2009 Volkswagen Passat Wagon

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. Correction: 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.

On certain vehicles, there could be an interruption in electrical power to the fuel pump control module. This could result in the fuel pump running continuously, resulting in a drained battery and/or a no start condition, or cause a loss of motive power while the vehicle is in motion, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the fuel pump control module and relocate it within the vehicle.

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

On certain vehicles, the right front seatbelt buckle wiring harness may have been incorrectly routed during vehicle assembly.  As such, the wires could become damaged when the seat is moved fully up and down or fore and aft.  If this occurs, the airbag control module will switch to a fallback algorithm and deactivate the passenger's frontal airbag.  Failure of the passenger frontal airbag to deploy during a vehicle crash could increase the risk of personal injuries or death to the seat occupant.  Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, reroute the right front seatbelt wiring harness.

On certain Passat, Passat CC and Passat wagon, an electromechanical steering control unit may have a malfunction due to a damaged capacitor.  If this malfunction occurs, the driver's steering input will not be properly processed by the system and the vehicle may not respond as driver intends. This defect can only occur immediately after vehicle start-up when steering wheel is moved for the first time and at a speed of less than 8 Km/h (5mph).  Driver attempts to overcome the system during this situation will cause: Vibrations in the steering wheel, steering system motor to turn off, the red steering system malfunction indicator light to illuminate, and audible warnings to chime.  These four events will alert the driver of a malfunction.  A malfunction of the steering system could result in a vehicle crash causing injury or death.  Correction: Dealers will replace the steering gear.