Which model is involved in the Passat A-pillar incident?

[ORowan]

The Passat A-pillar incident involves the 2019 model. Below is a related introduction to the Passat: 1. Exterior: The Passat features slender wheel spokes on the side, with overall dimensions of 493318361469mm and a wheelbase of 2871mm, offering rear headroom and legroom that far exceed those of its peers. 2. Powertrain: The Passat is equipped with three different engines: 1.4T, 1.8T, and 2.0T. The 1.4T engine delivers a maximum power of 150 horsepower and a maximum torque of 250 Nm, achieving 0-100 km/h in 9.3 seconds. The 1.8T engine produces a maximum horsepower of 179 and a maximum torque of 300 Nm, reaching 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds. The 2.0T engine offers a maximum horsepower of 220/186 and a maximum torque of 350/320 Nm, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 7.4/8.4 seconds.

[VonVincent]

That Passat A-pillar incident, I clearly remember it was the 2019 SAIC Volkswagen Passat that had issues in the C-IASI crash test. In that test, during the 25% small overlap frontal collision, the A-pillar deformed severely, directly affecting the safety rating. As an ordinary driver, I was shocked when I saw the news because it involved daily driving risks. The incident erupted between late 2019 and early 2020, damaging Volkswagen's brand image, and many car owners became concerned about similar hidden dangers. Later, the manufacturer improved the body structure in the 2020 model by adding high-strength materials, and the test results also improved. But this incident reminded me that when buying a car, I should check more test reports and not just rely on brand reputation. Safety comes first—I really don’t want to encounter an accident in an emergency situation on the highway.

[LeCharles]

The Passat model with A-pillar issues was the 2019 version, and the C-IASI crash test results were truly eye-opening. During the small overlap frontal collision test, the A-pillar directly bent and deformed, indicating insufficient body rigidity. As someone with mechanical knowledge, I believe this incident revealed some design flaws—the A-pillar should have been stronger to withstand impact forces. Volkswagen later upgraded components, such as reinforcing with thicker steel plates. Similar issues were resolved after 2020, but the 2019 model became a talking point among owners. From a broader perspective, such incidents drive industry standards improvement. I also recommend avoiding this generation when selecting used cars. Safety tests aren't just formalities—they can save lives.

[Calvin]

Well, the Passat A-pillar incident occurred in the 2019 model year. That was the version launched by SAIC Volkswagen, which showed significant A-pillar deformation in the C-IASI test. As a quick recap, this sparked heated discussions from 2019 to 2020, and Volkswagen responded at the time by stating it was due to insufficient structural optimization. The current market version of this car has been facelifted, and its test scores have improved. If you're considering this model, remember the production year is key.