2012 Volkswagen Passat Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 95about this part
- Share
- 20%of 484 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 95 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, 20% of the 484 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is 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“My 13 Passat se 2.5 started having an issue with the rear passenger door lock about three weeks ago. The normal operation of the locks is that when the vehicle hits 10mph the door will automatically lock. After this has happened and I come to a stop light or slow down below 10mph and then speed up again, the rear passenger lock tries to lock itself again.”
NHTSA complaint #10872325, filed 2016-06, 43,000 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“First the glow plugs were bad. Within the same year I had an issue with diesel particulates and now the adblue heating element!!! All issues occurred while the car was in motion, literally felt my life was in jeopardy. However after having to come out the pocket with now thousands of dollars I feel like the company is raping me!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10908831, filed 2016-09, 65,000 milesRelated recalls
- 16V171000Mar 24, 2016Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Passat vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Due to improperly…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2012–2014
Related service bulletins
- 11035772Jul 15, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the…
- 11030829Mar 6, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct…
- 11028490Jan 6, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct a…
- 11007398Aug 28, 2024Battery testing
- 10241183Aug 3, 2023Installation of accessory alarm added instead of referring out to another website.
- 10239654Jul 13, 2023Diagnostic assistance for excessive static current draw
- 10238400Jun 30, 2023This communication is a notice for software changes with the ODIS program for specific cars.
- 10239655Jun 28, 2023Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
- 10238308Jun 28, 2023Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
- 10238301Jun 27, 2023Software Version Management (SVM) instruction.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 23% |
| 2021 | 4 | 20% |
| 2020 | 3 | 17% |
| 2019 | 4 | 33% |
| 2018 | 10 | 22% |
| 2017 | 18 | 16% |
| 2016 | 22 | 21% |
| 2015 | 48 | 20% |
| 2014 | 74 | 12% |
| 2013 | 93 | 12% |
| 2012 | 95 | 20% |
| 2011 | 4 | 25% |
| 2010 | 21 | 13% |
| 2009 | 18 | 12% |
| 2008 | 21 | 13% |
| 2007 | 34 | 13% |
| 2006 | 79 | 14% |
| 2005 | 9 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 8% |
| 2003 | 90 | 14% |
| 2002 | 220 | 35% |
| 2001 | 73 | 17% |
| 2000 | 43 | 8% |
| 1999 | 58 | 9% |
| 1998 | 28 | 8% |
| 1997 | 13 | 35% |
| 1996 | 14 | 35% |
| 1995 | 15 | 16% |
| 1994 | 5 | 20% |
| 1993 | 14 | 21% |
| 1992 | 3 | 8% |
| 1991 | 2 | 8% |
| 1990 | 2 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat
296 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 30, 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