Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (58.1% of complaints) — is covered by 5 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Air Bags complaints here are 6.8× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 344 · 58.1% | Recalled | Recall 18V148000 · Recall 15V483000 · Recall 16V078000 · Recall 19V862000 · Recall 24V834000 |
| Engine | 77 · 13% | Recalled | Recall 17V309000 |
| Electrical System | 71 · 12% | Recalled | Recall 16V171000 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 47 · 7.9% | Recalled | Recall 15V028000 |
| Steering | 43 · 7.3% | not available | — |
| Power Train | 36 · 6.1% | Recalled | Recall 14V182000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 592 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 19V389000 · 2019 · reported 05/22/2019
Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 18V148000 · 2018 · reported 03/06/2018
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V309000 · 2017 · reported 05/11/2017
If the leaking grease contacts a heated surface, such as the exhaust system and/or the diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could increase the risk of fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V182000 · 2014 · reported 04/15/2014
The leaking transmission fluid could contact a hot surface and result in a vehicle fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V171000 · 2016 · reported 03/24/2016
An electrical short can cause the electrical connectors of the sensor to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 15V483000 · 2015 · reported 08/04/2015
A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 15V028000 · 2015 · reported 01/23/2015
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V078000 · 2016 · reported 02/10/2016
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 19V862000 · 2019 · reported 12/04/2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 24V834000 · 2024 · reported 10/30/2024
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR…”NHTSA complaint 10889079 — filed 07/27/2016 · AIR BAGS
“2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DRIVER AIRBAG RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS NOT HAS USE OF THE VEHICLE, SINCE…”NHTSA complaint 10888398 — filed 07/27/2016 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR…”NHTSA complaint 10887501 — filed 07/21/2016 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 344 of 592 NHTSA complaints (58.1%), followed by engine (77), electrical system (71), unspecified/other issues (59). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
592 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 18 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 14 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 10 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V389000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
