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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.

About this comparison →

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

Engine complaints

60 reports
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71,000 miles · Feb 15, 2017
Engine

I BOUGHT THIS CAR UNAWARE OF A CARBONIZATION ISSUE ON THE VALVES\. THE CARBON BUILD UP CAUSES A MISSFIRE READ AND A LEAN FAULT IN LEFT BANK. THE MISSFIRE ISSUE MAKES THE VEHICLE VIRTUALLY UNDRIVABLE WHICH PUT ME AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER AT THE TIME THIS OCCURD. ACCORDINGLY AFTER PLENTY OF RESEARCH THIS APPARENTLY IS A VERY COMMON…

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I BOUGHT THIS CAR UNAWARE OF A CARBONIZATION ISSUE ON THE VALVES\. THE CARBON BUILD UP CAUSES A MISSFIRE READ AND A LEAN FAULT IN LEFT BANK. THE MISSFIRE ISSUE MAKES THE VEHICLE VIRTUALLY UNDRIVABLE WHICH PUT ME AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER AT THE TIME THIS OCCURD. ACCORDINGLY AFTER PLENTY OF RESEARCH THIS APPARENTLY IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND IS A MANUFACTURE ISSUE SINCE THE ISSUE COULD BE SOLVED BY PLACING THE FUEL INJECTORS BEHIND THE VALVES TO CLEAN THEM INSTEAD THEY ARE COSTING CONSUMERS OBSCENE AMOUNTS OF MONEY AND PUTTING THEIR LIVES AT RISK FOR NO OTHER REASON THEN TO NOT FIX THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10954890

105,500 miles · Jan 19, 2017
Engine

VEHICLE STARTED ROUGH AND WAS VIBRATING. SHUT OFF AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. TOWED TO DEALER WHO INFORMED THAT AN INTERNAL FAILURE OCCURRED CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO SLIP AND THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT, "THESE THINGS JUST HAPPEN SOMETIMES". HOWEVER, AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED …

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VEHICLE STARTED ROUGH AND WAS VIBRATING. SHUT OFF AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. TOWED TO DEALER WHO INFORMED THAT AN INTERNAL FAILURE OCCURRED CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO SLIP AND THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT, "THESE THINGS JUST HAPPEN SOMETIMES". HOWEVER, AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING AND REPEATED ISSUED FOR MANY VW AND AUDIT OWNERS AND THAT THERE ARE THREE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS FILED FOR TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER PROBLEMS. VW OF AMERICA WAS NOT HELPFUL. WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMER BE OUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT FOR WHAT SHOULD BE A KNOWN DEFECT. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 105,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10946369

100,000 miles · Dec 28, 2016
EnginePower Train

THERE IS A LATENT DEFECT IN THE TENSIONER SYSTEM OF THE TIMING CHAIN THAT CAN CAUSE THE CHAIN TO 'JUMP A TOOTH' IN THE VEHICLE'S CAMSHAFT, WHICH CAUSES SERIOUS AND SOMETIMES FATAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. UNFORTUNATELY THE DEFECT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR CAR OWNERS TO DISCOVER, BUT AUDI AND VOLKSWAGEN KNEW OF THE TENSIONER SYSTEM PROBLEM …

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THERE IS A LATENT DEFECT IN THE TENSIONER SYSTEM OF THE TIMING CHAIN THAT CAN CAUSE THE CHAIN TO 'JUMP A TOOTH' IN THE VEHICLE'S CAMSHAFT, WHICH CAUSES SERIOUS AND SOMETIMES FATAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. UNFORTUNATELY THE DEFECT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR CAR OWNERS TO DISCOVER, BUT AUDI AND VOLKSWAGEN KNEW OF THE TENSIONER SYSTEM PROBLEM SINCE AT LEAST JUNE 2010. NORMALLY, THE TIMING CHAIN IS MEANT TO FUNCTION PERFECTLY FOR AT LEAST 120,000 MILES. BECAUSE THE SYSTEM IS NOT ON THE SCHEDULE FOR RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE FROM THE MANUFACTURERS. HOWEVER, WITH THE DEFECTIVE TENSIONER, THE TIMING CHAIN FREQUENTLY FAILS WELL BEFORE THAT MARK, BUT OFTEN AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THIS ISSUE CAUSED MY ENGINE TO HAVE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10938333

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2016
Engine

2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TIMING BELT/CHAIN TENSIONER PROBLEM IN JULY 2016 MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS LEAVING WORK, WHEN SHE TRIED STARTING THE CAR IT DIDN'T STARTED. SOMEONE IN THE PARKING VOLUNTEERED TO HELP HER. THEY DECIDED TO JUMP START THE CAR WITH A JUMP BOX, THE CAR STARTED AND SHE MADE IT HOME. ONCE SHE GOT HOME SHE TRIED TO S…

