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 — Fuel/propulsion System (26.2% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints here are 5.6× the median for that category across the 1401 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion System | 44 · 26.2% | Recalled | Recall 17V509000 |
| Engine | 43 · 25.6% | Recalled | Recall 08V235000 |
| Air Bags | 32 · 19% | Recalled | Recall 18V148000 · Recall 16V078000 |
| Electrical System | 20 · 11.9% | No official action | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 17 · 10.1% | Recalled | Recall 17V509000 |
| Steering | 12 · 7.1% | No official action | — |
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 168 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 18V148000 · 2018 · reported 03/06/2018
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V509000 · 2017 · reported 08/16/2017
If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V078000 · 2016 · reported 02/10/2016
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 08V235000 · 2008 · reported 05/28/2008
AN ENGINE SURGE CAUSED BY AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM MAY SURPRISE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR AND CAN RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. 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 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL POWER CONSUMPTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY HAD…”NHTSA complaint 11065594 — filed 01/29/2018 · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
“RECALL #17V509 FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE 8/16/17 I HAD TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED 1/6/18 AS IT WAS CAUSING MY CAR TO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING…”NHTSA complaint 11063879 — filed 01/20/2018 · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
“I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CAR IN MOTION WHEN MY CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND STALL FORCING ME TO PULL OVER AND HAVE…”NHTSA complaint 11062752 — filed 01/14/2018 · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Fuel/propulsion system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 44 of 168 NHTSA complaints (26.2%), followed by engine (43), air bags (32), electrical system (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
168 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 3 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 2 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V148000. 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.
