2000 Volkswagen Passat Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 3%of 507 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the air bags of the 2000 Volkswagen Passat, 3% of the 507 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,500 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Premature driver's side air bag failure. I have received an air bag fault' warning code. Further diagnostics have indicated that replacement of the driver's side air bag is necessary. This on a 6-year-old vehicle. Considering that there are vehicles 3 times as old that are still on their original air bags, I would consider this failure unacceptable.”
NHTSA complaint #10161456, filed 2006-07, 86,700 miles“A rainy night, 10:30 pm., on the freeway returning home from a symphony concert, the engine simply quit. I, husband/driver, tried three time to restart it before yelling to my wife to turn on emergency flashers which she did. As we slowed, I remember seeing all icons on dash blinking. Both of us were knocked unconscious and do not remember being hit by the car behind. Air bags did not deploy. Injuries sustained: a contusion and minor whiplash by husband; fractured c-7 and t-1 vertebrates and concussion by my wife. She has been in a neck-to-waist brace from nov. 10, 2013 until present. …”
NHTSA complaint #10566419, filed 2014-02, 137,700 miles“While driving I experienced a spontaneous deployment of the passenger side lateral air bag in my 2000 vw Passat. With deployment, all electical power was lost to the vehicle, leaving me with no control of the auto. There had been no collision or impact to the vehicle. The air bag just went off by itself. There was no injury to passengers from the airbag, but it almost caused me to lose control of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10030716, filed 2003-08, 33,000 miles“Air bag warning indicator light came on. Circle volkwagen dealer quoted me $900 to fix four sensors. We called volkswagon u.s. And they said vw would pay all costs to fix the air bags sensors.”
NHTSA complaint #10052794, filed 2004-01, 60,000 miles“While driving at 35 MPH, vehicle was in a frontal collision, and none of the airbags deployed upon impact. This resulted in driver being seriously injured. Consumer is currently on disability as the result of the injuries obtained by this accident. Please provide more details. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #10001553, filed 2002-12, 1,200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10213836Jan 22, 2016Airbag Issues.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 15% |
| 2020 | 4 | 22% |
| 2018 | 5 | 11% |
| 2017 | 28 | 25% |
| 2016 | 25 | 24% |
| 2015 | 88 | 36% |
| 2014 | 354 | 60% |
| 2013 | 382 | 51% |
| 2012 | 296 | 61% |
| 2011 | 5 | 31% |
| 2010 | 45 | 28% |
| 2009 | 12 | 8% |
| 2008 | 32 | 19% |
| 2007 | 106 | 40% |
| 2006 | 148 | 26% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 8 | 3% |
| 2003 | 23 | 4% |
| 2002 | 11 | 2% |
| 2001 | 26 | 6% |
| 2000 | 17 | 3% |
| 1999 | 21 | 3% |
| 1998 | 8 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2000 Volkswagen Passat
207 complaintsEngine cooling
94 complaintsFuel system
46 complaintsElectrical system
43 complaintsSuspension
36 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
26 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2000 Volkswagen Passat
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology