Engine
3.6L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 593 of 594 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 249 of 594 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Air bags
355 complaint records1 fire report13 crash reports
"TAKATA RECALL. IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR SINCE THIS RECALL CAME OUT FOR THIS PASSAT. WHEN WILL THIS AIRBAG PROBLEM BE FIXED?..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse air bags parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
81 complaint records1 fire report
"THE TURBOCHARGER FAILED, CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW TO A CREEP (5 MPH) IN THE MIDST OF OTHER TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT 35 TO 40 MPH. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Electrical system
75 complaint records2 fire reports2 crash reports
"CAR STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO CLICK. AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, HORN DOES NOT WORK AND LOST CONTROL OFF ALL SWITCHES ON THE STEERING WHEEL...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA18003 opened Apr 2018 | OPEN | Air Bags | Air Bag Clockspring Failure In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering... |
| RQ17009 opened Nov 2017 | closed May 2018 | Air Bags | Air Bag Clockspring Failure In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering... |
| PE15010 opened Mar 2015 | closed Sep 2015 | Electrical System | Air Bag Clockspring Failure - led to recall 15V483000 The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (SCCM) failures in model year (MY) 2012 Volkswagen Passat and CC models.The SCCM is a module within... |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24V834000 | Air Bags | 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. | Normally free |
| 19V862000 | Air Bags | 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... | Normally free |
| 19V389000 | Exterior Lighting | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. | Normally free |
| 18V148000 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. | Normally free |
| 17V309000 | Power Train | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG). | Normally free |
| 16V171000 | Electrical System | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Passat vehicles equipped with TDI engines. | Normally free |
| 16V078000 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet... | Normally free |
| 15V483000 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. | Normally free |
Show 2 more recall campaigns
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15V028000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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... | Normally free |
| 14V182000 | Power Train | Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles equipped with a 1.8T engine and torque converter automatic transmission. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024649 2024-10-30 | Airbag | 18,995 | Issue: On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver-front airbag. |
| 2020353 2020-08-04 | Label | 132,432 | Issue: On certain vehicles, the warning label for the engine block heater cable is written in English only. As a result, a French user may not receive important safety information about how to use the engine block heater. |
| 2019242 2019-05-23 | Lights And Instruments | 51,987 | Issue: Certain vehicles were built with headlights that may allow horizontal adjustment. This is not allowed under Canadian regulations. |
| 2018111 2018-03-06 | Airbag | 37,197 | On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver frontal airbag. |
| 2017256 2017-05-10 | Powertrain | 10,106 | On certain vehicles, an underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right drive half-shaft grease boot from heat. Over time, this could lead to a grease leak from the boot. |
Show 6 more Canadian recalls
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016132 2016-03-23 | Electrical | 11,693 | Certain vehicles may have been equipped with an underbody sensor containing an improperly assembled seal which could allow water to penetrate and corrode the electrical terminals. |
| 2016064 2016-02-09 | Airbag | 64,660 | On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. |
| 2015344 2015-07-31 | Seats And Restraints | 41,308 | On certain vehicles, the steering wheel clock spring could become contaminated with long hair or long fibers which may cause a displacement of the internal guide loops. |
| 2014575 2014-12-17 | Fuel System | 2,708 | On certain vehicles, a sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail to seal, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment during engine operation. |
| 2014136 2014-04-16 | Powertrain | 1,917 | On certain vehicles equipped with 1.8T engines and torque-converter (non-DSG) automatic transmissions, out of specification transmission cooler sealing O-rings may allow transmission fluid to leak in proximity to hot surfaces. |
| 2014068 2014-03-05 | Accessories | 19,024 | On certain vehicles equipped with a factory installed block heater, the block heater could overheat while in use. This could result in a fire causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the block heater. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| V0116152014815_20 Sep 2026 | Engine | Suggested fuel additive | |
| SM 39-2026 Sep 2026 | Unknown Or Other | This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided. | |
| TT 00-13-04_7 Aug 2026 | Unknown Or Other | Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order | |
| V0026012081638_2 Aug 2026 | Unknown Or Other | Differences between a leak and seepage | |
| V4823022072282_3 Aug 2026 | Steering | Clean and install an additional plastic "ring" to prevent ingress of dirt,hair. Foreign bodies into the clock spring. |
Show 55 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| VOS-26-42 Jul 2026 | Electrical System | This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: DA 0019 - Hotfix 12-V battery test(s) – No battery diagnosis - Inconclusive test result. | |
