2009 Volkswagen Passat: common problems and reliability

The 2009 Volkswagen Passat has 152 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and fuel/propulsion system. Owners most often flag carbon buildup on throttle body: frequency: isolated (1 mention, specific to 2.5l).

Safety record for the 2009 model year

152
Owner complaints
4
Recalls
5
Crash reports
13
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2009 Volkswagen Passat vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2009 a good year for the Passat?

Across the 23 Passat model years we track, complaint volume runs from 12 (2019) to 1,304 (2002). With 152 complaints, the 2009 Passat sits belowthe model's median of 243.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

engine
61
fuel/propulsion system
49
steering
20
electrical system
19
air bags
12

Recalls affecting the 2009 Passat

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 18V148000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's

fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

Campaign 17V509000

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

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 16V078000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet an

steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion)

Campaign 08V577000

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

What owners report on the B7 Passat

Owners of the 2010-2014 B7 Passat with the 2.5L engine are overwhelmingly positive, calling it one of the most reliable VW engines ever and praising its longevity, with multiple reports of 200,000+ miles and one claim of over 660,000 miles on the original engi

  • Carbon buildup on throttle body: Frequency: isolated (1 mention, specific to 2.5L)
  • Intake manifold bolts loosening over time: Frequency: isolated (1 mention)
  • Brake vacuum pump oil leaks: Frequency: recurrent (3 mentions)
  • Power steering return line hairline crack causing whining noise: Frequency: isolated (2 mentions)
  • Plastic cooling system parts failing (thermostat housing, coolant flange, valve cover, oil filter housing, intake manifold): Frequency: recurrent (3 mentions)

Owner insights for the B7 Passat. Read the full B7 owner report.

Typical used price

Used Passat listings typically run $9,995–$16,052 across 2012 to 2022 model years.

Other Passat model years

Compare every Passat year side by side to see how 2009 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Passat against its rivals