Volkswagen Passat Steering Problems
Owners have filed 570 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Volkswagen Passat across 26 model years. The 2006 model year has the most (112). The words owners use most often: “steering column” (20% of reports).
- 570steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $2,400typical repair cost reported by owners
- 26%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Steering column: mentioned in 116 of 570 complaints (20%)
- Clock spring: mentioned in 96 of 570 complaints (17%)
- Tie rods: mentioned in 59 of 570 complaints (10%)
- Lock defective: mentioned in 41 of 570 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the Volkswagen Passat at $2,400, and half of them between $2,300 and $3,050.
Based on 37 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2000–2024), 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 steering problems happen?
Based on 374 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 570 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 4 an injury.
Volkswagen Passat steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Passat | 2 | 15% | — |
| 2021 Passat | 2 | 11% | — |
| 2020 Passat | 2 | 11% | — |
| 2019 Passat | 1 | 8% | 2,000 |
| 2018 Passat | 2 | 4% | 46,000 |
| 2017 Passat | 16 | 15% | 33,750 |
| 2016 Passat | 19 | 18% | 41,500 |
| 2015 Passat | 26 | 11% | 47,773 |
| 2014 Passat | 44 | 7% | 40,000 |
| 2013 Passat | 51 | 7% | 61,125 |
| 2012 Passat | 46 | 10% | 68,000 |
| 2011 Passat | 2 | 13% | 51,885 |
| 2010 Passat | 13 | 8% | 81,700 |
| 2009 Passat | 20 | 14% | 59,000 |
| 2008 Passat | 12 | 7% | 82,556 |
| 2007 Passat | 15 | 6% | 63,000 |
| 2006 Passat | 112 | 19% | 63,250 |
| 2005 Passat | 2 | 1% | 142,000 |
| 2004 Passat | 2 | 1% | 96,000 |
| 2003 Passat | 10 | 2% | 21,269 |
| 2002 Passat | 1 | 0% | 26,786 |
| 2001 Passat | 13 | 3% | 59,100 |
| 2000 Passat | 25 | 5% | 51,000 |
| 1999 Passat | 76 | 11% | 64,004 |
| 1998 Passat | 52 | 16% | 58,500 |
| 1995 Passat | 4 | 4% | 110,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Model years: 2009
Problem: Vw is recalling 130 my 2009 passat, passat wagon, and passat cc vehicles. Some vehicles may have an electromechanical steering gear control unit that can malfunction due to a damaged capacitor. If this malfunction occurs, the driver's steering input is not properly processed by the system and the vehicle may not respond as the driver intends. This defect can only occur immediately after vehicle start-up when the steering wheel is moved for the first time and at speeds less than 5 mph.
Risk: Driver attempts to overcome the system during malfunction will cause (1) vibrations in the steering wheel; (2) the steering system motor to turn off; (3) the red steering system malfunction indicator light to illuminate; and (4) audible warnings to chime. A malfunctioning steering system could lead to a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will replace the steering gear in the affected vehicles. The recall began on december 5, 2008. Owners may contact vw at 1-800-822-8987.
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Model years: 2006
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the left and right tie rod securing nut may be insufficiently torqued.
Risk: An insufficiently tightened tie rod nut may loosen, resulting in separation of a tie rod. This can cause a loss of steering control, which could cause a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and install new left and right tie rod securing nuts at the proper torqued specification. The recall began on december 7, 2005. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298.
Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting
Model years: 1999
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The tie rods of the steering assembly are protected on each side by a seal to prevent moisture and dust particles from entering the swivel bearing mechanism. It is possible that some tie rod seals may not seal properly.
Risk: If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing could wear over time diminishing the steering control of the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will replace the tie rods.
Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting
Model years: 1998, 1999
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The tie rods of the steering assembly are protected on each side by a seal to prevent moisture and dust particles from entering the swivel bearing mechanism. It is possible that some tie rod seals may not seal properly.
Risk: If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing could wear over time diminishing the steering control of the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will replace the tie rods.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Clockspring Recall. Horn not working, buttons on steering column not working, when turning steering wheel it makes a clicking noise, sounds like spring being pulled, driver side air bag light is illuminated on dash.
I was driving and the airbag light randomly came on out of the blue. While trying to parallel park I noticed my steering wheel clicking. We ran codes on the car and we are confident that the clock spring failed. My horn and cruise control also no longer work.
The clock spring system failed, rendering all of the cars' steering wheel functions non-functional. The airbag light is on and the steering wheels airbag does not operate as well as the cars horn and auto cruise controls. The instrument cluster is malfunctioning as well. The safety risks associated…
1) Transmission vehicle is not able to be driven Driving on the highway taking kids to school as my vehicle would not accelerate put me the kids and all that were on the road that morning at risk because all i could do is coast to get off on the side of the highway. I had it towed to independent…
Steering wheel controls stopped working, no horn either. Probably no airbag but haven't got into an accident. There was recall on the same part for the until 2018, but the new part I was going to install lists that if fits cars 2016-2022 Part # 5K0-953-569-BC Recall from VW. Number: VWP-18-11, Will…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Volkswagen Passats have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 570 owner complaints about steering 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 steering?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the Volkswagen Passat?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,400 (half paid between $2,300 and $3,050), from 37 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Volkswagen Passat?
The most frequent phrase is “steering column”, in 116 of 570 complaints, followed by “clock spring” (96).
Other Volkswagen Passat problems
- Air Bags problems (1,652)
- Electrical System problems (1,136)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (847)
- Engine problems (643)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (605)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (471)
- Power Train problems (452)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (413)
See all Volkswagen Passat problems.