2016 Volkswagen Passat Forward collision avoidance Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 7%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat, 7% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 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.
“The clock spring has failed in my car unexpectedly and rapidly, exposing me as a teenage driver in college to complete unsafely while driving my car, as the airbags and brake assist that my parents wanted in my car to keep me safe do not function. There have been recalls on volkswagens for the clock spring before, and there should be one now. The car is 7 years old and has a little less than 73,000 miles on it - the clock spring should not be failing.”
NHTSA complaint #11448373, filed 2022-01“My sensors cause the car to break in the middle of traffic. Almost causing accidents for the people behind me. This has happened 3x in the last month.”
NHTSA complaint #11531558, filed 2023-07“On October 3rd, 2021 the minder to change oil service came on and a wrench in the display. As the mechanic had set the incorrect timing interval between services, I went into the menu to attempt to reset the service minder but never got that far as the airbag light came on and all buttons on the steering wheel stopped responding. My husband in the passenger seat instructed me to restart the car and this did not reset any warnings but also showed the ACC: Error, in the display alternating with the Airbag: Error. …”
NHTSA complaint #11435641, filed 2021-10“The automatic emergency braking has applied three times while driving this vehicle. Once on a freeway onramp curve in traffic with following car, twice driving on different paved city streets. All three times were daylight and no other vehicle or obstruction in front of my car. This to me is asking for a trailing vehicle to rear end collide, or maybe even worse yet what would happen if this were to happen on rain slick or snow covered road? I did take it to an authorized VW dealer after the second brake application and of course they could not replicate the brake issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11430569, filed 2021-08“The vehicle has been alerting error codes 16352 for failing to communicate with ABS module causing warning lights for ABS, brake and the ESC systems to illuminate. The brake system related vehicle stabilizing functions (ABS/ESC) is not be available, increasing the risk of a loss of vehicle control and could lead to a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Please reference Safety Recall Code: 45F2”
NHTSA complaint #11691060, filed 2025-10Related service bulletins
- 11001522May 15, 2024These documents are for the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Limited Warranty Extension as part of the Class Action Settlement
- 11001494May 15, 2024These documents are for the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Limited Warranty Extension as part of the Class Action Settlement
- 10226547Nov 16, 2022ACC Calibration Process
Forward collision avoidance: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 8% |
| 2021 | 1 | 5% |
| 2020 | 3 | 17% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2018 | 3 | 7% |
| 2017 | 16 | 15% |
| 2016 | 7 | 7% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% |
| 2012 | 2 | 0% |
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 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 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