2015 Volkswagen Passat

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.

Volkswagen Passat
Pictured: VW Passat Variant Elegance (B9) – f 18052025. Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
1.8l Tsi 4dr Sedan, 3.6l 4dr Sedan, Tdi 4dr Sedan
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl
Horsepower
150–170 hp
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Diesel, Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
34 combined · 30 city / 42 hwy
Length
191.7 in
Curb weight
3,172–3,446 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
7 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 34 MPG combined — 32% better than the average 2015 midsize car (25.7 MPG).

Watch out for

  • Modest powerUp to 170 hp, versus about 278 hp for similar 2015 models.
  • 7 recallsMore than similar models (about 3). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 29 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2015 Volkswagen Passat is a midsize car offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl turbo and 3.6L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 192 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,172 lb (1.8l Tsi 4dr Sedan).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 34 MPG combined (30 city / 42 highway), 32% better than the 2015 midsize car average of 25.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,400 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 7 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 243 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2015

  • Engine dropped: 2.5L 5-cyl

Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 Passat →

Trims, performance & features

Engine170 hp1.8L 4-cyl
Engine150 hp2.0L 4-cyl

Trims

SSESEL

Built in: Chattanooga, Tennessee

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2015 Passat configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
1.8l Tsi 4dr Sedan191.7 in72.4 in57.9 in110.2 in61.4 / 60.2 in3,172 lb60/40
3.6l 4dr Sedan191.7 in72.4 in57.9 in110.2 in61.4 / 60.2 in3,446 lb59/41
Tdi 4dr Sedan191.7 in72.4 in57.9 in110.2 in61.4 / 60.2 in3,408 lb60/40

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Passat Diesel2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive30 / 42 / 34+32%$2,800299
Passat Diesel2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S6)Front-Wheel Drive29 / 40 / 33+28%$2,900305
Passat1.8L 4-cyl turboManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive24 / 34 / 28+9%$2,400318
Passat1.8L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive24 / 35 / 28+9%$2,400315
Passat3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (AM-S6)Front-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23-11%$3,550390
8/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $2,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.7 MPG2015 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2015 Volkswagen Passat.

Similar 2015 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 Volkswagen Passat (this car)34 MPGNot rated7
2015 Toyota Corolla34 MPGNot rated1
2015 Ford Mustang25 MPGNot rated11
2015 Honda Accord47 MPGNot rated6
2015 Chevrolet Impala25 MPGNot rated3
2015 Toyota Camry40 MPGNot rated1
2015 Chevrolet Camaro22 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (7)

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Dec 4, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V862000 · 226 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
Exterior Lighting › Headlights · May 22, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V389000 · 662,185 vehicles

Problem
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."
Risk
Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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 › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Jan 11, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V014000 · 119,394 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015 Passat, 2015-2016 Eos, 2015-2017 CC, 2016-2017 TT Roadster, TT Coupe, 2017 Audi R8 Coupe, and R8 Spyder vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298; Audi owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69S8 (Audi) and 69Y5 (Volkswagen).
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine · Oct 26, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V705000 · 91,867 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Risk
If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Jun 15, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V373000 · 62 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Passat vehicles manufactured May 18, 2015, to May 21, 2015. The affected vehicles have a brake line at the left rear wheel area that may not have been properly tightened.
Risk
If the brake line was not properly tightened, it may leak brake fluid, causing a reduction in braking performance, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of crash.
Fix
Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will tighten the brake line fitting, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47M3.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail · Jan 23, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V028000 · 44,658 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
Risk
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall 14V-809 (Volkswagen recall number 24Bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that campaign.
Seats · Oct 24, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V670000 · 393 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Jetta and Passat vehicles manufactured September 23, 2014, to October 9, 2014, and equipped with manual front seatback recliners. In the affected vehicles, the seatback recliner retaining bracket may not engage correctly, resulting in unexpected movement of the seatback.
Risk
Unexpected movement of the driver's seatback may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the assembly of the seatback recliner retaining bracket, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72F1.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 Volkswagen Passat is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

243Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
11Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
14Injuries reported
48,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags86
Engine53
Electrical System44
Unknown Or Other40
Service Brakes26
Steering26
Fuel/Propulsion System21
Suspension15
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/01: 223/02: 323/03: 123/04: 123/05: 123/07: 223/08: 123/09: 523/10: 123/12: 124/03: 124/08: 324/09: 424/11: 124/12: 125/05: 125/07: 225/08: 325/10: 225/11: 125/12: 326/01: 126/02: 226/07: 123/0123/0423/0823/1224/0925/0525/1026/01max 5

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 Volkswagen Passat buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 86 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Engine — 53 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electrical System — 44 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 48,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 Volkswagen Passat. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Passat years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2022 Passat28193.7 in★★★★★013
2021 Passat28193.7 in★★★★★118
2020 Passat27193.7 in★★★★★318
2019 Passat29191.7 in★★★★★112
2018 Passat29191.7 in★★★★★446
2017 Passat27191.7 in★★★★★7110
2016 Passat29191.7 inNot rated5106
2014 Passat34191.7 inNot rated10565
2013 Passat34191.7 inNot rated9670
2012 Passat34191.7 inNot rated11415
2010 Passat25188.2 inNot rated4140
2009 Passat23188.2 inNot rated3116

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →