2017 Volkswagen PASSAT: complaints, problems and recalls

THE CAR MOVES FROM THE AUTOMATIC TO THE MANUAL MODE. THIS HAS OCCURRED 4 TO 6 TIMES IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND JUST STARTING OUT IN LOW GEAR. IF I MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FROM AUTOMATIC TO MANUAL AND THEN BACK TO AUTOMATIC IT RESUMES NORMAL FUNCTION IN THE AUTOMATIC MODE.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10960043 at NHTSA ↗

SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WITH NO IMPACT WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. VW REFUSES TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY, IT WAS EVEN DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME NEEDS TO BE REPLACED NOW.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10971933 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400.

Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10980503 at NHTSA ↗

LOUD AND ABRUPT THUD SOUND WHEN CHANGING GEARS IN 2017 VW PASSAT R-LINE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MODEL. THIS LOUD THUD CAN BE HEARD EASILY WHEN CAR IS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND CAN EVEN BE FELT AT THE BASE OF THE GAS PEDAL. HAPPENS MORE NOTICEABLY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 20-40 MPH. MY CAR NOW HAS 5500 MILES ON IT BUT THIS LOUD THUD HAS BEEN HEARD SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO REYDEL VW IN NEW JERSEY TO GET CHECKED BUT THE TECHNICIANS SAY THERE ARE NO ISSUES, EVEN THOUGH I KNOW I AM NOT CRAZY. I HAVE DRIVEN…

Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10983458 at NHTSA ↗

I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW JAN 10 2017. I HAVE PUT 1500 MILES ON IT AS OF 5/8/17. TODAY AT A STOP LIGHT WHILE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT OR CHANGE, THE TIRE EXPLODED I FELT TH CAR MOVE OR WIGGLE, LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I WENT TO INSPECT TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN THIS LOOKS LIKE A VOLCANO SPROUTED OUT OF THE TIRE. ITS NOT THE SIDEWALL THERE IS NO DAMAGE GOING INTO THE TIRE.. THE RUBBER HAS SPILT OUTWARD...THE METAL WIRING IN THE TIRE IS BENT OUTWARD. NOT INWARD. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THI…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10984290 at NHTSA ↗

I PREFACE THIS BY SAYING THIS IS MY FIRST KEYLESS CAR AND I DON'T LIKE IT. IT IS SOMETIMES CONFUSING AS TO WHETHER THE CAR IS RUNNING OR OFF AND THE IGNITION BUTTON LOOKS IDENTICAL IN BOTH SCENARIOS. ON JUNE 12, I PARKED MY CAR (IT WAS STATIONARY) AND TOOK MY DOG INTO HER DAY CARE CENTER. WHILE I WAS IN THERE, MY CAR APPARENTLY ROLLED OUT OF THE LOT AND CAME TO REST ON A SIDEWALK. THANKFULLY, NO ONE WAS INJURED AND ONLY THE BUMPER AND REAR LIGHT WERE IMPACTED. WHILE I THOUGHT I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, I MAY HAVE ACCIDENTALLY HAVE LEFT THE CAR I…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10994931 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT LEASES A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE REAR BACKUP CAMERA FAILED TO DISPLAY ON THE MONITOR. THE REARVIEW CAMERA SYSTEM WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ESSERMAN INTERNATIONAL (LOCATED ON 10455 NW 12TH ST, MIAMI, FL 33172) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE BACKUP CAMERA WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CASE WAS BEING REVIEWED AND AN UPDATE…

Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11012599 at NHTSA ↗

TOO SENSITIVE ESC ISSUE ON 2017 PASSAT COULD CAUSE SAFETY HAZARD I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SUPER SENSITIVE ESC THAT ENGAGED AT 35 MILES/HOUR OR MORE AT HIGHWAY ENTRANCE AND EXIT WITH 2017 PASSAT R LINE. THIS 35 MILES LIMIT IS TOO LOW COMPARED WITH VW 2014 JETTA SE, 2016 JETTA 1.8T, 2014 SUBARU FORESTER, 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK, 2007 MERCEDES C230, 2011 C300 I OWN/ED. DRIVER'S PERCEPTION IS NOT MUCH CHANGE DUE TO THE CAR MODEL, ESPECIALLY WITHIN THE SAME OEM LIKE VW, THE CORNER IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT MORE THAN 50 MILES/HOUR, BUT THE PASSAT …

Owner-reported narrative. 130 miles reported. Look up ODI 11014763 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2017-02-08 (February 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: 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.

Reported: 2018-08-15 (August 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: 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.

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.

Reported: 2019-09-25 (September 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: 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.

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.

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.

Reported: 2024-10-30 (October 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: 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.