NHTSA vehicle safety data

2017 Volkswagen Passat Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2017 Volkswagen Passat has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 110 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Volkswagen dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2017 Volkswagen Passat owner complaints

Owners have filed 110 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Volkswagen Passat, describing incidents dated January 25, 2017 to August 26, 2026.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 28 complaints
Unknown or Other 21 complaints
Electrical System 18 complaints
Service Brakes 17 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance 16 complaints
Steering 16 complaints

Of the 110 complaints on file, 9 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 110 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11759962 · Filed August 27, 2026
I am reporting a recurring safety-related defect involving the factory-installed infotainment touchscreen in my 2017 Volkswagen Passat SE Technology. The touchscreen intermittently malfunctions in several ways. At times, the entire infotainment system freezes and becomes completely unresponsive…
ODI #11755060 · Filed August 5, 2026
The contact owns 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, with the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated, the vehicle failed to detect another vehicle and the vehicle was involved in a crash. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injuries…
ODI #11751998 · Filed July 22, 2026
cracks in the fuel pump houisng cauisng vapors and fumes into my car.

Read all 110 complaints

Driver's Side Front Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #24V834000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported October 30, 2024 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 248,330 vehicles

Repair completion: 30.74% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 69EG,69GQ,69E6 · Owners notified December 4, 2024 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

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 nhtsa.gov.

Modifications to Vehicles Made Them Noncompliant

NHTSA #21V321000 · Unknown or Other · NHTSA notice

Reported May 5, 2021 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 46 vehicles

Repair completion: 36.96% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 01F1 · Owners notified May 20, 2021

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Modifications to Vehicles Made Them Noncompliant

NHTSA #20V561000 · Unknown or Other · NHTSA notice

Reported September 16, 2020 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 23 vehicles

Repair completion: 73.91% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 01E9 · Owners notified October 6, 2020

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Modifications to Vehicles Made Them Noncompliant

NHTSA #19V679000 · Unknown or Other · NHTSA notice

Reported September 25, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 113 vehicles

Repair completion: 17.7% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 01D7 · Owners notified November 6, 2019 · Vehicles built July 15, 2016 – August 31, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Headlights can be Adjusted/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #19V389000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported May 22, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 662,185 vehicles

Repair completion: 68.8% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 94L9 · Owners notified July 16, 2019 · Vehicles built April 20, 2015 – January 14, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Brake Caliper Bracket Bolts may be Loose

NHTSA #18V536000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Disc — Caliper · NHTSA notice

Reported August 15, 2018 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 8,416 vehicles

Repair completion: 96.41% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 46H6 · Owners notified September 13, 2018 · Vehicles built October 26, 2016 – June 12, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Brake Fluid Leak may Reduce Braking Power

NHTSA #17V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Fluid · NHTSA notice

Reported February 8, 2017 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 1,007 vehicles

Repair completion: 92.25% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 47N3 · Owners notified March 24, 2017 · Vehicles built January 12, 2017 – January 30, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

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.

2017 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

11% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning (Optional)

110 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat.

Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #11759962

Incident: August 26, 2026 · Filed: August 27, 2026

I am reporting a recurring safety-related defect involving the factory-installed infotainment touchscreen in my 2017 Volkswagen Passat SE Technology. The touchscreen intermittently malfunctions in several ways. At times, the entire infotainment system freezes and becomes completely unresponsive, preventing access to any controls. The screen also has developed "dead spots" where touch inputs do not register. Additionally, it sometimes registers "phantom touches," responding to inputs when the screen is not being touched. I believe this presents a safety concern because the infotainment system is an integrated component of the vehicle and is intended to be operated by the driver. When the system freezes, fails to respond, or registers unintended inputs, the driver may have to divert their attention from the roadway to determine what is happening, attempt to operate the system, or restart it. Dead spots can also prevent the driver from accessing desired functions. Pennsylvania recognizes the safety risks associated with distracted driving, including activities that take a driver's eyes off the roadway or hands off the wheel. A malfunctioning factory-installed touchscreen can create this type of distraction even when the driver is attempting to use the vehicle's integrated system. I have found multiple reports from other 2017 Volkswagen Passat owners describing similar infotainment problems, including frozen screens and touchscreen areas that become unresponsive. This suggests that the issue may be a recurring defect rather than an isolated failure. I believe NHTSA should investigate this issue to determine whether there is a common defect affecting 2017 Volkswagen Passat infotainment systems and whether Volkswagen should provide a remedy. A factory-installed vehicle control system should respond consistently and predictably. A touchscreen that freezes, fails to register inputs, or generates unintended inputs can require additional driver attention and interaction.

Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #11755060

Crash

Incident: May 12, 2026 · Filed: August 5, 2026

The contact owns 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, with the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated, the vehicle failed to detect another vehicle and the vehicle was involved in a crash. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injuries sustained. A Police report was filed but the information was not provided. The vehicle was vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11751998

Incident: May 11, 2022 · Filed: July 22, 2026

cracks in the fuel pump houisng cauisng vapors and fumes into my car.

Electrical System; Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #11711118

Incident: January 5, 2026 · Filed: January 15, 2026

ABS sensor has failed. Air bag sensor is faulty due to abs

Service Brakes

ODI #11702816

Filed: December 3, 2025

said vehicle started making a grinding sound and all of a sudden the brake pad or shoe they'll completely off of the vehicle and the caliper for disc brake was the wrong calipers on my front end of my vehicle and now it's upside down and backwards and it's not the right calipers for my vehicle

Unknown or Other

ODI #11702812

Incident: December 1, 2025 · Filed: December 3, 2025

while in cruise control and going up a incline or a hill The EPC light will come on and the car will start lugging down very badly and have no power, they've said vehicle has done this for a year now and we have not been able to get any kind of acknowledgment of it from another dealership or the actual company I've said make and model of vehicle Volkswagen Passat

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11698579

Incident: November 10, 2025 · Filed: November 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power, with the check engine warning light and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred, causing the vehicle to intermittently start and stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure could be related to an electrical malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 355,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11692933

Incident: September 28, 2025 · Filed: October 12, 2025

began smelling fuel in the cockpit about 2 months ago but thought not much about why until it kept getting stronger. Looked under the car a saw fuel dripping in front of rear passenger wheel and directly under tank.

Electrical System

ODI #11682870

Incident: August 24, 2025 · Filed: August 25, 2025

Fuel pump control module over heated and burned

Air Bags; Vehicle Speed Control; Unknown or Other

ODI #11662117

Incident: January 3, 2024 · Filed: May 20, 2025

While backing into a parking spot there was a crunching sound in the steering column. Following this noise the air bag light came on and all steering wheel control buttons nonfunctional including the horn. I reached out to a Volkswagen dealer as I had seen recalls for the clockspring, I was told my vehicle was not included in the recall. This is a 2017 Passat and had approximately 130,000 miles when this occurred. The closest dealer is over 2 hours away, and the service department is only open Monday-Friday.

Other Volkswagen Passat model years

Check your 2017 Volkswagen Passat VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volkswagen Passat at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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