2009 Volkswagen Passat Steering Problems

The power steering system failed. At first I thought the steering wheel was locked. I started the car and could not turn the wheel. The power steering light illuminated in red and there was a loud beeping sound when the car is turned on. It was not until the car was towed that I realized that the wheel was not locked. The tow truck driver was able to turn the wheel to steer the vehicle on to the truck bed. I had someone plug in a diagnostic machine. I do not recall the exact code but he said the power steering system was not getting a signal. He replaced the steering angle sensor but that did not fix the issue. I had passenger at the time and was concerned for my safety. Luckily, the system failed while the car was parked, but we were left stranded. I have come across the following information on the Kelley Blue Book website: Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion) NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 08V577000 Report Date: Oct 31 2008 Vehicles Affected: 130 Consequence: DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO OVERCOME THE SYSTEM DURING MALFUNCTION WILL CAUSE (1) VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL; (2) THE STEERING SYSTEM MOTOR TO TURN OFF; (3) THE RED STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE; AND (4) AUDIBLE WARNINGS TO CHIME. A MALFUNCTIONING STEERING SYSTEM COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. What You Should Do: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-4822-8987. Summary: VW IS RECALLING 130 2009 PASSAT, PASSAT WAGON, AND PASSAT CC VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN ELECTROMECHANICAL STEERING GEAR CONTROL UNIT THAT CAN MALFUNCTION DUE TO A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS, THE DRIVER'S STEERING INPUT IS NOT PROPERLY PROCESSED BY THE SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RESPOND AS THE DRIVER INTENDS. THIS DEFECT CAN ONLY OCCUR IMMEDIATELY AFTER VEHICLE START-UP WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED FOR THE FIRST TIME AND AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 5 MPH.

NHTSA ID

11495014

Incident

Oct 27, 2022

The power steering system fails when the engine/engine compartment gets hot. The problem has appeared after the car has been shut down (such as when refueling or a quick run into a store) and then restarted. When the key is pushed in to start the car, there is a loud grinding noise, a visible shimmy of the steering wheel, followed by the red steering wheel icon indicating there is a problem and 3 chimes. The steering wheel is locked in position with very limited turning ability and ability to control the direction of the car.

NHTSA ID

11425287

Incident

Jul 16, 2021

MY STEERING WILL LOCK UP AND FAIL, BUT THEN AFTER I RESTART THE CAR A COUPLE TIMES IT WORKS AGAIN. THEN IT FAILS WITHOUT WARNING. I GET THE AUDITORY ALERT AS WELL AS A SOLID RED STEERING WHEEL ON THE DASH. THERE IS A RECALL ON 130 OF THIS EXACT CAR, BUT WHEN I DO A VIN SEARCH IT IS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT RECALL NUMBER IS 08V577000, AND I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT GETTING MY VIN INCLUDED SINCE ITS THE SAME FAILURE. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN TO THE SHOP 3 TIMES TO BE CORRECTED, BUT ONLY IN THE STEERING WHEEL, NOT IN THE STEERING BOX AS INDICATED ON THE RECALL. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT WHEN IT FAILED, BUT WAS IN HER PATIENTS NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN IT LOST POWER STEERING (LIKELY WITHIN THE 5 MPH SPEED FOR IT TO FAIL).

NHTSA ID

11229509

Incident

May 31, 2019

Mileage

120,175 mi

WHEN PARKED OR WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER OR WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHUT THE CAR OFF WHILE IN TRAFFIC!! THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL ON LINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE AND VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS FAULTY PART WHICH NOT ONLY ENDANGERS THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS BUT EVERYONE OUT ON THE ROAD IN THE CAR'S PATH. I HAVE UPLOADED THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11217568

Incident

May 20, 2019

Mileage

125,000 mi

SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR WITH 75000 MI ON IT 3 YEARS AGO, WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND START IT THE CAR SHUTS DOWN AND TELLS ME STEERING CONTROL LOCK MALFUNCTION. SOMEONE HAD TOLD ME TO CHANGE THE BATTERY, I DID SO AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. IT IS DUE TO A FAULTY IMMOBILIZER KEY. SOMETIMES THE CAR WON'T EVEN START, AND SOMETIMES IT DIRECTS ME TO TAKE IT TO THE WORKSHOP. I HAVE SPOKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN A NUMBER OF TIMES ABOUT THIS ISSUE, BECAUSE IT WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2008 MODEL OF MY CAR, BUT THEY INSIST THAT 2009 DIDN'T HAVE THE PROBLEM. I KNOW FROM SPEAKING WITH OTHERS THAT HAVE THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL THAT I AM NOT EXPERIENCING AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. JUST AS A NUMBER OF OTHER PROBLEMS VW NEEDS TO OWN UP TO IT'S MISTAKES AND OFFER A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. EVEN IF IT IS CHANGING THE IGNITION SYSTEM TO A REGULAR TURN STYLE KEY.

