2012 Volkswagen Passat problems
The Volkswagen Passat is a nameplate of large family cars (D-segment) manufactured and marketed by the German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen since 1973. It has been marketed variously as the Dasher, Santana, Quantum, Magotan, Corsar and Carat, with varying body styles such as saloon, estate, and hatchback.
A "four-door coupé" variant of the Passat with a lower roof was released in the North American market in 2008 as the Passat CC, which was then renamed to Volkswagen CC. The CC was succeeded by the Arteon in 2017.
In January 2011, Volkswagen introduced a separate Passat model line, internally designated "Volkswagen New Midsize Sedan" or NMS, that was manufactured in the US at the Chattanooga assembly plant and in China at Nanjing by SAIC-Volkswagen. Developed to increase Volkswagen sales in North America, the Passat NMS is larger and cost less to produce. sold in the North America, South Korea, China, and Middle East. The separate B8 Passat model entered production in Europe in 2014, based on the MQB platform.
In 2019, the Passat NMS program was split into two as the North American one continued being produced on an older platform while the Chinese Passat moved on to the MQB platform, which resulted in Volkswagen marketed three models under the Passat nameplate globally at that time. The North American Passat was discontinued after the 2022 model year.
Volkswagen ended the production of the saloon Passat for the European market in 2022. The B9 Passat, released in 2023, is only available in an estate body style. The Passat continues to be available as a saloon in China.
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Common 2012 Volkswagen Passat problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, several common problems have been reported:
- Engine Oil Leaks: Another common issue reported by Passat owners is engine oil leaks. This problem can stem from degraded gaskets, seals, or oil pan damage. Oil leaks not only lead to environmental pollution but can also result in engine damage if left unaddressed. It is crucial to address oil leaks promptly to prevent further complications and maintain the engine's longevity.
- Digital Display Fault: Some owners have encountered issues with the digital display in the instrument cluster going dark or malfunctioning after driving. This problem can be frustrating as it affects the driver's ability to monitor essential vehicle information. Faulty connections, display unit failures, or electrical issues could be the underlying causes of this digital display fault. Seeking professional diagnosis and repair is recommended to rectify this issue effectively.
These common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen Passat highlight the importance of regular maintenance, prompt repairs, and attentive monitoring to ensure the vehicle's optimal performance and longevity.
Is the 2012 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
A lot of bang for the buck
I bought the 2012 in 2018 with about 80k on the odometer. Put 20k per year and only had 1 minor maintenance issue (other than wear items ) with a power steering leak that was not an expensive fix. Averaged 30 MPG and had plenty of power and handling to make driving it fun and confident.
What is the common problem in VW Passat?
The VW Passat scores well in major reliability ratings with a 3.5 out of 5.0 from RepairPal and a 4.5 out of 5.0 from J.D. Power. Common Volkswagen Passat problems include issues with interior accessories, steering problems, and oil sludge problems.
Is Passat CC 2012 a good car?
At heart, it's still a Passat, so you also get a comfortable ride and decent handling, good refinement and excellent build quality. Admittedly, the CC isn't quite as desirable as an Audi A5, but it's cost-effective to run and own while delivering a dash of everyday chic.
Is there any recalls on a 2012 Volkswagen Passat?
(Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG). The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.
