2017 Volkswagen Passat Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 5%of 110 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 5% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,000 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.
“Loud and abrupt thud sound when changing gears in 2017 vw Passat r-line automatic transmission model. This loud thud can be heard easily when car is in stop and go traffic and can even be felt at the base of the gas pedal. Happens more noticeably in stop and go traffic when driving between 20-40 MPH. My car now has 5500 miles on it but this loud thud has been heard since the day I bought the car. I took the car to reydel vw in new jersey to get checked but the technicians say there are no issues, even though I know I am not crazy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10983458, filed 2017-05, 20 miles“Rattle noises while driving on asphalt roads from rear of vehicle underneath car and/or front. Loose bolts or missing welds maybe. Dealer replace front sway bar and problem did not go away so wallas Volkswagen put the original oem part back on last month and did not charge us for the service. They told us it's unknown why the rattling continued.”
NHTSA complaint #11414854, filed 2021-05, 22,000 miles“The car moves from the automatic to the manual mode. This has occurred 4 to 6 times in the first three months of ownership. This has happened when the vehicle was moving and just starting out in low gear. If I move the gear shift lever from automatic to manual and then back to automatic it resumes normal function in the automatic mode.”
NHTSA complaint #10960043, filed 2017-03, 2,000 miles“On 6 separate occasions while operating my vehicle it randomly stops running. The first two were at 40 mph and I was told it was a battery issue. It happened twice less than 4 days after the battery was replaced, once at 25 mph and once at 15 mph. I then had the fuel pump replaced. Less than 4 days later it happened twice again. Once at 10 mph and another time at 45 mph.”
NHTSA complaint #11589895, filed 2024-05“The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH, the transmission was shifting hard, and the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound while shifting between 1st and 2nd gear. The contact drove to the residence and parked the vehicle. The contact then shifted into reverse (R) and the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound. The contact stated that the failure recurred while shifting into drive (D). The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11554365, filed 2023-11, 70,074 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11025440Oct 14, 2025Cautions about using aftermarket transmission flush machines and aftermarket transmission fluids.
- 11025439Oct 9, 2025Diagnosing Manual Transmission Noise
- 11008861Sep 17, 2024Fluid requirements
- 11008851Sep 17, 2024Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid
- 11008860Sep 11, 2024Manual transmission noise diagnosing
- 10238310Jun 21, 2023Automatic Transmission Fluid Requirements
- 10238309Jun 15, 2023Noise Diagnostic for Manual Transmission vehicles.
- 10218953Aug 25, 2022Manual transmission noise diagnostic assistance
- 10214473Jun 14, 2022Auto Trans fluid requirements.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 15% |
| 2019 | 2 | 17% |
| 2018 | 3 | 7% |
| 2017 | 5 | 5% |
| 2016 | 5 | 5% |
| 2015 | 12 | 5% |
| 2014 | 37 | 6% |
| 2013 | 33 | 4% |
| 2012 | 15 | 3% |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% |
| 2010 | 34 | 21% |
| 2009 | 10 | 7% |
| 2008 | 12 | 7% |
| 2007 | 13 | 5% |
| 2006 | 47 | 8% |
| 2005 | 13 | 9% |
| 2004 | 38 | 14% |
| 2003 | 35 | 6% |
| 2002 | 25 | 4% |
| 2001 | 34 | 8% |
| 2000 | 19 | 4% |
| 1999 | 29 | 4% |
| 1998 | 16 | 5% |
| 1996 | 2 | 5% |
| 1995 | 10 | 11% |
| 1994 | 4 | 16% |
| 1993 | 4 | 6% |
| 1992 | 7 | 18% |
| 1991 | 2 | 8% |
| 1990 | 8 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2017 Volkswagen Passat
28 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsForward collision avoidance
16 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsLane departure
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 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 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