2017 Volkswagen Passat

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 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, Vr6 4dr Sedan
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl
Horsepower
170 hp
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
27 combined · 23 city / 34 hwy
Length
191.7 in
Curb weight
3,172–3,446 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
7 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 2017 models.
  • 7 recallsMore than similar models (about 3). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 33 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2017 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 27 MPG combined (23 city / 34 highway), 0% better than the 2017 midsize car average of 26.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,500 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 7 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 110 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2017

  • Best combined MPG down from 29 to 27

Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 Passat →

Trims, performance & features

Engine170 hp1.8L turbo 4-cyl
Transmission6-speed automatic
DriveFWD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

R-LineSESEL PremiumS

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringOptional
Lane departure warningOptional
Lane keeping assistOptional
Adaptive cruise controlOptional
Parking assistOptional
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Keyless startOptional

Built in: Chattanooga, Tennessee

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2017 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
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 Drive23 / 34 / 270%$2,500329
Passat3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (AM-S6)Front-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23-14%$2,900390
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.9 MPG2017 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2017 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★10.7%
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2017 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash test — 2017 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2017 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD
Side crash test — 2017 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2017 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2017 Volkswagen Passat (this car)27 MPG★★★★★7
2017 Toyota Corolla34 MPG★★★★★3
2017 Ford Mustang24 MPG★★★★★6
2017 Honda Accord48 MPGNot rated3
2017 Chevrolet Impala25 MPG★★★★★0
2017 Toyota Camry40 MPG★★★★★3
2017 Chevrolet Camaro25 MPG★★★★★3

Recalls (7)

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Oct 30, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V834000 · 248,330 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal 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
Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.
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.
Unknown Or Other · Sep 25, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V679000 · 113 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Risk
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper · Aug 15, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V536000 · 8,416 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
The loose brake bracket bolts can allow the caliper to move, reducing braking ability or causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper bracket bolt tightness, replacing and re-torque the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Additionally brake caliper fasteners, bleeder valve, and brake hose bolts will be checked and torqued to the correct specification, if necessary, free of charge. For Passat vehicles, dealers will also inspect the parking brake cable for proper connection, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46H6.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Fluid · Feb 8, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V075000 · 1,007 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Passat vehicles. Brake fluid may leak slowly from the some of the brake line connections, resulting in a low brake fluid level.
Risk
A low brake fluid level may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake lines, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47N3.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2017 Volkswagen Passat is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

110Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
9Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
32,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags27
Unknown Or Other21
Electrical System18
Steering16
Service Brakes15
Engine7
Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings7
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/09: 222/10: 222/12: 123/01: 223/03: 323/04: 123/05: 223/09: 123/11: 224/01: 224/02: 324/04: 124/05: 124/07: 124/10: 125/04: 125/05: 125/08: 125/10: 125/11: 125/12: 226/01: 126/07: 126/08: 222/0923/0123/0524/0124/0525/0425/1026/01max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2017 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 — 27 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Electrical System — 18 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Steering — 16 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 32,000 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 2017 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
2016 Passat29191.7 in★★★★★5106
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 →