2011 Volkswagen Passat Problems
- Complaints
- 16filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles, 12 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Volkswagen Passat (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2011 Volkswagen Passat. The part named most often is engine, with 6 complaints (38% of the total), followed by air bags (5) and electrical system (4). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 85,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 583 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 46 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 12 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine6 38%
- Air bags5 31%
- Electrical system4 25%
- Fuel system3 19%
- Other or unknown2 13%
- Steering2 13%
- Exterior lighting1 6.3%
- Suspension1 6.3%
- Wheels1 6.3%
Example complaints
Engine: “Volkswagen timing chain has been replaced 3 times by Volkswagen each time the chain needed to be replaced, it was just outside of warranty leading to law suit. And this time, just outside manufacturing warranty by 2 days, the rocker arms in my vw 2.0 engine failed also locking the motor up completely unable to repair. I've looked online and there are hundreds if not thousands of similar complaints. …”
NHTSA complaint #11156951, filed 2018-12, 31,000 milesAir bags: “Water pump defect causes timing chain malfunctioning as vehicle may stall while driving. Vehicle may overheat as water failure causes antifreeze to leak and cause overheating to fire hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #11364544, filed 2020-10, 203,000 milesElectrical system: “I am not able to open my trunk via fob, switch on the door nor remote. I have read this seems to be a common occurrence after rear light failures. My rear lights, headlights, and turning lights have all been replaced multiple times within the last few years. I went into the grocery store and when I attempted to open the trunk it wouldn't open. I have repeatedly tried again to no avail.”
NHTSA complaint #11301283, filed 2020-01, 116,000 milesFuel system: “An email I sent to darcars/ silver spring: in june of 2016, I noticed my car puttering and almost stalling out. A few days later, my engine light comes on. I immediately check the oil level, which were good. I then believe there to be an issue with the muffler, or manifold. In june of 2016, I brought my car in to darcars due to the engine light being on. Within a couple hours, I was told there was an issue with a valve (unclear information provided by the receptionist) under the hood. The action provided was under warranty, so I had to pay nothing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10928756, filed 2016-11, 75,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
25% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 66,000 and 116,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2011 Volkswagen Passat in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 583 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10241177Aug 21, 2023Engine cooling. Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- 10238400Jun 30, 2023Electrical system. This communication is a notice for software changes with the ODIS program for specific cars.
- 10238301Jun 27, 2023Electrical system. Software Version Management (SVM) instruction.
- 10238307Jun 20, 2023Engine cooling, Equipment. Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards, updated to include model year 2024.
- 10238306Jun 20, 2023Equipment, Engine cooling. Engine Oil Consumption Measurement Instruction and Work sheet.
- 10238300Jun 15, 2023Engine cooling. Gasoline quality information in regards to gasoline engine performance.
- 10238298Jun 15, 2023Fuel system. Gasoline fuel additive
- 10238297Jun 15, 2023Engine cooling. Diagnostic Aid for engine misfire.
- 10237427May 30, 2023Engine cooling. Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10235284Apr 27, 2023Steering. This Document was revised. The model year chat was removed for VWP-18-11 for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring Limited Warranty Extension
Other model years of the Volkswagen Passat
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 13 | 90 | 0 | 4 | 28 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 18 | 16,116 | 1 | 4–5 | 28 | — | Rising |
| 2020 | 18 | 4,500 | 3 | 5 | 27 | — | Rising |
| 2019 | 12 | 3,500 | 1 | 5 | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 46 | 35,000 | 4 | 5 | 29 | 20 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2017 | 110 | 32,000 | 7 | 5 | 27 | 54 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 106 | 34,000 | 5 | 5 | 29 | 45 · Typical | Stable |
| 2015 | 243 | 47,386 | 7 | 5 | 28 | 77 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 594 | 49,220 | 10 | 5 | 26 | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2013 | 749 | 51,000 | 9 | 5 | 25 | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2012 | 484 | 58,000 | 11 | 5 | 25 | 98 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 16 | 85,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2010 | 163 | 71,000 | 4 | — | 25 | 38 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 146 | 79,826 | 4 | — | 23 | 36 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 168 | 90,000 | 4 | — | 22 | 25 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 262 | 71,000 | 7 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 576 | 64,000 | 7 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 148 | 71,000 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 279 | 69,800 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 628 | 59,000 | 6 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 636 | 48,973 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 430 | 60,000 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 507 | 69,250 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 664 | 75,000 | 5 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 331 | 80,000 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 37 | 100,300 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 40 | 84,200 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 93 | 130,853 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 25 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 68 | 107,387 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 39 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 24 | 180,995 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 34 | 146,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Volkswagen Passat model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Volkswagen Passat have?
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2011 Volkswagen Passat as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2011 Volkswagen Passat is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 6 complaints (38% of the total), followed by air bags with 5.
Has the 2011 Volkswagen Passat been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Volkswagen Passat reported?
Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 85,000 miles and the middle half falls between 66,000 and 116,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.