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2016 Volkswagen Passat

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 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

54 reports with mileage · 52 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 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

106 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM VW IN OCTOBER 2017 ABOUT SAFETY RECALL 20AE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. THE NOTICE SAID IT WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. UNTIL TODAY, APRIL 10, 2018 PER ONLINE CHECK, OVER 6 MONTHS OF WAITING, THE RECALL REPAIR IS NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR MY VEHICLE. THIS IS LIFE THREATENING. NHTSA # 17V509

NHTSA ODI #11084461

47,425 miles · Feb 21, 2018
Air BagsSteering

MY CLOCK SPRING AND SWITCH BROKE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I WAS IN MOTION MAKING A TURN WHEN A CRUNCHING NOISE WAS MADE. MY WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF CLAIMING AIR BAG ERROR, ACC ERROR. I COULD NOT USE MY TURN SIGNAL OR HORN. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND CALL THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP, THEY…

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MY CLOCK SPRING AND SWITCH BROKE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I WAS IN MOTION MAKING A TURN WHEN A CRUNCHING NOISE WAS MADE. MY WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF CLAIMING AIR BAG ERROR, ACC ERROR. I COULD NOT USE MY TURN SIGNAL OR HORN. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND CALL THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE CLOCK SPRING BUT I HAD TO GET IT EVALUATED. I TOOK IT IN AND IT WAS. I FOUND OUT THAT VW HAD PREVIOUS RECALLS FOR SUCH EQUIPMENT BUT NOT MY YEAR. MY CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND THE CLOCK SPRING BROKE. I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE BREAK IN OVER 30 YEARS OF DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11074006

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2018
Electrical System

2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH THE VOICE RECOGNITION FEATURE IN VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE SYSTEM WAS UPDATED, BUT STILL WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE CERTAIN WORDS OR NUMBERS. ALSO, INTERRUPTED THE SPEAKER AT INCONVENIENT TIMES. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11053148

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2017
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CLOCK SPRING. I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE AND IT GOT REPLACED 10/7/15. IT SNAPPED AGAIN 5 MONTHS LATER WAS REPLACED 3/8/16. IT SNAPPED AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER. NOW VOLKWAGON OFFERS A 12,000 MILE 12 YEAR WARRANTY ON PARTS. I BRIGHT THE VEHICLE IN 10/18/16 AND THEY TOLD ME IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. T…

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THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CLOCK SPRING. I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE AND IT GOT REPLACED 10/7/15. IT SNAPPED AGAIN 5 MONTHS LATER WAS REPLACED 3/8/16. IT SNAPPED AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER. NOW VOLKWAGON OFFERS A 12,000 MILE 12 YEAR WARRANTY ON PARTS. I BRIGHT THE VEHICLE IN 10/18/16 AND THEY TOLD ME IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE SEEING THAT IT CONTROLS MY HORN AND WILL NOT LET MY AIRBAG DEPLOY. I HAVE CONTACTED VW HEADQUARTERS SEVERAL TIMES CONCERNING THIS ON GOING ISSUE. THEY REPLACED THE PART UNDER A 'GOODWILL' WHICH IT SHOULD'VE BEEN REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL & THE WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #11040513

6,100 miles · Sep 22, 2017
Electrical System

THERE IS ISSUE WITH HMI (RADIO) AND INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. THE SCREEN GOES FREEZE. THIS ISSUE IS SPORADIC, AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF MYSELF AND FAMILY. I AM AFRAID WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER IPC SCREEN GOES FREEZE NOT ABLE TO SEE WHAT MY VEHICLE SPEED IS CURRENTLY. SUDDENLY IF I AM NOT AWARE WHAT…

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THERE IS ISSUE WITH HMI (RADIO) AND INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. THE SCREEN GOES FREEZE. THIS ISSUE IS SPORADIC, AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF MYSELF AND FAMILY. I AM AFRAID WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER IPC SCREEN GOES FREEZE NOT ABLE TO SEE WHAT MY VEHICLE SPEED IS CURRENTLY. SUDDENLY IF I AM NOT AWARE WHAT SPEED I AM DRIVING, THE CONTROL ABILITY OF CAR IS LESS LEAVING MYSELF AND FAMILY IN VULNERABLE SITUATION. ANOTHER ISSUE, HMI OR RADIO DOES NOT BACKUP CAMERA VIEW. IT REMAINS IN ITS CURRENT SCREEN AND NOT ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHO IS BEHIND THE CAR, LEAVING MYSELF AND ANYONE BEHIND THE CAR IN VULNERABLE SITUATION. I HAVE CAPTURED THE PHOTO OF THE SCREEN FREEZE IN IPC AND HAVE THE VIDEO OF THE RADIO WHERE IN IT IS NOT DISPLAYING THE BACKSIDE WHILE I AM R REVERSE GEAR. I AM SEEKING HELP FROM THE DEPARTMENT AS VOLKSWAGEN HAS LEFT MY ISSUE TO BE REPRODUCED MYSELF AND THEN REPORT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO IS NOT TRAINED IN SOFTWARE ISSUES. MOREOVER IF NEXT TIME THE ISSUE OCCURS, I AM AFRAID IF I WOULD BE IN A SITUATION TO COME AND REPORT TO THEM AND DO NOT GO INTO SOME SERIOUS CONCERNS. THIS ISSUES ARE HAPPENING MOSTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, BACKUP CAMERA CAN BE OBSERVED SPORADICALLY WHILE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. NOTE: THERE IS NO WAY TO UPLOAD THE VIDEO, SO JUST UPLOADING THE PICTURE OF ONE OF THE SCREEN FREEZE INSTANCE.

