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2009 Volkswagen Passat

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Volkswagen Passat do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 110.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

111 reports with mileage · 35 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports12 fire reports1 injury reports

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

7 reports
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118,500 miles · Jan 28, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

THE CAR HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. LIGHTS POP ON AND THE FUEL PUMP IS THE ERROR CODE, ALONG WITH MISFIRES. I HAVE HAD AT LEAST A DOZEN OR MORE CLOSE CALLS WITH THE STALL OUT AND FAILURE TO START UP, AND AT LEAST 2-3 TIMES I HAVE ALMOST BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THE STALL OUT. IT STALLS WHEN ITS IN MO…

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THE CAR HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. LIGHTS POP ON AND THE FUEL PUMP IS THE ERROR CODE, ALONG WITH MISFIRES. I HAVE HAD AT LEAST A DOZEN OR MORE CLOSE CALLS WITH THE STALL OUT AND FAILURE TO START UP, AND AT LEAST 2-3 TIMES I HAVE ALMOST BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THE STALL OUT. IT STALLS WHEN ITS IN MOTION OR EVEN WHEN IT IS PARKED AND IS STARTING UP.

NHTSA ODI #11302680

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel/propulsion System

THE VEHICLE HAS ISSUES WITH THE FUEL PUMP , INTAKE & CYLINDERS . I WAS ABLE TO CHANGE THE FUEL PUMP BUT NOTICED ONLINE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THESE SAME ISSUES . WHEN TURNING THE CAR ON AND DRIVING IT TURNS OFF AND HARDENING THE STEERING WHEEL

NHTSA ODI #11297252

112,000 miles · Oct 5, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

BOUGHT THIS AT A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. WITHIN TWO DAYS, THE EPC LIGHT WAS COMING ON. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR OR WHEN STARTING TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL, THE GAS PEDAL HAS NO RESPONSE. IT'S AS IF THE PEDAL IS NOT WORKING. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THEIR MECHANIC LOOK AT IT. THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR. SAID THEY FIXED…

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BOUGHT THIS AT A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. WITHIN TWO DAYS, THE EPC LIGHT WAS COMING ON. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR OR WHEN STARTING TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL, THE GAS PEDAL HAS NO RESPONSE. IT'S AS IF THE PEDAL IS NOT WORKING. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THEIR MECHANIC LOOK AT IT. THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR. SAID THEY FIXED IT. WITHIN A WEEK, THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS TIME, SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT BUT WITHIN ABOUT 3 WEEKS, THE PEDAL ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN. LUCKILY, WE HAVE STAYED ON LOCAL ROADS 40 MPH MAX BUT WHEN THE CAR DOESN'T GO WHEN IT IS SUPPOSED TO, I'M EXPECTING TO GET REARENDED. WE BROUGHT THIS TO OUR MECHANIC AND $1700 LATER, THE CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. THE EPC LIGHT IS ON AND THE CAR IS NOT GOING WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS PEDAL. THE CPU HAS BEEN SWITCHED OUT AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAS BEEN REPLACED. HOW MUCH MONEY DO WE DUMP IN THIS? THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE FROM WHAT I AM READING ON THE INTERNET.

NHTSA ODI #11266545

34,851 miles · Jan 9, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE ON MY 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 35000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHILE I WAS TRYING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK ALSO CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. IN ADDITION, IT C…

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THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE ON MY 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 35000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHILE I WAS TRYING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK ALSO CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. IN ADDITION, IT COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE WHILE IT IS BEING DRIVEN. VOLKSWAGEN USA ADMITTED THAT THIS PART IS AN ISSUE. THEY ISSUED SEVERAL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ABOUT THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCK. SEVERAL OTHER MAKES AND MODELS OF VOLKSWAGENS WERE RECALLED AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE. I AM SEEKING JUDGEMENT FROM VOLKSWAGEN IN THE AMOUNT OF $588.91, WHICH IS THE COST OF REPAIR. VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE CAR ONLY HAD A 3 YR WARRANTY. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN EVER. THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO WORK WITH THE CONSUMER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER ON 12/28/2018.

