Volkswagen Passat Fuel System Problems

Fuel System complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Delivery › Fuel pump
  122
• Storage › Tank assembly
  46
• Delivery
  30
• Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
  15
• Storage › Fuel gauge system
  15
• Fuel injection system
  13
• Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
  13
• Fuel injection system › Injectors
  4

Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  7511%
• 25k–50k
  12017%
• 50k–75k
  15122%
• 75k–100k
  13419%
• 100k–150k
  15823%
• 150k+
  639%

What owners report

I initially brought my vehicle in for service due to a strong gasoline odor and the vehicle failing to start. At that time, I was informed that no gasoline smell was detected and that the issue was instead a faulty starter, which I authorized for repair. Approximately two weeks later, my vehicle again would not start. I was then informed that the issue was a lower fuel injector, which required additional repairs. Just three days after that service, the vehicle once again failed to start, and I was told this time that the upper fuel injector was the cause. As a result of these events, I incurred a total of $3,946.96 in repair costs across two service visits and was forced to have my vehicle towed three separate times. Before the third visit, I was informed that I would need to pay an additional $1,500, on top of the nearly $4,000 I had already paid. …

Fuel pump Leak. Strong order of gasoline has been coming from the car. I had a check and the fuel pump is leaking. Other vehicles have been recalled due to this, but the Passat has not been included. This problem has been reported out in several cars including a fire....

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an abnormally strong fuel odor was detected. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who performed a smog test, and the vehicle passed. The mechanic detected the fuel odor coming from the carbon filter and advised the contact to have the vehicle diagnosed by a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 41,751.

Fuel pump under the rear passenger side is leaking large amounts of fuel allowing the fumes to build up in the cabin of the vehicle. No damage or accidents have occurred that would cause this and has made me sick while driving as well as paranoid as I am driving around a car with leaking gas in the interior cabin. 2017 Volkswagen Passet SE

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, there was a strong gasoline odor inside the cabin. The contact immediately pulled over and exited the vehicle to inspect for visible fuel leaks, but found no leaks. While attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and stalled repeatedly. Additionally, the brakes failed to function properly, preventing the vehicle from stopping as needed. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The independent mechanic associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V403000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate above 35 MPH, there was an abnormal burning odor inside the vehicle and the EPC warning light had illuminated briefly then the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over onto the side of the road however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and the contact reached out to a local mechanic to diagnose the vehicle. The contact was informed that the fuel pump module, and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted, and the vehicle failed to restart. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 77,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and veering to the left, the vehicle stalled. The battery warning light was illuminated. A towing service performed a diagnostic test on the vehicle and informed the contact that the failure was not related to the battery and the alternator. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed. The dealer replaced the battery and serviced the cooling system; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,300.

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that fuel was leaking from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, East Dallas Volkswagen (12635 Lyndon B. Johnson Fwy., Garland, TX 75041); where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump was leaking fuel and that the gasket and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Related recalls (10)

NHTSA investigations