MYRModel Year Report

2017 Volkswagen Passat

▲ Better than typical
2017 Volkswagen Passat
RENDERED 2026-09-16T18:36:27.421Z

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, 2017 highlighted. 1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1995: 94 complaints 1995 1996: 142 complaints 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2005 2006: 576 complaints 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 483 complaints 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2015: 243 complaints 2015 2016: 106 complaints 2017: 110 complaints 2017 2018: 45 complaints 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 12 complaints 2022
2017: 110 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19880
19890
199034
199124
199240
199368
199425
199594
1996142
199770
1998331
1999664
2000507
2001430
2002636
2003629
2004279
2005148
2006576
2007262
2008168
2009146
2010163
201116
2012483
2013748
2014594
2015243
2016106
2017110
201845
201912
202018
202118
202212

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

AIR BAGS 25%

25% of complaints: air bags — 28 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing driver clockspring/spiral cassette.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND IN STOPPED TRAFFIC AND PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS STOPPED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A TWO-WAY ROAD WHEN HIT. THE DRIVER AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND THE COLLISION INSPECTOR TOLD ME THAT MY SEAT BELT DIDN'T EITHER!

NHTSA ODI report, 20180413

Also filed under SEAT BELTS

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 17%

17% of complaints: forward collision avoidance — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing warnings and automatic emergency braking.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, with the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated, the vehicle failed to detect another vehicle and the vehicle was involved in a crash.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260805

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%

16% of complaints: electrical system — 18 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

I am reporting a recurring safety-related defect involving the factory-installed infotainment touchscreen in my 2017 Volkswagen Passat SE Technology. The touchscreen intermittently malfunctions in several ways.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260827

Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SERVICE BRAKES 15%

15% of complaints: service brakes — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH
STEERING 15%

15% of complaints: steering — 16 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20170324 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 17V075000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180913 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 18V536000 — 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 20191106 — unknown or other

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V679000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20201006 — unknown or other

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 20V561000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210520 — unknown or other

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 21V321000 — 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

2017 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (28 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for forward collision avoidance issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 17V075000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V536000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V389000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V679000 (unknown or other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V561000 (unknown or other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V321000 (unknown or other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V834000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1992 ▲ 2018

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 1999 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2017 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2017 Volkswagen Passat is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Volkswagen Passat?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2017 Volkswagen Passat have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.