CarBrief

NHTSA has 484 owner complaints for the 2012 Passat, and air bags are the biggest group[1][2]. It also has 11 recalls, the most of any Passat year in the list, so check that each one was done[3].

484owner complaints[1]
11recalls[3]
23–34MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 484 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Passat[1]. Of those, 14 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 10 an injury[1]. None report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Air bags[2] 296 62,000
Electrical system[6] 95 60,000
Steering[7] 46 68,000
Engine[8] 43 59,400
Fuel/propulsion system[9] 32 50,050
Unknown or other[10] 31 68,000
Structure[11] 17 45,000
Exterior lighting[12] 17 35,500

Air bags and steering. Air bags is the largest group, with 9 crashes and 9 injuries attached to it[2]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read for this group[2], 6 describe the air bag warning light or an air bag error coming on together with a dead horn or dead steering wheel buttons. Several name the clock spring[2]. In the steering sample, 10 of 12 texts describe a steering wheel or steering column failure with an air bag warning[7], and 7 of those 12 also mention a dead horn or dead wheel buttons[7]. One describes a steady pull to one side[7]. The same complaint can be counted in both groups.

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read[8], 8 describe stalling or a sudden loss of power while driving. Two of those say the dealer named a turbo failure, and one names the high pressure fuel pump[8]. The engine group has 2 fires among its 43 complaints[8].

Electrical. The electrical sample is mixed. Owners describe a speedometer that reads low, headlight failures, warning lights with stalling and a car that would not start[6]. We would not call any single one of these a pattern from a sample this small[6].

Fuel/propulsion has 1 fire among 32 complaints[9]. Structure has 3 injuries among 17[11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2012 Passat[3]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA lists four ratings for the 2012 Passat[4][24][25][26].

Engine and transmission City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), diesel[4] 30 / 40 / 34 $2,800
2.5L 5-cyl, Automatic (S6), regular[24] 22 / 31 / 25 $2,700
2.5L 5-cyl, Manual 5-spd, regular[25] 22 / 32 / 26 $2,600
3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), premium[26] 20 / 28 / 23 $3,550

All four are front-wheel drive[4][24][25][26]. The diesel has the best mileage, but its yearly fuel cost is not the lowest. EPA figures the cost with its current fuel price assumptions, not the prices when the car was new[4].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4 DR FWD version 5 stars overall[5]. It earns 5 stars in the frontal test and 5 stars in the side test[5]. Rollover gets 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 10.7%[5].

Engine and size

EPA lists the 2.0L 4-cylinder at 140 to 200 hp depending on version[27]. The 3.6L 6-cylinder is rated 280 hp[28].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada via NHTSA vPIC, so they can differ slightly from US models. Values are converted to inches and pounds.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Passat 2.5L 4DR sedan[29] 192 in 72 in 58 in 110 in 3,166 lb
Passat 3.6L 4DR sedan[30] 192 in 72 in 58 in 110 in 3,446 lb
Passat TDI 4DR sedan[31] 192 in 72 in 58 in 110 in 3,360 lb
Passat CC 4DR sedan 2.0T[32] 189 in 73 in 56 in 107 in 3,329 lb
Passat CC 4DR sedan Highline V6 AWD[33] 189 in 73 in 56 in 107 in 3,854 lb

How 2012 compares with other years

1995: 93 complaints, 1 recalls19951996: 40 complaints, 1 recalls1997: 37 complaints, 0 recalls1998: 331 complaints, 4 recalls19981999: 664 complaints, 5 recalls2000: 507 complaints, 3 recalls2001: 432 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 643 complaints, 3 recalls2003: 631 complaints, 6 recalls2004: 285 complaints, 3 recalls20042005: 148 complaints, 3 recalls2006: 576 complaints, 7 recalls2007: 273 complaints, 7 recalls20072008: 174 complaints, 4 recalls2009: 152 complaints, 4 recalls2010: 172 complaints, 4 recalls20102012: 484 complaints, 11 recalls48420122013: 749 complaints, 9 recalls2014: 594 complaints, 10 recalls20142015: 244 complaints, 7 recalls2016: 106 complaints, 5 recalls2017: 110 complaints, 7 recalls20172018: 46 complaints, 4 recalls2019: 12 complaints, 1 recalls2020: 18 complaints, 3 recalls20202021: 18 complaints, 1 recalls2022: 13 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Passat model year. The 2012 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1995931
1996401
1997370
19983314
19996645
20005073
20014323
20026433
20036316
20042853
20051483
20065767
20072737
20081744
20091524
20101724
201248411
20137499
201459410
20152447
20161065
20171107
2018464
2019121
2020183
2021181
2022130

NHTSA lists 484 complaints and 11 recalls for 2012[3]. The 2012 model year has the most recalls of any Passat year in the list. The next highest are 2014 with 10 and 2013 with 9[3].

