2015 Volkswagen Passat

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/29/2015· SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

  IN DECEMBER OF 2015,2 MONTHS AFTER BUYING CAR,WHILE DRIVING MY EPC LIGHT CAME ON MY CAR HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER,SHUDDERED,AND STALLED. I ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN I PULLED OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND COULD NOT INCREASE SPEED.FAST ENOUGH. I CALLED THE VW DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEY SAID THE CAR HAS TO COME IN TO BE CHECKED. AFTER 2 HOURS OF DIAGNOSTICS,AND THEY ACTUALLY CALLED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA RE THE PROBLEM. THEY DECIDED THAT IT WAS A CONNECTIVITY ISSUE AND THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE WIRING HARNESS,THE CAR HAS TO BE TOWED IN AS DRIVING COULD BE DANGEROUS. ALSO A RECALL NHTSA# 15V705 JUST CAME IN THE MAIL ABOUT RECALL 23R1. THERE ARE A POTENTIAL 3 OTHER RECALLS ON THE VW 2015 PASSAT.

• 12/29/2015· SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V705000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

• 12/28/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  12/28/15 I WAS ON THE ONRAMP TO THE 91 FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 15MPH HEADED TO WORK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEAR A BOOM! NATURALLY I DUCK THINKING WHAT THE HECK JUST BLEW UP. I LOOKED UP AND SAW MY SUNROOF SHATTERED. I STARTED THINKING DID A BOULDER JUST FALL ON ME? BUT BEING THAT IT WAS JUST AFTER THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY THE FREEWAY WAS PRETTY MUCH DESERTED. ALL I KNEW WAS THAT LITTLE SHARDS OF GLASS ARE NOW IN MY SCALP AND GLASS IS FLYING OUT ON THE FREEWAY. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IT WASN'T COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF A SUNROOF SHATTERING BEFORE AND THAT IT HAD TO BE FROM A ROCK OR AN IMPACT BREAK (WHATEVER THAT MEANS). THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND FILE A CLAIM WHICH I NOW HAVE TO COME OUT OF POCKET WITH A $500 DEDUCTIBLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS SUBJECT I AM PUZZLED AS TO WHY THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON RECORD FOR THIS WHICH IS CLEARLY A DEFECT BUT NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY EXCEPT 1 MANUFACTURER. I GUESS VEHICLE CORPORATIONS ARE WAITING FOR A FATALITY BEFORE THEY ACCEPT THIS AS A DEFECT OR A CLASS ACTION SUIT IS FILED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW KNOW IS GOING TO REIMBURSE ME FOR MY INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE.

• 12/20/2024· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

  Clock spring failure. 2015 passat steering wheel started clicking then it snapped my airbag light came on and steering wheel functions didn't work. The sa

• 12/17/2016· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

  IT WAS TWICE WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOICE WHEN I TURN THE ENGINE ON AND AND PLACING THE CAR ON REVERCE THE NOICE LAST FOR MORE THAN 10 SEC IT HAPPEN ONCE AND THEN THE SECOND TIME WAS 2 DAYS AFTER I TOOK IT TO INSPECTION AND THEY TOLD ME EVERYTING LOOK FINE. AND 11/20/2016 I STARTED HEARING A NOICE COMMING FROM THE FRON DRIVER SIDE WHEEL EVERYTIME I WOULD TURN OR WHEN I WOULD STEP ON THE BREAK AND THIS HAPPEN EVRYTIME IM DRIVING

• 12/13/2019· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  I WAS DRIVING ON FLAT PAVED ROAD AT SPEED OF 25-30 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE RPM SURGED FROM 1 TO 4, ENGINE REVVED, MADE LOUD HIGH PITCH WHINE FOR SEVERAL MINS. I WAS NOT ACCELERATING, ONLY FOLLOWING ANOTHER VEHICLE AHEAD. I WAS GOING TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION, WHEN THIS STOPPED & CONTINUED DRIVING NORMALLY AND NOTED THE RPM WAS BACK TO NEAR 1. NO PANEL OR ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON.

• 12/11/2017· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.

