FaultScore

2017 Volkswagen Passat driver assist problems

29 of the 175 complaints about the 2017 Volkswagen Passat are about the driver-assist systems — 17% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 46,000 miles.

C

29

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Warnings 7 24.1%
Automatic Emergency Braking 6 20.7%
Adaptive Cruise Control 4 13.8%
Assist 4 13.8%
Forward Collision Avoidance 2 6.9%
Camera 2 6.9%
Warning 2 6.9%
Camera System 1 3.4%
Steering Assist 1 3.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 114,000 miles Birmingham, AL Crash

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.

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.

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.

at 137,000 miles Morganville, NJ

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving across a railroad track, the Forward Collision-Avoidance braking system independently engaged. The contact was able to safely cross the railroad track. The contact stated that the failure had occurred previously while the contact was driving and crossing an intersection. However, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

NHTSA complaint #11566210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Stroudsburg, PA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

My clock spring has broken. It is giving major safety concerns because my front airbag will not work. The horn does not work, limiting my communication with other drivers in case of impending accidents. None of the buttons work on my steering column as well.

NHTSA complaint #11523418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cooper City, FL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

The following warning lights will randomly turn on & off while driving: Air Bag Malfunction, ABS Brakes, ESC, Adaptive Cruise Control, Front collision, tire pressure, power steering, blind spot detection, low Key Battery detected, and indicate they are not functional. It is a random and items will go back to work while normally driving. Key fob battery has been replaced multiple times...

NHTSA complaint #11512585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

Error shown on dashboard, at this time no incident to report. Drivers airbag disabled , ACC disabled, steering wheel functionality disabled.

NHTSA complaint #11511326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

Error shown on dashboard, at this time no incident to report. Drivers airbag disabled , ACC disabled, steering wheel functionality disabled.

NHTSA complaint #11511326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ellenwood, GA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

I had my battery changed at the VW dealership and a week later, my horn stopped working, my airbag light came on and my front assist no longer works. There’s also a clicking noise when I turn my steering wheel. It seems this clock coil issue has been a recall issue for VW for years, but when I search my VIN it list no recalls of this nature.

NHTSA complaint #11458432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Woodland, CA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

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 complaint #11446404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cooper City, FL

LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

While driving straight in dry weather (i.e. no rain), the lane light will change from – green – to – yellow – color in the dash and the steering wheel will jerk, usually left, sometimes right, very abruptly, as if the car is trying to find the lane with lane assist on. Note, this is on well marked city streets and on regular interstate roads with clearly marked dashed lane lines. This has been happening for at least two months (today's date Dec. 12, 2021) and only now reporting this complaint. It did almost cause me to run into the car beside me several times or turn into the center median (trees) on city streets.

NHTSA complaint #11443830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cooper City, FL

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

While driving straight in dry weather (i.e. no rain), the lane light will change from – green – to – yellow – color in the dash and the steering wheel will jerk, usually left, sometimes right, very abruptly, as if the car is trying to find the lane with lane assist on. Note, this is on well marked city streets and on regular interstate roads with clearly marked dashed lane lines. This has been happening for at least two months (today's date Dec. 12, 2021) and only now reporting this complaint. It did almost cause me to run into the car beside me several times or turn into the center median (trees) on city streets.

NHTSA complaint #11443830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Birmingham, AL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

I have had to have my vehicle serviced over 5 times within the last three months. There is a recurring sensor temps, Air bad error, radio not working properly, and front assist sensor light error. Everything I have had to take my vehicle to a service dealer, my wheel bearing need to be changed, my tire sensor needs to be changed, and my steering wheel is shaking. This is an urgent matter that needs to be taken care of

NHTSA complaint #11424540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tuscaloosa, AL

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

On starting the vehicle for the first time of the day, console display indicated Lane Assist was disabled. It was necessary to access the menu system and re-enable Lane Assist. Lane Assist was enabled when the vehicle was parked the previous day. Lane Assist has many times somehow become disabled and cleared on the menu system while the car was parked overnight. The problem and others have been reported to Volkswagen several times. After lengthy service visits since 2019, Volkswagen have been unable to correct or explain the faults. Volkswagen insist no error codes have been recorded in the system. All thing considered, the ongoing absence of error codes may be yet another fault.

NHTSA complaint #11420208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tuscaloosa, AL

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

While driving at approximately 10 MPH, the message "Lane Assist Currently Not Available" was displayed and Lane Assist deselected in the system menu. Later, while parked, I re-enabled Lane Assist using the menu system. This problem, along with others, has been ongoing since 2019. Since 2019, Volkswagen have been unable or unwilling to correct any of the problems experienced with the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11419843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tuscaloosa, AL

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

While stopped at an intersection with no moving traffic, the Park Assist enabled itself warning extreme proximity to something on the left side of the vehicle. As with other faults, the Park Assist faults have occurred numerous times since 2019. The Lane Assist system unexpectedly disabled itself while driving less than five MPH on a slightly inclined driveway.

