Volkswagen · Passat · 2009
4
Recalls
152
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2009 Volkswagen Passat has 4 recalls and 152 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: engine (33 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2009 Volkswagen Passat page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 33 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Remedy Status
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.
Remedy Status
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy Status
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
VW IS RECALLING 130 MY 2009 PASSAT, PASSAT WAGON, AND PASSAT CC VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN ELECTROMECHANICAL STEERING GEAR CONTROL UNIT THAT CAN MALFUNCTION DUE TO A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS, THE DRIVER'S STEERING INPUT IS NOT PROPERLY PROCESSED BY THE SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RESPOND AS THE DRIVER INTENDS. THIS DEFECT CAN ONLY OCCUR IMMEDIATELY AFTER VEHICLE START-UP WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED FOR THE FIRST TIME AND AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 5 MPH.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
On [XXX], a MIDAS shop found an alleged crack in the front part of the gas tank on the upper part of the tank by the floor board. The manager also stated that it could be a plastic seal from the fuel pump on the top part of the tank. The tank is located next to the exhaust system...
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The power steering system failed. At first I thought the steering wheel was locked. I started the car and could not turn the wheel. The power steering light illuminated in red and there was a loud beeping sound when the car is turned on. It was not until the car was towed that I ...
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The abs sensors are not functioning although they have been replaced. The dashboard has multiple failure lights. The vehicle is a VW CC not covered by the ABS recall although it exhibits identical issues.
I put fuel in the car and about to start the car and it won’t start. Lights flickering.
The power steering system fails when the engine/engine compartment gets hot. The problem has appeared after the car has been shut down (such as when refueling or a quick run into a store) and then restarted. When the key is pushed in to start the car, there is a loud grinding n...
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2009 VW CC PULLING OUT INTO CROSS TRAFFIC THE ELECTRIC CONTROLLED PARKING BRAKE LOCKS UP. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES NOW. I REFUSE TO SELL THE CAR LIKE IT IS OR LET ANYONE DRIVE IT. IT APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO THE SEATBELT. IF IT HAPPENS I UNDO MY SEATBELT AND REINSER...
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FUEL PUMP HAS GONE OUT. VOLKSWAGEN INDICATES MY PARTICULAR CAR DOESN'T QUALIFY UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE RECALL REPORT 17V-509. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS ISSUE WITH THE 2009 PASSAT.
ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL NO. : 17V-509 MANUFACTURER RECALL NO. : 20AE
I GOT 09 4 MOTION CC 3.6. I HAD READ SPENT CLOSE TO 6G AND NOBODY CAN FIX THE ACCELERATION WHEN START. VERY FRUSTRATED CHANGE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS CHANGE OTHER THINGS I BAD. *TR
LOUD SOUND WHEN VEHICLE IS IN IDLE. TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY ARE SAYING IT NEEDS A TIMING CHAIN REPLACEMENT BECAUSE IT SKIPS.
Showing 10 recent complaints from 152 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2009 Volkswagen models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2009 Volkswagen Passat has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 152 owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Volkswagen Passat.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2009 Volkswagen Passat.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2009 Volkswagen Passat are engine (33 reports), fuel/propulsion system (28 reports), steering (14 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2009 Volkswagen Passat. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.