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2018 Volkswagen Passat

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Passat.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2018 Volkswagen Passat is a passenger car that carries a moderate reliability footprint, logging 45 total owner complaints and four recalls with service brakes standing out as the top complaint area. When contextualized within the model's broader complaint history spanning 1990 to 2022, this year sits far below the problematic 2013 peak of 747 complaints, yet remains noticeably higher than the 11 complaints recorded at the historical low in 2022. Ultimately, this positions the 2018 model as a transitional middle-ground in the Passat lineage—far removed from the worst of its early-decade reliability struggles, but not yet reflecting the improved dependability seen in the model's most recent iterations.

Model year2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 03H115441. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire size235/45R18OEM · verified

Wheel / rim8.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	03H115441 alt 03H198070
Engine air filter	5C0129620B alt 1K0129620B
Fuel filter	3C8919679C
Spark plug	06K905601D alt 101905622
Battery	000915089J alt 000915089E
Front wiper blades	561955426B alt 561955425B
Serpentine belt	022145933AP alt 06K260849A
Thermostat	WHT000863 alt 03H121113E
Cabin air filter	1K1819669 alt 1K0819644B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	191.7 in
Overall width	72.4 in
Overall height	57.9 in
Wheelbase	110.2 in
Curb weight	3263 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.4 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Passat of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.8–8.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.80 sec — 2018 GT Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2018	GT Sedan 3.6L V6	5.80 sec	14.40 sec	280 hp	FWD
2018	GT Sedan 3.6L V6	5.90 sec	14.30 sec	280 hp	FWD
2018	TSI SE Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	8.10 sec	16.10 sec	174 hp	FWD
2018	TSI R-Line Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	8.40 sec	16.40 sec	174 hp	FWD
2016	V6 SEL Premium Sedan 3.6L V6	5.70 sec	14.30 sec	280 hp	FWD
2016	SEL Sedan 1.8L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	16.00 sec	170 hp	FWD
2016	SEL Premium Sedan 1.8L Turbo I-4	8.00 sec	16.20 sec	170 hp	FWD
2020	SE Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	15.90 sec	174 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	96.0 inch lbs.; ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-3-6-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	60 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Spark Plug Gap	.28-.31 in
Spark Plug Torque	22 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Volkswagen

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.26-1.28 lbs.
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	3.40-4.00 oz.

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	58.0
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum	101.0
Residual Pressure	43.5 Minimum pressure after 10 minutes. psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 22
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 148
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: .866; Rear: .315

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Lower vehicle and tighten an additional 180°

148 ft. lbs

Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Lower vehicle and tighten an additional 180°

148 ft. lbs

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	48.0 inch lbs.	48 in
2	45.0

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Gasoline engines · M8 Bolts

1	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	90.0 degrees; M9 Bolts	90 degrees
1	33.0 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
2	90.0 degrees; Diesel engines	90 degrees
1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	90.0

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	11 ft. lbs.	11 ft. lbs
2	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
3	Turn 90 degrees using a ratchet	90 degrees
4	Turn 90 degrees using a ratchet.	90 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	44.0 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
2	90.0

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	44.0 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
2	90.0

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Gasoline engines · Cap bolts

1	48.0 ft. lbs.	48 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees; Side bolts	90 degrees
1	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	180.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 10,000 mi	Body Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
At 40,000 mi	Sunroof Assembly (lubricate)
Every 40,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Sunroof Assembly (lubricate) · Sunroof Assembly (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Air Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Timing Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Volkswagen Passat records 45 complaints and 4 recalls, placing it well below the generation’s peak trouble years of 2012–2014, which saw 747 complaints and 9 recalls, and 592 complaints and 10 recalls, respectively. This marks a clear downward trend from the 2015–2017 period, where complaints dropped from 242 to 107, and recalls fell from 7 to 7 before settling at 4 in 2018. The 2018 model has zero investigations, 5 crash-related complaints, and no fire complaints, with top issues reported in service brakes (7), electrical system (6), and engine (5). Compared to the 2019 model—which has only 12 complaints and 1 recall—the 2018 is slightly higher but still represents a significant improvement over the earlier, more problematic years of this generation. Overall, the 2018 Passat is a reasonably solid buy within its generation, offering lower complaint and recall rates than the peak years, though the 2019 model shows even fewer issues if you can find one.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

599

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

5 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17’18’19 ’20 ’22

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 45 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes7

Electrical System6

Engine5

Fuel/Propulsion System4

Air Bags3

Electrical System,Engine2

Power Train2

Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V536000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:CaliperReported 15/08/2018

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… Remedy: 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…

18V369000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:CaliperReported 01/06/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on… Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 599 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TT 10-18-02_2	2026-06-18	Engine	Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_3	2026-06-18	Engine	Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
V6919012010479_17	2026-06-11	Air Bags	Inquiries
V1719012012855_81	2026-06-04	Engine	Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
SM 26-2026	2026-05-19	Structure	This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Passat. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Engine oil filter 03H115441 Engine air filter 5C0129620B Fuel filter 3C8919679C Spark plug 06K905601D

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2018 Passat have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.