2012 Volkswagen Passat car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volkswagen Passat problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Air bags problems
- Electrical system problems
- Steering problems
- Engine problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2012 Volkswagen Passat vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2012 Volkswagen Passat
The NHTSA has received 458 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2012 Volkswagen Passat. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2012 Volkswagen Passat vehicles.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-10
- VIN: 1VWBN7A39CC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
- Summary: The fuel pump design to last the life of the vehicle exploded this is a 10k fix they ( extended the warranty to 120000 miles instead of replacing the bad pumps im at 1290000 miles i don’t understand how this is acceptable given the amount of issues and occurrences the fuel pump has exploded
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-19
- VIN: 1VWBH7A31CC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact that the air bag warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the clock spring was replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V483000 (Air Bags) in 2022; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated while driving. Additionally, the steering wheel made an abnormal click sound, and the horn was inoperable. The dealer was notified of the failure and charged a diagnostic testing fee. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-14
- VIN: 1VWBN7A3XCC
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Stop on middle of the freeway twice and one on the road. Be replace the hoof 24 months ago now again dealer claim need to change the whole fuel system it’s 2012 Passat to modification done 2017. For another 6900 dollars this consumer ripoff by be. Car now is in the dealer. It’s dirito brothers volkswagon. 2020 n main st Walnut Creek. Scary to stop on [XXX] with this at night with a dog onboard. Very confused vw customer who 2 other vw. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-14
- VIN: 1VWAP7A3XCC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Volkswagen Passat 2012 Passat key won't go into ignition - Trying to fit my key into ignition will not go in and or Turn [XXX] [XXX] Removing the plastic steering wheel shroud, (T25 x3) then remove VW ignition switch, Black plastic piece under spring pressure needs to come out, this piece is the piece that pushes the white plastic piece infront of the key. When this is removed, re-assemble. This same problem plagued my wife’s car, and me as I was dispatched to rescue her. There is a chance replacing all of this with new might fix the issue but removing the un-needed part accomplishes the same end goal, reliability for no cost, and no spray into ignition. [XXX] Volkswagen ignition switch repair and diasssembly See [XXX] for full details. Volkswagen ignition switch repa... [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-01
- VIN: 1VWBP7A38CC
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Any time it rains and the car goes through a deeper than surface level puddle/wet area where the nose of the car has to dip down (think by railroad tracks, high water retention areas with lack of drainage, etc) as soon as the car dips down into the water, the steering wheel will lock up and I am unable to turn. It's severely dangerous as there is no give at all to the wheel as it is solidly locked and if you happen to be taking a curve or changing lanes etc, you will not be able to turn the car. My husband and myself have narrowly escaped severe car accidents as this is random and there is nothing you can do except try to force the wheel to turn. When I say the wheel is locked, it's a good 15-20 seconds of desperation trying to turn the wheel before it finally unlocks and I am able to correct the direction of the car. Living in FL with high rainfall chances, including sporadic downpours that unfortunately leave situations like this to occur often, it is a severe safety risk for myself and for other drivers. I have been lucky so far that when this has occurred I have been able to eventually correct the steering, however there have been several severe near misses that are completely out of my control. Please help find a solution, as there doesn't seem to be a fix for this anywhere that I've looked. I do not want to spend money I don't have taking it from dealership to dealership for them to be just as stumped as we are. I have two young kids and not only do I not feel safe letting them in the car, I seriously dread any time it rains because of this issue. I'm not talking about driving through deep bodies of water, but normal rainy weather situations on everyday roads that are otherwise uneventful. Unfortunately I am in an area where water seems to gather quite a bit on the everyday roads I need for work and this situation is truly unavoidable. I put one date below as when it occurred, but it has happened several times in the last week alone due to heavy rains
STEERING,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-04-01
- VIN: 1VWAP7A38CC
- Components: STEERING,AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel in either direction, there was a clicking sound was coming from the steering column. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated, with the cruise control feature inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the clockspring was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated that the failure was repaired on two previous occasions. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-07-20
- VIN: 1VWBP7A30CC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The electrical system failed. It has been to numerous mechanics many refusing to do the work. The car cuts off while driving randomly. When ignition is turned off and then turned back on car starts again. No light on dash alternator ecu fuel pump fuses all replaced in effort to try to find the issue with no avail. Car cuts off in mid traffic and then stalls .This is life threatening and should be addressed . No mechanic wants to work on this particular year and model car. Car has been inspected by Volkswagen dealer. No warning lights sounds or dashboard notifications.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-12-16
- VIN: 1VWBN7A37CC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power with the battery warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer who informed the contact that the repair was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-12-08
- VIN: 1VWBP7A35CC
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS
- Summary: My airbag light is on. Had a test done and it also indicated airbag problem. My car was supposedly repaired of this defect some time ago, but here we are. Also when entering my VIN for any recall; it lists defective light. Previous work done by Audi/VW of Jackson, Ms. On 12/9/22 the airbag indicator light and service light is on.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-12-01
- VIN: 1vwbp7a38cc
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Bought in July and had 38461 miles and only put 3000 miles since bought. Driving down the road and it started raining and had 2” of water in my drivers side floor board. Took to jack Morris auto glass and they looked at it and said the pan on the driver’s side of the sunroof was cracked. He told me that driving it was risky as it could catch fire and cause electrical issues. Please advise.
