2012 Volkswagen Passat

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2012 Volkswagen Passat
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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, 2012 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 2010: 163 complaints 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 481 complaints 2012 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
2012: 481 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

AIR BAGS 60%

60% of complaints: air bags — 289 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TAKATA RECALL I LOOKED UP VEHICLES VIN AN NOTICED 6 RECALLS ON IT I HAD GOT THE ISSUE FIXED AND I NOTICED MY SENSOR IN MY TIRE WAS BLINKING I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP GUY WORKING TOLD ME ONLY A SENSOR I NEED TO PAY FOR WHICH I HAVE ALREADY...

NHTSA ODI report, 20190227

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A 2018 HONDA ACCORD. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180720

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%

19% of complaints: electrical system — 93 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Any time it rains and the car goes through a deeper than surface level puddle/wet area where the nose of the car has to dip down (think by railroad tracks, high water retention areas with lack of drainage, etc) as soon as the car dips down into the...

NHTSA ODI report, 20230907

STEERING 9%

9% of complaints: steering — 45 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

Any time it rains and the car goes through a deeper than surface level puddle/wet area where the nose of the car has to dip down (think by railroad tracks, high water retention areas with lack of drainage, etc) as soon as the car dips down into the...

NHTSA ODI report, 20230907

ENGINE 8%

8% of complaints: engine — 40 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

2012 VW PASSAT WITH NO PREVIOUS SIGNS OF PROBLEMS BEGINS SPUTTERING/FLASHING ENGINE LIGHT. CAR WAS DRIVEN APX. 1/4 MILE BACK HOME, WHERE IT BEGAN SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE. ENTIRE ENGINE BURNT OUT. CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150120

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND HEARD A LOUD POP LIKE A TIRE BLEW OR BELT BROKE OR SOMETHING, THEN I SAW A LOT OF SMOKE, SO I PULLED IN A PARTY STORE PARKING LOT AND IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES BURNT THE ENTIRE ENGINE UP TO A CRISP.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140817

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 32 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

2012 — complaint volume: 481
R 20120427 — fuel system, diesel

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

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 12V146000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140513 — exterior lighting

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 14V125000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150324 — PE (closed 20150928)

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

R 20160115 — air bags

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.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off.

Campaign 15V483000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160915 — electrical system

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Passat vehicles equipped with TDI engines.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 16V171000 — check if this car was fixed

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 20170707 — engine and engine cooling, power train

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG).

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 17V309000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20171113 — RQ (closed 20180504)

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

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

I 20180418 — EA (open)

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

R 20181129 — unknown or other

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 18V329000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190716 — exterior lighting

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V389000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191220 — air bags

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.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019.

Campaign 19V862000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20241204 — air bags

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 24V834000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2012 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (289 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (93 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (45 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 12V146000 (fuel system, diesel) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V125000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V483000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V171000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V078000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V309000 (engine and engine cooling, power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V148000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V329000 (unknown or other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V389000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V862000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V834000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1997 ▲ 1992

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 1999 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2012 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Volkswagen Passat is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen Passat?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 60% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2012 Volkswagen Passat have?

11 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.