FaultScore

Volkswagen Passat tire problems

100 of the 10,333 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Passat are about the tires — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2002.

100

Complaints

1%

Share of all complaints

3

Crashes

2

Fires

Tires complaints by model year

1990 Passat 1 1.0%
1993 Passat 3 3.0%
1995 Passat 2 2.0%
1997 Passat 1 1.0%

Median failure at 113,900 miles

1998 Passat 5 5.0%

Median failure at 113,884 miles

1999 Passat 12 12.0%

Median failure at 35,500 miles

2000 Passat 8 8.0%

Median failure at 78,000 miles

2001 Passat 7 7.0%

Median failure at 37,450 miles

2002 Passat 13 13.0%

Median failure at 25,000 miles

2003 Passat 5 5.0%

Median failure at 22,650 miles

2004 Passat 8 8.0%

Median failure at 7,793 miles

2005 Passat 5 5.0%

Median failure at 71,000 miles

2006 Passat 4 4.0%

Median failure at 37,907 miles

2007 Passat 4 4.0%

Median failure at 75,321 miles

2008 Passat 1 1.0%

Median failure at 32,459 miles

2010 Passat 1 1.0%

Median failure at 44,756 miles

2012 Passat 2 2.0%

Median failure at 26,570 miles

2013 Passat 6 6.0%

Median failure at 18,113 miles

2014 Passat 4 4.0%

Median failure at 2,160 miles

2015 Passat 4 4.0%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2017 Passat 3 3.0%

Median failure at 123,393 miles

2021 Passat 1 1.0%

What owners said

2012 Volkswagen Passat El Paso, TX

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

The tire size is 235/45r18 and the tread is coming off, we just noticed it and there has not been any accident nor incident

NHTSA complaint #11721277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Volkswagen Passat at 123,393 miles Fort 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.

2014 Volkswagen Passat Greenville, SC

TIRES

215/60/r16- replaced 6 tires all under 2500 miles of use. Have all receipts. The tires were always losing air even with being Brandy new, would slide with brand new tread and it did not have to be raining. I spent a lot of money on the tires to only go with a different brand finally after going to have to replace 4 more tires under the 2500 mark, yes I had the warranty for free replacement. But discount tires deemed the Sentury touring tires a road hazard. I also have pictures of how they looked even with air in them. I purchased them from a discount tire store as well. They have all my documents on file to prove my statement. Sentury company needs to investigated on their tire quality as the tires could have caused blow outs and killed my family or myself or even another person. As you can see in the picture yes they are dirty, but plenty of tread. These tires are supposed to be reliable for 40k miles. These were either the second or 3rd replacement for this brand depending on what part of the car, either front or back. And again not even 2500 miles did they last.

NHTSA complaint #11576138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Volkswagen Passat Greenville, SC

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

215/60/r16- replaced 6 tires all under 2500 miles of use. Have all receipts. The tires were always losing air even with being Brandy new, would slide with brand new tread and it did not have to be raining. I spent a lot of money on the tires to only go with a different brand finally after going to have to replace 4 more tires under the 2500 mark, yes I had the warranty for free replacement. But discount tires deemed the Sentury touring tires a road hazard. I also have pictures of how they looked even with air in them. I purchased them from a discount tire store as well. They have all my documents on file to prove my statement. Sentury company needs to investigated on their tire quality as the tires could have caused blow outs and killed my family or myself or even another person. As you can see in the picture yes they are dirty, but plenty of tread. These tires are supposed to be reliable for 40k miles. These were either the second or 3rd replacement for this brand depending on what part of the car, either front or back. And again not even 2500 miles did they last.

NHTSA complaint #11576138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Volkswagen Passat Manchester, TN

TIRES:SIDEWALL

I own a 2021 Volkswagen Passat R-Line that has GITI 235/40R19 Comfort tires, I have had bubbles on two of the tires that blew out going down the interstate. I now have a third tire with the same issue.

NHTSA complaint #11569898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Volkswagen Passat Flagstaff, AZ

TIRES

Severe crack in sidewall of one tire. (4) 235/45R18 GOODYEAR ASSURANCE MAXLIFE I stopped by the installer today 9/12/2023. At risk for Blow-out. No signs of running underinflated. To my surprise - they Identified that the three other tires are show similar sidewall cracking emerging. Pictures available. Pictures of the other three tires are available upon request. I purchased four tires from Tire rack January 5, 2020. RHP Reference Number(s): XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX NOTE: Is this similar to complaint # NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11510140 ( March 4, 2023 ) Similarities: Both cars had: Same "brand" Tire. Similare make. Passat. 2017 vs my 2015 (TDI = extra weight) Hot climate Texas vs Arizona INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11544204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Volkswagen Passat Fort Worth, TX

TIRES

Tire Size - P235/40R19 03/03/2022 TPMS light came on and Right Rear Tire inner sidewall blew out while on the freeway. I felt and heard a lot of read noise while this occurred and was able to safely pull off freeway and have spare tire put on. Went to Just Tires, 5155 Bryant Irvin Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76132 and left Right Rear tire with them for inspection. Previously closed location of Just Tires 1661 S Main St, Keller, TX 76248 was the shop that installed both Rear tires on 06/18/2022 On the way home heard more road noise. 03/04/2022 Inspected Left Rear Tire before leaving and saw visible tears on the inner sidewall. Slowly drove vehicle back to Just Tires on Bryant Irvin RD to inspect Left Rear tire.

