2012–2014 Volkswagen Passat Recall: Due to improperly assembled wire seals in a connector for an underbody…
NHTSA campaign 16V171000 · Electrical System · filed Mar 24, 2016 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Passat vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Due to improperly assembled wire seals in a connector for an underbody sensor, water may enter and corrode the electrical connectors of the sensor, causing an electrical short.
The risk
An electrical short can cause the electrical connectors of the sensor to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in September. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23T3.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Affected vehicles
| Make | Model | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen | Passat | 2012, 2013, 2014 |
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Other campaigns involving Volkswagen vehicles
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 16V171000 (manufacturer number 23T3). Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.