65 of the 10,345 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Passat are about the driver-assist systems — 100% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2017.
65
Complaints
100%
Share of all complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
The front information center which is responsible for the rear camera system is shutdown due to the radio / entire screen being dead without reason
NHTSA complaint #11760236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I believe the cars FRONT END BRAKE ASSIST FAILED, resulting in a preventable accident. VW will not release data, and I have never had an accident in 32 years. There have been multiple class action lawsuits but VW refuses to announce a recall. Now, my car that is a 2022, with 50k miles on it, has major front end damage, and deployed airbags for an accident that could have been avoided. They have already been sued in 2024.
NHTSA complaint #11746104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
I believe the cars FRONT END BRAKE ASSIST FAILED, resulting in a preventable accident. VW will not release data, and I have never had an accident in 32 years. There have been multiple class action lawsuits but VW refuses to announce a recall. Now, my car that is a 2022, with 50k miles on it, has major front end damage, and deployed airbags for an accident that could have been avoided. They have already been sued in 2024.
NHTSA complaint #11746104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I believe the cars FRONT END BRAKE ASSIST FAILED, resulting in a preventable accident. VW will not release data, and I have never had an accident in 32 years. There have been multiple class action lawsuits but VW refuses to announce a recall. Now, my car that is a 2022, with 50k miles on it, has major front end damage, and deployed airbags for an accident that could have been avoided. They have already been sued in 2024.
NHTSA complaint #11746104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I was driving and the airbag light randomly came on out of the blue. While trying to parallel park I noticed my steering wheel clicking. We ran codes on the car and we are confident that the clock spring failed. My horn and cruise control also no longer work.
NHTSA complaint #11743564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Steering wheel controls stopped working, no horn either. Probably no airbag but haven't got into an accident. There was recall on the same part for the until 2018, but the new part I was going to install lists that if fits cars 2016-2022 Part # 5K0-953-569-BC Recall from VW. Number: VWP-18-11, Will replace part for my fiance,
NHTSA complaint #11705961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Driving home from work around 1:00 am at night with street lights and no other cars in the vicinity the auto brake engaged, causing an abrupt stop. Once the auto brake ceased I was able to complete my trip. There was a light coating of water in a spot on the road but nothing else and no reason for this to occur.
NHTSA complaint #11692184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The vehicle has been alerting error codes 16352 for failing to communicate with ABS module causing warning lights for ABS, brake and the ESC systems to illuminate. The brake system related vehicle stabilizing functions (ABS/ESC) is not be available, increasing the risk of a loss of vehicle control and could lead to a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Please reference Safety Recall Code: 45F2
NHTSA complaint #11691060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
ABS sensor warning lights are coming on showing there is an issue.
NHTSA complaint #11682521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While driving on a residential street the VW Front Assist suddenly engaged the brakes. There was no car in front or any cars driving in the area. The car came to a complete stop. The only explanation may be that it had been recently raining in Seattle and it was also late in the day so the sun was low in the sky. There was also a metal plate on the street that appeared to be reflective with the rain. We have had incidents like this in the past while driving over the University Bridge as well which is a metal grated draw bridge in Seattle. We are extremely concerned that the brakes will engage and we will be rear ended. I had the dealership inspect the Front Assist feature on Thursday April 17th, 2025 and they have no indication of any fault with the system. The radar sensor that the feature relies upon was properly aligned and in working order. This system makes our car less safe to drive than if it was permanently disabled. Rain followed by sunshine is common in Seattle creating situations where the Front Assist will be triggered incorrectly putting us and other motorists at risk.
NHTSA complaint #11655648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Error message alerted to maintenance needed and the air bag light has turned on and remained on. Also said message that front assist inls unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11648696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Stalling? Have to put in DRIVE in order to forward in order to get car to back up? Air bags Clock wheel has more connection to what wrong/Air bags connections is Connected to HORN (which stopped working) DRIVE? all the refuses are working fine. horn not work; Dangerous driving in CALIIFORNIA without a HORN** I just want ALL is for them to REPLACE the PARTS OF MY VW 2013 PASSAT WITHOUT ANY CHARGE Whatsoever; even an UNNECESSARY FEE** I am driving a car with DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS, TIRES HEADLIGHTS, Suspension, SEATBELTS PROBLEMS, TRANSMISSIONS PRBLEMS, steering, electrical, system THAT CAN EXPLODE LEADING TO A LETHAL SITUATION FOR MYSELF And/or my DISABLED SON NOT TO SAY SOMETIMES I HAVE MY GRANDKIDS here have been a lot of complaints other than for what these recalled products are allowed on this vehicle. I am not the only one dealing with this stalling issue/go forward. DANGEROUS what does SOMEONE have do suddenly put it in reverse to get out of another vehicle or another harmful?? Because these issues are really serious!! Especially when dealership like AUTO PLUS IN INDIO. CA. use car DEALERSHIP in vehicles like this and promising. people things about the vehicle and not true!!
NHTSA complaint #11572469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
My sensors cause the car to break in the middle of traffic. Almost causing accidents for the people behind me. This has happened 3x in the last month.
NHTSA complaint #11531558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
Since owning the vehicle, the lane assist is very aggressive. It will pick up tire marks or tar in the road and jerk the car out of the lane that I am in. I’ve contacted the dealership and they told me that there is nothing they can do to turn the sensitivity down. It has done it several times and almost caused a sideswiped collision.
NHTSA complaint #11517727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Since owning the vehicle, the lane assist is very aggressive. It will pick up tire marks or tar in the road and jerk the car out of the lane that I am in. I’ve contacted the dealership and they told me that there is nothing they can do to turn the sensitivity down. It has done it several times and almost caused a sideswiped collision.
NHTSA complaint #11517727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.