2015 Volkswagen Passat Complaints

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 07/23/2026

Vehicle has an excessive gasoline smell coming from the driver front of the vehicle- mechanics have not been able to determine the exact location of the problem.

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 02/06/2026

While driving on the highway my car suddenly began to stall. It lost power later after that & when I got an oil change then tried to drive it later I was stopped by another driver told something is leaking. While driving to a Autozone I noticed the gears jump while shifting from 1 to 2 and I now can’t past 20 mph. I’ve already gotten the camshaft replaced and while researching I learned my cars make and model is being recalled for everything my car is going through. The vin says it’s not eligible for any recalls. Its maintenance is unkept.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE — Filed 07/05/2024

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle sputtered intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that fuel was leaking into the engine compartment, causing engine failure. The contact stated that the dealer had repaired the vehicle and possibly cleaned the engine. The dealer had informed the contact that the engine would last 4-6 months before complete engine failure. The vehicle was returned to the contact; however, while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle sputtered and then lost power. The vehicle was restarted after several attempts to continue driving. The vehicle was returned to the dealer but was not repaired. The dealer suggested that a new vehicle be purchased. The contact searched online and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V028000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 01/22/2026

The vehicle was rear-ended, lost control, traveled approximately 500 feet, and rolled multiple times. Side and curtain airbags deployed; however, the front airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was declared a total loss. The driver exited the vehicle without assistance. The vehicle is currently preserved at a tow lot.

VISIBILITY/WIPER — Filed 12/01/2024

The heater core becomes clogged and limits heat available for defrosting the windshield. The heat available is insufficient to defrost and maintain visibility while driving under adverse conditions. The cabin also becomes uncomfortable because of limited heat during cold weather operation. Volkwagen issued TSB VWP-16-05 for this issue for this model for the model year prior to my car. I had this issue repaired in December 2024. The same problem and symptoms have returned in December 2025.

VISIBILITY/WIPER — Filed 12/01/2025

The heater core becomes clogged and limits heat available for windshield defogging and defrosting. This creates a visibility hazard during inclement weather and makes the cabin uncomfortable during cold weather. The heater core was diagnosed and replaced on this vehicle in December 2024. The same symptoms have returned in December 2025. Volkwagen issued TSB VWP-16-05 to remedy this same issue in 2013-2014 Passats. I own a 2015 Passat. 2015 Passats have the same symptoms and problems.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY — Filed 11/17/2025

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that cool air was being blown inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the heater failed to heat the passenger’s side of the vehicle. Additionally, the defroster failed to properly defrost the windshield while activated. The contact linked the failure to VWP:16‑05; (Heater Core Limited Warranty Extension). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS — Filed 08/20/2025

The airbag system/clockspring assembly in the steering column appears to have failed. The airbag warning light turned on and all steering-wheel controls stopped working at the same time, which indicates that the driver airbag may not function in a crash. The vehicle can be inspected upon request. This is a major safety risk because the primary airbag might not deploy during a collision, putting the driver at high risk of injury. The issue has remained constant since it first appeared. I had the vehicle inspected by a highly reputable independent repair shop, and their assessment was that the clockspring/airbag component has failed. They advised that the necessary replacement part is unavailable to order, leaving the vehicle without a functional airbag system. I have also seen many other owners of similar 2015 Passat models reporting the same failure online, which suggests this may be a widespread defect. The airbag light is the only warning I received. It turned on a few months ago and has stayed on continuously since. UNKNOWN if there are other related electrical faults.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 10/01/2025

Gas smell inside vehicle Plastic canister under back seat leaking gas smell /has cracked

ENGINE — Filed 10/08/2025

My vehicle is a MY2015 Passat TDI SEL with the EA288 (CVCA) diesel engine. Water Pump Failure Occurred at 99488 miles. Leaking coolant from underneath the engine and the expansion tank bottle became empty. Vehicle was parked after a quick 8 min drive to work from home in the morning (~8:45AM) and when I came back at 12PM around 1 quart of coolant had leaked out. Luckily I was not on the freeway or driving the vehicle where it would ride on its torque curve increasing probability of catastrophic failures even after there are usually software induced engine protection derates in place. Official service interval for water pump and timing belt on this engine is 130000 miles but there have been numerous field incidents of pre-mature water pump failures which can be very expensive to fix (~2500 USD). Volkswagen/Audi already have a class action lawsuit against them on their 2.0 TFSI (EA888) water pump failures and I'm wondering why their MY2015 2.0 TDI (EA288) diesel engine has not been investigated for the same. This engine was only available in certain MY2015 VW/Audi vehicles but just because the cumulative number of vehicles with this engine are lower does not mean that it shouldn't be investigated for a very similar manufacturing/design defect of the water pump. I would strongly urge NHTSA to do a similar investigation on this 2.0 TDI engine and hold the manufacturer accountable.