ENGINE,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-07-12
- VIN: 1VWCP7A33CC
- Components: ENGINE,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking an unknown fluid underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the vacuum pump, oil pan, and the gaskets needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact to contact the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 193,211.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-03-01
- VIN: 1VWBH7A36CC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
- Summary: Clock spring was replaced then went out again. Daughter now has a car with no air bag, no horn and none of the electrical working on staring wheel. We are told it will take 6 months for the part, but reading online seeing people waiting over 10 months now for the part. Dealer has no solution and says VW needs to take care of it.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-09-07
- VIN: 1VWBP7A36CC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: My car has had previous airbag recalls and on 09/07/22 the airbag error is now populating on my dash and is tripping up other lights on dash. I believe the same airbag issue is reoccurring again and needs immediate attention to ensure drivers lives are safe and protected.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-09-02
- VIN: 1VWBH7A38CC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Error airbag message
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-08-31
- VIN: 1VWCM7A39CC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
- Summary: CLOCK SPRING FAIL AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON HORN IS NOT WORKING DANGEROUS TO DRIVE CAR LIKETHIS
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-05-25
- VIN: 1VWBP7A39CC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: This car has had the clock spring recall fixed a few years ago. The replaced part has since failed (confirmed by the same dealership that replaced it). Dealership indicates this is a free warranty repair but Volkswagen has had this part on backorder for 3 months now since I've had it looked at. How are they getting away with a recall part on backorder for such an extended period of time?
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-07-15
- VIN: 1VWBP7A31CC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: -I was parking my car in 95 degrees a hot day and an error air bag light came on on my 2012 Passat my car has never involved in a car accident I bring my car to the mechanic and it said passenger occupant detection system control module. -This is very risky to others because if the air bags fail I could have an accident I have 2 small child I don’t want my air bags deploy. This is the first time it happen to me before. 2 year ago the dealer replace a harness but the car under warranty am very scare that the air bags can deploy and have an accident.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-07-08
- VIN: 1vwbp7a30cc
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Car needs new clock spring. When parking vehicle and turning, hear a crack sound and airbag light came on, horn wouldn't work and none of the buttons on steering wheel work. Part is backordered and has been for a very long time. Don't know what to do as this is my son's car (age 19) and it's unsafe to drive. Also, don't want to pay a dealer $165 to run diagnostics when we are certain of the problem and know the part is not available ( was told there are over 8000 people ahead of me waiting for the part). It is unlikely we could sell the car with this problem. VW needs to do something (buy back the cars?).
