RoadVitals

2015 Volkswagen Passat Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints 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.
16
Latest Jul 15, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 243 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2015 Volkswagen Passat submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming suspension

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Suspension
Filed Jul 15, 2023

Rear coil spring is broken. Normal driving conditions and we noticed a significant vibration. Upon inspection of rear suspension we found a broken rear coil spring. I researched this issue and found that VW recalled several other 2015 models for rear coil springs breaking. This is a major safety issue. Currently we cannot use the car due to this safety issue.

NHTSA ID
11532430
Incident
Jul 14, 2023
Suspension
Filed Sep 27, 2022

Fractured rear coil spring on a 2015 Volkswagen Passat Limited. There is a current recall, 42J5, for various VW's from 2015 to 2019, but not for the Passat. NHTSA Campaign #19V188000 should cover rear coil springs in all VW"s for the years listed. Same defect, same dangers. I have the coil spring and will save it for a reasonable period of time if an inspection of the unit is needed. Contacted VW customer service and was told coil spring would not be covered.

NHTSA ID
11486766
Incident
Sep 27, 2022
Suspension
Filed Aug 17, 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, he heard an abnormally loud sound coming from the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for a tire rotation, the dealer informed the contact that the front driver's side coil spring was fractured and the rear driver's side coil spring was cracked. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the front driver's side coil spring was replaced. However, the part for the rear driver's side coil spring repair was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V188000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

NHTSA ID
11479766
Incident
Aug 11, 2022
Mileage
124,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 2, 2022

noise coming from front suspension , brakes sticking once moving from a complete stop and reversing out of park.

NHTSA ID
11477080
Incident
May 17, 2022
EngineFuel systemSuspension
Filed Oct 2, 2021

Engine time chain skipped. Fuel rail leak from regulator(dangerous to drive as it can catch on fire). Suspension problem car shakes over 40mph(alignment and balance did not help), problem due to coils or other components. Mechanic shop checked car and they denied to work on it due to fuel recall.

NHTSA ID
11435204
Incident
Oct 2, 2021
Suspension
Filed Aug 12, 2021

Rear passenger side wheel area started making a lot of noise. After tire was taken off, found rear coil spring broken and dislodged from proper location. Then looked at drivers side rear coil spring and it was still in proper location but broken. Found replacement part which also fit VW Beetle and VW Jetta which are much smaller cars than a Passat. VW does not offer heavier springs.

NHTSA ID
11428840
Incident
Aug 4, 2021
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 23, 2021

For about 2 years my vehicle has been vibrating at the steering wheel. I have replaced the tires twice, have done multiple tire balances, rotations, road force tests, alignments, and have requested multiple inspections of all components associated with the steering assembly. All possible solutions have apparently been insufficient or they have been found inconclusive. The technicians at the dealership have been unable to identify the cause of the vibration. Due to this, my steering wheel has continued to vibrate for about 2 years. The vibration occurs around highway speeds as well as when braking. I have recorded multiple videos that show this as well as having testament from multiple people, including dealership staff. The vibration has slowly but surely gotten worse over time and I am afraid that something will break and cause me to have an accident or severe injuries.

NHTSA ID
11426183
Incident
Jul 1, 2019
Suspension
Filed Nov 28, 2020

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN MY DAUGHTER HEARD LOUD SNAP AND CAR REAR END STARTED TO SAG

NHTSA ID
11376798
Incident
Nov 22, 2020
Mileage
108,361 mi
Suspension
Filed Dec 2, 2019

AT SPEED OF OVER 65MPH. STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO VIBRATE WITHIN 10MINUTES OF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. KEEP RETURNING TO THE DEALER WHICH SAYS THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY CAN THAT SHOULD HAVE CORRECT THE PROBLEM. BUT AFTER THEY HAVE TRIED FOR OVER 4 TIMES TO CORRECT IT. THE ISSUE STILL THERE.

NHTSA ID
11286451
Incident
May 2, 2019
Suspension
Filed Jul 9, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOT OF UNUSUAL NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEANING TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOX VALLEY VOLKSWAGEN SCHAUMBURG (847-839-8101, LOCATED AT 1000 EAST GOLF ROAD, SCHAUMBURG, IL 60173) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. *TR*JB

NHTSA ID
11230499
Incident
Jun 18, 2019
Mileage
17,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 6, 2019

