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Model Year Problem Record

Volkswagen Passat 2009 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2009 Volkswagen Passat: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

145Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
4Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
1Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
25Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine64 complaints

64 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System52 complaints

52 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 17V509000.

Steering20 complaints

20 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 08V577000.

Electrical System19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags11 complaints

11 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 16V078000, 18V148000.

Power Train11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

08V577000Reported November 3, 2008 - 130 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on November 3, 2008. The campaign covers an estimated 130 vehicles across all affected models.

16V078000Reported February 10, 2016 - 659,493 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on February 10, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 659,493 vehicles across all affected models.

17V509000Reported August 16, 2017 - 280,915 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on August 16, 2017. The campaign covers an estimated 280,915 vehicles across all affected models.

18V148000Reported March 6, 2018 - 363,713 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on March 6, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 363,713 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

PE09022Opened May 4, 2009 - Closed July 9, 2009

TRANSMISSION FLUID HOSE CHAFE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20095
20103
20114
20125
20139
201410
201511
201611
201723
201838
201911
20207
20213
20222
20241
20252
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.