Either many auto critics really don't know cars or they don't appreciate the real-world transportation needs of most drivers. All cars have a few flaws so a couple criticisms - would be nice with a bit more torque in first and second gears. Seats are quite comfortable as is but throw in the seat from a CC and it would be magnificent. Yes, styling is a bit bland but I prefer a car with a bit more understated design. Put together, this car should be much higher on recommended lists.
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Finally got a German engineered car
harley, 08/29/2016
2016 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
As a road warrior I chose this car over a Chrysler 300, Taurus, and Charger as my sales car. I put 33K mi a year on my cars for business. Thought the 300 was descent for the last 4 years but my lower back hated that car in the end. I was very hesitant to go with the Passat due to the 170hp 4 banger after coming from 290hp 6 cylinder with the 300. But I am very pleasantly surprised about the 1.8T motor, torque, off the line and in traffic acceleration. So anyone worried about performance I will tell you it is pretty much everything you need power wise - no more and no less. The motor and 6 speed are very nicely suited for this car and how I intend to use it. I ultimately selected the Passat due to the safety technology such as emergency braking assist. It is a bit confusing though reading up on the technology to understand how it all works. For example - will it stop the car if a deer runs out in the road before I see it? Or that kid walking into the street playing Pokemon Go? I'm sure after 100K miles I'll find more to complain about but for now the only con is the cheap plastic turn signal. I do not understand how something that is touched and used so often was made so cheap feeling. Oh yeah if you want the nice turn signal you have to buy the Audi.
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VWPASSAT2016LEMON
Terri, 05/22/2017
2016 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
15 of 17 people found this review helpful
**** "PROBLEM NOT FOUND", "PROBLEM UNABLE TO BE REPRODUCED" AND "EPC LIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT NOT ON" EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE ON WHEN I ARRIVED AND HAD TAKEN A PICTURE DAYS PRIOR SHOWING ALL LIGHTS (EPC, BATTERY & ENGINE) WERE ON. ALL OF A SUDDEN, AFTER HAVING BEEN ON FOR NUMEROUS DAYS, THEY TURNED OFF RIGHT AWAY. I GUESS I CAN NOT EXPECT THE TRUTH. THANKFULLY, I HAVE PICTURES VERIFYING WHAT I TOLD THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE. THAT WAS THE REASON I WAS THERE.**** This car left the manufacturer in March 2016. I leased this car from Brown's Volkswagen on Midlothian Turnpike Richmond, Va. in April of 2016. It had 8 miles at the time I leased it. Unfortunately, I have had to take this car to the shop countless times. In July 2016, less than 3 months after leasing it brand new, it stalled at a railroad track, and would not move, but sounded like something was still turning. In August 2016, I had my oil changed at Brown's one Saturday. The following Monday, I had to travel more than three hours away and was stranded because the engine light came on due to the car overheating. A local shop showed a very damaged hose as the culprit. In November 2016, the car stalled again. Also, in November 2016, the engine light came on because of a faulty leak detection pump. The service department explained to me that the car was supposed to release the emissions gradually, but my car let it all out at once. In February 2017, the EPC light, engine light and battery light came on, and made a loud, scraping sound when I turned. On my last visit in March 2017, I voiced my numerous concerns with the Volkswagen manufacturer who scheduled an appointment for me at the Bethesda Md. Ourisman service department. They had the car for a week since I had a loaner out-of-town, but had checked it by Monday. They stated if they can't find a problem they can't fix it, and left it at that. They also noted the EPC, engine and battery light were NOT on; however, I had already taken a picture of all three on. In addition, the Ourisman male rep I paid $15 to for the loaner tried to get me to sign and submit the service form releasing the car BACK to me. Upon my refusal to do so, he stepped closer and placed himself inches away in front of me as I stood up to leave. He looked at me sternly and somewhat angrily. I looked at him, told him he was in my way and needed to get out of my way. Afterwards, his co-worker called out to him and he moved. Frustrated after having another VW dealer tell me they could not find anything wrong, we removed the license plates, and left the vehicle with the Ourisman dealer. We gathered our items from the car and walked up the street to wait for a cab to the train station to travel 2 hours back home. At this time, I was in a lot of pain from an injury the day before. Minutes later, I ran into a non-VW mechanic to whom I explained the issues I had experienced with this car, and he responded they all sounded like transmission issues. He also stated that if the computer was not picking it up, the computer may be defective. None of the VW service departments I visited ever had a clue why my car was experiencing these issues. They kept telling me the car was fine, and left it at that. Obviously, if I had these mechanical issues and the engine light came on numerous times, there was an issue. A few days after returning home, I returned the license plates to the department of motor vehicles for the refund of a very recently purchased 2018 decal and was notified the refund would be sent to VW because it was a leased vehicle. I would never want to deal with another one of their vehicles OR trust any dealings with VOLKSWAGEN or their dealerships. I had nothing but issues with this car from a few months after signing paperwork for this BRAND NEW VW PASSAT until the time I left it with the last VOLKSWAGEN dealer to conclude THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE FOUND OR REPRODUCED OR NO PROBLEMS FOUND AT THIS TIME. This car is actually a Volkswagen Passat 2016 1.8T SE, but that choice was not listed above for selection.
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Seats are killing my back
Steve W., 06/19/2016
2016 Volkswagen Passat SE w/Technology 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
18 of 21 people found this review helpful
Front seats are not supportive, too concave and the headrest is too far forward. Didn't seem so bad when I test drove, but my back started hurting right after I bought the car, and its now killing me. I'm average height 5'11"
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