NHTSA ODI #11025074

5,000 miles · Sep 15, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

LIKE OTHER VOLKSWAGEN GROUP MODELS MY CAR HAS EXHIBITED A GASOLINE SMELL IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE GASOLINE SMELL OCCURS BOTH WHEN THE CAR IS AT REST AND IN MOTION AND AT ALL TEMPERATURES. THE GASOLINE LEVEL DOES NOT SEEM TO EFFECT THE OCCURRENCE OF THE SMELL. THE LOCAL DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM. …

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LIKE OTHER VOLKSWAGEN GROUP MODELS MY CAR HAS EXHIBITED A GASOLINE SMELL IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE GASOLINE SMELL OCCURS BOTH WHEN THE CAR IS AT REST AND IN MOTION AND AT ALL TEMPERATURES. THE GASOLINE LEVEL DOES NOT SEEM TO EFFECT THE OCCURRENCE OF THE SMELL. THE LOCAL DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM. I FIND THIS CURIOUS AS OTHER 2016 VOLKSWAGEN MODELS WITH THE SAME ENGINE HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11023647

10,000 miles · Sep 12, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING INTO THE BEACH PARKING LOT WITH MY DOG I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED QUICKLY AND FAST BY ITS SELF WITH FAST SPEED. BRAKED VERY HARD MY DOG WENT FLYING INTO THE BACK OF MY SEAT PUT IT INTO PARK AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I GOT SCARED!

NHTSA ODI #11022943

23,000 miles · Jul 15, 2017
Service Brakes

I HAVE A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SE THAT I LEASED ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO THE CAR BRAKED ON ITS OWN WITH MYSELF, MY MOTHER, SISTER, AND MY 2 YEAR OLD SON IN THE CAR FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON GOING 45 MILES PER HOUR. THE NEXT INCIDENT THE CAR DECIDED IT WAS NOT GOING TO BRAKE AND WE HAD TO STEP ON THE…

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I HAVE A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SE THAT I LEASED ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO THE CAR BRAKED ON ITS OWN WITH MYSELF, MY MOTHER, SISTER, AND MY 2 YEAR OLD SON IN THE CAR FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON GOING 45 MILES PER HOUR. THE NEXT INCIDENT THE CAR DECIDED IT WAS NOT GOING TO BRAKE AND WE HAD TO STEP ON THE BRAKES SO HARD TO GET ANY KIND OF REACTION, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. AT THIS POINT WE TOOK IT TO VW AND THEY ARE CLAIMING THERE IS NO ISSUES WITH THE CAR; I BEG TO DIFFER! YESTERDAY AGAIN THE CAR BRAKED ON ITS OWN GOING 30 MILES AN HOUR FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON. TOOK THE CAR TO MY PERSONAL MECHANIC PRIOR TO TAKING IT TO VW AND A PIC OF WHAT CAME UP ON THEIR DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER IS UPLOADED. THE VW DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TO AFTER KEEPING IT TWO WEEKS CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR; HOWEVER, THEY RESET MY COMPUTER IN THE CAR AND NOW THE CAR IS SHOWING NO CODES. THERE WAS A SIMILAR INCIDENT REPORTED ON CARCOMPLAINT.COM SAME YEAR, MODEL AND TRIM AS MINE.

NHTSA ODI #11005493

11,000 miles · Jun 5, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER AND WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED FOR THE BODY DAMAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE VIEW MIRROR INDICATOR FAILED TO DETECT THE ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

NHTSA ODI #10993193

15,000 miles · Feb 8, 2017
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING IN FREEZING RAIN. CRUISE CONTROL ON. FRONT SENSOR ICED UP, CAR BRAKED TO SIGNAL IT TURNED OFF ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL DUE TO FRONT SENSOR ICING UP. I BRIEFLY LOST CONTROL OF CAR ON ICY ROADWAY AS IT LOST TRACTION WHEN IT BRAKED.

NHTSA ODI #10950386

Official recalls

5

21V321000 · Unknown Or Other

May 5, 2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.

Remedy: Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.

20V561000 · Unknown Or Other

Sep 16, 2020

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.

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.

16V403000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

Jun 6, 2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles, equipped with 1.8T engines manufactured November 13, 2015, to December 9, 2015, and 2016 Golf vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to November 11, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.

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 cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 15F7.

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.