2016 Volkswagen Passat Safety Report
2016 Volkswagen Passat Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Volkswagen Passat. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (5) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (104) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 4 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Fuel/Propulsion System | Compare fuel/propulsion system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Volkswagen Passat with 0 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Volkswagen Passat before buying across this generation. |
Volkswagen Passat Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Volkswagen Passat years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Volkswagen Passat | 107 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Volkswagen Passat | 242 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Volkswagen Passat | 43 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Volkswagen Passat | 12 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Volkswagen Passat | 15 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Volkswagen Passat | 0 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Volkswagen Passat, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Fuel/Propulsion System
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Volkswagen onlyUnknown Or Other
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Volkswagen onlyEngine
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Volkswagen onlyAir Bags
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Volkswagen onlyService Brakes
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Volkswagen onlyFuel System, Gasoline
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel System, Gasoline issues Volkswagen onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat
Reliability Score
The 2016 Volkswagen Passat receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline Fuel injection system and fuel rail issues have been reported, causing abnormal fuel odors and potential leaks. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Timing chain failure and burning odors have been reported, affecting the vehicle's performance and safety. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bags Clock spring failures have been reported, leading to air bag warning lights and inoperable steering wheel controls. |
Low | Occasional | N/A miles |
| Service Brakes ABS module communication failure has been reported, causing warning lights for ABS, brake, and ESC systems. |
Low | Occasional | N/A miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Volkswagen Passat:
Fuel injection system and fuel rail issues have been reported.
Timing chain failure and burning odors have been reported.
Clock spring failures have been reported.
ABS module communication failure has been reported.
Recall Details for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat by NHTSA:
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Consequence: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Consequence: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.
Summary: 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: Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles, equipped with 1.8T engines manufactured November 13, 2015, to December 9, 2015, and 2016 Golf vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to November 11, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 15F7.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Consequence: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V403000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of th...
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, there was a strong gasoline odor inside the cabin. The contact immediately pulled over and exited the vehicle to inspect for visible fuel leaks, but found no leaks. While attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and stalled rep...
The vehicle has been alerting error codes 16352 for failing to communicate with ABS module causing warning lights for ABS, brake and the ESC systems to illuminate. The brake system related vehicle stabilizing functions (ABS/ESC) is not be available, increasing the risk of a loss of vehicle control and could lead to a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Please reference Safety Recall Code...
Smell of fuel near rear seat. Gasket OK.
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that on seven occasions, the clock spring failed while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle with the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the clock spring was replaced under warranty; however, the failure returned soo...
Description of the Problem: The fuel pump housing on my 2016 Volkswagen Passat (1.8L TSI) developed visible cracks, which caused a persistent fuel vapor smell around the vehicle, especially after refueling. The failed component — the plastic fuel pump assembly manufactured by Continental — is available for inspection and has been photographed. Safety Risk: The cracks allowed gasoline vapors to e...
The fuel delivery system appears to have failed. Specifically, there is an active gasoline leak from a fuel line inside the cabin, near or under the rear seat. The source may be related to an unresolved recall involving the fuel rail detaching from the engine, which causes pressurized fuel leakage. The failed component is still present on the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. The ...
Timing chain going out before 1000 miles in a 2016 VW Passat TSI
While driving on a residential street the VW Front Assist suddenly engaged the brakes. There was no car in front or any cars driving in the area. The car came to a complete stop. The only explanation may be that it had been recently raining in Seattle and it was also late in the day so the sun was low in the sky. There was also a metal plate on the street that appeared to be reflective with th...
Unknown my water pump failed and all out of nowhere
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate above 35 MPH, there was an abnormal burning odor inside the vehicle and the EPC warning light had illuminated briefly then the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over onto the side of the road however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and the contact re...
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle was vibrating abnormally while in park(P) and had started jerking while driving. The contact stated that while driving and exceeding 70 MPH, the shaking and vibrating became worse. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil on top of the engine. The EPC warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken ...
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that after the dealer had performed a fuel induction on the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic convertor had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part to do the repair was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manuf...
Air bag error light is on and steering wheel controls/horn are inoperable. Cause is most likely a clock spring failure as has been reported in numerous VW vehicle models including the 2016 VW Passat but the current recall 69L2 doesn’t appear to cover our vehicle. With recall problems on numerous other vehicles, it is hard to believe this isn’t caused by the same issue. Repair cost is estimated at ...
During sharp turn would hear cracking sound coming from steering wheel, after some days air bag warning light appeared on dahsboard and honk and steering wheel buttons stopped working. Dealer replaced the clockspring under warranty that fixed airbag warning issue, but still had honk and steering wheel buttons persisted. Dealer recommended replacing steering wheel control button module to fix bot...
I own a 2016 VW Passat that I'm thinking of painting yellow and I don't like yellow. I was driving going about 75 mph on freeway in Idaho and a truck from the slow lane started merging over into my lane I went to hit horn and it didn't work. I hit my brakes and I mean hard because he obviously didn't see me and he merged over into my lane but had I not braked as hard and when I did it would of b...
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...
I believe my clockspring has malfuncioned and though it has had multiple recalls my car is not listed for recall. My horn is no longer working, as well as all the buttons in my steering wheel including cruise control and my airbag light is on. This is all directly correlated to a clockspring malfunction and I believe my vehicle should be recalled for saftey reasons.
For about 4 months I had a smell that my son and I could not locate. Upon further investigation it was discovered that the fuel pump which is located under the back seat had hair line cracks that caused the fuel to spit out and damage the seal around it thereby damaging the underside of the back seat to infiltrate the the foam with the gasoline. We tried to see if there were any recalls but foun...
UNKNOWN - Looked into recall information regarding this vehicle. KBB.COM specified a headlight issue that has not been repaired on my vehicle.
Showing 20 of 104 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Volkswagen Passat
Has the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has 5 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT have?
The 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has 104 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 4 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
The 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT involve fuel/propulsion system (9 complaints), unknown or other (8 complaints), engine (7 complaints). Other affected components include air bags, service brakes, fuel system, gasoline.
How many crash reports does the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT have?
There are 4 crash reports associated with the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT out of 104 total complaints (3.8% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT have?
There are no fire reports for the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT is acceptable with caveats. It has 104 complaints, 5 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT are: 1. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (9 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (8 complaints), 3. ENGINE (7 complaints), 4. AIR BAGS (5 complaints), 5. SERVICE BRAKES (4 complaints). FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 9 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
Be cautious of fuel odors and unusual noises, as they may indicate serious safety issues. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has 104 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
The 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 104 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 4 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Fuel System, Gasoline and Engine.
What are the known issues with the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
Known issues with the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT include: Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine, Air Bags, Service Brakes. These are based on patterns found across 104 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2016 Volkswagen Passat?
Fuel system and engine problems are the most common, including fuel odors, leaks, and timing chain failure.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat?
Yes, there are recalls for fuel system and engine issues, as well as exterior lighting and timing chain problems.
What should I do if I smell fuel in my 2016 Volkswagen Passat?
Stop driving immediately and have the vehicle inspected for fuel leaks or other issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of fuel odors and unusual noises, as they may indicate serious safety issues. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Volkswagen Passat
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The data includes 104 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Volkswagen Passat an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16