On complaints, 2012 is not the top. 2013 has 749 and 2014 has 594[3]. Several older years are also higher, including 1999 with 664 and 2002 with 643[3]. Later years are lower: 2015 has 244, 2016 has 106 and 2017 has 110[3]. The list has no 2011 row. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show where reports and recalls cluster, not how likely a single car is to fail.

Should you buy a used 2012 Passat?

A used 2012 Passat has the most recalls of any Passat year in the list[3], and five of the 11 involve air bags[13][14][17][20][21]. The largest complaint group is also air bags, and the samples we read describe a steering wheel failure that often takes out the horn and wheel buttons and lights the air bag warning[2][7]. Before buying, ask for proof that every recall was done, since the record says recall 16V078 was still waiting on parts at the time and recall 18V148 partly replaces it[20][17]. The 5-star overall NHTSA rating and the diesel's 34 combined MPG are real points in its favor[5][4].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen Passat?
Air bags is the largest complaint group at 296 of 484 complaints[1][2]. In the samples we read, owners describe an air bag warning, and some also mention a dead horn or dead steering wheel buttons[2][7]. The engine group has 43 complaints, and sampled owners describe stalling or power loss[8].
How many recalls does the 2012 Volkswagen Passat have?
NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2012 Passat[3]. They cover air bag inflators and a clock spring, headlights, wiring, a driveshaft heat shield, a diesel fuel filter and a compliance issue[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23].
What gas mileage does the 2012 Volkswagen Passat get?
EPA rates the 2.0L turbo diesel at 34 combined MPG[4]. The 2.5L is rated 25 combined with the automatic and 26 with the manual[24][25]. The 3.6L is rated 23 combined[26].
Is the 2012 Volkswagen Passat safe?
NHTSA gives the 4 DR FWD 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[5]. Several recalls involve air bag parts, so confirm those were completed[13][17][21].
Is 2012 a bad year for the Volkswagen Passat?
It has 11 recalls, the most of any listed year, and 484 complaints, fewer than 2013 with 749 and 2014 with 594[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 484 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Volkswagen Passat (14 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 10 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 296 complaints name the air bags component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Volkswagen Passat model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Passat, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Diesel, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 40 highway / 34 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 95 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 46 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 43 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 32 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,050). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 31 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 17 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 17 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 24V834, filed October 30, 2024: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 19V862, filed December 4, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 19V389, filed May 22, 2019: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 18V329, filed May 16, 2018: Unknown Or Other. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 18V148, filed March 6, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 17V309, filed May 11, 2017: Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 16V171, filed March 24, 2016: Electrical System › Wiring. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 16V078, filed February 10, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 15V483, filed August 4, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
  22. Recall 14V125, filed March 17, 2014: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
  23. Recall 12V146, filed April 5, 2012: Fuel System, Diesel. NHTSA recall database
  24. EPA rating for Passat, 2.5L 5-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. EPA rating for Passat, 2.5L 5-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  26. EPA rating for Passat, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  27. EPA Test Car List, 2012 Volkswagen Passat with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 140 to 200 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  28. EPA Test Car List, 2012 Volkswagen Passat with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 280 hp. www.epa.gov
  29. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PASSAT 2.5L 4DR SEDAN: length 192 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,166 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  30. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PASSAT 3.6L 4DR SEDAN: length 192 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,446 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  31. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PASSAT TDI 4DR SEDAN: length 192 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,360 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  32. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PASSAT CC 4DR SEDAN 2.0T: length 189 in, width 73 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,329 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  33. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PASSAT CC 4DR SEDAN HIGHLINE V6 AWD: length 189 in, width 73 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,854 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.