2009 Volkswagen Passat recalls and problems

The 2009 Volkswagen Passat has 4 safety recalls and 146 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Volkswagen dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

146

Crashes / fires

5 / 12

Injuries / deaths

2 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2009 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2009 Volkswagen Passat recalls

Recall 18V-148: Air Bags

Reported Mar 6, 2018 · 363,713 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 17V-509: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Aug 16, 2017 · 280,915 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 16V-078: Air Bags

Reported Feb 10, 2016 · 659,493 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 08V-577: Steering

Reported Nov 3, 2008 · 130 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Problem: 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.

Risk: Driver attempts to overcome the system during malfunction will cause (1) vibrations in the steering wheel; (2) the steering system motor to turn off; (3) the red steering system malfunction indicator light to illuminate; and (4) audible warnings to chime. A malfunctioning steering system could lead to a crash without warning.

Fix: 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.

2009 Volkswagen Passat problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Engine	60
Fuel/Propulsion System	46
Steering	20
Electrical System	19
Air Bags	12
Power Train	11
Unknown or Other	9
Fuel System, Gasoline	7
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	7
Engine and Engine Cooling	4
Suspension	4
Service Brakes	3

Most reported parts

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump — 3
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery — 2
Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 1
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 1
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 1
Structure › Body — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 79,826 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2009 Volkswagen Passat complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine and Engine Cooling · at 112,322 miles · reported Apr 3, 2025

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine and oil warning lights started flashing on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic, who attempted to start the vehicle; however, the engine skipped, and the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the timing chain had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact learned of the Volkswagen Timing Chain Settlement, ID Number: 16/2765 for the timing chain; however, the campaign ended in 2019. The VIN was not under recall, and the…

Engine · reported Apr 3, 2025

The check engine light and oil pressure light appeared on my dash screen as I was driving home from work. I pulled over to the nearest repair shop to have the vehicle diagnosed. Upon arriving, the mechanic noticed my oil was low and filled the car with oil. Once that was completed, the car would not start. I noticed it made unusual noises after several more failed attempts. I had the vehicle towed to an authorized dealership to further troubleshoot and they were able to confirm that the engine jumped time due to a failed timing chain tensioner, which requires a new engine since mine is an…

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Dec 13, 2024

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. My 2009 VW CC 4-Motion only has 122,xxx miles on it. I could see a wet spot and presumed I smelled gas but was not sure. He gave me a printout of what the cost would be to repair the system. I told him I would be filing a report with NHTSA. I then called Lunde's VW, W. Bell Rd., Peoria, AZ. I talked to a Tyler…

Electrical System · reported Nov 27, 2022

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 realized that the wheel was not locked. The tow truck driver was able to turn the wheel to steer the vehicle on to the truck bed. I had someone plug in a diagnostic machine. I do not recall the exact code but he said the power steering system was not getting a signal. He replaced the steering angle sensor but that did…

Service Brakes · reported Jul 11, 2022

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.

Other Volkswagen Passat years

2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 201020092008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Compare all Volkswagen Passat years · All Volkswagen models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2009 Volkswagen Passat: 18V-148 (air bags), 17V-509 (fuel system, gasoline), 16V-078 (air bags), 08V-577 (steering). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Volkswagen Passat?

Owners report engine problems most often (60 reports), followed by fuel/propulsion system (46). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 79,826 miles.

Are Volkswagen recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Volkswagen dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.