2016 Volkswagen Passat Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe a failed clock spring in the steering column, which brings on the airbag warning light and leaves the horn and steering-wheel buttons dead. Two other frequent themes are gasoline smells or leaks from the fuel system and hard automatic braking when nothing is ahead of the car. Complaints that reach higher mileage tend to involve oil consumption and oil leaks.

1. 1
   Steering

   Clock spring failure: airbag light, dead wheel controls

   • 25 complaints (24%)
   • median 46,712 mi at 3.8 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe a clicking or crunching noise from the steering column while turning, followed by the airbag warning light and loss of the horn, cruise control and audio buttons on the wheel. Many say a dealer diagnosed a failed clock spring and replaced it; others report being told the part was not covered and that the repair would be at their cost. A few say the same symptom returned after replacement. Mostly reported between roughly 30,000 and 90,000 miles, though a few appeared on cars with very low mileage.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: With the engine running, turn the wheel slowly and listen for clicking, then confirm the horn and every steering-wheel button works with no airbag warning showing. Ask whether the clock spring has been replaced and whether any related service bulletin was applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I went to start the car the air bag warning light came on and stated error . All the functions on the steering wheel would not work, this included the horn, cruise control, radio system and air bag. I was afraid that either the air bag could just go off or would not go off if I got into an accident. I also could not use my horn in case of an emergency situation. The vehicle had to be repaired. Sunrise Volkswagen in lynbrook,ny replaced the clock spring.”

   NHTSA complaint #11096639, filed 2018-05, 46,000 miles

   “I was driving my car on surface streets and when making turns I started to hear clicking noises. Next time I turned on my car and went to pull out, an airbag warning appeared as well as the symbol, and I lost all use of my steering wheel controls as well as my horn. It seems to be a faulty clock spring which is a reported problem that has been investigated but not with my 2016. The car is only 5 years old and shouldn't be having these issues that I have to repair out of pocket.”

   NHTSA complaint #11404116, filed 2021-03, 81,700 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and leaks from pump, line or fuel rail

   • 13 complaints (12%)
   • median 83,000 mi at 9.7 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe a strong gasoline smell inside the cabin while parked or driving, sometimes with fuel dripping under the car or pooling near the rear seat. In several cases a mechanic found a cracked fuel pump housing, a leaking fuel line or a leaking fuel rail, and one owner reports the dealer held the car until the line was replaced. Some owners say they were told their vehicle was not included in the fuel-rail recall even though the symptoms matched it. Reported from about 5,000 miles up to roughly 90,000 miles, with several at higher mileage.

   Recall 16V4030001 related service bulletin

   What to check: After a test drive, smell the cabin, the area around the rear seat and the engine bay, and look for damp patches or fuel residue underneath. Ask whether the fuel-rail recall was completed and whether the fuel pump, lines or rail have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Like other Volkswagen group models my car has exhibited a gasoline smell in the interior of the car. The gasoline smell occurs both when the car is at rest and in motion and at all temperatures. The gasoline level does not seem to effect the occurrence of the smell. The local dealer has been unable to diagnose this problem. I find this curious as other 2016 Volkswagen models with the same engine have been recalled for this same issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11023647, filed 2017-09, 5,000 miles

   “I took my VW in for an oil change at the dealer and a leking fuel rail was discovered. The auto was captured for two days while the repairs were made. I was told not to remove the auto from the dealership because a fire could start. I have discovered that some 2016 VW Passats have been recalled for a fueld leak problem Recall Notice #16V403000. However, both the dealership and VW Custome Care have stated that my vehicle was not covered by this recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11508190, filed 2023-02
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Automatic braking with nothing in front

   • 15 complaints (14%)
   • median 34,000 mi at 2.5 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2025

   Owners report the car braking hard by itself when the road ahead is clear, both with adaptive cruise engaged and with the forward-collision system active. Some describe the system reacting to shadows, curves, tire marks or an iced-over front sensor, and a few mention the brake pedal feeling unresponsive afterwards. Several say the dealer could not reproduce the event or find a stored code, and some report the behaviour returned after a sensor recalibration. Typically reported between about 15,000 and 46,000 miles, including a few cars with only a few hundred miles on them.