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-04-07
- VIN: 1VWBP7A39CC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Back in August of 2015, there has been a repair/recall for the clock spring for Volkswagen Passats. I have had it fixed and it has a warranty on it until 2027. The part has failed 4 times with the most recent failure occurring at the beginning of April. The Volkswagen dealership has had the car since 4/7/2022 and I have been driving a rental that the dealership has been paying for. I received a call earlier today from the dealership telling me that they were having to release the car back to me by EOD 6/10 because the ETA for them receiving the part is unknown. This is incredibly unsafe that Volkswagen is having the dealerships release the cars back when the issue still has not been fixed. I understand that it’s not cost effective for them to keep covering the cost of rentals, but they should not be releasing unsafe vehicles back to their owners. I spoke to the general manager of the Volkswagen location my vehicle is currently at and the only really solution I was given is to have them evaluate the condition of the car to give me a trade-in value to buy a new vehicle, which I can’t afford right now. I understand that the manufacturer has issues but this seems like a huge liability and that Volkswagen does not seem to care about the safety of those who drive their vehicles.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-10-20
- VIN: 1VWBP7A38CC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V483000 (Air Bags) and the recall repair was completed. The contact stated the air bag warning light illuminated after the recall. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that the previous repair had failed and the clockspring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was no longer under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-11-06
- VIN: 1VWBN7A35CC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while reversing out of a parking space at approximately 3 MPH and turning the steering wheel, she heard a loud clicking noise coming from the wheel. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated along with an error: air bag message on the instrument panel. Additionally, the contact stated that the horn ceased functioning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the clockspring needed to be replaced. The contact was advised by the dealer that the clockspring was on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 275,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-05-07
- VIN: 1vwbh7a38cc
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I heard a loud crack while turning my steering wheel and now I have an "Airbag Error" message and the controls on my steering wheel do not work. Is this related to the Airbag recall? Is it the Steering Wheel Clock Spring?
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-10-15
- VIN: 1VWBM7A30CC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
- Summary: Although this site has my car listed with ZERO unfixed recalls, that is not true. I received a recall notice for the clockspring on this vehicle, called my local dealership and was told it was no big deal, just to have it fixed when I brought my car in for 80k mile servicing. At that time, the clockspring had not yet broken and my car only had 50k miles on it. Late last October, my clockspring broke and I took it to the dealership. They ordered the part but said it was on backorder and it is STILL on indefinite backorder. I have now been driving more than 6 months with NO airbags, NO horn and NO hands free steering wheel controls. The dealership will not give me a loaner until my vehicle is made safe to drive. I have reached out to VW headquarters, the consumer product safety commission and the NTSB. I am on an online chat site where it is apparent there are thousands of us who cant pass state safety inspections and have had to park our vehicles or are driving them out of necessity, like myself. I am a widow who works full time and cant just buy another vehicle so easily. I believe VW should either buy our vehicles from us or give us loaners until they can be made safe to drive. People will have accidents and VW will wish they had done something. It should not get to that point! My local dealership told me the VW clockspring is made in Ukraine - so obviously this is not getting resolved by VW anytime soon. Please help! Thank you for your time. The failure of these parts leaves the vehicle with no airbags, horn or hands free controls on the steering wheel. Consumer stated there are thousands of us out here with unsafe and disabled vehicles and we can get no response at all from VW. Dealership stated the part is on indefinite backorder and consumer has already been without airbags, horn, etc for more than 6 months now. Consumer believes VW should authorize loaner vehicles until ours can be made safe to drive or purchase the vehicles to get them off the road. Right now, consumer can’t sell them, can’t pass state safety inspections and are unfortunately left to take a chance and drive them.
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-04-26
- VIN: 1VWBN7A37CC
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Lost power reconnect batter n steering locked
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-08-27
- VIN: 1VWCP7A31CC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The Air Bag warning light turned on and i called the VW Queensboro dealership in Queens NYC. They told me they have the clock spring part to repair the open recall on my car. However, when i came in on August 31 2021 they inspected the car for 4 hours and then told me they don't have the part on hand. I returned to the VW Queensboro dealership on September 2nd 2021 to replace the clock spring. Within 6 weeks of the clock spring replacement, the airbag sensor turned on again. I scheduled an appointment at the VW Queensboro dealership on October 26 2021, and they replaced the clock spring again. In middle of March 2022 the air bag sensor turned on again, and i have an appointment at the VW Queensboro dealership on March 21 2022. In preparation for this appointment, the dealership told me that they do not have the clock spring in stock (appointment was scheduled over a week before the appointment itself) and they refuse to order the replacement clock spring until they do an inspection. This will lead to a 5th appointment to repair the clock spring, as well as forcing me to drive without an air bag for at least 2 weeks.
