2016 Volkswagen Passat Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 17%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the fuel system of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat, 17% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 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 miles“While the vehicle is parked the fuel pump continues to run after turning engine off; the issue disappears if the engine is started then turned off; fan like noise comes from under the right-rear wheel while the fuel pump runs with the engine off; this issue is similar to recall campaign number 17v509000, or vw recall number 20ae; battery drained and then engine was not able to start;”
NHTSA complaint #11331240, filed 2020-06, 71,248 miles“I believe my clockspring has malfuncioned and though it has had multiple recalls my car is not listed for recall. My horn is no longer working, as well as all the buttons in my steering wheel including cruise control and my airbag light is on. This is all directly correlated to a clockspring malfunction and I believe my vehicle should be recalled for saftey reasons.”
NHTSA complaint #11583232, filed 2024-04“I have had 2 diagnostics done on this car at 69 thousand miles epc light comes on again and now the fuel system is messed up, fuel injectors all 4 I was told is bad,the dealership principle vw told me that it was the fuel system and there has been recalls but want to charge almost 3,000 dollars for this problem. Needs to be investigated because they did not meantion the recall I was told about it”
NHTSA complaint #11383016, filed 2020-12Related recalls
- 16V403000Jun 6, 2016Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2016, Jetta 2016, Golf 2016
Related service bulletins
- 10238298Jun 15, 2023Gasoline fuel additive
- 10222093Sep 22, 2022DTC's P053F,P0087, P0088, P1025 may set due to the high pressure fuel pump being out of time (sync).
- 10214745Jun 23, 2022Gasoline quality check. Update to model and model year applicability.
- 10214485Jun 15, 2022Gasoline quality.
- 10203676Nov 22, 2021This Document was revised to include 2022 Model Year information
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 8% |
| 2020 | 2 | 11% |
| 2019 | 2 | 17% |
| 2018 | 6 | 13% |
| 2017 | 7 | 6% |
| 2016 | 18 | 17% |
| 2015 | 23 | 9% |
| 2014 | 50 | 8% |
| 2013 | 88 | 12% |
| 2012 | 46 | 10% |
| 2011 | 3 | 19% |
| 2010 | 33 | 20% |
| 2009 | 53 | 36% |
| 2008 | 63 | 38% |
| 2007 | 42 | 16% |
| 2006 | 64 | 11% |
| 2005 | 23 | 16% |
| 2004 | 57 | 20% |
| 2003 | 169 | 27% |
| 2002 | 73 | 11% |
| 2001 | 44 | 10% |
| 2000 | 46 | 9% |
| 1999 | 29 | 4% |
| 1998 | 17 | 5% |
| 1997 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 3 | 3% |
| 1994 | 2 | 8% |
| 1993 | 7 | 10% |
| 1992 | 8 | 21% |
| 1991 | 5 | 21% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat
25 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsBrakes
17 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