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2015 Volkswagen Passat

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Passat years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Volkswagen Passat are substantially higher than the model-year median of 110.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

132 reports with mileage · 111 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 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports2 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

243 reports
54,000 miles · Sep 21, 2018
Air BagsSteering

CLOCK SPRING FAILED. IF ACCIDENT WERE TO HAPPEN, AIRBAGS WOULDN'T DEPLOY DUE TO FAILED CLOCK SPRING. VERY FRUSTRATING TO SPEND $700 TO REPAIR THE CLOCK SPRING, CONSIDERING VW HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

NHTSA ODI #11130641

89,000 miles · Sep 11, 2018
Air Bags

I WAS DRIVING MY 2015 VW PASSAT (IN EXCELLENT CONDITION) I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE SLOWLY AND AS I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL I HEARD A CRUMPLING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM MY STEERING COLUMN. I STOPPED IMMEDIATE AND SUDDENLY THE DASH BOARD READ "AIRBAG ERROR". I PROCEEDED INTO THE PARKING SPACE SLOWLY, …

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2015 VW PASSAT (IN EXCELLENT CONDITION) I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE SLOWLY AND AS I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL I HEARD A CRUMPLING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM MY STEERING COLUMN. I STOPPED IMMEDIATE AND SUDDENLY THE DASH BOARD READ "AIRBAG ERROR". I PROCEEDED INTO THE PARKING SPACE SLOWLY, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CALLED MY VW DEALER. WE SET AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. AFTER ABOUT 10 MILES OF DRIVE TIME ON MY WAY HOME, ALL OF MY OTHER STEERING WHEEL COMPONENTS (RAIDO, DASH CONTROLLER, VOICE CONTROLLER, HAD ALL STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I GOT HOME I DID MY RESEARCH AND HAVE DISCOVERED THE AIRBAG ERROR ALONG WITH THE OTHER STEERING COMPONENTS FAILING.. IS VERY COMMON IN 2015 PASSATS! I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS A SAFETY RECALL. WHAT EVER IS CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO BECOME MALFUNCTIONED NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY WANT $145.00 TO TAKE IT APART AND ASSESS WHAT WENT WRONG. WILL KEEP YOU POSTED.

NHTSA ODI #11128801

44,500 miles · Sep 6, 2018
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

ALL LIGHTS CAME ON AT SAME TIME, NO NOTABLE REASON GIVEN FOR ISSUE. JUST TOLD COSTS ASSOCIATED AREN'T UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALLS.

NHTSA ODI #11127873

81,600 miles · Sep 5, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ENGAGED IN DRIVE. ALSO, THE ENGINE POWER CONTROL, BATTERY, AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ENGAGED IN DRIVE. ALSO, THE ENGINE POWER CONTROL, BATTERY, AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,600.

NHTSA ODI #11124627

55,000 miles · Sep 5, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

CLOCK SPRING FAILURE, AIRBAGS OFF-LINE, HORN INOPERATIVE, STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS INOPERATIVE

NHTSA ODI #11124497

46,000 miles · Sep 2, 2018
Air BagsElectrical System

STEERING WHEEL BEGAN CLICKING WHEN BEING TURNED. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. HORN AND STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ARE NOT WORKING. APPEARS TO BE A FAILED CLOCK SPRING.

NHTSA ODI #11124042

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

I PURCHASED A VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DIESEL AND DECIDED TO KEEP IT EVEN AFTER THE WHOLE DIESEL SCANDAL. TWO MONTHS AFTER THE SECOND PART OF THE "FIX" MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON SO I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED THROUGH THE WHOLE DIESEL LAWSUIT. I WAS TOLD THAT MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FA…

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I PURCHASED A VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DIESEL AND DECIDED TO KEEP IT EVEN AFTER THE WHOLE DIESEL SCANDAL. TWO MONTHS AFTER THE SECOND PART OF THE "FIX" MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON SO I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED THROUGH THE WHOLE DIESEL LAWSUIT. I WAS TOLD THAT MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED BECAUSE OF BAD DIESEL. I ASKED THE SERVICE CENTER HOW THEY DETERMINED MY BAD DIESEL WAS TESTED AND THEY DEMONSTRATED A VW APPROVED SPECIAL TOOL WITH A BOX THAT HAD A SMILEY FACE AND FROWN FACE EMOJI. THE REPAIR FACILITY ADVISED ME THAT THEY COULD'T PERFORM THE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THE POOR QUALITY OF THE DIESEL. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND GOT THE RUN AROUND. I HAD TO USE MY VEHICLE'S CAR INSURANCE TO COVER THE $7400 REPAIR BILL. AS A TEN YEAR VETERAN VOLKSWAGEN/AUDI TECHNICIAN I/WE ARE WELL AWARE OF THE DESIGN FLAW OF THIS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THE PUMP FAILS AND SENDS METAL FRAGMENTS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE FUEL TANK. I WOULD BE OK REPLACING A $800 HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP BUT THIS DESIGN ALLOWS THE METAL FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WHICH IS DRIVEN BY THE TIMING BELT TO RECIRCULATE BACK INTO THE TANK AND FURTHER CONTAMINATE THE ENTIRE SYSTEM AND NOT TO MENTION THE FOUR FUEL INJECTORS AT $500 A PIECE (TIMES FOUR). I CALLED THE VOLKSWAGEN DIESEL SETTLEMENT LINE AND EXPLAINED MY FRUSTRATION AND EVEN MADE THE PERSON WHO ANSWERED THE PHONE LAUGH WITH THE WHOLE SMILEY FACE AND FROWN FACE TESTER. I AM A FACTORY TRAINED TECHNICIAN AND EVEN I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE LOGIC BEHIND THIS, GIVE ME PERCENTAGES AND TOLERANCES WHICH I CAN UNDERSTAND. UNFORTUNATELY THIS WILL BE MY LAST VOLKSWAGEN I WILL EVER PURCHASE I KNOW THIS DOESN'T MATTER MUCH TO VW BUT I WILL BE DEFINITELY SPREADING THE WORD.

