Problems · by component

2015 Volkswagen Passat steering problems

26 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2015 Volkswagen Passat cite steering, 11% of all 244 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
26
11% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“2015 Passat TDI sudden complete power loss while driving, including highway incidents. Vehicle stalls with no warning, creating immediate safety hazard. Symptoms match documented crankshaft position sensor failures in identical vehicles that VW has repaired under warranty for other owners. VW Customer Care closed case requiring 'duplication' of safety defect before repair. Request immediate safety investigation. I am reporting today's incident however this issue has been occuring since May 1st and occurred on numerous occasions with today being the most unsafe.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2025Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 11671727
“This is the second car like this that I have had. Both had the same issues. when at highway speeds of 65 or greater the steering wheel will shake left and right. It is almost like there is a wheel that is not balanced. That is not the case, I have had the car in the shop 3 times now for this same issue. The last car I had(2015 VW Passat TDI) my son totaled it out in January. It also had the same issues but the dealer ship in Fort Wayne Indiana got it fixed and never really told me what was wrong with it other than they had to call the manufacturer to resolve the issue. The new car has been to the shop and I recorded what it was doing while driving for the technician to see and he put it back up on his lift the day after I got it back from them. he was able to replicate what it was doing for me on the road in the air and on his lift without the car moving. The steering wheel will shake from left to right and as speed picks up it becomes faster and more violent. I was told that I needed a new "Rack and Pinion". The dealership explained to me that the main steering gear is bad and since it is electronic the computer doesn't know where zero should be, thus causing…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 27, 2024SteeringODI 11616771
“I was driving the car as usual. I needed to make a u turn at a light where it was safe and legal to do so. I heard a clicking sound and I don’t know what happened. I can’t use anything on the steering wheel.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2024Steering, Air bagsODI 11613507
“I take my car to the dealership for maintenance when it is scheduled. The ignition would not allow me to put the key inside. I did a little internet research and it seems to be a common problem with this car. I could not put the key in the ignition. I then used some wd40 and got it to go in eventually but thought I should report it as this could pose a safety hazard.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2023Steering, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11544526
“Failed part: Clock spring. Yes, the work was appropriately installed. This is my fourth replacement within less than 100k miles. No additional inspections as of yet. No warning lights, just a faint click coming from the steering wheels while making turns two days prior to hearing a snapping noise. My air bag light illuminated and my dash notified me of an air bag error. Lost all connection to steering wheel controls and horn. This is the same thing that has happened every time prior. The car is inoperable, once again, due to clock spring failure. I cannot drive my vehicle as I am concerned about not having safety features of an air bag and a horn. This has been an ongoing issue with VW. I have been the only owner of this vehicle for almost nine years.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 28, 2023Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11535105
“The Clock Spring issue that was recalled on 2012-2014 Passat's occurred on my vehicle which was manufactured July 2014 as a 2015. The car only has 60k miles on it. Clicking while turning the wheel, no steering wheel controls work and air bag light is on meaning it will not deploy and my vehicle will not pass inspection. I have spent days calling the dealer and left messages but they are not returning my calls. From the my research it appears that my vehicle is not covered by the current recall so in addition the safety concern I will pay a large sum to fix this issue and have no idea how long it will last. I've read where some of the clock springs fail at 30k.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 17, 2023SteeringODI 11502249

Showing 6 of 26 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.