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2017 Volkswagen Passat

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 110.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

51 reports with mileage · 59 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 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Forward Collision Avoidance. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Visibility/wiper complaints

4 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2022
Forward Collision AvoidanceVisibility/wiper

I have a 2017 Passat When it's raining hard on the road and my speed is greater than 55 mph the passenger side windshield stops right in front of my vision vision (right in the middle of the driver's side) creates a white blocking effect so I don't have a clear road visibility. In a service I discussed this detail with the servi…

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I have a 2017 Passat When it's raining hard on the road and my speed is greater than 55 mph the passenger side windshield stops right in front of my vision vision (right in the middle of the driver's side) creates a white blocking effect so I don't have a clear road visibility. In a service I discussed this detail with the service advisor at the VW agency and he did not want to understand or was misunderstood, I told him that the design of these windshields had this defect. On another occasion when I was driving in an area where there was snow the front collision alarm started to alarm for no reason, there was no obstruction, apparently one of the front sensors fails when it gets wet, I took the car to the dealer and reported this to the service advisor, they did a review of the car they said that it had nothing damaged that everything is fine. But when it rains really hard, it does this.

NHTSA ODI #11446404

35,000 miles · Oct 27, 2018
Visibility/wiper

BOTH SIDE MIRRORS ARE AUTOMATIC. THE SIDE MIRRORS ARE SUPPOSED TO FOLD IN WHEN TURNING THE CAR OFF, AND FOLD OUT WHEN THE CAR IS ON. ONE OR BOTH OF THE MIRROS EITHER FAIL TO FOLD OUT WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED, OR FOLD IN UNEXPECTANTLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS CREATES A HIGHLY DANGEROUS LIFE AND SAFETY HAZARD WHEN IT HAPPENS. THE CA…

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BOTH SIDE MIRRORS ARE AUTOMATIC. THE SIDE MIRRORS ARE SUPPOSED TO FOLD IN WHEN TURNING THE CAR OFF, AND FOLD OUT WHEN THE CAR IS ON. ONE OR BOTH OF THE MIRROS EITHER FAIL TO FOLD OUT WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED, OR FOLD IN UNEXPECTANTLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS CREATES A HIGHLY DANGEROUS LIFE AND SAFETY HAZARD WHEN IT HAPPENS. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP'S SHOP WHILE THE EVENT OCCURS, AND THE ISSUE DOES NOT RECORD AN ERROR CODE IN THE CAR'S SYSTEM. DUE TO THE LACK OF AN ERROR CODE, THE DEALERSHIP STATES THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT IS DANGEROUS AND HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE AND VW IS IGNORING THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS NOT ISSUING AN ERROR CODE WHEN IT OCCURS. I HAVE PICTURES OF THIS OCCURRING ON MY CAR, I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT IS OCCURRING. AND YET, THERE HAS BEEN NO SATISFACTORY SOLUTION AND FIX OF THIS VERY DANGEROUS FLAW BECAUSE THERE IS NO ERROR CODE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES, AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED IS THE DATE I INSERTED INTO THIS FORM.

NHTSA ODI #11143383

7,000 miles · Feb 21, 2018
Visibility/wiper

THE WINDSHIELD, IN RAINING OCCURRENCES, IS COVERED WITH A WHITE THICK COATING AND MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE, PUTTING LIVES IN PERIL.

NHTSA ODI #11074194

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2018
Visibility/wiper

BOTH SIDE MIRROR ARE AUTOMATED.THE SIDE MIRRORS OPEN WHEN THEY WANT TO. SOMETIMES ONE STAYS CLOSED, SOMETIMES THEY BOTH STAYED CLOSED. THERE IS NO CONSISTENCY ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND OR HOW OFTEN. GENERALLY THEY WORK WITH A MORE FREQUENT DELAY IN OPENING THE MIRES - I.E. WHEN DRIVING AWAY ALREADY THEY OPEN ON THEIR OWN. THE RE…

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BOTH SIDE MIRROR ARE AUTOMATED.THE SIDE MIRRORS OPEN WHEN THEY WANT TO. SOMETIMES ONE STAYS CLOSED, SOMETIMES THEY BOTH STAYED CLOSED. THERE IS NO CONSISTENCY ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND OR HOW OFTEN. GENERALLY THEY WORK WITH A MORE FREQUENT DELAY IN OPENING THE MIRES - I.E. WHEN DRIVING AWAY ALREADY THEY OPEN ON THEIR OWN. THE REAL LIFE AND SAFETY ISSUE IS WHEN THEY DO NOT OPEN AT ALL. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND SOMETHING THERE VW DEALER CANNOT CONFIRM WITH ERROR CODES. MY QUESTION TO VW IS : HOW CAN THE CAR BE DRIVING FORWARD WITH THE MIRROR STILL COLLAPSED AND THE SYSTEM IS NOT RECORDING AN ERROR CODE? THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. ALSO... I HAVE REQUESTED TO HAVE THESE MIRROR DISENGAGED - TO REMAIN OPEN - BUT ACCORDING TO VW (DEALER) THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE AT ALL. SO... I AM STUCK WITH A VEHICLE THAT HAS A MAJOR LIFE AND SAFETY ISSUE AND VW IS IGNORING IT WITHOUT AN ACTION BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE AN ERROR CODE ETC... I HAVE VIDEO OF DRIVING WITH THE MIRRORS STILL COLLAPSED FOR REFERENCE. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE DAY1 OF OWNERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #11063606

Official recalls

7

24V834000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Oct 30, 2024

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. 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.

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: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.

21V321000 · Unknown Or Other

May 5, 2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. 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. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.

Remedy: Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.

20V561000 · Unknown Or Other

Sep 16, 2020

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. 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. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.

19V679000 · Unknown Or Other

Sep 25, 2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.

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.

18V536000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper

Aug 15, 2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened sufficiently.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The loose brake bracket bolts can allow the caliper to move, reducing braking ability or causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper bracket bolt tightness, replacing and re-torque the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Additionally brake caliper fasteners, bleeder valve, and brake hose bolts will be checked and torqued to the correct specification, if necessary, free of charge. For Passat vehicles, dealers will also inspect the parking brake cable for proper connection, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46H6.

17V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Feb 8, 2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Passat vehicles. Brake fluid may leak slowly from the some of the brake line connections, resulting in a low brake fluid level.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A low brake fluid level may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake lines, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47N3.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Passat vehicles. Brake fluid may leak slowly from the some of the brake line connections, resulting in a low brake fluid level.

Consequence: A low brake fluid level may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake lines, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47N3.

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

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Passat vehicles. Brake fluid may leak slowly from the some of the brake line connections, resulting in a low brake fluid level.

Consequence: A low brake fluid level may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake lines, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47N3.

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.