NHTSA complaint #11510140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Volkswagen Passat Defuniak Springs, FL Crash 1 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.

2015 Volkswagen Passat at 60,000 miles Woodville, MA

TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT EQUIPPED WITH VREDESTEIN QUATRAC TIRES, SIZE: 215/55R17 (NA). WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC REPLACED THE TIRE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER BRAND OF TIRE. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A SUPERVISOR WOULD REACH OUT. THE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. *LN

NHTSA complaint #11281516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Volkswagen Passat at 62,000 miles Danville, IL

TIRES

PURCHASED NEW ATLAS TIRE FROM AN AUTHORIZED ATLAS TIRE DEALER. ONCE TIRES WERE MOUNTED AND BALANCED, THERE WAS A SLIGHT VIBRATION AROUND 70 MPH. THE TIRE WAS THEN RE-BALANCED AND HAD PRESSURE APPLIED. IT WAS FOUND THE TIRE TO HAVE A THIN SIDE WALL CAUSING THE TIRE NOT TO BALANCE AND PUTTING THE DRIVER AT RISK WITH A PREMATURE FAILURE. THE COMPANY AS NOT FOLLOWED THERE WARRANTY AND WILL NOT RESPOND TO AN ON-GOING EMAIL WITH THEIR REPRESENTATIVES.

NHTSA complaint #11111658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Volkswagen Passat Hobe Sound, FL

TIRES

2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE VEHICLE TIRES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ROUGH AND THE STEERING WAS VIBRATING DUE TO THE VEHICLE HAVING 3 BAD TIRES. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED 4 NEW TIRES.

NHTSA complaint #10949428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Volkswagen Passat at 79,000 miles Panama City, FL

TIRES

PRIMEWELL VALERA TOURING II 215/55R 17 TIRES. THE TIRES AFTER 5000 MILES HAVE DEVELOPED A ROARING SOUND AND THE SIDEWALLS ARE CRACKED. THE ROARING HAS BECOME SO LOUD I HAD THE WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE NOISE. THE NOISE IS IN FACT COMING FROM THE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE BOUGHT BY THE DEALER WE PURCHASED THE CAR FROM. IN FACT, IT WAS PART OF THE DEAL THAT THE CAR HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON. BECAUSE OF THIS FACT, THE TIRES ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER, THEY HAVE PRIMEWELL TIRES MADE EXCLUSIVELY FOR THEM. THE DEALER WAS NICE ENOUGH AND TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE TIRES, BUT MY SPECIFIC SIZE WAS NOT LISTED UNDER THE RECALL. THE NEXT SIZE UP AND DOWN WERE LISTED, BUT NOT OUR SPECIFIC SIZE. HE DID OFFER A DISCOUNT ON A NEW SET OF TIRES THOUGH. HE HONESTLY TRIED TO HELP US OUT. BEFORE I SPENT AN ADDITIONAL $500 PLUS DOLLARS I CALLED FIRESTONE CORPORATE. AFTER STATING MY CASE, HE SAID THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HE COULD DO. I ASKED HIM IF HE WOULD LET HIS WIFE DRIVE A CAR WITH CRACKED SIDEWALL TIRES, HE COMMENTED IF IT WAS HIS CAR, HE WOULD GET THEM REPLACED, BUT HE OFFERED ABSOLUTELY NO HELP TO DO SO AND WAS UNAPOLOGETIC TO SAY THE LEAST. I EXPECT MORE FROM FIRESTONE / BRIDGESTONE. YOU WOULD THINK AFTER ALL THE BAD PRESS FROM THE FORD EXPLORER TIRE INCIDENT THEY WOULD BACK THERE PRODUCTS UP BETTER, OR AT LEAST OFFER A PRODUCT THAT LASTS LONGER THAN 5000 MILES. PLEASE BE AWARE BEFORE BUYING THERE PRODUCTS, I KNOW I NEVER WILL AGAIN!

