Volkswagen

Passat (2009)

2009 · Midsize Sedan · 2 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.1)
152 NHTSA Complaints
4 Recalls
13 Fire Reports
5 Crash Reports
View all 8 generations of the Volkswagen Passat → 📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

Volkswagen Passat Unidentified Engine

⚠️ Caution (2.1)
20 complaints 20.0 per year
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
10
fuel system
4
safety systems
3
electrical
2
suspension
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (10 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (4 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (3 complaints)
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

EA390 VR6

3.6L 6-cyl / 280 hp
Recommended (4.2)
6 complaints 6.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

fuel system
3
steering
2
engine
1
suspension
1

Known Issues

Fuel System Issues (3 complaints)
Steering Issues (2 complaints)
Engine Issues (1 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Volkswagen Passat regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (65 complaints)
engine critical
Fuel System Issues (56 complaints)
fuel_system critical
Electrical System Issues (22 complaints)
electrical critical
Steering Issues (19 complaints)
steering critical
Transmission Issues (10 complaints)
transmission critical

Recalls (4)

18V148000Jun 2, 2018critical
Air Bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

17V509000Aug 15, 2017serious
Fuel System

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.

16V078000Oct 1, 2016critical
Air Bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

08V577000Mar 10, 2008serious
Steering

VW IS RECALLING 130 MY 2009 PASSAT, PASSAT WAGON, AND PASSAT CC VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN ELECTROMECHANICAL STEERING GEAR CONTROL UNIT THAT CAN MALFUNCTION DUE TO A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS, THE DRIVER'S STEERING INPUT IS NOT PROPERLY PROCESSED BY THE SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RESPOND AS THE DRIVER INTENDS. THIS DEFECT CAN ONLY OCCUR IMMEDIATELY AFTER VEHICLE START-UP WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED FOR THE FIRST TIME AND AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 5 MPH.

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2009-2009 Volkswagen Passat problems?

The 2009-2009 Volkswagen Passat has accumulated 152 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Fuel System, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Volkswagen Passat engine is most reliable?

The 2009-2009 Volkswagen Passat was offered with 3 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.0L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2009-2009 Volkswagen Passat a good used car?

The 2009-2009 Volkswagen Passat can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 152 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009-2009 Volkswagen Passat have?

The 2009-2009 Volkswagen Passat has 152 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2009-2009 Volkswagen Passat?

There are 4 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2009-2009 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Volkswagen Passat?

Before buying a used Volkswagen Passat, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Fuel System, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Passat have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2009 Volkswagen Passat. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 152 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-07-12.

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