NHTSA campaign 16V171000 · Volkswagen campaign 23T3
Volkswagen Recall 16V-171: Water Corrosion on Electrical Terminals
NHTSA recall 16V171000 (Volkswagen campaign 23T3) was reported by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. on March 24, 2016, with 91,442 vehicles potentially affected (per NHTSA). NHTSA's record lists the Volkswagen Passat for model years 2012–2014. Owners were notified on September 15, 2016, per NHTSA.
Updated daily from NHTSA's recall files
Is my vehicle included?
This page lists, by model year, the vehicles NHTSA's recall record names for campaign 16V171000 in the model years try.vin imports (1995 and later); NHTSA's own record can list more. A model year on the list doesn't mean every vehicle of that year is included, and some may already have been repaired.
To see whether a specific vehicle is included and still needs the repair, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Volkswagen VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Key facts
- NHTSA campaign
- 16V171000 (also written 16V-171 or 16V171)
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Volkswagen campaign number
- 23T3
- Report received
- Potentially affected
- 91,442 vehicles (per NHTSA)
- Component
- Electrical System — Wiring
- Owners notified
Repair completion: 47.91% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)
NHTSA cautions against comparing completion rates across recalls or manufacturers. How try.vin reads them.
Vehicles listed for this recall
NHTSA's recall record lists these vehicles for recall 16V171000. try.vin imports model years 1995 and later, so NHTSA's own list can be longer. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to it. Build dates are NHTSA's range for a model year (per NHTSA); a vehicle built in that range is not necessarily included.
Volkswagen
All Volkswagen recallsNHTSA's recall notice
As NHTSA's recall record states it for campaign 16V171000.
Defect description
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Passat vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Due to improperly assembled wire seals in a connector for an underbody sensor, water may enter and corrode the electrical connectors of the sensor, causing an electrical short.
Safety consequence
An electrical short can cause the electrical connectors of the sensor to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in September. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23T3.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Sources
Official NHTSA notice for recall 16V171000
Campaign details come from NHTSA's recall files, which try.vin imports once a day. The plain-language subject and the completion rate come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Recalls Data dataset. How try.vin reads recall data.