2020 Volkswagen Passat Review

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Air bags:passenger side frontal:cushion

Recall Number: 

20V533000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

69AY

Number of vehicles affected: 

1829

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Passat vehicles. The passenger frontal air bag may have been folded incorrectly affecting its deployment force. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Defect Consequence: 

An incorrectly folded air bag can deploy with too much force, increasing the risk of injury.

Corrective Action: 

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69AY.

Exterior lighting:headlights

Recall Number: 

19V389000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

94L9

Manufactured from: 

2010-12-23 to 2015-10-02

Number of vehicles affected: 

662185

Defect Description: 

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."

Defect Consequence: 

Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

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.

Air bags:side/window

Recall Number: 

19V218000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

69Y8

Manufactured from: 

2018-10-31 to 2019-02-12

Number of vehicles affected: 

3

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas and 2020 Passat vehicles. An incorrect driver and/or front passenger side impact air bag may have been installed.

Defect Consequence: 

In an event of a side impact crash, an incorrect side airbag may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Corrective Action: 

Volkswagen has inspected and replaced the side air bags, free of charge. The recall was completed in April 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Y8.