Owners have filed 175 complaints
about the 2017 Volkswagen Passat with NHTSA between 2017 and 2026.
The largest single group is the driver assist & collision avoidance.
Across this model's run it ranks 13 of 30 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 26
Against the median year of the Volkswagen Passat. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 56
10.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 97
57% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2017 compares with every other Volkswagen Passat
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Warnings
724.1%
Automatic Emergency Braking
620.7%
Assist
413.8%
Adaptive Cruise Control
413.8%
Body
310.3%
Warning
26.9%
Camera
26.9%
Steering Assist
13.4%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
67.8%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
1215.6%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
2127.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1924.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
911.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
22.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
67.8%
150,000+ miles
22.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2017peak 12Aug 2026
Recalls on the 2017 Volkswagen Passat
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 201924251,987 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Issue: Certain vehicles were built with headlights that may allow horizontal adjustment. This is not allowed under Canadian regulations. Safety Risk: Headlights that are not properly adjusted could cause reduced visibility or glare for oncoming drivers, and could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to inspect the headlights. A blocking cap will be installed on the horizontal adjusters as necessary.
Recall 201705665 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, defective brake line connections could cause brake fluid to leak from connection points. Over time, this would cause the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir to become low, illuminating the low fluid level warning light. If the vehicle is operated in this condition, reduced brake function may result, extending stopping distances and increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace affected brake lines.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 114,000 milesBirmingham, ALCrash
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
The contact owns 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, with the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated, the vehicle failed to detect another vehicle and the vehicle was involved in a crash. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injuries sustained. A Police report was filed but the information was not provided. The vehicle was vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.
NHTSA complaint #11755060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Las Vegas, NVFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The main CPU component failed in my car and grounded out the second cylinder causing a fire to happen, This happened on my way from the store while I was in traffic and almost caused me to get into an accident. Luckily no one was hurt but now my car is not functional. I took it to a mechanic to see what the cause was and that's what they said it was the computer that failed and that I would need to take it to a dealership in order to have them fix it. When they asked me when I started noticing the symptom I said it started happening a couple months ago there was a random misfire check engine light that came on. And then this happened. I'm desperate please help me.
NHTSA complaint #11569663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Defuniak Springs, FLCrash1 injured
WHEELS
These tires were on 2017 VW passat on 19” aftermarket wheels driven by my son. Previous tires of different brand had flats on passenger side one month earlier. On July 26, 2022 the new tire had blowout on driver rear location causing vehicle to lose traction spin and crash into wooded area on side if I 75 south of Tampa. My concern is these aftermarket wheels had three flats in three week period. Two different brands of tires on same 19” aftermarket rims.
NHTSA complaint #11476440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Defuniak Springs, FLCrash1 injured
TIRES
These tires were on 2017 VW passat on 19” aftermarket wheels driven by my son. Previous tires of different brand had flats on passenger side one month earlier. On July 26, 2022 the new tire had blowout on driver rear location causing vehicle to lose traction spin and crash into wooded area on side if I 75 south of Tampa. My concern is these aftermarket wheels had three flats in three week period. Two different brands of tires on same 19” aftermarket rims.
NHTSA complaint #11476440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boone, IACrash
AIR BAGS
Hit a deer head on while travelling at about 40 mph on a rural highway. Airbags did NOT deploy, despite front end damage.
NHTSA complaint #11463414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berkekey, CACrash
AIR BAGS
There was big impact front accident with other car, and the air bags did not function. The air bag failed.
NHTSA complaint #11443492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 114,000 milesBirmingham, ALCrash
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
The contact owns 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, with the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated, the vehicle failed to detect another vehicle and the vehicle was involved in a crash. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injuries sustained. A Police report was filed but the information was not provided. The vehicle was vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.
NHTSA complaint #11755060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cocoa, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
cracks in the fuel pump houisng cauisng vapors and fumes into my car.
