2016 Volkswagen Passat: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 106 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (15% of complaints); the 2018 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The clock spring system failed, rendering all of the cars' steering wheel functions non-functional. The airbag light is on and the steering wheels airbag does not operate as well as the cars horn and auto cruise controls. The instrument cluster is malfunctioning as well. The safety risks associated with the malfunctions could result in great harm to the driver and passengers in the vehicle.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2026
“The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V403000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2025
“currently leaking raw fuel under the hood (matching Recall 15F7) and stalling after fill-ups (matching Recall 24V110000). I am requesting a Specialized Safety Review and Goodwill Assistance to cover the repair because this is a documented manufacturing defect, not wear-and-tear." 2. Leverage the "Suction Jet Pump" Investigation There is a current investigation (as of early 2026) because VW's recent fuel pump recall (24V110000) didn't include enough vehicles.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“The vehicle has been alerting error codes 16352 for failing to communicate with ABS module causing warning lights for ABS, brake and the ESC systems to illuminate. The brake system related vehicle stabilizing functions (ABS/ESC) is not be available, increasing the risk of a loss of vehicle control and could lead to a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Please reference Safety Recall Code: 45F2”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2025
“The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that after the dealer had performed a fuel induction on the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic convertor had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part to do the repair was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2024
“Air bag error light is on and steering wheel controls/horn are inoperable. Cause is most likely a clock spring failure as has been reported in numerous VW vehicle models including the 2016 VW Passat but the current recall 69L2 doesn't appear to cover our vehicle. With recall problems on numerous other vehicles, it is hard to believe this isn't caused by the same issue. Repair cost is estimated at $900 for an item that should be covered by VW.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2024
“During sharp turn would hear cracking sound coming from steering wheel, after some days air bag warning light appeared on dahsboard and honk and steering wheel buttons stopped working. Dealer replaced the clockspring under warranty that fixed airbag warning issue, but still had honk and steering wheel buttons persisted. Dealer recommended replacing steering wheel control button module to fix both honk and steering wheel buttons. It appears all the problems are related and should have been fixed under warranty”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2024
“I believe my clockspring has malfuncioned and though it has had multiple recalls my car is not listed for recall. My horn is no longer working, as well as all the buttons in my steering wheel including cruise control and my airbag light is on. This is all directly correlated to a clockspring malfunction and I believe my vehicle should be recalled for saftey reasons.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2024
“UNKNOWN - Looked into recall information regarding this vehicle. KBB.COM specified a headlight issue that has not been repaired on my vehicle.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2024
“EPC light came on within a week of buying car from dealer,took it to have it looked at and plugs and coil packs were shot,got that fixed and drove home and EPC came back on and was running bad,shaking and everything,made me lose speed drastically in heavy traffic and almost caused accident,now car has been sitting in driveway for the last few months because I'm afraid to drive it and I can't really get rid of it because I owe way to much on it!”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2023
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
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. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
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.
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. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles, equipped with 1.8T engines manufactured November 13, 2015, to December 9, 2015, and 2016 Golf vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to November 11, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 15F7.
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 2016 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
NHTSA has 106 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The most complained-about area is engine (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2016 Volkswagen Passat problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 41,000 miles or less.
Does the 2016 Volkswagen Passat have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning unknown or other. 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.