ENGINE — Filed 11/22/2022

Subject: Request for VIN Review and Recall Inclusion – Camshaft/Vacuum Pump Failure (Recall 23R1) Dear Volkswagen Customer Care / NHTSA Representative, I am writing to formally request a manual review of my vehicle’s VIN in relation to Recall 23R1, which addresses camshaft lobe interference with the brake vacuum pump in certain 2015 Volkswagen Passat models. My vehicle, a 2015 Passat, recently experienced a failure of the **brake vacuum pump**, which required replacement. Upon inspection, it was determined that the **camshaft was interfering with the pump**, consistent with the failure mode described in Recall 23R1. Despite this, my VIN does not currently show an open recall. Given the alignment of symptoms—including camshaft-related damage and vacuum pump failure—I believe my vehicle should be included in the scope of this recall. I am requesting: - A manual review of my VIN and production batch - Consideration for inclusion in Recall 23R1 - Reimbursement or goodwill support for the repair costs already incurred I have documentation of the repair and am happy to provide technician notes that confirm the nature of the failure. I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response.

ENGINE — Filed 11/17/2022

Subject: Request for VIN Review and Recall Inclusion – Camshaft/Vacuum Pump Failure (Recall 23R1) Dear Volkswagen Customer Care / NHTSA Representative, I am writing to formally request a manual review of my vehicle’s VIN in relation to Recall 23R1, which addresses camshaft lobe interference with the brake vacuum pump in certain 2015 Volkswagen Passat models. My vehicle, a 2015 Passat, recently experienced a failure of the brake vacuum pump, which required replacement. Upon inspection, it was determined that the camshaft was interfering with the pump, consistent with the failure mode described in Recall 23R1. Despite this, my VIN does not currently show an open recall. Given the alignment of symptoms, including camshaft-related damage and vacuum pump failure, I believe my vehicle should be included in the scope of this recall. I am requesting: - A manual review of my VIN and production batch - Consideration for inclusion in Recall 23R1 - Reimbursement or goodwill support for the repair costs already incurred I have documentation of the repair and am happy to provide technician notes that confirm the nature of the failure. I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/07/2025

I bought a 2015 Volkswagen v6 SEL PREMIUM 15 days ago with only 37000 miles on it from car max and I hear my front windshield making a loud sound in upper left corner every morning ….so today I had my kids in car and it was bout 80 degrees we were at park and left park after hour I turned AC on and was driving when I heard a LOUD POP …looked back to my rear windshield shattered in every spot I was only 3 blocks away from home then the glass collapsed all over my kids there all cut up …these windshields do not look normal there’s no rubber surround and I had to pay 250 deductible to get a new one …clearly these Volkswagens have a weak glass issue from temp changes they were mint before this happened no chips or cracks I’m very unhappy with the quality of these I’m in fear if I drive it the front windshield will also do it !!! Not good smh …I’m more scared for winter !!!

AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 05/17/2024

The vehicle was totaled but I continue to receive recall notices to the point of harassment. I have called the hotline number and notified them dozens of times. I signed the vehicle over to the insurance. It is scrapped. I don't know how else to make that more clear.

AIR BAGS — Filed 07/31/2022

In a multi-vehicle rear end collision, the airbags in the vehicle did not deploy. My vehicle was totaled and I sustained medical injuries.

AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE — Filed 07/16/2020

I I WAS IN A CAR WRECK IN MY 2015 WOLF BURG EDITION PASSAT ON JULY 16, 2020 AND MY VEHICLE RECEIVED MAJOR DAMAGES WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON WEST THOMAS STREET IN HAMMOND LOUISIANA, BUT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AT ANY TIME! MY CAR WAS TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE RELATED TO MY SAFETY! I WANT TO KNOW IF THEIR ARE ANY RECALLS ON THE AIR BAGS FOR THIS VEHICLE.MODEL.