NHTSA complaint #11751998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wesley Chapel, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS sensor has failed. Air bag sensor is faulty due to abs
NHTSA complaint #11711118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wesley Chapel, FL
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
ABS sensor has failed. Air bag sensor is faulty due to abs
NHTSA complaint #11711118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wesley Chapel, FL
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
ABS sensor has failed. Air bag sensor is faulty due to abs
NHTSA complaint #11711118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winston, OR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
while in cruise control and going up a incline or a hill The EPC light will come on and the car will start lugging down very badly and have no power, they've said vehicle has done this for a year now and we have not been able to get any kind of acknowledgment of it from another dealership or the actual company I've said make and model of vehicle Volkswagen Passat
NHTSA complaint #11702812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winston, OR
SERVICE BRAKES
said vehicle started making a grinding sound and all of a sudden the brake pad or shoe they'll completely off of the vehicle and the caliper for disc brake was the wrong calipers on my front end of my vehicle and now it's upside down and backwards and it's not the right calipers for my vehicle
NHTSA complaint #11702816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 355,000 milesFranklin Park, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power, with the check engine warning light and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred, causing the vehicle to intermittently start and stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure could be related to an electrical malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 355,000.
NHTSA complaint #11698579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 355,000 milesFranklin Park, NJ
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power, with the check engine warning light and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred, causing the vehicle to intermittently start and stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure could be related to an electrical malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 355,000.
NHTSA complaint #11698579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St Petersburg, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
began smelling fuel in the cockpit about 2 months ago but thought not much about why until it kept getting stronger. Looked under the car a saw fuel dripping in front of rear passenger wheel and directly under tank.
NHTSA complaint #11692933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Fuel pump control module over heated and burned
NHTSA complaint #11682870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gladstone, MI
AIR BAGS
While backing into a parking spot there was a crunching sound in the steering column. Following this noise the air bag light came on and all steering wheel control buttons nonfunctional including the horn. I reached out to a Volkswagen dealer as I had seen recalls for the clockspring, I was told my vehicle was not included in the recall. This is a 2017 Passat and had approximately 130,000 miles when this occurred. The closest dealer is over 2 hours away, and the service department is only open Monday-Friday.
NHTSA complaint #11662117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gladstone, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
While backing into a parking spot there was a crunching sound in the steering column. Following this noise the air bag light came on and all steering wheel control buttons nonfunctional including the horn. I reached out to a Volkswagen dealer as I had seen recalls for the clockspring, I was told my vehicle was not included in the recall. This is a 2017 Passat and had approximately 130,000 miles when this occurred. The closest dealer is over 2 hours away, and the service department is only open Monday-Friday.
NHTSA complaint #11662117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gladstone, MI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While backing into a parking spot there was a crunching sound in the steering column. Following this noise the air bag light came on and all steering wheel control buttons nonfunctional including the horn. I reached out to a Volkswagen dealer as I had seen recalls for the clockspring, I was told my vehicle was not included in the recall. This is a 2017 Passat and had approximately 130,000 miles when this occurred. The closest dealer is over 2 hours away, and the service department is only open Monday-Friday.
NHTSA complaint #11662117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stanwood, WA
AIR BAGS
Today, as my wife was driving home, she heard a "crunch" noise while making a turn. Afterwards, the Airbag light came on, and her steering wheel botton functions are not working, including her car horn. This all relates to the clockspring. This will be the third time we have had the clockspring replaced. This is extremely inconvenient, as the dealership is an hour away. The original clockspring didn't break until October 2023. The second broke and replaced in August of 2024. Now, we are scheduling to have the clockspring replaced again, 6 months later. I am unsure why the part is so unreliable. Whomever manufactures the part needs to do a FAR better job. This was our first new car, and now we regret the purchase due to this headache.
NHTSA complaint #11655558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stanwood, WA
STEERING
Today, as my wife was driving home, she heard a "crunch" noise while making a turn. Afterwards, the Airbag light came on, and her steering wheel botton functions are not working, including her car horn. This all relates to the clockspring. This will be the third time we have had the clockspring replaced. This is extremely inconvenient, as the dealership is an hour away. The original clockspring didn't break until October 2023. The second broke and replaced in August of 2024. Now, we are scheduling to have the clockspring replaced again, 6 months later. I am unsure why the part is so unreliable. Whomever manufactures the part needs to do a FAR better job. This was our first new car, and now we regret the purchase due to this headache.
