2015 Volkswagen Passat engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 15V705000Oct 26, 201591,867 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.

  Risk: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.

What owners say

1. Filed Feb 5, 2026DCEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle sputtered intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that fuel was leaking into the engine compartment, causing engine failure. The contact stated that the dealer had repaired the vehicle and possibly cleaned the engine. The dealer had informed the contact that the engine would last 4-6 months before complete…

   NHTSA complaint #11715795 · source
2. Filed Oct 14, 2025INEngine

   My vehicle is a MY2015 Passat TDI SEL with the EA288 (CVCA) diesel engine. Water Pump Failure Occurred at 99488 miles. Leaking coolant from underneath the engine and the expansion tank bottle became empty. Vehicle was parked after a quick 8 min drive to work from home in the morning (~8:45AM) and when I came back at 12PM around 1 quart of coolant had leaked out. Luckily I was not on the freeway or driving the vehicle where it would ride on its torque curve increasing…

   NHTSA complaint #11693419 · source
3. Filed Aug 24, 2025FLEngine

   Subject: Request for VIN Review and Recall Inclusion – Camshaft/Vacuum Pump Failure (Recall 23R1) Dear Volkswagen Customer Care / NHTSA Representative, I am writing to formally request a manual review of my vehicle’s VIN in relation to Recall 23R1, which addresses camshaft lobe interference with the brake vacuum pump in certain 2015 Volkswagen Passat models. My vehicle, a 2015 Passat, recently experienced a failure of the brake vacuum pump, which required replacement. Upon…

   NHTSA complaint #11682736 · source
4. Filed Aug 24, 2025FLEngine

   Subject: Request for VIN Review and Recall Inclusion – Camshaft/Vacuum Pump Failure (Recall 23R1) Dear Volkswagen Customer Care / NHTSA Representative, I am writing to formally request a manual review of my vehicle’s VIN in relation to Recall 23R1, which addresses camshaft lobe interference with the brake vacuum pump in certain 2015 Volkswagen Passat models. My vehicle, a 2015 Passat, recently experienced a failure of the **brake vacuum pump**, which required replacement.…

   NHTSA complaint #11682734 · source
5. Filed Jul 7, 2025PAElectrical SystemEngineSteering

   2015 Passat TDI sudden complete power loss while driving, including highway incidents. Vehicle stalls with no warning, creating immediate safety hazard. Symptoms match documented crankshaft position sensor failures in identical vehicles that VW has repaired under warranty for other owners. VW Customer Care closed case requiring 'duplication' of safety defect before repair. Request immediate safety investigation. I am reporting today's incident however this issue has been…

   NHTSA complaint #11671727 · source
6. Filed Aug 25, 2024GAElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Gas and Oil comsumption is way too high … Almost every 600-1000 the low oil lights turns on! Check engine on almost all the time due to an error with the oxígen sensor. EPC light gets on very frequently and the car loses speed. Also vehicle has a constant rattlesnake sound when speed is low. Issue was reported some years ago to a local VW dealership in Georgia but they never took care of the issue. Ongoing for a couple of years!. No additional details

   NHTSA complaint #11610716 · source
7. Filed Mar 20, 202470,300 miNJEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11578405 · source
8. Filed Sep 18, 2023CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   After having the government approved and MANDATED Phase 1 and 2 Dieselgate fixes performed on my VW Passat TDI it has randomly lost power and or stalled while at highway speeds at least 6 times. The last time my 16 year old son was left stranded in the middle of a busy four lane highway narrowly avoiding being hit and seriously injured and/or killed. Apparently there are thousands of these cases (a class action lawsuit filed in 2018) on the road. Why haven't I been notified?…

   NHTSA complaint #11545217 · source
9. 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
10. Filed May 24, 2023NHEngine

    I have no heat on the passenger side of the vehicle from any of the vents. The windshield would ice up due to this. The drivers side works fine. This car does not have Climatronic. It has manual controls. I have been told the heater core is clogging by my mechanic. This is a 2015. VW extended the warranty for 2012-14 Passat TDI's with the CKRA engine however this is a 2015 with the CVCA TDI engine. Is there any extended coverage for this generation engine? I don't want this…

    NHTSA complaint #11523682 · source
11. Filed Feb 20, 2023VAEngine

    Engine cylinder number one piston broke while driving. Vehicle has only 91,000 miles on it and now entire engine needs replacing. Ironically, it was taken to a VW dealership only a few weeks ago for normal servicing, and no problems detected.

    NHTSA complaint #11508188 · source
12. Filed Feb 1, 2023113,000 miKSEngine

    The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the defroster failed and became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the heater core needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. There was a previous coolant flush and timing belt replacement at approximately 80,000. The manufacturer was contacted…

    NHTSA complaint #11504919 · 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