2016 Volkswagen Passat Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 18%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat, 18% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,500 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.
“Issue with the lane assist feature. Seems like it is to sensitive. On 3/3/19 I was driving on the highway going about 65 MPH on a slight curved road and the with clear markings. The system seems to have picked up on some tire marks and swerved towards the center medium which easily could have caused an accident. I managed to regain control and turned the lane assist off.”
NHTSA complaint #11184489, filed 2019-03, 37,000 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“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“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“I often will be driving and car slams on brakes by itself causing me to nearly wreck and also twice I've had air bag lights appear and clicking steering wheel”
NHTSA complaint #11099984, filed 2018-06, 36,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11036880Aug 3, 2026Clean and install an additional plastic "ring" to prevent ingress of dirt,hair. Foreign bodies into the clock spring.
- 11025426Oct 24, 2025This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 11018934May 22, 2025Using Alignment Sheet Submission Form
- 10247537Dec 11, 2023Rear of teering wheel trim modification for noise when maneuvering.
- 10235284Apr 27, 2023This Document was revised. The model year chat was removed for VWP-18-11 for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring Limited Warranty Extension
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 15% |
| 2021 | 2 | 10% |
| 2020 | 2 | 11% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2018 | 2 | 4% |
| 2017 | 16 | 15% |
| 2016 | 19 | 18% |
| 2015 | 26 | 11% |
| 2014 | 44 | 7% |
| 2013 | 51 | 7% |
| 2012 | 46 | 10% |
| 2011 | 2 | 13% |
| 2010 | 13 | 8% |
| 2009 | 20 | 14% |
| 2008 | 12 | 7% |
| 2007 | 15 | 6% |
| 2006 | 112 | 19% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 10 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% |
| 2001 | 13 | 3% |
| 2000 | 25 | 5% |
| 1999 | 76 | 11% |
| 1998 | 52 | 16% |
| 1995 | 4 | 4% |
| 1994 | 2 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat
25 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsFuel system
18 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 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