RoadVitals

2009 Volkswagen Passat Wagon

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Jul 6, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 6, 2018
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Volkswagen Passat Wagon, most frequently naming the fuel system, body & structure and driver assistance categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 464 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system342.9%
  • Body & structure114.3%
  • Driver assistance114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Engine114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
18V148000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Mar 6, 2018
363,713 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 69Q9View on NHTSA.gov
17V509000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Aug 16, 2017
280,915 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.
The risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 20AEView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structureFuel system
Filed Jul 6, 2018
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING 2009 VW PASSAT WAGON ON I-495 SOUTH IN HAVERHILL, MA, AT AROUND 5 PM, SMOKE SUDDENLY BEGAN BILLOWING OUT OF THE VENTS. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER SAFELY (NEAR EXIT 48/ MILE MARKER 105.6) AND EXIT THE CAR, WHICH WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN A MINUTE. NO PASSENGERS, NO INJURIES, NO OTHER CARS WERE DAMAGED. UP TO THIS POINT, THE CAR HAD BEEN FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. NO OVERHEATING, NO LEAKING, NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO OTHER INDICATION OF IMPENDING FIRE. MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE FROM THE ANDOVER BARRACKS RESPONDED (978-475-3800), AS DID THE HAVERHILL FIRE DEPARTMENT. CHARRED REMAINS OF THE CAR WERE TOWED TO TROMBLY BROTHERS, 141 SUTTON ST NORTH ANDOVER, MA 01845. OF NOTE: UPON ARRIVING HOME, THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE FROM VW IN THE POSTAL MAIL, NHTSA NUMBER 17V509, REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE.

NHTSA ID
11109833
Incident
Jul 5, 2018
Mileage
75,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 5, 2018

2000 RPM AT IDLE WITH A/C ON. NORMAL WITH A/C OFF. SAME AS NHTSA 08V235000. VW SAID THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THAT RECALL. VEHICLE TRIES TO ACCELERATE BEYOND BRAKE CONTROL AT IDLE ONLY WITH A/C ON.

NHTSA ID
11109733
Incident
Jun 1, 2018
Mileage
75,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 11, 2018

SINCE THE SUMMER OF 2017 I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY PASSAT STALLING, AND OR LOOSING POOWER WHEN I AM DRIVING, LAST SEPTEMBER 2017 I WAS TOLD THAT A RECALL (20AE) WAS COMING OUT THAT WAS RELATED TO MY FAILURES. AROUND OCTOBER 15, 2017 I FOUND OUT THAT THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGON GARAGE THAT PARTS FOR THE RECALL ARE NOT AVAILABLE. MY CASE# FROM VOLKSWAGON GROUP OF AMERICA IS #519607. AT ONE POINT I WAS TOLD BY VOLKSWAGON GROUP OF AMERICA THAT I SHOULD GET IN TOUCH WITH MY LOCAL DEALER (VOLKSWAGEN OF MARIETTA) AND HAVE IT EXPECTED. ON FEBRUARY 27, 2018 (CASE NUMBER 180145272) I CALLED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT MY COMPLAINT WOULD AGAIN BE REGISTERED. I WILL NOW BE UP TO THE REGIONAL MANAGER TO LOOK AT HIS CASE LOAD AND RESPOND. I DO NOT RECALL HIM EVER RESPONDING TO ME. THE LOCAL DEALER AT THAT TIME SAID THAT THEY WOULD DO SOMETHING ONLY IF THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AND THE FOUND WAS FOUND. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ONLY DETECTABLE IF THE PROBLEM OCCURED WHE THEY WERE TESTING THE CAR. IF THEY DID NOT DETECT THE FAILURE I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE INSPECTION. IT IS THEREFORE OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THIS IS A NON-STARTER AND I WILL HAVE TOPAY FOR AN INSPECTION AND NEVER GET A REPAIR FOR MY PROBLEM UNLESS I PAY CLOSE TO $2,000. I AM A MARRIED SENIOR CITIZEN (80 YEARS OLD) , ADISABLED VETERAN AND WIFE WHO IS 77 YEARS OLD AND WE RELY ON THIS CAR. DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND OTHER LIES BY VW THE VALUE OF MY CAR IS LESS THAN WHAT I OWE ON THE CAR. I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SELL THE CAN AND BUY ANOTHER. THE CAR'S ENGINE FAILED AFTER A VIOLENT SHAKE THIS LAST FRIDAY JUNE 8, 2018. IT HAS BEEN OK OVER THE WEEKEND. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. ANY SUGGESTIONS? THIS MORNING I AGAIN CALLED VOLKSWAGON GROUP OF AMERICA, AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD GET A RETURN CALL WHICH HAS YET TO HAPPEN. MY PHONE # IS [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *CC

NHTSA ID
11101057
Incident
Jun 8, 2018
Fuel system
Filed Apr 24, 2018

FUEL PUMP CAUSED CUTTING OFF , DELAYED STARTING WHICH LED TO THE CAR BEING INOPERABLE.

NHTSA ID
11089838
Incident
Apr 22, 2018
Mileage
196,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 7, 2018

CAR STOPPED ON A HIGHWAY WHILE IN MOTION. WENT TO THE VW DEALER. THEY FOUND "FAULTS FOR FUEL MODULE, AND FUEL PUMP UNIT." THEY REMOVED AND INSTALLED FUEL PUMP AND TUBE BUT DIDN'T TELL ME IT WAS A RECALLED ITEM/PART. I PAID THE FULL AMOUNT OUT OF MY POCKET: $988.57

NHTSA ID
11071593
Incident
Mar 23, 2017
Mileage
65,200 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 11, 2018

THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY. THE DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP BUT DIDN'T "RELOCATE" IT IN THE VEHICLE AS SUGGESTED ON YOUR WEBSITE. I PAID $988. MY QUESTION IS: WHO SHOULD PAY THE "REMEDY" COST?

NHTSA ID
11062205
Incident
Mar 25, 2017
Mileage
65,200 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

VOS-26-42

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: DA 0019 - Hotfix 12-V battery test(s) – No battery diagnosis - Inconclusive test result.

V1718062017813_24

ENGINE

Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement

TT 10-18-02_2

ENGINE

Lubricating engine components before reassembly.

TT 13-20-01_3

ENGINE

Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.

V6919012010479_17

AIR BAGS

Inquiries

V1719012012855_81

ENGINE

Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Passat Wagon by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2010920—
2009Viewing620—
2008620—
2007113047.0
2006020—
2005000—
2004600—
2003300—
2002700—
2001200—
2000000—
1999000—
1998000—
1996000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.