NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
146 reports35,000 miles · Nov 14, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
NHTSA ODI #10552252
87,000 miles · Oct 10, 2013
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE MANIFOLD, CAM SHAFT, AND THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE MANIFOLD, CAM SHAFT, AND THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
NHTSA ODI #10547522
60,000 miles · Sep 25, 2013
Electrical SystemFire
ON SUNDAY MORNING ABOUT 11:20 AM AS I TURNED MY CAR ON IT IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO RATTLE FOLLOWED BY BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED MY CAR OFF, UNLOCKED MY HOOD AND UNBUCKLED MY 3 BOYS OUT OF THEIR CAR SEATS AND RAN OUT OF THE CAR. AS I MADE SURE THEY WERE AT A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE CAR I WALK…
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ON SUNDAY MORNING ABOUT 11:20 AM AS I TURNED MY CAR ON IT IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO RATTLE FOLLOWED BY BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED MY CAR OFF, UNLOCKED MY HOOD AND UNBUCKLED MY 3 BOYS OUT OF THEIR CAR SEATS AND RAN OUT OF THE CAR. AS I MADE SURE THEY WERE AT A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE CAR I WALKED BACK TO MY CAR POPPED THE HOOD UP AND NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND RAN TO MY NEIGHBORS APARTMENT TO ASK FOR WATER SO MY CAR WOULDN'T BURN TO THE GROUND. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MADE IT OUT MY NEIGHBOR AND I WERE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT THANK GOD. THE FOLLOWING DAY I HAD IT TO TOWED BY HANNA'S TOWING THROUGH MY CAR INSURANCE AGENCY TO THE NEAREST VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE CENTER. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WALTER HAD TO UNPLUG THE BATTERY BECAUSE WHEN HE TURNED IT ON TO PUT THE VEHICLE ON NEUTRAL TO HOOK IT UP TO THE TOW TRUCK IT STARTED TO SMOKE UP AGAIN. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10545421
43,321 miles · Sep 5, 2013
EnginePower Train
AT 43,321 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP WHERE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE FUEL INDUCTION. THE MANIFOLD WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY BUT, NOT THE FUEL INDUCTION. OUT OF POCKET COST $136.90 AT 54,337 MILES, WHEN ACCELERATED THERE WAS A HESITATION IN THE E…
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AT 43,321 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP WHERE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE FUEL INDUCTION. THE MANIFOLD WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY BUT, NOT THE FUEL INDUCTION. OUT OF POCKET COST $136.90 AT 54,337 MILES, WHEN ACCELERATED THERE WAS A HESITATION IN THE ENGINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE IGNITION COIL FOR CYLINDER 1 HAD TO BE REPLACED (CYLINDER MISFIRE FAULT AND COOLING FAN FAULTS) AND ALSO THE COOLING FAN WHICH WAS FAULTY. ALL NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. OUT OF POCKET COST $864.35. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10542040
44,500 miles · Jun 29, 2013
EngineFire
TRAVELING AT POSTED SPEED LIMIT ON LOCAL HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER, BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED, A/C STOPPED BLOWING ALTOGETHER. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING UP SLIGHT INCLINE SO VEHICLE PULLED INTO NEAREST PARKING LOT OFF OF HIGHWAY. ONCE VEHICLE PULLED INTO PARKING LOT IT WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. ATTEMPTED TO RE-STA…
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TRAVELING AT POSTED SPEED LIMIT ON LOCAL HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER, BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED, A/C STOPPED BLOWING ALTOGETHER. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING UP SLIGHT INCLINE SO VEHICLE PULLED INTO NEAREST PARKING LOT OFF OF HIGHWAY. ONCE VEHICLE PULLED INTO PARKING LOT IT WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. ATTEMPTED TO RE-START VEHICLE, ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER BUT WOULD NOT START. REMOVED KEY FROM VEHICLE, EXITED VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD. RAISED HOOD AND FOUND TOP LEFT REAR ENGINE COVER AND SURROUNDING PLASTIC TUBING AS WELL AS THE FABRIC ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HOOD ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED BUT FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED PRIOR TO THEIR ARRIVAL. VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP AND AWAITING INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND VW TO ASSESS DAMAGES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522442
