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2012 Volkswagen Passat: airbags did not deploy in a crash

9 of the 484 complaints about the 2012 Volkswagen Passat describe airbags did not deploy in a crash.

owner complaints
9
of this car's complaints
2%
typical mileage
56,900
recalls
5
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls and 82 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Airbags did not deploy in a crash by model year

  • 2018
    1
  • 2017
    4
  • 2016
    1
  • 2015
    4
  • 2014
    4
  • 2013
    10
  • 2012
    9
  • 2011
    2
  • 2010
    1
  • 2009
    1
  • 2008
    1
  • 2007
    3
  • 2006
    3
  • 2005
    3
  • 2004
    1
  • 2003
    3
  • 2002
    2
  • 2001
    7
  • 2000
    3
  • 1999
    3
  • 1998
    2

What owners say

Filed Jul 20, 2018 · Airbags · 125,298 miles · AZ · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen passat. While driving 65 MPH, the contact crashed into the rear of a 2018 honda accord. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company to an independent mechanic. The vehicle damages had not been determined. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 125,298.

Filed Apr 30, 2018 · Airbags · 56,900 miles · PA

Takata inflators were changed due to recall in jan 2018. In april 2018 I heard a strange noise & then the airbag light came on. Then I realized that only info showing on my panel was the phone hookup, along with the airbag light. I checked the horn & that did not work either. After checking fuses we called the dealership & made an appt to have it checked. We are told it is the clockspring that needs to be replaced. Cost is over $500. We called volkswagen customer service & they stayed we had the clock spring replaced in 2016 under a recall. However we have no recollection of this being done. This noise & then the clicking & other issues connected to the clock spring happened as I was backing out of a parking spot in a shopping area. This can be very dangerous being that the airbag would not deploy if & when needed. Also I was almost hit by a vehicle that decided to backup without looking & I couldn't use my horn to warn the other driver. Thank god he realized what he was doing. As for the dealership saying they replaced the clock spring in may of 2016, my question is why was that replaced then & not the airbags? Also, being there was recall on the airbag & it was being done, why didn't they redo the clock spring. I love the passat but I don't want to get in an accident because of shoddy workmanship! I noticed a lot of other complaints about the clock spring & would like to know why you are not taking care of this issue? I feel that volkswagen is having its customers pay for the airbag recall labor being that the clock spring goes bad shortly after repairs are done to the recalled airbag.

Filed Aug 17, 2017 · Airbags · 109,000 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2012 volkswagen passat. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact's vehicle was struck on the driver's side door by another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed under case number: 092006317. The contact sustained injuries to the back, left shoulder, left elbow, and left knee. Medical attention was not required at the time; however, the contact entered physical therapy for the pain from the injuries three weeks later. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the contact's residence. A dealer was not contacted about the crash. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and provided case number: 171482409. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

Filed May 17, 2016 · Airbags · FL · crash · 1 injury

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 volkswagen passat. While driving approximately 45 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front driver side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained neck and back pains that required medical treatment. The contact heard an abnormal noise after the impact and a substance emitted into the vehicle. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company for inspection. The contact's VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags), but the contact had not yet been notified. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Feb 24, 2016 · Airbags · 55,000 miles · WA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2012 volkswagen passat. While driving 25 MPH, another vehicle ran a stop sign and crashed into the driver side door of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the upper and lower back. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v483000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

Filed Feb 11, 2016 · Airbags, Body · 45,000 miles · OH · crash · 2 injuries

I was in a car accident. I was not at fault, but I was t-boned with almost over $11,000 in damage. The case was settled but the vehicle is still not in good shape. The air bags did not go off in the accident and I just received a recall for a steering wheel electronic clock issue that could prevent the air bags from going off. I accrued over $7,000 in medical bills, and I owe over $15,000 on the vehicle. I am not sure what to do because I feel I am driving a vehicle that isn't safe

Filed Feb 8, 2016 · Airbags · 50,000 miles · OH · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a crash to the passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the upper and lower back which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v483000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Jun 22, 2015 · Airbags · 68,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

Driver steering column airbag did not deploy during a severe crash. Updated 11/09/15*lj...updated 11/13/15 *bf updated 1/4/16

Filed Apr 9, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · 52,000 miles · OR

Vehicle air bag light illuminated as well as informed us on the information cluster horn no longer works and none of the steering wheel push button controls work dealer said it was a broken clock spring and that we needed to bring it in immediately because the air bags would not deploy correctly potentially the online forums that I've looked for information stated that multiple vehicles with this amount of miles have the same exact problem I was just curious why there wasn't a recall coming if the airbag potentially doesn't work.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported October 30, 2024 · 248,330 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.

Recall number 24V834000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported December 4, 2019 · 226 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298 or Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.

Recall number 19V862000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported March 6, 2018 · 363,713 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V‑078.

Recall number 18V148000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported February 10, 2016 · 659,493 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834.

Recall number 16V078000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported August 4, 2015 · 415,825 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Risk
A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑822‑8987.

Recall number 15V483000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2012 Volkswagen Passat no deployment

Is airbags did not deploy in a crash a common problem on the 2012 Volkswagen Passat?

9 of 484 owner complaints about the 2012 Volkswagen Passat (2%) mention airbags did not deploy in a crash. The model year with the most reports is 2013.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2012 Volkswagen Passat?

There are 5 recalls and 82 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2012 Volkswagen Passat

Airbag light 76Check engine light 26Loss of power 17Coil spring 15Door locks 15Headlights 14Fuel pump 13Steering noise 13Stalling 11Won't start 11ABS 8Engine failure 7Hesitation 7Adaptive cruise 5Jerking 5

All model years of the Volkswagen Passat

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