I RECENTLY FACED AN ISSUE WITH MY VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2015 WITH THE SUSPENSIONS MAKING CLANKING NOISE. I HAD IT CHECKED WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE ISSUE TURNED OUT TO BE BROKEN COIL SPRINGS ON THE REAR LEFT SIDE. I HAVE OWN THIS CAR FOR THREE AND A HALF YEARS, BUT ONLY HAVE 16K MILES ON IT. I RARELY DRIVE IN SNOW AS I WORK FROM HOME. A LITTLE EXPOSURE TO SNOW HAVE CAUSED THE COIL SPRINGS TO WEAR OUT. I HAVE HEARD OF RECALLS FROM NISSAN AND HONDA IN THE PAST REGARDING A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH COIL SPRINGS. I'M SURE OTHER VOLKSWAGEN OWNERS ARE FACING THE SAME THING AS I HEARD THE SERVICE AGENT WHISPERING THAT THIS HAPPENS WITH MOST OF THE VOLKSWAGEN CARS AND HE'S SURPRISED THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL FOR IT YET. AS I'M MERELY OVER THE BUMPER WARRANTY, I HAD TO PAY $800 OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE THE SPRINGS. I WISH VOLKSWAGEN MADE MORE RELIABLE CARS.

NHTSA ID
11229730
Incident
Jul 6, 2019
Mileage
16,015 mi
Suspension
Filed May 28, 2019

ON THE WAY TO THE AIRPORT PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFICS. I HEARD A POUND NOICE AND MY WHOLE CAR VIBRATED. IT WAS LIKE A STING LOUD AND TENSION FILLED. WHEN WE CAME BACK TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND MY DEALERSHIP THEY SAY IT'S A COIL SPRING. IVE FOUND RECALLS ON THE VW 2015-2019 BUT NOT THE PASSAT. WELL. THE PASSAT HAS THE PROBLEM TOO PLEASE LOOK INTO TO THIS. VERY DISCONCERTING. I FEEL IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
11210306
Incident
May 14, 2019
Mileage
59,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 2, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAGUIRE VOLKSWAGEN OF ITHICA (LOCATED AT 370 ELMIRA RD, ITHACA, NY 14850, (607) 257-1515) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE WERE NOT MADE TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11205244
Incident
Apr 29, 2019
Mileage
68,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 29, 2018

EXCESSIVE INSIDE FRONT TIRE WEAR CAN LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE. FONT END CAN NOT BE PROPERLY ALIGNED BECAUSE THERE IS NO CAMBER ADJUSTMENT. TIRES SHOWED EXCESSIVE WEAR AT 10,000 MILES. TIRES WERE ROTATED AND FRONT END REALIGNED AND THESE TIRES HAVE THE INSIDE ABOUT WORE OUT AFTER 16,000 MILES. THE WEAR SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN MAKING SHARP TURNS WHEN EXITING ON THE FREEWAY CLOVERLEAF. THE INSIDE WEAR PATTERN WILL BE A DARK BLACK FROM SCUFFING ON THE TURN.

NHTSA ID
11104679
Incident
Jun 28, 2018
Mileage
25,200 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 22, 2018

CPSC:PURCHASED KYB 344459 AND KYB 335808 (SHOCKS AND STRUTS) FROM AUTOZONE AND INSTALLED ON 01/06/2018. PRODUCT WAS PURCHASED ACCORDING TO MY VIN FOR FITMENT. AFTER INSTALLATION MY CAR HAS BEEN OPERATING VERY UNSAFE, SUSPENSION IS EXTREMELY HARD, BOUNCY, WAVY, ECT. *DT *JS

NHTSA ID
11074803
Incident
Jan 6, 2018
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 30, 2016

I BOUGHT A 2015 PASSAT WOLFSBURG EDITION IN FEBRUARY OF 2015. WITHIN THE FIRST 200 MILES VEHICLE WAS SHIMMYING WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE BRAKES UNDER THE WARRANTY SAYING ITS WEAR AND TEAR. I CALLED VWA THEY ADVISED DEALER AND THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. NOT EVEN TWO WEEKS AFTER BRAKES START SQUEALING. I RETURN TO DEALERSHIP AND GET TOLD ITS NOTHING. BRAKES CONTINUED TO SQUEAL UNTIL I HAD THEM REPLACED SOMEWHERE ELSE AT 26350 MILES. HOWEVER WHILE BRAKES WERE SQUEALING AND EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED..VEHICLE BAS DEVELOPED A CHIRP ON BOTH HUBS WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED AND OR ACCELERATED FROM A STAND STILL. VEHICLE HAS 27000 MILES ON IT. THERE'S NO REASON IT SHOULD BE HAVING THESE ISSUES. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AT VALLEY AUTO WORLD IN FAYETTEVILLE NC. ALSO MY FRONT SUSPENSION IS MAKING NOISE WHEN HITTING CERTAIN BUMPS. STEERING STILL HAS SHIMMY WHEN DRIVING. I NEED MY REPAIRED AND 100% SAFETY GUARANTEED OR I WILL SEEK FEDERAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10928692
Incident
Mar 15, 2016
Mileage
120 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .