2016 Volkswagen PASSAT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
106 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
34,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 54 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 106 complaints (20.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 27 | 25.5% |
| Steering behavior | 23 | 21.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 10 | 9.4% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 5.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 3.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 22 |
| Electrical System | 22 |
| Steering | 19 |
| Engine | 17 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 15 |
| Service Brakes | 15 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 |
Air Bags: 22; Electrical System: 22; Steering: 19; Engine: 17; Fuel/Propulsion System: 15; Service Brakes: 15; Unknown Or Other: 13; Vehicle Speed Control: 11
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 23 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 23; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 52 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2016: 6; 2017: 7; 2018: 16; 2019: 13; 2020: 10; 2021: 11; 2022: 8; 2023: 11; 2024: 11; 2025: 9; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10850473 · 2016-03-18 (March 18, 2016)
TODAY, I HAVE A BIG PROBLEM WITH MY PASSAT, I ARRIVED TO MY OFFICE THIS MORNING , AND I WAS CALLING BY PHONE WITH OTHER, BEFORE CLOSE THE DOOR OF MY CAR, AND I FORGOT TO PUSH THE BOTTOM TO SWITCH OFF THE ENGINE, ALL DAY I WAS WORKING IN MY OFFICE, AND AFTER I LEFT FROM MY COMPANY, AND BACK AT HOME, THE CAR WAS WITHOUT GAS, BECAUSE ALL THIS TIME WAS ON ALL THIS TIME, I CAN BELIEVE THAT THE CAR ALARM SYSTEM NEVER SWITCH OFF THE ENGINE. I HAVE A BIG COMPLAIN OF THIS ONE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO RETURN MY CAR TO VW, THEY NEVER TOLD ME IN VW DEALER T…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10850473 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10861638 · 2016-04-27 (April 27, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING AND THE POWER BRAKES SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO IMMEDIATELY STEER OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT. THE VEHICLE LATER EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE VACUUM PUMP. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,300.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10861638 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10863855 · 2016-05-09 (May 9, 2016)
HARSH DOWNSHIFT ASSOCIATED WITH A VERY AUDIBLE CLUNK OR BANG IN THE DRIVE TRAIN OR TRANSMISSION SINCE NEW. OCCURS WHEN UTILIZING THE AUTO-SHIFT (AKA TIPTRONIC(TM)) SHIFT TO DOWNSHIFT WHEN DE-CCELERATING TO A STOP. BANG OCCURS AT LOW RPM (<700) AND LOW SPEED (<10MPH) AND ONLY WHEN SHIFTING 2ND GEAR TO 1ST GEAR. PROBLEM CAN BE REPRODUCED AND IS ASSOCIATED WITH CITY STREET DRIVING WHEN USING THE TIPTRONIC TO CASCADE DOWN THROUGH THE GEARS WHEN APPROACHING A STOP. I HAVE DEMONSTRATED THE DEFECT/CONDITION TO VOLKSWAGEN TECHNICAL. IT REMAINS UNRE…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10863855 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10864774 · 2016-05-13 (May 13, 2016)
I WAS SLOWING DOWN AND PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF A RESTAURANT FOR LUNCH. MY 2016 VW PASST V6 SUDDENLY SWIRLED TO THE LEFT, JUMPED OVER CURBS, AND BUSTED ALL FOUR TIRES BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT. TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT I COULD STEPPED ON GAS INSTEAD OF BREAK OT IT COULD BE THE PARKING ASSISTANCE TOOK OVER THE CONTROL OF THE CAR. WHEN THEY REPLACED MY TIRES,, THEY FOUND AN OPEN RECORD/CAMPAIGN AS DESCRIBED "96D6 2016-05-04 W-UPDATE - PARK ASSIST AND BLIND SPOT DETECTION (NVLW)." I AM NOT SURE WHAT THIS RECORD MEANS.…
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10864774 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10869926 · 2016-05-19 (May 19, 2016)
2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE IN TRAFFIC CAUSES VEHICLE TO PAUSE, FOLLOWED BY EXTREME SURGE OF POWER (THE TURBO PAUSE). *SMD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10869926 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10884433 · 2016-07-12 (July 12, 2016)
MY 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSET SE MODEL CAR APPLIES THE BRAKES WHILE IN MOTION ON ITS OWN. THIS HAS OCCURRED 6 TIMED OVER THE PAST 7 MONTHS. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 12 2015. IT IS GETTING WORSE EACH TIME. ONE TIME IT HAPPENED AS I WAS ABOUT 100 FEET FROM A INTERSECTION. NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS THE ONLY ONE ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME. I WAS DURING THE DAY AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BREAK APPLIED. REALLY SCARED ME. ANOTHER TIME IT HAPPENED APPROACHING RAILROAD TRACKS. THIS TIME THE BRAKES APPLIED REALLY HARD. IT WAS BAD EVERY THING F…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10884433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10950386 · 2017-02-08 (February 8, 2017)
DRIVING IN FREEZING RAIN. CRUISE CONTROL ON. FRONT SENSOR ICED UP, CAR BRAKED TO SIGNAL IT TURNED OFF ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL DUE TO FRONT SENSOR ICING UP. I BRIEFLY LOST CONTROL OF CAR ON ICY ROADWAY AS IT LOST TRACTION WHEN IT BRAKED.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10950386 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10993193 · 2017-06-05 (June 5, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER AND WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED FOR THE BODY DAMAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE VIEW MIRROR INDICATOR FAILED TO DETECT THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10993193 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V705000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
Reported: 2015-10-26 (October 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V403000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
Reported: 2016-06-06 (June 6, 2016)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles, equipped with 1.8T engines manufactured November 13, 2015, to December 9, 2015, and 2016 Golf vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to November 11, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.
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 cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 15F7.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V389000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 2019-05-22 (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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V561000 · Unknown Or Other
Reported: 2020-09-16 (September 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V321000 · Unknown Or Other
Reported: 2021-05-05 (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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