Volkswagen Passat Common Problems and Solutions
The Horn, Radio, and Cruise Control Stop Working
Problem:
You cannot get the horn to work, the radio to turn on, or the cruise control to operate.
Solution:
Being one of the most common problems for the Passat, this is caused by a broken clock spring. This means a complete loss of communication between your steering wheel panel and your car's computers. It will also affect the airbags, which won't deploy in a collision. Buying a replacement clockspring from our store is straightforward, but replacing the faulty one is quite challenging. Access is very limited, so you'll need to be very patient. However, a mechanic will charge a lot for this job, so it might be worth trying it yourself. Alternatively, you could replace the entire steering column, which may be more expensive but is much easier to do.
Difficulty level
Clockspring
Engine Rattle and Trouble Starting
Problem:
When you start the car, you can hear a rattling noise coming from the engine. You might also have trouble starting the car at all.
Solution:
It's highly probable that your Passat has a loose timing chain, as these tend to wear out quite quickly—around every 20,000 miles. We always stock timing chains that you can order today and replace easily.
Difficulty level
Water ingress into passenger footwell
Problem:
If you notice water leaking into the passenger footwell, you are experiencing a common issue in these vehicles. The cause usually is that the pollen filter housing isn't re-seated correctly or the battery housing is blocked with leaves and debris, which prevents proper draining.
Solution:
Identify the cause of the issue and either fit the pollen filter housing correctly or clear debris from the battery housing. Watch the video below to see how to remove the battery and clear the housing:
Difficulty level
Electric problems
Problem:
These vehicles are recognised for having electrical issues. This is why Volkswagen released several software updates to help resolve such problems.
Solution:
As mentioned earlier, you will need to contact a dealer and provide them with your registration number to find out if your vehicle requires any software updates. This service should be free of charge.
Difficulty level
2nd gear problem
Problem:
If you are having trouble shifting into second gear on your manual gearbox, you are not alone - this is a common problem on the Passat. This issue is caused by the gearbox oil.
Solution:
Fortunately, this is an easy problem to fix. You just need to replace the gearbox oil to resolve the issue.
Difficulty level
Electric handbrake
Problem:
If you have noticed issues with the electric handbrake on your vehicle, it is likely caused by a fault with the electronic handbrake button.
Solution:
This button is known to develop an intermittent fault; it sometimes doesn't turn on or occasionally doesn't switch off. You will need to take it to a dealer to have it repaired.
Difficulty level
Clutch judder
Problem:
If, when you first pull away in your car, you feel a strong judder from the clutch, this indicates that the clutch needs replacing.
Solution:
You will need to replace the clutch to fix this issue. This may not be covered by the warranty, as VW has classified this problem as driver error. Search for your replacement Volkswagen Passat clutch on Breakeryard.com.
Difficulty level
Electronic updates
Problem:
Older versions of the Passat may require electronic updates, as many changes have taken place since these later models were released.
Solution:
If you contact a dealer and provide them with your registration number, they will inform you if any updates are required for your car. They should do this free of charge.
Difficulty level
Digital Display Goes Dark
Problem:
The digital display on your dashboard is no longer lit or switches off randomly while driving.
Solution:
This is simply a case of your instrument cluster reaching the end of its lifespan. That means you'll need to find a replacement instrument cluster from our spare parts list and replace the faulty one.
Difficulty level
Burning Oil Smell
Problem:
You can smell burning oil and see oil puddles on the floor beneath your car.
Solution:
You most likely have a failing valve cover gasket and/or camshaft chain tensioner gasket. This is quite a common problem in older Passats, and the only fix is to order a new valve cover gasket and camshaft chain tensioner gasket from our online store and replace the worn ones.
Difficulty level
Engine Misfires
Problem:
The engine occasionally misfires, causing sputtering and jerking. You might also notice the car losing power while driving.
Solution:
This could be a damaged ignition coil, a worn ignition wire, or a dead spark plug. Carefully inspect each of these parts for any signs of damage or wear, and replace the necessary component. We always stock coils, ignition wires, and spark plugs for the Passat, and you can have yours delivered swiftly.
Difficulty level
Ignition Coil
Stalling and Lost Engine Power
Problem:
The Passat stalls frequently, takes a while to start, occasionally backfires, and suddenly loses power.
Solution:
In most cases, this will be caused by a lack of charge reaching the spark plugs. Check your connections and clean them if necessary. If the problem persists, you may have a faulty cam follower, which will need to be replaced from our Passat parts list.
Difficulty level
Child Lock Doesn't Stay On
Problem:
The child lock on the rear seats disengages unexpectedly.
Solution:
The issue here is a faulty locking mechanism. You'll need to remove the entire lock, find the correct replacement from our parts list, and install the new locks into the door.
Difficulty level
Water in Cab
Problem:
There is water in the rear footwells and water damage on the front seats.
Solution:
This doesn't affect every Passat manufactured between November 2015 and May 2017, but there's a good chance that if you experience water damage or water build-up, your sunroof trim may not be sealed properly. Resealing a sunroof trim can be tricky while maintaining functionality, so be sure to order replacement seals from us and watch some online guides to ensure you know what you're doing.
Difficulty level
Low Torque While Driving
Problem:
When you drive at low engine speeds, you receive too little torque.
Solution:
Your ECU has outdated software. You need to take the car to a VW dealer to have the engine control unit software upgraded.
Difficulty level