Interior and accessories problems
Top problems
Speakers not working 
Solved
Volkswagen Passat 2012 TDI SE 188000 miles
I just bought a 2012 VW Passat TDI SE and the previous owner put in an android head unit and something might be wired wrong or something. None of the speakers are working, only the two tiny ones up by the windshield work. Can I have some help please. I uploaded images I think that might help
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CommentAccelerates and decelerates in Parking and Neutral Solved
Volkswagen Passat 2007 110000 miles
When starting the car, it works perfectly but, when it reaches its appropriate temperature, it loses power. When changing the car to Parking, it starts to accelerate and decelerate sharply. It only stops doing so when I turn the air conditioning on or if I change the car to Drive or Reverse. Please someone help me.
1 report
Best answer (according to medora)
It is a valves problem that you are having. Take it to the agency, it won't be expensive.
You are right, it was the PCV valve. In case this happens to someone else, the best way to check if it is the PCV valve is starting the car, removing the oil stick and checking if it sucks air or not. If it does, then the PCV will need to be replaced. Thank you!
CommentPossible Failing Alternator?? Solved
Volkswagen Passat 2012 TDI SE 192000 miles
I have a 2012 VW Passat TDi SE that I have owned since April 2025. I put in a brand-new battery when I bought it, and it lasted me all summer into august as I was starting and driving it almost every other day. In September my battery died and had to get it replaced. At that time, I thought that I had some sort of parasitic power draw specifically from my new radio I got. In late august I bought an RCD360 radio to add CarPlay/Android Auto to my car.
When I replaced my battery, I went ahead and just manually wired the power input for the radio to 12v ACC so that the radio will not receive pow… Read complete
1 report
Hey there, so the problem you're describing COULD indicate a problem with the Alternator. Since you have already fixed the issue with your radio -> it now being on only when the ignition is turned on. The new Radio wont be the problem.
Since you measured aroung 13V-13.2V (Which is a little bit lower than you want it to be) I'd suggest doing this:
Measure these directly on the +/- of the battery.
Let it idle, but turn on all Loads (AC, Heated seating, Windshield, Radio, basically everything that buts a load on the battery/alternator electically)
When you measure, you should not drop below 13.5V and not above 15V
Also try measuring with midrange RPM, also should'nt drop below 13.5V and 15V.
If you see it below 13.5 you should also, before settling on the alternator, measure the Resistance on the Cables that go from the alternator to the battery. If you see a high resistance it could also be corrosion taking place here.
Note: Please disconnect the battery when measuring the resistance in the cable. It should still work but to be 100% sure do it, since the multimeter sends its own current through the cable that could alter the result.
I hope it helps :)
Since you measured aroung 13V-13.2V (Which is a little bit lower than you want it to be) I'd suggest doing this:
Measure these directly on the +/- of the battery.
Let it idle, but turn on all Loads (AC, Heated seating, Windshield, Radio, basically everything that buts a load on the battery/alternator electically)
When you measure, you should not drop below 13.5V and not above 15V
Also try measuring with midrange RPM, also should'nt drop below 13.5V and 15V.
If you see it below 13.5 you should also, before settling on the alternator, measure the Resistance on the Cables that go from the alternator to the battery. If you see a high resistance it could also be corrosion taking place here.
Note: Please disconnect the battery when measuring the resistance in the cable. It should still work but to be 100% sure do it, since the multimeter sends its own current through the cable that could alter the result.
I hope it helps :)
Best answer (according to Aaron)
It ended up being a bad ground wire. It was the one that connects the transmission motor mount to the chassis.
CommentBattery Drain issue. Solved
Volkswagen Passat 2012 TDI SE 192000 miles
I bought an RCD360 Pro 2 off of eBay for my 2012 VW Passat TDI se and I just had to replace my battery for the second time, once back in September and once today. It has a mqb to pq plug adapter and I'm trying to figure out the best way to prevent this radio from draining my battery. I actually did end up splicing to voltage wire to the radio and connecting to the voltage wire for on of the 12v sockets back when I first replaced the battery, but apparently that didn't do the trick, which I find puzzling. I added some pictures of the eBay listing and the plug type of the radio and my car. I've done some research and it seems like some canbus adapter/converter would be the fix, but I'm not sure where to find a correct one or if that would even work at all.
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2 replies
I have owned my Passat since April 2025. I put in a brand-new battery when I bought it, and it lasted me all summer into august as I was starting and driving it almost every other day. In September my battery died and had to get it replaced. At that time, I thought that I had some sort of parasitic power draw specifically from my new radio I got. In late august I bought an RCD360 radio to add CarPlay/Android Auto to my car.
