2016 Volkswagen Passat Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 16%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 26,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat, 16% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Takata recall- not sure if it is but my car has issue on the steering. Also my airbag light is on and along with that my horn is disabled. Not sure if its under recall but how do I get those repair”
NHTSA complaint #11109539, filed 2018-07, 25 miles“The car has autonomous braking issue. The system that brakes the car if another car is detected in front of you will brake even if no one is in front of you. The car was in at the dealer four different times for this same issue. The last time it happened I was injured as a result of the aburt stop. Vw had my car for 7 weeks and all they could find was that the car was out of alignment and the sensor was not adjusted properly. The problem with this finding is that they had already performed that same exact fixed a year prior. …”
NHTSA complaint #11256041, filed 2019-09, 46,000 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. Safety features that include blind side monitoring are adversely impacted. …”
NHTSA complaint #11265312, filed 2019-10, 61,000 miles“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. This my everyday car my wife and children occupy this vehicle regularly, please if their any way for anyone who can look into my situation it will be greatly appreciated. Thank you”
NHTSA complaint #11203625, filed 2019-04, 23,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11026174Nov 3, 2025Alignment sheet submission.
- 10214795Jun 22, 2022Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation. Addition of mandatory brake form and reference to Volkswagen Warranty Policy and Procedures Manual.
- 10207832Feb 3, 2022Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation Instruction (U.S. Only)
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 23% |
| 2021 | 5 | 25% |
| 2020 | 2 | 11% |
| 2019 | 3 | 25% |
| 2018 | 13 | 28% |
| 2017 | 17 | 15% |
| 2016 | 17 | 16% |
| 2015 | 28 | 12% |
| 2014 | 8 | 1% |
| 2013 | 8 | 1% |
| 2012 | 12 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 4% |
| 2007 | 16 | 6% |
| 2006 | 49 | 9% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 15 | 5% |
| 2003 | 42 | 7% |
| 2002 | 72 | 11% |
| 2001 | 63 | 15% |
| 2000 | 207 | 41% |
| 1999 | 233 | 35% |
| 1998 | 90 | 27% |
| 1996 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 14 | 15% |
| 1994 | 4 | 16% |
| 1993 | 7 | 10% |
| 1992 | 3 | 8% |
| 1991 | 3 | 13% |
| 1990 | 3 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat
25 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsForward collision avoidance
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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