AT SPEED OF 40-60 MPH, WITH THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE CAR WILL BRING THE CAR TO 5-10 MPH RAPIDLY, BY SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES WITH NO OTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES, AND HAS BEEN REPORTED, BUT NOT DUPLICATED AT THE DEALER. THE CAR HAS ALSO SLOWED ITSELF, UNDER THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, IN OTHER SITUATIONS WHERE THERE WAS NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT.
2016 volkswagen Passat cruise control problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$600
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I WAS BRAKING MY CAR AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT WHICH WAS PERPENDICULAR TO A DIVIDER STRIP (AN APPROXIMATELY 5-6 FOOT WIDE STRIP OF GRASS WITH 9-10 INCH CURBS ON EACH SIDE). SUDDENLY THE CAR SELF-ACCELERATED TO A FAST SPEED. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO GO UP AND OVER THE DIVIDER STRIP, CROSS A TWO LANE ROAD AND HIT THE CURB ON THE FAR SIDE OF THIS ROAD. THIS WAS QUITE FRIGHTENING! FORTUNA…
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2016 volkswagen Passat?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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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