Which is cheaper to maintain, the Volkswagen Passat or the Volkswagen Passat?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Volkswagen Passat is cheaper to maintain — about $3,450 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 2.0L Turbocharged I4 (TSI, 174 hp) and the 1.5L I4 TSI 150?

Across 36 common maintenance jobs, hours vary by drivetrain and engine layout. See the side-by-side table on this page for each job's labor hours and estimated cost.

Are there any active recalls on the Volkswagen Passat or Volkswagen Passat?

The Volkswagen Passat has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The Volkswagen Passat has 1 open recall. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

2022 Volkswagen Passat vs 2019 Volkswagen Passat

Specifications

Year

2022

2019

Engine

2.0L Turbocharged I4 (TSI, 174 hp)

1.5L I4 TSI 150

Drivetrain

FWD

Transmission

automatic

Fuel

gas

Powertrain

Engine output, acceleration, top speed, handling, braking — and Nürburgring if either car ran one.

Horsepower

174hp

150hp

Torque

207lb-ft

184lb-ft

0–60 mph

—

8.6s

Quarter Mile

—

16.4s @ 85 mph

Top Speed

—

133 mph

Skidpad

—

60–0 Braking

—

70–0 Braking

—

MPG · City

—

MPG · Highway

—

MPG · Combined

—

Curb Weight

—

3,130 lb

Max Towing

—

1,650 lb

Max Payload

—

1,080 lb

Performance specs synthesized from manufacturer figures and instrumented magazine tests (Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track). MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Numbers flagged as "low confidence" by AI generation are conservative estimates from related platforms.

Cost of Ownership

5-Year Maintenance

$27,747

0.46 $/mi

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$24,297

0.40 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEVolkswagen Passat — Saves you $3,450 over 5 years (12% less in routine maintenance labor)

Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.

Maintenance Breakdown

Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.

Oil & filter change

0.5 hrs$1,380 / 5yr

DPF Clogging and EGR Cooler Failure (2.0 TDI)

— hrs$2,113 / 5yr

— hrs

Turbocharger Wastegate Rattle and Failure (TSI engines)

— hrs$1,625 / 5yr

— hrs

DSG Mechatronic Unit and Transmission Oil Cooler Failure

— hrs$1,453 / 5yr

— hrs

DSG Transmission Mechatronic Unit & Solenoid Failures

— hrs

— hrs$1,453 / 5yr

Tire rotation

0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr

Water Pump and Thermostat Housing Leaks

— hrs$385 / 5yr

— hrs$813 / 5yr

Front brake pads

1.4 hrs$580 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

1.4 hrs$560 / 5yr

Timing Chain Tensioner Failure (2.0 TSI)

— hrs$1,085 / 5yr

— hrs

2.0T TSI Timing Chain Tensioner and Stretch

— hrs

— hrs$1,050 / 5yr

Differential fluid

1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.3 hrs$300 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

0.9 hrs$300 / 5yr

Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves (TSI Direct Injection)

— hrs

— hrs$553 / 5yr

12V battery

0.5 hrs$275 / 5yr

Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves (Direct Injection TSI/TDI)

— hrs$488 / 5yr

— hrs

Fuel filter

0.6 hrs$240 / 5yr

Spark plugs

0.9 hrs$215 / 5yr

PCV System and Diverter Valve Failures

— hrs$423 / 5yr

— hrs

Cabin air filter

0.3 hrs$210 / 5yr

Water pump

2.9 hrs$194 / 5yr

Front Lower Control Arm Bushings and Ball Joints

— hrs

— hrs$385 / 5yr

Coolant flush

0.9 hrs$185 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

3.5 hrs$185 / 5yr

PCV System and Intake Manifold Oil Contamination

— hrs

— hrs$368 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

4.0 hrs$163 / 5yr

Engine air filter

0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

0.7 hrs$140 / 5yr

Alternator

1.7 hrs$139 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

1.7 hrs$126 / 5yr

Power steering flush

0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr

PCV valve

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

Starter motor

1.7 hrs$91 / 5yr

Ignition coil

0.9 hrs$86 / 5yr

Thermostat

0.9 hrs$61 / 5yr

Active Recalls

★ WINNER

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

1 open

🏆

ADVANTAGEVolkswagen Passat — 1 fewer open recall from the NHTSA

Fluid Capacities

Volkswagen Passat

ac_refrigerant · R-1234yf

brake0.50 qt · VW 501 14

coolant6.90 qt · VW TL 774 J (G13)

engine_oil4.50 qt · VW 508 00 / 509 00

power_steering · none — electric power steering

transmission_auto7.40 qt · VW TL 521 80

washer3.20 qt · windshield washer fluid (all-season)

Volkswagen Passat

ac_refrigerant · R-134a

brake0.90 qt · VW 501 14

coolant7.40 qt · VW TL 774-J (G13)

engine_oil4.50 qt · VW 508 00 / 509 00

power_steering · none — electric power steering

transmission_auto7.00 qt · VW TL 521 81

washer3.20 qt · windshield washer fluid concentrate or premix

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

2019 Volkswagen Passat

1.5L I4 TSI 150

Volkswagen Passat is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$3,450 over 5 years)
Volkswagen Passat has 1 fewer open NHTSA recall

Based on objective maintenance and recall data. Driving feel, looks, brand loyalty, and ownership experience are separate (and very valid) considerations.

Open the full dashboard for either truck

Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.

Volkswagen Passat

2.0L Turbocharged I4 (TSI, 174 hp)