Volkswagen Passat Recall R/2016/212: Electronic Stability Control System May Fail, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 9 Sep 2016
- Launched
- 5
- vehicles in the UK
- 45E4
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Volkswagen recalled Passat vehicles built between 20 May 2015 and 30 June 2015. The electronic stability control (ESC) unit may have not have been manufactured to the correct specification. The recall notice describes the fix as: on affected vehicles check the ESC unit and where necessary replace. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The electronic stability control (ESC) unit may have not have been manufactured to the correct specification. This may cause the control unit to malfunction during operation.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM MAY FAIL Defect: The electronic stability control (ESC) unit may have not have been manufactured to the correct specification. This may cause the control unit to malfunction during operation Remedy: On affected vehicles check the ESC unit and where necessary replace.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could cause the control unit to malfunction during operation.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: on affected vehicles check the ESC unit and where necessary replace.
Are You Affected?
Passat built between 20 May 2015 and 30 June 2015 may be included. Volkswagen estimates 5 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 45E4 or the DVSA reference R/2016/212. 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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|---|---|---|---|
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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/2016/206 on 1 Sep 2016, for cng tank may burst. The one launched after it was R/2016/221 on 9 Sep 2016, for panoramic sunroof may detach. You can also see every Volkswagen recall, all recalls launched in 2016 and brake recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2016/212, launched 9 September 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.