NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's side front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by long-term exposure to high humidity, high heat, and repeated temperature changes.
This page covers 9 recalls, 242 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 Volkswagen Passat.
23–34 mpg combined
6.9–10.2 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 5 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2015 Volkswagen Passat draws complaints most heavily around airbags, the engine, and the electrical system. Airbag complaints center on deployment behavior during crashes, owners frequently report that front airbags did not deploy in collisions they describe as severe, while side and curtain airbags did. Engine complaints include stalling at highway speeds, loss of power, and fuel leaking into the engine compartment, sometimes leading to engine failure. A recurring pattern involves the heater core becoming clogged, which owners say reduces heat output enough to impair windshield defrosting in cold weather, several describe replacing the heater core as the fix. Electrical system complaints are spread across various symptoms without a single dominant thread. The heater core and front airbag non-deployment patterns appear across multiple reports and represent the most consistent complaint themes beyond engine stalling and power loss.
242
Total Complaints
11
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
7
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Volkswagen Passat has 9 recalls, the most serious being a driver's airbag inflator that can rupture or explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, risking serious injury or death.
Three separate recalls cover this airbag inflator issue, including a scenario where vehicles thought to have already received a prior repair may still carry a defective inflator. On the fuel side, a fuel rail leak can allow gasoline to contact an ignition source and start a fire. Two brake-related recalls also affect this vehicle: a camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump can shear off, causing the brakes to require significantly more pedal force to slow the car, and a rear brake line that may not have been fully tightened at the factory can leak fluid and extend stopping distances. A front seatback recliner bracket can fail to engage properly on vehicles with manual recliners, allowing the seatback to shift unexpectedly while driving. There is also a headlight compliance issue where a missing adjustment cap can allow the horizontal aim to be set incorrectly, reducing what the driver sees on the road ahead.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's side front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by long-term exposure to high humidity, high heat, and repeated temperature changes.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's side air bag inflator may explode. The propellant inside degrades over time when exposed to high humidity, high heat, and repeated temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The blocking cap that prevents headlight horizontal aim adjustment may be missing, allowing unintended headlight aiming changes that don't meet federal lamp standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect headlights and install the blocking cap if needed to prevent horizontal adjustment.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag inflator may build up excessive internal pressure during deployment and explode.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with a different inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Heat and humidity exposure may degrade the driver-front airbag propellant over time, potentially causing the airbag to deploy with excessive force or the inflator to rupture, sending fragments toward occupants.
What the fix does
The driver-front airbag inflator will be replaced at a dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump can shear off, causing loss of brake assist.
What the fix does
Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module software to address the issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake line at the left rear wheel may not be properly tightened, potentially causing a leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will tighten the brake line fitting at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The sealing cap on the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The manual front seatback recliner retaining bracket may not engage properly, allowing the seatback to move unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and correct the seatback recliner retaining bracket assembly as needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