15,000 miles · Jun 12, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System
WE PURCHASED A 2009 VW PASSAT BRAND NEW IN 2009. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE HAD IT WORKED ON MULTIPLE TIMES, ALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM! THE CAR SHOWS NO WARNING SIGN, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SHAKES, SHUTS OFF, AND WILL NOT RESTART. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, AS WELL AS WHEN PARKED AND TRYING TO START THE CAR. THIS IS ALL IN REG…
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WE PURCHASED A 2009 VW PASSAT BRAND NEW IN 2009. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE HAD IT WORKED ON MULTIPLE TIMES, ALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM! THE CAR SHOWS NO WARNING SIGN, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SHAKES, SHUTS OFF, AND WILL NOT RESTART. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, AS WELL AS WHEN PARKED AND TRYING TO START THE CAR. THIS IS ALL IN REGARDS TO DEFECT IN THE FUEL PUMP SYSTEM. THE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, ALONG WITH FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR, INTAKE MANIFOLD, BATTERIES, YOU NAME IT. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN AT ABOUT 15,000 MILES, AND TWO OF THE REPAIRS WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. EVERYTIME WE HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE VW DEALER, IT HAS BEEN THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE, I WAS LUCKY I WAS NOT DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I AM FEARFUL OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN, THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE. THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED, AND I AM UNSURE HOW THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED ALREADY. I HAVE READ REVIEWS AGAIN AND AGAIN ON THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE 2009 PASSAT MODELS, AND OTHER PASSAT YEAR MODELS HAVE HAD FUEL SYSTEM RECALLS AS WELL. WHATEVER THE UNDERLYING CAUSE OF THIS, WHATEVER IS CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO GO BAD, OR IF THEY ARE JUST JUNK, IT IS NOT SAFE AND THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY. VW WILL TAKE IT MORE SERIOUSLY WHEN A LIFE IS ON THE LINE. STILL TODAY, ON 6/12/2013, THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS LATER, MY 2009 VW PASSAT IS ONCE AGAIN BROKE DOWN, NOT STARTING, AND THE FUEL PUMP ONCE AGAIN, NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CLEARLY THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. WE BOUGHT A BRAND NEW CAR FOR THE SAFETY AND RELIABILITY VALUE, AND THIS HAS BY FAR BEEN THE MOST UNRELIABLE AND DANGEROUS VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED IN MY LIFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10519561
74,000 miles · May 27, 2013
EngineFire
AS WE WERE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN THE ENGINE HESITATED OR STUTTERED AS WE CAME TO A STOP. AS I ATTEMPTED TO START AGAIN, THE ENGINE HESITATED, I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON, SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THE TOP LEFT REAR OF THE ENGINE COVER ON FIRE. I CALLED 9…
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AS WE WERE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN THE ENGINE HESITATED OR STUTTERED AS WE CAME TO A STOP. AS I ATTEMPTED TO START AGAIN, THE ENGINE HESITATED, I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON, SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THE TOP LEFT REAR OF THE ENGINE COVER ON FIRE. I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WHICH HAD BY THEN CONSUMED MOST OF THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS ON TOP AND REAR OF THE ENGINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10513635
43,200 miles · Feb 4, 2013
Engine
I HAVE A VW PASSAT CC 2.0 TURBO 2009. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MILES WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR UNDER THE SPEED TO 30 M. ALMOST I HAVE AN ACCIDENT WITH OTHER DRIVERS. I WENT TO VW DEALER AND THE PROBLEM I HAD WAS THE IGNITION COIL. THE VW WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE DAMAGE AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT BEING THAT THIS IS A…
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I HAVE A VW PASSAT CC 2.0 TURBO 2009. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MILES WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR UNDER THE SPEED TO 30 M. ALMOST I HAVE AN ACCIDENT WITH OTHER DRIVERS. I WENT TO VW DEALER AND THE PROBLEM I HAD WAS THE IGNITION COIL. THE VW WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE DAMAGE AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT BEING THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF THESE MODELS OF CARS. HERE I AM SENDING YOU A NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE WHERE HE TALKS ABOUT THIS SITUATION. HTTP://WHEELS.BLOGS.NYTIMES.COM/2011/01/31/IGNITION-COIL-PROBLEM-IDENTIFIED-ON-NEARLY-500000-VW-PASSATS/ *TR
