Volkswagen Passat Fuel System, Gasoline Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 30, 2026 · 413 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 413 complaints with NHTSA about fuel system, gasoline problems on the Volkswagen Passat across 23 model years. The 2003 model year has the most (137). The words owners use most often: “fuel pump” (35% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Fuel pump: mentioned in 146 of 413 complaints (35%)
  • Gas tank: mentioned in 31 of 413 complaints (8%)
  • Gasoline delivery: mentioned in 24 of 413 complaints (6%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical fuel system, gasoline repair on the Volkswagen Passat at $1,500, and half of them between $870 and $2,950.

Based on 23 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2013), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do fuel system, gasoline problems happen?

Based on 309 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles14 · 5%
10k–25k miles11 · 4%
25k–50k miles60 · 19%
50k–75k miles87 · 28%
75k–100k miles61 · 20%
100k–150k miles55 · 18%
150k+ miles21 · 7%

How serious are the reports?

Of 413 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 13 a fire, 1 an injury.

Volkswagen Passat fuel system, gasoline complaints by model year

Peak: 2003, with 137 complaints
1995: 319951997: 11998: 1619981999: 242000: 3020002001: 282002: 5520022003: 1371372004: 2820042005: 102006: 2120062007: 122008: 1920082009: 72010: 820102011: 12012: 320122013: 12014: 220142015: 22016: 320162017: 12019: 12019

n = 413 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearFuel System, Gasoline complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2019 Passat18%40,000
2017 Passat11%41,751
2016 Passat33%89,000
2015 Passat21%120,000
2014 Passat20%67,000
2013 Passat10%1,200
2012 Passat31%7,235
2011 Passat16%75,000
2010 Passat85%88,749
2009 Passat75%107,154
2008 Passat1911%80,025
2007 Passat125%62,500
2006 Passat214%53,000
2005 Passat107%71,500
2004 Passat2810%88,500
2003 Passat13722%59,641
2002 Passat559%80,500
2001 Passat287%76,000
2000 Passat306%65,000
1999 Passat244%88,500
1998 Passat165%223,434
1997 Passat13%—
1995 Passat33%—

When owners reported it

Peak: 2006, with 47 complaints
1995: 119951997: 11998: 11999: 619992000: 102001: 92002: 920022003: 162004: 132005: 3120052006: 47472007: 422008: 472008472009: 272010: 252011: 2920112012: 92013: 152014: 2120142015: 42016: 52017: 320172018: 222019: 12020: 420202021: 12022: 12024: 420242025: 62026: 3

n = 413 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (8)

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpAug 16, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V509000 · 280,915 vehicles

Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.

Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.

Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel railJun 6, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V403000 · 55 vehicles

Model years: 2016

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles, equipped with 1.8T engines manufactured November 13, 2015, to December 9, 2015, and 2016 Golf vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to November 11, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.

Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 15F7.

Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel railJan 23, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V028000 · 44,658 vehicles

Model years: 2014, 2015

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.

Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall 14V-809 (Volkswagen recall number 24Bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that campaign.

Fuel system, gasoline:deliveryApr 7, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V156000 · 412,000 vehicles

Model years: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

Problem: Volkswagen is recalling 412,000 my 1999-2005 passat (5th generation) vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and produced after june 14, 1999. These vehicles may have an underbody heat shield that can become damaged. In addition, affected vehicles with automatic or manual transmissions may have a fuel line (1.8t engines only) or fuel tank ventilation valve (4motion/all wheel drive only) that can leak due to fracture.

Risk: A heat shield that may contact the exhaust system can result in a vehicle fire. In addition, a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire.

Fix: Dealers will install additional underbody heat shields on vehicles with automatic transmissions to cover the possibly damaged areas and flash all 1.8t engines with a precautionary software update. Dealers will also inspect and adjust the fuel line routing on 1.8t vehicles and the fuel tank ventilation valve on 4motion/all wheel drive vehicles, and replace components if necessary free of charge. The recall began on june 13, 2008. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpAug 28, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V375000 · 34,358 vehicles

Model years: 2003

Problem: On certain vehicles equipped with 1.8l turbo, 2.8l v6, or 3.0l engines, a change in the electrical motor components in the fuel pump can lead to an inoperative fuel pump and, ultimately, stoppage of fuel supply to the engine causing it to stall.

