VehicleVerdict

2017 Volkswagen Passat problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2017 Volkswagen Passat is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 7 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 173 owner complaints run below the Passat median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (28), driver assistance (28), and other (20), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

173

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Passat years?

See all Passat years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Volkswagen Passat problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2816%
Driver Assistance2816%
Other2012%
Electrical System2012%
Brakes1710%
Steering169%
Engine74%
Tires & Wheels74%
Visibility & Wipers63%
Fuel System63%
Transmission53%
Body & Structure32%
Speed Control32%
Suspension32%
Seat Belts21%
Seats11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2017 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?

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

24V834000AirbagsOctober 30, 2024 · 248,330 units

Defect

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. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.

21V321000OtherMay 5, 2021 · 46 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.

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.

20V561000OtherSeptember 16, 2020 · 23 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.

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.

19V679000OtherSeptember 25, 2019 · 113 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

Consequence

If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

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. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.

19V389000LightingMay 22, 2019 · 662,185 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

18V536000BrakesAugust 15, 2018 · 8,416 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

The loose brake bracket bolts can allow the caliper to move, reducing braking ability or causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Additionally brake caliper fasteners, bleeder valve, and brake hose bolts will be checked and torqued to the correct specification, if necessary, free of charge. For Passat vehicles, dealers will also inspect the parking brake cable for proper connection, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46H6.

17V075000BrakesFebruary 8, 2017 · 1,007 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A low brake fluid level may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47N3.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

I had my battery changed at the VW dealership and a week later, my horn stopped working, my airbag light came on and my front assist no longer works. There’s also a clicking noise when I turn my steering wheel. It seems this clock coil issue has been a recall issue for VW for years, but when I…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · March 26, 2022

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! I AM LUCKY I WASN'T HURT WORSE. THE CAR I WAS DRIVING WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 6, 2018 · crash

The main CPU component failed in my car and grounded out the second cylinder causing a fire to happen, This happened on my way from the store while I was in traffic and almost caused me to get into an accident. Luckily no one was hurt but now my car is not functional. I took it to a mechanic to see…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 31, 2024 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 8, 2017

WHEN COMING OF THE FREEWAY TO AN EXIT TO THE RIGHT I WAS ALREADY SLOWING DOWN THERE WAS A VEHICLE PARKED IN FRONT OF ME ABOUT 1 CAR LENGTHS AWAY, IT WAS WAITING FOR A CHANCE TO MERGE OFF THE EXIT RAMP.I WAS ALREADY SLOWING DOWN AND I HAD THE BRAKES PRESSED, MY CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN BUT IT WASN'T…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 16, 2017 · crash

2017 Volkswagen Passat — common questions

Is the 2017 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

It is close to typical for the Passat: 173 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2017 Passat problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (28 complaints), driver assistance (28 complaints), other (20 complaints).

Does the 2017 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Volkswagen Passat. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.

How safe is the 2017 Volkswagen Passat?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 Volkswagen Passat earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.