NHTSA Data Explorer
Volkswagen Passat
Data refreshed October 26, 2026
Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Volkswagen Passat.
Complaints
7,943
Active records
Recalls
56
Active records
TSBs
3,256
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
8
Injuries
252
Crashes
233
Fires
302
Top reported issues — Volkswagen Passat
Click a category to expand its values.
Condition issue
Reporting mechanism
Operating state
Safety restraint issue
Engine behavior
Driver assistance issue
Fluid issue
Thermal issue
Noise
Performance issue
Braking behavior
Access/entry issue
Lighting behavior
Starting behavior
Vibration/harshness
Transmission/drivetrain behavior
Electrical issue
Safety restraint behavior
Smell
Steering behavior
HVAC behavior
Recent change
Infotainment behavior
Powering on/off behavior
Wiper/washer behavior
Ride/handling behavior
Communication/network issue
Electrified system issue
Recent filings
The 10 most recent filings for each type.
2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Filed Oct 19, 2026
The vehicle was brought to Bill Jacobs Volkswagen in Naperville, IL to have three open, mandatory federal campaigns and emissions modifications completed. The dealership is actively practicing illegal 'recall steering' by holding the vehicle hostage. The service department refuses to perform the free federal campaigns unless the owner first authorizes between $2,500 and $3,000 in unrelated diagnostic and repair fees out of pocket. The dealership falsely claims that the vehicle must be 'brough…
2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Filed Oct 7, 2026
I was driving my 2018 Volkswagen Passat when suddenly I felt the car started to lose acceleration even though my foot was still on the acceleration paddle. The car started to slow down, not knowing what was going on, I started to pull to the shoulder. I came to a complete halt and was trying to figure out what might have happened. In few seconds I saw black smoke and a lady from the other side of the road was shouting run run. I immediately ran out of the car and noted fire under the front of…
2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Filed Sep 30, 2026
I received a recall for the airbag. No lights were on in my car, so I brought in in for the service. I picked up my car, it seemed ok. I went to the gym. When I restarted my car every single light was on on the dashboard. When I brought it back to the dealer they said oh its the ABS module they just go and they are expensive to replace. I think they broke the module when they did the airbag. They offered to get me a rebuilt one, so I had it put in. Now when it rains my tires are spinning…
2022 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Filed Sep 16, 2026
Door sensor is faulty, and is repeatedly giving notifications while driving that the door is open, causing the cabin lights to come on, which causes safety issues when driving at night. Car is only four years old, and a similar issue was reported for the VW ID.4 vehicles, which have a similar wiring harness and circuit board to the VW 2022 Passat
2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Filed Sep 10, 2026
my 2020 vw passat has less than 60k mikes and i am replacing my 3rd wheel sensor. they fail without warning disabling my antilock brakes. And other safety features
2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Filed Aug 28, 2026
The front information center which is responsible for the rear camera system is shutdown due to the radio / entire screen being dead without reason
2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Filed Aug 28, 2026
A prior recall that was supposedly fixed, broke again. Submitted several complaints with Nhtsa and Volkswagen. Volkswagen said i had to pay a fee to verify what was wrong with my vehicle because the recall had already been fixed before. Months of waiting and waiting for an appointment and then vw would still not refix the recall. So years and years went by before the recall was recalled and vw sent out notice. Only to schedule you vehicle for service months out and then call and cancel because…
2017 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Filed Aug 27, 2026
I am reporting a recurring safety-related defect involving the factory-installed infotainment touchscreen in my 2017 Volkswagen Passat SE Technology. The touchscreen intermittently malfunctions in several ways. At times, the entire infotainment system freezes and becomes completely unresponsive, preventing access to any controls. The screen also has developed dead spots where touch inputs do not register. Additionally, it sometimes registers phantom touches, responding to inputs when the…
2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Filed Aug 24, 2026
While driving and after, we noticed gas fumes both inside and outside of vehicle. The gas tank was approximately half full. Became very concerned over the the possibility of a fire. Did research online and realized that this was and is a common problem with older models of the Passad (ours is a 2020 model that we bought new and had zero accidents) plus Jetta and Golf models. We took it to a VW Dealer (Ken Graff VW Gilbert, AZ ) nearest our home for fear of a fire hazard and safety. They…
2022 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Filed Aug 18, 2026
Fuel smell in cabin lingering, strong fuel odor around passenger rear side, fuel cap area as well