Recall 17V309 affects 84,262 2012-2014 Volkswagen Passat diesels for a short heat shield and grease leak. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 84,262 2012-2014 Passat vehicles with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions because the underbody heat shield does not fully protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat. A grease leak that reaches the exhaust system or diesel particulate filter increases the risk of fire, and Volkswagen dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2012-2014 Volkswagen Passat diesel with DSG has an underbody heat shield near the exhaust and diesel particulate filter. That shield is supposed to keep high exhaust heat away from the right half-shaft grease boot, a rubber cover that holds lubricant around the driveline joint. The upper boost hose also matters because it carries compressed turbo air into the engine.
On affected Passats, the heat shield is not long enough to protect the grease boot. If the upper boost hose leaks, compressed air escapes before combustion, the engine adds too much fuel, and soot builds up in the diesel particulate filter. During a filter cleaning cycle, that overloaded filter can overheat and expose the grease boot to more heat than it was built to handle. The boot can then leak grease.
What you notice starts in the engine controls. A leaking boost hose can trigger a flashing glow plug light, reduced-power limp mode, and then the malfunction indicator light. If those warnings are ignored, soot loading in the filter can continue.
Who's affected?
The same two component categories, driveline and diesel engine, appear across all included model years.
| 2013 Volkswagen Passat | driveline |
|---|---|
| 2013 Volkswagen Passat | Diesel |
| 2012 Volkswagen Passat | driveline |
| 2012 Volkswagen Passat | Diesel |
| 2014 Volkswagen Passat | driveline |
| 2014 Volkswagen Passat | Diesel |
| Units affected | 84,262 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
Leaking grease that reaches a hot exhaust surface or diesel particulate filter can increase fire risk. A flashing glow plug light, limp mode, or MIL light points to a boost hose problem that needs prompt dealer attention. Do not ignore those warnings. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2014 Volkswagen Passat is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free driveshaft heat-shield replacement that protects the right half-shaft grease boot from heat.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V309 and Volkswagen recall 23W5 when you call.
- Ask the dealer for driving guidance before the appointment if you see grease leaking under the vehicle.
- Keep the repair appointment, because leaking grease that reaches the exhaust system or diesel particulate filter increases the risk of fire.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician replaces the driveshaft heat shield so the right half-shaft grease boot is protected from exhaust heat. The replacement parts and labor are free under recall 17V309. If you already paid for a repair directly related to this heat shield defect, Volkswagen offers reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. Bring receipts or repair documentation to the service desk and ask how to submit the claim under Volkswagen recall number 23W5.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 11, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 7, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V309?
Recall 17V309 covers 84,262 2012-2014 Volkswagen Passat diesel vehicles with DSG transmissions. The underbody heat shield is too short to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, which can lead to a grease leak. Volkswagen dealers replace the driveshaft heat shield for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2014 Volkswagen Passat is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Passat is included in recall 17V309. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the driveshaft heat shield replacement. Reference recall 17V309 or Volkswagen recall number 23W5 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 17V309, Volkswagen dealers replace the driveshaft heat shield free of charge at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. If grease leaks from the right half-shaft grease boot and contacts a heated surface, such as the exhaust system or diesel particulate filter, fire risk increases. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free Volkswagen dealer repair.
What if I bought my Volkswagen Passat used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your used Passat is included, then give the dealer recall 17V309 or Volkswagen recall number 23W5 when you schedule service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V309000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V309 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V309000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →