Problems · by component
2009 Volkswagen Passat engine problems
61 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 Volkswagen Passat cite engine, 40% of all 152 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
61
40% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The check engine light and oil pressure light appeared on my dash screen as I was driving home from work. I pulled over to the nearest repair shop to have the vehicle diagnosed. Upon arriving, the mechanic noticed my oil was low and filled the car with oil. Once that was completed, the car would not start. I noticed it made unusual noises after several more failed attempts. I had the vehicle towed to an authorized dealership to further troubleshoot and they were able to confirm that the engine jumped time due to a failed timing chain tensioner, which requires a new engine since mine is an interference engine. Due to the timing chain tensioner failing, there was catastrophic damage done to the engine leaving the vehicle inoperable.”
“I GOT 09 4 MOTION CC 3.6. I HAD READ SPENT CLOSE TO 6G AND NOBODY CAN FIX THE ACCELERATION WHEN START. VERY FRUSTRATED CHANGE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS CHANGE OTHER THINGS I BAD. *TR”
“RECALL UPDATE: CURRENTLY, INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED-ENGINE LIGHT ON-COST $1400.00. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR FUEL PUMP WAS TOLD IT WAS REPLACED BUT WOULD NOT GIVE EVIDENCE THAT IT WAS. SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG NEVER REPLACED-WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP DID NOT NEED IT.”
“THE VEHICLE HAS ISSUES WITH THE FUEL PUMP , INTAKE & CYLINDERS . I WAS ABLE TO CHANGE THE FUEL PUMP BUT NOTICED ONLINE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THESE SAME ISSUES . WHEN TURNING THE CAR ON AND DRIVING IT TURNS OFF AND HARDENING THE STEERING WHEEL”
“TL* THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED THE STATE INSPECTION DUE TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SYSTEM REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. *BF *AS”
“MY VW PASSAT 2009 SUSTAINED ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FAILURE TIMING CHAIN/TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AND NOW NEEDS VERY EXPENSIVE ENGINE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE. CAR DROVE OKAY FOR 15 MINUTES IN THE MORNING THEN IT WAS THEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS. WHEN TRYING TO RE-START THE CAR, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. MECHANIC NOTED ABSENT COMPRESSION IN 2 CYLINDERS AND DIAGNOSED IT TO BE DUE TO TIMING CHAIN SLIPPING. THIS HAPPENED AT 80,000MILES AND LESS THAN 10 YEARS (9 YEARS 9 MONTHS) OF PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. VW'S EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERS REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF TIMING CHAIN BUT DOES NOT COVER REPAIR OF ENGINE DAMAGE RESULTED DUE TO TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AT VW DEALER REGULARLY AND THERE WAS NO WARNING OR INDICATION OF IMPENDING FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN. OTHER OWNERS OF VW VEHICLES HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED OF HAVING IDENTICAL PROBLEMS ON ONLINE COMMUNITY WITH SOME PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECTIVE DESIGN RATHER THAN WEAR AND TEAR DUE AGEING AND I FEEL THAT VW SHOULD RECALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEMS.”
Showing 6 of 61 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.