NHTSA ODI #11165995

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

DRAINED MY BATTERY ALL TIME, TURNED OFF IN MIDDLE THE I DRIVING IT. FOR COUPLE MONTHS I BEEN EXPERIENCE THIS SITUATION. FIRST I WAS CAME BACK FOR WORK, I WAS IN MAYS LANDING AREA, I WAS WAITING FOR THE LIGHT CHANGE, WHEN MY CART TURNED OFF. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES TURNED ON AGAIN, I DROVE FOR 10 MINUTES AND AGAIN TURNING OFF. …

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DRAINED MY BATTERY ALL TIME, TURNED OFF IN MIDDLE THE I DRIVING IT. FOR COUPLE MONTHS I BEEN EXPERIENCE THIS SITUATION. FIRST I WAS CAME BACK FOR WORK, I WAS IN MAYS LANDING AREA, I WAS WAITING FOR THE LIGHT CHANGE, WHEN MY CART TURNED OFF. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES TURNED ON AGAIN, I DROVE FOR 10 MINUTES AND AGAIN TURNING OFF. I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY, MY CAR WORKED PERFECTLY FOR 3 DAY, I WAS IN MY JOB READY TO CAME HOME WHEN MY CAR NEVER START AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11109587

50,000 miles · Apr 2, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel/propulsion System

THERE IS AN INTERRUPTION IN ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. THIS RESULTING IN THE FUEL PUMP RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY, RESULTING IN A DRAINED BATTERY AND CAUSE A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THIS HAPPENED TODAY ON HIGHWAY AND ALMOST I WAS GOING TO HAVE A FATAL ACCIDENT. US. VW AND THE DELAR …

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THERE IS AN INTERRUPTION IN ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. THIS RESULTING IN THE FUEL PUMP RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY, RESULTING IN A DRAINED BATTERY AND CAUSE A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THIS HAPPENED TODAY ON HIGHWAY AND ALMOST I WAS GOING TO HAVE A FATAL ACCIDENT. US. VW AND THE DELAR ARE NOT TAKING ANY ACTION AT THAT REGARD, THEY STATED TODAY THAT I PAY TO THE REPAIR AND THEY WILL EMBERSE ME LATER. PLEAS NOTE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE TO SOLVE THAT ISSUE. SAFETY RISK

NHTSA ODI #11082563

46,400 miles · Jan 18, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemCrash

ON 11/15/11 @33,125 MILES WHEN ACCELERATING INTERMITTENTLY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL CORRECT BACK TO DRIVE "COULD NOT BE REPLICATED" BY VW SERVICE. THEN, CAR STARTED TO BECOME "HESITANT" ON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP OR WHEN ON DRIVING. 1/16/12, HESITATION MORE FREQUENT; VW SERVICE TOOK A SHORT DRIVE,COULD NOT REPLICATE "IT'S NOT AN IS…

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ON 11/15/11 @33,125 MILES WHEN ACCELERATING INTERMITTENTLY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL CORRECT BACK TO DRIVE "COULD NOT BE REPLICATED" BY VW SERVICE. THEN, CAR STARTED TO BECOME "HESITANT" ON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP OR WHEN ON DRIVING. 1/16/12, HESITATION MORE FREQUENT; VW SERVICE TOOK A SHORT DRIVE,COULD NOT REPLICATE "IT'S NOT AN ISSUE UNLESS MIL" (RECOMMENDED NEW WIPER BLADES). 3/6/12, @ 41,117 MILES, CONTINUED TO INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE/WANTED TO STALL/ NEUTRAL" NO ENGINE LIGHT (MIL); 3/14/12 @ 41,595 MILES, LEFT HEADLIGHT BULB REPLACED. 6/7/12, WHILE IN TRAFFIC ON EXPRESSWAY APPROXIMATE SPEED WAS 20MPH, CAR HESITATED TO MOVE WITH FLOW OF TRAFFIC THEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER HESITATION, 2 THINGS OCCURRED @SAME TIME, I WAS REAR-ENDED & ENGINE LIGHT (MIL) CAME ON. THEN CAR HESITATED AS I WENT TO PULL OVER. MIL WENT OFF THEN FLICKERED ON. I CALLED VW SERVICE THE MIL WAS OFF & WAS TOLD THAT REAR-ENDED CAUSED THE FLICKER. MIL CONT TO INTERMITTENTLY GO ON & OFF. ON 6/30/12 @47,098 MILES, MIL ON STEERING LOCKED UP CAR HESITATING; VW SERVICE WAS INFORMED THAT AUTO BODY SHOP STATED OBD CAR MISFIRING; REPLACED L HEADLIGHT AGAIN-CAR PASSED INSPECTION. ON 7/12/12 @ 48347 MILES, MIL VW SWAPPED WIRES AGAIN; MIL, HESITATION WHILE DRIVING, & SHIFTING ISSUE STILL INTERMITTENT; 3/2/13@ 64070 MILES MIL ON L HEADLIGHT BULB REPLACED; 3/30/13 MIL REPLACE SPARK PLUGS; 4/15/13 @ 65,689 MIL IGNITION COIL MANIFOLD FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED; RETURNED 4/16/13 HESITATION REBREATHER CORRECTED; SAFETY INSPECTION MIL ON FORCED CAR TO PASSED. MIL STAYS ON STILL HESITATES @78,942 WATER PUMP; @79000 CAR HESITATING STALLING MIL INTAKE VALVE FUEL INJECTOR NEED CLEANING - L HEADLIGHT AGAIN; @91,195, LEFT HEADLIGHT REPLACED VEHICLE RET TO ME BY VW WITH MIL & STEERING LOCK LIGHTS ON REFUSED TO REPAIR 100,191 MILES MIL STILL ON 107,290 VW FORCED FAIL SAFETY INSPECTION MIL CAME ON &HAS NEVER GONE OFF