When I replaced my battery, I went ahead and just manually wired the power input for the radio to 12v ACC so that the radio will not receive power unless the key is in the ignition. I thought that fixed it because I had no issues with it from September to December. Mind you I am a first-year college student, so I really only drove it to go places during the weekends. Then when I drove home for winter break, I still started and ran it about once a week, until the battery died on me again.
Now I will say that there were signs of either the battery or starter failing because maybe sometime November it started to start rough and a little sluggish. I don't think it's the starter because when we put in a new battery for the second time it started no issues, no lag, no nothing. And this new battery was put in end of December. And it's already starting to be sluggish and rough when leaving it for a few days. I've pretty much started it every other to every other two days now since I got back to college on the 11th of January. I think the cold weather might be contributing to that a little bit, but I'm still skeptical.
This past week, I did some power draw testing where I put my multimeter in-line with the negative terminal of my battery and my car. After connecting it, I got an initial reading of around 1 amp after just opening and closing the door and after about 2 minuets it dropped off to 0.8 amps, then down to 0.5 amps, then to 0.1 amps, and after a total of around 5 to 10 minutes my multimeter settled at around 0.01 amps of power draw. And I also re-did the test with all the doors already closed and the car locked and ended at the same 0.01 amps of power draw.
I also did some voltage testing as well, where I tested the voltage of the battery before starting, which was around 12.5v. After starting it and letting it run idle for a good minute, I remeasured the voltage and that highest that I was able to get was 13.2v, I also tested it a couple times before as well and I've gotten readings of 13.05v, 13v, 13.15v. So, it's been fluctuating over the past week and a half between 13v and 13.2v. If anyone as any idea if this is my alternator starting to fail or if it's something else, I will be glad to have your input. Any and all help and suggestions will be helpful as well.
When I replaced my battery, I went ahead and just manually wired the power input for the radio to 12v ACC so that the radio will not receive power unless the key is in the ignition. I thought that fixed it because I had no issues with it from September to December. Mind you I am a first-year college student, so I really only drove it to go places during the weekends. Then when I drove home for winter break, I still started and ran it about once a week, until the battery died on me again.
Now I will say that there were signs of either the battery or starter failing because maybe sometime November it started to start rough and a little sluggish. I don't think it's the starter because when we put in a new battery for the second time it started no issues, no lag, no nothing. And this new battery was put in end of December. And it's already starting to be sluggish and rough when leaving it for a few days. I've pretty much started it every other to every other two days now since I got back to college on the 11th of January. I think the cold weather might be contributing to that a little bit, but I'm still skeptical.
This past week, I did some power draw testing where I put my multimeter in-line with the negative terminal of my battery and my car. After connecting it, I got an initial reading of around 1 amp after just opening and closing the door and after about 2 minuets it dropped off to 0.8 amps, then down to 0.5 amps, then to 0.1 amps, and after a total of around 5 to 10 minutes my multimeter settled at around 0.01 amps of power draw. And I also re-did the test with all the doors already closed and the car locked and ended at the same 0.01 amps of power draw.
I also did some voltage testing as well, where I tested the voltage of the battery before starting, which was around 12.5v. After starting it and letting it run idle for a good minute, I remeasured the voltage and that highest that I was able to get was 13.2v, I also tested it a couple times before as well and I've gotten readings of 13.05v, 13v, 13.15v. So, it's been fluctuating over the past week and a half between 13v and 13.2v. If anyone as any idea if this is my alternator starting to fail or if it's something else, I will be glad to have your input. Any and all help and suggestions will be helpful as well.
Best answer (according to Aaron)
Failing Alternator is the cause. Will see if it fixes my issue when I replace it.
CommentHeating only on drivers side.
Volkswagen Passat 2010 Station wagon, manual 182000 miles
Since its winter, when i sit in my passat B6 and turn on heating on air conditioning only drivers side is warm. The passengers side is cold.
17 reports
Passat 2006 from other 2 years ago
Ho lo stesso problema, ho cambiato il sensore ma non ho risolto. Il. Problema
Blend door actuators, I have that problem with mine, the center two vents don’t blow and my foot blowers also don’t blow
Heating on air conditioning only drivers side is warm. The passengers side is cold.
CommentMobilizer Active
Volkswagen Passat 2006 2.0T Automatic Fuel 169650 miles
So i recently got this well used Passat 2006 2. Ot Fuel but the Immobilizer Active message display which wouldn't let the vehicle come on could drive a sane person insane. I notice this becomes very intermittent during the day time when the weather is high as it rarely happens in the mornings and evenings. A technician advises me to change ECU which i did , vehicle runs for 3 days displaying different incompatibility signs and finally parks up after 3 days. Now i am back to old ECU with very intermittent Mobilizer Active messages. Anyone has an idea how to manage this ?
Thanks to hearing back.
Thanks to hearing back.
