IllustrationAT SPEED OF OVER 65MPH. STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO VIBRATE WITHIN 10MINUTES OF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. KEEP RETURNING TO THE DEALER WHICH SAYS THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY CAN THAT SHOULD HAVE CORRECT THE PROBLEM. BUT AFTER THEY HAVE TRIED FOR OVER 4 TIMES TO CORRECT IT. THE ISSUE STILL THERE.
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
410–25K
2925–50K
3850–75K
1275–100K
10100–150K
2150K+
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.
11 crash reports2 fire reports7 injury reports
Unknown Or Other complaints
40 reportsPUSH TO START ENGINE FAILING TO START CAR
AIRBAG LIGHT ON, STEERING CONTROLS (ON STEERING WHEEL, RADIO, HORN) NO LONGER FUNCTIONING
STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND AND CONTROLS AND HORN ON THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER FUNCTION. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY. CAR STARTED HAVINT THIS ISSUE WHEN FIRST STARTED AND BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE.
I AM REQUESTING THAT DOT NHTSA INVESTIGATE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH CLOCK SWITCH PART ON MY 2015 VW PASSAT, WHICH CONTROLS BOTH THE AIR BAGS AND THE HORN. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN SEPT 2015. I STARTED MY CAR WITH 42,500 MILES AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A FLAT PARKING LOT THE FIRST TIME…
Read full complaint
I AM REQUESTING THAT DOT NHTSA INVESTIGATE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH CLOCK SWITCH PART ON MY 2015 VW PASSAT, WHICH CONTROLS BOTH THE AIR BAGS AND THE HORN. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN SEPT 2015. I STARTED MY CAR WITH 42,500 MILES AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A FLAT PARKING LOT THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT. WHEN I DROVE THE VEHICLE AND TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL THERE WERE CLICKING NOISES COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AREA. WHEN I GOT HOME, I GOOGLED A COUPLE POSSIBLE CAUSES AND SCHEDULED THE VEHICLE IN TO A MECHANIC. BEFORE I COULD GET VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE, THE HORN AND OTHER STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS WENT OUT. I WAS LEFT WITHOUT AIRBAGS AND A HORN ON A VEHICLE THAT I DRIVE DAILY. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL REPAIR COSTS. AN AUGUST 2015 CLOCK SPRING RECALL INCLUDED 416,000 VEHICLES INCLUDING 2010-2014 PASSAT VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE REPAIR IS FOR THE SAME PART, BUT THE YEAR OF VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
VEHICLE JUMPING WHILE IN PARK CONCERNED WITH SEVERAL RECALLS ON LINE: 24BI FUEL SYSTEM, 72F1- SEATS AND 23R1 ENGINE RECALL
MY PREGNANT FIANCE, HER 3YR OLD SON AND I WERE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET APPROXIMATELY 35MPH. A VEHICLE CUT OFF THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BEAKS, WHICH MADE ME SLAM ON MINE. I SLAMMED ON MY BREAKS AND IT DID NOT STOP MY VEHICLE, I TRIED TO USE MY EMERGENCY BREAK AND DID NOT STOP THE VEH…
Read full complaint
MY PREGNANT FIANCE, HER 3YR OLD SON AND I WERE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET APPROXIMATELY 35MPH. A VEHICLE CUT OFF THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BEAKS, WHICH MADE ME SLAM ON MINE. I SLAMMED ON MY BREAKS AND IT DID NOT STOP MY VEHICLE, I TRIED TO USE MY EMERGENCY BREAK AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE SO I SWERVED OVER AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID MY FIANCE'S PASSENGER SIDE FROM BEING HIT. I REAR ENDED THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. EVERYONE SEATBELTS LOCKED EXCEPT MY FIANCE'S. SHE HIT THE DASH, INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED IT DID NOT GET HIT HARD ENOUGH TO DEPLOY AIRBAGS. THERE HAS BEEN A COUPLE TIMES PREVIOUS TO THE ACCIDENT THAT I WOULD BE AT A RED LIGHT WITH MY BREAK PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN AND ALL THE SUDDEN I WOULD START TO SLOWLY ROLL, WITH THE BREAK PEDAL STILL ALL THE WAY DOWN.
MY SUNROOF SHATTERED, WHILE OPEN, FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. I WAS JUST DRIVING AND IT POPPED. I LOOKED UP AND THE GLASS SHATTERED. I FOUND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN CA. HTTPS://WWW.LAW360.COM/CASES/59C2EB8D55D0EE381E000001?ARTICLE_SIDEBAR=1 THE PERSON WHO REPAIRED THE ROOF STATED IT DID NOT APPEAR ANYTHING HIT IT, IF AN…
Read full complaint
MY SUNROOF SHATTERED, WHILE OPEN, FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. I WAS JUST DRIVING AND IT POPPED. I LOOKED UP AND THE GLASS SHATTERED. I FOUND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN CA. HTTPS://WWW.LAW360.COM/CASES/59C2EB8D55D0EE381E000001?ARTICLE_SIDEBAR=1 THE PERSON WHO REPAIRED THE ROOF STATED IT DID NOT APPEAR ANYTHING HIT IT, IF ANYTHING IT SHATTERED AROUND THE GLUE AREA. *TR
AIR BAG SENSOR HAS GONE ON 3 TIMES WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP FIXED IT. IT HAS GONE OFF AGAIN NOW THAT I AM @37,000 MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY. THE STEERING WHEEL IS MAKING A CRANKING NOISE. THE HORN DOES NOT WORK, THE SWITCHES ON THE HORN DO NOT WORK.
TIMING CHAIN ELONGATED HEARD LIGHT NOISE AND AROUND 60000 MILES I HAVE BEEN TAKING IT TO DEALER I EVEN ASKED THEM TO LET ME KNOW WHAT ALL IS WRONG WITH CAR AT 90000 MILES NEVER SAID ANYTHING UNTIL SWITCH DEALER AT 110000 MILES TELLS ME THAT IT MAY FAIL AT ANYTIME AND WILL CAUSE ENGINE TO LOOSE POWER
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.