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2017 Volkswagen Passat recalls & problems

The 2017 Volkswagen Passat has 7 safety recalls and 110 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (28 complaints).

Recalls7safety recalls
Complaints110filed by owners
Crashes · fires9 · 1reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2017 Volkswagen Passat in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bagsOct 30, 2024

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 24V834000248,330 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal 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
Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.
Unknown or otherMay 5, 2021

Unknown or other

Recall 21V32100046 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Risk
Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
Fix
Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.
Unknown or otherSep 16, 2020

Unknown or other

Recall 20V56100023 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Risk
Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.
Unknown or otherSep 25, 2019

Unknown or other

Recall 19V679000113 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Risk
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulicAug 15, 2018

Foundation components › Disc › Caliper

Recall 18V5360008,416 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened sufficiently.
Risk
The loose brake bracket bolts can allow the caliper to move, reducing braking ability or causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper bracket bolt tightness, replacing and re-torque the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Additionally brake caliper fasteners, bleeder valve, and brake hose bolts will be checked and torqued to the correct specification, if necessary, free of charge. For Passat vehicles, dealers will also inspect the parking brake cable for proper connection, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46H6.
Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 8, 2017

Fluid

Recall 17V0750001,007 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Passat vehicles. Brake fluid may leak slowly from the some of the brake line connections, resulting in a low brake fluid level.
Risk
A low brake fluid level may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake lines, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47N3.

Components: Service brakes, hydraulic › Fluid; Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

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

2017 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.7%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Optional

2017 Volkswagen Passat NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2017 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

27mpg combined
City / highway23 / 34 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Passat

23mpg combined
City / highway20 / 28 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (AM-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/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 cassette2830233,750 mi
Unknown or other2111020,124 mi
Forward collision avoidanceWarnings; Automatic emergency braking1910046,000 mi
Electrical system1800054,078 mi
Steering1600033,750 mi
Service brakes1510035,000 mi
Engine700032,000 mi
Lane departureAssist; Warning7000—
Fuel/propulsion system6000—
Power train500012,000 mi
Wheels420124,000 mi
Visibility/wiper4000—

*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.