2017 Volkswagen Passat Airbags Problems
NHTSA lists 28 airbag complaints for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 25% of its 110 total complaints that year, linked to 3 crashes and 2 injuries. A related recall (24V834000) covers the driver's side frontal airbag inflator, though it targets other Passat model years.
- Airbags complaints
- 28
- 25% of 110
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 33,750 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Steering wheel clock spring failure triggers clicking or popping noises in the column followed by the airbag warning light.
- Loss of horn, cruise control, steering wheel controls, and driver-assist features (lane departure, automatic braking) accompanies the airbag light after the clock spring fault.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal or rear-end crashes, including a head-on collision with a deer at about 40 mph.
- Multiple airbag warning sensors illuminate simultaneously, sometimes while parked, then reset with no fault found before recurring days later.
- Owners report the seat belt also failed to engage alongside a non-deploying airbag during a rear-impact crash.
When 2017 Volkswagen Passat airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Jan 15, 2018, latest May 20, 2025.
Airbags recalls for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat
- 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.
Airbags 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 airbag complaints does NHTSA have for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat?
- NHTSA lists 28 airbag complaints for the 2017 Passat, which is 25% of the 110 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there an airbag recall for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat?
- Yes, recall 24V834000 covers a driver's side frontal airbag inflator, but it applies to 2017-2019 Beetle/Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan, not the 2017 Passat sedan specifically.
- What is the most common airbag problem on the 2017 Passat?
- Many owners describe a failed steering wheel clock spring that triggers the airbag warning light along with loss of horn, cruise control, and other steering wheel functions.
- Did the airbag issues cause any crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data tied to this component shows 3 crashes and 2 injuries among the 28 airbag complaints, with median mileage at failure of 33,750 miles.
- How does the 2017 Passat compare to other Passat years for airbag complaints?
- The 2017 Passat's 25% airbag complaint share is lower than 2012 (61%), 2013 (51%), and 2014 (60%), but higher than 2018 (11%) and 2019 (0%).