2012 Volkswagen Passat Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 46about this part
- Share
- 10%of 484 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,000miles
- 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 steering of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, 10% of the 484 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,000 miles.
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“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“My car has 59900 miles, key gets stuck in ignition when turning off the engine, I can not turn off my car now. I searched online, this is a common issue to vw cars, many vw owners complain the key is stuck in ignition and can not turn off engine, they had to bring the car to dealer to replace ignition switch.”
NHTSA complaint #11119761, filed 2018-08, 59,900 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“This vehicle has problems since day one I bought it air bag light came on I don't think the recall was done properly cause I have same issue as it was stated by other driver's airbag light on steering making noise it's ridiculous”
NHTSA complaint #11415765, filed 2021-05, 165,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11036880Aug 3, 2026Clean and install an additional plastic "ring" to prevent ingress of dirt,hair. Foreign bodies into the clock spring.
- 10247537Dec 11, 2023Rear of teering wheel trim modification for noise when maneuvering.
- 10235284Apr 27, 2023This Document was revised. The model year chat was removed for VWP-18-11 for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring Limited Warranty Extension
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 15% |
| 2021 | 2 | 11% |
| 2020 | 2 | 11% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2018 | 2 | 4% |
| 2017 | 16 | 15% |
| 2016 | 19 | 18% |
| 2015 | 26 | 11% |
| 2014 | 44 | 7% |
| 2013 | 51 | 7% |
| 2012 | 46 | 10% |
| 2011 | 2 | 13% |
| 2010 | 13 | 8% |
| 2009 | 20 | 14% |
| 2008 | 12 | 7% |
| 2007 | 15 | 6% |
| 2006 | 112 | 19% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 10 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% |
| 2001 | 13 | 3% |
| 2000 | 25 | 5% |
| 1999 | 76 | 11% |
| 1998 | 52 | 16% |
| 1995 | 4 | 4% |
| 1994 | 2 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat
296 complaintsElectrical system
95 complaintsFuel system
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 29, 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