• 12/11/2015· SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V705000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

• 12/11/2014· POWER TRAIN

  VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING. SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR. THIS OCCURRED THREE OTHER TIMES, EVEN AFTER THEY CAR HAD BEEN IN FOR REPAIR. VARIOUS ENGINE PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, SUCH THE TURBO KIT, TURBO CHARGER, GLOW PLUGS. THE LAST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON DEC 5 AFTER PICKING THE VEHICLE UP AND ASSURED THAT IT WAS FULLY REPAIRED. WHILE EXITING THE DEALERSHIP, THE CAR LOST POWER AND I WAS ALMOST T-BONED. THE DEALER CONTINUES TO REPLACE PARTS ON THE ADVICE OF THE VW REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER. YET WE HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IN MOTION. THEY HAVE PUT MORE MILES ON IT THAN WE HAVE. *TR

• 12/09/2025· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  The heater core becomes clogged and limits heat available for defrosting the windshield. The heat available is insufficient to defrost and maintain visibility while driving under adverse conditions. The cabin also becomes uncomfortable because of limited heat during cold weather operation. Volkwagen issued TSB VWP-16-05 for this issue for this model for the model year prior to my car. I had this issue repaired in December 2024. The same problem and symptoms have returned in December 2025.

• 12/09/2025· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  The heater core becomes clogged and limits heat available for windshield defogging and defrosting. This creates a visibility hazard during inclement weather and makes the cabin uncomfortable during cold weather. The heater core was diagnosed and replaced on this vehicle in December 2024. The same symptoms have returned in December 2025. Volkwagen issued TSB VWP-16-05 to remedy this same issue in 2013-2014 Passats. I own a 2015 Passat. 2015 Passats have the same symptoms and problems.

• 12/09/2018· STEERING,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND AND CONTROLS AND HORN ON THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER FUNCTION. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY. CAR STARTED HAVINT THIS ISSUE WHEN FIRST STARTED AND BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE.

• 12/09/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  TAKATA RECALL THE RECALL I HAVE ON MY CAR IS THE EMISSION RECALL FROM A SOFTWARE THAT WAS INSTALLED FROM THE FACTORY, I AM UNABLE TO GET WHAT I WANT BECAUSE ALMOST NOBODY WILL TAKE IT, I BOUGHT IT IN AUGUST OR SO AND THE CAR WAS ADVERTISED AS CLEAN DIESEL IT ISN'T THE CAR I BOUGHT AND I WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH IT ANYMORE. YOUR RECALL STATEMENT STATES IF YOUR CAR HAS BEEN RECALLED, THE MANUFACTURER WILL USUALLY REPAIR IT AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. IN RARE INSTANCES WHEN A MANUFACTURER DETERMINES THAT A PROBLEM IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR, IT MAY REPLACE THE VEHICLE OR REFUND YOUR PURCHASE PRICE MINUS AN AMOUNT TO COVER DEPRECIATION." I FEEL CHEATED AND THAT I CAN'T GET WHAT I WANT. I NEED A TRUCK AND CAN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT'S BARELY VALUED AT 12,000 DOLLARS AND WHEN I BOUGHT IT THE MSRP WAS $28,475. I TRADED MY TRUCK IN ON THE CAR AND SOME NEGATIVE EQUITY ROLLED OVER. THE RECALL WILL RESULT IN A LOSE OF MPG AND POWER, AND IT HAS BE TRADE THE NAME AS CLEAN DIESEL ALREADY. I'VE SPOKEN TO VW CREDIT AND THEY CAN'T HELP ME AND I CALLED VW GROUP OF AMERICA AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING AS WELL. VW HAS GIVEN OUT A CARE PACKAGE TO EVERY VICTIM, IT CONSIST OF A 500 DOLLAR CARD THAT CAN ONLY BE USED AT VW AND A 500 DOLLAR PREPAID VISA. THIS ISN'T ENOUGH TO DO ANYTHING WITH. I WANT OUT OF THE CAR AND OUT OF VW, I'M IRRITATED THAT THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING FOR THE 11 MILLION VICTIMS AND REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ANGRY CUSTOMERS. SEPTEMBER 18TH RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED AND TO THIS DAY THERE IS STILL NO SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM, AND PLEASE HELP ME AND HELP THE OTHER NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS THAT ARE IN THE SAME IRRITATING INCIDENT. THANK UOU.

