2016 Volkswagen Passat Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 open recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer, however old the vehicle is.

Recall data as of Oct 17, 2026 — NHTSA. For a live answer, run the check yourself, or see the latest recalls.

Exterior Lighting Headlights

What's wrong:
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."
Risk:
Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
What to do:
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.

NHTSA campaign 19V389000 — quote this at the dealer.Reported May 22, 2019.

Fuel Rail

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

What's wrong:
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.
Risk:
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
What to do:
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.

NHTSA campaign 16V403000 — quote this at the dealer.Reported Jun 6, 2016.

Engine

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

What's wrong:
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.
Risk:
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.
What to do:
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 campaign 15V705000 — quote this at the dealer.Reported Oct 26, 2015.

Unknown Or Other

What's wrong:
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.
Risk:
Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
What to do:
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.

NHTSA campaign 20V561000 — quote this at the dealer.Reported Sep 16, 2020.

Unknown Or Other

What's wrong:
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.
Risk:
Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
What to do:
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.

NHTSA campaign 21V321000 — quote this at the dealer.Reported May 5, 2021.

Owner complaints

106filed with NHTSA · 4 in the last 12 months
Filed by yearpeak 2018
151617181920212223242526
Air Bags
25
Electrical System
22
Steering
19
Engine
17

4 involved a crash · 3 injuries

Reported by owners to NHTSA and not verified. Complaints often surface a problem months before a recall.

See the complaints at NHTSA

Other Volkswagen Passat years

Every year links to that vehicle's full recall page.

2022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010

Volkswagen Passat, every year

How recall repairs work

  • Repairs are free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer — regardless of the vehicle's age or whether you bought it new.
  • Bring the NHTSA campaign number; it's printed on each recall above and on the sheet you can print here.
  • Call ahead: some recalls are announced before parts are available, and the dealer can tell you when yours are in.
  • Your VIN tells the dealer whether your exact vehicle is affected — the free check accepts one and never stores it.

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