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 (16.2% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints here are 3.0× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 24 · 16.2% | Recalled | Recall 14E007000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 19 · 12.8% | Recalled | Recall 14E007000 |
| Engine | 12 · 8.1% | Recalled | Recall 14E007000 |
| Power Train | 9 · 6.1% | No official action | — |
| Seats | 8 · 5.4% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 8 · 5.4% | Investigation closed | EA11002 · EA07014 → recall 08V156000 |
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 148 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.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER…”NHTSA complaint 10457776 — filed 05/08/2012 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
“2.0L VW PASSAT TDI HAD A RATTLING, VIBRATING CHAIN NOISE FROM THE OIL PUMP BALANCE SHAFT MODULE IN THE OIL PAN. THE OIL PUMP CHAINS/SPROCKETS/TENSIONERS…”NHTSA complaint 10451066 — filed 03/10/2012 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
“THE TDI (DIESEL) ENGINE IN THE '04 & '05 NORTH AMERICAN VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS WAS EQUIPPED WITH A CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP/BALANCE SHAFT MODULE. THE CHAIN…”NHTSA complaint 10449751 — filed 02/29/2012 · 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 24 of 148 NHTSA complaints (16.2%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (19), engine (12), power train (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
148 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 7 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, and 4 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.
3 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.
