2012 Volkswagen Passat Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

40Engine complaints

8.3%Of all 481 complaints

#4Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

AIR BAGS289 · 60.1%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM93 · 19.3%

STEERING45 · 9.4%

ENGINE40 · 8.3%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM32 · 6.7%

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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT…”NHTSA complaint 10628549 — filed 08/26/2014

“ON JULY 16, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:00 PM, MY 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI SEL PREMIUM LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE FAILED AND SHUT…”NHTSA complaint 10617380 — filed 07/29/2014

“WHINING SOUND WHEN DRIVING FORWARD NOT WHEN IT'S COASTING AND IT SOUNDS LIKE SLIPPING. CAUGHT BEFORE COMPLETE TURBO FAILURE. CAUSE REPORTED BY DEALER: VERIFIED, FOUND…”NHTSA complaint 10576535 — filed 04/01/2014

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Volkswagen Passat have engine problems?

Engine is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Volkswagen Passat: 40 of 481 complaints on file (8.3%). 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 engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.