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 (41.1% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Engine complaints here are 3.3× 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 | 60 · 41.1% | No official action | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 46 · 31.5% | Recalled | Recall 17V509000 |
| Steering | 20 · 13.7% | Recalled | Recall 08V577000 |
| Electrical System | 17 · 11.6% | No official action | — |
| Air Bags | 12 · 8.2% | Recalled | Recall 18V148000 · Recall 16V078000 |
| Power Train | 10 · 6.8% | Investigation closed | PE09022 |
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 146 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 08V577000 · 2008 · reported 11/03/2008
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.… 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.
“TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I WANTED TO FOLLOW-UP AND DISCUSS A RECENT INCIDENT. ON APRIL 19TH 2019 OUR 2009 VW PASSAT WAS IN OUR…”NHTSA complaint 11202770 — filed 04/21/2019 · ENGINE
“TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILURE. ENGINE REQUIRES MAJOR REPAIRS”NHTSA complaint 11179839 — filed 02/13/2019 · ENGINE
“STOPPED RUNNING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT- TOWED TO DEALERSHIP -TIMING CHAIN/TENSIONER ISSUE”NHTSA complaint 11121715 — filed 08/22/2018 · ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 60 of 146 NHTSA complaints (41.1%), followed by fuel/propulsion system (46), steering (20), electrical system (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
146 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 5 involved a crash, 12 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.
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.