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2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TIMING BELT/CHAIN TENSIONER PROBLEM IN JULY 2016 MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS LEAVING WORK, WHEN SHE TRIED STARTING THE CAR IT DIDN'T STARTED. SOMEONE IN THE PARKING VOLUNTEERED TO HELP HER. THEY DECIDED TO JUMP START THE CAR WITH A JUMP BOX, THE CAR STARTED AND SHE MADE IT HOME. ONCE SHE GOT HOME SHE TRIED TO START THE CAR AND IT DID NOT START. SHE IS A SINGLE MOTHER AND DO NOT MAKE A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX HER CAR, AFTER A MONTH AND HALF OF THE CAR BEEN PARK AT HOME AND TAKING RIDES FROM WHOEVER CAN TAKE HER, WE DECIDED TO GET A MECHANIC THAT WORKS FOR VW DEALERSHIP. HE CAME AND FULLY CHECKED THE CAR AND TOLD US THAT THE TIMING CHAIN/BELT JUMPED AND THAT ENGINE IT'S OUT OF TIME, WHICH IT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED FROM A BAD TENSIONER. HE SAID THIS IS A REAL BAD ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE THE VALVE TO BE BENDED. HE GAVE US AN EXPENSIVE PRICE TO FIX THE CAR, SO WE DECIDED TO WAIT AND BE PATIENCE AND BE OPTIMISTIC THAT IT WASN'T THAT SINCE MY MOTHER IN LAW DOESN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. A MONTH LATER WE DECIDED TO GET OTHER MECHANICS TO GET DIFFERENT OPINIONS, THEY ALL SAID IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE. ONE OF THE MECHANICS CAME AND CHECKED THE PRESSURE OF THE ENGINE AND IT STAY ON 0 AND THAT'S WHEN HE CONFIRMED THAT VALVES ARE BENDED. I HAVE CHECKED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE AND VW KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR SOME TIME, I ALSO SEE THERE IS A LAWSUIT GOING ON THIS ISSUE. I CAN'T BELIEVE AND IT SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE THAT VW KNOWING OF THIS PROBLEM, IT'S NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT FIXING THIS PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE VARIETIES OF ACCIDENT ON THE STREET, BECAUSE IF THIS ISSUE HAPPENS TO ANYBODY ON THE STREET DRIVING, IT COULD LOCK THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE PERSON LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND EITHER HIT OR GET HIT BY SOMEBODY.

NHTSA ODI #10910170

69,000 miles · Aug 25, 2016
Engine

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO THE AIRPORT AND STOPPED AT THE CELL PHONE WAITING AREA. TRIED TO START AGAIN AND CAR DIDN'T START. CHANGED THE BATTERY WITH AAA AND STILL DIDN'T START. TOWED IT TO DEALER. THEY SAID THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED AND IT COMPLETELY DAMAGED THE ENGINE. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHICH COSTS ABOUT…

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO THE AIRPORT AND STOPPED AT THE CELL PHONE WAITING AREA. TRIED TO START AGAIN AND CAR DIDN'T START. CHANGED THE BATTERY WITH AAA AND STILL DIDN'T START. TOWED IT TO DEALER. THEY SAID THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED AND IT COMPLETELY DAMAGED THE ENGINE. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHICH COSTS ABOUT $7K. I HAVE CHECKED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN INTERNET AND MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE AND VW KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR SOME TIME. AS THIS CAN HAPPEN IN MIDDLE OF THE TRAFFIC AND CAN CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT, WE REQUEST YOU TO INVESTIGATE AND MAKE VOLKSWAGEN RECALL AND REPLACE THIS PART. ALSO, VW SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILED PART AND THE REPAIRS CAUSED DUE TO THIS PART AS IT KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND IGNORED. I ALSO SEE THERE IS A LAWSUIT GOING ON THIS ISSUE. CHECK THE LINK HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2016/VOLKSWAGEN-TIMING-CHAIN-TENSIONER-LAWSUIT.SHTML VW REALLY SHOULD BE MORE RESPONSIBLE TO AVOID SERIOUS ACCIDENTS

NHTSA ODI #10898652

90,000 miles · Apr 21, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion System

I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND FROM THE MOMENT I TOOK IT OF THE LOT 13 MONTHS AGO I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS. THE CARE WILL STOP, SHAKE. I HAVE ALREADY HAD IT CHECK 3 TIMES AND REPAIRED TWICE. FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE AND I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD IF I AM ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND NO WA…

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I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND FROM THE MOMENT I TOOK IT OF THE LOT 13 MONTHS AGO I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS. THE CARE WILL STOP, SHAKE. I HAVE ALREADY HAD IT CHECK 3 TIMES AND REPAIRED TWICE. FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE AND I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD IF I AM ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND NO WARNING TAKE PLACE WHICH COULD LEAD TO A MAJOR ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE READ THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES AND VOLKSWAGON HAS NOT RESOLVED THE SITUATION. HELP!

