Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
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 — Engine And Engine Cooling (11.8% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints here are 2.0× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 33 · 11.8% | Recalled | Recall 14E007000 |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 22 · 7.9% | No official action | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 22 · 7.9% | Recalled | Recall 08V156000 · Recall 04V586000 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 21 · 7.5% | Recalled | Recall 08V156000 · Recall 04V586000 |
| Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler | 20 · 7.2% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 18 · 6.5% | Recalled | Recall 14E007000 |
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 279 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 14E007000 · 2014 · reported 03/07/2014
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 08V156000 · 2008 · reported 04/07/2008
A HEAT SHIELD THAT MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. IN ADDITION, A FUEL LEAK FROM A FUEL LINE OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07V063000 · 2007 · reported 02/20/2007
THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V586000 · 2004 · reported 12/15/2004
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE. 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.
“2004 VW PASSAT 1.8T. UPON STARTING CAR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALER, AUTOBARN OF EVANSTON (IL) WHO REPLACED THERMAL SENSOR FOR $500…”NHTSA complaint 10275109 — filed 06/27/2009 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
“IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE...EVERYTIME I HAVE THE OIL CHANGED BUT IT SEEMS TO BE LOSING A…”NHTSA complaint 10272831 — filed 06/04/2009 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
“SLUDGE BUILDUP CAUSE BY VW DESIGN FLAW LED TO ENGINE LOCKING ... VW REFUSING TO COVER ENGINE REPLACEMENT EVEN THOUGH COVERED BY POWER TRAIN WARRANTY.”NHTSA complaint 10257118 — filed 02/01/2009 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine and engine cooling issues are the most-reported category, cited in 33 of 279 NHTSA complaints (11.8%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (22), fuel/propulsion system (22), fuel system, gasoline (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
279 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 25 involved a fire, and 23 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14E007000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
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.