• 12/08/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  ON 10-23-2015, VW ANNOUNCED A RECALL ON A SERIES OF CARS, WHICH INCLUDED ONE ON THEIR SALES LOT. ON 10-31-2015, PERRY VW, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA SOLD ME THE VEHICLE THAT HAD THE RECALL, WITHOUT FIXING THE RECALL PART. I WANT TO FILE AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT ON THE DECEPTIVE PRACTICES OF PERRY VW. I HAVE MY SALES CONTRACT DATED 10-31-2015, AND YOUR RECALL NUMBER: 15V705 (SINTERED CAM). VW CORPORATE FAILED TO NOTIFY THEIR OWN DEALERS UNTIL NOV 4, 2015. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT SELLING AN UN-REPAIRED RECALLED VEHICLE IS AGAINST FEDERAL LAW.

• 12/05/2023· AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES

  The three issues above seems to be related or affect the other and does not allow cruise control to operate. The air bag light remains on and associated component light up the dash. Surprisingly, my VIN does not show up for air bag repair. I wish I did not have to wait for possible recall announcement for my vehicle before I can get it repaired and instead to fix it now. Frustrating.

• 12/05/2022· AIR BAGS

  Clockspring is bad as noted by many other owners. Airbag light is lit and horn doesn’t work

• 12/04/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE HORN, BUT IT FAILED TO SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COMMONWEALTH VOLKSWAGEN (1 COMMONWEALTH DR, LAWRENCE, MA 01841). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

• 12/04/2015· ENGINE

  WHEN YOU ACCELERATE THE AUTOMOBILE THE CAR HESITATES UP TO 10 SECONDS AND LOOSES POWER, POWER RETURNS AFTER THE 1 THROUGH 10 SECONDS. THIS HAPPENS AT VARIOUS POINTS; ON ROLLING HIGHWAY WHILE MAKING A PASS OF ANOTHER CAR; CHANGING LANES ON THE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATING, AT DEAD STOP FROM EITHER A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT. I HAPPENS IN CITY DRIVING, LOCAL STREETS AND JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE ONE DRIVES AND OCCURS AS HESITATION FOR 1 TO 10 SECONDS, THE RPM'S DROP FROM WHERE EVER THEY ARE ORIGINALLY TO ALMOST ZERO, BUT THE CAR DOES NOT STALL, ONCE THE ACCELERATOR IS UNDEPRESSED IT COMES BACK TO NORMAL. THESE CONDITIONS ABOVE CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS CONDITION, SUCH AS A MAJOR COLLISION WITH ANOTHER OR MORE THAN ONE CAR AND COULD RESULT IN A FATAL ACCIDENT. THIS HESITATION HAS HAPPENED 35 TIMES SINCE 07/06/2015, AND STILL IS OCCURRING.

• 12/02/2025· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

  The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that cool air was being blown inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the heater failed to heat the passenger’s side of the vehicle. Additionally, the defroster failed to properly defrost the windshield while activated. The contact linked the failure to VWP:16‑05; (Heater Core Limited Warranty Extension). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

• 12/02/2019· SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  AT SPEED OF OVER 65MPH. STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO VIBRATE WITHIN 10MINUTES OF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. KEEP RETURNING TO THE DEALER WHICH SAYS THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY CAN THAT SHOULD HAVE CORRECT THE PROBLEM. BUT AFTER THEY HAVE TRIED FOR OVER 4 TIMES TO CORRECT IT. THE ISSUE STILL THERE.

