2016 Volkswagen Passat Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 10%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 11 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat, 10% 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.
“I was driving into the beach parking lot with my dog I was turning into a parking spot when the car accelerated quickly and fast by its self with fast speed. Braked very hard my dog went flying into the back of my seat put it into park and turned the car off. I got scared!”
NHTSA complaint #11022943, filed 2017-09, 10,000 miles“I was braking my car as I was pulling into a parking spot which was perpendicular to a divider strip (an approximately 5-6 foot wide strip of grass with 9-10 inch curbs on each side). Suddenly the car self-accelerated to a fast speed. This caused the car to go up and over the divider strip, cross a two lane road and hit the curb on the far side of this road. This was quite frightening! Fortunately, there was no traffic at this time on the road on the other side of the divider strip but a significant amount of damage was done to the front bumper and underside of the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11139261, filed 2018-10, 16,100 miles“At speed of 40-60 MPH, with the adaptive cruise control engaged, the car will bring the car to 5-10 MPH rapidly, by slamming on the brakes with no other vehicle in front of it. This has occurred multiple times, and has been reported, but not duplicated at the dealer. The car has also slowed itself, under the adaptive cruise control, in other situations where there was no vehicle in front of it.”
NHTSA complaint #11141059, filed 2018-10, 21,000 miles“While driving the ABS light came on (constant speed, highway, dry conditions), disabling cruise control. The airbag light then came on. Then the tire sensor light and finally the steering wheel light and exclamation point icon next to the steering wheel light.”
NHTSA complaint #11330287, filed 2020-06, 50,000 miles“Steering wheel began to click when turning any direction mid-trip. Vehicle was in motion and had been in motion for approx 30 minutes when issue began. All steering wheel buttons, including cruise control, no longer worked. Air bag malfunction light illuminated. Dealer stated clock spring had malfunctioned, issue was repaired. Noted that cruise control buttons continued to malfunction post-repair dealer claims 'coincidence' with malfunction, putting cost on customer to repair. .”
NHTSA complaint #11231050, filed 2019-07, 56,000 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 4 | 9% |
| 2017 | 3 | 3% |
| 2016 | 11 | 10% |
| 2015 | 10 | 4% |
| 2014 | 13 | 2% |
| 2013 | 15 | 2% |
| 2012 | 14 | 3% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 4 | 2% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 32 | 6% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% |
| 2003 | 14 | 2% |
| 2002 | 16 | 3% |
| 2001 | 19 | 4% |
| 2000 | 15 | 3% |
| 1999 | 32 | 5% |
| 1998 | 3 | 1% |
| 1996 | 2 | 5% |
| 1995 | 5 | 5% |
| 1994 | 1 | 4% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 4 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat
25 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsOther or unknown
13 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