| V1718062017813_24 Jul 2026 | Engine | Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement | |
| TT 10-18-02_2 Jun 2026 | Engine | Lubricating engine components before reassembly. | |
| TT 13-20-01_3 Jun 2026 | Engine | Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start. | |
| V6919012010479_17 Jun 2026 | Air Bags | Inquiries | |
| V1719012012855_81 Jun 2026 | Engine | Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards | |
| SM 26-2026 May 2026 | Structure | This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided. | |
| VOS-26-21 Mar 2026 | Engine | This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the error message ERP0204E could occur during perform initial operation, software configuration, SVM... | |
| V0018092053065_6 Mar 2026 | Unknown Or Other | Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting | |
| V9422022066761_4 Mar 2026 | Unknown Or Other | Damage Inspection of Park assist sensors | |
| VOS-26-15 Mar 2026 | Electrical System | This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct multiple test plans: All basic settings test for the following components - Fill and bleed cooling system... | |
| V5515032021354_9 Mar 2026 | Unknown Or Other | Paint color and/or finish of the engine compartment may not match the exterior paint color | |
| DC_VW_CF_Airbag Mar 2026 | Air Bags | The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent warning regarding counterfeit replacement airbag inflators that are being installed in used vehicles. | |
| VOS-26-01 Jan 2026 | Electrical System | This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct a test that is not reading any information from the battery data module (BDM) and will output: | |
| V4016012043146_4 Nov 2025 | Suspension | What is and what is not a leaking suspension strut. | |
| V5718012042955_7 Nov 2025 | Unknown Or Other | Replace Door Lock and Cap. | |
| V0116132033805_11 Oct 2025 | Engine | Engine misfire diagnostic aid. | |
| V1917012022548_15 Oct 2025 | Engine | G12Evo can now be mixed with previous coolants. | |
| V3718022033975_14 Oct 2025 | Power Train | Cautions about using aftermarket transmission flush machines and aftermarket transmission fluids. | |
| V1718062017813_23 Oct 2025 | Engine | How to measure engine oil consumption. | |
| V3416022034406_8 Oct 2025 | Power Train | Diagnosing Manual Transmission Noise | |
| V1718032037201_20 Oct 2025 | Engine | Proper engine oil level before leaving the factory. | |
| V0017132033846_25 Oct 2025 | Engine | Fuel Additive to prevent sporatic misfire | |
| V0116152014815_19 Oct 2025 | Engine | A list of suggested fuel stations | |
| V8718102043704_24 Oct 2025 | Unknown Or Other | GFF Requirements regardless of concern plus System flush requirement | |
| V0017132033846_24 Jul 2025 | Engine | Fuel Additive | |
| V4616012043146_3 Jul 2025 | Suspension | How to identify and when to replace a leaking strut | |
| V1719012012855_79 Jun 2025 | Engine | Volkswagen Engine Oil Quality Standards (U.S. Only) | |
| V8720022061094_9 May 2025 | Unknown Or Other | How to check for HVAC system leaks using nitrogen. | |
| V1719012012855_78 Apr 2025 | Engine | Volkswagen Engine Oil Quality Standards | |
| V4019012028353_12 Mar 2025 | Suspension | Front suspension noisy, spring rubs on strut perch. | |
| V1917012022548_14 Feb 2025 | Engine | Identifying and Mixing Engine Coolant | |
| VOS-25-04 Jan 2025 | Air Bags | This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication for the airbag control module. For trouble code DTC B10001B. Driver airbag igniter resistance too high -N95 | |
| V0024012076283_1 Dec 2024 | Unknown Or Other | Diesel Models only. Repurchase Prior to Repairs | |
| VOS-24-129 Nov 2024 | Air Bags | This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication for the airbag control module. For trouble code DTC B10001B. Driver airbag igniter resistance too high -N95 | |
| V1719022012855_77 Oct 2024 | Engine | Engine Oil Standards | |
| V5515032021354_8 Oct 2024 | Structure | Lack of paint under roof | |
| V0018092053065_5 Oct 2024 | Unknown Or Other | Additional reporting | |
| CampTip_RNA_VW Oct 2024 | Unknown Or Other | Vehicle Concerns Before Recall Repair Available | |
| V1718062017813_19 Sep 2024 | Engine | How to perform the engine oil consumption measurement | |
| V0116132033805_10 Sep 2024 | Power Train | Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid | |
| V0118122014603_20 Sep 2024 | Unknown Or Other | How to manage software versions using VW diagnostic Tool | |
| V1718032037201_19 Sep 2024 | Engine | Checking Engine Oil and correctly reading dip stick | |
| V1719012012855_76 Sep 2024 | Engine | A list of engine oil that meet Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards | |
| V3718022033975_13 Sep 2024 | Power Train | Fluid requirements | |
| TT 00-24-01 Sep 2024 | Structure | Wind & Water Leak Checking | |
| V0017132033846_23 Sep 2024 | Engine | Fuel additive to help with misfire faults | |
| V0116152014815_18 Sep 2024 | Engine | Recommended Gasoline Quality | |
| V3416022034406_7 Sep 2024 | Power Train | Manual transmission noise diagnosing | |
| V271901201189426 Aug 2024 | Electrical System | Battery testing | |
| V1719012012855_75 Aug 2024 | Engine | Engine Oil Standards | |
| VW_Multiple Closure Aug 2024 | Unknown Or Other | Multiple Update closures: 20AH Atlas Quality Package 1, 24AE 1.8T ECM/TCM SW, 24BG Jetta Hybrid ECM SW, 24BM 2.0L Jetta MPI SW Update, 24X7 Jetta ECM SW, 24X8 CC ECM/TCM SW, 24Y4 MPI Jetta SW, 24Z5 Jetta Hybrid System SW, 27G2 Battery, 37H3 DSG SW, 37J2 TCM SW, 69V7 Atlas... | |
| TT 10-12-01_3 Jul 2024 | Engine | Engine Replacement Tip | |
| TT 10-18-02_2 Jul 2024 | Engine | Engine Assembly Tip | |
| V1719012012855_74 Jul 2024 | Engine | Engine oil quality standards |
Showing 60 of 1313 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Watch the airbag warning light through a full key cycle.It should light on start and go out within seconds. A light that stays on, or never lights at all, means the system needs attention. Run the VIN for inflator recalls specifically.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 10 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Volkswagen Passat →