NHTSA ODI #11063583

Official recalls

4

18V148000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

17V509000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

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.

16V078000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

08V577000 · Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)

Nov 3, 2008

VW IS RECALLING 130 MY 2009 PASSAT, PASSAT WAGON, AND PASSAT CC VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN ELECTROMECHANICAL STEERING GEAR CONTROL UNIT THAT CAN MALFUNCTION DUE TO A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS, THE DRIVER'S STEERING INPUT IS NOT PROPERLY PROCESSED BY THE SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RESPOND AS THE DRIVER INTENDS. THIS DEFECT CAN ONLY OCCUR IMMEDIATELY AFTER VEHICLE START-UP WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED FOR THE FIRST TIME AND AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 5 MPH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO OVERCOME THE SYSTEM DURING MALFUNCTION WILL CAUSE (1) VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL; (2) THE STEERING SYSTEM MOTOR TO TURN OFF; (3) THE RED STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE; AND (4) AUDIBLE WARNINGS TO CHIME. A MALFUNCTIONING STEERING SYSTEM COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

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

1

PE09022 · Transmission Fluid Hose Chafe

Opened May 4, 2009 · Closed Jul 9, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

ON MAY 4, 2009, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATIONS (ODI) OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE09-022 TO INVESTIGATE AN OWNER COMPLAINT (ODI NO. 10260517) ALLEGING CONTACT BETWEEN THE ATF COOLING LINE AND THE RADIATOR FAN BLADES.THE COMPLAINT INDICATED THAT THE CONTACT RESULTED IN RAPID ATF FLUID LOSS WHICH RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE.THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST 50 MILES OF SERVICE. IN ITS RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER FOR PE09-062, VW INDICATED THAT THE INSTALLATION AND DESIGN OF THE ATF COOLING LINES ARE THE SAME FOR BOTH THE REGULAR PASSAT AND PASSAT CC MODELS.VW HAS NOT CHANGED THE DESIGN OR INSTALLATION OF EITHER THE LINES OR RADIATOR FAN SINCE SUBJECT VEHICLE SALES BEGAN.VOLKSWAGEN FURTHER STATED THAT IT IS NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER INCIDENTS OF ATF LINE CONTACT WITH THE RADIATOR FAN IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OR ANY SIMILARLY EQUIPPED VEHICLES.VW BELIEVES THAT THE ONE INCIDENT IS AN ISOLATED CASE OF IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LINES. ODI INSPECTIONS OF SEVERAL MY 2009 PASSAT VEHICLES DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY CONCERNS WITH ATF COOLER LINE ROUTING THAT COULD RESULT IN CONTACT WITH THE RADIATOR FAN BLADES.CONSIDERING THE VERY SHORT TIME IN SERVICE OF THE INCIDENT VEHICLE, IT IS LIKELY ANY SUBJECT VEHICLES WITH SIMILARLY MIS-POSITIONED ATF LINES WOULDHAVE ALREADY FAILED AND BEEN REPAIRED.THE ABSENCE OF ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS SUPPORTS VW'S ASSESSMENT THAT THE SINGLE KNOWN FAILURE WAS A RANDOM AND ISOLATED EVENT. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.