NHTSA ID

11181648

Incident

Feb 15, 2019

Mileage

117,000 mi

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE ON MY 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 35000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHILE I WAS TRYING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK ALSO CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. IN ADDITION, IT COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE WHILE IT IS BEING DRIVEN. VOLKSWAGEN USA ADMITTED THAT THIS PART IS AN ISSUE. THEY ISSUED SEVERAL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ABOUT THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCK. SEVERAL OTHER MAKES AND MODELS OF VOLKSWAGENS WERE RECALLED AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE. I AM SEEKING JUDGEMENT FROM VOLKSWAGEN IN THE AMOUNT OF $588.91, WHICH IS THE COST OF REPAIR. VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE CAR ONLY HAD A 3 YR WARRANTY. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN EVER. THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO WORK WITH THE CONSUMER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER ON 12/28/2018.

NHTSA ID

11165995

Incident

Nov 20, 2018

Mileage

34,851 mi

MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 35000 MILES. THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCK IS DEFECTIVE HAS BEEN APPEARING ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS DEFECTIVE PART WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START AT TIME. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT IT COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL WHILE IT IS BEING DRIVEN. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET REVEALED THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF THE CAR. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH IS NOT CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE FOR A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE. I WANT VOLKSWAGEN HELD RESPONSIBLE. IF THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE IN MOTION, I WILL FILE A LAWSUIT. I WANT TO GIVE YOUR COMPANY THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESOLVE IT FIRST.

NHTSA ID

11152234

Incident

Nov 16, 2018

Mileage

35,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL WANTING TO KNOW IF MY CAR IS ONE THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR 18V148000 AND 08V57700 FOR SUSPENSION

NHTSA ID

11103755

Incident

Aug 28, 2008

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GARVEY VOLKSWAGEN (483 QUAKER RD, QUEENSBURY, NY 12804, (518) 793-3488). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TWICE AFTER THE CRASH AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE, AND FURTHER TESTING WAS NEEDED ON THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A NEW FUEL PUMP WAS INSTALLED. ONE MONTH LATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT

NHTSA ID

11080352

Incident

Sep 20, 2017

Mileage

62,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V577000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM A MANUFACTURER STEERING RECALL. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID

11063028

Incident

Jan 6, 2018

I TRIED TO HIT MY BREAKS AND THEY FAILED TO WORK AND I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME

NHTSA ID

10894674

Incident

Aug 5, 2016

WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING WAS DISABLED. PULLED THE CAR OVER, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A DAY OR TWO. SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AND RESOLVED SAME WAY BY ME. HAPPENED AGAIN - TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RACK. I ASKED THE DEALER IF THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE AND THE RESPONSE WAS "EXTREMELY RARE". I TOOK TO AUTHORIZED VW REPAIR CENTERS (NON-DEALER). COULD NOT QUOTE AN EXACT PRICE FOR THE "REPAIR" AS NONE OF THEM HAVE EVER SEEN A REPAIR LIKE THIS NEEDED ON A VW. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND VW RECALL NO. 48J1/P3 WHICH WAS ISSUED FOR THE 2009 PASSAT BUT APPARENTLY NOT FOR MY VIN? THE HAZARDS AS EXPERIENCED IN THIS PUBLICATION ARE WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING. CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOW THAT IS POSSIBLE? VW IS REFUSING TO CONTRIBUTE OR COVER ANY COST OF THE REPAIR AND IT IS A HIGH SAFETY CONCERN FOR MY FAMILY.

NHTSA ID

10861358

Incident

Apr 19, 2016

Mileage

120,000 mi

WENT TO WORK ON A SUB ZERO TEMPS DAY. CAR WAS WARMING UP. WENT TO PULL AWAY SHE THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WITH A 3 CHIM TONE WARNING AND LOCKED UP THE STEERING COLUMM. HAD CAR TOWED TO AN OTHERIZED DEALSHIP WHERE THEY SCANNED VEHICLE AND FOUND FOUR CODES FOR STEERING RACK BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETECT ANY WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD.

