Seat complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 8% | 17,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2013 | 3 | 0% | 40,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% | 29,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% | 84,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% | 90,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% | 40,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% | 100,000 miles |
| 2005 | 8 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 2004 | 15 | 5% | 102,000 miles |
| 2003 | 18 | 3% | 85,000 miles |
| 2002 | 5 | 1% | 91,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% | 46,000 miles |
| 2000 | 3 | 1% | 44,000 miles |
| 1999 | 9 | 1% | 60,000 miles |
| 1998 | 8 | 2% | 91,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I have 51,000 miles on my car and the air conditioner unit went out. The car is too young to have the A/C replaced at this juncture...faulty parts. The A/C unit is listed in a class action lawsuit, along the windshield wiper system and the bearings. The A/C problem was mentioned to the vw mcdaniels service advisor twice when I was in on a service call, but said was not recorded on my portal of the vehicle. The driver seat has split and on the side it is warned. This is not good.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the driver's seat upholstery began falling apart. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The contact was informed that it was not a manufacturing failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000.
While driving on the highway, made a short stop and both sections of the back seat unlocked and came down/forward. Luckily nobody was sitting in them. There was nothing in the trunk that would have set off the unlocking bars.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the front driver's seat and the driver side mirror moved independently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a dealer. The dealer replaced the front driver side mirror. The failure persisted after the repair was performed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
2008 vw Passat wagon. This car while parked, running and occupied, in a garage had a fire whose point of origin was the area of the driver's seat. The fire investigation determined the cause to be accidental mechanical. The fire caused significant damage to a single family home, damage estimated at about $200,000 also one occupant of the home had to be transported by ems for smoke inhalation. The driver of the car stated she to leave. She placed the 5 year old in the child seat of the Volkswagen and opened the garage door. She started the car and smelt smoke. Immediately shut the car off and called the husband. The husband said that it was probably the seat heater, had her turn off the seat heater and restart the car. She restarted the car smelt and observed smoke again, turned off the car, got out and saw flame underneath the driver's seat. …
Takata recall I went in to get the repair a week later an airbag fault came on and still on. Then twice while I was driveing on highway car cuts off completely then I have to pull over with it just rolling. The steering sometimes comes on and says defective then the sun roof open closes by itself. Alot of electrical problems always have to get something fix just pray that I dont get into an accident. The heated seats dont work nomore for some reason on day they was good now no and its not the fuse.
There is a manufacturer's defect in material for the leather seats and headrest. Volkswagen is not willing to honor the warranty for the limited new vehicle. I wanted to a independent auto interior specialist, who said it needs to be replaced. Yet, Volkswagen said it's normal and said the other vehicles are the same. However, when asked to see the other vehicles there was none available.
I own a 2005 Volkswagen Passat gls. The factory installed seat heater malfunctioned the other day producing smoke, burning my buttock (and finger when I reached down) and burning two pea sized holes on the driver's seat. The local vw dealer was aware of the issue. I also called the district vw office at [phone] and notified them of the problem. Apparently vw is covering the cost of repair on some but not all vws. I was told the 2005 Passat is not covered under any kind of extended warranty. However, the district office is investigating the issue and promised to get back to me by day's end tomorrow. To me this is a safety issue. Other then minor burns to my buttocks and fingers, I was able to safely pull over and turn off the seat heater. The heat and smoke went right away. …
Related recalls (1)
Seats
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Jetta and Passat vehicles manufactured September 23, 2014, to October 9, 2014, and equipped with manual front seatback recliners.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the assembly of the seatback recliner retaining bracket, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volkswagen Passat years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (18), 2004 (15), 1999 (9), 1998 (8) and 2005 (8) model years. Seat complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Volkswagen Passat seat problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 14V-670 (seats, Oct 24, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volkswagen Passat seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 27% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › recliner (5 mentions), followed by the front assembly › power adjust (5).
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.