2009 Volkswagen Passat steering problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA
· avg repair $700
severe NHTSA 08V577000 03/11/2008
VW IS RECALLING 130 MY 2009 PASSAT, PASSAT WAGON, AND PASSAT CC VEHICLES
DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO OVERCOME THE SYSTEM DURING MALFUNCTION WILL CAUSE (1) VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL; (2) THE STEERING SYSTEM MOTOR TO TURN OFF; (3) THE RED STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE; AND (4) AUDIBLE WARNINGS TO CHIME. A MALFUNCTIONING STEERING SYSTEM COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
steering
· filed 11/27/2022
The power steering system failed. At first I thought the steering wheel was locked. I started the car and could not turn the wheel. The power steering light illuminated in red and there was a loud beeping sound when the car is turned on. It was not until the car was towed that I realized that the wheel was not locked. The tow truck driver was able to turn the wheel to steer the vehicle on to the t…
steering
· filed 11/17/2018
MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 35000 MILES. THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCK IS DEFECTIVE HAS BEEN APPEARING ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS DEFECTIVE PART WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START AT TIME. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT IT COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL WHILE IT IS BEING DRIVEN. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET REVEALED THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF THE CAR. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE …
How serious is the steering problem on the 2009 Volkswagen Passat?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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