• 12/02/2017· AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT RECALL MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IN JANUARY OF 2016. IT WAS THE NEWEST CAR WE HAVE EVER PURCHASED AS A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL COUPLE WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN. WELL AT 36,750 MILES IN MARCH OF 2017, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO CLICK AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO USE THE HORN, THE RADIO OR THE PHONE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND HE SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A CLOCKSPRING AND THAT WE DID HAVE A WARRANTY FOR 3 YEARS OR UP TO 36,000 MILES AND SINCE WE WERE SO CLOSE, WE NEEDED TO CALL THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. I CALLED NEW MOTORS IN ERIE, PA. I TALKED TO A VERY NICE MECHANIC THAT AGREED THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE THAT WAS INDEED THE ISSUE. HE INFORMED ME THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAD RECALLED THAT PARTICULAR PART ON THE 2012-14 MODELS BUT HAD YET TO RECALL IT ON OUR 2015 MODEL THAT WE HAD. HE ALSO SAID THAT ALTHOUGH WE WERE VERY CLOSE TO THE 36,000-MILE WARRANTY, IT WAS OUT OF HIS HANDS TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY AND TO CALL CORPORATE TO GIVE HIM THE GO AHEAD TO DO SO SINCE IT DID SEEM LIKE THIS IS THE RIGHT CALL SINCE WE WERE SO CLOSE TO THE WARRANTY AND IT IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM IN THESE MODELS. MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH TALKED TO VOLKSWAGEN CORPORATE SEVERAL TIMES SINCE MARCH OF 2017 TO ONLY HAVE THEM TREAT US POORLY AND TELL US THAT IT ISN'T THEIR CONCERN. MY AIRBAGS AND HORN CURRENTLY AREN'T WORKING BECAUSE OF IT. I HAD THE ERIE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSE THE CAR ISSUES IN JUNE OF 2017 AND IT WAS IN FACT A FAULTY CLOCKSPRING. AGAIN VOLKSWAGEN REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR COST OF OVER $1000.00. THIS PART HAS BEEN RECALLED ON NUMEROUS VOLKSWAGEN MODELS. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN IT HAPPENED. I TURNED IT ON ONE MORNING TO FIND THE HORN NOT WORKING, CONTROLLERS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND AIRBAG LIGHT ON.

• 11/30/2016· STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES

  I BOUGHT A 2015 PASSAT WOLFSBURG EDITION IN FEBRUARY OF 2015. WITHIN THE FIRST 200 MILES VEHICLE WAS SHIMMYING WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE BRAKES UNDER THE WARRANTY SAYING ITS WEAR AND TEAR. I CALLED VWA THEY ADVISED DEALER AND THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. NOT EVEN TWO WEEKS AFTER BRAKES START SQUEALING. I RETURN TO DEALERSHIP AND GET TOLD ITS NOTHING. BRAKES CONTINUED TO SQUEAL UNTIL I HAD THEM REPLACED SOMEWHERE ELSE AT 26350 MILES. HOWEVER WHILE BRAKES WERE SQUEALING AND EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED..VEHICLE BAS DEVELOPED A CHIRP ON BOTH HUBS WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED AND OR ACCELERATED FROM A STAND STILL. VEHICLE HAS 27000 MILES ON IT. THERE'S NO REASON IT SHOULD BE HAVING THESE ISSUES. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AT VALLEY AUTO WORLD IN FAYETTEVILLE NC. ALSO MY FRONT SUSPENSION IS MAKING NOISE WHEN HITTING CERTAIN BUMPS. STEERING STILL HAS SHIMMY WHEN DRIVING. I NEED MY REPAIRED AND 100% SAFETY GUARANTEED OR I WILL SEEK FEDERAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE. *TR

• 11/28/2020· SUSPENSION

  DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN MY DAUGHTER HEARD LOUD SNAP AND CAR REAR END STARTED TO SAG

• 11/27/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

  WHILE TURNING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT A SLOW SPEED I FELT A STIFFNESS IN THE TURNING WHEEL FOLLOWED BY A CRUNCH AND THE AIRBAG ERROR LIGHT ILLUMINATING. HORN IS NOT OPERATIONAL EITHER IN ADDITION TO OTHER STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS.

• 11/24/2021· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  A coolant issue related with an TDi engine clogged my heater and the car is frosting from inside. There are many Passat owners that have or has the same issue and VW even made an extended warranty buletin for the 2012-2014 Passats, Now, the 2015 suffers from the same issue and they want to charge us for flushing the coolant 3 times and change the heater! The car still have the power train warranty and extended warranty for the TDI engines. Just a simple google search Passat heater core will show how many they are and dealers are making easy money cause they done so many times. As is now my wife drives the car during freezing mornings with two toddlers and condensation and frozen windows affects the visibility! Unacceptable for a car with 51.000 miles when is no require in the service book to change coolant to prevent this and what causes that, cause is not something that I could do to prevent it, it’s just the nature of their poor design of their coolant system. And changing the heater core without looking what caused that and only to rip money from their customers. I’m requesting your assistance to get my car fixed and have my family safe and have VW to investigate the cause and come with a solution to prevent this!

