Recalls: Volkswagen Mk.6 Passat Alltrack
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Volkswagen Mk.6 Passat Alltrack
2012-15 Volkswagen Mk.6 Passat Alltrack 2.0 TDI: NOx emissions and “defeat device”
In October 2015, a recall was issued for 2012-15 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack vehicles with 2.0-litre EA189 diesel engines. According to the recall notice, ‘the emissions levels may not meet regulatory requirements when the affected vehicle is driven under normal conditions’ (see ‘Diesel engines: NOx emissions “defeat device”‘, below). For the 2.0-litre EA189 engine, a software update will be introduced which takes advantage of improved simulation of air currents inside the air intake system. Volkswagen aims to implement the software update from January 2016; the labour time for installing the updated software is around half an hour. Owners could determine if their vehicles were part of the recall by visiting volkswagendieselinfo.com.au (PRA 2015/14950).
2011-12 model year Volkswagen Passat Alltrack: overheating of starter motor relay
In March 2018, a recall was issued for 2011 and 2012 ‘model year’ Volkswagen Passat Alltrack vehicles. In these vehicles, a bent or broken spring could obstruct the clearance of the spindle in the starter motor relay. Over time, this could cause a blockage, a permanent current supply to the starter motor and overheating of the starter motor relay. If the current supply was not detected, overheating of the starter motor relay could cause local scorching damage and a possible vehicle fire. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16669.
2012-16 Volkswagen B7 Passat Alltrack: Takata airbag recall
In February 2019, recall campaign 69Q7 was issued for Volkswagen B7 Passat Alltrack vehicles that were supplied in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia prior to 1 January 2016. The steering wheels in these vehicles contained Takata airbags and, over time, propellant wafers inside the airbag could absorb moisture. In the event of airbag deployment, this could cause excessive pressure inside the metal airbag inflator housing such that it could explode and project metal fragments through the airbag cushion and into the vehicle’s cabin. These metal fragments had the potential to cause serious injury or fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17348.
2012-15 Volkswagen Mk.6 Passat Alltrack: Takata airbag recall
In June 2019, recall campaign 69Q7 was issued for Volkswagen Mk.6 Passat Alltrack vehicles. These vehicles had Takata driver’s airbags and propellant wafers inside these airbags could absorb moisture over time. In the event of airbag deployment, excessive pressure in the airbag inflator housing could cause it to rupture and metal fragments could be projected through the airbag cushion and into the vehicle’s cabin. These metal fragments posed a risk of serious injury and fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17582.
Problems and faults: Volkswagen Mk.6 Passat Alltrack
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items identified below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Diesel engines: NOx emissions “defeat device”
Australian-delivered Volkswagen Passat Alltrack vehicles powered by 2.0-litre diesel engines that were available for sale from 2012 to 2015 had software in the electronic control module (ECM) that could sense – via sensors measuring the position of the steering wheel, vehicle speed, the duration of the engine’s operation and barometric pressure – when the vehicle was undergoing emissions testing. The ECM would then run a ‘dyno calibration’ to produce lower nitrous oxide emissions during testing. At all other times, the ECM would run a separate ‘road calibration’ which reduced the effectiveness of the emission control system, specifically the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or the lean NOx trap.
Based on testing conducted by the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), NOx emissions for the ‘road calibration’ were 10 to 40 times higher than US standards – this led the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a notice of violation under the Clean Air Act.As a result, these vehicles did not meet the environmental standards claimed by Volkswagen.
