Volkswagen / Passat / 2016
2016 Volkswagen Passat problems
Owners have filed 179 complaints about the 2016 Volkswagen Passat with NHTSA. Air bags account for 14% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 12.3%.
Complaints179
Crashes9
Fires0
Injuries4
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Air bags 14.0% · 25
Electrical system 12.3% · 22
Steering 10.6% · 19
Engine 9.5% · 17
Service brakes 8.4% · 15
Fuel/propulsion system 8.4% · 15
Unknown or other 7.3% · 13
Vehicle speed control 6.1% · 11
Severity
Of those complaints, 9 describe a crash and 4 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 22 model years of the Volkswagen Passat in this data, 2016 sits 18th by complaint volume. 2013 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 39 in the last three years against 53 in the three before. The issues here may already have been addressed.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 37,000 miles.
In owners' own words
On turning my car on my airbag light came on and non of the buttons worked on my steering wheel. Later that afternoon as someone all most backed up into my car I tried to hit my horn but it did not work. After finally returning home I ran the code stating the Airbag resistance was too high. This puts a huge safety to myself and anyone who can be in my car because I have no horn and my airbag is malfunctioning. Air bags
The clock spring system failed, rendering all of the cars' steering wheel functions non-functional. The airbag light is on and the steering wheels airbag does not operate as well as the cars horn and auto cruise controls. The instrument cluster is malfunctioning as well. The safety risks associated with the malfunctions could result in great harm to the driver and passengers in the vehicle. Air bags
I believe my clockspring has malfuncioned and though it has had multiple recalls my car is not listed for recall. My horn is no longer working, as well as all the buttons in my steering wheel including cruise control and my airbag light is on. This is all directly correlated to a clockspring malfunction and I believe my vehicle should be recalled for saftey reasons. Air bags
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…