2017 Volkswagen Passat Forward collision avoidance Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 15%of 110 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 15% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,000 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.
“I have a 2017 vw Passat se. Front assist breaks or gets ready to break (shows the big car symbol on dashboard and beeps) in bad weather like while it is rainy and there are no cars around me. It also happened a few times during sunny weather. The car slammed the breaks for no reason. There was no car in front of me. I was going like 40-45 MPH. I am super scared it will brake one day when I am going with 60+ on the highway and cause a crash. A safety system that is purpose to reduce the accident risk or impact of a crash should not behave dangerously and become a potatial accident cause.”
NHTSA complaint #11416643, filed 2021-05, 46,000 miles“The Passat autonomous braking system engaged while driving on a divided four-lane street with no traffic or obstructions. Lane assist has repeatedly disabled itself. Park assist sensors have repeatedly detected objects extremely close when nothing is present. There have been numerous other system failures. In 2019, I first reported the issues to a Volkswagen service center for repair. Since that time, the vehicle has spent weeks in service with Volkswagen involvement, with a report of no errors found. The faults have continued, seemingly at random, since 2019. …”
NHTSA complaint #11415338, filed 2021-05, 15,000 miles“While my wife was driving to work and getting ready to get on the interstate, a caution light and alert tone suddenly came on. Display read front assist: no sensor view. Nothing else happened and the alert turned off after a few miles. This is the system that automatically applies the brakes if it senses a possible collision. If this system was to fail, the brakes could automatically apply while traveling at highway speeds with possible disastrous results. Many vw owners have complained and had the same issue. There is currently a class action lawsuit against vw (dack, et al., v. …”
NHTSA complaint #11383621, filed 2020-12, 60,656 miles“I had my battery changed at the VW dealership and a week later, my horn stopped working, my airbag light came on and my front assist no longer works. There’s also a clicking noise when I turn my steering wheel. It seems this clock coil issue has been a recall issue for VW for years, but when I search my VIN it list no recalls of this nature.”
NHTSA complaint #11458432, filed 2022-03“My clock spring has broken. It is giving major safety concerns because my front airbag will not work. The horn does not work, limiting my communication with other drivers in case of impending accidents. None of the buttons work on my steering column as well.”
NHTSA complaint #11523418, filed 2023-05Related 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 2017 Volkswagen Passat
28 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsLane departure
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 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