2016 Volkswagen Passat Engine Problems

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. The source may be related to an unresolved recall involving the fuel rail detaching from the engine, which causes pressurized fuel leakage. The failed component is still present on the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. The back seat was removed by a mechanic who observed gasoline actively spewing into the cabin. This defect presents an extreme fire hazard. The constant gasoline fumes in the interior have caused me to suffer migraines, nausea, and dizziness while driving. My 13-year-old daughter, who has asthma, must ride with her head out of the window to breathe. My 2-year-old can no longer ride in the vehicle at all due to the fumes. I am a single mother with no other transportation. I fear that the car could ignite at any moment, especially with electrical systems running in the cabin. This defect is life-threatening. A certified independent mechanic removed the rear seat and confirmed that fuel was actively leaking into the interior of the car. The mechanic advised that the vehicle is unsafe to drive and poses a severe fire risk. I have photos and video available, and the mechanic is willing to provide a written statement upon request.Volkswagen dealerships have refused to inspect the vehicle or address the recall, even though the recall remains listed as active under the vehicle’s VIN. I have contacted multiple dealerships and Volkswagen corporate, and have been denied assistance. I have not contacted police or insurance yet, but I am preparing formal complaints.There were no warning lamps or dashboard alerts. The first symptom was a strong fuel odor in the interior, which began approximately 5-6 months ago. It progressively worsened over time. About one week ago, the smell became severe enough that it was unbearable to drive. This prompted the mechanic’s inspection, which revealed the

NHTSA ID

11669476

Incident

Jan 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle was vibrating abnormally while in park(P) and had started jerking while driving. The contact stated that while driving and exceeding 70 MPH, the shaking and vibrating became worse. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil on top of the engine. The EPC warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed. The contact was informed that the breather valve, oil separator, the lower and upper timing cover, all four coil pack connectors, the coolant fluid and brake fluid, rear brake pads, wheel alignment, and engine air filters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

NHTSA ID

11626654

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

Mileage

145,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that after the dealer had performed a fuel induction on the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic convertor had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part to do the repair was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ID

11618647

Incident

Oct 1, 2024

Mileage

98,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was unofficially diagnosed; however, the mechanic noticed that the engine was misfiring. The mechanic performed a tune-up on the vehicle, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact researched the failure and identified five unknown recall repairs with the same description of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the recall repairs had been previously completed on the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased new, and the contact had been the sole owner of the vehicle. The contact stated that no recall repairs had ever been completed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11589608

Incident

May 20, 2023

EPC light came on within a week of buying car from dealer,took it to have it looked at and plugs and coil packs were shot,got that fixed and drove home and EPC came back on and was running bad,shaking and everything,made me lose speed drastically in heavy traffic and almost caused accident,now car has been sitting in driveway for the last few months because I’m afraid to drive it and I can’t really get rid of it because I owe way to much on it!

NHTSA ID

11568314

Incident

Oct 18, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while parked, the horn, cruise control, and the radio became inoperable. The message “air bag not available”, check clockspring, and check oil messages were displayed. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,986.

NHTSA ID

11545896

Incident

Sep 15, 2023

Mileage

91,986 mi

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. It was replaced, and on March 20, 2023, I returned to the VW dealer with the same complaint. They told me that the vehicle had faulty internal parts, and suggested a engine replacement or rebuild, at a cost of $9,800. The vehicle was maintained, according to the recommended service intervals, ever 10,000 miles, at Byers Imports. A well maintained vehicle with 67,000, should not require an engine replacement. At this time, the vehicle is worthless and the dealer or VW Customer Care has offered no assistance toward a replacement engine or vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11513039

Incident

Mar 20, 2023

Car has low oil pressure come up. After new oil change around 2,000 mile the oil has disappeared/burned away. I had falcone check 3 different times. They see no leaks or issue. Due to this my engine Knocks

NHTSA ID

11502087

Incident

Oct 21, 2022

I purchased this car brand new Oct 2016. Since then I have experienced multiple sensor failures year after year… At first we thought this was a one time failure but as more and more issues came our concerns grew. I have changed out the radio, 3 speed sensors, and now am having more issues with different symptoms. For example my epc light is no and my check engine is on along with the other typical light i have seen with my speed sensor issues. I can not confidently pass any cars because the car stalls at 3000 rpms. I consider this car a safety issue on the road and i do not want this car anymore because i do not know what hidden failures will appear later on after fixing these.

NHTSA ID

11457655

Incident

Mar 21, 2022

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. Basically I burn a quart of oil every 500 miles and the engine isn’t leaking any oil.

NHTSA ID

11428166

Incident

Aug 7, 2021

After several attempts to identify the cause of my vehicle's excessive oil consumption, white smoke out of tail pipe and illumination of my low oil and EPC lights, the VW dealership has diagnosed my vehicle with a failed air oil seperator/PCV stuck in the open position. During the times the EPC light illuminated, I had a loss of engine power which potentially could have led to engine shut off and caused an accident. I often drive on the highway with construction with my children so sudden engine shut off is a safety risk. On 12/18/20, I took my vehicle to the VW dealership for excessive oil consumption, low oil and EPC lights and white smoke out of tailpipe. The technician diagnosed and repaired a blown upper timing gasket. The problems persisted and I dropped off the vehicle at the dealership on 01/19/21. Dealership advised computer update was needed and was performed. Problems persisted and vehicle was dropped off on 01/30/21 and 03/15/21 for oil consumption tests and advised results were in 'acceptable' range for VW. After researching work history on my vehicle, I remembered I took it in while under warranty (under 36k miles) for fuel smell in cabin when using the heater. VW technicians checked fuel lines, injectors and fuel tank but found nothing wrong. After researching this topic on various VW blogs, I found the fuel smell in cabin was caused by failed PCV system in numerous cases. I believe my air oil seperator/PCV was faulty and began to fail while my vehicle was still under warranty. Further internet research revealed websites and blogs with numerous mentions of failed VW/ Audi PCV systems. I believe my vehicle may have been affected by a faulty part installed and has been overlooked by VW.

