2012 Volkswagen Passat recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns naming the 2012 Volkswagen Passat. Last verified Sep 14, 2026. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
483 owner complaints — full 2012 Volkswagen Passat problems & reliability report →
Units are totals reported across campaigns mentioning this model — NHTSA does not always break unit counts down by model.
Affected components
Nearby model years
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 →Campaigns
- Oct 30, 2024Fire risk2017–2019 Volkswagen Beetle, 2017–2019 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, 2006–2017 Volkswagen Passat — Air Bags
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.
24V834000 · 248K units · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Dec 4, 2019Fire risk2011–2013 Audi A3, 2011–2014 Volkswagen Golf, 2012–2015 Volkswagen Passat — Air Bags
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
19V862000 · 226 units · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- May 22, 2019Crash risk2018–2019 Volkswagen Atlas, 2012–2020 Volkswagen Passat — Exterior Lighting
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
19V389000 · 662K units · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- May 16, 2018Fire risk2012–2016 Volkswagen CC, 2015–2016 Volkswagen E-Golf, 2012–2016 Volkswagen Eos and 5 other models — Unknown / Other
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
18V329000 · 252 units · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Mar 6, 2018Crash risk2009–2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010–2014 Volkswagen Eos, 2010–2014 Volkswagen Golf and 2 other models — Air Bags
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
18V148000 · 364K units · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- May 11, 2017Fire risk2012–2014 Volkswagen Passat — Power Train
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG). The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.
17V309000 · 84K units · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Mar 24, 2016Fire risk2012–2014 Volkswagen Passat — Electrical System
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.
16V171000 · 91K units · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Feb 10, 2016Crash risk2010–2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet, 2009–2012 Audi Q5, 2010–2012 Audi S5 Cabriolet and 5 other models — Air Bags
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
16V078000 · 659K units · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Aug 4, 2015Crash risk2010–2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010–2013 Volkswagen Eos, 2011–2014 Volkswagen Golf and 4 other models — Air Bags
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
15V483000 · 416K units · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Mar 17, 2014Crash risk2012–2013 Volkswagen Passat — Exterior Lighting
Volkswagen Group of America (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Passat vehicles manufactured January 2011 through November 2012. In the affected vehicles, the low beam headlight bulb may become loose and lose electrical contact.
14V125000 · 150K units · Volkswagen of America, Inc.
- Apr 5, 2012Fire risk2012 Volkswagen Passat — Fuel System, Diesel
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 PASSAT VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 18, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 1, 2011. DURING ASSEMBLY, THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A DIESEL FUEL FILTER ELEMENT THAT MAY NOT SEAL CORRECTLY.
12V146000 · 153 units · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC