2012 Volkswagen Passat Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Engine › Oil/lubrication › Seals/gaskets
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  615%
• 25k–50k
  1230%
• 50k–75k
  513%
• 75k–100k
  1230%
• 100k–150k
  38%
• 150k+
  25%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Volkswagen Passat owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking an unknown fluid underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the vacuum pump, oil pan, and the gaskets needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact to contact the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 193,211.

2012 vw Passat with no previous signs of problems begins sputtering/flashing engine light. Car was driven apx. 1/4 mile back home, where it began smoking and caught fire. Entire engine burnt out. Car was under warranty. NHTSA investigated Passat's faulty ignition coils yet did not issue a safety recall because there was no safety issue...but if the engine catches on fire...with all the combustibles in a car...one would think that was a little unsafe. Glad my 4 year old was not with me.

Despite performing the regularly scheduled (very expensive) maintenance for this vehicle, we had many issues with our 2012 Volkswagen Passat tdi. This car was a commuter vehicle and was driven 110 miles/5 days per week at 55-65 MPH. We thought that with proper care and maintenance this car with its diesel engine would last more than 111,000 miles... We are so disappointed and frankly irate. What a waste of money. Our issues were: at numerous mileages, our head, tail and running lights had to be replaced at about $50/instance. At 104,738 miles, the passenger window would not go up or down. The window pin was replaced for $184.05. At 101,019 miles, the timing belt was replaced at a cost of $1,260.76. At 111,166 miles, our 2012 Volkswagen Passat tdi began to run very rough and loud on trip. …

While driving the vehicle it will loose driving power, check engine light will come on as well as epc light. When taken to a mechanic it was found out that the whole throtke body needed to be replaced. I was also told that this was a dealer only part, when the mechanic shop called to order the part from the dealership they were told that the part was on a national back order and that it could be 6 months to a year before a part was avaliable. When I called the dealership a week later the part was still on back order, and they said that they had over 200 on a list waiting for this part, and to keep calling back to ask about the status. I have not been able to drive my vehicle since July 2020, and as of today 10/22/2020, accordinf to the dealership there is still no estimated timeframe that this part eill be available. …

Vehicle developed a ," loss of power" issue at approximately 1.5 years ago around 50,000 miles. It usually occurs within the first 10- 15 minutes after cold start up and when vehicle is traveling between 10 and 40 MPH. The vehicle will be operating normally, then instantly lose power and start shuddering. When merging onto a highway on numerous occasions since then, the sudden loss of power has nearly caused me to be struck by other vehicles. Along with loss of power, there has been a noticeable odor of diesel fuel which comes from the observed fuel pooling on the top of the engine. This is a fire hazard only waiting to happen. I will not let any other members of my family drive this vehicle for fear of their safety. Manufacturer dealer has been able to duplicate the issue but not resolve it. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the electronic power control (epc) indicator illuminated. The contact called and took the vehicle to teddy Volkswagen [phone], located at 3743 boston rd, bronx, ny 10466) where the epc indicator was reset, but the failure recurred. While the contact was headed back to the dealer, the failure recurred. The vehicle was pulled over and, when restarted, the epc indicator turned off. As a result, the dealer stated that there was no failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the matter would be referred to the regional director. The regional director called and stated that nothing could be done unless the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,500.

The car began shaking once in a while and about a month later began to die when idle waiting at red lights or stop signs. I was told the vacuum seal needed replaced but to do so everything would need replaced as you can't just replace a vacuum seal. The electrical component of my car started to go haywire and every light, clock would go off if I tried to start the car. After that as fixed the batter which was tested and at 99% died and had to be replaced. These issues happened when I was on a city street driving and I was stuck in the middle of the road with people passing me and honking. I got the car fixed at steven's creek Volkswagen in sunnyvale, ca it was very expensive and I was out of a car for well over a week. None of these were issues caused by me. I have very low mileage and take good care of my car.

On 8 to 10 occasions over the last two years I have lost power, I.e. The engine was running, but acted as though it were in neutral with high RPM?s. Sometimes it is intermittent and recovers power but on three occasions on a major interstate highways it has lost all power and I had to coast to the shoulder. Turning off the engine and it starts normally with full power. The dealer checked the engine codes and only found engine lost communication with transmission and said the vw did not have any notices on the problem. I have also reported this to vw and they say it has not been an issue. Quick google searches show something different with lots of vw tdi engines showing similar problems. Loss of power in 65 MPH traffic is very dangerous and inexcusable. Vw should be looking more closely at this problem.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving 76 MPH, the check engine warning light and exhaust fluid warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted for over a year. An error code stated vehicle shut-off at 200 miles was on the instrument panel however, the vehicle did not shut-off. The contact took the vehicle to overturf Volkswagen Kia (1016 west columbia drive, kennewick, wa 99336, [phone]) however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The dealer replaced the knock sensor and catalytic converter however, the failure persisted. The manufacture was notified of the failure but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was 76,000.

The check engine light came on 7/14/16. I brought the car into the dealership on 7/15/16 and learned that the car's adblue heater had gone and will cost just over $1,000 to replace. The adblue heater heats the adblue to remove no2 for emissions, however Volkswagen is claiming that this is not covered under the emissions warranty. The adblue system has not other purpose than for emissions and should be covered under the federal warranty, as the emissions would fall outside of the federal regulations without this component. Proper emissions help to keep our entire population safe and healthy from the harmful pollutants generated by vehicles. Now the car will not start because of this false emission sensor reading.

Engine complaints in other Passat years