2017 Volkswagen Passat · symptom sheet
Airbag warning light or recall
- 28owner reports
- 100,000median miles
- 3involved a crash
Newest report May 20, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
28 of the 110 complaints on this car describe airbag, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2017 Passat.
Tick what matches of 28 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 (15 reports) and the occupant sensor (8 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the airbags covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
All 7 recalls on the 2017 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 2017 model year.
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2017 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
What owners wrote
“Clock spring on vehicle has failed. This is a known issue with many VW vehicles, but I have been told my vehicle is not on the extended warranty program. 2017 VW Passat - approximately 150,000 miles. This eliminates all steering wheel controls, horn, cruise control, and air bags.”
Filed Jul 25, 2024 · 150,000 miles
“Hit a deer head on while travelling at about 40 mph on a rural highway. Airbags did NOT deploy, despite front end damage.”
Filed May 4, 2022
“no prior warnings before malfunction ,all fuses were checked to no fault. OBD scan reported car lost communication with steering column control module On steering wheel, multifunction buttons and horn stopped working. Airbag light illuminated. OBD scan reported driver airbag igniter resistance too high Emergency braking and blind spot were no longer working although front parking assist still worked.”
Filed Apr 6, 2022
“I had my battery changed at the VW dealership and a week later, my horn stopped working, my airbag light came on and my front assist no longer works. Thereâs also a clicking noise when I turn my steering wheel. It seems this clock coil issue has been a recall issue for VW for years, but when I search my VIN it list no recalls of this nature.”
Filed Mar 26, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 28 reports involved a crash and 2 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 Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works