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#BS-2017-VOLPAS-25B42017 Volkswagen Passat
Based on reports from 173 owners and 7 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Think Twice
Based on 173 complaints, 13 crashes, 1 fires, and 7 recalls.
Top reported problems
front assist sensors faulty
5 complaints • Severity 9.2/10
turbo injection
1 complaints • Severity 10/10
suspension fell apart while ddriving
1 complaints • Severity 10/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
27 owners reported airbags issues — failures commonly reported around 24K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (39 reports) • Median: 24K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Airbags (27 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2017 Volkswagen Passat: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Airbags Issues
Airbags complaints account for 16% of all reports filed for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat, with 27 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 24,400 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 24K-mile mark.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat, with 17 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat, with 16 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to steering-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Brakes Issues
Brakes complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat, with 16 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to brakes-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (7 recalls)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Passat vehicles. Brake fluid may leak slowly from the some of the brake line connections, resulting in a low brake fluid level.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened sufficiently.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
+ 2 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Volkswagen Passat is the 2002 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2017 Volkswagen Passat vs. Class Average (Midsize Cars)
This vehicle
173
Class avg
165
Complaint volume is roughly in line with other midsize cars vehicles from 2017.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 173 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 7 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Volkswagen Passat Model Years
2017 Volkswagen Passat: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Volkswagen Passat?
Is the 2017 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
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Does the 2017 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?
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What’s in the full report?
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Get the Full 2017 Volkswagen Passat Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 173 owner reports. Know before you buy.