2017 Volkswagen Passat Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 5%of 110 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the visibility of the 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 5% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,500 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.
“Both side mirrors are automatic. The side mirrors are supposed to fold in when turning the car off, and fold out when the car is on. One or both of the mirros either fail to fold out when the car is started, or fold in unexpectantly while driving. This creates a highly dangerous life and safety hazard when it happens. The car has been to the dealership's shop while the event occurs, and the issue does not record an error code in the car's system. Due to the lack of an error code, the dealership states they cannot fix the problem. This is unacceptable! …”
NHTSA complaint #11143383, filed 2018-10, 35,000 miles“I have a 2017 Passat When it's raining hard on the road and my speed is greater than 55 mph the passenger side windshield stops right in front of my vision vision (right in the middle of the driver's side) creates a white blocking effect so I don't have a clear road visibility. In a service I discussed this detail with the service advisor at the VW agency and he did not want to understand or was misunderstood, I told him that the design of these windshields had this defect. …”
NHTSA complaint #11446404, filed 2022-01“The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that heat and defroster and defogger blower motor was inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but a diagnostic test was not performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11568623, filed 2024-01, 40,000 miles“The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was an abnormally loud popping sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and discovered that the sunroof had shattered; however, the sunroof glass remained intact. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The contact found a replacement sunroof at a junkyard and had the sunroof replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle had been repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11470630, filed 2022-06, 66,000 miles“Both side mirror are automated.the side mirrors open when they want to. Sometimes one stays closed, sometimes they both stayed closed. There is no consistency on when this happens and or how often. Generally they work with a more frequent delay in opening the mires - I.e. When driving away already they open on their own. The real life and safety issue is when they do not open at all. This is a major problem and something there vw dealer cannot confirm with error codes. …”
NHTSA complaint #11063606, filed 2018-01Related service bulletins
- 10249414Jan 18, 2024A/C Compressor leak diagnosis
- 10245617Nov 13, 2023Reporting procedure for A/C compressor replacement regardless of the reason for failure. Update to model year applicability and new warranty GFF labor operation number
- 10226226Nov 10, 2022A/C requirements, update to model year applicability.
- 10217846Aug 11, 2022Additional instruction before replacing A/C compressor. Updated to include additional model and model year applicability.
- 10212136May 18, 2022Cleaning of Heating and Ventilation system, Updated to include additional model year applicability and cost of cleaning solution in warranty table.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2017 | 6 | 5% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 12 | 5% |
| 2014 | 16 | 3% |
| 2013 | 23 | 3% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 6 | 4% |
| 2007 | 8 | 3% |
| 2006 | 21 | 4% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 13 | 5% |
| 2003 | 22 | 4% |
| 2002 | 27 | 4% |
| 2001 | 31 | 7% |
| 2000 | 26 | 5% |
| 1999 | 33 | 5% |
| 1998 | 27 | 8% |
| 1997 | 16 | 43% |
| 1996 | 12 | 30% |
| 1995 | 20 | 22% |
| 1994 | 2 | 8% |
| 1993 | 17 | 25% |
| 1992 | 7 | 18% |
| 1991 | 6 | 25% |
| 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 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 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