• 11/24/2019· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  TRANSMISSION LEAKING MAJOR CAR RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHILE IN DRIVE WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC ROUGH IDLING. CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THERE'S BUSY TRAFFIC ON MAJOR SIDE STREET AND YOU NOT PAYING ATTENTION

• 11/23/2024· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  I have a 2015 Volkswagen Passat TDI that I purchased in 2018. The car has no heat and needs a second heater core replacement, currently with 85,565. In researching the issue, i found the Warranty extension on the NTSB website Number: VWP-16-05 that covers model years 2013 and 2014 prior to my model. As winter approaches, lack of heat for the windshield creates visibility issues in cold, wet, and snowy weather. I am limiting the use of the vehicle until i can get a repair. In February of 2022, a dealership replaced the heater core in my vehicle at 48,471 miles, and I paid $633.07 for that portion of the service. The car started to display the issue again in February of 2024, I returned to the same dealership, and was quoted $1977 to repair the issue, which I declined at that time. I ask that the case be reviewed and 2015 model year be added to the extended warranty.

• 11/22/2019· ENGINE

  HEATER NOT HEATING AS SHOULD. HEATER CORE SEEMS TO PLUGGED, SIMILAR TO TSB 80-15-04 ON EARLIER MODELS. VW DOES NOT HAVE A TSB OR CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS. THIS COULD IMPACT VISIBILITY IN THE WINTER TIME.

• 11/21/2019· 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*JB

• 11/18/2022· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

  I purchased this car from what I believed was a private individual for my 15 year old daughter as her first car. This individual knew the purpose of this sale and was accutely aware that a new driver would be the primary driver. Before allowing her to drive this car, I had a detailed safety and condition inspection completed by a local import repair specialist. They found that there had been a deployment of the air bags resulting in the clock spring and front seat belt retractors being unusable. In addition, the air bag warning light had been removed from the instrument cluster and the bulb was removed, disguising the fact that there was an issue with the air bags. Further inspection showed overspray on one headlight lens from the repairs, the ac condenser was bent upwards, none of the splash shields under the front were intact or completely missing, body panels do not line up, and there is an issue with the front brakes. It is the opinion of the inspector and the business owner that this car had been reconditioned for a quick sale, intentionally hiding the fact the air bags had been deployed and the air bag system was rendered unusable. The CarFax shows minor damage to the rear and left rear, nothing about front end. The title reflects this car was at Adesa in Jacksonville FL (a car reconditioner) and sold to NES Enterprises of Jacksonville, then sold to Performance Motor Group, who sold it to me, all between 9/22/2022 and 10/31/2023. The individual I was dealing with was not involved in this sale.

• 11/18/2018· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

  I WAS PARKED ON FLAT GROUND WHILE STARTING MY CAR THIS MORNING AND NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD STAYED LIGHT. THEN I NOTICED THE STEREO CONTROL ON THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT LIGHT AND DID NOT WORK. AT WORK I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT IT COULD BE THE CLOCK SPRING. WHEN I GOT HOME FROM WORK I TESTED MY HORN TO FIND THAT MY HORN DOES NOT WORK. MY VEHICLE HAS 47773 MILES AND I BOUGHT IT NEW. I'M ALMOST POSITIVE IT IS THE CLOCK SPRING AFTER ALL THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE. I FEEL VW SHOULD EXTEND THE RECALL PAST 2014 BECAUSE IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT THE ISSUE CONTINUED INTO 2015 MODELS.

• 11/16/2025· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

  The airbag system/clockspring assembly in the steering column appears to have failed. The airbag warning light turned on and all steering-wheel controls stopped working at the same time, which indicates that the driver airbag may not function in a crash. The vehicle can be inspected upon request. This is a major safety risk because the primary airbag might not deploy during a collision, putting the driver at high risk of injury. The issue has remained constant since it first appeared. I had the vehicle inspected by a highly reputable independent repair shop, and their assessment was that the clockspring/airbag component has failed. They advised that the necessary replacement part is unavailable to order, leaving the vehicle without a functional airbag system. I have also seen many other owners of similar 2015 Passat models reporting the same failure online, which suggests this may be a widespread defect. The airbag light is the only warning I received. It turned on a few months ago and has stayed on continuously since. UNKNOWN if there are other related electrical faults.

