Official campaign summaries
Campaign 24V834000 · reported Oct 30, 2024
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Open this campaign at NHTSA
Summary — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.
Campaign 19V862000 · reported Dec 4, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Open this campaign at NHTSA
Summary — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
Campaign 19V389000 · reported May 22, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Open this campaign at NHTSA
Summary — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.
Campaign 18V329000 · reported May 16, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · Component: UNKNOWN OR OTHER · Open this campaign at NHTSA
Summary — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Consequence — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Campaign 18V148000 · reported Mar 6, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Open this campaign at NHTSA
Summary — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Consequence — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Campaign 17V309000 · reported May 11, 2017
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL · Open this campaign at NHTSA
Summary — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG). The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.
Consequence — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
If the leaking grease contacts a heated surface, such as the exhaust system and/or the diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could increase the risk of fire.
Remedy — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft heat shield, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23W5.
Campaign 16V171000 · reported Mar 24, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · Open this campaign at NHTSA
Summary — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Passat vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Due to improperly assembled wire seals in a connector for an underbody sensor, water may enter and corrode the electrical connectors of the sensor, causing an electrical short.
Consequence — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
An electrical short can cause the electrical connectors of the sensor to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in September. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23T3.
Campaign 16V078000 · reported Feb 10, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Open this campaign at NHTSA
Summary — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy — NHTSA text, quoted verbatim
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Showing NHTSA's text for the 8 most recent of 11 campaigns. All 11 are in the table above; read any of them in full at NHTSA.
Frequently asked questions
How many safety recalls does the 2012 Volkswagen Passat have?
NHTSA's recall data lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The most recent was reported on Oct 30, 2024 (campaign 24V834000); the earliest listed was reported on Apr 5, 2012 (campaign 12V146000). The full list with NHTSA's own summaries is on this page.
What was the most recent recall for the 2012 Volkswagen Passat?
Campaign 24V834000, reported to NHTSA on Oct 30, 2024 by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. NHTSA's summary, consequence and remedy text for it is quoted unchanged on this page.
Does this list tell me whether my 2012 Volkswagen Passat has an open recall?
No. This page lists recall campaigns by make, model and model year only. Whether a specific vehicle is affected, and whether its repair has been done, depends on its VIN. Enter your 17-character VIN in the official lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Which parts of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat are named in its recalls?
The component areas in NHTSA's data are: Air Bags (5 campaigns); Exterior Lighting (2 campaigns); Unknown Or Other (1 campaign); Engine And Engine Cooling (1 campaign); Electrical System (1 campaign); Fuel System, Diesel (1 campaign).
Where does the information on this page come from?
From the public NHTSA recalls API (api.nhtsa.gov), which publishes the manufacturers' recall reports. Summary, consequence and remedy texts are shown exactly as NHTSA provides them; counts and groupings are calculated by this page and explained under Extended data.