VW Passat B8(3G)
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
280 PS
2.0L TSI Benzin
Sporty mile-eater
Fun to Drive!239 PS
2.0L TDI BiTurbo Diesel
5 weaknesses
Stay Away!Body Variants
The VW Passat B8 is available as Limousine and Variant — choose your body type for specific insurance data:
Generations
Engine Overview
The VW Passat B8 is available with 7 engine variants — from 105 to 280 hp. 4 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
The VW 1.6L TDI (Diesel, 105–120 PS) comes with 2 different engines: CRKB (2014–2016, Be Careful) und DCXA (2014–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.6L TDI!
The VW 2.0L TDI (Diesel, 150–190 PS) comes with 2 different engines: DFGA (2014–2019, Be Careful) und DFHA (2014–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 2.0L TDI!
The VW 2.0L TDI BiTurbo (Diesel, 239 PS) has the CUPA (2.0L TDI BiTurbo) — rated: "Stay Away!", 5 known weaknesses.
The VW 1.4L TSI ACT (Benziner, 150–156 PS) has the CZDA (1.4L TSI ACT) — rated: "Be Careful", 9 known weaknesses.
The VW 1.8L TSI (Benziner, 179 PS) has the CJSA (1.8L TSI) — rated: "Be Careful", 9 known weaknesses.
The VW 2.0L TSI (Benziner, 220–280 PS) comes with 2 different engines: CZPB (2014–2019, Be Careful) und CJXA (2015–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 2.0L TSI!
The VW GTE (Benziner Plug-in-Hybrid, 218 PS) comes with 2 different engines: CUKA (2015–2019, Be Careful) und CUKC (2015–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the GTE!
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment System and Reversing Camera Failure Electronic faults top the fault list on the Passat B8. MIB2 infotainment freezes or restarts, reversing camera shows no image. Particularly frequent on early build years 2014–2016. Symptoms: Black screen on the nav/radio system; reversing camera no longer shows image; Bluetooth connection drops from 60,000 km | Medium | |
| Electric Tailgate Opens/Closes Incorrectly The electric tailgate on the Passat B8 estate only opens partially, does not close fully, or does not respond to the remote control command. Defective locks or coding errors are often the cause. Symptoms: Tailgate only opens 25% of its travel; beeping when opening; luggage compartment blind doesn't retract from 70,000 km | Medium | |
| ACC and Camera Assistants Prone to Faults The adaptive cruise control (ACC) and camera-based assistance systems on the Passat B8 show malfunctions, especially in bad weather or after screen cleaning. Software problems on early build years. Symptoms: ACC brakes for no apparent reason; lane-keep assist unresponsive; camera image obscured; warning message on display from 50,000 km | Medium |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues
A total of 85 weaknesses have been documented for the VW Passat B8 (2014–2019) — 74 engine-related and 11 vehicle-related. One problem engine: CUPA (2.0L TDI BiTurbo). Typical issues affect Electronics, Steering, Suspension, Gearbox.
Passat (CRKB, 2014–2016) — Be Careful: Water Pump Faulty (EA288 until Sept. 2014), Injector Failure (Continental Type), Turbocharger Bearing Wear. Power: 105 PS.
Passat (DFGA, 2014–2019) — Be Careful: Camshaft Oil Seal Leaking onto Timing Belt, Timing Belt: Interval NOT Maintenance-Free, Turbocharger Bearing Damage from Oil Starvation. Power: 150 PS.
Passat (DFHA, 2014–2019) — Be Careful: EGR Cooler Cracks EA288 Ateca/Tarraco 4Drive, Turbocharger Failure from DPF/EGR Blockage, EGR Cooler Crack / Coolant Loss. Power: 190 PS.
Passat (DCXA, 2014–2019) — Be Careful: EGR Cooler Cracks and Coolant Loss, Turbo VTG Guide Vanes Sticking, Defective Water Pump (Early Production up to 09/2014). Power: 120 PS.
Passat (CUPA, 2014–2018) — Stay Away!: Dieselgate Recall: NOx Software Manipulation, EA189 Dieselgate Recall CUPA 184 hp Leon FR, Turbo Pressure Sensor P2563 EA189 FR. Power: 239 PS.
Passat (CZDA, 2014–2018) — Be Careful: Timing Belt — Critical Change Interval, Camshaft Adjuster: Screws Come Loose, Timing Belt Service (Oil Bath Drive EA211). Power: 150–156 PS.
Passat (CZPB, 2014–2019) — Be Careful: Electric Water Pump Failure, HPFP with Cam Follower Wear, Thermostat Module Leaking or Defective. Power: 220 PS.
Passat (CJSA, 2015–2018) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretched — simplex chain, High-pressure pump — cam follower wear, Two-stage oil pump — insufficient pressure at idle. Power: 179 PS.
Passat (CJXA, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: High-pressure pump cam follower wear EA888 Gen3 Cupra, Connecting rod / oil pump damage under high load, Water pump failure — coolant loss EA888 Gen3. Power: 280 PS.
Passat (CUKA, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: DQ400E Mechatronics Failure — K0 Clutch, High-Voltage Battery Capacity Loss, DQ400E Disconnect Clutch Wear. Power: 220 PS.
Passat (CUKC, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: HV Battery Heat Exchanger Leaking, Timing Belt Often Neglected Despite Long Interval, HV Battery Degradation. Power: 150–160 PS.
What to watch out for with the VW Passat? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee