2009 Volkswagen Passat problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (41) · Engine (34) · Steering (18)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volkswagen Passat model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
111 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2018-03-06 · campaign 18V148000 · 363,713 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2017-08-16 · campaign 17V509000 · 280,915 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-10 · campaign 16V078000 · 659,493 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Service bulletins (753)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-09-17 · V0116152014815_20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suggested fuel additive
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-09 · SM 39-2026 · Other
this special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-06 · TT 00-13-04_7 · Other
permission to change daily order upgraded to red order
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-04 · V0026012081638_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
differences between a leak and seepage
Electrical System 2026-07-15 · VOS-26-42 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a notice for software changes with the odis diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: a software fix is needed to correct the issue: da 0019 - hotfix 12-v battery test(s) – no battery diagnosis - inconclusive test result.
Engine 2026-07-09 · V1718062017813_24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
oil consumption measurement and electronic oil consumption measurement
Showing the 6 most recent of 753 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-04-03 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 112,322 mi“the contact owns a 2009 volkswagen passat. the contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the check engine and oil warning lights started flashing on the instrument panel. the contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic, who attempted to start the vehicle; however, the engine skipped, and the vehicle failed to start. the contact s…”
2025-04-03 · Engine“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. upon arriving, the mechanic noticed my oil was low and filled the car with oil. once that was completed, the car would not start. i noticed it made unusual noises after sev…”
2024-12-13 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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. the tank is located next to the exhaust system. my 2009 vw cc 4-motion only has 122,xxx miles on it. i could see a …”
2022-11-27 · Steering“the power steering system failed. at first i thought the steering wheel was locked. i started the car and could not turn the wheel. the power steering light illuminated in red and there was a loud beeping sound when the car is turned on. it was not until the car was towed that i realized that the wheel was not locked. the tow truck driver was able …”
2022-07-11 · Service Brakes“the abs sensors are not functioning although they have been replaced. the dashboard has multiple failure lights. the vehicle is a vw cc not covered by the abs recall although it exhibits identical issues.…”
2021-09-22 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i put fuel in the car and about to start the car and it won’t start. lights flickering. …”
2021-07-17 · Steering“the power steering system fails when the engine/engine compartment gets hot. the problem has appeared after the car has been shut down (such as when refueling or a quick run into a store) and then restarted. when the key is pushed in to start the car, there is a loud grinding noise, a visible shimmy of the steering wheel, followed by the red stee…”
2021-03-05 · Service Brakes · 190,000 mi“2009 vw cc pulling out into cross traffic the electric controlled parking brake locks up. i have had this happen several times now. i refuse to sell the car like it is or let anyone drive it. it appears to be related to the seatbelt. if it happens i undo my seatbelt and reinsert it to get it to work again. it seems like it's not programmed to be …”
2020-07-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 95,000 mi“engine stalled while driving. i believe my vehicle should be included in nhtsa recall no. : 17v-509 manufacturer recall no. : 20ae…”
2020-06-30 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 101,000 mi“fuel pump has gone out. volkswagen indicates my particular car doesn't qualify under the recall for the recall report 17v-509. this is an obvious issue with the 2009 passat.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.