2011 VOLKSWAGEN Passat Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

ENGINE

4 complaints

VEHICLE HAS NO COMPRESSION. VILKSWAGOM DEALERSHIP STATED THAT TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED WILL COST $10000 TO FIX

Mar 22, 2021

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 INTAKE MANIFOLD. VYLETEL VOLKSWAGEN BUICK GMC: 40555 VAN DYKE AVE, STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48313 (586) 977-2800, WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Feb 21, 2020

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 COMPLETELY UNABLE TO REPAIR. I'VE LOOKED ONLINE AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. IF WE KNOW VOLKSWAGON KNEW ABOUT THESE ISSUES WHY IS THERE NO RECALL TO SERVICE THE EFFECTED (NOW 3 TIMES AND PERMANENT) A VEHICLES SAFETY OF OPERATION ON TEXAS STATE ROADS AND HIGHWAYS YET DONT GET REIMBURSED DUE TO 3 DAYS..... WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON TOLLWAY ACCESS ROAD AND MOTOR LOCKED UP. NO NOISE NO INDICATION. NO WARNING.

Dec 08, 2018

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHILCE IN MOTION AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT TURNED OFF. IT DIDNT WANT TO TURN BACK ON NO MORE.

Apr 10, 2018

AIR BAGS

3 complaints

DAUGHTER WAS KILLED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION IN HER 2011 VOLKSWAGEN CC WHEN HER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A DEALER ON OCTOBER 30TH, 2018, 5 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CRASH. SHE WAS TRAVELING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT ON A COUNTY 2 LANE ROAD WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT HER HEAD ON. THE ATTACHED PHOTOGRAPH IS HER CAR AFTER THE CRASH. AS YOU CAN SEE, THE AIRBAG 100% SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IN THAT CRASH.

Dec 11, 2020

Crash: 1

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS NOTIFIED IN APRIL, BUT IT IS NOW AUGUST AND THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. I DON'T THINK THIS IS ACCEPTABLE.

Aug 25, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

Apr 12, 2016

Crash: 1

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

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 the repair, my car suddenly shut off around 4 a.m. while I was in New York City, leaving me completely stranded in the middle of the street with no assistance and no warning lights beforehand. I was panicking, stuck alone in the dark, unable to restart the car until it was jumped. The next night, it happened again under the same conditions. The vehicle stalls randomly when stopped, creating a serious safety risk for both myself and others on the road. When I returned to the dealer, they refused to fix it under the recall and forced me to pay $220 under protest. Their own technician report shows they checked the fuel pump control module (the recalled component) but still claimed it was “operating as designed.” My independent mechanic confirmed the same fault code P0087, which clearly points to low fuel pressure and a failure of the recall component. This situation has caused significant distress, fear of driving, and ongoing safety concerns.

Nov 05, 2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

WATER PUMP DEFECT CAUSES TIMING CHAIN MALFUNCTIONING AS VEHICLE MAY STALL WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE MAY OVERHEAT AS WATER FAILURE CAUSES ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK AND CAUSE OVERHEATING TO FIRE HAZARD.

Oct 15, 2020

SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

VEHICLE MISSING ENGINE CRADLE AFTER BEING REPAIRED AT A CERTIFIED DEALER. VEHICLE MISSING SUBFRAME SCREW AFTER BEING REPAIRED AT CERTIFIED VOLKSWAGEN DESLERSHIP(STONE MOUNTAIN VW AND MARIETTA VW) BOTH LOCATIONS IN GEORGIA. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH DEFECT WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE SETTLEMENTS. DEALERSHIP IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA: O'STEEN VW, WAS CAUGHT SHREDDING RECORDS. COMPANY REFUSED TO PROVIDE VEHICLE VIN HISTORY. VEHICLE IS LOCATED AT O'STEEN VW, WITHOUT REPAIR. CAR HAS BEEN SITTING OVER 30 DAYS AND I HAVE BEEN STRANDED. PLEASE I

Mar 06, 2020

Crash: 1

Fire: 1

Injuries: 1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

I AM NOT ABLE TO OPEN MY TRUNK VIA FOB, SWITCH ON THE DOOR NOR REMOTE. I HAVE READ THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE AFTER REAR LIGHT FAILURES. MY REAR LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, AND TURNING LIGHTS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST FEW YEARS. I WENT INTO THE GROCERY STORE AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE TRUNK IT WOULDN'T OPEN. I HAVE REPEATEDLY TRIED AGAIN TO NO AVAIL.

Jan 23, 2020

STEERING

1 complaint

WHILE PARKED, UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A MESSAGE ON THE CONSOLE SHOWS THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE: STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE!.

