YearToAvoid

2009 Volkswagen Passat Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2009 Volkswagen Passat has 146 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 71, and ranks 6th worst out of 18 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems (45% of complaints) and fuel system issues (36%) are the top concerns, plus 4 recalls including airbags and fuel pump control module.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
71/100
#6 of 18 Passat years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
146
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
5
reported in complaints
Fires
12
Injuries
2
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2011
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22.5
19 city / 28.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2009 Volkswagen Passat problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine65 (45%)
  2. Fuel System53 (36%)
  3. Steering20 (14%)
  4. Electrical System18 (12%)
  5. Airbags12 (8%)
  6. Brakes11 (8%)
  7. Other10 (7%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain10 (7%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (3%)
  10. Seat Belts2 (1%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Engine compartment fires reported while the vehicle was parked or shortly after starting, with smoke or flames coming from under the hood.
  • Sudden engine power loss on the highway accompanied by a battery warning light and failure to restart.
  • Brakes reported to be unresponsive or delayed when releasing and reapplying pedal pressure at low speed, in one case leading to a rear-end collision.
  • Electrical system failures linked to underhood fires, including one case with rattling noises and black smoke right after startup.
  • Airbags failed to deploy during a crash at highway speed, with occupants sustaining injuries.
  • Unexpected steering or directional control loss reported while turning, resulting in a crash into a fixed object.
2009 Volkswagen Passat complaints: complaints filed per quarter152009 Q12011 Q12013 Q22014 Q42016 Q22017 Q42019 Q22021 Q1
146 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2009 Q1 to 2025 Q2; peak 2018 Q2 (15).

2009 Volkswagen Passat recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V148000Mar 6, 2018Airbags363,713 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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.

    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.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 17V509000Aug 16, 2017Fuel System280,915 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    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.

    Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

  3. NHTSA 16V078000Feb 10, 2016Airbags659,493 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

See all 4 recalls for the 2009 Volkswagen Passat →

2009 Volkswagen Passat fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
28.5 MPG
Combined
22.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,550
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2009 compared with other Passat years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Caution65262721
2008Caution53168422
2009Caution71146422.5
2010Caution59163425
2011Best12160—

All Volkswagen Passat years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
NHTSA data shows 146 complaints and a complaint index of 71 for the 2009 Passat, ranking it 6th worst among 18 model years, which puts it in the Caution category relative to other Passat years.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Passat?
Engine problems make up 45% of complaints and fuel system issues make up 36%, with median failure mileage around 77,000 miles for engine complaints and 91,000 miles for fuel system complaints.
Does the 2009 Passat have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2009 Passat covering airbags (two separate campaigns), the fuel pump control module, and a steering gear control unit malfunction.
How does the 2009 Passat compare to other Passat years?
The 2009 Passat's complaint index of 71 is worse than years like 2011 (12), 2019 (0), and 2020 (24), which earned Best verdicts, but better than 2013 (100) and 2012 (88), which are rated Avoid.
Are there fire risks with the 2009 Passat?
NHTSA complaints report 12 fires for the 2009 Passat, several tied to engine and electrical system failures, including underhood fires while parked or driving.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.