NHTSA ODI #10496332
40,286 miles · Jan 30, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineVisibility/wiper
THERE ARE 3 COMPLAINTS. I HAVE PURCHASED 2 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS IN 2009. ONE IS WORKING FINE EXCEPT WINDSHIELD TANK LEAK, AND THE OTHER ONE HAS THE LEAKAGE AND AT THE SAME TIME AN ENGINE PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO RECALL THE OTHER ONE OF WHICH I HAVE REGISTERED WITH VEHICLE ID HERE FOLLOWED BY THE BELOW REASONS AND REQUESTS. …
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THERE ARE 3 COMPLAINTS. I HAVE PURCHASED 2 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS IN 2009. ONE IS WORKING FINE EXCEPT WINDSHIELD TANK LEAK, AND THE OTHER ONE HAS THE LEAKAGE AND AT THE SAME TIME AN ENGINE PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO RECALL THE OTHER ONE OF WHICH I HAVE REGISTERED WITH VEHICLE ID HERE FOLLOWED BY THE BELOW REASONS AND REQUESTS. 1. WINDSHIELD TANK LEAKAGE SINCE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AND IT NATURALLY LEAKED. 2. ON THE 17TH OF NOVEMBER 2011, THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED AND EXHALED BLACK SMOKE AND I COULD NOT DRIVE ANY MORE. I DEFINITELY STOPPED AND CALLED A WRECK CAR AND WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPORTED AS STEERING COLUMN MODULE PROBLEM. (ALSO MENTIONED ABOUT INJECTOR ) 3. ON THE 14TH OF SEPTEMBER 2012, I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND QUITE FAR AWAY FROM THE COMPANY, THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS 2011. I WAS LATE FOR WORK FOR SURE AND IT WAS ALMOST LIFE THREATENING CIRCUMSTANCE BECAUSE OF THE ENVIRONMENT. I CALLED THE WRECK CAR AND HERE IS ANOTHER REPORT FROM THE DEALER. "CUSTOMER STATES VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ROUGH, SHAKING AND EMITTING SMOKE EXCESSIVELY: SMELLED OF FUEL: MADE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WILL NOT START. CHECK AND ADVISE. INSPECTED VEHICLE RETRIEVED P0300 RANDOM MISFIRE P0303 CYLINDER #3 MISFIRE AND P0087 FOR FUEL RAIL. NOTICED LARGE AMOUNTS OF WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM EXHAUST AND STRONG ODOR OF FUEL...)" 4. I HAVE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY FOR 5 YEARS OR 60K MILE (WHICH WILL BE THE FIRST) AND THE DEALER FIXED 2 TIMES FOR FREE BECAUSE OF THE WARRANTY. NOW EVEN THE WARRANTY IS BEING TERMINATED AND I HAVE NO OTHER WAYS TO SECURE MY SAFETY. FOLLOWED BY THE ABOVE REASONS, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE THIS CAR WHICH I HAVE PURCHASED IN 2009. WHEN I DRIVE THIS CAR, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE AND EVEN FEEL LIFE THREATENING DANGER WHILE I AM DRIVING BECAUSE THOSE MOMENTS IN THE PAST WERE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10495222
36,000 miles · Sep 6, 2012
EnginePower Train
ACCELERATION HESITATION FOR 1-3 SECONDS WHEN THROTTLE ENGAGED AT LOW SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10474137
Official recalls
4Mar 6, 2018
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. 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 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Aug 16, 2017
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.
Feb 10, 2016
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 and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture 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 inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Nov 3, 2008
VW IS RECALLING 130 MY 2009 PASSAT, PASSAT WAGON, AND PASSAT CC VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN ELECTROMECHANICAL STEERING GEAR CONTROL UNIT THAT CAN MALFUNCTION DUE TO A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS, THE DRIVER'S STEERING INPUT IS NOT PROPERLY PROCESSED BY THE SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RESPOND AS THE DRIVER INTENDS. THIS DEFECT CAN ONLY OCCUR IMMEDIATELY AFTER VEHICLE START-UP WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED FOR THE FIRST TIME AND AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 5 MPH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO OVERCOME THE SYSTEM DURING MALFUNCTION WILL CAUSE (1) VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL; (2) THE STEERING SYSTEM MOTOR TO TURN OFF; (3) THE RED STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE; AND (4) AUDIBLE WARNINGS TO CHIME. A MALFUNCTIONING STEERING SYSTEM COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