The Lemon IndexVolkswagen Passat recalls.
Every NHTSA recall campaign for the 2012–2021 Volkswagen Passat, newest first. Each one is listed once, with the model years it covers.
Check a VIN to see that car's model-year report and recalls.
Illustrations (AI-generated) of the cars shown, not photos of specific cars. Free to use under CC BY 4.0: credit The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Download and credit text
Park-it warnings 1
NHTSA flagged these: don't drive the car, or park it outside, until the fix is done.
- Brakes · recall issued Jun 2018 · model year 2018 Park it: don't drive
The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
10,225 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 18V369000
Every recall 27
- Airbags · recall issued Oct 2024 · model years 2012–2014, 2017
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.
248,330 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 24V834000
- Wheels · recall issued Oct 2021 · model year 2021
The front wheel bearing bolts may have been incorrectly tightened.
30 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 21V812000
- Unknown or other · recall issued May 2021 · model years 2016–2017
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.
46 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 21V321000
- Unknown or other · recall issued Sep 2020 · model years 2016–2018
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.
23 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 20V561000
- Airbags · recall issued Sep 2020 · model year 2020
The passenger frontal air bag may have been folded incorrectly affecting its deployment force.
1,829 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 20V533000
- Airbags · recall issued Dec 2019 · model years 2012–2015
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.
226 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V862000
- Unknown or other · recall issued Sep 2019 · model year 2017
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.
113 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V679000
- Lights · recall issued May 2019 · model years 2012–2018, 2020
The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed.
662,185 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V389000
Show all 27 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued Mar 2019 · model year 2020
An incorrect driver and/or front passenger side impact air bag may have been installed.
3 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V218000
- Airbags · recall issued Jan 2019 · model year 2015
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
119,394 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V014000
- Brakes · recall issued Aug 2018 · model years 2017–2018
The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened sufficiently.
8,416 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 18V536000
- Brakes · recall issued Jun 2018 · model year 2018 Park it: don't drive
The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
10,225 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 18V369000
- Unknown or other · recall issued May 2018 · model year 2012
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.
252 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 18V329000
- Airbags · recall issued Mar 2018 · model years 2012–2014
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
363,713 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 18V148000
- Engine · recall issued May 2017 · model years 2012–2014 Diesel only
The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.
84,262 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 17V309000
- Brakes · recall issued Feb 2017 · model year 2017
Brake fluid may leak slowly from the some of the brake line connections, resulting in a low brake fluid level.
1,007 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 17V075000
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued Jun 2016 · model year 2016
In the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.
55 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 16V403000
- Electrical · recall issued Mar 2016 · model years 2012–2014 Diesel only
Due to improperly assembled wire seals in a connector for an underbody sensor, water may enter and corrode the electrical connectors of the sensor, causing an electrical short.
91,442 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 16V171000
- Airbags · recall issued Feb 2016 · model years 2012–2014
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
659,493 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 16V078000
- Engine · recall issued Oct 2015 · model years 2015–2016
In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
91,867 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 15V705000
- Airbags · recall issued Aug 2015 · model years 2012–2014
In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned.
415,825 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 15V483000
- Brakes · recall issued Jun 2015 · model year 2015
The affected vehicles have a brake line at the left rear wheel area that may not have been properly tightened.
62 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 15V373000
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued Jan 2015 · model years 2014–2015
A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
44,658 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 15V028000
- Seats · recall issued Oct 2014 · model year 2015
In the affected vehicles, the seatback recliner retaining bracket may not engage correctly, resulting in unexpected movement of the seatback.
393 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 14V670000
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued Apr 2014 · model year 2014
In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between the oil cooler and the transmission may leak fluid.
26,452 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 14V182000
- Lights · recall issued Mar 2014 · model years 2012–2013
In the affected vehicles, the low beam headlight bulb may become loose and lose electrical contact.
150,201 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 14V125000
- Fuel system, diesel · recall issued Apr 2012 · model year 2012
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 PASSAT VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 18, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 1, 2011.
153 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 12V146000
Recalls by model year. Campaigns that cover each year.
Tap a year for its problems, complaints and Lemon Index.
What they fix. Campaigns by system.
Is one open on your Passat?
A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car. NHTSA's public recall data works by make, model and year, so these lists cover every car of that model year, not one VIN. Whether a recall was already fixed on a particular car is in the automaker's records: type the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask any dealer of that brand. The repair is free.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Questions
How many recalls does the Volkswagen Passat have?
27 recall campaigns across model years 2012–2021, from NHTSA. Many campaigns cover several model years; counted once for every model year they cover (the way each year's page counts them), that's 57.
Which Volkswagen Passat year has the most recalls?
The 2012, with 11 campaigns. 2014: 10, 2013: 9, 2017: 7.
What are most Volkswagen Passat recalls about?
Airbags: 8 of the 27 campaigns. Then brakes (4) and unknown or other (4).
What is the newest Volkswagen Passat recall?
Airbags, filed Oct 2024 (NHTSA 24V834000): 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.
What is the biggest Volkswagen Passat recall?
NHTSA 19V389000 (lights, May 2019) covers 662,185 vehicles in all, every model in that campaign. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed.
How do I check if my Volkswagen Passat has an open recall?
Use its VIN: type it at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask any Volkswagen dealer. Our VIN check decodes it and lists every recall for that model year. Recall repairs are free.
Volkswagen Passat: problems and best years · All Volkswagen recalls · Recall check
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns (api.nhtsa.gov), matched to the model names owners use in NHTSA complaints. Vehicle counts and the "park it" warnings come from NHTSA's recall file, which starts in 2010, so older recalls have no count. A campaign's count covers every make and model in it.
Know someone with a Passat?