NHTSA complaint #11418180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tuscaloosa, AL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

The emergency breaking incident first occurred on 8 December 2019 as I was entering the parking lot for my apartment complex. There were no obstacles. The second occurrence was reported to the NHTSA on 5 May 2021. The tracking number for the issue is 11415338. The vehicle has exhibited multiple faults with its electronics, including emergency breaking enabling for no apparent reason, lane assist randomly disabling itself (including driving and overnight while parked), parking sensors alerting extreme proximity when nothing it near the vehicle, Infotainment system (failed to move from VW display, locked up, failed to display rear camera with vehicle in reverse and other failures), the rear camera has failed to display and displayed a image "rolling" vertically, wing mirrors have failed to extend or extend after considerable delay, and other issues. All of these issues have been reported to Volkswagen and service has reported no problems. Additional information, photos, and video are available.

NHTSA complaint #11417838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tuscaloosa, AL

LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: STEERING ASSIST

The emergency breaking incident first occurred on 8 December 2019 as I was entering the parking lot for my apartment complex. There were no obstacles. The second occurrence was reported to the NHTSA on 5 May 2021. The tracking number for the issue is 11415338. The vehicle has exhibited multiple faults with its electronics, including emergency breaking enabling for no apparent reason, lane assist randomly disabling itself (including driving and overnight while parked), parking sensors alerting extreme proximity when nothing it near the vehicle, Infotainment system (failed to move from VW display, locked up, failed to display rear camera with vehicle in reverse and other failures), the rear camera has failed to display and displayed a image "rolling" vertically, wing mirrors have failed to extend or extend after considerable delay, and other issues. All of these issues have been reported to Volkswagen and service has reported no problems. Additional information, photos, and video are available.

NHTSA complaint #11417838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tuscaloosa, AL

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

The emergency breaking incident first occurred on 8 December 2019 as I was entering the parking lot for my apartment complex. There were no obstacles. The second occurrence was reported to the NHTSA on 5 May 2021. The tracking number for the issue is 11415338. The vehicle has exhibited multiple faults with its electronics, including emergency breaking enabling for no apparent reason, lane assist randomly disabling itself (including driving and overnight while parked), parking sensors alerting extreme proximity when nothing it near the vehicle, Infotainment system (failed to move from VW display, locked up, failed to display rear camera with vehicle in reverse and other failures), the rear camera has failed to display and displayed a image "rolling" vertically, wing mirrors have failed to extend or extend after considerable delay, and other issues. All of these issues have been reported to Volkswagen and service has reported no problems. Additional information, photos, and video are available.

NHTSA complaint #11417838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 46,000 miles Austin, TX

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

I HAVE A 2017 VW PASSAT SE. FRONT ASSIST BREAKS OR GETS READY TO BREAK (SHOWS THE BIG CAR SYMBOL ON DASHBOARD AND BEEPS) IN BAD WEATHER LIKE WHILE IT IS RAINY AND THERE ARE NO CARS AROUND ME. IT ALSO HAPPENED A FEW TIMES DURING SUNNY WEATHER. THE CAR SLAMMED THE BREAKS FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS GOING LIKE 40-45 MPH. I AM SUPER SCARED IT WILL BRAKE ONE DAY WHEN I AM GOING WITH 60+ ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH. A SAFETY SYSTEM THAT IS PURPOSE TO REDUCE THE ACCIDENT RISK OR IMPACT OF A CRASH SHOULD NOT BEHAVE DANGEROUSLY AND BECOME A POTATIAL ACCIDENT CAUSE.

NHTSA complaint #11416643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 46,000 miles Austin, TX

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

I HAVE A 2017 VW PASSAT SE. FRONT ASSIST BREAKS OR GETS READY TO BREAK (SHOWS THE BIG CAR SYMBOL ON DASHBOARD AND BEEPS) IN BAD WEATHER LIKE WHILE IT IS RAINY AND THERE ARE NO CARS AROUND ME. IT ALSO HAPPENED A FEW TIMES DURING SUNNY WEATHER. THE CAR SLAMMED THE BREAKS FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS GOING LIKE 40-45 MPH. I AM SUPER SCARED IT WILL BRAKE ONE DAY WHEN I AM GOING WITH 60+ ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH. A SAFETY SYSTEM THAT IS PURPOSE TO REDUCE THE ACCIDENT RISK OR IMPACT OF A CRASH SHOULD NOT BEHAVE DANGEROUSLY AND BECOME A POTATIAL ACCIDENT CAUSE.