NHTSA ID

10837359

Incident

Feb 13, 2016

Mileage

25,526 mi

WHEN BACKING UP, OR GOING FORWARD SLOW, TO PARK WITH FRONT WHEELS TURNING THERE IS A SNAPPING SOUND WHICH A AN ARIZONE VW DEALER BLAMES ON SALT/SAND FROM NE. CAR WAS ON LIFT IN MAINE AND I PAINTED UNDERCARRAIGE AND THERE WAS NO SIGN OF RUST EXCEPT ON PARTS OF CLAMPS/SCREWS. VEHICLE WAS WASHED A MINIMUM OF ONCE A WEEK DURING WINTER. MOVED TO AZ AND THE SNAPPING IS MORE EVIDENT. VW REPLACED MUCH OF THE FRONT END AND HAD CAR FOR THREE WEEKS. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE CAR AND STILL HAD TO PAY OVER $1200.00. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A VEHICLE REPAIR SERVICE TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT.

NHTSA ID

10749468

Incident

Jan 1, 2015

Mileage

5,000 mi

MY POWER STEERING LOCK UP ON ME 2X RED LIGHT CAME ON THE SECOND TIME AND BING 3X. STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOCK RIGHT AWAY. TOOK THE PASSAT DOWN TO A AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED RACK AND PINION AND IT COST $ 1,772.33. MY PASSAT IS 6 YEARS OLD AND HAD ONLY 37,270 MILES. THIS STEERING PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPEN WITH LOW MILEAGE. I CALLED THE VW CARE CENTER TO ASK IF IT WAS RECALL THEY SAID NO. AND WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. BECAUSE IT WAS OVER 3 YEARS OLD. I WILL NEVER BUY OTHER VW AGAIN SCENTS THEY WILL NOT STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10706438

Incident

Mar 10, 2015

Mileage

37,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING GEAR CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V577000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ID

10588046

Incident

May 12, 2014

Mileage

59,000 mi

STOPPED TO GET GAS CAME COME BACK OUTSIDE TO START THE CAR CAR WOULD NOT START INDICATOR ON DASHBOARD SAID THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM HAS LOCKED UP.

NHTSA ID

10576748

Incident

Mar 28, 2014

Mileage

77,500 mi

THE DESCRIPTION OF THE RECALL ON THE 130 EARLIER PASSAT VEHICLES WAS EXACTLY WHAT WE HAD. THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN STARTED AND THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS SOMEWHAT DRIVABLE BUT W/O ANY POWER ASSIST WHATSOEVER. I AM A MAN AND COULD WRESTLE WITH IT TO GET THE CAR OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE AND OVER TO THE LOCAL DEALER. BUT MY WIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED. AND I FEAR WHAT MAY HAPPEN IF THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THERE WOULD LIKELY BE AN ACCIDENT THROUGH NO FAULT OF THE DRIVER. THIS HAD HAPPENED TO MY WIFE SEVERAL TIMES BUT IF SHE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR, THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND EVEN SOLD US A NEW BATTERY AS THEIR MACHINE WAS SHOWING LOW VOLTAGE CODES. THE TECH EVEN SAID THAT MAY AFFECT THE STEERING, SINCE IT HAS ELECTRONICS. NOT SURE WHY IN THE WORLD WE NEED STEERING SYSTEMS THAT HAVE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. I THINK THAT VW HAS UNDERESTIMATED THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES THAT LIKELY WERE MANUFACTURED WITH THIS DEFECTIVE PART. THE REPAIR WAS AN ENTIRE NEW STEERING RACK FOR THE CAR. *JS

NHTSA ID

10456846

Incident

Apr 22, 2012

Mileage

39,870 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND WOULD NOT TURN IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,199 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,400.

NHTSA ID

10427541

Incident

Sep 8, 2011

Mileage

112,199 mi

LOSS OF POWER STEERING. STEERING GAUGE LIGHT TURNS ON, ALONG WITH ABS LIGHT, TRACTION LIGHT. STEERING WHEEL HARDENS AND IT IS UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE. SECOND TIME THAT HAS OCCURRED. CRASH AVERTED DUE TO LOW SPEEDS. HAD THE INCIDENT OCCURRED MINUTES BEFORE DURING HIGHWAY DRIVE, CERTAIN ACCIDENT WOULD'VE BEEN UNAVOIDABLE. INCIDENT HAPPENED AT APPROX. 7000 MILES FIRST AND NOW AGAIN AT APPROX. 24K MILES. VEHICLE BEING REVIEWED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10379968

Incident

Feb 1, 2011

Mileage

24,000 mi