2012 Volkswagen Passat Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 1%of 484 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 21,299miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the seats of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, 1% of the 484 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,299 miles.
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.
“While driving on the highway, made a short stop and both sections of the back seat unlocked and came down/forward. Luckily nobody was sitting in them. There was nothing in the trunk that would have set off the unlocking bars.”
NHTSA complaint #10488709, filed 2012-12, 13,598 miles“Recently I drove several new cars (the latest being the 2012 Passat) and found one common complaint: the headrest on these cars are tilted forward way too much with no adjustments available. My understanding is that NHTSA requires vehicles headrests to be higher and close to the head to reduce whiplash injuries. How do you improve safety if it's impossible to find a comfortable driving position? The new headrest regulation forces the driver to slouch forward (and looking down) while driving, causing fatigue to set quickly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10443169, filed 2012-01“The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the driver's seat upholstery began falling apart. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The contact was informed that it was not a manufacturing failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10649801, filed 2014-10, 29,000 milesSeats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 3 | 0% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 5 | 1% |
| 2005 | 13 | 9% |
| 2004 | 34 | 12% |
| 2003 | 97 | 15% |
| 2002 | 15 | 2% |
| 2001 | 7 | 2% |
| 2000 | 3 | 1% |
| 1999 | 10 | 2% |
| 1998 | 11 | 3% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat
296 complaintsElectrical 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 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