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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2016 Volkswagen Passat Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
5%of 106 total for the year
Median mileage
46,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat, 5% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,000 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.

“On may 21, 2018, I was driving to work. I stopped at a gas station, and when I went to leave my car died. I had the car towed to quirk vw in manchester, nh and they told me that the engine was blown. They told me that it had jumped time and valves of engine most likely have contacted pistons, etc. Needs engine and turbo assembly. There is a known timing chain tensioner lawsuit out on these cars. Luckily this did not happen on the highway and there was not a deadly accident.”

NHTSA complaint #11101452, filed 2018-06, 86,334 miles

“2016 Volkswagen Passat, driving in the rain and the car slowed to a near stop and could not ascend a small incline on interstate 95 southbound at or about stratford, connecticut. The car was towed to a local vw dealership in stratford ct. When put into gear the engine shook violently and there was no power. When in park and neutral the engine was fine and could be revved without issue. The dealership told me that the wire connection between the TCM and icm' has water damage and that when they disconnected those wires there is signs of corrosion on the seal ?”

NHTSA complaint #11130453, filed 2018-09, 46,000 miles

“Harsh downshift associated with a very audible clunk or bang in the drive train or transmission since new. Occurs when utilizing the auto-shift (aka tiptronic(tm)) shift to downshift when de-ccelerating to a stop. Bang occurs at low RPM (<700) and low speed (<10mph) and only when shifting 2nd gear to 1st gear. Problem can be reproduced and is associated with city street driving when using the tiptronic to cascade down through the gears when approaching a stop. I have demonstrated the defect/condition to Volkswagen technical. It remains unresolved and was relegated to being a normal occurrence.”

NHTSA complaint #10863855, filed 2016-05, 2,000 miles

“Car has low oil pressure come up. After new oil change around 2,000 mile the oil has disappeared/burned away. I had falcone check 3 different times. They see no leaks or issue. Due to this my engine Knocks”

NHTSA complaint #11502087, filed 2023-01

“The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was unofficially diagnosed; however, the mechanic noticed that the engine was misfiring. The mechanic performed a tune-up on the vehicle, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the independent mechanic or the dealer. …”

NHTSA complaint #11589608, filed 2024-05

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2022215%
2019217%
201837%
201755%
201655%
2015125%
2014376%
2013334%
2012153%
201116%
20103421%
2009107%
2008127%
2007135%
2006478%
2005139%
20043814%
2003356%
2002254%
2001348%
2000194%
1999294%
1998165%
199625%
19951011%
1994416%
199346%
1992718%
199128%
1990824%

Other parts of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat

Air bags
25 complaints
Electrical system
22 complaints
Steering
19 complaints
Fuel system
18 complaints
Brakes
17 complaints
Engine
17 complaints
Other or unknown
13 complaints
Vehicle speed control
11 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
7 complaints
Electronic stability control
5 complaints
Exterior lighting
5 complaints
Body 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