2015 Volkswagen Passat: Recalls, Problems & MPG

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: Unexpected movement of the driver's seatback May distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.

What's wrong: 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…

Why it matters: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.

The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015.

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: If the brake line was not properly tightened, it May leak brake fluid, causing a reduction in braking performance, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of crash.

The fix: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will tighten the brake line fitting, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2015.

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016.

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: 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

What's wrong: 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."

Why it matters: Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019.

Yes. NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recalls for the 2015 Volkswagen Passat. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Owners have filed 243 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (88), engine (53), electrical (48).

EPA ratings run up to 34 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 6-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.