NHTSA complaint #11022381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Volkswagen Passat at 10,000 miles RIO Grande City, TX

TIRES

CONTINENTAL TIRES MODEL PROCONTACT TX , 235/45 R18 TIRES PEELING ON THE SIDE WALLS AND CRACK DEVELOPING ON SIDEWALLS AT 10,000 MILES. ALL 4 TIRES UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10916579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volkswagen Passat at 131,214 miles Waban, MA

TIRES

TIRE BUBBLE, 2" WIDE, 2" LONG, 1/2" HIGH

NHTSA complaint #10904445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Volkswagen Passat at 16,500 miles MA, MA

TIRES

CONTINENTAL TIRE TYPE 235/45/R18. I HAD A SIDE WALL BLOWOUT ON I-95 WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 65MPH. THE TIRES CAME ON A 2013 VW PASSAT TDI SEL. THE DEALER IN HYANNIS, MA WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE SAID THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN SOMETHING THAT I DID. THE TIRES HAD 16,500 MILES IN THEM WITH A TREAD WEAR OF 2/32 (ALMOST BRAND NEW). THE DEALER ALSO SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TIRES THAT COME ON THEIR VEHICLES. THIS WEBSITE HAS NUMEROUS POSTS HAVING TO DO WITH CONTINENTAL TIRE SIDE WALL BLOWOUTS. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10746698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Volkswagen Passat at 16,500 miles MA, MA

TIRES

CONTINENTAL TIRE TYPE 235/45/R18. I HAD A SIDE WALL BLOWOUT ON I-95 WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 65MPH. THE TIRES CAME ON A 2013 VW PASSAT TDI SEL. THE DEALER IN HYANNIS, MA WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE SAID THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN SOMETHING THAT I DID. THE TIRES HAD 16,500 MILES IN THEM WITH A TREAD WEAR OF 2/32 (ALMOST BRAND NEW). THE DEALER ALSO SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TIRES THAT COME ON THEIR VEHICLES. THIS WEBSITE HAS NUMEROUS POSTS HAVING TO DO WITH CONTINENTAL TIRE SIDE WALL BLOWOUTS. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10746699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Volkswagen Passat at 10,300 miles Springfield, VA

TIRES

ON SEPT. 27, 2014 DURING A PRE-LONG TRIP SAFETY CHECK, AUTO MECHANIC NOTICED UNUSUAL BULGE ON REAR LEFT TIRE. I CALLED MANUFACTURER CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER.AND WAS DIRECTED TO MY NEAREST AUTHORIZED TIRE DEALER.WHO FOUND POSSIBLE DEFECT AND ORDERED A REPLACEMENT TIRE UNDER WARRANTY. TIRE DOT A35M 3WL 1113. CONTINENTAL PROCONTACT 215/60R16 CLAIM # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10641822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Volkswagen Passat at 44,756 miles Springfield, MO

TIRES

NOTICED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON ALL FOUR TIRES. WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THEY SAID THE EXCESSIVE CUPPING AND FEATHERING WAS NOT A VOLKSWAGEN PROBLEM. I JUST NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ALL FOUR TIRES AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I WENT TO MY OWN MECHANIC AND THE EXCESSIVE CUPPING AND FEATHERING WAS NOT AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM OR PROBLEM INHERENT IN THE TIRE. THE WEIGHT IN THE REAR WAS TOO LIGHT. PROBABLY WHEN THE MANUFACTURER USED A LIGHT WEIGHT SMALL SPARE, THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE CHANGED AND CAUSED THE EXCESSIVE CUPPING AND FEATHERING. I ADDED A 40LB BAG OF PLAY SAND IN THE TRUNK OVER THE SMALL SPARE TIRE AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY EXCESSIVE CUPPING AND FEATHERING ISSUES SINCE.

NHTSA complaint #10615234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Volkswagen Passat at 26,570 miles Miami Springs, FL

TIRES

WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF A 2012 VW PASSAT WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H426 TIRES. THE OPTIMO H426 TIRES THAT CAME INSTALLED WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS WEBSITE THE TIRES HAVE A MANUFACTURER WARRANTY OF 60,000 MILES. SEE LINK BELOW. HTTP://WWW.HANKOOKTIREUSA.COM/SERV/WARRANTY.ASPX?PAGENUM=3&SUBNUM=1&CHILDNUM=1 HANKOOK WARRANTY DEPARTMENT IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE MILEAGE WARRANTY ON THE TIRES BECAUSE THE TIRES CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY STATE THAT THE PRODUCT ONLY HAS WARRANTY WHEN PURCHASED THROUGH A TIRE SHOP. MY LIMITED WARRANTY PAMPHLET THAT CAME WITH MY CAR DOES NOT STATE THAT THE MILEAGE WARRANTY ON THE PRODUCT DOES NOT APPLY. A COPY OF THE WARRANTY CAN BE FOUND AT THE LINK BELOW. HTTP://HANKOOKTIREUSA.COM/SERV/ORIGINALEQUIP.ASPX?PAGENUM=3&SUBNUM=1&CHILDNUM=2 I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE IN ASSISTING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AS MY TIRES ARE WORN BELOW THE 2/32NDS INCH AND THIS POSES A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY AND I. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10611177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Volkswagen Passat at 19,727 miles West Babaylon, NY

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H426 TIRES, SIZE 215/55R17 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,727.

NHTSA complaint #10610298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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