NMS, first generation (A32/A33)
2015 Volkswagen Passat
The most reported problem on the 2015 Volkswagen Passat is airbag, with 88 complaints, usually around 53,000 miles.
- 242owner complaints
- 7recalls
- 11involved a crash
- 50,000median miles at failure
Newest report Jul 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Passat doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2015 model year.
Is the 2015 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
The 2015 Volkswagen Passat has 242 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 270 for 2015 sedans on this site. Of the 9 Passat model years since 2014, it has the 2nd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to other model years
- Complaints filed before 2015 aren't in the files this site reads, so the 2015 count runs short and isn't compared with the model years next to it.
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: airbag, named in 88 of the 242 complaints (36%). A quarter of the 47 owners who gave a mileage for airbag saw it by about 45,000 miles, and half by about 53,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 14 of the 242 complaints (6%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 11 reports mention a crash, 2 mention a fire and 14 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 8 of 11, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Each of airbag and brake wear has a recall on the same system: airbag, 19V-014 and 19V-862; brake wear, 15V-373. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2019 at 44 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 12. So far in 2026, 4 more have come in. Filings on record start in 2015.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: airbag warning light or recall, 88 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
242 complaints is about the median for a 2015 model on this site and about the median for a 2015 sedan. Among the 4 Passat model years here it ranks 2nd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2015 Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen filed 1,129 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2015 Volkswagen Passat. 53 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Airbag warning light or recall 2 bulletins · 88 complaints
This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication for the airbag control module. For trouble code DTC B10001B. Driver airbag igniter resistance too high -N95
Grinding noises can be heard from the area of the steering wheel/driver airbag or steering column when maneuvering OR Various controls, warnings or fault indicators, such as airbag, electronic stabilization programming (ESP), steering assist etc., light up ...
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 8 bulletins · 28 complaints
Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation. Addition of mandatory brake form and reference to Volkswagen Warranty Policy and Procedures Manual.
Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation Instruction (U.S. Only)
6 more on this problem
Brake disc Pulsation or Vibration repair instruction
Technical Bulletin (Vibration or Noise When Braking): Vibration or noise when braking may be due to brake disc corrosion protection which has not been completely removed by normal braking or surface rust built up during transportation.
Technical Bulletin: Vibration or Noise When Braking issues are addressed
Tech Tips (ABS/TPMS light is on due to wheel speed sensor fault as a result of the Front Wheel Bearing / Wheel Speed Sensor swapping issue): This document informs of the Damage caused from swapping the speed sensors left to right (or vice versa) during ...
Vibration or noise when braking may be due to brake disc corrosion protection which has not been completely removed by normal braking or surface rust built up during transportation.
Brake Disc Pulsation or Vibration (U.S. Only)
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 9 bulletins · 16 complaints
What is and what is not a leaking suspension strut.
How to identify and when to replace a leaking strut
7 more on this problem
Front suspension noise repair.
Technical Bulletin on how to service Vibration or noise when braking may be due to brake disc corrosion protection which has not been completely removed by normal braking or surface rust built up during transportation.
Technical Bulletin about a customer concern stating that customer observed one or more of the shocks/struts appearing to have an oil leak. Document contains examples of Strut or Shock Absorber Leak Assessments
Addressess Vibration or noise when braking may be due to brake disc corrosion protection which has not been completely removed by normal braking or surface rust built up during transportation.
Technical Bulletin (Front Suspension Creaking Noise): This document informs of a Front suspension creaking noise during suspension cycles (going over speed bumps or entering on an inclined surface).
Front suspension creaking noise during suspension cycles (going over speed bumps or entering on an inclined surface).
Technical Bulletin (Brake Disc Pulsation or Vibration): When applying brakes at highway speeds the following symptoms may occur: ? Brake pedal pulsation ? Vibration felt in vehicle body ? Steering wheel shakes For brake vibration or pulsation concerns, brake ...
Check engine light or misfire 26 bulletins · 13 complaints
Engine misfire diagnostic aid.
Fuel Additive to prevent sporatic misfire
24 more on this problem
Fuel additive to help with misfire faults
Diagnostic Aid for engine misfire.
DTC's P053F,P0087, P0088, P1025 may set due to the high pressure fuel pump being out of time (sync).
Recommended fuel additive to avoid engine misfires.
Diagnostic aid for DTC P0088 & P1025.
Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid. Updated to include additional model and model year applicability.
Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
Diag and repair direction for P0401/P2002
Gasoline Engine Misfire Diagnosis document
MIL-on P0420 and/or P0430 in the ECM
Plus 14 older ones not listed here.
Fuel pump failure 1 bulletin · 8 complaints
Symptom based diagnostic assistance for high pressure fuel pump being out of time.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 3 bulletins · 8 complaints
Updated diagnostic direction to address new concerns in regards to Apply CarPlay Connection on MIBII equipped vehicles. Update models and model year applicability.
Update to existing information to address phone concerns via bluetooth resulting from saved emoji information
1 more on this problem
Tech Tips (Rear View Camera Inoperative issues): The rear view camera operates in conjunction with the rear parking aid system. If there are no faults in the radio or rear view camera, be sure to check the parking aid system for faults.
Windshield cracks or distorts 1 bulletin · 8 complaints
Technical Bulletin (Windshield Wipers Streak or Smear): Windshield or rear window is streaked, has a snakeskin appearance, or the surface feels rough.
Engine overheats or leaks coolant 3 bulletins · 6 complaints
Tech Bullentin concerning Electric Coolant Fans that Continue to Run after Ignition is Switched OFF
Tech Tips (Radiator Identification Sensor): On TSI (2.0l CCTA, CBFA) equipped vehicles with fault code P2568 Direct Ozone Reduction Catalyst Temperature Sensor, this fault refers to - G611- as Radiator Identification Sensor.
1 more on this problem
Tech Tips (Coolant Leak or Repeat Coolant Leak from the Water Pump Area): The document informs to inspect for issues, and why issues may happen. It also notes how to fix the issue, and other issues that could happen while repairing the issue
Complaints filed by year
44 complaints came in 2019. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2015 Volkswagen Passat
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015 Passat, 2015-2016 Eos, 2015-2017 CC, 2016-2017 TT Roadster, TT Coupe, 2017 Audi R8 Coupe, and R8 Spyder vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298; Audi owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69S8 (Audi) and 69Y5 (Volkswagen).
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Passat vehicles manufactured May 18, 2015, to May 21, 2015. The affected vehicles have a brake line at the left rear wheel area that may not have been properly tightened.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will tighten the brake line fitting, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47M3.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall 14V-809 (Volkswagen recall number 24Bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that campaign.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Jetta and Passat vehicles manufactured September 23, 2014, to October 9, 2014, and equipped with manual front seatback recliners. In the affected vehicles, the seatback recliner retaining bracket may not engage correctly, resulting in unexpected movement of the seatback.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the assembly of the seatback recliner retaining bracket, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72F1.
All 7 recalls on the 2015 Volkswagen Passat, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2015 Volkswagen Passat?
Airbag, with 88 of the 242 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 53,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2015 Volkswagen Passat problems start?
Of the 143 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 19,000 miles and half by about 50,000.
How many 2015 Volkswagen Passat complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
14 of them (6%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for airbag on the 2015 Volkswagen Passat?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls on the same system: 19V-014 and 19V-862. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.