AIR BAG ERROR MESSAGE AND LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CRACKING SOUND WHILE TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. ALSO THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL DO NOT WORK TO INCLUDE THE HORN.
2015 Volkswagen Passat
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Passat years
Owner complaints for the 2015 Volkswagen Passat are substantially higher than the model-year median of 110.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Passat years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
132 reports with mileage · 111 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
48 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE FOLLOWING CODES APPEARED: (U1123-0017178 DATA BUS ERROR, P0441-0021406 EVAP IGNITION CONTROL SYSTEM INCORRECT PURGE, …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE FOLLOWING CODES APPEARED: (U1123-0017178 DATA BUS ERROR, P0441-0021406 EVAP IGNITION CONTROL SYSTEM INCORRECT PURGE, P0456 EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK, AND P0303 CYLINDER #3 MISFIRE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEMER VOLKSWAGEN (550 TROY SCHENECTADY RD, LATHAM, NY 12110, PHONE NUMBER: (518) 512-0024) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW MOTOR FAILED DUE TO OVERHEATING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE AMONG ALL VOLKSWAGENS AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY ENDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,900.
I WAS IN MY DRIVE WAY AND STARTED MY CAR WHEN THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR. AT THAT POINT THE HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, PHONE, AND RADIO FUNCTIONS ALL STOPPED WORKING ON MY STEERING WHEEL. I LOOKED IN MY OWNER MANUAL AND IT SAID TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. WHEN I CALLED - THE VW DEALERSHIP I NORMALLY GO …
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I WAS IN MY DRIVE WAY AND STARTED MY CAR WHEN THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR. AT THAT POINT THE HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, PHONE, AND RADIO FUNCTIONS ALL STOPPED WORKING ON MY STEERING WHEEL. I LOOKED IN MY OWNER MANUAL AND IT SAID TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. WHEN I CALLED - THE VW DEALERSHIP I NORMALLY GO TO SAID IT WOULD BE 2-3 WEEKS BEFORE THEY COULD GET ME IN. I ASKED IF THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND THEY, OF COURSE, WOULD NOT TELL ME "YES OR NO." ONLY TO FIND OUT LATER THAT THE ENTIRE TIME I WAS DRIVING WITH THIS LIGHT ON - MY AIRBAGS WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN AND IF WE WERE IN A WRECK AND ME OR ONE OF MY CHILDREN WERE INJURED DUE TO MY AIRBAGS NOT WORKING -- VW WOULD HAVE A LAWSUIT ON THEIR HANDS. IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS OCCURS. SO,I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED VW DEALERSHIP. AFTER RUNNING A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE CAR - I WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING WAS FAULTY. I LEFT THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED. WHILE I WAS WITHOUT MY VEHICLE (ONE WEEK DUE TO HAVING TO ORDER PARTS, ETC.) I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE. I WAS EXCITED TO SEE THAT VW HAD ISSUED A RECALL IN AUG. 2015 FOR THE STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING. UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS ONLY FOR 2010-2014 PASSAT. MY PASSAT IS CONSIDERED A 2015; HOWEVER, THE PRODUCTION DATE IS DEC. 2014. I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I CONTACTED VW CARE CENTER AND EVEN EMAILED SEVERAL MANAGERS FROM THE CORPORATE LOCATION. MY EMAILS WERE NEVER ANSWERED AND THE CUSTOMER CARE CENTER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I AM LEFT WITH PAYING OVER $500 IN REPAIRS AND ALMOST $200 FOR THE RENTAL CAR I HAD TO GET FOR THE 7 DAYS MY CAR WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL WHEN IT HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUES.
CAR START BUTTON WILL NOT START CAR. CAR IN PARK POSITION, BRAKES ARE PRESS AND CAR START PRESS BUT CAR DOES NOT START. THERE WAS NO SOUND OF THE MOTOR TURNING. TRIES IT TWO MORE TIMES AND ON THE THIRD TIME IT STARTED.