AIR BAGS — Filed 09/05/2019

TAKATA RECALL. TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO BOTH ARMS AND UPPER RIGHT SIDE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V014000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOW YARD WHERE IT WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT INFORMED THEM TO CANCEL THE UPCOMING APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 09/11/2018

MY PREGNANT FIANCE, HER 3YR OLD SON AND I WERE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET APPROXIMATELY 35MPH. A VEHICLE CUT OFF THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BEAKS, WHICH MADE ME SLAM ON MINE. I SLAMMED ON MY BREAKS AND IT DID NOT STOP MY VEHICLE, I TRIED TO USE MY EMERGENCY BREAK AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE SO I SWERVED OVER AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID MY FIANCE'S PASSENGER SIDE FROM BEING HIT. I REAR ENDED THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. EVERYONE SEATBELTS LOCKED EXCEPT MY FIANCE'S. SHE HIT THE DASH, INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED IT DID NOT GET HIT HARD ENOUGH TO DEPLOY AIRBAGS. THERE HAS BEEN A COUPLE TIMES PREVIOUS TO THE ACCIDENT THAT I WOULD BE AT A RED LIGHT WITH MY BREAK PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN AND ALL THE SUDDEN I WOULD START TO SLOWLY ROLL, WITH THE BREAK PEDAL STILL ALL THE WAY DOWN.

AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 10/14/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED A SECOND TIME, BUT THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE FIRST CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE. THE PAUL CLARK VOLKSWAGEN DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION AND WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TESTED A SECOND TIME AFTER THE FAILURE RECURRED, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,175. *JS

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 02/03/2017

ANTILOCK BRAKES CAUSED ABRUPT BREAKING, COMING TO A FORCEFUL STOP AND CAUSING INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. THIS HAPPENED AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS CREATING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR THE FAMILY. LAST EXPERIENCED ON FEB 3, 2017

POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS — Filed 07/13/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE IN PARK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 10/15/2015

VEHICLE CLUSTER ILLUMINATION LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING, NOT FUSE OR RELAY RELATED. MAIN ELECTRICAL HARNESS MALFUNCTION. MAJOR ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSIS.

SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE — Filed 01/19/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO REPOND. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS USED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT LOBE SHEARED OFF AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND FUMES OF SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GASKET AND THE VACUUM PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V705000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,700.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 01/19/2016

ON 1/19/16 I EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS ISSUE WHILE DRIVING MY 2015 VW PASSAT. AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AFTER MY 12-MILE COMMUTE TO WORK I APPLIED THE BRAKES. NO STOPPING OCCURRED, IN FACT I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. WHILE MY FOOT REMAINED ON AND CONTINUED TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TRIED TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN STOPPING THE VEHICLE. MY CARE CAME TO REST ONLY AFTER HITTING THE CURB AND A MASONRY WALL/HAND RAIL. ONCE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP, I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. I ASSESSED THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND TRIED TOR REPOSITION THE CAR IN THE PARKING SPACE ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME EVENT OCCUR AGAIN. THE FOLLOWING DAY I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THE INCIDENT AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED IN FOR INSPECTION. A LOANER WAS PROVIDED. TWENTY-ONE DAYS LATER, ON 2/8/16 I RECEIVED A CALL STATING THAT NO MANUFACTURING FAULTS WERE FOUND AND THAT VW WILL NOT AGREE TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE OR DISCUSS ANY CONCERNS RELATED TO LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, WHEN ASKED ABOUT ARBITRATION, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY ONLY RECOURSE WAS CALLING VW CORPORATE. WHEN MY HUSBAND CALLED AS INSTRUCTED, WE WERE INFORMED THAT VW'S POSITION WAS DECIDED BASED ON THEIR LACK OF MANUFACTURER DEFECTS FOUND. VEHICLE REMAINS AT DEALERSHIP. NO INSPECTION REPORTS WERE OFFERED, NO DAMAGE REPORTS OR ESTIMATES PROVIDED.

AIR BAGS — Filed 07/20/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SPUN AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS UNCONSCIOUS AT THE SCENE AND WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE CONTACT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR CENTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.