NHTSA ODI #10860720

88,000 miles · Apr 19, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED ENGINE OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED ENGINE OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR MAIN ENGINE SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI #10860325

76,000 miles · Jan 26, 2016
Engine

MY CAR HAS 76000 MILES AND IS OTHERWISE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I JUST GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND AFTER REPLACING THE PCV VALVE, AND I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE REAR MAIN ENGINE SEAL IS LEAKING. THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AT THIS POINT AND NOW I HAVE TO SPEND ALMOST $1000 IN REPAIRS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE CO…

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MY CAR HAS 76000 MILES AND IS OTHERWISE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I JUST GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND AFTER REPLACING THE PCV VALVE, AND I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE REAR MAIN ENGINE SEAL IS LEAKING. THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AT THIS POINT AND NOW I HAVE TO SPEND ALMOST $1000 IN REPAIRS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY VW WARRANTY, AS THERE ARE SO MANY CASES OF THIS EXACT FAILURE AT THE SAME AMOUNT OF MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10822372

70,000 miles · Nov 4, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10788363

53,500 miles · May 24, 2015
Engine

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED. I HAVE HAD IT FOR TWO YEARS NOW. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED: BURNING SMELL, DRIVER SIDE FLOOD LIGHT BLEW OUT OR CAME OFF; SHAKING MOMENTARILY WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER SIDE MIRROR FLEW OFF WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN; NOTICED WHEN I HAD AN OIL CHANGE LAST OF JANUARY OR FIRST PART OF FEBRUARY THE VEHICLE WAS US…

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PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED. I HAVE HAD IT FOR TWO YEARS NOW. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED: BURNING SMELL, DRIVER SIDE FLOOD LIGHT BLEW OUT OR CAME OFF; SHAKING MOMENTARILY WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER SIDE MIRROR FLEW OFF WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN; NOTICED WHEN I HAD AN OIL CHANGE LAST OF JANUARY OR FIRST PART OF FEBRUARY THE VEHICLE WAS USING QUITE A BIT OF OIL. I PUT ABOUT FIVE OR MORE QUARTS IN BY MAY. THE LATTER PART OF MAY IT USED TWO QUARTS IN TWO WEEKS. WENT SHOPPING SATURDAY BEFORE MOTHER'S DAY, PARKED THE CAR AT FOOD LION WHEN I CAME BACK OUT, I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND IT STALLED. WHEN IT DID START, THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING. I TOOK THE CAR HOME, CHECKED THE OIL ALONG WITH MY BROTHER AND IT NEEDED MORE OIL. I PUT TWO MORE QUARTS IN. ON MONDAY I WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AT 6:40 A.M. (WOKE THEM UP). AFTER CHECKING THE CAR, THEIR FINDING WAS IT NEEDED A FUEL PUMP AND A SENSOR; LATER THEY REPLACED TWO CRANK SENSORS AND SAID THE CAR IS STILL SHAKING; THEN AFTER APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AND A HALF, I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HE INFORMED ME THE CAR NEEDS A ENGINE. FRIDAY, MAY 22, I WENT BY THE DEALERSHIP AND PICKED UP SOME THINGS OUT OF THE AUTOMOBILE AND WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY COMPANY FINALLY GAVE IN AND THE MOTOR WILL BE IN, IN THREE DAYS. WELL, AFTER READING THE HORROR STORIES ABOUT THE 2009 PASSAT ON THIS WEBSITE. I PLAN TO TRADE THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT DELAY, AS SOON AS THEY RELEASE IT TO ME. I AM SADDEN, BECAUSE I REALLY LOVED THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN RELUCTANT TO DRIVE THIS CAR OUT OF TOWN, AND NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT TO WORK WHICH IS 30 MILE A DAY PLUS OR AT ALL. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN IT, AND I PAY TO MUCH TO BE HAVING ALL THESE PROBLEMS. WHO KNOWS WHAT WILL BE NEXT.

NHTSA ODI #10721249

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.