MYRModel Year Report

2009 Volkswagen Passat

▲ Better than typical
2009 Volkswagen Passat
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:04:28.280Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Passat Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2009 highlighted. 1988: 0 complaints 1988 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 34 complaints 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 39 complaints 1993: 68 complaints 1993 1994: 25 complaints 1995: 93 complaints 1996: 40 complaints 1997: 37 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2003: 628 complaints 2003 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2009 2010: 163 complaints 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 481 complaints 2013: 747 complaints 2013 2014: 592 complaints 2015: 242 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2017: 107 complaints 2018: 45 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 15 complaints 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 11 complaints 2022
2009: 146 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19880
19890
199034
199124
199239
199368
199425
199593
199640
199737
1998331
1999664
2000507
2001430
2002636
2003628
2004279
2005148
2006576
2007262
2008168
2009146
2010163
201116
2012481
2013747
2014592
2015242
2016106
2017107
201845
201912
202015
202118
202211

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 41%

41% of complaints: engine — 60 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TRAVELING AT POSTED SPEED LIMIT ON LOCAL HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER, BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED, A/C STOPPED BLOWING ALTOGETHER. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING UP SLIGHT INCLINE SO VEHICLE PULLED INTO NEAREST PARKING LOT OFF OF HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130629

AS WE WERE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN THE ENGINE HESITATED OR STUTTERED AS WE CAME TO A STOP. AS I ATTEMPTED TO START AGAIN, THE ENGINE HESITATED, I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON, SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130527

The check engine light and oil pressure light appeared on my dash screen as I was driving home from work. I pulled over to the nearest repair shop to have the vehicle diagnosed.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250403

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 32%

32% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 46 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

ON 11/15/11 @33,125 MILES WHEN ACCELERATING INTERMITTENTLY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL CORRECT BACK TO DRIVE "COULD NOT BE REPLICATED" BY VW SERVICE. THEN, CAR STARTED TO BECOME "HESITANT" ON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP OR WHEN ON DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180118

On [XXX], a MIDAS shop found an alleged crack in the front part of the gas tank on the upper part of the tank by the floor board. The manager also stated that it could be a plastic seal from the fuel pump on the top part of the tank.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241213

STEERING 14%

14% of complaints: steering — 20 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 17 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

ON 11/15/11 @33,125 MILES WHEN ACCELERATING INTERMITTENTLY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL CORRECT BACK TO DRIVE "COULD NOT BE REPLICATED" BY VW SERVICE. THEN, CAR STARTED TO BECOME "HESITANT" ON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP OR WHEN ON DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180118

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PARKED FOR 30 MINUTES THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE FRONT UNDER THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED IT COULD BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OR A LEAK IN THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20091218

AIR BAGS 8%

8% of complaints: air bags — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20081205 — steering

VW IS RECALLING 130 MY 2009 PASSAT, PASSAT WAGON, AND PASSAT CC VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN ELECTROMECHANICAL STEERING GEAR CONTROL UNIT THAT CAN MALFUNCTION DUE TO A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF T

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

Campaign 08V577000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090504 — PE (closed 20090709)

TRANSMISSION FLUID HOSE CHAFE

R 20170310 — air bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 16V078000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180316 — air bags

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 18V148000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180626 — fuel system, gasoline

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.

Campaign 17V509000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2009 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (60 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (46 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 08V577000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V078000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V148000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V509000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1997 ▲ 1992

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 1999 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2009 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Volkswagen Passat is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Volkswagen Passat?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2009 Volkswagen Passat have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.