2012 Volkswagen Passat recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 10 recalls for different components of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: 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: 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.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
- Summary: 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: 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.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI 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: 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 dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: 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: 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.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG). The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.
- Consequence: If the leaking grease contacts a heated surface, such as the exhaust system and/or the diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could increase the risk of fire.
- Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft heat shield, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23W5.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Passat vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Due to improperly assembled wire seals in a connector for an underbody sensor, water may enter and corrode the electrical connectors of the sensor, causing an electrical short.
- Consequence: An electrical short can cause the electrical connectors of the sensor to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in September. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23T3.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: 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: 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.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
- Summary: 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. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
- Consequence: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Passat vehicles manufactured January 2011 through November 2012. In the affected vehicles, the low beam headlight bulb may become loose and lose electrical contact.
- Consequence: A loss of low beam headlights may reduce the driver's visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Volkswagen notified owners, and dealers will replace the bulb holder, free of charge. The recall began in May 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagens recall number associated with this campaign is 94G8/7V.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
- Summary: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 PASSAT VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 18, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 1, 2011. DURING ASSEMBLY, THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A DIESEL FUEL FILTER ELEMENT THAT MAY NOT SEAL CORRECTLY.
- Consequence: OVER TIME, OR AFTER CERTAIN DRIVING DISTANCES, THESE VEHICLES ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
- Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL FUEL FILTER ELEMENTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Negative 2012 Volkswagen Passat car reviews
Positive 2012 Volkswagen Passat car reviews
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Hi there! I wanted to share my experience with my 2012 Passat that I purchased on April 22nd. Unfortunately, I've had a few issues with it. The infotainment unit had to be replaced after a couple of visits to the dealership, and it's still not functioning properly. Additionally, the driver side door rattles and squeaks when I open and close it, and the steering wheel isn't aligned to the center. I also had to have the struts replaced due to a loud noise when turning left or right at high and low speeds. While these issues haven't been resolved yet, I'm hopeful that the dealership will be able to help me out soon. Thanks for listening!
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I recently purchased my Passat and have driven it for 3 months, covering 5200 miles. It took me a couple of weeks to find the perfect White car with black interior, but I finally located it in Fairfield, CA. The sales representative, Zain, was extremely helpful and kept his promise of having the car ready for me. The entire process went smoothly. I have been getting great gas mileage, with a high of 44MPG and a low of 38MPG, even with a combination of city and freeway driving. Once you learn to use the torque of the engine and not floor it, the car performs great. The radio is fantastic and the Bluetooth works perfectly every time. I have not encountered any problems to date, and it has been a fun car to drive with plenty of room.
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I recently traded in my 2005 Phaeton for the Passat TDI and I must say, I am pleasantly surprised! Although I was a bit nervous at first, my anxiety quickly dissipated after driving it for just three weeks. On a recent round trip from PGH to NYC, I was able to travel on just one tank of fuel with the cruise set at 70mph! The TDI averaged around 48 mpg for the trip, which is fantastic. The interior is spacious, quiet and comfortable, much like the Phaeton. The Passat TDI also provides a competent German ride quality and handles long sweepers and off ramps with confidence. The exterior has a chiseled, masculine shape that I personally find very appealing. Overall, if you're in the market for a spacious, fuel efficient cruiser, I highly recommend checking out the Passat TDI!