NHTSA complaint #11416643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Tuscaloosa, AL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

THE PASSAT AUTONOMOUS BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING ON A DIVIDED FOUR-LANE STREET WITH NO TRAFFIC OR OBSTRUCTIONS. LANE ASSIST HAS REPEATEDLY DISABLED ITSELF. PARK ASSIST SENSORS HAVE REPEATEDLY DETECTED OBJECTS EXTREMELY CLOSE WHEN NOTHING IS PRESENT. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER SYSTEM FAILURES. IN 2019, I FIRST REPORTED THE ISSUES TO A VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE CENTER FOR REPAIR. SINCE THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE HAS SPENT WEEKS IN SERVICE WITH VOLKSWAGEN INVOLVEMENT, WITH A REPORT OF NO ERRORS FOUND. THE FAULTS HAVE CONTINUED, SEEMINGLY AT RANDOM, SINCE 2019. I HAVE SUPPLIED VOLKSWAGEN WITH NOTES, PHOTOS, AND VIDEOS OF THE FAILURES VOLKSWAGEN NOT STATE THEY CANNOT ACCEPT PHOTO OR VIDEO DOCUMENTATION, NOT WILL THEY PAY FOR ANY REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL AUGUST 2020 AND NOT REPAIRED. I HAVE A LOT OF PHOTOS AND VIDEOS, AS WELL AS NOTES THAT I WOULD BE PLEASED TO FORWARD TO YOU.

NHTSA complaint #11415338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Tuscaloosa, AL

LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

THE PASSAT AUTONOMOUS BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING ON A DIVIDED FOUR-LANE STREET WITH NO TRAFFIC OR OBSTRUCTIONS. LANE ASSIST HAS REPEATEDLY DISABLED ITSELF. PARK ASSIST SENSORS HAVE REPEATEDLY DETECTED OBJECTS EXTREMELY CLOSE WHEN NOTHING IS PRESENT. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER SYSTEM FAILURES. IN 2019, I FIRST REPORTED THE ISSUES TO A VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE CENTER FOR REPAIR. SINCE THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE HAS SPENT WEEKS IN SERVICE WITH VOLKSWAGEN INVOLVEMENT, WITH A REPORT OF NO ERRORS FOUND. THE FAULTS HAVE CONTINUED, SEEMINGLY AT RANDOM, SINCE 2019. I HAVE SUPPLIED VOLKSWAGEN WITH NOTES, PHOTOS, AND VIDEOS OF THE FAILURES VOLKSWAGEN NOT STATE THEY CANNOT ACCEPT PHOTO OR VIDEO DOCUMENTATION, NOT WILL THEY PAY FOR ANY REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL AUGUST 2020 AND NOT REPAIRED. I HAVE A LOT OF PHOTOS AND VIDEOS, AS WELL AS NOTES THAT I WOULD BE PLEASED TO FORWARD TO YOU.

NHTSA complaint #11415338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Jefferson, GA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

MY CAR SHAKES AND BRAKES ARE REALLY TOUCHY DUE TO THE FORWARD ASSIST

NHTSA complaint #11413863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Birmingham, AL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

ALL THREE SENSORS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. AFTER HAVING THEM CHECKED, NO ISSUE WAS FOUND AND CODES WERE RESET. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, ALL THREE SENSORS SHOWED UP AGAIN. ALL OF THIS OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THEN AGAIN IN MOTION.

NHTSA complaint #11404095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,656 miles Evansville, IN

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND GETTING READY TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE, A CAUTION LIGHT AND ALERT TONE SUDDENLY CAME ON. DISPLAY READ "FRONT ASSIST: NO SENSOR VIEW." NOTHING ELSE HAPPENED AND THE ALERT TURNED OFF AFTER A FEW MILES. THIS IS THE SYSTEM THAT AUTOMATICALLY APPLIES THE BRAKES IF IT SENSES A POSSIBLE COLLISION. IF THIS SYSTEM WAS TO FAIL, THE BRAKES COULD AUTOMATICALLY APPLY WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH POSSIBLE DISASTROUS RESULTS. MANY VW OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE. THERE IS CURRENTLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST VW (DACK, ET AL., V. VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC., ET AL.) FOR THIS ISSUE AND VOLKSWAGEN'S FAILURE TO ADMIT THERE IS AN ISSUE OR ADDRESS IT.

NHTSA complaint #11383621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,090 miles Trenton, FL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES CLOSE TO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, THE AUTONOMOUS BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE BRAKED SUDDENLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,090.

NHTSA complaint #11233182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mankato, MN

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

2017 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUE WITH REARVIEW BACKUP CAMERA. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED WHILE IT WAS IN POSSESSION OF THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER STATED IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND THERE WASNO SOLUTION FOR THE CAMERA FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #11114830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Miami, FL

BACK OVER PREVENTION: CAMERA SYSTEM

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 WOULD BE PROVIDED ON OCTOBER 4, 2017. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 09/22/17*LJ

NHTSA complaint #11012599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2017 Volkswagen Passat problems

← Full 2017 Volkswagen Passat report