15 reports
I have this same experience. Any resolution?
Me too my car gives the message immoblizer active in the hot weather and it doesn't run until i open all doors and wait for the car to become cooler. I don't know how to fix it.
At first it only happened to me during the day when Passat is left out in the sun. Now it happens all the time despite the time of day, even when it’s cool out. Only way to start it is to disconnect the battery for at least 15mins. Reconnect battery and it starts without any issues. I now carry a 10mm socket just for that purpose.
CommentNo light or horn when I lock car with keys
Volkswagen Passat 2008 150000 miles
When I lock my car with the keys my horn don't blow and lights don't flash what do I do
4 reports
Passenger front door will not lock and passenger back door will not lock but alarm will sound when back door is opened but not when the front door is opened
CommentWont start
Volkswagen Passat 2005 90000 miles
Once you turn the key the alarm keeps going off. The car starts and knocks off right away
4 reports
Sounds most likely a immobiliser fault or a problem with the key or transponder have it diagnosed.
CommentThe alarm activates for no reason
Volkswagen Passat 2003 Estate 104000 miles
The alarm activated last night and today without anyone near the car. I turned it off and on again and after a short while it went into alarm again. Graham
9 reports
Most likely bad connections to or from your Alarm system or an actual fault with your alarm it’s self hope this helps. You could disable the alarm system with diagnostic equipment for vw pretty certain I could do this.
CommentAM Radio Reception - Rubbish- Interference
Volkswagen Passat 2013 Wagon 20000 miles
AM radio is full of noise, static and interference. Dealer advised no issue. Went to dealer 4 months prior to end of warranty and advised no issue. Hassled and told no issue, but couldn't get them to drive route to show clear issue. Can drive same route with Mazda 3 and have 100% clear reception. What to do!
8 reports
I am having the same issues with my MY14.5 with low AM frequencies eg 621 and 693 especially. Station 774 however is good. Have not noticed and problems with FM. I live in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
CommentSinghiozzo solo a 120 km orari col cruise control
Volkswagen Passat 2006 Sw 2000 tdi 140cv 420000 miles
Perché quando inserisco il cruise control, a 120 km orari mi singhozza
2 replies
Di solito è un tubo di plastica della turbina che si trova sotto il motore vicino al cambio. Il tubo si crepa e tira troppa aria.
Lo farò verificare dal mio meccanico, e ti farò sapere, grazie
Comment7 reports
RJ_VW_Passat from United States 2 years ago
Same here. Both my driver and passenger seat warmer buttons show that they're on, but the seats never warm up
CommentInside heating
Volkswagen Passat 2009 passat 2.0l, 170000 miles
Heating on air conditioning only drivers side is warm. The passengers side is cold.
5 reports
I have the same issue. Have you found out what it is and how to fix it?
CommentOver heating
Volkswagen Passat 2013 4 door sedan 140000 miles
Car overheating. Water pump changed, Thermostate and radiator replaced. It still overheating
4 reports
CommentCrank no start, don't hear the hum, replaced Fuel pump control module
Volkswagen Passat 2017 S four door Sedan 1.8L TSI 151000 miles
There's still no hum after the replacement. So now I'm thinking it's a fuse. Reversed polarity with a dead cell battery, got new battery now. Everything thing is in working order as in lights, windows,radio, signals,wipers, etc. Just cranks with no start...
1 reply
CommentAlmost there
Volkswagen Passat 2014 SE 1.8 TSI 148000 miles
Cruise control stopped working. Car runs great with as long as AC is on. When turned off idle tends to be erratic. Drivers side Low Beam suddenly out as well. Keyless entry system experiencing malfunction as well.
2 reports
Mr. Gunnerson from United States 7 months ago
Timing chain snapped. Which was causing these issues plus more. In the middle of a engine rebuild.
CommentBeen having some electrical difficulties
Volkswagen Passat 2000 1.8 L turbo engine Passat 187100 miles
Every time I try and get in the car the alarm goes off when I turn the key on and I can’t figure out how to reset the alarm or turn the alarm off so I can get the car to start
3 reports
Might be an idea to check the passenger footwell for water you have a control module buried in the passenger floor this is prone to taking in water and damaging the ccm connection this can cause an array of issues with electronics id recommend removing floor carpet passenger side will require removal of some interior trim and check it’s not swimming if all is dry then the issue is with the alarm it’s self or it’s something stupid like a flat battery what’s causing your problems or a parasitic battery draw most commonly caused by sencondary air injection pump. I hope this helps.
