VehicleVerdict

2009 Volkswagen Passat problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2009 Volkswagen Passat sits mid-pack among Passat years: 211 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 179, with 4 recalls and one closed investigation.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 64 reports (30% of the total).

211

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

16

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Passat years?

Passat NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted1,026 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 50 complaints1991: 30 complaints1992: 60 complaints1993: 90 complaints1994: 36 complaints1995: 142 complaints1996: 185 complaints1997: 105 complaints1998: 476 complaints1999: 854 complaints2000: 625 complaints2001: 558 complaints2002: 772 complaints2003: 823 complaints2004: 348 complaints2005: 172 complaints2006: 779 complaints2007: 341 complaints2008: 240 complaints2009: 211 complaints2010: 226 complaints2011: 27 complaints2012: 660 complaints2013: 1,026 complaints2014: 785 complaints2015: 388 complaints2016: 179 complaints2017: 173 complaints2018: 65 complaints2019: 18 complaints2020: 24 complaints2021: 28 complaints2022: 19 complaints
Passat NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Passat years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Volkswagen Passat problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine6430%
Fuel System5325%
Electrical System2612%
Steering209%
Airbags126%
Transmission115%
Other105%
Suspension42%
Brakes42%
Seat Belts21%
Speed Control21%
Body & Structure10%
Latches & Locks10%
Visibility & Wipers10%

Does the 2009 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V148000AirbagsMarch 6, 2018 · 363,713 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

17V509000Fuel SystemAugust 16, 2017 · 280,915 units

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.

Consequence

If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

16V078000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2016 · 659,493 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

08V577000SteeringNovember 3, 2008 · 130 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO OVERCOME THE SYSTEM DURING MALFUNCTION WILL CAUSE (1) VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL; (2) THE STEERING SYSTEM MOTOR TO TURN OFF; (3) THE RED STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE; AND (4) AUDIBLE WARNINGS TO CHIME. A MALFUNCTIONING STEERING SYSTEM COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“AS WE WERE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN THE ENGINE HESITATED OR STUTTERED AS WE CAME TO A STOP. AS I ATTEMPTED TO START AGAIN, THE ENGINE HESITATED, I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON, SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THE TOP LEFT REAR OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 24, 2013 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 20, 2017 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PARKED FOR 30 MINUTES THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE FRONT UNDER THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED IT COULD BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OR A LEAK IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 14, 2009 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 20, 2017 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE TURNING LEFT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK PILLAR HOLDING UP A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE ALSO ACCELERATED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE CONTACT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 6, 2010 · crash

2009 Volkswagen Passat — common questions

Is the 2009 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

It is close to typical for the Passat: 211 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2009 Passat problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (64 complaints), fuel system (53 complaints), electrical system (26 complaints).

Does the 2009 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Volkswagen Passat. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2009 Volkswagen Passat under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen Passat years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Passat years to avoid are 2013, 1999, 2003, 2014, 2006, 2002, 2012, 2000, 2001, 1998, 2015, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011. The cleanest record among Passat years belongs to 1989.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.