Volkswagen Passat

2012 only

655 classified complaints 11 recalls

2012 Volkswagen Passat have 655 classified complaints on record for that year specifically, plus 11 recalls. The most common issue in this year is Airbags, seatbelts and restraints, typically surfacing around 62,000 miles.

Computed directly from stored federal records for 2012 model years only — not blended with the rest of this vehicle's production run. See the full Volkswagen Passat report for every year combined.

Where this year fits

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2012

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Complaints filed per individual model year — highlighted bars link to their own dedicated page.

What breaks, and when — 2012 only

Airbags, seatbelts and restraints · Body and interior 382 complaints

Median onset: 62,000 miles. 2.4% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Body control and other modules · Electrical 45 complaints

Median onset: 55,000 miles.

More common in newer model years.

Wiring harness, grounds and connectors · Electrical 29 complaints

Median onset: 40,000 miles.

More common in newer model years.

Doors, windows, latches, seats and trim · Body and interior 27 complaints

Median onset: 49,865 miles. 3.7% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Stalling and no-start · Engine 22 complaints

Median onset: 52,700 miles.

More common in older model years.

Diesel aftertreatment: DPF, EGR, DEF and SCR · Exhaust and emissions 19 complaints

Median onset: 65,000 miles.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · Typical repair: $1,360–$4,270 nationally.

Fuel pump and sending unit · Fuel system 18 complaints

Median onset: 40,163 miles.

More common in older model years. · Typical repair: $630–$1,700 nationally.

Turbocharger and intercooler · Engine 17 complaints

Median onset: 35,100 miles.

Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues. · More common in older model years. · Typical repair: $1,520–$2,820 nationally.

Which other vehicles have turbo problems? →

From owner-filed complaints to NHTSA, not independently verified. Federal mileage reporting on recent complaints is sparse — see how it works. Cost ranges are national estimates from book labor hours and parts pricing, not this vehicle's actual repair history — they don't account for your location or shop type.

Cost estimator: what will this one cost you?

Enter the car's year and mileage. See which known problems are due in your next 3 years, what each costs at your state's labor rates, which ones to ask the seller about, and routine maintenance to budget for.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — complaints and recalls, scoped to 2012 model year. See the full Volkswagen Passat report for every year and full specs/safety data.