Volkswagen Passat problems and recalls by year

By model year

Years with 100+ complaints

38 recall campaigns since 2005

1. October 30, 2024 · 24V834000 · 2006–2007, 2012–2014, 2017 · Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

   The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge.

2. October 15, 2021 · 21V812000 · 2021 · Suspension › Front › Wheel bearing; Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

   The front wheel bearing bolts may have been incorrectly tightened.

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tightness of the wheel bearing bolts and replace the bolts, as necessary, free of charge.

3. May 5, 2021 · 21V321000 · 2016–2017 · Unknown or other

   These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale.

   Remedy: Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles.

4. September 16, 2020 · 20V561000 · 2016–2018 · Unknown or other

   These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale.

   Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles.

5. September 2, 2020 · 20V533000 · 2020 · Air bags › Passenger side frontal › Cushion

   The passenger frontal air bag may have been folded incorrectly affecting its deployment force.

   Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge.

6. December 4, 2019 · 19V862000 · 2012–2015 · Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

   The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

   Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge.

7. May 22, 2019 · 19V389000 · 2012–2020 · Exterior lighting › Headlights

   The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed.

   Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge.

8. March 20, 2019 · 19V218000 · 2020 · Air bags › Side/window

   An incorrect driver and/or front passenger side impact air bag may have been installed.

   Remedy: Volkswagen has inspected and replaced the side air bags, free of charge.

9. January 11, 2019 · 19V014000 · 2015 · Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

   Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

   Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge.

10. August 15, 2018 · 18V536000 · 2017–2018 · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper

    The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened sufficiently.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper bracket bolt tightness, replacing and re-torque the bolts as necessary, free of charge.

11. June 1, 2018 · 18V369000 · 2018 · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper · do not drive

    The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.

    Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners.

12. May 16, 2018 · 18V329000 · 2012 · Unknown or other

    Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge.

13. April 18, 2018 · 18V247000 · 2006–2007 · Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

    Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge.

14. March 6, 2018 · 18V148000 · 2007–2010, 2012–2014 · Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

    Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge.

15. August 16, 2017 · 17V509000 · 2006–2010 · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

    Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge.

16. May 11, 2017 · 17V309000 · 2012–2014 · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel; Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft

    The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft heat shield, free of charge.

17. February 8, 2017 · 17V075000 · 2017 · Service brakes, hydraulic › Fluid; Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    Brake fluid may leak slowly from the some of the brake line connections, resulting in a low brake fluid level.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake lines, free of charge.

18. March 24, 2016 · 16V171000 · 2012–2014 · Electrical system › Wiring

    Due to improperly assembled wire seals in a connector for an underbody sensor, water may enter and corrode the electrical connectors of the sensor, causing an electrical short.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector, replacing it as necessary, free of charge.

19. February 10, 2016 · 16V078000 · 2007–2010, 2012–2014 · Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

    Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge.

20. February 10, 2016 · 16V079000 · 2006 · Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

    Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge.

21. June 15, 2015 · 15V373000 · 2015 · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    The affected vehicles have a brake line at the left rear wheel area that may not have been properly tightened.

    Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will tighten the brake line fitting, free of charge.

22. March 17, 2014 · 14V125000 · 2012–2013 · Exterior lighting › Headlights

    In the affected vehicles, the low beam headlight bulb may become loose and lose electrical contact.

    Remedy: Volkswagen notified owners, and dealers will replace the bulb holder, free of charge.

23. April 5, 2012 · 12V146000 · 2012 · Fuel system, diesel

    DURING ASSEMBLY, THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A DIESEL FUEL FILTER ELEMENT THAT MAY NOT SEAL CORRECTLY.

    Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL FUEL FILTER ELEMENTS, FREE OF CHARGE.

24. November 3, 2008 · 08V577000 · 2009 · Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)

    SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN ELECTROMECHANICAL STEERING GEAR CONTROL UNIT THAT CAN MALFUNCTION DUE TO A DAMAGED CAPACITOR.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

25. May 28, 2008 · 08V235000 · 2008 · Engine and engine cooling

    THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) CONTAINING SOFTWARE THAT MAY NOT PROPERLY CONTROL ENGINE IDLE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING TURNED ON.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND UPDATE THE ECM SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE.

26. April 7, 2008 · 08V156000 · 2005 · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery

    THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS TO COVER THE POSSIBLY DAMAGED AREAS AND FLASH ALL 1.8T ENGINES WITH A PRECAUTIONARY SOFTWARE UPDATE.

27. December 12, 2006 · 06V470000 · 2006–2007 · Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

    ON CERTAIN '6' GENERATION PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DURING HEAVY RAIN DUE TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE ENTERING THE WIPER MOTOR.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPECIAL COVER AND SEALING KIT.

28. December 12, 2006 · 06V472000 · 2006–2007 · Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum

    CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L ENGINE WITH 147 KW MAY HAVE A VACUUM LINE THAT MAY FRACTURE AND BECOME DISCONNECTED AT LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED VACUUM LINE.

29. November 30, 2005 · 05V540000 · 2006 · Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly

    ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LEFT AND RIGHT TIE ROD SECURING NUT MAY BE INSUFFICIENTLY TORQUED.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL NEW LEFT AND RIGHT TIE ROD SECURING NUTS AT THE PROPER TORQUED SPECIFICATION.

Shared, in full on the sibling's page:

• Volkswagen Jetta: 19V679000 (2017, unknown or other); 16V403000 (2016, fuel system, gasoline); 15V705000 (2015–2016, engine and engine cooling); 15V483000 (2010, 2012–2014, air bags); 15V028000 (2014–2015, fuel system, gasoline); 14V670000 (2015, seats); 14V182000 (2014, power train); 07V063000 (2005, exterior lighting); 04V586000 (2005, fuel system, diesel)

Defect investigations

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