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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

What owners actually said

146 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2018
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT CALLED SMITHTOWN VOLKSWAGEN AT 631-724-6600 (LOCATED AT 530 JERICHO TURNPIKE, ST. JAMES, NY 11780) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT CALLED SMITHTOWN VOLKSWAGEN AT 631-724-6600 (LOCATED AT 530 JERICHO TURNPIKE, ST. JAMES, NY 11780) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #11102541

63,136 miles · Jun 13, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

THE COMPANY ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE WITH NO REMEDY. MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE PRIOR TO THE RECALL AND WE PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR THAT THEY RECOMMEND HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT REIMBURSE US BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT SPECIFIED A "REPAIR" ON THE RECALL ALTHOUGH THEY DO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THIS IS A TECHNICALITY ON TH…

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THE COMPANY ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE WITH NO REMEDY. MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE PRIOR TO THE RECALL AND WE PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR THAT THEY RECOMMEND HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT REIMBURSE US BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT SPECIFIED A "REPAIR" ON THE RECALL ALTHOUGH THEY DO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THIS IS A TECHNICALITY ON THEIR (VW) END TO NOT REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS FOR REPAIRS THAT THEY ALREADY KNOW ARE NEEDED. PRIOR TO THE REPAIR WE EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS BELOW. LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING AND NO START. WE HAD NO OPTION BUT TO PAY FOR REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. RECALL DESCRIBED AS: FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE VW ACTION CODE 20AE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 17V509 START DATE 08-16-2017 DESCRIPTION ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THERE COULD BE AN INTERRUPTION IN ELECTRICAL POWER FROM THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE FUEL PUMP RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY, RESULTING IN A DRAINED BATTERY AND/OR A NO START CONDITION, OR CAUSE A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH CAUSING INJURY AND/OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. REMEDY REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE AND RELOCATE IT WITHIN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11101676

97,800 miles · May 14, 2018
Engine

BEGAN TO DRIVE VEHICLE YESTERDAY TO FUEL UP. "OIL CONSUMPTION: STOP ENGINE" WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON. WENT OFF AFTER A FEW SECONDS AND THEN CAME BACK ON AND WOULDN'T GO OFF. DROVE 6 BLOCKS BACK HOME. DID NOT FEEL IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE CAR ANY FURTHER. VW DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHY THAT WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON. THEY DON'T KNOW …

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BEGAN TO DRIVE VEHICLE YESTERDAY TO FUEL UP. "OIL CONSUMPTION: STOP ENGINE" WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON. WENT OFF AFTER A FEW SECONDS AND THEN CAME BACK ON AND WOULDN'T GO OFF. DROVE 6 BLOCKS BACK HOME. DID NOT FEEL IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE CAR ANY FURTHER. VW DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHY THAT WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO OR WHAT TO FIX. THEY SAID FUEL PUMP RECALL MAY FIX THE PROBLEM. THAT RECALL IS NOW 10 MONTHS OLD WITH NO SIGN OF PARTS BEING READY.

NHTSA ODI #11093604

97,100 miles · May 7, 2018
Engine

MY SON DROVE THE VEHICLE TO SCHOOL THIS MORNING. AS HE NEARED THE SCHOOL DRIVEWAY GOING ABOUT 25 MILES PER HOUR, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON "STOP ENGINE IMMEDIATELY." HE DROVE THE VEHICLE 1 CITY BLOCK TO PARK IN THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT. THE ENGINE DID NOT JOLT WHEN THE WARNING CAME ON BUT IT CAME ON NONE-THE-LESS.

NHTSA ODI #11092366

97,000 miles · May 7, 2018
Engine

DRIVING CAR WHEN SUDDENLY A WARNING MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED "STOP ENGINE IMMEDIATELY." THE CAR WAS IN FORWARD MOTION AS I WAS DRIVING ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. NOT TURNING, NOT BRAKING, NOT BACKING UP. WE DISCUSSED IT WITH A VW DEALER. THEY SAID THE CAR HAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP 10 MONTHS AGO …

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DRIVING CAR WHEN SUDDENLY A WARNING MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED "STOP ENGINE IMMEDIATELY." THE CAR WAS IN FORWARD MOTION AS I WAS DRIVING ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. NOT TURNING, NOT BRAKING, NOT BACKING UP. WE DISCUSSED IT WITH A VW DEALER. THEY SAID THE CAR HAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP 10 MONTHS AGO BUT AS OF YET, NO PARTS AND NO ETA. ONLINE REPORTS SUGGEST THE ENGINE MAY OVERHEAT AND SEIZE OR CAUSE ENGINE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #11092365

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS EXCEEDING A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER (VOLKSWAGEN OF FREDERICKSBURG IN FREDERICKSBURG, VA) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS EXCEEDING A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER (VOLKSWAGEN OF FREDERICKSBURG IN FREDERICKSBURG, VA) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11092356

135,700 miles · Apr 25, 2018
Engine

REAR MAIN OIL SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS COMPROMISED BY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE IN CRANKCASE BECAUSE PCV BREATHER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE CONDITION PRIOR TO THE REAR SEAL BEING COMPROMISED. REAR MAIN SEAL REPLACEMENT COSTS $1146, PARTS AND LABOR. PCV VALVE WAS ALSO REPLACED. I NOTICED AN OIL LEAK ON GAR…

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REAR MAIN OIL SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS COMPROMISED BY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE IN CRANKCASE BECAUSE PCV BREATHER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE CONDITION PRIOR TO THE REAR SEAL BEING COMPROMISED. REAR MAIN SEAL REPLACEMENT COSTS $1146, PARTS AND LABOR. PCV VALVE WAS ALSO REPLACED. I NOTICED AN OIL LEAK ON GARAGE FLOOR, WHICH LED ME TO BRING IT INTO SERVICE FOR A TECHNICIAN TO INSPECT. I WOULD LIKE VW TO COMPENSATE FOR SOME OF THE COSTS FOR THIS REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #11090061

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2018
Unknown Or Other

STEERING COLUMN DEFECTIVE MESSAGE PERIODICALLY COMES ON AFTER TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CAR WONT START AND I HAVE TO PUSH THE KEY IN SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL IT FINALLY DOES START.

NHTSA ODI #11089770

111,000 miles · Apr 20, 2018
EngineFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO DARCARS VOLKSWAGEN (12511 PROSPERIT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO DARCARS VOLKSWAGEN (12511 PROSPERITY DR., SILVER SPRING, MD 20904, (301) 622-7000) WHERE IT STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM: GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE SAME DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE RECALL WAS ON HOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11089101

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

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.