NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
15 reportsClear category filter137,000 miles · Feb 11, 2020
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE MESSAGE "STEERING LOCK MODULE FAILURE" HAD DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE RANDOM STALLING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND ON SEV…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE MESSAGE "STEERING LOCK MODULE FAILURE" HAD DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE RANDOM STALLING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. DURING THE FAILURES THE MESSAGE "STEERING LOCK MODULE FAILURE" HAD DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE LOCAL DEALER SERRA OF TRAVERSE CITY(1747 S GARFIELD TRAVERSE CITY MI.) WHO DIAGNOSE STEERING LOCK MODULE FAULTY. THE MODULE WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
NHTSA ODI #11308570
78,700 miles · Sep 10, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering
THERE IS AN ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN DEFECT WHICH MAKES THE CAR STOP ALL OF A SUDDEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVE. AFTER THAT, THE CAR WOULD NOT START EVEN AFTER TRYING FOR AT LEAST A MINUTE. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS THE CAR JUST STOPS WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #11128503
133,250 miles · Sep 15, 2017
Steering
I HAVE HAD MY CV BOOTS REPLACED IN 2013 ON THE LEFT SIDE AND THEN AGAIN ON JANUARY 2016. I HAD MY VEHICLE LOOKED AT ON 9/15/17 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SAME BOOT HAS A TEAR IN IT AND NEEDS REPLACING.
NHTSA ODI #11023701
5 miles · Aug 12, 2017
Steering
THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK IS DEFECTIVE IT WILL NOT START IF IT STARTS IT STALLS OUT LOCKS UP CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY
NHTSA ODI #11014805
106,000 miles · Dec 6, 2016
Steering
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECT WARNING ON MY DASH AND THE CAR OFTEN WILL NOT START WITHOUT REPEATED ATTEMPTS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON AND VERY EXPENSIVE DEFECT WITH PASSATS AND THE VW PASSAT BLOGS ARE FULL OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DEFECT. I CONTACTED VW AND THEY WERE NO HELP. THE REP OFFERED HER SYMP…
Read full complaint
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECT WARNING ON MY DASH AND THE CAR OFTEN WILL NOT START WITHOUT REPEATED ATTEMPTS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON AND VERY EXPENSIVE DEFECT WITH PASSATS AND THE VW PASSAT BLOGS ARE FULL OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DEFECT. I CONTACTED VW AND THEY WERE NO HELP. THE REP OFFERED HER SYMPATHY BUT NOTHING AS FAR AS VW TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT THIS DEFECT CAN RESULT IN STEERING WHEELS LOCKING WHILE DRIVING, ENGINES CUTTING OFF WITHOUT WARNING, AND THE CAR NOT STARTING LEAVING DRIVERS STRANDED. I WILL BE DELIVERING THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL VW AGENCY FOR REPAIR AND REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA REQUIRE VW TO REIMBURSE ALL PASSAT OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR ALL RELATED EXPENSES TO CORRECT THIS VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10930197
102,000 miles · Nov 7, 2014
Steering
I PUT THE KEY IN IGNITION AND THE CAR DOES NOT START. TAKE KEY OUT AND PUT BACK IN AND THEN IT STARTS AND SAYS "STEERING COLUMN DEFECTIVE". I'VE READ FROM OTHER 2007 PASSAT OWNERS THAT THEY'VE ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM TOO. THEY HAVE STATED THAT EVENTUALLY THE CAR STARTS SHUTTING OFF RANDOMLY WITHOUT NOTICE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10653384
49,250 miles · Apr 17, 2014
Steering
CAR EITHER WILL NOT START OR SHUTS OFF. DISPLAY STATES "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECT". THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP, THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, AND HIGH PITCHED ALARMS SOUND. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER SERVICE BULLETIN 4815, AT NO CHARGE. THIS HAPPENED IN 2011. THIS WEEK, IN 2014 THE SAME EXACT STEERING COLUMN LOC…
Read full complaint
