10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,180 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #5

Jan 122021

Passat

  • 47,500 miles
On 1/12/21 while turning into a fast food restaurant I heard clicking in the steering column and then the air bag light came on and error codes across the digital screen and a clock emblem signal came on. Pulled over and looked at my manual. Drove on home and did research and found that the clock spring is a major issue with vws. I went back out to test the steering column and sure enough the horn and all controls on the column did not work. Called the local VW dealer the next day. They said there was a recall on this 2017 Passat sel model. They replaced 6 days later.

- Franklin, TN, USA

Add Complaint
problem #4

Dec 042020

Passat

  • 100,000 miles
When turning the wheel while driving, I heard a clicking sound from the steering wheel. Then the airbag light turned on. Now my horn does not work or any of the controls on the steering wheel. I know this is the clock spring malfunction, with the takata airbag malfunction that happened with the 2015 Passats.

- Conroe, TX, USA

Add Complaint
problem #3

Aug 072020

Passat

  • miles
Airbag light on for driver side airbag, horn will not work, crinkle sound when turning steering wheel. No power to steering wheel controls

- Temecula, CA, USA

Add Complaint
problem #2

Apr 062018

Passat

  • 12,000 miles
I was hit from behind in stopped traffic and pushed into the car in front of me. I was stopped in heavy traffic on a two-way road when hit. The driver airbag didn't deploy and the collision inspector told me that my seat belt didn't either! I am lucky I wasn't hurt worse. The car I was driving was not a safe car, but was sold to me as a certified preowned car.

- Austin, TX, USA

Add Complaint
problem #1

Jan 152018

Passat

  • 20,000 miles
Failed steering wheel clock spring on a 2017 vehicle that has been driven 20,000 miles over 14 months. After being parked for approx 40 mins, pulling out of a parking spot my steering wheel make popping/clicking sounds and immediately the airbag error sensors went off along with my service vehicle warning. Upon turning out of the parking lot the steering wheel made a few additional pops/clicks. Immediately drove to the dealership where they diagnosed the steering wheel clock spring issue. The dealership did not have a part on hand and had to order it, so I drove the vehicle home. Now that I'm home and researching the failed steering wheel clock spring issue, I am questioning whether I should have been advised to not drive the vehicle, especially with my child in the back seat.

- Greenacres, WA, USA

Add Complaint