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2009 Volkswagen Passat

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Volkswagen Passat do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 110.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

111 reports with mileage · 35 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.

  • Engine. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports12 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

146 reports
10,430 miles · Apr 24, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

THE VEHICLES MOTOR BEGAN MAKING AN IRREGULAR NOISE ( SOUNDED LIKE AN AIRPLANE ENGINE) BETWEEN 2-3RPMS AND THERE WAS SERIOUS VIBRATION THROUGH THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CHUGGED ALONG AT LOW SPEEDS AND THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT AND NOT THAT RESPONSIVE. THERE WAS SERIOUS VIBRATION THROUGH THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE SERVI…

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THE VEHICLES MOTOR BEGAN MAKING AN IRREGULAR NOISE ( SOUNDED LIKE AN AIRPLANE ENGINE) BETWEEN 2-3RPMS AND THERE WAS SERIOUS VIBRATION THROUGH THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CHUGGED ALONG AT LOW SPEEDS AND THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT AND NOT THAT RESPONSIVE. THERE WAS SERIOUS VIBRATION THROUGH THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE SERVICE CENTER ON FRIDAY AS IT WAS LATE IN THE DAY. UPON RETURNING ON MONDAY MORNING, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS (TWO) WERE MISSING AND THE THREADS FOR EACH WAS COMPLETELY STRIPPED. THE MOTOR WAS ROCKING BACK AND FORTH CREATING THIS DREADFUL NOISE.THE THREADS WERE RESTORED USING TAP AND DYE SET AND NEW BOLTS WERE INSTALLED. I WAS INFORMED THAT SOMETIMES THE BOLTS SNAP AND THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. I WAS TOLD THERE WERE OTHER SIGNS OF DAMAGE AND I KIND OF FEEL SOMETHING WILL BE FOUND ONCE MY WARRANTY IS UP AS A RESULT OF THIS MISHAPS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327258

20,000 miles · Dec 18, 2009
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PARKED FOR 30 MINUTES THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE FRONT UNDER THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED IT COULD BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OR A LEAK IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE INSURANCE COM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PARKED FOR 30 MINUTES THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE FRONT UNDER THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED IT COULD BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OR A LEAK IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS PERFORMING AN INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10296333

3,785 miles · Dec 4, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

ENGINE COLD. TRANS. IN EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE. UPON RELEASING BRAKE CAR MOVES TOO FAST. WHEN APPLYING BRAKE NOTHING HAPPENS. AFTER REPEATEDLY APPLYING BRAKE THEY FINALLY CATCH HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 TIMES. THIS TIME THEY DIDN'T CATCH AND I REARENDED A PICKUP WAITING AT A STOP SIGN. I DON'T THINK I FAILED TO APPLY THE BRA…

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ENGINE COLD. TRANS. IN EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE. UPON RELEASING BRAKE CAR MOVES TOO FAST. WHEN APPLYING BRAKE NOTHING HAPPENS. AFTER REPEATEDLY APPLYING BRAKE THEY FINALLY CATCH HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 TIMES. THIS TIME THEY DIDN'T CATCH AND I REARENDED A PICKUP WAITING AT A STOP SIGN. I DON'T THINK I FAILED TO APPLY THE BRAKES PROPERLY BECAUSE I RAISED MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND REAPPLIED THEM AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE IMPACT BUT THAT IS NEVER-THE-LESS STILL A POSSIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294542

12,871 miles · Nov 23, 2009
Electrical System

FAILURE OF KEY (FOB OR WHAT EVER VW CALLS IT) TO START VEHICLE WHEN INSERTED IN IGNITION SWITCH. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE AND RESULTED IN IGNITION SWITCH NEEDING TO BE REPLACED BY DEALER. ON THE SECOND OCCURRENCE THE KEY ITSELF SHORTED OUT AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO OPEN POWER DOORS; HOWEVER, THE KEY WOULD ALLOW ME TO OP…

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FAILURE OF KEY (FOB OR WHAT EVER VW CALLS IT) TO START VEHICLE WHEN INSERTED IN IGNITION SWITCH. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE AND RESULTED IN IGNITION SWITCH NEEDING TO BE REPLACED BY DEALER. ON THE SECOND OCCURRENCE THE KEY ITSELF SHORTED OUT AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO OPEN POWER DOORS; HOWEVER, THE KEY WOULD ALLOW ME TO OPEN THE POWER REAR HATCH SO THAT I COULD CRAWL THROUGH CAR TO UNLOCK DOORS. TODAY THE OTHER KEY STARTED ACTING UP FOR MY WIFE AND WOULD NOT ALLOW HER TO UNLOCK DOORS AND SHE HAD TO CRAWL THROUGH CAR TO UNLOCK DOORS. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER HAS THE FIRST FAULTY KEY FOR WHICH HE WAS TO GET US A REPLACEMENT AND WE ARE WAITING ON VW TO REPLACE FAULTY KEY. I DO NOT KNOW IF DEALERSHIP STILL HAS FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER STILL HAS MY KEY. THE DATES OF THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENTS ARE 01/20/2009 & 09/09/2009. THE CAR WAS IN SERVICE LESS THAN 15 DAYS BEFORE THE FIRST IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I LEFT MY KEY WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER WHEN WE PICKED UP THE CAR ON 09/13/2009. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10293315

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2009
Power TrainFire

2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE WHILE ON A CAR DOLLY BEING PULLED BY A 2006 NISSAN X-TERRA. *KB ACCORDING TO THE FIRE DEPT AND TOW TRUCK OPERATOR THE FIRE WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED LEAKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE 3 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH…

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2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE WHILE ON A CAR DOLLY BEING PULLED BY A 2006 NISSAN X-TERRA. *KB ACCORDING TO THE FIRE DEPT AND TOW TRUCK OPERATOR THE FIRE WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED LEAKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE 3 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0747-91.

