2016 Volkswagen Passat
The 2016 Volkswagen Passat is a midsize car, rated at 29 MPG combined by the EPA, with a 5-star NHTSA overall safety rating. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year.

- Combined MPG
- 29
- NHTSA safety
- Starting price
- $27,000
- Recalls
- 5
Watch: Passat reviews
Full specifications
Identity
SRC · NHTSA vPIC| Make | Volkswagen |
|---|---|
| Model | Passat |
| Model year | 2016 |
| Vehicle class | Midsize Car |
Engine & drivetrain
SRC · EPA FuelEconomy| Displacement | 1.8 L |
|---|---|
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
Fuel economy
SRC · EPA FuelEconomy| City MPG | 25 |
|---|---|
| Highway MPG | 36 |
| Combined MPG | 29 |
| CO₂ tailpipe | 306 g/mi |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2150 |
Available configurations
SRC · EPA FuelEconomy| Passat | 23 MPG combined |
|---|---|
| Passat | 29 MPG combined |
Fuel economy
SRC · EPA FuelEconomy| City | 25 MPG |
|---|---|
| Highway | 36 MPG |
| Combined | 29 MPG |
Efficiency vs class average
About 21% below the class average.
- Amount financed
- $24,300
- Total interest
- $4,227
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≈ $1,386/yr · 12,000 mi/yr · $3.35/gal
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Cost to own
Estimate monthly payments and 5-year fuel cost using the tools in the sidebar. Figures use EPA fuel economy and current U.S. energy prices from EIA.
Safety ratings & recalls
SRC · NHTSA vPIC- Overall
- Frontal crash
- Side crash
- Rollover
Recalls (5)
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS19V389000 · 2019-05-22
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."
Remedy: 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 RAIL16V403000 · 2016-06-06
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.
Remedy: 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:ENGINE15V705000 · 2015-10-26
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.
Remedy: 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.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER20V561000 · 2020-09-16
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.
Remedy: 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 OTHER21V321000 · 2021-05-05
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.
Remedy: 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.
Compare with rivals
All model years
Frequently asked questions
What is the MPG of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat?
The 2016 Volkswagen Passat is EPA-rated at 29 MPG combined (25 city / 36 highway).
Is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat. Recalls are repaired free of charge by the manufacturer — verify any open recalls by VIN before purchase.
How safe is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat?
The 2016 Volkswagen Passat earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating, including 4 stars in the frontal crash test.
How much does it cost to fuel the 2016 Volkswagen Passat?
At 12,000 miles per year, the 2016 Volkswagen Passat costs roughly $1,386 per year to fuel, or about $6,931 over 5 years at current U.S. energy prices.
What type of vehicle is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat?
The 2016 Volkswagen Passat is classified as a midsize car. Common rivals in this class are worth comparing on price, MPG, and safety.
Sources: NHTSA vPIC · EPA FuelEconomy · NHTSA vPIC