3.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,322 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Volkswagen Passat fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2012 Volkswagen Passat Owner Comments

problem #11

Dec 162022

Passat

  • 83,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power with the battery warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer who informed the contact that the repair was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #10

Dec 052013

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 60,000 miles
While driving the vehicle it stalled and never turned back on and then began to leak fuel. This same scenario occurred twice. Once at 60,000 miles and then again six months later at 77,910. The second nearly resulted in a rear end collision. The first issue was a faulty fuel pump and the second supposedly was a faulty fuel line. Both were covered in full by VW after investigation.

- Neversink, NY, USA

problem #9

May 022014

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 25,260 miles
Intermittent loss of turbo power during low speed acceleration. I brought the vehicle to VW of quad cities in davenport, ia on 2 May 2014. Service manager reported that the problem could not be replicated by a VW service technician. The problem occurred again on 5 May 2014 and was reported to the service manager. Again, the problem could be replicated and was return to me. I departed the VW service area and while driving away the problem resurfaced in the vicinity of the VW dealership. I returned immediately to the service center and asked to have a technician ride with me to experience the faulty condition. The VW service technician was then able to recognize a problem with the turbo locking up a low speeds. Upon return from the test drive, parts were ordered to make repairs. I was allowed to depart with my impaired vehicle while awaiting parts. The car's turbo failed again on 8 May 2014 at approximately 8:20 am while approaching the I-74 bridge over the Mississippi river from Iowa into Illinois. I called the service department to notify the service manager that I was bringing the car directly in for service since the vehicle's propulsion was severely restricted without the turbo boost.

- Bettendorf, IA, USA

problem #8

May 092014

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 41,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Glow plug light on dashboard started blinking. Major loss of power. Had vehicle towed to dealership in fayetville, nc. Problem reported to be failed turbo.

- Vienna, VA, USA

problem #7

Apr 132014

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 69,550 miles
Car was sluggish to go when accelerating, jerking.

- Flowery Branch, GA, USA

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problem #6

Feb 112014

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 23,541 miles
The car was started to go to lunch, outside air temp was +4. it was driven approximately 1 mile at low speed to the interstate. After accelerating up the on-ramp to highway speeds. After approximately 1 mile at highway speed the turbo failed causing a total loss of power rendering the car immobile. Luckily there was enough momentum and very little traffic making it possible to pull over to the shoulder. The car would not move on it's own power at this point. It was towed to the dealer for extensive repairs, taking three weeks.

- Merrill, WI, USA

problem #5

Feb 142014

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 19,074 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Started car after being parked for about 45 minutes. Fuel (diesel) started pouring out the back by the fuel tank neck. About 2-3 gallons of fuel came out ( less than a minute) before realized this was happening and turned car off. Had car towed to dealership. They have determined the fuel line came off but can not figure out why or how. VW told them this has never happened. Checked on line and can see this is an issue that is happening but not being reported.

- Round Lake, IL, USA

problem #4

Sep 122013

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 26,412 miles
I driving through my neighborhood when I got a flashing light on my dash, quickly the engine began to feel shaky and the vehicle shut off completely. I was able to pull to the side of the street but the car would no longer start. The car had to be towed to the closest VW dealership. The next day I received a call from the dealership telling me it was a high pressure fuel pump failure (hpfp) that caused the issue and that because a part had to be ordered and the work required was extensive, it would take them about a week. I did get my car in about 5 days and all repairs were covered under warranty. I asked the service manager how much the job would have cost without warranty and he said it was about a $5,700 job! it appalled me that he had no explanation for why the hpfp failed so early into the car's life. Needless to say, there is a sense of uneasiness that I have now wondering if this could happen again when the vehicle is no longer under warranty.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #3

May 082013

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 29,000 miles
I was driving down the highway going approximately 67 mph in the middle lane. The battery light flashed once, no other warning other lights flashed and there were no previous warning lights to flash. Suddenly the car hesitated and then my speed dropped to 0 in a matter of seconds. Luckily, the Transport trucks behind me were paying attention and actually blocked the traffic until I could get the car in neutral to safely roll onto the shoulder. This is a huge safety issue; I was lucky. What good is it to have a car that you now feel is unsafe to drive! VW should have to buy this car back.

- Piedmont, SC, USA

problem #2

Apr 112013

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 28,317 miles
Metal shavings in the fuel system causing engine failure. Fuel was tested and found to be diesel fuel. No other fuel has ever been used or pumped into this vehicle.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #1

Oct 262012

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 5,383 miles
Vehicle stalled on busy surface street, lost all power. Refused to restart. Towed to local dealer who diagnosed the issue as failed high-pressure fuel pump.

- Petaluma, CA, USA

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