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2017 Volkswagen Passat

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2017 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

51 reports with mileage · 59 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 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Forward Collision Avoidance. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Forward Collision Avoidance complaints

16 reports
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46,000 miles · May 14, 2021
Forward Collision Avoidance

I HAVE A 2017 VW PASSAT SE. FRONT ASSIST BREAKS OR GETS READY TO BREAK (SHOWS THE BIG CAR SYMBOL ON DASHBOARD AND BEEPS) IN BAD WEATHER LIKE WHILE IT IS RAINY AND THERE ARE NO CARS AROUND ME. IT ALSO HAPPENED A FEW TIMES DURING SUNNY WEATHER. THE CAR SLAMMED THE BREAKS FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS GOING …

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I HAVE A 2017 VW PASSAT SE. FRONT ASSIST BREAKS OR GETS READY TO BREAK (SHOWS THE BIG CAR SYMBOL ON DASHBOARD AND BEEPS) IN BAD WEATHER LIKE WHILE IT IS RAINY AND THERE ARE NO CARS AROUND ME. IT ALSO HAPPENED A FEW TIMES DURING SUNNY WEATHER. THE CAR SLAMMED THE BREAKS FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS GOING LIKE 40-45 MPH. I AM SUPER SCARED IT WILL BRAKE ONE DAY WHEN I AM GOING WITH 60+ ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH. A SAFETY SYSTEM THAT IS PURPOSE TO REDUCE THE ACCIDENT RISK OR IMPACT OF A CRASH SHOULD NOT BEHAVE DANGEROUSLY AND BECOME A POTATIAL ACCIDENT CAUSE.

NHTSA ODI #11416643

15,000 miles · May 5, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceLane DepartureUnknown Or Other

THE PASSAT AUTONOMOUS BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING ON A DIVIDED FOUR-LANE STREET WITH NO TRAFFIC OR OBSTRUCTIONS. LANE ASSIST HAS REPEATEDLY DISABLED ITSELF. PARK ASSIST SENSORS HAVE REPEATEDLY DETECTED OBJECTS EXTREMELY CLOSE WHEN NOTHING IS PRESENT. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER SYSTEM FAILURES. IN 2019, I FIRST R…

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THE PASSAT AUTONOMOUS BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING ON A DIVIDED FOUR-LANE STREET WITH NO TRAFFIC OR OBSTRUCTIONS. LANE ASSIST HAS REPEATEDLY DISABLED ITSELF. PARK ASSIST SENSORS HAVE REPEATEDLY DETECTED OBJECTS EXTREMELY CLOSE WHEN NOTHING IS PRESENT. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER SYSTEM FAILURES. IN 2019, I FIRST REPORTED THE ISSUES TO A VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE CENTER FOR REPAIR. SINCE THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE HAS SPENT WEEKS IN SERVICE WITH VOLKSWAGEN INVOLVEMENT, WITH A REPORT OF NO ERRORS FOUND. THE FAULTS HAVE CONTINUED, SEEMINGLY AT RANDOM, SINCE 2019. I HAVE SUPPLIED VOLKSWAGEN WITH NOTES, PHOTOS, AND VIDEOS OF THE FAILURES VOLKSWAGEN NOT STATE THEY CANNOT ACCEPT PHOTO OR VIDEO DOCUMENTATION, NOT WILL THEY PAY FOR ANY REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL AUGUST 2020 AND NOT REPAIRED. I HAVE A LOT OF PHOTOS AND VIDEOS, AS WELL AS NOTES THAT I WOULD BE PLEASED TO FORWARD TO YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11415338

45,000 miles · Apr 25, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

MY CAR SHAKES AND BRAKES ARE REALLY TOUCHY DUE TO THE FORWARD ASSIST

NHTSA ODI #11413863

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2021
Air BagsForward Collision AvoidanceSteering

ALL THREE SENSORS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. AFTER HAVING THEM CHECKED, NO ISSUE WAS FOUND AND CODES WERE RESET. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, ALL THREE SENSORS SHOWED UP AGAIN. ALL OF THIS OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THEN AGAIN IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11404095

60,656 miles · Dec 16, 2020
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND GETTING READY TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE, A CAUTION LIGHT AND ALERT TONE SUDDENLY CAME ON. DISPLAY READ "FRONT ASSIST: NO SENSOR VIEW." NOTHING ELSE HAPPENED AND THE ALERT TURNED OFF AFTER A FEW MILES. THIS IS THE SYSTEM THAT AUTOMATICALLY APPLIES THE BRAKES IF IT SENSES A POSSIBLE COLLISIO…

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WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND GETTING READY TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE, A CAUTION LIGHT AND ALERT TONE SUDDENLY CAME ON. DISPLAY READ "FRONT ASSIST: NO SENSOR VIEW." NOTHING ELSE HAPPENED AND THE ALERT TURNED OFF AFTER A FEW MILES. THIS IS THE SYSTEM THAT AUTOMATICALLY APPLIES THE BRAKES IF IT SENSES A POSSIBLE COLLISION. IF THIS SYSTEM WAS TO FAIL, THE BRAKES COULD AUTOMATICALLY APPLY WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH POSSIBLE DISASTROUS RESULTS. MANY VW OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE. THERE IS CURRENTLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST VW (DACK, ET AL., V. VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC., ET AL.) FOR THIS ISSUE AND VOLKSWAGEN'S FAILURE TO ADMIT THERE IS AN ISSUE OR ADDRESS IT.

NHTSA ODI #11383621

39,090 miles · Jul 18, 2019
Forward Collision Avoidance

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES CLOSE TO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, THE AUTONOMOUS BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE BRAKED SUDDENLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES CLOSE TO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, THE AUTONOMOUS BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE BRAKED SUDDENLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,090.

NHTSA ODI #11233182

Official recalls

7

24V834000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Oct 30, 2024

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal 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: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.

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.

19V679000 · Unknown Or Other

Sep 25, 2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.

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.

18V536000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper

Aug 15, 2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened sufficiently.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The loose brake bracket bolts can allow the caliper to move, reducing braking ability or causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper bracket bolt tightness, replacing and re-torque the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Additionally brake caliper fasteners, bleeder valve, and brake hose bolts will be checked and torqued to the correct specification, if necessary, free of charge. For Passat vehicles, dealers will also inspect the parking brake cable for proper connection, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46H6.

17V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Feb 8, 2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Passat vehicles. Brake fluid may leak slowly from the some of the brake line connections, resulting in a low brake fluid level.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A low brake fluid level may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake lines, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47N3.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Passat vehicles. Brake fluid may leak slowly from the some of the brake line connections, resulting in a low brake fluid level.

Consequence: A low brake fluid level may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake lines, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47N3.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Passat vehicles. Brake fluid may leak slowly from the some of the brake line connections, resulting in a low brake fluid level.

Consequence: A low brake fluid level may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake lines, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47N3.

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.