2009 Volkswagen Passat: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 152 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (32% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 152 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2022
“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 steering wheel icon indicating there is a problem and 3 chimes. The steering wheel is locked in position with very limited turning ability and ability to control the direction of the car.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2021
“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 A FAIL SAFE SYSTEM. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”Owner report · Seat Belts · Dec 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2020
“Engine stalled while driving. I believe my vehicle should be included in NHTSA recall no. : 17v-509 manufacturer recall no. : 20ae”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2020
“I got 09 4 motion cc 3.6. I had read spent close to 6g and nobody can fix the acceleration when start. Very frustrated change catalytic converters change other things I bad. *tr”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2020
“Loud sound when vehicle is in idle. Took it to local mechanic and they are saying it needs a timing chain replacement because it skips.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2020
“The car has stalled multiple times while driving. Lights pop on and the fuel pump is the error code, along with misfires. I have had at least a dozen or more close calls with the stall out and failure to start up, and at least 2-3 times I have almost been seriously injured or killed due to the stall out. It stalls when its in motion or even when it is parked and is starting up.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2020
“Fuel pump cracked, and placement of pump caused gasoline to pool underneath back seat inside the car, right under where my 4 year olds car seat is. Tech started we are extremely lucky that it didnt catch on fire, because it was basically a bomb directly underneath him that could have gone off anytime the car was turned on or running. Only found out about it when I took it to get the fuel pump module replaced, and only found out about that recall when the car started stalling out while driving. It is now at volkswagen of macon waiting on parts for a $1,000 repair. We are going to get rid of the car because we are not putting my son back in a car where that is even possible.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2019
“The vehicle has issues with the fuel pump , intake & cylinders . I was able to change the fuel pump but noticed online the vehicle has been recalled for these same issues . When turning the car on and driving it turns off and hardening the steering wheel”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Oct 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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 THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS, THE DRIVER'S STEERING INPUT IS NOT PROPERLY PROCESSED BY THE SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RESPOND AS THE DRIVER INTENDS. THIS DEFECT CAN ONLY OCCUR IMMEDIATELY AFTER VEHICLE START-UP WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED FOR THE FIRST TIME AND AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 5 MPH.
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.
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.
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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
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.
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. 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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2009 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Passat by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
NHTSA has 152 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 Volkswagen Passat. The most complained-about area is engine (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 Volkswagen Passat problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 78,000 miles or less.
Does the 2009 Volkswagen Passat have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion). Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.