Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Volkswagen Passat owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine and oil warning lights started flashing on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic, who attempted to start the vehicle; however, the engine skipped, and the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the timing chain had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact learned of the Volkswagen Timing Chain Settlement, ID Number: 16/2765 for the timing chain; however, the campaign ended in 2019. The VIN was not under recall, and the vehicle was not included in the Volkswagen Timing Chain Settlement. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,322.
The check engine light and oil pressure light appeared on my dash screen as I was driving home from work. I pulled over to the nearest repair shop to have the vehicle diagnosed. Upon arriving, the mechanic noticed my oil was low and filled the car with oil. Once that was completed, the car would not start. I noticed it made unusual noises after several more failed attempts. I had the vehicle towed to an authorized dealership to further troubleshoot and they were able to confirm that the engine jumped time due to a failed timing chain tensioner, which requires a new engine since mine is an interference engine. Due to the timing chain tensioner failing, there was catastrophic damage done to the engine leaving the vehicle inoperable.
I stopped at a stop sign, the car accelerated normally and after a few minutes the engine sputtered, the check engine light illuminated, and the battery light illuminated. The engine quit. Attempts to restart the engine failed. I was located at an intersection and pushed the car off to the side of the road. I attempted to restart the engine and noticed an aroma of burning plastic. I opened the hood and there was smoke emanating under the top engine cover, top lh side viewed from the front to the rear. Upon further investigation I noticed that there was a fire under the cover. I removed the cover and extinguished the fire. The #1 ignition coil harness was melted from the fire and associated fire damage was noted on the inside of the engine cover above the engine coil location. …
Car was parked and would not start. Had towed to mechanic--castastropic engine failure due to broken timing belt tensioner. 105K miles--maintenance upkept. Obviously there is a latent defect in the tensioner system of the timing chain that can cause the chain to “jump a tooth” in the vehicle’s camshaft, which causes serious and sometimes fatal damage to the engine. Unfortunately the defect is impossible for car owners to discover, but Audi and Volkswagen knew of the tensioner system problem since at least June 2010. Normally, the timing chain is meant to function perfectly for at least 120,000 miles. Because the system is not on the schedule for recommended maintenance from the manufacturers. However, with the defective tensioner, the timing chain frequently fails well before that mark, but often after the warranty has expired. …
3 different occasions my car would loose power and shut down on the highway. I had it towed and all three times they stated it was different things and that they had to take steps in replacing good parts to find the bad ones. Just to find out that it was the fuel pump control module that they thought it was the whole time. Now there is a recall on it. Which I have summitted the paper work and they conveniently cannot find. This past weekend my car wouldn't turn over at all when I tried to start it in a parking lot so I had it towed for the 4th time in 2.5years. They are claiming that the engine motor is bad and it would cost $7500.00 to replace. The technician cannot find any oil leaks nd claim there was only about a half of court of oil in the motor. …
To whom it May concern: I wanted to follow-up and discuss a recent incident. On April 19th 2019 our 2009 vw Passat was in our garage as this is the usual location we park our cars. On the 18th we completed yard work and nothing out of the norm was noted as we completed the yard work at around 8 pm and nothing was noted to be abnormal. Around 4 am on the 19th my spouse and I were awoken to a loud pop sound. This sound was unusual to us. Shortly after the pop sound there panic alarm could be heard that waned out in about 30 seconds. My husband went to the garage and was met with black and pressure like force against the garage door. We immediately evacuated the home and called the fire department. At the time were not sure what caused the smoke but once the fire fighters arrived were told the vw Passat was on fire. …
My vehicle was in motion on a city street and suddenly it started shaking while driving and when I braked, it shaked even more vigorously. I took it to a local mechanic who said there is an issue with the engine and the dealership will have to look at it. They recommended that I tow the car to the dealership and advised against driving it. I towed the car to the dealership. After two days the dealership calls me stating that the timing chain has jumped and there is no compression. They would have to repair or replace the engine. The dearlship technician said that they have had several vw vehicles brought in with similar issues but vw has refused to issue a recall or take any action to correct this issue. This is a dangerous safetly hazard. …
My vw Passat 2009 sustained engine failure due to failure timing chain/timing chain tensioner and now needs very expensive engine repair or replacement of engine. Car drove okay for 15 minutes in the morning then it was then parked for about 2 hours. When trying to re-start the car, the car would not start. Mechanic noted absent compression in 2 cylinders and diagnosed it to be due to timing chain slipping. This happened at 80,000miles and less than 10 years (9 years 9 months) of purchase of the vehicle. Vw's extended warranty covers repair/replacement of timing chain but does not cover repair of engine damage resulted due to timing chain failure. The car was serviced at vw dealer regularly and there was no warning or indication of impending failure of the timing chain. …
My wife was driving the car to the airport and stopped at the cell phone waiting area. Tried to start again and car didn't start. Changed the battery with aaa and still didn't start. Towed it to dealer. They said the timing chain tensioner failed and it completely damaged the engine. Engine needs to be replaced which costs about $7K. I have checked about this problem in internet and many people are complaining about the same issue and vw knows about this issue for some time. As this can happen in middle of the traffic and can cause a fatal accident, we request you to investigate and make Volkswagen recall and replace this part. Also, vw should take responsibility for the failed part and the repairs caused due to this part as it knows about this and ignored. I also see there is a lawsuit going on this issue. …
This vehicle had catastrophic engine failure due to a faulty cam chain tensioner. This is been known by Volkswagen as a service bulletin was issued in 2011. I was driving on a city st. And had to push the vehicle to the side. The fuel pump and sending units have also failed in this vehicle along with the turbocharger diverter valve which was a defective item. All these items have been known by Volkswagen for some time. The cost of repair on the vehicle has been over $5,000. I believe all these issues should have been a recall item. Failures on some of them have been happening at 20,000 miles. They could pose a safety hazard depending on where you were driving. Volkswagen has denied any reimbursement on most of these items. Had consumers known of these issues the cost would have been significantly less if the defective parts have been replaced. …
Engine complaints in other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2009 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 65 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2009 Volkswagen Passat, 43% of the model year's 152 complaints. The component named most often is engine (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Volkswagen Passat engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2009 Volkswagen Passat, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Volkswagen Passat engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 9 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.