NHTSA ODI #10284348

47 miles · Mar 2, 2009
Power Train

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC SPORT VEHICLE THROUGH BOARDWALK VOLKSWAGEN OF RICHARDSON TEXAS, WHO HAD THE CAR SHIPPED TO THEIR LOCATION FROM TYNAN'S VW IN COLORADO. I PICKED UP MY BRAND NEW 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC SPORT VEHICLE WITH 24 MILES ON THE AFTERNOON OF SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2009. ON SUNDAY, AS I…

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC SPORT VEHICLE THROUGH BOARDWALK VOLKSWAGEN OF RICHARDSON TEXAS, WHO HAD THE CAR SHIPPED TO THEIR LOCATION FROM TYNAN'S VW IN COLORADO. I PICKED UP MY BRAND NEW 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC SPORT VEHICLE WITH 24 MILES ON THE AFTERNOON OF SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2009. ON SUNDAY, AS I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND FUMES STARTED COMING OUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED OUT AND SPRAYED ALL OVER THE ENGINE RENDERING THE CAR A SAFETY HAZARD AND FIRE HAZARD. THE CAR WAS TOWED BY VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO BOARDWALK VW, WHICH UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, THEY FOUND THE TRANSMISSION LINES MISPOSITIONED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE COOLING FAN MOTOR CUT THE LINES OPEN CAUSING CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAS BEEN CONTAMINATED WITH POTENTIALLY FLAMMABLE TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS RUN WITH EXTREMELY LOW LEVELS OF FLUID BY THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SERVICE TO GET IT ON AND OFF THE TOW VEHICLE, SERIOUSLY REDUCING THE MARKET VALUE AND SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. I WENT TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE COMPROMISED VEHICLE WITH THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTING AND ANOTHER PASSAT CC VEHICLE WITH THE CORRECT TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTING. TO SEE THE PROBLEM, THE CAR WAS RAISED, AND THE UNDERSIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COVER WAS TAKEN OFF. IN THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION, THE TRANSMISSION LINES WERE ROUTED IN FRONT OF A RADIATOR TUBE, LEAVING THEM IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE ROTATING RADIATOR FAN, WHICH EVENTUALLY CUT OPEN THE LINES CAUSING THE LEAK. THE FLUID LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND WAS BLOWN INTO THE ENTIRE ENGINE BY THE RADIATOR FAN. IN THE OTHER VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION LINES WERE ROUTED BEHIND THE RADIATOR TUBE, WHICH SHIELDS THEM FROM COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE FAN. THIS CAN BE USED TO START A RECALL ON ALL PASSAT CC MODELS TO HAVE THEM CHECKED FOR INCORRECT ROUTING OF THE TRANSMISSION LINES, WHICH CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND CUSTOMER PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260517

Official recalls

4

18V148000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Mar 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.

17V509000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

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.

16V078000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

08V577000 · Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE09022 · Transmission Fluid Hose Chafe

Opened May 4, 2009 · Closed Jul 9, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

ON MAY 4, 2009, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATIONS (ODI) OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE09-022 TO INVESTIGATE AN OWNER COMPLAINT (ODI NO. 10260517) ALLEGING CONTACT BETWEEN THE ATF COOLING LINE AND THE RADIATOR FAN BLADES.THE COMPLAINT INDICATED THAT THE CONTACT RESULTED IN RAPID ATF FLUID LOSS WHICH RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE.THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST 50 MILES OF SERVICE. IN ITS RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER FOR PE09-062, VW INDICATED THAT THE INSTALLATION AND DESIGN OF THE ATF COOLING LINES ARE THE SAME FOR BOTH THE REGULAR PASSAT AND PASSAT CC MODELS.VW HAS NOT CHANGED THE DESIGN OR INSTALLATION OF EITHER THE LINES OR RADIATOR FAN SINCE SUBJECT VEHICLE SALES BEGAN.VOLKSWAGEN FURTHER STATED THAT IT IS NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER INCIDENTS OF ATF LINE CONTACT WITH THE RADIATOR FAN IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OR ANY SIMILARLY EQUIPPED VEHICLES.VW BELIEVES THAT THE ONE INCIDENT IS AN ISOLATED CASE OF IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LINES. ODI INSPECTIONS OF SEVERAL MY 2009 PASSAT VEHICLES DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY CONCERNS WITH ATF COOLER LINE ROUTING THAT COULD RESULT IN CONTACT WITH THE RADIATOR FAN BLADES.CONSIDERING THE VERY SHORT TIME IN SERVICE OF THE INCIDENT VEHICLE, IT IS LIKELY ANY SUBJECT VEHICLES WITH SIMILARLY MIS-POSITIONED ATF LINES WOULDHAVE ALREADY FAILED AND BEEN REPAIRED.THE ABSENCE OF ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS SUPPORTS VW'S ASSESSMENT THAT THE SINGLE KNOWN FAILURE WAS A RANDOM AND ISOLATED EVENT. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.