2016 Volkswagen Passat · symptom sheet
Airbag warning light or recall
- 25owner reports
- 47,425median miles
- 2involved a crash
Newest report May 3, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
25 of the 106 complaints on this car describe airbag, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 Passat.
Tick what matches of 25 reports
Airbag 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.
What this problem usually is
Airbag complaints split into a few kinds. The most common is an airbag warning light that won't go out. Others involve the passenger seat sensor switching the passenger bag off with an adult sitting there, an airbag that didn't deploy in a crash, or one that went off without a crash at all. A large share also come from owners waiting on a recall part.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the clock spring (16 reports) and the occupant sensor (7 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the airbags covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
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 2016 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 36,000 and 60,000 miles, from the 10 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat that deal with this problem. 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.
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 ...
What owners wrote
“The clock spring system failed, rendering all of the cars' steering wheel functions non-functional. The airbag light is on and the steering wheels airbag does not operate as well as the cars horn and auto cruise controls. The instrument cluster is malfunctioning as well. The safety risks associated with the malfunctions could result in great harm to the driver and passengers in the vehicle.”
Filed May 3, 2026
“I believe my clockspring has malfuncioned and though it has had multiple recalls my car is not listed for recall. My horn is no longer working, as well as all the buttons in my steering wheel including cruise control and my airbag light is on. This is all directly correlated to a clockspring malfunction and I believe my vehicle should be recalled for saftey reasons.”
Filed Apr 16, 2024
“Steering column makes noises when turning. Airbag Light is on and the none of the steering wheel controls for the radio, phone etc are functioning properly. This is my college age daughterâs car and I fear the airbag wonât deploy in the event she was in a collision.”
Filed Oct 2, 2023
“The clockspring has broken 3 times since purchasing the car brand new in 2016. An extended warranty was given. However, due to all the driving I do the warranty did not cover my car as I was already past the miles once the extended warranty came out.”
Filed Feb 19, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 25 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. 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 Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found