2012 Volkswagen Passat Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 46about this part
- Share
- 10%of 484 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,800miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 46 complaints about the fuel system of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, 10% of the 484 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,800 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“Was driving fine one day and then the next week I drove it...started to see leaks under my car and I didn't have the AC on. It got hard to turn...felt stiff. Was noticing that I was starting to pay more in power steering fluid to keep my car going. Considering I only had it 3months since first time I noticed the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11323082, filed 2020-05, 75,000 miles“Gas gauge was not reading full when taken to gas station, although gas dispenser clicked off as full. Happened many times at different gas stations. Took my car in to vw dealership. They stated that gas vent was not working not allowing my car to fill completely. They stated they had to replace gas tank, ~ $2000. Don't have the money to repair. They stated it was not a safety situation???”
NHTSA complaint #10808218, filed 2015-12, 96,800 miles“On my 2012 tdi when the weather gets cold ~ below 10 degrees fahrenheit the engine feels like it is misfiring. It usually starts fine, but it stumbles/misfired for the first mile or so. The car does not want to get up to speed, nor will it shift into the next gear, the engine will rev to 3000 RPM and more when cold, which is very bad for the engine. I will manually shift into the next gear and then it chugs and misfires and struggles to get up to speed.”
NHTSA complaint #11067055, filed 2018-02, 80,000 miles“My car caught on fire while I was driving and almost killed me and my daughter. The fire department came and put it out but it is a total loss. I think it could well be the starter as many 2011 build vw passats were affected.”
NHTSA complaint #11208500, filed 2019-05, 121,000 miles“I was in very slow bumper to bumper traffic when the battery light came on and there was a significant loss of power in the engine and no power steering or brakes. I was able to coast to the shoulder and turn off the car. Lights, radio and ventilation systems did not seem to be impacted. After a minute, I turned the car on and everything appeared to be back to normal. This has happened twice in 3 months.”
NHTSA complaint #10551548, filed 2013-11, 18,000 milesRelated recalls
- 12V146000Apr 5, 2012Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2012 passat vehicles, manufactured from january 18, 2011, through june 1, 2011. During assembly, these vehicles…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2012
Related service bulletins
- 10238298Jun 15, 2023Gasoline fuel additive
- 10224854Sep 28, 2022Evaluate TDI vehicle for repurchase prior to repairs
- 10222093Sep 22, 2022DTC's P053F,P0087, P0088, P1025 may set due to the high pressure fuel pump being out of time (sync).
- 10214745Jun 23, 2022Gasoline quality check. Update to model and model year applicability.
- 10214485Jun 15, 2022Gasoline quality.
- 10198230Jun 22, 2021Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
- 10198166Jun 21, 2021VW approved gasoline fuel additive, update to include additional models and model year applicability.
- 10240619Apr 23, 20212009-2015 Model Year Volkswagen TDI® Clean Diesel Vehicles Registered in Minnesota
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 8% |
| 2020 | 2 | 11% |
| 2019 | 2 | 17% |
| 2018 | 6 | 13% |
| 2017 | 7 | 6% |
| 2016 | 18 | 17% |
| 2015 | 23 | 9% |
| 2014 | 50 | 8% |
| 2013 | 88 | 12% |
| 2012 | 46 | 10% |
| 2011 | 3 | 19% |
| 2010 | 33 | 20% |
| 2009 | 53 | 36% |
| 2008 | 63 | 38% |
| 2007 | 42 | 16% |
| 2006 | 64 | 11% |
| 2005 | 23 | 16% |
| 2004 | 57 | 20% |
| 2003 | 169 | 27% |
| 2002 | 73 | 11% |
| 2001 | 44 | 10% |
| 2000 | 46 | 9% |
| 1999 | 29 | 4% |
| 1998 | 17 | 5% |
| 1997 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 3 | 3% |
| 1994 | 2 | 8% |
| 1993 | 7 | 10% |
| 1992 | 8 | 21% |
| 1991 | 5 | 21% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat
296 complaintsElectrical system
95 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