Recalls · problems · safety

2012 Volkswagen Passat: recalls and problems

11 recalls and 483 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags.

11recalls
483complaints
14crashes reported
3fires reported
10injuries reported

Recalls

Check recalls for your exact VIN

Most common problems

  • Air Bags230 · 48%
  • Electrical System50 · 10%
  • Electrical System (Air) Bags45 · 9%
  • Engine40 · 8%
  • Fuel/Propulsion System32 · 7%
  • Unknown Or Other31 · 6%
  • Steering28 · 6%
  • Steering (Air) Bags18 · 4%
  • Structure17 · 4%
  • Power Train15 · 3%

What owners report

Air Bags

The contact owns a 2012 volkswagen passat. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v834000 (air bags). the contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer refused to perform the repair until the contact paid for a diagnostic test for an internal communication error code. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made awa

Air BagsCrash

Car accident and all left side airbags deployed but not the drivers airbag which we had the recall repaired on.

Power Train,Electrical System

I own a 2012 volkswagen passat [vin [xxx] ] with approximately 1315xx miles. on december 17, 2025, i took the car to rockwall county volkswagen for three recalls. the car was running and was driven 9.5 miles to the dealership under its own power. i left the engine running when i left the it with the service advisor. when i returned to retrieve the car the following day, the service advisor informed me the car would

Tires

The tire size is 235/45r18 and the tread is coming off, we just noticed it and there has not been any accident nor incident

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. They are owner reports and have not been verified.

Crash-test ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2012 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Source: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP APIs, covering Passat. Last refreshed 2026-09-29.