2012 Volkswagen Passat Steering Problems
NHTSA lists 46 steering complaints for the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, 10% of that year's 483 total complaints. The dominant pattern is a broken clock spring in the steering column that disables the airbag, horn, and steering wheel controls, with a median failure mileage of 68,000. No related recall is listed.
- Steering complaints
- 46
- 10% of 483
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 68,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical steering symptoms owners report
- Steering wheel develops a constant pull to one side, requiring ongoing pressure to correct, and repeated dealer alignments do not fix it.
- A cracking or popping noise comes from inside the steering wheel or column, often while turning at low speed or backing up.
- After the noise, the airbag warning light illuminates and the horn plus steering wheel button controls stop working, consistent with a broken clock spring.
- Some owners report the steering wheel becomes difficult to turn or feels like it seized while driving at highway speed, such as 65 mph.
- Steering column control module failures are described as causing loss of airbag, horn, and other steering wheel functions, with one owner reporting the vehicle also lost power.
When 2012 Volkswagen Passat steering complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 16, 2013, latest Sep 7, 2023.
Steering recalls for the 2012 Volkswagen Passat
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Steering complaints by Passat model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are steering problems in the 2012 Volkswagen Passat?
- NHTSA has 46 steering-related complaints for the 2012 Passat, which is 10% of the 483 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2012 Volkswagen Passat steering issue?
- No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this steering complaint pattern on the 2012 Passat.
- What is the most common steering complaint on the 2012 Passat?
- Owners most often describe a clock spring failure in the steering column that triggers an airbag warning light and disables the horn and steering wheel controls.
- At what mileage do steering problems typically show up on the 2012 Passat?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for steering complaints on the 2012 Passat is 68,000 miles.
- Did the 2012 Passat steering problems cause any crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA records show 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries tied to the steering complaints filed for the 2012 Passat.