RODENTS ARE EATING WIRING IN CAR DUE TO SOY PLASTICS. THIS COULD RESULT IN CAR BECOMING NONOPERATIONAL WHILE DRIVING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH. THE UNITED STATES CODE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY (TITLE 49, CHAPTER 301) DEFINES MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY AS "THE PERFORMANCE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE OR MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT IN A W…
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RODENTS ARE EATING WIRING IN CAR DUE TO SOY PLASTICS. THIS COULD RESULT IN CAR BECOMING NONOPERATIONAL WHILE DRIVING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH. THE UNITED STATES CODE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY (TITLE 49, CHAPTER 301) DEFINES MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY AS "THE PERFORMANCE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE OR MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT IN A WAY THAT PROTECTS THE PUBLIC AGAINST UNREASONABLE RISK OF ACCIDENTS OCCURRING BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OR PERFORMANCE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND AGAINST UNREASONABLE RISK OF DEATH OR INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT, AND INCLUDES NONOPERATIONAL SAFETY OF A MOTOR VEHICLE." A DEFECT INCLUDES "ANY DEFECT IN PERFORMANCE, CONSTRUCTION, A COMPONENT, OR MATERIAL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE OR MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT." GENERALLY, A SAFETY DEFECT IS DEFINED AS A PROBLEM THAT EXISTS IN A MOTOR VEHICLE OR ITEM OF MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT THAT: POSES AN RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY AND MAY EXIST IN A GROUP OF VEHICLES OF THE SAME DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE MAY EXIST IN A GROUP OF ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT OF THE SAME TYPE AND MANUFACTURE. PLEASE STOP AUTOMAKERS FROM USING PLANT BASED WIRING IMMEDIATELY. AUTOMAKERS ARE MAKING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS REPLACING WIRING. GET TO WORK PLEASE, FIX THIS PROBLEM!
VEHICLE CLUSTER ILLUMINATION LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING, NOT FUSE OR RELAY RELATED. MAIN ELECTRICAL HARNESS MALFUNCTION. MAJOR ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSIS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.
I HAVE PERSONALLY INSPECTED MANY 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT'S AND FOUND AN ISSUE PERTAINING TO THE ALARM SYSTEM. WHEN THE VEHICLES ALARM IS SET OFF, THERE IS A SPLIT SECOND WAY TO BYPASS THIS AND AID MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT AS WELL AS THEFT OF PERSONAL ITEMS IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE ALARM HAS BEEN SOUNDED, AN INDIVIDUAL CAN DEPRESS THE …
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I HAVE PERSONALLY INSPECTED MANY 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT'S AND FOUND AN ISSUE PERTAINING TO THE ALARM SYSTEM. WHEN THE VEHICLES ALARM IS SET OFF, THERE IS A SPLIT SECOND WAY TO BYPASS THIS AND AID MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT AS WELL AS THEFT OF PERSONAL ITEMS IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE ALARM HAS BEEN SOUNDED, AN INDIVIDUAL CAN DEPRESS THE FLASHER BUTTON IN THE CENTER OF THE DASH AND PRESS IT ONCE MORE TO SHUT THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS OFF, THIS WILL BYPASS AND DEACTIVATE THE VEHICLES FACTORY ALARM SYSTEM, THUS OPENING THE VEHICLE UP TO A HIGHER POTENTIAL OF THEFT. WITH NO ALARM SOUNDED, AN INDIVIDUAL WILL HAVE A VAST AMOUNT OF TIME TO EITHER STEAL THE MOTOR VEHICLE, STEAL PERSON POSSESSIONS, OR MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS. I AM IN THE NEW ENGLAND AREA AND UNSURE IF ANY OTHER AREAS OR MODELS ARE AFFECTED. *TR
Official recalls
719V862000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Dec 4, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side 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: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
19V389000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
May 22, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.
19V014000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jan 11, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015 Passat, 2015-2016 Eos, 2015-2017 CC, 2016-2017 TT Roadster, TT Coupe, 2017 Audi R8 Coupe, and R8 Spyder 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 4, 2019. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298; Audi owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69S8 (Audi) and 69Y5 (Volkswagen).
15V705000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
Oct 26, 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Consequence: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Consequence: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
15V373000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Jun 15, 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Passat vehicles manufactured May 18, 2015, to May 21, 2015. The affected vehicles have a brake line at the left rear wheel area that may not have been properly tightened.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the brake line was not properly tightened, it may leak brake fluid, causing a reduction in braking performance, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will tighten the brake line fitting, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47M3.
15V028000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail
Jan 23, 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall 14V-809 (Volkswagen recall number 24Bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that campaign.
14V670000 · Seats
Oct 24, 2014
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Jetta and Passat vehicles manufactured September 23, 2014, to October 9, 2014, and equipped with manual front seatback recliners. In the affected vehicles, the seatback recliner retaining bracket may not engage correctly, resulting in unexpected movement of the seatback.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Unexpected movement of the driver's seatback may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the assembly of the seatback recliner retaining bracket, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72F1.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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