VolkswagenPassat2016Overview/volkswagen/passat/2016/base/

2016 Volkswagen Passat

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Passat.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2016 Volkswagen Passat is a passenger car that recorded 106 owner complaints and five recalls, with the fuel and propulsion system emerging as the most reported issue area. In the broader complaint history spanning 1990 to 2022, the model’s peak year was 2013 with 747 complaints, while the most recent year, 2022, logged just 11. Positioned well below the peak and only modestly above the modern low, the 2016 edition reflects a notable improvement in reliability for the nameplate.

Model year202220212020201920182017201620152014

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Battery group and CCA will vary by model options and region. Refer to the appropriate service information. · Battery group and CCA will vary by model options and region. Refer to the appropriate service information. CCA battery, 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.

Battery groupBCI Battery group and CCA will vary by model options and region. Refer to the appropriate service information. · Battery group and CCA will vary by model options and region. Refer to the appropriate service information. CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215/60R16, P225/55R17, P235/45R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-J, 7-J, 8-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter03H115441 alt 03H198070
Engine air filter5C0129620 alt 1K0129620B
Fuel filter3C0919679A
Spark plug101905622 alt 06K905601D
Battery000915089E alt 000915089F
Front wiper blades561955425B alt 561955426B
Serpentine belt06J260849F alt 022145933AP
ThermostatWHT000863 alt 03H121113E
Cabin air filter1K1819669 alt 1K0819644B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length191.7 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase110.2 in
Curb weight3172 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.

5.7–8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.70 sec — 2016 V6 SEL Premium Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016V6 SEL Premium Sedan 3.6L V65.70 sec14.30 sec280 hpFWD
2016SEL Sedan 1.8L Turbo I-47.80 sec16.00 sec170 hpFWD
2016SEL Premium Sedan 1.8L Turbo I-48.00 sec16.20 sec170 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
2020SE Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-47.80 sec15.90 sec174 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-3-6-2-5. 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantUse VW Coolant G13
Engine Coolant Capacity10.5 qt
Engine CoolantUse VW Coolant G13
Engine Coolant Capacity9.5 qt
Engine CoolantUse genuine VW G13 type coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity10.5
Engine CoolantUse genuine VW G13 type coolant/antifreeze

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs84 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6.6
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-3-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-3-6-2-5
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)60 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerVolkswagen
Spark Plug Gap.028 - .031 in
Spark Plug Torque22 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerVolkswagen

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25-1.30 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.35-4.35 oz

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimumpsi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58
Residual Pressure43.5 min pressure after 10 min psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum58-101 min pressure after 10 min. psi
Residual Pressure58 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 22; Rear: 26 /; Front: 22; Rear: 26 Always
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 148; Rear: 66 /; Front: 148; Rear: 66
ABS Sensor Torque6 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .866; Rear: NS

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
190
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts lightly with specified motor oil.

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
4Bolts 11 3.0 ft. lbs.3 ft. lbs
5Bolts 11 90 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs. Step:2: 22 ft. lbs. Step 3: using a ratchet turn 90 degrees Step 4: using a ratchet turn 90 degrees Apply liquid locking fluid-D 197 300 A2 sealant under head of bolts before installing the longer cylinder head bolts must be installed in the middle holes of the cylinder head.11 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9048 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18022 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 at 120,000 mi; coolant every 10,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 10,000 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 miBattery (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 20,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Suspension Shock or Strut (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Stop (lubricate) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect)
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)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

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 2016 Volkswagen Passat arrives during a period of significant improvement in reliability trends, following a peak in complaints and TSBs between 2012 and 2014. Compared to 2015, which saw 242 complaints and 1,124 TSBs, the 2016 model shows a sharp decline with only 106 complaints and 826 TSBs. The 2016 model year recorded 5 recalls and 0 investigations, with the most frequent complaints involving the Fuel/Propulsion System (10) and "Unknown Or Other" (8) categories. This stability continues into 2017, which maintained a nearly identical complaint count of 107, though recalls increased slightly to 7. This positioning indicates that the 2016 model sits at the start of a downward trend in federal reports, implying a more refined product than those from the early 2010s. Given the substantial reduction in complaints and TSBs relative to the preceding years, the 2016 Passat is a good year to buy.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
826
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
106
Owner complaints
4 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 106 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel/Propulsion System10
Unknown Or Other8
Engine7
Air Bags5
Service Brakes4
Steering,Electrical System,Air Bags3
Fuel System, Gasoline3
Power Train,Engine3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 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…

16V403000Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel RailReported 06/06/2016

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 826 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
V1719012012855_812026-06-04EngineVolkswagen Engine Oil Standards
SM 26-20262026-05-19StructureThis 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 Passat have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.