2015 Volkswagen Passat airbags problems

Related recalls

• Recall 19V862000Dec 4, 2019226 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

  Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.

• Recall 19V014000Jan 11, 2019119,394 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015 Passat, 2015-2016 Eos, 2015-2017 CC, 2016-2017 TT Roadster, TT Coupe, 2017 Audi R8 Coupe, and R8 Spyder vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

  Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

  Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298; Audi owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69S8 (Audi) and 69Y5 (Volkswagen).

What owners say

1. Filed Jan 26, 2026NYCrashTowedAirbagsOther / Unknown

   The vehicle was rear-ended, lost control, traveled approximately 500 feet, and rolled multiple times. Side and curtain airbags deployed; however, the front airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was declared a total loss. The driver exited the vehicle without assistance. The vehicle is currently preserved at a tow lot.

   NHTSA complaint #11713332 · source
2. Filed Nov 16, 2025AZAirbagsElectrical System

   The airbag system/clockspring assembly in the steering column appears to have failed. The airbag warning light turned on and all steering-wheel controls stopped working at the same time, which indicates that the driver airbag may not function in a crash. The vehicle can be inspected upon request. This is a major safety risk because the primary airbag might not deploy during a collision, putting the driver at high risk of injury. The issue has remained constant since it first…

   NHTSA complaint #11699627 · source
3. Filed Dec 20, 2024CAAirbagsElectrical System

   Clock spring failure. 2015 passat steering wheel started clicking then it snapped my airbag light came on and steering wheel functions didn't work. The sa

   NHTSA complaint #11631786 · source
4. Filed Sep 9, 2024GAAirbagsSteering

   I was driving the car as usual. I needed to make a u turn at a light where it was safe and legal to do so. I heard a clicking sound and I don’t know what happened. I can’t use anything on the steering wheel.

   NHTSA complaint #11613507 · source
5. Filed Aug 16, 2024AZCrashTowedAirbagsOther / Unknown

   The vehicle was totaled but I continue to receive recall notices to the point of harassment. I have called the hotline number and notified them dozens of times. I signed the vehicle over to the insurance. It is scrapped. I don't know how else to make that more clear.

   NHTSA complaint #11608870 · source
6. Filed Dec 5, 2023FLAirbagsBrakesAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The three issues above seems to be related or affect the other and does not allow cruise control to operate. The air bag light remains on and associated component light up the dash. Surprisingly, my VIN does not show up for air bag repair. I wish I did not have to wait for possible recall announcement for my vehicle before I can get it repaired and instead to fix it now. Frustrating.

   NHTSA complaint #11558662 · source
7. Filed Sep 17, 2023FMAirbagsEngine

   While driving the EPC light came on and the car stopped driving. Vehicle was towed to local VW dealership, a FULL engine rebuild took place and a faulty intake valve spring was found, after replacing the injectors and seal kits. Then to replace the faulty electronic ignition switch. Over $3k in repairs for faulty parts. It was a safety risk because the vehicle stopped working in the middle of driving, in traffic with no other indication that something was wrong prior on a…

   NHTSA complaint #11545030 · source
8. Filed Aug 18, 2023SCAirbags

   I was driving my 2015vVolkswagen Passat and noticed that the airbag light came on without any prior warning. It's not showing for a recall but a couple years ago Volkswagen fixed something on the car pertaining to the airbag. The horn , none of the control buttons on the steering when work

   NHTSA complaint #11539406 · source
9. Filed Jul 28, 2023OHAirbagsElectrical SystemSteering

   Failed part: Clock spring. Yes, the work was appropriately installed. This is my fourth replacement within less than 100k miles. No additional inspections as of yet. No warning lights, just a faint click coming from the steering wheels while making turns two days prior to hearing a snapping noise. My air bag light illuminated and my dash notified me of an air bag error. Lost all connection to steering wheel controls and horn. This is the same thing that has happened every…

   NHTSA complaint #11535105 · source
10. Filed Nov 18, 2022SCAirbagsElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

    I purchased this car from what I believed was a private individual for my 15 year old daughter as her first car. This individual knew the purpose of this sale and was accutely aware that a new driver would be the primary driver. Before allowing her to drive this car, I had a detailed safety and condition inspection completed by a local import repair specialist. They found that there had been a deployment of the air bags resulting in the clock spring and front seat belt…

    NHTSA complaint #11494168 · source
11. Filed Nov 1, 2022FLCrash6 injuredTowedAirbags

    In a multi-vehicle rear end collision, the airbags in the vehicle did not deploy. My vehicle was totaled and I sustained medical injuries.

    NHTSA complaint #11491742 · source
12. Filed Oct 3, 2022FLAirbags

    Drivers airbag and horn do not work. According to VW it's due to a defective clock spring. The problem has existed since February 2022 and we still cannot get it fixed. According to VW the part is on back order. The car is available for inspection upon request. This creates a significant safety concern for the driver of the car as the air bag is one of the primary safety features. The problem has been confirmed by the O'Steen VW in Jacksonville, FL. The car does have a…

    NHTSA complaint #11487735 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology