4.4

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
25,939 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.

2016 Volkswagen Passat engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2016 Volkswagen Passat Owner Comments

problem #15

May 202023

Passat

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was unofficially diagnosed; however, the mechanic noticed that the engine was misfiring. The mechanic performed a tune-up on the vehicle, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact researched the failure and identified five unknown recall repairs with the same description of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the recall repairs had been previously completed on the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased new, and the contact had been the sole owner of the vehicle. The contact stated that no recall repairs had ever been completed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Pinole, CA, USA

problem #14

Oct 182023

Passat

  • miles
EPC light came on within a week of buying car from dealer, took it to have it looked at and plugs and coil packs were shot, got that fixed and drove home and EPC came back on and was running bad, shaking and everything, made me lose speed drastically in heavy traffic and almost caused accident, now car has been sitting in driveway for the last few months because I-??m afraid to drive it and I can-??t really get rid of it because I owe way to much on it!

- Speedwell , TN, USA

problem #13

Sep 152023

Passat

  • 91,986 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while parked, the horn, cruise control, and the radio became inoperable. The message -??air bag not available-??, check clockspring, and check oil messages were displayed. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,986.

- Alice, TX, USA

problem #12

Mar 202023

Passat 4-cyl

  • miles

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

On November 11, 2022, the Byers VW in Columbus, OH, diagnosed my vehicle as having a defective crank case breather, which cases the oil to be burned off. It was replaced, and on March 20, 2023, I returned to the VW dealer with the same complaint. They told me that the vehicle had faulty internal parts, and suggested a engine replacement or rebuild, at a cost of $9,800. The vehicle was maintained, according to the recommended service intervals, ever 10,000 miles, at Byers Imports. A well maintained vehicle with 67,000, should not require an engine replacement. At this time, the vehicle is worthless and the dealer or VW Customer Care has offered no assistance toward a replacement engine or vehicle.

- Pickerington, OH, USA

problem #11

Oct 212022

Passat

  • miles
Car has low oil pressure come up. After new oil change around 2,000 mile the oil has disappeared/burned away. I had falcone check 3 different times. They see no leaks or issue. Due to this my engine Knocks

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #10

Mar 212022

Passat 4-cyl

  • miles
I purchased this car brand new Oct 2016. Since then I have experienced multiple sensor failures year after year-?? At first we thought this was a one time failure but as more and more issues came our concerns grew. I have changed out the radio, 3 speed sensors, and now am having more issues with different symptoms. For example my epc light is no and my check engine is on along with the other typical light i have seen with my speed sensor issues. I can not confidently pass any cars because the car stalls at 3000 rpms. I consider this car a safety issue on the road and i do not want this car anymore because i do not know what hidden failures will appear later on after fixing these.

- Victoria, TX, USA

problem #9

Aug 072021

Passat

  • miles

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

The car burns an excessive amount of oil and the problem seems to be the same as those that VW settled a class action for on it-??s early year model of the same car. Basically I burn a quart of oil every 500 miles and the engine isn-??t leaking any oil.

- San Pedro , CA, USA

problem #8

Dec 182020

Passat

  • miles
After several attempts to identify the cause of my vehicle's excessive oil consumption, white smoke out of tail pipe and illumination of my low oil and EPC lights, the VW dealership has diagnosed my vehicle with a failed air oil seperator/PCV stuck in the open position. During the times the EPC light illuminated, I had a loss of engine power which potentially could have led to engine shut off and caused an accident. I often drive on the highway with construction with my children so sudden engine shut off is a safety risk. On 12/18/20, I took my vehicle to the VW dealership for excessive oil consumption, low oil and EPC lights and white smoke out of tailpipe. The technician diagnosed and repaired a blown upper timing gasket. The problems persisted and I dropped off the vehicle at the dealership on 01/19/21. Dealership advised computer update was needed and was performed. Problems persisted and vehicle was dropped off on 01/30/21 and 03/15/21 for oil consumption tests and advised results were in 'acceptable' range for VW. After researching work history on my vehicle, I remembered I took it in while under warranty (under 36k miles) for fuel smell in cabin when using the heater. VW technicians checked fuel lines, injectors and fuel tank but found nothing wrong. After researching this topic on various VW blogs, I found the fuel smell in cabin was caused by failed PCV system in numerous cases. I believe my air oil seperator/PCV was faulty and began to fail while my vehicle was still under warranty. Further internet research revealed websites and blogs with numerous mentions of failed VW/ Audi PCV systems. I believe my vehicle may have been affected by a faulty part installed and has been overlooked by VW.

- Buda Tx, TX, USA

problem #7

Feb 052017

Passat

  • 12,000 miles
Our 2016 VW passatt bought new from VW dealer, while driving all of a sudden feels like it locks up totally downshift to almost neutral, luckily has done it more that 10 times but at speeds of only up to 40 mph.feels like something underneath totally locks up, either transmission or brakes, engine does not shut off but stops you almost to complete stop, and then releases without engine shutting off. Brought a few times to dealer but says could not replicate. Unit has approx 55,000 miles now but has been doing since under 10,000.

- Palmetto Bay, FL, USA

problem #6

Apr 282019

Passat

  • miles
The check engine light is on my car shakes put when drove three different shops said the engine went bad only after 2 1/2 years of having this vehicle which by the way is my only means of transportation im not rich trying go stay a float and have been quoted $6,000-7,000 for a new engine which by the way I don't have on top of pay a car note on a vehicle I cannot drive. All the shop has said it's not worth getting the engine replaced the vehicle garbage

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #5

Apr 252019

Passat

  • 23,000 miles

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

I have noticed that my Passat has brake issues that leads me to believe that my car is affected by the national recall on Volkswagen Passats. I have tried on numerous occasions to set appointments a dealership to have my car evaluated but to no avail. So as in a further attempt to protect the safety of me and my family I am filing this formal complaint to get some help before there are any issues with my car. This my everyday car my wife and children occupy this vehicle regularly, please if their any way for anyone who can look into my situation it will be greatly appreciated. Thank you

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #4

Sep 132018

Passat

  • 46,000 miles
2016 Volkswagen Passat, driving in the rain and the car slowed to a near stop and could not ascend a small incline on interstate 95 southbound at or about stratford, Connecticut. The car was towed to a local VW dealership in stratford ct. When put into gear the engine shook violently and there was no power. When in park and neutral the engine was fine and could be "revved" without issue. The dealership told me that the wire connection between the "tcm and icm' has "water damage" and that when they disconnected those wires there "is signs of corrosion on the seal" ?

- Redding, CT, USA

problem #3

May 272018

Passat

  • 129,763 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle lost power without warning and was towed to the contact's residence. The contact called a local dealer (Audi buffalo, 5255 genesee St, bowmansville, NY 14026, (716) 683-3343), but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact to have the vehicle diagnosed at a local dealer. The failure mileage was 129,763.

- Grand Island, NY, USA

problem #2

May 212018

Passat

  • 86,334 miles
On May 21, 2018, I was driving to work. I stopped at a gas station, and when I went to leave my car died. I had the car towed to quirk VW in manchester, nh and they told me that the engine was blown. They told me that it had jumped time and valves of engine most likely have contacted pistons, etc. Needs engine and turbo assembly. There is a known timing chain tensioner lawsuit out on these cars. Luckily this did not happen on the highway and there was not a deadly accident.

- West Townsend, MA, USA

problem #1

May 022016

Passat 4-cyl

  • miles
2016 Volkswagen Passat. Consumer writes in regards to attempts to accelerate in traffic causes vehicle to pause, followed by extreme surge of power (the turbo pause).

- Calabasas, CA, USA

Not what you are looking for?