I recently had some water issues in my 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0 Turbo. Somehow water was coming into my car and soaking my floorboards completely. I discovered that what was happening is there was debris and mud underneath my cowl (the panel under the windshield wipers) completely blocking the rainwater from being able to drain out of my car so instead it was draining into the cab of the car. This caused many electrical issues like shorts and fuses blowing and dash accessories not working. My battery would drain overnight because my dash lights wouldn't shut off and the operation buttons on my stereo stayed on. The water and mud caused my wires underneath the cow to come unwrapped and they were shorting out. Now that I've cleaned everything out and dried it up things are looking much better. I still have some wire wrapping to do in a few more fuses to replace but other than that getting all the water and everything out seem to fix the problem...
CommentPassat b6 rear Window defogger
Volkswagen Passat 2008 Sedaan 1,9tdi Passat b6 425 miles
I have a small question. I own a 2008 Passat B6 1,9tdi sedan. Has anyone dealt with the rear window defogger before? For some reason, when I press the button, it turns off immediately.
1 report
Hey there, have you checked the Fuse and Relay for the rear window heating (if you meant that)?
Comment2 reports
JimmyPassat from Great Britain 9 months ago
Had the same issue on my 2017 model last weekend, turned out to be a faulty resistor for the ventilation.
CommentCan Not find The Radiocode
Volkswagen Passat 2012 B7 286000 miles
Hey guys,
Does anyone know where I can find my Radiocode?
Does anyone know where I can find my Radiocode?
4 reports
CommentWon't start
Volkswagen Passat 2009 Volkswagen pasad CC. 136000 miles
Won't start.
But has power to headlights radio blower motor etc.
But has power to headlights radio blower motor etc.
3 reports
Starter solenoid maybe? Could also just be a locked up starter
CommentToo many problems for a new car
Volkswagen Passat 2019 4 door 58000 miles
Vehicle just wouldn't start. Had dash lights and radio. Towed to the dealership and it took them one week to figure out what was wrong with it.
Lost the cooling fan for the transmission. The epc light is now on.
Lost the cooling fan for the transmission. The epc light is now on.
1 report
2012 TDI towed to dealer. No dash light or radio. Told the radio is blown.
CommentRadio and back camera
Volkswagen Passat 2014 PASSAT TDI SEL 100000 miles
Hi my radio gett frozen and time to time turn on and off
13 reports
Same issue. Screen goes black and randomly powers on.
CommentVW Passat 2015
Volkswagen Passat 2015 sedan 200000 miles
I am getting the EPC as well as the Engine icons on my dashboard. The mecanic told me the turbo has to be replaced... The car looses power especially when I turn on the AC,I would like to know your opinion. Thank you
4 reports
brusko5645 from Mexico 2 months ago
Tengo el mismo problema alprincipio pense que solo era cunado prendia el aire acondicionado, pero despues es cuando piso el pedal a fondo para rebases!!
CommentFan selection inside car
Volkswagen Passat 2006 135000 miles
Hi can I have any help I seem to only have windscreen selection for my blowers inside the car is there anything I can do to get this problem fixed just had the air conditioning regassed and it's only working on the windscreen witch takes longer to cool inside the car
1 reply
Bubba123re from Canada 7 years ago
First thought faulty heater contol switch. Most vehicles change the function to switch heater from floor to cabin or defrost using vacuum to open and close passages loss of vacume is rare but possable
CommentHeater problems blower working put it in to reverse it go faster
Volkswagen Passat 2007 Vw Passat salmon 1.9 D. 110342 miles
When put on blower slow them when u put it to reverse it go faster take out it reverse it slow down turn of blower put it in reverse nothing happens it never down this before
2 reports
Are you sure as the passat is designed to close the external flap when you select reverse gear to stop the car sucking in fumes from the exhaust whilst you move backwards through its own gases it does seem to make the motor sound different...it is a cool design to stop the cabin filling full of fumes
Comment4 warning lights ABS ESC Tire Pressure Airbag Volkswagen Passat Sedan
Volkswagen Passat 2016 Handbag 132850 miles
*Title:*
4 warning lights ABS ESC Tire Pressure Airbag Passat 2016
*Description:*
Volkswagen Passat Sedan 2016
4 yellow lights on same time:
Abs
Esc
Tire Pressure
Airbag
Cruise control not working. Is it ABS sensor problem?
Mileage:
4 warning lights ABS ESC Tire Pressure Airbag Passat 2016
*Description:*
Volkswagen Passat Sedan 2016
4 yellow lights on same time:
Abs
Esc
Tire Pressure
Airbag
Cruise control not working. Is it ABS sensor problem?
Mileage:
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Power outage in the context compartment
Volkswagen Passat 2006 Automatic 2.0 350000 miles
The power cuts out to the air conditioning, windows, and interior lights. All steering wheel controls are also unresponsive. The windshield was wiped as well.
Problems with a Passat? Share them
Edit: maybe the previous owner added some extra cable it looks like. The main connection from
The android radio is the big one right next to the red fuse