Volkswagen 2014 Passat: Engine Grease Leak Fire Risk
Volkswagen recalls 2012-2014 Passats with diesel engines for potential engine grease leaks that could cause fire if contacting hot surfaces like exhaust systems.
Use caution until it’s fixed
If the leaking grease contacts a heated surface, such as the exhaust system and/or the diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could increase the risk of fire.
What happened, in plain English
Volkswagen is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles with diesel engines. The underbody heat shield may be too short, causing grease to leak and potentially ignite near hot surfaces like the exhaust system. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/1249793-volkswagen-2014-passat-engine-grease-leak-fire-risk.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/1249793-volkswagen-2014-passat-engine-grease-leak-fire-risk · Updated October 7, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #17V309000
Cite this page
“Volkswagen 2014 Passat: Engine Grease Leak Fire Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated October 7, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/1249793-volkswagen-2014-passat-engine-grease-leak-fire-risk. Based on NHTSA recall #17V309000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=17V309000).
Why it’s dangerous
The heat shield may not be long enough to cover the right half-shaft grease boot, causing grease to leak. If this leaking grease contacts hot surfaces like the exhaust system or diesel particulate filter, it could increase fire risk.
Who’s affected
Owners of 2012-2014 Volkswagen Passats with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions are affected. Drivers using these vehicles with the potential grease leak risk are most at risk.
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your 2012-2014 Volkswagen Passat has a diesel engine and Direct-Shift Transmission. The recall started on July 7, 2017, and applies to vehicles with the potential grease leak issue.
- Brand
Volkswagen- Category
Vehicle
What to do — step by step
Contact Volkswagen
Call 1-800-893-5298 to schedule a free replacement of the driveshaft heat shield.
Get Replacement Heat Shield
Dealers will replace the driveshaft heat shield at no cost once you contact Volkswagen.
What NHTSA says to do
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft heat shield, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23W5.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
2 dated steps over 4 months.
- Recall began
- NHTSA received the defect report
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
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Where this comes from
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
- Official source: NHTSA Recall #17V309000 (November 5, 2017)
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on October 7, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
- GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.