2017 Volkswagen Passat Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 15%of 110 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,750miles
- 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 steering of the 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 15% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,750 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When turning the wheel while driving, I heard a clicking sound from the steering wheel. Then the airbag light turned on. Now my horn does not work or any of the controls on the steering wheel. I know this is the clock spring malfunction, with the takata airbag malfunction that happened with the 2015 passats.”
NHTSA complaint #11378090, filed 2020-12, 100,000 miles“On 1/12/21 while turning into a fast food restaurant I heard clicking in the steering column and then the air bag light came on and error codes across the digital screen and a clock emblem signal came on. Pulled over and looked at my manual. Drove on home and did research and found that the clock spring is a major issue with vws. I went back out to test the steering column and sure enough the horn and all controls on the column did not work. Called the local vw dealer the next day. They said there was a recall on this 2017 Passat sel model. They replaced 6 days later.”
NHTSA complaint #11390094, filed 2021-01, 47,500 miles“Since I have this car having problems vibrations I took the car on vw dealer few times I explain to them my car is vibrating when I apply the brakes also when I cruise over 55mph. They told me always car is performing to manufacture specifications so now I have 6500 miles on my car I took my car to different dealership they found out my tires ar cupping. And my roots are out of round and alignment was correct tire balancing they did few time tire roatation so now I have 6500 miles on the car less then 1 year old car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11113466, filed 2018-07, 6,100 miles“Failed steering wheel clock spring on a 2017 vehicle that has been driven 20,000 miles over 14 months. After being parked for approx 40 mins, pulling out of a parking spot my steering wheel make popping/clicking sounds and immediately the airbag error sensors went off along with my service vehicle warning. Upon turning out of the parking lot the steering wheel made a few additional pops/clicks. Immediately drove to the dealership where they diagnosed the steering wheel clock spring issue. The dealership did not have a part on hand and had to order it, so I drove the vehicle home. …”
NHTSA complaint #11062894, filed 2018-01, 20,000 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 2022-03Related service bulletins
- 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
- 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 2017 Volkswagen Passat
28 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsForward collision avoidance
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