2012 Volkswagen Passat power train problems
15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2012 Volkswagen Passat — 3% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I own a 2012 Volkswagen Passat [VIN [XXX] ] with approximately 1315xx miles. On December 17, 2025, I took the car to Rockwall County Volkswagen for three recalls. The car was running and was driven 9.5 miles to the dealership under its own power. I left the engine running when I left the it with…”
filed May 15, 2026
“My 2012 passat had an issue with the flywheel as it was starting to come apart and cause a rattle noise like an exhaust pipe rattling it went away when I took rpm to a little higher number had it fixed by dealership I wonder why there wasn't a recall on this as it happened to many people I had it…”
filed Feb 14, 2021
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft…Campaign 17V309000 · May 11, 2017
Power Train problems in other Passat years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Passat | 3 | 7% |
| 2017 Passat | 5 | 5% |
| 2016 Passat | 5 | 5% |
| 2015 Passat | 12 | 5% |
| 2014 Passat | 37 | 6% |
| 2013 Passat | 33 | 4% |
| 2010 Passat | 34 | 21% |
| 2009 Passat | 10 | 7% |
| 2008 Passat | 12 | 7% |
| 2007 Passat | 13 | 5% |
| 2006 Passat | 47 | 8% |
| 2005 Passat | 13 | 9% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2012 Volkswagen Passat
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.