2011 Volkswagen PassatProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 16 owner complaints about the 2011 Volkswagen Passat, most often about the engine. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 5, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: OSX, Public domain.
Where the 2011 Volkswagen Passat has problems
16 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 1 | 0 |
| Power train | 1 | 0 |
| 1 other systems | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2011 Volkswagen Passat recalls and how many were fixed
No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.
2011 vs. every other Passat year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Passat median. How we score
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2011 Volkswagen Passat, and the recalls they led to.
- Clockspring failureNo recall
- Air Bag Clockspring FailureNo recall
What Passat owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
After recall 20AE (Fuel Pump Control Module) was completed at Performance Volkswagen in Lyndhurst, NJ, my vehicle began shutting off while idling and displayed code P0087 – Fuel Rail/System Pressure Too Low. This issue began immediately after the recall was done. On one of the first nights after…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START UP, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A CRACKED…
VOLKSWAGEN TIMING CHAIN HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES BY VOLKSWAGEN EACH TIME THE CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, IT WAS JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY LEADING TO LAW SUIT. AND THIS TIME, JUST OUTSIDE MANUFACTURING WARRANTY BY 2 DAYS, THE ROCKER ARMS IN MY VW 2.0 ENGINE FAILED ALSO LOCKING THE MOTOR UP…
Own a 2011 Passat?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.