2012 Volkswagen Passat Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 1%of 484 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the visibility of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, 1% of the 484 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,500 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.
“One of the actuators in the HVAC system prematurely failed and had to be replaced. I believe it was the recirculation actuator. I could not get the car to properly defrost, causing dangerous driving conditions as visibility through the fogged windscreen was drastically reduced. The dealership replaced the actuator (at my expense) and the issue was resolved. An actuator should not be failing this early in the vehicle's lifetime. I, the user, did not do something special to cause this to occur.”
NHTSA complaint #10944512, filed 2017-01, 75,000 miles“Sunroof exploded while driving down freeway at night. No cars in front of me to kick up a rock, no overpasses for something to be thrown from. Completely random explosion. I heard a loud gunshot sound, then small glass pieces rained down on my head and face and all over my three children in the back seat. Looked up and heard the sound of wind and saw the hole in my sunroof. So far the dealership has said they won't replace it under warranty and I have reached out to vw directly and they are denying the claim as well. …”
NHTSA complaint #10561722, filed 2014-01, 35,500 miles“My 2012 Volkswagen Passat s has power windows. Over the course of the last two or three days of cold temperatures (nights down to 5 degrees f., and daytime highs in range of 25 degrees on 12/3/11; 20 degrees on 12/4, and 15 degrees on 12/5), my power windows have now frozen up , at all four door positions. The motors operate--windows make about a 1/16th inch up or down movement when you try the window switches, but the windows are stuck in the up position. I have called the vw dealer, and they have said there may be some moisture in there. …”
NHTSA complaint #10438686, filed 2011-12, 1,280 miles“This vehicle experienced a failure of the heater core due to clogging. Visibility through windshield was restricted due to heavy fogging and poor defroster performance over several months. Cleaning of the windshield was no help. The fogging would come and go during vehicle operation and was heavy at times. Diagnosis took some time due to the vehicle being only a few years old. Generally a 3 year old, well maintained vehicle will not have a clogged heater core. …”
NHTSA complaint #10823198, filed 2016-01, 70,000 miles“The heater core is clogged and the passenger side windows of the car, both windshield and door, do not defog/defrost for up to 20 minutes in southern california weather. It is a known issue online with many owners of vw's in the 2012+ range affected. I almost hit someone in the crosswalk twice recently due to the decreased visibility.”
NHTSA complaint #11176582, filed 2019-02Related service bulletins
- 10245617Nov 13, 2023Reporting procedure for A/C compressor replacement regardless of the reason for failure. Update to model year applicability and new warranty GFF labor operation number
- 10226226Nov 10, 2022A/C requirements, update to model year applicability.
- 10212136May 18, 2022Cleaning of Heating and Ventilation system, Updated to include additional model year applicability and cost of cleaning solution in warranty table.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2017 | 6 | 5% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 12 | 5% |
| 2014 | 16 | 3% |
| 2013 | 23 | 3% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 6 | 4% |
| 2007 | 8 | 3% |
| 2006 | 21 | 4% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 13 | 5% |
| 2003 | 22 | 4% |
| 2002 | 27 | 4% |
| 2001 | 31 | 7% |
| 2000 | 26 | 5% |
| 1999 | 33 | 5% |
| 1998 | 27 | 8% |
| 1997 | 16 | 43% |
| 1996 | 12 | 30% |
| 1995 | 20 | 22% |
| 1994 | 2 | 8% |
| 1993 | 17 | 25% |
| 1992 | 7 | 18% |
| 1991 | 6 | 25% |
| 1990 | 8 | 24% |
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 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