Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 15% | — |
| 2019 | 2 | 17% | 2,000 miles |
| 2018 | 3 | 7% | 74,000 miles |
| 2017 | 5 | 5% | 22,000 miles |
| 2016 | 5 | 5% | 46,000 miles |
| 2015 | 12 | 5% | 36,000 miles |
| 2014 | 37 | 6% | 67,000 miles |
| 2013 | 33 | 4% | 25,000 miles |
| 2012 | 15 | 3% | 15,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2010 | 34 | 20% | 62,000 miles |
| 2009 | 10 | 7% | 74,000 miles |
| 2008 | 12 | 7% | 87,000 miles |
| 2007 | 13 | 5% | 75,000 miles |
| 2006 | 47 | 8% | 62,000 miles |
| 2005 | 13 | 9% | 57,000 miles |
| 2004 | 38 | 13% | 34,000 miles |
| 2003 | 35 | 6% | 54,000 miles |
| 2002 | 25 | 4% | 65,000 miles |
| 2001 | 34 | 8% | 36,000 miles |
| 2000 | 19 | 4% | 50,000 miles |
| 1999 | 29 | 4% | 60,000 miles |
| 1998 | 16 | 5% | — |
| 1996 | 2 | 5% | 60,000 miles |
| 1995 | 10 | 11% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The catalytic converter on my 2018 Volkswagen Passat failed and the vehicle has been at an authorized Volkswagen dealership since May 16, 2025. The dealership confirmed that the catalytic converter is defective and must be replaced, but the part has been on national backorder with no estimated delivery date for several months. The vehicle cannot be safely driven in its current condition and has been unavailable for all normal use. The issue has been confirmed by the dealership and the vehicle is available for inspection. There were warning lights related to emissions prior to the failure. Volkswagen has not been able to provide a timeline for repair, which has created an ongoing safety and reliability concern.
The 2018 vw Passat se is only 3 years old and the transmission went out. The mileage was just a little over 98,000. The car has been kept up with as far as oil change, routine maintenance, and extras, such as tires and brakes. We have been given no reason to why the transmission would have went out like it did. But we are stuck making payments on it and the cost of repair from the dealership itself is $4,500
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH, the transmission was shifting hard, and the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound while shifting between 1st and 2nd gear. The contact drove to the residence and parked the vehicle. The contact then shifted into reverse (R) and the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound. The contact stated that the failure recurred while shifting into drive (D). The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,074.
On 6 separate occasions while operating my vehicle it randomly stops running. The first two were at 40 mph and I was told it was a battery issue. It happened twice less than 4 days after the battery was replaced, once at 25 mph and once at 15 mph. I then had the fuel pump replaced. Less than 4 days later it happened twice again. Once at 10 mph and another time at 45 mph.
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was unofficially diagnosed; however, the mechanic noticed that the engine was misfiring. The mechanic performed a tune-up on the vehicle, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact researched the failure and identified five unknown recall repairs with the same description of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the recall repairs had been previously completed on the vehicle. …
Car has low oil pressure come up. After new oil change around 2,000 mile the oil has disappeared/burned away. I had falcone check 3 different times. They see no leaks or issue. Due to this my engine Knocks
Upon further inspection a bushing was needed to be replaced. The bushing that holds the shift connection component together disconnected and popped off the shifting mechanism. The problem was reproduced several times. My safety was at risk, I was pulling into a parking space, put my vehicle in park, my car did not display a 'P' the option was empty (no R or D either was displayed). My car jumped forward and started to go and I was able to hold the brake and pull the emergency brake. I shut the car off after the shifter was stuck into the 'Drive' position. Manually putting the vehicle in park was able to fix the issue. No warning lights or issues prior occurred, the vehicle stuck in drive and it would have caused a crash if I were reversing or elsewhere. The issue happened again after the replacement part, the bushing popped off and the same behavior happened.
While driving on the highway my car suddenly began to stall. It lost power later after that & when I got an oil change then tried to drive it later I was stopped by another driver told something is leaking. While driving to a Autozone I noticed the gears jump while shifting from 1 to 2 and I now can't past 20 mph. I've already gotten the camshaft replaced and while researching I learned my cars make and model is being recalled for everything my car is going through. The vin says it's not eligible for any recalls. Its maintenance is unkept.
Related recalls (2)
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG). The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft heat shield, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles equipped with a 1.8T engine and torque converter automatic transmission. In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between the oil cooler and the transmission may leak fluid.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the O-ring seals in the transmission oil cooler, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on April 16, 2014.
NHTSA investigations
Transmission fluid hose chafe
On May 4, 2009, the office of defects investigations (odi) opened preliminary evaluation pe09-022 to investigate an owner complaint (odi no. 10260517) alleging contact between the atf cooling line and the radiator fan blades.the complaint indicated that the contact resulted in rapid atf fluid loss which rendered the vehicle undriveable.the incident occurred within the first 50 miles of service.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volkswagen Passat years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (47), 2004 (38), 2014 (37), 2003 (35) and 2001 (34) model years. Transmission complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Volkswagen Passat transmission problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 17V-309 (driveshaft, May 11, 2017); 14V-182 (cooling unit and lines, Apr 15, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volkswagen Passat transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (120 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (21).
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.