VolkswagenPassat2020Overview/volkswagen/passat/2020/base/

2020 Volkswagen Passat

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Passat.

Transmission Automatic (S6)

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat pairs an automatic (S6) transmission with EPA ratings of 23 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, delivering the steady efficiency expected of a nameplate with a long history. Owner complaints for this year total just 15, with three recalls on record and the most frequently cited issues falling under “Unknown or Other” and engine categories. Across the model’s complaint history spanning 1990 through 2022, that count places the 2020 far below the 2013 peak of 747 complaints and close to the 2022 low of 11, indicating it sits among the quieter model years in the Passat’s reliability record.

Model year202220212020201920182017201620152014

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/34/27 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI PR Codes from Manufacturer will dentote the specific type of battery used. Refer to the manufacturer for correct battery. 47, 48 or 49 will be used. · Performance will be listed in O.E. AmpHrs. 61, 72, 95, 68. Some models with specific codes will require an AGM VRLA battery. CCA battery, OE oil filter 06L115562B. 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.

Battery groupBCI PR Codes from Manufacturer will dentote the specific type of battery used. Refer to the manufacturer for correct battery. 47, 48 or 49 will be used. · Performance will be listed in O.E. AmpHrs. 61, 72, 95, 68. Some models with specific codes will require an AGM VRLA battery. CCAOEM · verified
Tire size235/40R19 92HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06L115562B
Engine air filter5C0129620B
Spark plug06K905601D
Battery000915089F alt 000915089E
Front wiper blades561955426B alt 561955425B
Serpentine belt06K260849A
Cabin air filter1K1819669 alt 1K0819644B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length193.7 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase110.2 in
Curb weight3325 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 34 / 27 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume102 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

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.

7.8–8.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2020 SE Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020SE Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-47.80 sec15.90 sec174 hpFWD
2020SEL Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-48.30 sec16.20 sec174 hpFWD
2020SEL Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-48.50 sec16.50 sec174 hpFWD
2018GT Sedan 3.6L V65.80 sec14.40 sec280 hpFWD
2018GT Sedan 3.6L V65.90 sec14.30 sec280 hpFWD
2018TSI SE Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-48.10 sec16.10 sec174 hpFWD
2018TSI R-Line Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-48.40 sec16.40 sec174 hpFWD
2016V6 SEL Premium Sedan 3.6L V65.70 sec14.30 sec280 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.02-1.08 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.40-4.00 oz

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 22.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 148.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .866; Rear: .315

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M8 Bolts22 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1All Bolts with Collar37 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°44 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: Side Bolts: 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: Side Bolts: 90°48 ft. lbs

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 40,000 mi; coolant every 20,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 20,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miBattery (inspect) · Body Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 miAir Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
Every 80,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)

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 2020 Volkswagen Passat sits at the mature, declining end of its generation's federal record arc, following a massive spike in issues from 2012 to 2014 that peaked at 747 complaints and 9 recalls in 2013. Compared to the preceding 2019 model year (12 complaints, 1 recall), the 2020 model shows slightly higher recall activity with 3 recalls, but remains near the generation's low with just 15 complaints and no investigations. The data does not specify the root causes for the 2020 complaints, though they are primarily categorized under "Engine" and "Unknown Or Other," alongside a single crash complaint and zero fire complaints. With technical service bulletins dropping significantly from the generation's peak of 1,588 in 2013 down to 445 in 2020, the platform's major engineering pains appear largely resolved. Given its position at the stabilized tail-end of the generation's lifecycle and historically low complaint volumes, the 2020 Passat is a strong, low-risk year to purchase on the used market.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
445
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
15
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 15 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other,Engine2
Engine2
Unknown Or Other2
Steering,Air Bags,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Air Bags,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Steering,Electrical System,Air Bags1
Engine & Engine Cooling1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V389000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 22/05/2019

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… 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…

19V218000Air Bags:Side/WindowReported 20/03/2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas and 2020 Passat vehicles. An incorrect driver and/or front passenger side impact air bag may have been installed. Remedy: Volkswagen has inspected and replaced the side air bags, free of charge. The recall was completed in April 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 445 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TT 10-18-02_22026-06-18EngineLubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_32026-06-18EngineInstruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
V6919012010479_172026-06-11Air BagsInquiries
VW closures 202606082026-06-08Unknown Or OtherMultiple campaign closures dealer communication.
V1719012012855_812026-06-04EngineVolkswagen Engine Oil Standards

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

Does the 2020 Passat have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Passat get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 34 highway / 27 combined mpg.