TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
2012 volkswagen Passat airbags problems
severe 228 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100
Complaints
228
Recalls
0
Crashes
8
Avg fix
$1,100
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
TAKATA RECALL - TAKATA SDI DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG RECALL LETTER RECEIVED APRIL 2016 AND NOTHING DONE 8 MONTHS LATER. CAN'T GET ANSWER FROM DEALER OR ANYONE ABOUT REPAIRS NEEDED OR HOW MUCH LONGER WE HAVE TO WAIT.
My 2012 Passat was supposedly repaired under a recall action for the clock spring. However, same symptoms began to occur later in time and now it is apparent that the issue has not been solved and needs to be re-accomplished.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LAKELAND VOLKSWAGEN (LOCATED AT 209 S LAKE PARKER AVE, LAKELAND, FL 33801, (863) 804-6160) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V483000 (AIR BAGS). AFTER THE REPAIR, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED, THE HORN WAS INOPERABLE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS WERE INOPERABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT A…
TAKATA RECALL. THIS HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR 10 MONTHS NOW. HOW LONG DO THEY LEGALLY HAVE TO FIX THIS?
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FOR THE AIRBAG. I HAVE CALLED AND VISITED VW DEALERS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT ISN'T AVAILABLE AS OF YET.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2012 volkswagen Passat?
It's a meaningful issue. 228 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags 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 $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
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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