2012 Volkswagen Passat Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
83/100
#3 most-complained of 13 Passat years
The 2012 Volkswagen Passat has 483 NHTSA complaints and 11 recalls, with a complaint index of 83, ranking 3rd worst of 13 model years. Airbags account for 61% of complaints, driven largely by driver frontal airbag inflator recalls and non-deployment reports.
- Complaints
- 483
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes / fires
- 14 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 22 city / 31.5 hwy
Top 2012 Volkswagen Passat problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags295 (61%)
- Electrical System107 (22%)
- Engine54 (11%)
- Fuel System46 (10%)
- Steering46 (10%)
- Other31 (6%)
- Structure & Body21 (4%)
- Brakes16 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain15 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (1%)
What owners report
- Driver's side frontal airbag fails to deploy during moderate-speed side or frontal collisions, sometimes resulting in injury.
- Owners describe brake pedal traveling to the floor with no braking response at highway speed, leading to crashes.
- Engine compartment fires reported after sputtering, smoke, or a loud popping sound, with the engine burning out completely.
- Electrical faults let the vehicle be shut off without the transmission in park, and separately owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking.
- A steering wheel electronic clock spring issue tied to a recall was reported as potentially preventing airbag deployment.
2012 Volkswagen Passat recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V834000Oct 30, 2024Airbags248,330 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.
- NHTSA 19V862000Dec 4, 2019Airbags226 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
- NHTSA 19V389000May 22, 2019Electrical System662,185 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.
2012 Volkswagen Passat fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 31.5 MPG
- Combined
- 25.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2012 compared with other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Volkswagen Passat a bad year?
- Compared to other Passat model years, 2012 ranks 3rd worst out of 13, with a complaint index of 83 and a verdict of Avoid based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Passat?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 61% of the 483 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 62,000 miles.
- Does the 2012 Passat have an airbag recall?
- Yes, it has multiple airbag recalls, including campaigns 24V834000, 19V862000, 18V148000, and 16V078000, mostly covering the driver's frontal airbag inflator.
- How many complaints does the 2012 Passat have?
- NHTSA lists 483 complaints for the 2012 Passat, including 14 crashes, 3 fires, and 10 injuries, with 11 recalls total.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Passat?
- The 2012 Passat gets an EPA-rated 25.5 mpg combined (22 city / 31.5 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $2,700.