Risk: If fuel flow to the engine is interrupted, the vehicle could stall without warning and thus present a potential risk of crash.

Fix: Dealers will install new fuel pumps free of charge. The recall began on september 28, 20007. Owners may contact vw at 1-800-222-8987 or audi at 1-800-822-2834. This recall is a supplement to a previous campaign (please see 06v017).

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpJan 23, 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V017000 · 74,000 vehicles

Model years: 2003

Problem: On certain vehicles produced from september 2002 - march 2003, equipped with 1.8l turbo, 2.8l v6, or 3.0l engines, a change in the electrical motor components in the fuel pump can lead to an inoperative fuel pump and, ultimately, stoppage of fuel supply to the engine causing it to stall.

Risk: If fuel flow to the engine is interrupted, the vehicle could stall without warning and thus present a potential risk of crash.

Fix: Dealers will install new fuel pumps free of charge. The recall began on april 10, 2006. Owners may contact vw at 1-800-222-8987 or audi at 1-800-822-2834.

Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and capJan 25, 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V026000 · 487,284 vehicles

Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

Problem: On some passenger vehicles, the fuel tank filler neck can suffer abrasion damage if the rear tire goes flat and the vehicle is driven until the tire disintegrates.

Risk: Fuel leakage can occur increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will fit passat vehicles with a new wheel house liner that will better protect the car's filler neck. Jetta vehicles will be fitted with a different metal shield designed to enhance abrasion protection in the event of tire disintegration. Owner notification began june 13, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assemblyMay 3, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V157000 · 70,000 vehicles

Model years: 2000, 2001

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Sulfur in fuel interacts with certain additives found in widely available gasoline causing sulfur to become deposited on the contact points of three fuel sending units mounted inside the fuel tank. This could cause the fuel gauge to read full while the fuel tank may not in fact be full or could be empty.

Risk: Running out of fuel without warning while the fuel gauge indicates that there is sufficient fuel in the tank lead to safety problems.

Fix: Dealers will remove the existing fuel level sending units and replace them with fuel level sending units using a new alloy composed of gold, silver, and a small amount of nickel, which will not chemically react with sulfur. Vw/audi will also call back vehicles that were repaired under a previous recall last june in order to install the updated fuel sending units nhtsa 00v137/audi lb). Owner notification began may 1, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact audi at 1-866-892-2834.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Upon investigation, the contact…

Received Feb 24, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11720260

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, there was a strong gasoline odor inside the cabin. The contact immediately pulled over and exited the vehicle to inspect for visible fuel leaks, but found no leaks. While attempting to restart the vehicle…

Received Feb 24, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11720214

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle sputtered intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that fuel was leaking into the engine compartment, causing engine failure. The…

Received Feb 5, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11715795

The contact owned a 2007 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 18V148000(Air Bags) and 17V509000 ( Fuel System, Gasoline), and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted.

Received Dec 29, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11707536

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer…

Received Nov 26, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11701679
Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen Passat NMS II Chinese spec PHEV. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Jengtingchen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Volkswagen Passats have fuel system, gasoline problems?

No. NHTSA has 413 owner complaints about fuel system, gasoline for the Volkswagen Passat. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the Volkswagen Passat fuel system, gasoline?

Yes: 8 safety recalls list fuel system, gasoline. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

How much does it cost to fix fuel system, gasoline problems on the Volkswagen Passat?

Owners report a typical cost of $1,500 (half paid between $870 and $2,950), from 23 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about fuel system, gasoline problems on the Volkswagen Passat?

The most frequent phrase is “fuel pump”, in 146 of 413 complaints, followed by “gas tank” (31).

Other Volkswagen Passat problems

See all Volkswagen Passat problems.