NHTSA Data Explorer

Volkswagen Passat

Data refreshed August 8, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Volkswagen Passat.

Complaints

7,883

Active records

Recalls

56

Active records

TSBs

3,220

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

9

Injuries

248

Crashes

230

Fires

301

Top reported issues — Volkswagen Passat

Click a category to expand its values.

Condition issue

1,956

Reporting mechanism

1,776

Operating state

1,644

Safety restraint issue

1,090

Engine behavior

905

Driver assistance issue

785

Fluid issue

775

Thermal issue

675

Noise

661

Performance issue

577

Braking behavior

372

Access/entry issue

344

Lighting behavior

335

Starting behavior

305

Vibration/harshness

286

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

250

Electrical issue

216

Smell

181

Safety restraint behavior

172

Steering behavior

171

HVAC behavior

165

Recent change

118

Infotainment behavior

89

Powering on/off behavior

83

Wiper/washer behavior

65

Ride/handling behavior

54

Communication/network issue

21

Charging behavior

1

Electrified system issue

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

Filed Aug 3, 2026


The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer refused to perform the repair until the contact paid for a diagnostic test for an internal communication error code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately…

2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

Filed Jul 29, 2026


Crash

Car accident and all left side airbags deployed but not the drivers airbag which we had the recall repaired on.

2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

Filed Jul 27, 2026


Clockspring Recall. Horn not working, buttons on steering column not working, when turning steering wheel it makes a clicking noise, sounds like spring being pulled, driver side air bag light is illuminated on dash.

2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

Filed Jul 24, 2026


Vehicle has an excessive gasoline smell coming from the driver front of the vehicle- mechanics have not been able to determine the exact location of the problem.

2017 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

Filed Jul 22, 2026


cracks in the fuel pump houisng cauisng vapors and fumes into my car.

2022 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

Filed Jun 24, 2026


Crash

I believe the cars FRONT END BRAKE ASSIST FAILED, resulting in a preventable accident. VW will not release data, and I have never had an accident in 32 years. There have been multiple class action lawsuits but VW refuses to announce a recall. Now, my car that is a 2022, with 50k miles on it, has major front end damage, and deployed airbags for an accident that could have been avoided. They have already been sued in 2024.

2022 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

Filed Jun 21, 2026


My car consumes an over abundant amount of oil about 1 quart every 1000 to 1500 miles. There is a civil lawsuit right now about the piston rings having low tension and my car has every symptom of this. This could lead to turbo issues, and several thousands of dollars in repair costs. I’ve already had to replace my oil pan, timing cover, and pcv and the car only has 80,000 miles on it.

2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

Filed Jun 18, 2026


My fuses keep blowing, this is leading to replacing the Brake switch which I believe was recalled. If it was replaced,it's not working.

2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

Filed Jun 16, 2026


The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the Check Engine warning light illuminated, and there was no heat coming from the front passenger’s or driver’s side air vents. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine heater core had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on three different occasions. The engine heater core was replaced…

2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

Filed Jun 11, 2026


I was driving and the airbag light randomly came on out of the blue. While trying to parallel park I noticed my steering wheel clicking. We ran codes on the car and we are confident that the clock spring failed. My horn and cruise control also no longer work.

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated August 8, 2026. Refreshed nightly.