Dec 02, 2019

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

MY SENSOR LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AS WELL AS OTHER LIGHTS. THIS CAR ALSO HAS TROUBLE WITH THE ABS BRAKE CONTROL. FOR IT TO BE AN 2011, I HAVE HAD MORE TROUBLE WITH IT AND ON TOP OF THAT, I'M STILL TRYING TO PAY IT OFF. I'M AM GOING TO UPLOAD WHAT THE MECHANIC STATES NEED TO BE REPAIRED. SOME OF THIS HAS TO BE A RECALL CALL ON FOR SAFETY REASONS

May 08, 2017

STEERING,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE REVERSING IN A PARKING AREA, A CRACKING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING LOST POWER AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ISSUE WAS RELATED TO A CLOCK SPRING RECALL. THE DEALER RESOLVED THE RECALL ISSUE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX MONTHS LATER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT DUE TO THE PREVIOUS RECALL REPAIR, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AGAIN PER THE RECALL AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND RECALL DETAILS WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

Feb 23, 2017

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,WHEELS,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

AN EMAIL I SENT TO DARCARS/ SILVER SPRING: IN JUNE OF 2016, I NOTICED MY CAR "PUTTERING" AND ALMOST STALLING OUT. A FEW DAYS LATER, MY ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I IMMEDIATELY CHECK THE OIL LEVEL, WHICH WERE GOOD. I THEN BELIEVE THERE TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE MUFFLER, OR MANIFOLD. IN JUNE OF 2016, I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO DARCARS DUE TO THE ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON. WITHIN A COUPLE HOURS, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH A VALVE (UNCLEAR INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE RECEPTIONIST) UNDER THE HOOD. THE ACTION PROVIDED WAS UNDER WARRANTY, SO I HAD TO PAY NOTHING. I GOT MY CAR BACK THE SAME DAY...ENGINE LIGHT OFF, AND I DROVE HOME A FEW DAYS/WEEKS LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I RETURNED TO DARCARS, AND TOLD THEM THE LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN. THIS WAS AROUND AUGUST 2016. THE RECEPTIONIST, TOOK THE CAR IN, AND PROVIDED A LONER CAR. A FEW HOURS LATER, I WAS TOLD THE ACTION REQUIRED WAS UNDER WARRANTY, AND THEY WERE FIXING IT. AGAIN, THE RECEPTIONIST MENTIONED A "VALVE" REPLACEMENT. (VERY UNCLEAR COMMUNICATION) I DROVE THE CAR A FEW MORE DAYS, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON...I BROUGHT IT IN...I'M TOLD THE EXACT SAME INFO AS BEFORE. EXCEPT FOR NOW, I'M TOLD DARCARS HAS TO "SEND-OFF FOR A PART" . I'M PROVIDED A LONER, AND IN A FEW DAYS, I GET MY CAR BACK. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS OFF. THIS IS IN SEPTEMBER OF 2016 SAME STORY... ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON(OCTOBER 2016), AGAIN, THE ENGINE LIGHT RETURNS, ALONG WITH THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT. I BRING IT IN ON A WEDNESDAY (BEFORE THANKSGIVING). I INFORM THEM OF THE ISSUE. THE RECEPTIONIST ASKS ME CAN I LEAVE IT. I INFORM HIM I'M GOING TO SOUTH CAROLINA FOR THE HOLIDAY AND WOULD RETURN THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING. I ALSO HAD SOME ERRANDS TO RUN THAT DAY (WEDNESDAY), COULD I HAVE A LONER. HE TOLD ME "NO", "YOU'LL BE FINE IF THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. JUST AS LONG AS IT'S NOT BLINKING". *TR

Nov 30, 2016

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

THE RCD-510 PREMIUM 8 RADIO WITH BLUETOOTH CELL PHONE CONNECTIVITY COMPLETELY FAILED IN MY 2011 JETTA SPORTWAGON TDI MANUFACTURES IN 2010 AT ABOUT 3 1/2 YEARS AND 77K MILES. RADIO WAS FINE ONE DAY AND BLACK SCREEN WITH NO FUNCTION AT ALL THE NEXT INCLUDING THE BLUETOOTH AND HANDS FREE CALLING CAPABILITIES WHICH ARE BUILT INTO THE RADIO. THIS FAILIURE RESULTS IN ANY USE OF A PHONE WHILE DRIVING REQUIRING THE USE OF HANDS, WHICH IS DANGEROUS AS WELL AS ILLEGAL IN MANY STATES THROUGHOUT THE US. OTHERWISE, PULLING OFF OF THE ROAD TO PLACE/RECEIVE PHONE CALLS PUTS THE DRIVER AT INCREASED RISK OF BEING STRUCK. RADIO SCREEN APPEARANCE IS AS IF NO POWER TO RADIO. HAD VW DEALER SERVICE CHECK FUSES AND ALL CONNECTIONS TO RADIO AND FOUND NO POWER PROBLEMS. DEALER SERVICE REPORTED TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA CUSTOMER CARE THAT THE RADIO WENT DEAD AND IS NOT DUE TO ANY OPERATOR ACTIONS. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA CUSTOMER CARE RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF RADIO WITH A $600 REFURISHED UNIT W/1YEAR WARRANTY PLUS THE TRADE IN OF FAILED RADIO TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. VW REPRESENTATIVE COULD NOT ANSWER WHAT PARTS ARE REPLACED ON THE REFURBISHED UNIT AND WAS UNWILLING TO FIND OUT AND PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION. *TR

Oct 10, 2014

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4.5/5.0

72 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2011 VOLKSWAGEN Passat have?

The 2011 VOLKSWAGEN Passat currently has 16 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2011 VOLKSWAGEN Passat?

The most common problems reported for the 2011 VOLKSWAGEN Passat are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2011 VOLKSWAGEN Passat problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2011 VOLKSWAGEN Passat comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.