NHTSA ODI #11123243

73,000 miles · Aug 6, 2018
Air Bags

THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK IN A FLAT LOT WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON, AS WELL AS MY STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS FOR THE STEREO DID NOT WORK. UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A CLICKING COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING. I SPOKE WITH A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME ABOUT THE PREVIOUS VW RECALLS FOR CLOCK…

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THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK IN A FLAT LOT WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON, AS WELL AS MY STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS FOR THE STEREO DID NOT WORK. UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A CLICKING COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING. I SPOKE WITH A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME ABOUT THE PREVIOUS VW RECALLS FOR CLOCK SPRINGS, AND THAT I WAS HAVING THAT SAME ISSUE, BUT MINE WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11118172

47,000 miles · Jul 25, 2018
Air BagsElectrical System

AT AROUND 47,000 MILES I BEGAN HEARING A CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL. AFTER A DAY OR TWO OF THIS MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I LOST FUNCTION OF MY HORN AND FOUND THAT OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN SOME ONE WAS MERGING INTO MY LANE WITHOUT CHECKING TO SEE IF IT WAS CLEAR. I ALSO LOST ALL STEERING WHEEL…

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AT AROUND 47,000 MILES I BEGAN HEARING A CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL. AFTER A DAY OR TWO OF THIS MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I LOST FUNCTION OF MY HORN AND FOUND THAT OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN SOME ONE WAS MERGING INTO MY LANE WITHOUT CHECKING TO SEE IF IT WAS CLEAR. I ALSO LOST ALL STEERING WHEEL MOUNTED CONTROLS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED ABOUT 27 DAYS PRIOR SO I RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY DID TROUBLE SHOOT THE ISSUE AND LET ME KNOW THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11113485

62,000 miles · Jul 16, 2018
Tires

PURCHASED NEW ATLAS TIRE FROM AN AUTHORIZED ATLAS TIRE DEALER. ONCE TIRES WERE MOUNTED AND BALANCED, THERE WAS A SLIGHT VIBRATION AROUND 70 MPH. THE TIRE WAS THEN RE-BALANCED AND HAD PRESSURE APPLIED. IT WAS FOUND THE TIRE TO HAVE A THIN SIDE WALL CAUSING THE TIRE NOT TO BALANCE AND PUTTING THE DRIVER AT RISK WITH A PREMATURE F…

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PURCHASED NEW ATLAS TIRE FROM AN AUTHORIZED ATLAS TIRE DEALER. ONCE TIRES WERE MOUNTED AND BALANCED, THERE WAS A SLIGHT VIBRATION AROUND 70 MPH. THE TIRE WAS THEN RE-BALANCED AND HAD PRESSURE APPLIED. IT WAS FOUND THE TIRE TO HAVE A THIN SIDE WALL CAUSING THE TIRE NOT TO BALANCE AND PUTTING THE DRIVER AT RISK WITH A PREMATURE FAILURE. THE COMPANY AS NOT FOLLOWED THERE WARRANTY AND WILL NOT RESPOND TO AN ON-GOING EMAIL WITH THEIR REPRESENTATIVES.

NHTSA ODI #11111658

Official recalls

7

19V862000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Dec 4, 2019

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 recalls. 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.

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: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.

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.

19V014000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 11, 2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015 Passat, 2015-2016 Eos, 2015-2017 CC, 2016-2017 TT Roadster, TT Coupe, 2017 Audi R8 Coupe, and R8 Spyder 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 4, 2019. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298; Audi owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69S8 (Audi) and 69Y5 (Volkswagen).

15V705000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Oct 26, 2015

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.

Consequence: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.

Consequence: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.

15V373000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jun 15, 2015

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Passat vehicles manufactured May 18, 2015, to May 21, 2015. The affected vehicles have a brake line at the left rear wheel area that may not have been properly tightened.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the brake line was not properly tightened, it may leak brake fluid, causing a reduction in braking performance, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will tighten the brake line fitting, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47M3.

15V028000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

Jan 23, 2015

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 November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall 14V-809 (Volkswagen recall number 24Bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that campaign.

14V670000 · Seats

Oct 24, 2014

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Jetta and Passat vehicles manufactured September 23, 2014, to October 9, 2014, and equipped with manual front seatback recliners. In the affected vehicles, the seatback recliner retaining bracket may not engage correctly, resulting in unexpected movement of the seatback.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Unexpected movement of the driver's seatback may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the assembly of the seatback recliner retaining bracket, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72F1.

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.