2017 Volkswagen Passat airbags problems

Related recalls

• Recall 24V834000Oct 30, 2024248,330 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal 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: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.

What owners say

1. Filed May 20, 2025MIAirbagsOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

   While backing into a parking spot there was a crunching sound in the steering column. Following this noise the air bag light came on and all steering wheel control buttons nonfunctional including the horn. I reached out to a Volkswagen dealer as I had seen recalls for the clockspring, I was told my vehicle was not included in the recall. This is a 2017 Passat and had approximately 130,000 miles when this occurred. The closest dealer is over 2 hours away, and the service…

   NHTSA complaint #11662117 · source
2. Filed Apr 18, 2025WAAirbagsElectrical SystemSteering

   Today, as my wife was driving home, she heard a "crunch" noise while making a turn. Afterwards, the Airbag light came on, and her steering wheel botton functions are not working, including her car horn. This all relates to the clockspring. This will be the third time we have had the clockspring replaced. This is extremely inconvenient, as the dealership is an hour away. The original clockspring didn't break until October 2023. The second broke and replaced in August of 2024.…

   NHTSA complaint #11655558 · source
3. Filed Jul 25, 2024MIAirbagsOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Clock spring on vehicle has failed. This is a known issue with many VW vehicles, but I have been told my vehicle is not on the extended warranty program. 2017 VW Passat - approximately 150,000 miles. This eliminates all steering wheel controls, horn, cruise control, and air bags.

   NHTSA complaint #11604563 · source
4. Filed Apr 21, 2024NMAirbagsElectrical SystemSteering

   Our 2017 VW Passat had the clockspring replaced last year under warranty number [XXX] at Barnes Crossing Volkswagen in Tupelo, MS. The airbag stopped working and safety features such as adaptive cruise control were also not available. Not realizing the airbag would NOT deploy in the event of an accident, Volkswagen asked us to drive an hour to have it repaired which was considerably dangerous. As of today the clockspring they replaced once again failed with the same…

   NHTSA complaint #11584287 · source
5. Filed Feb 25, 2024FLAirbagsElectrical SystemSteering

   Clock spring has failed 5 times within a year. The first clock spring replacement failed two weeks after the repair. I the. took it to a different dealership to be repaired. The second clock spring broke about 6 months later. The third clock spring broke two weeks after the repair. The fourth clock spring broke two months later and I am about to have it repaired within the next week. Due to the faulty clock spring, the driver side air bag will not deploy in the event of an…

   NHTSA complaint #11573880 · source
6. Filed May 23, 2023PAAirbagsDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   My clock spring has broken. It is giving major safety concerns because my front airbag will not work. The horn does not work, limiting my communication with other drivers in case of impending accidents. None of the buttons work on my steering column as well.

   NHTSA complaint #11523418 · source
7. Filed Mar 18, 2023FLAirbagsBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The following warning lights will randomly turn on & off while driving: Air Bag Malfunction, ABS Brakes, ESC, Adaptive Cruise Control, Front collision, tire pressure, power steering, blind spot detection, low Key Battery detected, and indicate they are not functional. It is a random and items will go back to work while normally driving. Key fob battery has been replaced multiple times...

   NHTSA complaint #11512585 · source
8. Filed Mar 11, 2023NYAirbagsDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Error shown on dashboard, at this time no incident to report. Drivers airbag disabled , ACC disabled, steering wheel functionality disabled.

   NHTSA complaint #11511326 · source
9. Filed Jan 19, 2023ALAirbags

   On 1/17/23 I was parking in a parking dot by backing in as I was in reverse I had to turn my steering wheel slightly and noticed that I heard a sound like crunching leaves as I drove in the spot. I proceeded to pull forward and reverse again to make sure I was not hearing wrong. As I left work and turned out the parking lot I heard it again but I noticed that my air bag light popped on and it was saying my front assist was not working and saying air bag error. So by the time…

   NHTSA complaint #11502540 · source
10. Filed Oct 3, 2022DEAirbags

    Volkswagen has had a history of failed clock springs in which they have not resolved. 2017 Passat with the following items not working due to failed clock spring. Airbag, Horn, cruise control, and all steering wheel controls which impacts vehicle safety.

    NHTSA complaint #11487644 · source
11. Filed Sep 27, 2022CAAirbagsElectrical SystemSteering

    The Air Bag light, temperature warning, radio and information panel going wacky. The Clockspring is making clicking noises in the steering wheel.

    NHTSA complaint #11486761 · source
12. Filed May 4, 2022IACrashTowedAirbags

    Hit a deer head on while travelling at about 40 mph on a rural highway. Airbags did NOT deploy, despite front end damage.

    NHTSA complaint #11463414 · 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