CAR EITHER WILL NOT START OR SHUTS OFF. DISPLAY STATES "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECT". THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP, THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, AND HIGH PITCHED ALARMS SOUND. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER SERVICE BULLETIN 4815, AT NO CHARGE. THIS HAPPENED IN 2011. THIS WEEK, IN 2014 THE SAME EXACT STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECT REOCCURRED. DESPITE THIS BEING A KNOWN DEFECT AMONG VWS, AND THIS BEING A FAILURE OF THE PREVIOUS "FIX" VW REFUSES TO DO A WARRANTY REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS "OUTSIDE OF THE 12 MONTH 12,000 MILE" WARRANTY ON REPAIRS. THIS IS IN MY MIND, A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS AND THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, PEOPLE WOULD BE INJURED OR KILLED. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10583385
80,000 miles · Dec 18, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering
SUDDEN FAILURE OF STEERING WHEEL. DISPLAY SHOWS "STEERING WHEEL LOCK". THIS COULD BE SERIOUS ISSUE IF IT HAPPENED DURING DRIVING. UNABLE TO START THE CAR OR TO GET THE CAR IN NEUTRAL GEAR. HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO THE VW SERVICE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STEERING CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556549
66,000 miles · Oct 26, 2013
Steering
WHEN I INSERT MY KEY IN COLD WEATHER MY CAR WILL DISPLAY " STEERING WHEEL LOCK" AND MY CAR CUTS OFF AND BEEPS LOCKS KEY IN IGNITION, RELEASES KEY AFTER A BIT AND LETS ME RE TRY AND STARTS, OTHER TIMES IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BUT HAS STARTED. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER THEY SAW NOTHING WRONG WITH IT BUT QUOTED A HIGH PRICE TO REPL…
Read full complaint
WHEN I INSERT MY KEY IN COLD WEATHER MY CAR WILL DISPLAY " STEERING WHEEL LOCK" AND MY CAR CUTS OFF AND BEEPS LOCKS KEY IN IGNITION, RELEASES KEY AFTER A BIT AND LETS ME RE TRY AND STARTS, OTHER TIMES IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BUT HAS STARTED. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER THEY SAW NOTHING WRONG WITH IT BUT QUOTED A HIGH PRICE TO REPLACE PART AND MENTIONED THAT ITS A COMMON OCCURRENCE! I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO SERIOUSLY BEFORE ANYONE GETS HURT BY STEERING LOCKING!! AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10549611
34,000 miles · Dec 24, 2010
Steering
PROBLEM: HEADS UP DISPLAY IN CAR SAYS "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE." CAR STARTS UP, THEN STALLS AND THE ENGINE CUTS OFF. THIS WARNING IS DISPLAYED, ALONG WITH THREE LOUD BEEPS. AFTER THIS MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED, THE CAR WILL NOT START UP WITH REPEATED ATTEMPTS AT INSERTING THE KEY. TRIES TO START, STALLS, TRIES TO START, STALLS…
Read full complaint
PROBLEM: HEADS UP DISPLAY IN CAR SAYS "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE." CAR STARTS UP, THEN STALLS AND THE ENGINE CUTS OFF. THIS WARNING IS DISPLAYED, ALONG WITH THREE LOUD BEEPS. AFTER THIS MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED, THE CAR WILL NOT START UP WITH REPEATED ATTEMPTS AT INSERTING THE KEY. TRIES TO START, STALLS, TRIES TO START, STALLS, ETC. SOMETIMES IT WILL START ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT, SOMETIMES I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE 30TH+ ATTEMPT. MAKE THE CAR VERY SPORADIC IN ITS DRIVING USE WITH WHETHER IT WILL EVEN TURN ON OR NOT! NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP THIS PROBLEM. TURNING THE STEER WHEEL DURING START, DEPRESSING THE BRAKE, HAVING THE PARKING BRAKE ON, ETC. IT SHOULD BE NOTED HOWEVER THAT SOMETIMES THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR AT ALL. I WILL INSERT THE KEY AND IT WILL START LIKE NORMAL. BUT THEN SOMETIMES I WILL GET THE ERROR ALONG WITH MULTIPLE FAILED ATTEMPTS AT STARTING THE ENGINE. PLANNING ON TAKING THIS CAR TO DEALER SOON AND HOPE THAT WARRANTY WILL COVER IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10372314
Official recalls
7Oct 30, 2024
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.