• 11/16/2020· SERVICE BRAKES

  NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 15V705000, MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: 23R1 PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD BY MANY MECHANICS THE BRAKE ISSUES OR SOFTNESS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING IS DUE TO A FAULTY BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. CAR HAS 49K MILES. SPENT MORE THAN 1500.00 ON BRAKE NEW BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS, AS WELL BRAKE FLUID FLUSH AS RECOMMENDED, AND VEHICLE STILL HAS DIFFICULTY COMING TO A STOP. THERE ARE DAYS IS BRAKES OK AS COLDER DAYS, AND HOTTER DAYS IT JUST SINKS TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE MAKES SCRAPING NOISE WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE BRAKE WOULD STAY STUCK WHEN ON A HILL. WOULD HAVE TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE TO MOVE IT.

• 11/16/2015· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE PROVIDED INACCURATE READING LEVELS. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

• 11/04/2022· ENGINE

  The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving 5 mph and making a left turn, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road of oncoming traffic. The contact placed the vehicle into park and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle would shudder and idle at a high RPM when she started the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that a fuel pump sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the stalling failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was also illuminated. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

• 11/02/2022· SERVICE BRAKES,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  Power brakes are not functional on startup when cold -- brake pedal is very stiff and takes a lot of pedal pressure to stop the car from moving while exiting driveway. Generally, braking improves within a minute or two of driving, but sudden stops in this condition are difficult and unsafe. The dealer service department diagnosed a leaking check valve in the vacuum system and the brake booster needs to be replaced - safety-related components such as brake boosters should not be failing at such an age.

• 11/01/2022· AIR BAGSCrash

  In a multi-vehicle rear end collision, the airbags in the vehicle did not deploy. My vehicle was totaled and I sustained medical injuries.

• 11/01/2022· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated his wife was unable to insert the key into the ignition to start the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed the key was faulty. The vehicle was repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

• 10/26/2020· STRUCTURE

  DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR BECOMES LOOSE AND A LOUD WHISTLING SOUND IS MADE WHEN DRIVING OVER 30 MILES PER HOUR. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AS IT JUST STARTED HAPPENING A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR AS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT. THE DOOR PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND A NEW MIRROR INSTALLED WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD NOT DO IT AFTER REPLACEMENT.

• 10/25/2019· STEERING,AIR BAGS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  HORN, STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS, POWER STEERING AND DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG ARE NOT WORKING AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY CLOCK SPRING.

• 10/25/2016· ENGINE

  THERE IS A FAINT BUT UNMISTAKABLE SMELL OF ENGINE COOLANT COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR NEAR THE RADIATOR AFTER THE CAR GETS TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE. COOLANT LEVEL IS DECREASING VERY SLIGHTLY OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL MONTHS. THERE ARE NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF COOLANT ANYWHERE IN THE ENGINE OR ON THE GROUND. CAR OPERATES NORMALLY, DOES NOT OVERHEAT.

• 10/24/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT INSERT INTO THE IGNITION. CAMELBACK VOLKSWAGEN (1499 E CAMELBACK RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85014, (602) 648-9181) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

• 10/23/2025· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Gas smell inside vehicle Plastic canister under back seat leaking gas smell /has cracked

• 10/22/2015· SEAT BELTS

  VOLKWAGEN PASSENGER SEAT REGISTERS A PASSENGER OCCUPYING THE SEAT WHEN A CELL PHONE IS PLACED ON THE MIDDLE PART OF THE SEAT. VW REGIONAL MANAGER AND AUTHORIZED DEALER STATE CAR IS NOT SHOWING FAULT CODES, AND THEREFORE CANNOT BE REPAIRED. THIS CREATES A NUMBER OF CONCERNS. FIRST, IS THE SEAT BELT SENSOR SO SENSITIVE THAT IT IS SENSING THE SMALL WEIGHT OF THE PHONE? (5.04 OUNCES (143 GRAMS)) OR IS THE NFC OR CELLULAR MODEM OF THE PHONE INTERFERING WITH THE SENSOR? IN EITHER CASE, THIS POTENTIALLY COULD CAUSE AN AIRBAG TO DEPLOY WHEN THE SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED, OR WORSE, NOT DEPLOY WHEN IT SHOULD.

