2015 Volkswagen Passat · symptom sheet
Airbag warning light stays on
- 32owner reports
- 53,200median miles
- $700median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Nov 16, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
32 of the 88 reports of airbag on the 2015 Passat describe airbag light on.
Part of Airbag warning light or recall (88 reports) · also: Takata airbag recall
Tick what matches of 32 reports
Airbag light on on other Passat years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2016, 2017.
What this problem usually is
This is the narrower sheet inside airbag problems for the warning light itself: an airbag or SRS light that stays on, or comes and goes, with no crash involved. The light is the car saying part of the airbag system may not work when it's needed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the clock spring (22 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the airbags cover the 2015 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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.
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
All 7 recalls on the 2015 Volkswagen Passat, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the airbags on the Passat
Air bag clockspring failure. Open.
Air bag clockspring failure. Closed may 4, 2018.
Air bag clockspring failure. Closed sep 28, 2015, led to recall 15V-483.
Passenger air bag lid failure. Closed apr 23, 2004.
Passenger sir door mounting stud failure. Closed oct 7, 2003.
None of these investigations covers the 2015 model year.
What owners paid
6 of the 32 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $120 to $800.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 47,000 and 73,000 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Clock spring failure. 2015 passat steering wheel started clicking then it snapped my airbag light came on and steering wheel functions didn't work. The sa”
Filed Dec 20, 2024
“Clockspring is bad as noted by many other owners. Airbag light is lit and horn doesnât work”
Filed Dec 5, 2022
“Clockspring has failed causing my airbag light to come on. This is a common safety problem for these cars.”
Filed Jan 13, 2022
“Steering wheel controls, such as volume control, song control stopped working. As well as airbag light came on. Then a week later heard clicking while turning steering wheel and noticed horn doesnât work as well.”
Filed Aug 2, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 32 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 28 reports