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I recently updated my review after driving 25,000 miles. While the electronics have been a bit iffy, I have found the ride to still be great. However, I have experienced some issues with the back doors constantly engaging the locks while driving at low speeds, and the tire light switches on almost immediately after reset. Although the sensors are okay, mechanics have been unable to determine the cause of these issues. Additionally, the interior dome light turns itself on randomly, and the passenger window opens and closes on its own. Unfortunately, the master cylinder went out at 47,000 miles and was insanely expensive to replace, as the part had to be imported from Germany. The front brake pads and rotors were also replaced at a high cost. Despite these issues, the engine and transmission have been solid so far. The interior has held up amazingly well and still looks new. I have had some trouble with the Bluetooth turning itself off, but overall, I have found the car to be reliable and enjoyable to drive.
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Congratulations on your recent purchase of a 2012 Passat S (manual)! It sounds like you made a great choice. Despite being the base model, it has everything you could ever need. While some expert reviews criticize it for lacking a rear-view camera and navigation, today's smartphones can handle navigation just fine, and looking over your shoulder to back up is always an option. Your combined mpg of 25.66 for the first 2500 miles seems perfectly reasonable for a car of this size, especially considering that you drive almost 90% off the highway. Additionally, the on-board computer has reported getting 40 mpg on your occasional 60-70 mile highway trips. As someone who is big and tall (6'5
Other years of Volkswagen Passat
Are you having problems with your 2012 Volkswagen Passat?
Jonathan Cremin 2024-11-29
In the past 3 years, I have had to replace a wheel bearing and have experienced creaking noises from the suspension. Additionally, the vehicle has had difficulty starting, even to the point of not starting several times when cold. Despite these issues, the dealership service and VW have dismissed the suspension and starting problems as normal. However, I believe that a new vehicle should start reliably every time, and I am not satisfied with the current situation. I expect my new car to provide dependable service.
Justus Rodriguez 2024-10-03
I am sorry to hear about your experience. It must have been very frustrating to have your engine die on a busy interstate while you were 5 months pregnant. It seems that the issue was caused by a bolt holding the injector pumps in place breaking, which dislodged the pumps and killed the engine. This breakage was traced back to a fuel system replacement done 3 months ago. You filed a formal complaint with the dealership, but unfortunately, the GM of the dealership reacted aggressively by demanding his rental car back and threatening to call the cops on you if you didn't return it immediately. It's understandable that you were loaned the car until your repairs were done. Customer care heard about all the incidents, but unfortunately, they took no action or accountability for what happened. I hope that your situation is resolved soon. Thank you for sharing your experience. It's important for buyers to be aware of these issues.
Miles Little 2024-08-14
I really appreciate the gas mileage my Passat gets. Over the course of 71,000 miles, I've averaged an impressive 48.2 MPG. However, I have had some issues with repair bills that have offset my gas savings. Unfortunately, I experienced some problems with the engine mount bolts and the DPF and EGR filter nuts and bolts, which caused some damage to the radiator hoses. I reached out to VW to inquire about the longevity of their engines and the missing nuts and bolts. Although I was out of warranty, they were still very helpful and understanding. While they couldn't take responsibility for the issues I experienced, they did offer some advice and wished me the best of luck.
Timothy Cassin 2024-07-10
I purchased this car in July and have generally been happy with it. However, there is one major issue that I must address: the headlights are not up to par. In comparison to my previous car, a 1999 Nissan Altima, the Passat's low beams are not projector type and there are no fog lights. This combination makes for a very poor driving experience at night. I have even had to visit a specialty shop to inquire about custom headlights just to feel safe driving after dark. During my test drive, I did not anticipate this being an issue. Unfortunately, when I contacted the dealership, I was informed that there are no upgraded headlights available for the Passat in the U.S.
Rocio Hill 2024-05-24
Although the seat comfort was my biggest complaint about my Passat, I found the gas mileage and tech on the car to be exceptional. Despite the lack of a 6th gear in the manual transmission, I still enjoyed driving it. The car has been very reliable, even with over 60,000 miles on it. Overall, I believe the Passat is a car worth considering, as long as the seats are comfortable for you. However, I ultimately decided to sell the car due to my personal preferences. Despite this, I remain confident in the Passat's quality and would recommend it to others.