Overview & Reviews

The 2012 Volkswagen Passat has been fully redesigned. Highlights include a lower price, a roomier interior and a newly available turbodiesel engine.

• Roomy cabin
• Refined ride.
• Many upscale features come standard
• High-quality cabin
• Available fuel-efficient turbodiesel engine

• Rearview camera not offered.
• Lackadaisical throttle response
• Below-average braking distances

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 83.00

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  Missed Opportunity - Poor Quality - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By dfwtdi - November 14 - 2:37 pm

  Let start by saying VW designed this car for people like me at they got my attention. I went out and bought one. In favorite features I will list what I love but: In my 2012 Passat TDI I get a pretty loud fuel sloshing noise from the back. The dealership confirmed the sound exists in other 2012 Passat TDIs as well. This sound is at its loudest when the diesel tank is about 1/2 to 3/4 full; it makes loud thuds (diesel sloshing sounds). The VW service manager is very helpful but he says that is a design flaw and VW does not have a solution for it right now. He says may be if enough people complain they will come up with a solution. Besides this I have at least three different rattles fixed.

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  Too many issues have made me regret this purchase - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By mercuriciodide - August 30 - 8:59 pm

  The light cover wouldnt stay on on the drivers side door, so I had to take it in later for repair. They claimed it was repaired but the next time I brought it in for another issue, they replaced the entire door panel without asking. The new door panel was lower quality than the old one and flexes a whole lot, especially in winter, making considerable noise and giving the car a very cheap feel which is very frustrating since it cost $30,000. When I brought up the flexing door panel problem the service manager said he would bring up the issue to a visiting VW exec, get a resolution, and call. After months of waiting, I heard nothing. When I brought it in, another manager refused to fix it.

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  After 9 months..... - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By daveeman - May 2 - 4:49 am

  I mainly purchased this car for the diesel fuel economy. My driving is mostly around town which gives me 36mpg. HWY is 43. All new cars are exciting at first, especially one with with great reviews as this one. My mind was already made up during the test drive, so I ignored a glaring issue. It is a rough riding car. I can feel (and hear) every crack in the pavement like Im piloting a go-kart. Each road thump echoes a mild bass throughout the car, causing the need for the stereo to be turned up to mask the road noise. I read that Hondas are known for road noise, but nothing could be this noisy. It corners well, but Id sacrifice the sport suspension any day for soft & quiet.

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  Reliability Issues - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By as0723 - June 19 - 1:45 am

  Purchased new and in the past 3 years have had a wheel bearing replaced, suspension makes creaking noises, and the vehicle starts very rough and has even not started several times when cold. The last two items listed (suspension and starting issues) have been dismissed by the dealership service and VW as normal. Even when it wouldnt start and I had to have it towed to the dealership, they eventually got it to start, said they couldnt find anything wrong, nothing they can do and even that the vehicle is operating normally. Normal for it to not start? Thats not normal to me for a new vehicle, and not what I want out of a new car, I expect it to start every time and provide reliable service.

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  American version of Ford Taurus - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By agn_gazer - January 19 - 1:57 am

  Driving and exterior feels more like an old Ford Taurus with an upgraded interior.Reliability and safety ratings are unknown at this time.Toyota Camry SE(2012 model) feels more sporty with a better handling. Camry also comes with a usable cruise control, better ground clearance, usable middle backseat, and better fuel economy.It also has more cup holders, fan openings in the back of the center console (for rear seat passengers), and no hump in the floor. Poor factory installed tires (Hankook Optimo 426). VW’s small side-mirrors offer limited side-visibility. OK front visibility. Ride is comfortable but too bouncy for my taste. Definitely does not feel sporty with 2.5l engine and suspension.

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  Engine tried to fall out. - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By vwdumpsterfire - September 3 - 1:57 am

  I love the gas mileage my Passat gets, in fact I have averaged 48.2 MPG over 71,000 miles. Everything I have ever gained in gas savings has been completely erased by repair bills. The engine mount bolts fell out and the engine fell forward into the radiator hoses. Apparently the nuts and bolts for the DPF and EGR filter were missing as well, lucky me! I contacted VW and asked them how long they expected their engines to remain in the vehicle along with other miscellaneous nuts and bolts. In short the answer was, "just long enough to get you through the warranty!" In short I was told that none of this could possibly be VWs fault (since I was out of warranty) and good luck!

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  WISHING FOR MORE - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By rjtrepanier80 - July 23 - 2:07 pm

  My biggest complaint about my passat is seat comfort. Terribly supportive seats uncomfortable for trips longer than 4 hours and unbearable for anything over 8. The resale is the worst of any vehicle I have ever owned. I love the gas mileage and the tech on the car. It is quiet and I do enjoy the manual, although I wish it had 6th gear but thats my fault for purchasing the 5 speed. So far its been very reliable. I have put on around 15,000 miles and the car was used when I bought it. So its now over 60,000 miles. I pile the miles on. All in all not my favorite car but not my least favored either. Def worth consideration if you find the seats comfortable.