2016 Volkswagen Passat

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

Engine170 hp1.8L 4-cyl

Trims

1.8T SE, SE w/ Technology, TDI SE1.8T S TDI S, R-Line, 1.8T R-Line1.8T SEL, SEL Premium

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

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
Tdi 4dr Sedan191.7 in72.4 in57.9 in110.2 in61.4 / 60.2 in3,408 lb60/40
Vr6 4dr Sedan191.7 in72.4 in57.9 in110.2 in61.4 / 60.2 in3,446 lb59/41

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
Passat1.8L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 36 / 29+11%$2,300306
Passat3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (AM-S6)Front-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23-12%$2,900390
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.2 MPG2016 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2016 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★10.7%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2016 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash test — 2016 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2016 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD
Side crash test — 2016 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2016 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Volkswagen Passat (this car)29 MPG★★★★★5
2016 Toyota Corolla34 MPG★★★★★1
2016 Honda Civic35 MPG★★★★★5
2016 Ford Mustang25 MPG★★★★★5
2016 Honda Accord30 MPGNot rated4
2016 Chevrolet Impala25 MPG★★★★★0
2016 Toyota Camry40 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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Volkswagen Passat is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

106Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
35,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System22
Air Bags22
Steering19
Engine17
Service Brakes15
Fuel/Propulsion System15
Unknown Or Other13
Vehicle Speed Control11
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/06: 123/07: 123/08: 123/09: 123/10: 124/01: 224/02: 124/04: 224/05: 124/07: 124/08: 124/10: 224/11: 125/01: 125/03: 125/04: 125/05: 125/06: 125/07: 125/08: 225/10: 126/02: 226/04: 126/05: 123/0623/0924/0224/0724/1125/0425/0726/02max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Volkswagen Passat buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 22 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Air Bags — 22 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  4. Steering — 19 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 35,000 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 2016 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
2015 Passat34191.7 in★★★★★7243
2014 Passat34191.7 in★★★★★10565
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 →