3.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,344 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Volkswagen Passat engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Volkswagen Passat Owner Comments

problem #3

Jul 062015

Passat 4-cyl

  • 72,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On 8 to 10 occasions over the last two years I have lost power, I.e. the engine was running, but acted as though it were in neutral with high RPM?S. sometimes it is intermittent and recovers power but on three occasions on a major interstate highways it has lost all power and I had to coast to the shoulder. Turning off the engine and it starts normally with full power. The dealer checked the engine codes and only found engine lost communication with transmission and said the VW did not have any notices on the problem. I have also reported this to VW and they say it has not been an issue. Quick google searches show something different with lots of VW tdi engines showing similar problems. Loss of power in 65 mph traffic is very dangerous and inexcusable. VW should be looking more closely at this problem.

- West Chester, PA, USA

problem #2

Apr 152015

Passat 4-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
The check engine light came on and I had codes read. The code was P205C and this indicates the emissions adblue heater and sensor had a problem. The unit (heater and sensor) in the adblue tank is a non serviceable unit and must be replaced. Over $750 to replace. All the efficiency of tdi just went up in smoke. Happened at 4,000 miles past warranty and dealer had no help even though a lot of tdi's are having identical problems. Seems to be a defect in design, many many tdi's are having the same problem.

- Celina, TX, USA

problem #1

Apr 122012

Passat

  • 32 miles
Our new Passat has problem controlling the car while using reverse on a hill. It appears that VW has tied the accelerator and braking function together in a way that the driver may lose control of the vehicle while in reverse. If the brake is pressed, the accelerator is disengaged thus allowing the engine fall to an idle and not develop any thrust. If the driver is using both feet to control the vehicle, left foot on the brake, right foot on the accelerator while depressing the brake, the engine develops no power even if the accelerator is depressed fully. By releasing the brake while the accelerator is depressed fully, the vehicle will lurch at full throttle in reverse in an out of control condition until the driver realizes what is happening and removes their foot from the accelerator. It was fortunate that no one was behind the car when this happened to me or there might have been an injury or even a fatality. It is clear that the VW engineering staff has never tried parallel parking the Passat on a hill in san francisco. VW engineers should remove the software code that ties the accelerator and brake function together while in reverse or at least activate it when the speed is greater than 5 miles an hour. If you dont use two feet and only use one, then the hill hold will be effective and generally you can control the vehicle. There is no warning that this implementation exists and when parking on a steep hill, in a very tight spot, you almost always use two feet to have total control. Volkswagen engineers, in good faith, implemented the NHTSA recommendation for "brake throttle override". docket no. NHTSA-2012-0038. Page 16 has specific comments on intentional "two footed use". the VW dealer investigated and offered us a full return and refund. We are hoping the NHTSA will work with VW to help reconcile this software anomaly.

- Auburn, CA, USA

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