• 10/21/2021· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Clock Spring failure in June 2020. Vehicle's mileage was 133,390 therefore out of recall warranty by 13K miles. Paid $330.00 to dealer to have clock spring replaced on 6/18/20. A year later, on 6/20/21 the clock spring has once again failed and the dealer is indicating that the clock spring repair is out of warranty. I will now have to pay $400.00 to have a second clock spring installed. I am certainly not the only 2015 Passat owner with this issue of having to replace multiple clock springs. Unfortunately I wasn't lucky enough to even have the first repair covered for the clock spring. Should I expect to have to pay for a new clock spring every year? Please investigate. Thanks very much.

• 10/19/2018· AIR BAGS,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HORN DID NOT WORK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.

• 10/17/2019· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE STOPPED WORKING WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING. THE FIRST INSTANCE, THE CAR STALLED WHILE MOVING AT 5MPH ON AN EXPRESSWAY EXIT RAMP. IT RESTARTED AFTER 30 MINUTES (BLOCKING TRAFFIC FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME). WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART, THE MOTOR WOULD TURN OVER, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START - AS IF THERE WAS NO GASOLINE. THE SECOND STALL OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY AT 55MPH. IN THAT CASE THERE WAS AGAIN A SUDDEN LOSS OF ALL POWER. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON BOTH OCCASIONS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTER ON THE FIRST VISIT. ON THE SECOND VISIT, THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THERE WERE FAULT CODES RELATED TO THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL RAIL THAT NEEDED TO BE RESET.

• 10/17/2016· TIRES,WHEELS

  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. *TR

• 10/14/2025· ENGINE

  My vehicle is a MY2015 Passat TDI SEL with the EA288 (CVCA) diesel engine. Water Pump Failure Occurred at 99488 miles. Leaking coolant from underneath the engine and the expansion tank bottle became empty. Vehicle was parked after a quick 8 min drive to work from home in the morning (~8:45AM) and when I came back at 12PM around 1 quart of coolant had leaked out. Luckily I was not on the freeway or driving the vehicle where it would ride on its torque curve increasing probability of catastrophic failures even after there are usually software induced engine protection derates in place. Official service interval for water pump and timing belt on this engine is 130000 miles but there have been numerous field incidents of pre-mature water pump failures which can be very expensive to fix (~2500 USD). Volkswagen/Audi already have a class action lawsuit against them on their 2.0 TFSI (EA888) water pump failures and I'm wondering why their MY2015 2.0 TDI (EA288) diesel engine has not been investigated for the same. This engine was only available in certain MY2015 VW/Audi vehicles but just because the cumulative number of vehicles with this engine are lower does not mean that it shouldn't be investigated for a very similar manufacturing/design defect of the water pump. I would strongly urge NHTSA to do a similar investigation on this 2.0 TDI engine and hold the manufacturer accountable.

• 10/14/2018· AIR BAGS,SEATS,ENGINE

  THE ISSUE IS IM HAVING THAT I HAVE AN AIRBAG WARNING ON FOR A SEAT THAT NO ONE HARDLY EVERS SITS IN. IM SINGLE SO 98% OF THE TIME IM ALONE IN MY VEHICLE SO WHY WOULD THE PASSENGER SEAT BEING DISPLAYING AN ISSUE. SO, ALSO AT 66, 250 IM EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WITH NEEDING A WATERPUMP AND THERMOSTAT WHICH WILL COST 1100.00 THAT I DON'T HAVE. IM REVIEWING ALL THE ISSUES YOU ARE HAVING WITH THESE PARTS I DID HAVE MASTERTECH FOR WARRNATY SO NOW ITS RAN OUT AT 60,000 MILES. I FEEL THIS ISSUE YOU ARE HAVING WITH THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED THROUGH VW. THESE ARE TOO SOON FOR THESE ISSUES TO BE OCCURING ON A VEHICLE. IM DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE I BABY MY CAR OVER BUMPS, RAILROAD CROSSINGS. I TREAT THIS VEHICLE LIKE A MERCEDES.SO, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE FEEDBACK ON WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP ME IN THIS SITUATION.