NHTSA complaint #11655558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stanwood, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Today, as my wife was driving home, she heard a "crunch" noise while making a turn. Afterwards, the Airbag light came on, and her steering wheel botton functions are not working, including her car horn. This all relates to the clockspring. This will be the third time we have had the clockspring replaced. This is extremely inconvenient, as the dealership is an hour away. The original clockspring didn't break until October 2023. The second broke and replaced in August of 2024. Now, we are scheduling to have the clockspring replaced again, 6 months later. I am unsure why the part is so unreliable. Whomever manufactures the part needs to do a FAR better job. This was our first new car, and now we regret the purchase due to this headache.
NHTSA complaint #11655558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,393 milesFort Worth, TX
TIRES
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Passat equipped with Michelin Tires, Tire Line: T1XX, Tire Size: 235/45/R18, DOT Number: B9ELT1XX. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in a parking lot, the contact became aware that the rear passenger’s side tire had three cracks approximately 3 inches in length on the side wall near the rim. The vehicle was taken to a tire dealer for inspection, and the tire dealer informed the contact that there was no issue with the integrity of the tire. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was 123,393. The tire failure mileage was 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #11617862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gladstone, MI
AIR BAGS
Clock spring on vehicle has failed. This is a known issue with many VW vehicles, but I have been told my vehicle is not on the extended warranty program. 2017 VW Passat - approximately 150,000 miles. This eliminates all steering wheel controls, horn, cruise control, and air bags.
NHTSA complaint #11604563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gladstone, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Clock spring on vehicle has failed. This is a known issue with many VW vehicles, but I have been told my vehicle is not on the extended warranty program. 2017 VW Passat - approximately 150,000 miles. This eliminates all steering wheel controls, horn, cruise control, and air bags.
NHTSA complaint #11604563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gladstone, MI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Clock spring on vehicle has failed. This is a known issue with many VW vehicles, but I have been told my vehicle is not on the extended warranty program. 2017 VW Passat - approximately 150,000 miles. This eliminates all steering wheel controls, horn, cruise control, and air bags.
NHTSA complaint #11604563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
POWER TRAIN
On 6 separate occasions while operating my vehicle it randomly stops running. The first two were at 40 mph and I was told it was a battery issue. It happened twice less than 4 days after the battery was replaced, once at 25 mph and once at 15 mph. I then had the fuel pump replaced. Less than 4 days later it happened twice again. Once at 10 mph and another time at 45 mph.
NHTSA complaint #11589895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On 6 separate occasions while operating my vehicle it randomly stops running. The first two were at 40 mph and I was told it was a battery issue. It happened twice less than 4 days after the battery was replaced, once at 25 mph and once at 15 mph. I then had the fuel pump replaced. Less than 4 days later it happened twice again. Once at 10 mph and another time at 45 mph.
NHTSA complaint #11589895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
ENGINE
On 6 separate occasions while operating my vehicle it randomly stops running. The first two were at 40 mph and I was told it was a battery issue. It happened twice less than 4 days after the battery was replaced, once at 25 mph and once at 15 mph. I then had the fuel pump replaced. Less than 4 days later it happened twice again. Once at 10 mph and another time at 45 mph.
NHTSA complaint #11589895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuquerque, NM
AIR BAGS
Our 2017 VW Passat had the clockspring replaced last year under warranty number [XXX] at Barnes Crossing Volkswagen in Tupelo, MS. The airbag stopped working and safety features such as adaptive cruise control were also not available. Not realizing the airbag would NOT deploy in the event of an accident, Volkswagen asked us to drive an hour to have it repaired which was considerably dangerous. As of today the clockspring they replaced once again failed with the same associated problems. I am submitting a report due to how dangerous this problem is considering they supposedly fixed the issue however it seems multiple people have reported the issue coming back. The fact the airbag could stop working at anytime due to a defective clockspring is very troublesome and make me worry in the event of an accident if the clockspring will fail thus not allowing the airbag to deploy. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11584287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.