Representative photo — may show another model year
Sedan
2018 Volkswagen Passat
Independent review & score by Carivo
Price Range
$23,197–$29,949
Fuel Economy24 MPG
Seating5 passengers
CategorySedan
Est. Annual Fuel$2,188/yr
The 2018 Volkswagen Passat scores 7.2/10 at Carivo, ranking #896 of 1310 sedans, with 4 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $2,188/year fuel cost.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
About the 2018 Volkswagen Passat
The 2018 Volkswagen Passat is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.2/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 8.6/10, while Value at 6.6/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 8.0/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 7.7/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.4/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining sedans to actually drive. On technology it rates 8.6/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $23,197–$29,949, 24 MPG, seating 5, the Volkswagen Passat sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. The value score of 6.6/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2018 Volkswagen Passat sits in the middle of the field. Until its value scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
How It Ranks Among Sedans
The 2018 Volkswagen Passat ranks #896 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 32% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.3 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $23,197 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 16%.
$0 — 4 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
Insurance
Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Which Passat Year Should You Buy?
Smart-money pick: the 2015 Volkswagen Passat scores 7.0/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 7.2 — and starts roughly $2,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
Above-average reliability record with solid owner satisfaction data
Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
Competent performance that satisfies most everyday driving demands
Best-in-class infotainment, driver assistance, and connectivity features
✗ Where it falls short
Few standout weaknesses — review individual sub-scores for nuance
Some competing models offer a higher overall score at a similar price
NHTSA Recalls — 2018 Volkswagen Passat (4 on record)
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
Service brakes, hydraulic / Foundation components / Disc / Caliper 15/08/2018 · 18V536000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened sufficiently.
Service brakes, hydraulic / Foundation components / Disc / Caliper 01/06/2018 · 18V369000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient…
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…
Unknown or other 16/09/2020 · 20V561000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all…
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2018 Volkswagen Passat that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
Common Questions — 2018 Volkswagen Passat
Is the 2018 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
We rate the 2018 Volkswagen Passat's reliability 8.0/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Passat have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2018 Volkswagen Passat worth buying?
It scores 7.2/10 overall, ranking #896 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 32% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
How much does the 2018 Volkswagen Passat cost?
The 2018 Volkswagen Passat starts at $23,197 and ranges up to $29,949 across trims (MSRP when new). At 24 MPG, expect roughly $2,188/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Which Passat years should you avoid?
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Passat years we've rated are 2014 (6.9/10), 2013 (6.9/10), 2012 (6.9/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.4/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
What problems does the 2018 Volkswagen Passat have?
The documented issues for the 2018 Volkswagen Passat are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Service brakes, hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Unknown or other (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
Owner Essentials — Volkswagen Passat
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More Volkswagen Reviews
Explore the full lineup of Volkswagen models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
Representative photo — may show another model year