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Air bagsPart report

2012 Volkswagen Passat Air bags Problems

Complaints
296about this part
Share
61%of 484 total for the year
Median mileage
62,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 296 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, 61% of the 484 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 5 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Steering wheel had a slight tug and a noise. Lost all functions on steering wheel. Was on a country rd. Took it to a vw mechanic in quincy pa on sept 4 2020. They said the clock spring broke and there was a recall on it. I looked it up and recall number 15v483000 came up. It was already fixed evidently. I guess I should not have it done now it is costing 800 dollars.”

NHTSA complaint #11360343, filed 2020-09, 109,000 miles

“Clock spring broke again on 2012 Passat, vw refuses to fix stating it was out of the spare part warranty when the first recall was completed. Air bag light is on, steering wheel controls do not work, and front driver airbag probably won't go if I am in a crash. Vw is putting my life at risk because they do not want to foot the bill for a bad part in their vehicles.”

NHTSA complaint #11061310, filed 2018-01, 44,000 miles

“I was part of a recall to replace the clock spring on the steering wheel. I did not have a problem before, now about three month after we had it done the steering wheel electronics do not work and the airbag light is on. Also about the same time as the previous problems started I noticed the air is not blowing as much on the passenger side. It is also blowing cold when we are calling for heat.”

NHTSA complaint #11064544, filed 2018-01, 123,000 miles

“Turning the cornor while driving the airbag light came on and the horn and buttons on steering wheel stop working. Was taking to the dealership said it was a clock spring. Problem was not fixed did not know it was so many complaints about this problem. Hope it will get resovled soon. I was told if I would get in a accident the air bag would not come out.”

NHTSA complaint #10775448, filed 2015-09, 50,000 miles

“Twice the clock spring has broken and had to be replaced. My vehicle was not identified under the 2015 clock spring recall. I bought the vehicle new, first replacement at approx 60,000 miles in december 2014, second replacement at 119,000 miles today. The vehicle is less than 6 years old. 5 times (including clock spring repair) I have taken the vehicle in for repair due to warning light indicators”

NHTSA complaint #11051074, filed 2017-11, 65,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2021315%
2020422%
2018511%
20172825%
20162524%
20158836%
201435460%
201338251%
201229661%
2011531%
20104528%
2009128%
20083219%
200710640%
200614826%
200543%
200483%
2003234%
2002112%
2001266%
2000173%
1999213%
199882%
199713%

Other parts of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat

Electrical system
95 complaintsFuel system
46 complaintsSteering
46 complaintsEngine
40 complaintsOther or unknown
31 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 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