2016 Volkswagen Passat: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed May 3, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · NV

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 with the malfunctions could result in great harm to the driver and passengers in the vehicle.

Filed Apr 16, 2024 · Airbags, Electrical · GA

I believe my clockspring has malfuncioned and though it has had multiple recalls my car is not listed for recall. My horn is no longer working, as well as all the buttons in my steering wheel including cruise control and my airbag light is on. This is all directly correlated to a clockspring malfunction and I believe my vehicle should be recalled for saftey reasons.

Filed Sep 21, 2023 · Airbags, Engine · 91,986 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while parked, the horn, cruise control, and the radio became inoperable. The message “air bag not available”, check clockspring, and check oil messages were displayed. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,986.

Filed Jun 20, 2023 · Acceleration, Airbags · IN

VW repaired clock spring (a recall) after airbag warning, steering wheel controls stopped working. VW returned the vehicle to me, the customer, with the clock spring supposedly repaired yet steering wheel buttons, including cruise control and others, remained broken and unusable. VW wanted several hundred dollars to fix this, despite the issue obviously being directly related to the clock spring as all buttons were in working order prior to the clock spring issue. (dates below May not be entirely accurate as this happened several years ago and still has not been repaired, however I was unaware I could file a report here)

Filed Dec 28, 2021 · Airbags · MD

I started my vehicle and the airbag light was on. Also the adaptive cruise control warning light was on and none of my steering wheel controls work. Not even the horn works. This is a huge safety issue that Volkswagen is aware of based on a past recall. There are no open recalls for my vehicle for this problem but there should be! I cannot even drive my car now because It’s not safe with no working horn or airbag! I researched online what the problem could be and several Volkswagen owners have the EXACT SAME issue. Apparently it’s the clock spring? I am not aware of Volkswagen offering to fix this major issue for their customers.

Filed Feb 26, 2021 · Acceleration, Airbags · 45,000 miles · FL

The car suddely turned on airbag lights, ABS wheel speed sensor and, cruise control

Filed Jun 23, 2020 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 50,000 miles · TX

While driving the ABS light came on (constant speed, highway, dry conditions), disabling cruise control. The airbag light then came on. Then the tire sensor light and finally the steering wheel light and exclamation point icon next to the steering wheel light.

Filed Jul 11, 2019 · Acceleration, Airbags · 56,000 miles · IN

Steering wheel began to click when turning any direction mid-trip. Vehicle was in motion and had been in motion for approx 30 minutes when issue began. All steering wheel buttons, including cruise control, no longer worked. Air bag malfunction light illuminated. Dealer stated clock spring had malfunctioned, issue was repaired. Noted that cruise control buttons continued to malfunction post-repair dealer claims 'coincidence' with malfunction, putting cost on customer to repair. .

Filed Apr 17, 2019 · Brakes · 26,000 miles · MI

Passat brakes started squealing at around 9000 miles. When serviced at dealer they stated brakes were fine. Squealing continued to 20k miles. Again serviced at dealer and said brakes were fine. Squeeling eventually stoped but after noticing severe vibration in steering wheel during freeway driving and when applying brakes, I stopped and took to nearby mechanic to inspect. He reported rotors are warped at 26k miles. This should not happen with a new car with light use. Since 3 years just passed car just exited warranty status. This problem might be due to the adaptive cruise control feature as it tends to apply the brakes hard during normal driving if set to setting number 1. To avoid hard braking, I have to keep the adaptive cruise at setting 3 which is what I've been doing when I do use it. Still, this seems to be a recurring issue in passats as apparent on search boards online. Vw should upgrade their adaptive cruise control firmware and replace impacted owners brakes, rotors and calipers. Brakes should not start going out a 9k miles and have warped rotors at 26k miles. The dealer should have caught this problem while I was still under warranty instead of reporting no issues and passing inspection reports falsely. Make people safe, recall this safety issue immediately.

Filed Oct 17, 2018 · Acceleration, Brakes · 21,000 miles · AZ

At speed of 40-60 MPH, with the adaptive cruise control engaged, the car will bring the car to 5-10 MPH rapidly, by slamming on the brakes with no other vehicle in front of it. This has occurred multiple times, and has been reported, but not duplicated at the dealer. The car has also slowed itself, under the adaptive cruise control, in other situations where there was no vehicle in front of it.

Filed May 17, 2018 · Airbags, Steering · 46,000 miles · NY

When I went to start the car the air bag warning light came on and stated "error". All the functions on the steering wheel would not work, this included the horn, cruise control, radio system and air bag. I was afraid that either the air bag could just go off or would not go off if I got into an accident. I also could not use my horn in case of an emergency situation. The vehicle had to be repaired. Sunrise volkswagen in lynbrook,ny replaced the clock spring.

Filed Feb 8, 2017 · Acceleration, Brakes · 15,000 miles · IN

Driving in freezing rain. Cruise control on. Front sensor iced up, car braked to signal it turned off adaptive cruise control due to front sensor icing up. I briefly lost control of car on icy roadway as it lost traction when it braked.