2005 Volkswagen Passat Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 43,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Volkswagen Passat, 3% of the 148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 43,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Side impact air bags failed to deploy, despite significant damage to driver's side front and rear doors from a direct impact. Also damaged was the b post, along with 12 intrusion into passenger space.”
NHTSA complaint #10164626, filed 2006-08, 18,000 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the brake pedal would travel to the floor when depressed. The dealer stated that the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for state inspection and no failure codes were present at that time. The dealer was unable to repair the vehicle. A couple of weeks later, while driving 32 MPH, the brakes failed and the contact crashed into the rear passenger side bumper of the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10637530, filed 2014-09, 189,000 miles“Vw Passat was involved on head-on collision (35mph), with most of the damage observed on driver's side. Driver's side airbag did not deploy, passenger's side airbag deployed. Driver of the vehicle was slightly injured by the seatbelt.”
NHTSA complaint #10361179, filed 2010-10Related 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 2005 Volkswagen Passat
50 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsSeats
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Volkswagen Passat
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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