2012 Volkswagen Passat Air Bags Problems
NHTSA component category: AIR BAGS · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How air bags ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 481 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Volkswagen Passat overview page.
What owners report
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 10726096 — filed 06/18/2015
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE. THE…”NHTSA complaint 10725996 — filed 06/18/2015
“2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI DIESEL, HEARD A SMALL SNAP IN STEERING WHEEL WHILE BACKING UP AND TURNING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE…”NHTSA complaint 10724960 — filed 06/12/2015
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air Bags complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Volkswagen Passat have air bags problems?
Air Bags is the most-reported problem area on the 2012 Volkswagen Passat: 289 of 481 complaints on file (60.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2012 Volkswagen Passat have in total?
481 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 13 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 10 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's air bags category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the AIR BAGS category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