   What to check: Ask whether the front radar and camera have been recalibrated or replaced, and have stored codes read before buying. On a test drive, try adaptive cruise and the forward-collision warning on a clear road and confirm they behave predictably.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving under an overpass on the far-right lane at 25 MPH when the car's front assist system activated bringing the car to a full stop all of a sudden. There weren't any cars in front or next to me.”

   NHTSA complaint #11364498, filed 2020-10, 33,000 miles

   “I have a 2016 Volkswagen Passat se that I leased about a year and a half ago. A little over a month ago the car braked on its own with myself, my mother, sister, and my 2 year old son in the car for absolutely no reason going 45 miles per hour. The next incident the car decided it was not going to brake and we had to step on the brakes so hard to get any kind of reaction, almost causing an accident. At this point we took it to vw and they are claiming there is no issues with the car; I beg to differ! …”

   NHTSA complaint #11005493, filed 2017-07, 23,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Oil consumption, oil leaks and sudden power loss

   • 21 complaints (20%)
   • median 73,124 mi at 3.8 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2025

   Some owners report the engine using noticeable amounts of oil between changes with no leak visible on the ground, while others describe oil seeping from the upper engine covers, breather valve or oil separator. A few complaints describe sudden loss of power or stalling while driving, and one owner was told the engine had jumped timing and needed major work. Dealers reportedly replaced seals and covers, and in some cases the catalytic converter, engine or turbocharger. Reported at higher mileage, mostly from about 75,000 miles upward.

   Recall 15V705000

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for seepage around the top of the engine and the timing cover, and ask how often oil had to be added between changes. Listen for timing-chain rattle on a cold start and ask whether the tensioner or chain has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On may 21, 2018, I was driving to work. I stopped at a gas station, and when I went to leave my car died. I had the car towed to quirk vw in manchester, nh and they told me that the engine was blown. They told me that it had jumped time and valves of engine most likely have contacted pistons, etc. Needs engine and turbo assembly. There is a known timing chain tensioner lawsuit out on these cars. Luckily this did not happen on the highway and there was not a deadly accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #11101452, filed 2018-06, 86,334 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle was vibrating abnormally while in park(P) and had started jerking while driving. The contact stated that while driving and exceeding 70 MPH, the shaking and vibrating became worse. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil on top of the engine. The EPC warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11626654, filed 2024-11, 145,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   ABS wheel-speed sensor faults light up the dash

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a cluster of warnings — ABS, stability control, tire pressure, airbag and steering — appearing while driving on dry roads at steady speed. Dealers traced these to failed rear wheel-speed sensors, and owners report the same sensor being replaced more than once. One owner was told by a dealer technician that the other wheels were likely to follow. Mostly reported between about 26,000 and 61,000 miles.

   What to check: Check that no ABS, traction or tire-pressure warnings stay lit after startup and during a test drive, and ask whether any wheel-speed sensors have been replaced and on which wheels.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have noticed that my Passat has brake issues that leads me to believe that my car is affected by the national recall on Volkswagen passats. I have tried on numerous occasions to set appointments a dealership to have my car evaluated but to no avail. So as in a further attempt to protect the safety of me and my family I am filing this formal complaint to get some help before there are any issues with my car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11203625, filed 2019-04, 23,000 miles

   “The ABS sensor system has failed on our car for the 2nd time . The first time it occurred on the left rear wheel in 2019. When the system fails it triggers a multitude of dashboard alerts which are extremely distracting. Obviously the automatic braking will not function. The first occurrence was at 43, 705 miles. I was told by a vw dealer mechanic that this was likely to occur on the other wheels. Unfortunately he was right. The ABS sensor failed on the right rear wheel yesterday at approximately 61,000. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11265312, filed 2019-10, 61,000 miles

Buying note. Check the VIN for open campaigns, particularly the fuel-rail recall, and confirm the horn, steering-wheel buttons and airbag light behave correctly before purchase. A pre-purchase inspection covering the fuel system, brakes and oil leaks is worthwhile given the mileage spread in these complaints.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.