2016 Volkswagen Passat Fuel System Problems
NHTSA lists 18 Fuel System complaints for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat, 17% of its 106 total complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 77,000. A related recall, campaign 16V403000, covers fuel system issues on 1.8T-equipped models.
- Fuel System complaints
- 18
- 17% of 106
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 77,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical fuel system symptoms owners report
- Owners report a persistent gasoline odor inside the cabin whether the car is parked or moving.
- Some describe the fuel pump continuing to run after the engine is shut off, accompanied by a fan-like noise from under the rear wheel.
- Several owners report fuel leaking from the fuel pump or fuel rail near the top of the gas tank, sometimes soaking rear seat cushions.
- Multiple complaints mention the fuel pump cover pressing against the fuel pump, cracking it and causing fuel to spray inside the vehicle.
- Some owners report stalling combined with an illuminated EPC warning light and a burning odor while accelerating.
When 2016 Volkswagen Passat fuel system complaints were filed
First complaint Sep 15, 2017, latest Apr 21, 2026.
Fuel System recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat
- NHTSA 16V403000Jun 6, 2016Fuel System55 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles, equipped with 1.8T engines manufactured November 13, 2015, to December 9, 2015, and 2016 Golf vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to November 11, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 15F7.
Fuel System complaints by Passat model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many fuel system complaints does the 2016 Volkswagen Passat have?
- NHTSA lists 18 Fuel System complaints for the 2016 Passat, which is 17% of the 106 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for fuel system problems on the 2016 Passat?
- Yes, campaign 16V403000 covers fuel system issues on 2016 Passat vehicles equipped with 1.8T engines; the remedy involves dealers replacing the cylinder heads at no charge.
- At what mileage do fuel system problems typically appear on the 2016 Passat?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for fuel system complaints on the 2016 Passat is 77,000 miles.
- Did the 2016 Passat fuel system issues cause any fires or crashes?
- NHTSA data for this component and year shows 0 fires, 0 crashes, and 0 injuries reported.
- How does the 2016 Passat compare to other years for fuel system complaints?
- The 2016 Passat's 18 fuel system complaints and 17% share are higher than 2017 (7 complaints, 6%) and 2018 (6 complaints, 13%), but lower in raw count than 2013's 87 complaints.