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2012 Volkswagen Passat Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 484 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, most often about the air bags (61% of complaints, typically around 62,000 miles). It is 7th of 23 Passat model years by number of complaints and has 11 recalls.
Most common 2012 Volkswagen Passat problems
Air bags
296 complaints · 61%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Clicking noise started inside steering wheel. Turning all the way to the right popping noise with airbag error message. Now no hands free controls, horn. ...updated 03-11-15 updated 6/18/2015
My family and I were finishing up our food shopping and loaded the car and started driving off and when I went to make a turn to exit the parking lot something in the steering wheel "popped" and the airbag light immediately followed. Being mechanical in nature I assumed the clockspring but never imagined that it would…
Electrical
95 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, horn.
Defective door latch assembly that caused the locks to initiate every time the vehicle passed 10 MPH. Caused the driver door to no longer lock, and disengaged the alarm even when other doors locked.
If the vehicle is parked and I am trying to leave and lock it up by using either the drivers side door switch or the remote, it will not lock the driver side door, but they will both lock the other three doors. Upon starting the vehicle and moving only a few yards, the door locks engage as normal for the passenger…
Fuel system
46 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
On july 16, 2014 at approximately 5:00 pm, my 2012 Volkswagen Passat tdi sel premium lost power on the highway. The engine failed and shut off while I was traveling on interstate 95 north and left me stranded on the highway surrounded by cars traveling at speeds greater than 65 MPH. The engine failure put my life, my…
Glow plug light on dashboard started blinking. Major loss of power. Had vehicle towed to dealership in fayetville, nc. Problem reported to be failed turbo.
Steering
46 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: column.
2012 Volkswagen Passat tdi diesel, heard a small snap in steering wheel while backing up and turning. The air bag light came on and the horn and steering wheel buttons quit working. This is definitely the clockspring under the steering wheel. There is complaints on the internet about this same issue including ntsb…
My starter has been not working ive replaced it multiple times with original parts. I took it to another mechanic & he told me this car has electrical problems which is why my streering wheel gets locked up that it doesnt read the key. Also recently all the warning lights have been going on & off telling me error…
Engine
43 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
I own a 2012 vw Passat tdi (diesel). Check engine light is on. The fix apparetly is over 1000.00 and it seems to be the same problem for many 2012 vw Passat tdi vehicles which are right out of warranty. The fix is a kit for the adblu emissions system. This vehicle should be recalled and fixed free of charge from vw.…
While driving the vehicle it will loose driving power, check engine light will come on as well as epc light. When taken to a mechanic it was found out that the whole throtke body needed to be replaced. I was also told that this was a dealer only part, when the mechanic shop called to order the part from the dealership…
Other or unspecified
31 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles.
Takata recall. 2017 had airbag recall completed, no issues prior to recall. After recall, horn sounds while driving and while vehicle is running, and can't be shut off. Dealership refuses to fix, identifies as new problem. Changed clock spring to fix horn issue for $500, horn now intermittently sounds while driving…
My vehicle will not turn off once started. The steering wheel lock and the ignition become stuck and I can no longer turn my car off. Since my car can't turn off, it will be on for hours on end until the gas runs out or until I get someone to cut the battery to make the car stop running. I had to leave my car in a…
Body and structure
17 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
I was in a car accident. I was not at fault, but I was t-boned with almost over $11,000 in damage. The case was settled but the vehicle is still not in good shape. The air bags did not go off in the accident and I just received a recall for a steering wheel electronic clock issue that could prevent the air bags from…
My 13 Passat se 2.5 started having an issue with the rear passenger door lock about three weeks ago. The normal operation of the locks is that when the vehicle hits 10mph the door will automatically lock. After this has happened and I come to a stop light or slow down below 10mph and then speed up again, the rear…
Lights
17 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
Loss of either daylight running lamp(s) and/or lowbeam headlamp(s) due to lamp sockets melting in housings. 3 times this has happened, once with the daytime lamps and twice with the l/s headlamps.
My bulb holder melted into the headlight assembly causing it not to work and having me buy a new bulb socket and other parts to fix this issue.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Volkswagen Passat recalls
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: headlights
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.
Full defect summary
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."
Other: unknown or other
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 dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began november 29, 2018. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 eos, 2012 passat, 2012-2016 cc, 2015-2016 e-golf, 2011-2015 touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 tiguan, and 2011-2016 golf and 2011-2013 gti 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.
Air bags: inflator module
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 16, 2018. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69q9. Note: this recall partially supersedes recall 16v-078.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 volkswagen cc, 2010-2014 golf, 2010-2014 eos, 2007-2010 passat sedan and wagon, and 2012-2014 passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Transmission: driveshaft
Risk: If the leaking grease contacts a heated surface, such as the exhaust system and/or the diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could increase the risk of fire.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft heat shield, free of charge. The recall began on july 7, 2017. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23w5.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and direct-shift transmissions (dsg). The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.
Electrical: wiring
Risk: An electrical short can cause the electrical connectors of the sensor to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in september. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23t3.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 passat vehicles equipped with tdi engines. Due to improperly assembled wire seals in a connector for an underbody sensor, water may enter and corrode the electrical connectors of the sensor, causing an electrical short.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture 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 inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on april 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 golf, 2007-2010 passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 passat sedan and eos, 2009-2014 cc, 2009-2012 audi q5, 2010-2012 s5 cabriolet and 2010-2012 audi a5 cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on january 15, 2016. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 volkswagen cc, and passat, 2010-2013 eos, 2011-2014 golf, gti, jetta, and tiguan, and 2012-2014 jetta sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Lights: headlights
Risk: A loss of low beam headlights may reduce the driver's visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen notified owners, and dealers will replace the bulb holder, free of charge. The recall began in may 2014. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagens recall number associated with this campaign is 94g8/7v.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 passat vehicles manufactured january 2011 through november 2012. In the affected vehicles, the low beam headlight bulb may become loose and lose electrical contact.
Fuel system: fuel system, diesel
Risk: Over time, or after certain driving distances, these vehicles are susceptible to fuel leakage. Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, may lead to a fire.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the diesel fuel filter elements, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 27, 2012. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2012 passat vehicles, manufactured from january 18, 2011, through june 1, 2011. During assembly, these vehicles were built with a diesel fuel filter element that may not seal correctly.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Air bag clockspring failure
Summary
In august 2015, volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) launched safety recall 15v-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 model year (my) cc, passat, eos, golf, gti, tiguan, jetta and jetta sportwagen models.contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel mounted controls.the loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag will result in i
Air bag clockspring failure
Summary
In august 2015, volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) launched safety recall 15v-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 model year (my) cc, passat, eos, golf, gti, tiguan, jetta and jetta sportwagen models.contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel mounted controls.the loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag will result in i
Air bag clockspring failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (sccm) failures in model year (my) 2012 volkswagen passat and cc models.the sccm is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a ribbon cable) to electrically connect the steering wheel to the vehicle's electrical system while allowing for the turning of the steering wheel.complainants alleged that that the clock spring failed while driving and without warning.when the sccm fails electrically, an air bag warning light is illuminated on the dash of the vehicle.if a vehicle with a failed sccm were to be invo
Questions about the 2012 Volkswagen Passat
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen Passat?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (296 complaints, typically around 62,000 miles); electrical (95 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); fuel system (46 complaints, typically around 45,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Volkswagen Passat have?
- 11 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 30, 2024 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Volkswagen Passat?
- It is 7th of 23 Passat model years by number of complaints, with 484 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.