2016 Volkswagen Passat: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2016 / volkswagen / passat
known issues7 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-26)
complaints106 on file (2016-03-18 → 2026-05-03)
recalls5
investigations0
fars20 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Fuel pump leak causing gasoline odor in cabinFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM16 complaints2017-09 → 2026-04passat-2016-fuel-pump-leak-odor
  • 11671816 Description of the Problem: The fuel pump housing on my 2016 Volkswagen Passat (1.8L TSI) developed visible cracks, which caused a persistent fuel vapor smell around the vehicle, especially after refueling
  • 11669476 The fuel delivery system appears to have failed. Specifically, there is an active gasoline leak from a fuel line inside the cabin, near or under the rear seat
  • 11537108 Began smelling fuel. Made an appointment for a week out. They found that the fuel pump cover under the seat had been pushing on the top of the fuel pump
ABS wheel-speed sensor failure triggering warning lightsELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES6 complaints2019-10 → 2025-10passat-2016-abs-wheel-speed-sensor-failure
  • 11265312 THE ABS SENSOR SYSTEM HAS FAILED ON OUR CAR FOR THE 2ND TIME . THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED ON THE LEFT REAR WHEEL IN 2019. WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILS IT TRIGGERS A MULTITUDE OF DASHBOARD ALERTS WHICH ARE EXTREMELY DISTRACTING
  • 11430116 In less than 51,000 miles 3 wheel speed sensors have required replacement. An unacceptable average failure rate of once every 1.7 years or 17,000 miles
  • 11337346 WHILE DRIVING AND TRYING TO STOP IT APPEARS THAT BRAKES/ABS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. ABS, TPMS, TRACTION CONTROL, SRS WARNING LIGHTS HAVE COME ON FOR THE SECOND TIME IN JUST A FEW MONTHS SPAN
Clock spring failure disabling airbag and steering controlsSTEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS26 complaints2017-10 → 2026-05passat-2016-clock-spring-failure
  • 11681294 The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that on seven occasions, the clock spring failed while driving at various speeds
  • 11096639 WHEN I WENT TO START THE CAR THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STATED "ERROR". ALL THE FUNCTIONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT WORK, THIS INCLUDED THE HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, RADIO SYSTEM AND AIR BAG
  • 11040513 THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CLOCK SPRING. I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE AND IT GOT REPLACED 10/7/15. IT SNAPPED AGAIN 5 MONTHS LATER WAS REPLACED 3/8/16. IT SNAPPED AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER
Forward Assist braking with no obstacle presentFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE10 complaints2016-07 → 2025-04passat-2016-forward-assist-phantom-braking
  • 11655648 While driving on a residential street the VW Front Assist suddenly engaged the brakes. There was no car in front or any cars driving in the area. The car came to a complete stop
  • 11430569 The automatic emergency braking has applied three times while driving this vehicle. Once on a freeway onramp curve in traffic with following car, twice driving on different paved city streets
  • 10884433 MY 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSET SE MODEL CAR APPLIES THE BRAKES WHILE IN MOTION ON ITS OWN. THIS HAS OCCURRED 6 TIMED OVER THE PAST 7 MONTHS. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 12 2015
Excessive oil consumption from PCV/air-oil separatorENGINE6 complaints2020-02 → 2024-11passat-2016-excessive-oil-consumption
  • 11428166 The car burns an excessive amount of oil and the problem seems to be the same as those that VW settled a class action for on it’s early year model of the same car
  • 11513039 On November 11, 2022, the Byers VW in Columbus, OH, diagnosed my vehicle as having a defective crank case breather, which cases the oil to be burned off
  • 11312133 OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. MY CAR KEEPS BURNING THROUGH OIL. NO SIGNS OF LEAKS EITHER. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN INSPECTED FOR LEAKS
Engine failure or stall requiring major repairPOWER TRAIN, ENGINE10 complaints2016-05 → 2025-05passat-2016-engine-failure-stall
  • 11101452 ON MAY 21, 2018, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION, AND WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE MY CAR DIED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO QUIRK VW IN MANCHESTER, NH AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN
  • 11109848 THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE
  • 11659401 Timing chain going out before 1000 miles in a 2016 VW Passat TSI
Headlight dimming and housing malfunctionEXTERIOR LIGHTING5 complaints2018-08 → 2024-02passat-2016-headlight-exterior-lighting
  • 11302726 THE ELECTRICAL HOUSING FOR HEADLIGHT MELTDOWN CREATING POSSIBLY RISK OF FIRES
  • 11184477 THE HEADLIGHTS GO VERY DIM 2 SECONDS AFTER THEY ARE TURNED ON. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU CANT SEE ANYTHING MORE THAN 3 INCHES IN FRONT OF YOU
  • 11297751 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BY OTHER DRIVERS THAT THE REAR BRAKE TAIL LIGHTS WERE DIM AND NOT SUFFICIENT FOR VEHICLES TO FOLLOW BEHIND THE VEHICLE

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
1062016-03-182026-05-0340AIR BAGS:25; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:22; STEERING:19; SERVICE BRAKES:17; ENGINE:17

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
19V38900022/05/2019EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTSVolkswagen 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."Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.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.
16V40300006/06/2016FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAILVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles, equipped with 1.8T engines manufactured November 13, 2015, to December 9, 2015, and 2016 Golf vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to November 11, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 15F7.
15V70500026/10/2015ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
20V56100016/09/2020UNKNOWN OR OTHERVolkswagen 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.Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.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.
21V32100005/05/2021UNKNOWN OR OTHERVolkswagen 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.Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.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.

Investigations all years →

none listed

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-202420legacy-code0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2016 Volkswagen Passat vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2016/volkswagen/passat
@misc{wrenchpro_2016_volkswagen_passat_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2016 Volkswagen Passat},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2016/volkswagen/passat}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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