Apr 18, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2007 Volkswagen Passat sedan and wagon vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q8. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-079.
Mar 6, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Aug 16, 2017
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.
Feb 10, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Dec 12, 2006
ON CERTAIN '6' GENERATION PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DURING HEAVY RAIN DUE TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE ENTERING THE WIPER MOTOR. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE WIPERS CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED VISIBILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPECIAL COVER AND SEALING KIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-893-5298.
Dec 12, 2006
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE POWER ASSIST CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE, AND THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE INCREASED EFFORT TO APPLY THE BRAKES POSSIBLY INCREASING VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED VACUUM LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-893-5298.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA11002 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Jan 26, 2011 · Closed Feb 17, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Engine And Engine Cooling
In July 2010, the Agency opened PE10-027 to investigate allegations of coil on plug (COP) ignition coil fires in MY2002-2003 VW Passat vehicles.The investigation was upgraded in January 2011 to include all MY2001-2007 4-cylinder VW Passat, gasoline, turbo-charged vehicles.Based on the analysis of VW's response, and including ODI's consumer complaints, ODI has since identified 135 unique engine fire reports attributable to the COP coils.After further review of the details as contained in each report, ODI determined that 43 of the 135 fire reports were actual fire/flame incidents, 83 fire reports were thermal events (smoke, spark, heat or wire melt), and another 9 fire reports were undetermined in severity due to the lack of information.These COP coil fires were characterized as initiated from within the COP coil circuit located at the top of the engine block and below the plastic engine cover.The fires observed were contained in the engine compartment and did not reach into the passenger compartment in contrast to those caused by an overheated catalytic converter examined in ODI?s investigation in 2007 and 2008.There were no reports of crashes or personal injury in this examination.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstancesSee the Closing Report for additional details.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System
In July 2010, the Agency opened PE10-027 to investigate allegations of coil on plug (COP) ignition coil fires in MY2002-2003 VW Passat vehicles.The investigation was upgraded in January 2011 to include all MY2001-2007 4-cylinder VW Passat, gasoline, turbo-charged vehicles.Based on the analysis of VW's response, and including ODI's consumer complaints, ODI has since identified 135 unique engine fire reports attributable to the COP coils.After further review of the details as contained in each report, ODI determined that 43 of the 135 fire reports were actual fire/flame incidents, 83 fire reports were thermal events (smoke, spark, heat or wire melt), and another 9 fire reports were undetermined in severity due to the lack of information.These COP coil fires were characterized as initiated from within the COP coil circuit located at the top of the engine block and below the plastic engine cover.The fires observed were contained in the engine compartment and did not reach into the passenger compartment in contrast to those caused by an overheated catalytic converter examined in ODI?s investigation in 2007 and 2008.There were no reports of crashes or personal injury in this examination.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstancesSee the Closing Report for additional details.
Engine And Engine Cooling
In July 2010, the Agency opened PE10-027 to investigate allegations of coil on plug (COP) ignition coil fires in MY2002-2003 VW Passat vehicles.The investigation was upgraded in January 2011 to include all MY2001-2007 4-cylinder VW Passat, gasoline, turbo-charged vehicles.Based on the analysis of VW's response, and including ODI's consumer complaints, ODI has since identified 135 unique engine fire reports attributable to the COP coils.After further review of the details as contained in each report, ODI determined that 43 of the 135 fire reports were actual fire/flame incidents, 83 fire reports were thermal events (smoke, spark, heat or wire melt), and another 9 fire reports were undetermined in severity due to the lack of information.These COP coil fires were characterized as initiated from within the COP coil circuit located at the top of the engine block and below the plastic engine cover.The fires observed were contained in the engine compartment and did not reach into the passenger compartment in contrast to those caused by an overheated catalytic converter examined in ODI?s investigation in 2007 and 2008.There were no reports of crashes or personal injury in this examination.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstancesSee the Closing Report for additional details.
Illustration