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2015 Volkswagen Passat recalls & problems

The 2015 Volkswagen Passat has 7 safety recalls and 243 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (89 complaints).

Recalls7safety recalls
Complaints243filed by owners
Crashes · fires11 · 2reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2015 Volkswagen Passat in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bagsDec 4, 2019

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 19V862000226 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
Exterior lightingMay 22, 2019

Headlights

Recall 19V389000662,185 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.
Air bagsJan 11, 2019

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 19V014000119,394 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015 Passat, 2015-2016 Eos, 2015-2017 CC, 2016-2017 TT Roadster, TT Coupe, 2017 Audi R8 Coupe, and R8 Spyder vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298; Audi owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69S8 (Audi) and 69Y5 (Volkswagen).
Engine and engine coolingOct 26, 2015

Engine

Recall 15V70500091,867 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Risk
If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.

Components: Engine and engine cooling › Engine; Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum

Service brakes, hydraulicJun 15, 2015

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 15V37300062 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Passat vehicles manufactured May 18, 2015, to May 21, 2015. The affected vehicles have a brake line at the left rear wheel area that may not have been properly tightened.
Risk
If the brake line was not properly tightened, it may leak brake fluid, causing a reduction in braking performance, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of crash.
Fix
Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will tighten the brake line fitting, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47M3.
Fuel system, gasolineJan 23, 2015

Fuel injection system › Fuel rail

Recall 15V02800044,658 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
Risk
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall 14V-809 (Volkswagen recall number 24Bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that campaign.
SeatsOct 24, 2014

Seats

Recall 14V670000393 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Jetta and Passat vehicles manufactured September 23, 2014, to October 9, 2014, and equipped with manual front seatback recliners. In the affected vehicles, the seatback recliner retaining bracket may not engage correctly, resulting in unexpected movement of the seatback.
Risk
Unexpected movement of the driver's seatback may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the assembly of the seatback recliner retaining bracket, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72F1.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2015 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.7%
2015 Volkswagen Passat NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2015 Volkswagen Passat NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Passat Diesel

34mpg combined
City / highway30 / 42 mpg
FuelDiesel

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Passat Diesel

33mpg combined
City / highway29 / 40 mpg
FuelDiesel

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Passat

28mpg combined
City / highway24 / 34 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Passat

28mpg combined
City / highway24 / 35 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Passat

23mpg combined
City / highway20 / 28 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (AM-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette8980953,100 mi
Engine5301045,000 mi
Electrical systemHorn; Ignition4811052,100 mi
Unknown or other4030336,850 mi
Service brakes262136,175 mi
Steering2600047,773 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2100045,500 mi
SuspensionRear; Front › Springs › Coil springs1700025,200 mi
Power train1210025,573 mi
Vehicle speed controlThrottle1020019,797 mi
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system; Sun/moon roof assembly700051,450 mi
Exterior lighting611019,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.