2016 Volkswagen Passat Engine Problems
10 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Engine Recalls (1)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
Fix: 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.
Owner Complaints (10)
Your car has a gasoline leak coming from the fuel system into the cabin, likely from a fuel rail that's detaching from the engine. You may notice a strong gasoline smell inside the car that's gotten worse over time, and a mechanic confirmed fuel is actively leaking into the interior near the rear seat. This creates a serious fire hazard and the fumes can cause health problems. The repair will require inspecting and resealing or replacing the fuel rail and fuel lines to stop the leak.
Parts you may need:
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Your 2016 Passat is vibrating abnormally while parked and jerking while driving, with the shaking getting worse above 70 mph. You have an oil leak on top of the engine and the EPC warning light is on. A dealer diagnosed that your breather valve, oil separator, timing covers, coil pack connectors, and engine air filters all need replacement, along with other fluid and brake service. Fixing this will likely involve replacing the faulty engine components, fluids, and filters to stop the vibration and oil leak.
Parts you may need:
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After your dealer performed a fuel induction service on your 2016 Passat, your check engine light came on. The dealer diagnosed that your catalytic converter had failed and needed replacement, but the part wasn't available, so the repair wasn't completed. The manufacturer was notified but didn't provide assistance. This happened at around 98,000 miles.
Parts you may need:
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The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while parked, the horn, cruise control, and the radio became inoperable. The message “air bag not available”, check clockspring, and check oil messages were displayed. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,986.
On November 11, 2022, the Byers VW in Columbus, OH, diagnosed my vehicle as having a defective crank case breather, which cases the oil to be burned off. It was replaced, and on March 20, 2023, I returned to the VW dealer with the same complaint. They told me that the vehicle had faulty internal parts, and suggested a engine replacement or rebuild, at a cost of $9,800. The vehicle was maintained, according to the recommended service intervals, ever 10,000 miles, at Byers Imports. A well maintained vehicle with 67,000, should not require an engine replacement. At this time, the vehicle is worthless and the dealer or VW Customer Care has offered no assistance toward a replacement engine or vehicle.
The car burns an excessive amount of oil and the problem seems to be the same as those that VW settled a class action for on it’s early year model of the same car. Basically I burn a quart of oil every 500 miles and the engine isn’t leaking any oil.
OUR 2016 VW PASSATT BOUGHT NEW FROM VW DEALER, WHILE DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN FEELS LIKE IT LOCKS UP TOTALLY DOWNSHIFT TO ALMOST NEUTRAL , LUCKILY HAS DONE IT MORE THAT 10 TIMES BUT AT SPEEDS OF ONLY UP TO 40 MPH.FEELS LIKE SOMETHING UNDERNEATH TOTALLY LOCKS UP, EITHER TRANSMISSION OR BRAKES, ENGINE DOES NOT SHUT OFF BUT STOPS YOU ALMOST TO COMPLETE STOP, AND THEN RELEASES WITHOUT ENGINE SHUTTING OFF . BROUGHT A FEW TIMES TO DEALER BUT SAYS COULD NOT REPLICATE. UNIT HAS APPROX 55,000 MILES NOW BUT HAS BEEN DOING SINCE UNDER 10,000.
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON MY CAR SHAKES PUT WHEN DROVE THREE DIFFERENT SHOPS SAID THE ENGINE WENT BAD ONLY AFTER 2 1/2 YEARS OF HAVING THIS VEHICLE WHICH BY THE WAY IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION IM NOT RICH TRYING GO STAY A FLOAT AND HAVE BEEN QUOTED $6,000-7,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE WHICH BY THE WAY I DON'T HAVE ON TOP OF PAY A CAR NOTE ON A VEHICLE I CANNOT DRIVE. ALL THE SHOP HAS SAID IT'S NOT WORTH GETTING THE ENGINE REPLACED THE VEHICLE GARBAGE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (AUDI BUFFALO, 5255 GENESEE ST, BOWMANSVILLE, NY 14026, (716) 683-3343), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AT A LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,763.
2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE IN TRAFFIC CAUSES VEHICLE TO PAUSE, FOLLOWED BY EXTREME SURGE OF POWER (THE TURBO PAUSE). *SMD