NHTSA ID

11419594

Incident

Dec 18, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT OVERHEARD AND ABNORMAL NOISE AS THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS APPROACHING A HILL AND ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH FAILED TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR WERE REPLACED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO HILEY VOLKSWAGEN OF HUNTSVILLE (6944 HIGHWAY 72 W, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35806, (256) 882-0200) WERE THE OIL WAS CHANGED AND AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE ANY FAILURE CODES. THE OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 3 MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR MORE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V705000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.

NHTSA ID

11397873

Incident

Aug 16, 2017

Mileage

45,000 mi

OUR 2016 VW PASSATT BOUGHT NEW FROM VW DEALER, WHILE DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN FEELS LIKE IT LOCKS UP TOTALLY DOWNSHIFT TO ALMOST NEUTRAL , LUCKILY HAS DONE IT MORE THAT 10 TIMES BUT AT SPEEDS OF ONLY UP TO 40 MPH.FEELS LIKE SOMETHING UNDERNEATH TOTALLY LOCKS UP, EITHER TRANSMISSION OR BRAKES, ENGINE DOES NOT SHUT OFF BUT STOPS YOU ALMOST TO COMPLETE STOP, AND THEN RELEASES WITHOUT ENGINE SHUTTING OFF . BROUGHT A FEW TIMES TO DEALER BUT SAYS COULD NOT REPLICATE. UNIT HAS APPROX 55,000 MILES NOW BUT HAS BEEN DOING SINCE UNDER 10,000.

NHTSA ID

11307250

Incident

Feb 5, 2017

Mileage

12,000 mi

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON MY CAR SHAKES PUT WHEN DROVE THREE DIFFERENT SHOPS SAID THE ENGINE WENT BAD ONLY AFTER 2 1/2 YEARS OF HAVING THIS VEHICLE WHICH BY THE WAY IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION IM NOT RICH TRYING GO STAY A FLOAT AND HAVE BEEN QUOTED $6,000-7,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE WHICH BY THE WAY I DON'T HAVE ON TOP OF PAY A CAR NOTE ON A VEHICLE I CANNOT DRIVE. ALL THE SHOP HAS SAID IT'S NOT WORTH GETTING THE ENGINE REPLACED THE VEHICLE GARBAGE

NHTSA ID

11204283

Incident

Apr 28, 2019

I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY PASSAT HAS BRAKE ISSUES THAT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT MY CAR IS AFFECTED BY THE NATIONAL RECALL ON VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS. I HAVE TRIED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS TO SET APPOINTMENTS A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY CAR EVALUATED BUT TO NO AVAIL. SO AS IN A FURTHER ATTEMPT TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF ME AND MY FAMILY I AM FILING THIS FORMAL COMPLAINT TO GET SOME HELP BEFORE THERE ARE ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR. THIS MY EVERYDAY CAR MY WIFE AND CHILDREN OCCUPY THIS VEHICLE REGULARLY, PLEASE IF THEIR ANY WAY FOR ANYONE WHO CAN LOOK INTO MY SITUATION IT WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

11203625

Incident

Apr 25, 2019

Mileage

23,000 mi

2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND THE CAR SLOWED TO A NEAR STOP AND COULD NOT ASCEND A SMALL INCLINE ON INTERSTATE 95 SOUTHBOUND AT OR ABOUT STRATFORD, CONNECTICUT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP IN STRATFORD CT. WHEN PUT INTO GEAR THE ENGINE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THERE WAS NO POWER. WHEN IN PARK AND NEUTRAL THE ENGINE WAS FINE AND COULD BE "REVVED" WITHOUT ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE WIRE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE "TCM AND ICM' HAS "WATER DAMAGE" AND THAT WHEN THEY DISCONNECTED THOSE WIRES THERE "IS SIGNS OF CORROSION ON THE SEAL" ?

NHTSA ID

11130453

Incident

Sep 13, 2018

Mileage

46,000 mi

TL* 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. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (AUDI BUFFALO, 5255 GENESEE ST, BOWMANSVILLE, NY 14026, (716) 683-3343), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AT A LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,763.

NHTSA ID

11109848

Incident

May 27, 2018

Mileage

129,763 mi

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. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT HAD JUMPED TIME AND VALVES OF ENGINE MOST LIKELY HAVE CONTACTED PISTONS, ETC. NEEDS ENGINE AND TURBO ASSEMBLY. THERE IS A KNOWN TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER LAWSUIT OUT ON THESE CARS. LUCKILY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS NOT A DEADLY ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11101452

Incident

May 21, 2018

Mileage

86,334 mi

2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE IN TRAFFIC CAUSES VEHICLE TO PAUSE, FOLLOWED BY EXTREME SURGE OF POWER (THE TURBO PAUSE). *SMD

NHTSA ID

10869926

Incident

May 2, 2016