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CarMonitor

Transport Canada + NRCan

2012 Volkswagen Passat

Everything Canada’s open data holds on this vehicle: what has been recalled, what it costs to run, and how efficient it is compared with everything else on the road.

Recalls

10

10 current

Combined

9.6L/100 km

Fuel, a year

$2,976

20,000 km, Ontario prices

Recalls

Good news: Recall repairs cost you nothing. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number — no time limit, however many owners the vehicle has had.

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2024649 · manufacturer campaign 69GQ/69EG/69E6

30 October 2024

Transport Canada lists: Beetle 2017–2019 · Passat 2006–2007, 2012–2014

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function.

Why it matters

If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

Volkswagen will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the driver-front airbag. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.

18,995 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Label

Transport Canada recall 2020353 · manufacturer campaign 97EM 97EK 97EL

4 August 2020

Transport Canada lists: A 3 2010–2013, 2015 · Atlas 2018–2019 · Beetle 2013–2015 · Golf 2010–2019 · and 2 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the warning label for the engine block heater cable is written in English only. As a result, a French user may not receive important safety information about how to use the engine block heater. A label that is not provided in both official languages could create confusion.

Why it matters

User confusion could increase the risk of injury when trying to use the block heater.

What the dealer will do

The company will mail each owner a new label for the block heater cable. If you would like help installing the label, you can contact a dealer for assistance.

132,432 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Lights And Instruments

Transport Canada recall 2019242 · manufacturer campaign 94L9

23 May 2019

Transport Canada lists: Atlas 2018–2019 · Passat 2012–2018

What is wrong

Certain vehicles were built with headlights that may allow horizontal adjustment. This is not allowed under Canadian regulations.

Why it matters

Headlights that are not properly adjusted could cause reduced visibility or glare for oncoming drivers, and could increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to inspect the headlights. A blocking cap will be installed on the horizontal adjusters as necessary.

51,987 vehicles affected in CanadaCarCompliance Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2018111 · manufacturer campaign 69Q9

6 March 2018

Transport Canada lists: CC 2009–2014 · Eos 2010–2014 · Golf 2010–2013 · Passat 2007–2010, 2012–2014

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver frontal airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. As a result, if the vehicle were involved in a collision that warrants airbag deployment, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants, and the airbag assembly could be damaged, preventing proper function. These issues could increase the risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the driver frontal airbag inflator. Note: Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. The recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk, and is expected to replace airbag inflators before their function would be affected. Additional Note: This recall supersedes the Volkswagen brand vehicles subject to recall 2016-064 (Volkswagen Recall 69M9). Volkswagen vehicles completed under the previous 2016-064 recall require repair under this recall, as the previous recall remedy was an interim repair. Interim repair parts must be replaced with final repair parts.

37,197 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Powertrain

Transport Canada recall 2017256 · manufacturer campaign 23W5

10 May 2017

Transport Canada lists: Passat 2012–2014

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, an underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right drive half-shaft grease boot from heat. Over time, this could lead to a grease leak from the boot. If leaking grease comes into contact with heated surfaces of the exhaust system and/or diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could lead to a fire potentially causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install a revised heat shield and certain vehicles will have the upper boost hose replaced.

10,106 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Electrical

Transport Canada recall 2016132 · manufacturer campaign 23T3

23 March 2016

Transport Canada lists: Passat 2012–2014

What is wrong

Certain vehicles may have been equipped with an underbody sensor containing an improperly assembled seal which could allow water to penetrate and corrode the electrical terminals. This could lead to an electrical short causing the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) to illuminate in the vehicle and cause the circuit to overheat, increasing the risk of fire causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the affected connector.

11,693 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2016064 · manufacturer campaign 69M9 / 69N1

9 February 2016

Transport Canada lists: A 5 2010–2012 · Q 5 2009–2012 · S 5 2010–2012 · CC 2009–2014 · and 7 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the front driver airbag inflator. Note: This campaign only affects the Audi A5 and Audi S5 Cabriolet models.

64,660 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Seats And Restraints

Transport Canada recall 2015344 · manufacturer campaign 69L2

31 July 2015

Transport Canada lists: CC 2010–2014 · Eos 2011–2013 · Golf 2011–2014 · Gti 2011–2014 · and 3 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the steering wheel clock spring could become contaminated with long hair or long fibers which may cause a displacement of the internal guide loops. When the guide loops are dragged out of position, they may apply tension to the internal flat cable and cause it to tear. Should the cable tear, the electrical connection to the driver's front airbag may be lost, causing the airbag monitoring indicator light to illuminate. Failure of the driver's airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install a cover of a different design to help prevent clock spring contamination caused by hair or other fibers. In instances where the vehicle has an airbag light on (and diagnosis confirms the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement), dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring.

41,308 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Lights And Instruments

Transport Canada recall 2014080 · manufacturer campaign 94G8/7V

17 March 2014

Transport Canada lists: Passat 2012–2013

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the low beam headlamp bulbs may lose electrical contact if the hood is closed roughly, or dropped from a certain height. This could compromise driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will inspect and adjust hood bumpers to prevent the hood from contacting the headlamp assemblies, and will also install improved bulb fittings.

10,152 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Fuel System

Transport Canada recall 2012121 · manufacturer campaign 20R7/W3

4 April 2012

Transport Canada lists: Passat 2012

What is wrong

On certain vehicles equipped with a 2.0L TDI engine, the diesel fuel filter element may not seal properly and could leak. Diesel fuel leakage may ignite on a hot surface and cause a fire which could result in property damage and/or personal injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the fuel filter element.

14 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Efficiency and running cost

Class
Mid-size
In its class
More efficient than 62% of 133 2012 vehicles in this class
Tailpipe CO₂
221 g/km

Set your own distance and pump price · Full efficiency ranking

Watch this vehicle

Recall letters go to whoever owns the car on paper, which may not be you. Save your 2012 Volkswagen Passat and we will email you the day Transport Canada issues a new recall for it.

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Common questions

Does the 2012 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?
Transport Canada has 10 recalls on record for the 2012 Volkswagen Passat. Recall repairs are free at any manufacturer dealer.
What fuel economy does the 2012 Volkswagen Passat get?
NRCan rates the 2012 Volkswagen Passat at 9.6 L/100 km combined, emitting 221 g of CO2 per kilometre. There are 4 rated versions; this is the median.
What does it cost to run a 2012 Volkswagen Passat for a year?
At 20,000 km a year and Ontario average prices, about $2,976 in fuel, producing roughly 4,435 kg of CO2. Your own distance and prices will change this — the calculator lets you set both.

Source: Transport Canada — Vehicle Recalls Database; NRCan — Fuel consumption ratings. Data current as of 30 July 2026. Running cost uses Ontario average prices (155 ¢/L, 14.5 ¢/kWh), which are hand-maintained estimates. 30,784 rated vehicles on file.