2016 Volkswagen Passat
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 1.8l Tsi 4dr Sedan, Tdi 4dr Sedan, Vr6 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 1.8L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 170 hp
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 29 combined · 25 city / 36 hwy
- Length
- 191.7 in
- Curb weight
- 3,172–3,446 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 5 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- Modest powerUp to 170 hp, versus about 268 hp for similar 2016 models.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 33 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2016 Volkswagen Passat is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (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 29 MPG combined (25 city / 36 highway), 11% better than the 2016 midsize car average of 26.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2016
- No diesel version any more
- Engine dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG down from 34 to 29
Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Passat →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Chattanooga, Tennessee
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2016 Passat configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8l Tsi 4dr Sedan | 191.7 in | 72.4 in | 57.9 in | 110.2 in | 61.4 / 60.2 in | 3,172 lb | 60/40 |
| Tdi 4dr Sedan | 191.7 in | 72.4 in | 57.9 in | 110.2 in | 61.4 / 60.2 in | 3,408 lb | 60/40 |
| Vr6 4dr Sedan | 191.7 in | 72.4 in | 57.9 in | 110.2 in | 61.4 / 60.2 in | 3,446 lb | 59/41 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passat | 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 36 / 29 | +11% | $2,300 | 306 |
| Passat | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | -12% | $2,900 | 390 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10.7% |


Similar 2016 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Volkswagen Passat (this car) | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2016 Toyota Corolla | 34 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2016 Honda Civic | 35 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2016 Ford Mustang | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2016 Honda Accord | 30 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2016 Chevrolet Impala | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2016 Toyota Camry | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
Recalls (5)
Unknown Or Other · May 5, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V321000 · 46 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
- Risk
- Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.
Unknown Or Other · Sep 16, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V561000 · 23 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
- Risk
- Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail · Jun 6, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V403000 · 55 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles, equipped with 1.8T engines manufactured November 13, 2015, to December 9, 2015, and 2016 Golf vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to November 11, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.
- 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 cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 15F7.
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.
Not every 2016 Volkswagen Passat is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Volkswagen Passat buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 22 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Air Bags — 22 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Steering — 19 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 35,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Passat years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Passat | 28 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 13 |
| 2021 Passat | 28 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 18 |
| 2020 Passat | 27 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 18 |
| 2019 Passat | 29 | 191.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 12 |
| 2018 Passat | 29 | 191.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 46 |
| 2017 Passat | 27 | 191.7 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 110 |
| 2015 Passat | 34 | 191.7 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 243 |
| 2014 Passat | 34 | 191.7 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 565 |
| 2013 Passat | 34 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 9 | 670 |
| 2012 Passat | 34 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 11 | 415 |
| 2010 Passat | 25 | 188.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 140 |
| 2009 Passat | 23 | 188.2 in | Not rated | 3 | 116 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →