2016 Volkswagen Passat Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 5%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 800miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat, 5% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 800 miles. 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.
“When then headlights are turned on the left front fog light turns on , when the car turns left, when it is returned to the middle the fog light turns off. This only occurs when the headlights are on, it does not happen when it is turned to the right.”
NHTSA complaint #11115467, filed 2018-08, 6,000 miles“The electrical housing for headlight meltdown creating possibly risk of fires. Was driving when feel some burning smelling inside the car , nothing el happened until stop the car , while stop the car and completed the purchases of some groseras when re start the vehicle the dash board light indicating light bulbs need to be heck is on after inspection all light seems like is working ok but the warning light still on . After more close inspection and guide by the smoking/ burning smell discover some of the lectrical connector melted with the original factory light bulbs . …”
NHTSA complaint #11302726, filed 2020-01, 5 milesRelated 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 2016 Volkswagen Passat
25 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsForward collision avoidance
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
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