2015 Volkswagen Passat Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 2%of 243 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2015 Volkswagen Passat, 2% of the 243 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“I experienced the same issue that the 2012-2013 model passats experienced in that the low beam died multiple times. I had to replace the headlight housing on the passenger three times after the original owner replaced it once. I took it to a Volkswagen dealership and they finally figured out the root of the problem. The applied the same fix that was part of a 2012-2013 model recall and got the headlight working properly.”
NHTSA complaint #11203019, filed 2019-04, 19,000 miles“Tires: front driver-side tire blown, donut spare on the car currently, with a 50 MPH speed limit. Front passenger-side tire has a bubble in the sidewall. There are 2 open recalls - one for the air bag, and one for the headlights, that need to be resolved. I've been trying to get the recalls addressed since november of 2019. Every time I make contact with someone at Volkswagen, I'm told I will get a call back but I never do. In november of 2019, I was told there was a backlog of recall work, and was given no time frame with regard to when I would be able to bring my car in for service. …”
NHTSA complaint #11326974, filed 2020-06, 31,000 miles“Airbag sensor light came on suddenly. Took car to dealership and they stated that the sensor was bad and had to be replaced. 52k miles. Dealer wanted me to pay for issue but at the end vw will be covering the expense. Had an extended warranty that had no coverage.”
NHTSA complaint #11065798, filed 2018-01“Rear back left light keeps going out. Could be an electrical issue. I have had to change light 5 times. The rear left back light blinker keeps going out.”
NHTSA complaint #11517003, filed 2023-04“Frontal airbag inflator not replace before or after purchase of vehicle. Horizontal adjustment for headlights not addressed before or after purchase of vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11241319, filed 2019-08Related recalls
- 19V389000May 22, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2012–2020, Atlas 2018–2019
Related service bulletins
- 10210225Apr 7, 2022Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation. Update model year applicability to include 2022.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 10% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 5 | 5% |
| 2015 | 6 | 2% |
| 2014 | 10 | 2% |
| 2013 | 60 | 8% |
| 2012 | 17 | 4% |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 12 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 16 | 6% |
| 2003 | 39 | 6% |
| 2002 | 32 | 5% |
| 2001 | 30 | 7% |
| 2000 | 11 | 2% |
| 1999 | 15 | 2% |
| 1998 | 4 | 1% |
| 1997 | 2 | 5% |
| 1996 | 3 | 8% |
| 1995 | 5 | 5% |
| 1993 | 4 | 6% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2015 Volkswagen Passat
88 complaintsEngine
53 complaintsElectrical system
48 complaintsOther or unknown
40 complaintsBrakes
28 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 Volkswagen Passat
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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