Volkswagen Passat Recall R/2016/059: Sunroof May Injure Occupants When It Is Closed From Outside Vehicle, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Low
- How serious
- 30 Mar 2016
- Launched
- 606
- vehicles in the UK
- 97BT
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Volkswagen recalled Passat vehicles built between 17 February 2015 and 5 February 2016. With Panorama sun roof the legally specified limits of the clamping forces for convenience opening and closing of the sun roof may not be kept. The dealer will update to do this the software for the on-board supply control unit and the sun roof control unit/ configured. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
With Panorama sun roof the legally specified limits of the clamping forces for convenience opening and closing of the sun roof may not be kept. When closing the Panorama sun roof from outside with the vehicle key (convenience closing) if any body parts are in the operating area of the sun roof they can get pressed against the roof frame and possibly get injured.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: SUNROOF MAY INJURE OCCUPANTS WHEN IT IS CLOSED FROM OUTSIDE VEHICLE Defect: On certain vehicles with Panorama sun roof the legally specified limits of the clamping forces for convenience opening and closing of the sun roof may not be kept. When closing the Panorama sun roof from outside with the vehicle key (convenience closing) if any body parts are in the operating area of the sun roof they can get pressed against the roof frame and possibly get injured. Remedy: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and deactivate the convenience opening and closing of the Panorama sun roof. To do this the software for the on-board supply control unit and the sun roof control unit must be updated/ configured.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: sunroof may injure occupants when it is closed from outside vehicle.
The Fix
The dealer will update to do this the software for the on-board supply control unit and the sun roof control unit/ configured. The fix is a software update, which usually takes under an hour at the dealer.
Are You Affected?
Passat built between 17 February 2015 and 5 February 2016 may be included. Volkswagen estimates 606 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Volkswagen, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Volkswagen.
- Book with any franchised Volkswagen dealer, quoting the campaign code 97BT or the DVSA reference R/2016/059. See how to get a Volkswagen recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
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| Arteon, Golf, PassatOn certain vehicles with electromechanical brake servo and DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) of a limited production period there is a possibility that a heat protection mat was incorrectly fitted. In individual cases the brake fluid reservoir can melt and cause a brake fluid leak into the engine compartment | Urgent | R/2024/014 | |
| Arteon, Golf 8, Passat, TiguanThe fuse in the high-voltage system of plug-in hybrid vehicles was in some cases produced with too little so-called fire sand | Urgent | R/2022/086 | |
| Golf, PassatDriver's air bag may not deploy correctly if activated | Urgent | R/2021/403 |
This is one of 220 Volkswagen recalls in DVSA’s data. The Volkswagen recall launched before it was R/2016/060 on 26 Mar 2016, for brake pedal may fail and make hard braking impossible. The one launched after it was R/2016/065 on 6 Apr 2016, for side airbag gas generator canister may fail. You can also see every Volkswagen recall and all recalls launched in 2016.
Source: DVSA recall R/2016/059, launched 30 March 2016. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.