Volkswagen›Passat Sedan›2012›Overview/volkswagen/passat-sedan/2012/base/

2012 Volkswagen Passat Sedan

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Passat Sedan.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2012 Volkswagen Passat Sedan is a passenger‑car sedan whose engine requires 6.3 qt of oil, with permissible viscosities of 0W‑40, 5W‑30 or 5W‑40. In terms of ownership experience, the model year logged 481 complaints, the most frequent concerning the air‑bag system, and it was subject to 11 recalls. These figures locate the 2012 Passat within the broader reliability narrative of the nameplate, offering a concrete data point for researchers assessing long‑term dependability.

Model year201220102009200820072006200520042003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 Diesel · 540 Diesel CCA battery, OE oil filter 03H115441. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 Diesel · 540 Diesel CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire size215-60R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter03H115441 alt 07K115441
Engine air filter1K0129620L alt 07K129620
Fuel filter561919679 alt 3C0919679A
Spark plug101905600C alt 101905622
Battery000915089E alt 000915089F
Front wiper blades561955426B alt 561955425B
Serpentine belt07K145933G alt 03L903137T
ThermostatWHT000863 alt 03H121113E
Cabin air filter1K1819669 alt 1K0819644B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length191.7 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase110.2 in
Curb weight3166 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.3 qt of 0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.4-7.6
Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantUSE G012ABG-A1 COOLANT
Engine Oil0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity6.3 qt
Engine Oil0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity6.3 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs11 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17.7 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-4-5-3
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)730 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)60 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerVW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25-1.30 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.28-4.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number47 Diesel
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 Diesel cca
Optional BCI Group Number49 Diesel

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum51.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum65.0 psi
Residual Pressure43.5 psi
Engine Compression159

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH FN3
Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs / 26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle148 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.984 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.984 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.866 in / 0.394 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 906 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 454 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
129 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9029 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
1Tighten in sequence shown 22 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2Tighten in sequence shown 37 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
3using a ratchet turn 90 degrees90 degrees
4using a ratchet turn 90 degrees; Do not re-use old bolts.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
1Bolts 1-1230 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees; Bolts 13; 7.3 ft. lbs.; Use new bolts. Do not lube bolts. A 2-3 mm bead of a suitable sealer must be placed on the block at the timing chain area front and back sides. Install head gasket and apply sealer on top of head gasket at the timing chain area rear only.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
111 ft. lbs.; Step:2: 22 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
3using a ratchet turn 90 degrees90 degrees
4using a ratchet turn 90 degrees; Apply liquid locking fluid-D 197 300 A2 sealant under head of bolts before installing the longer cylinder head bolts must be installed in the middle holes of the cylinder head.90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9044 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9044 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9044 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
129 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9029 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18022 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi.

Every 9,300 miExterior Lighting (inspect)
Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Diesel Emissions Fluid (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect)
Every 20,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Diesel Particulate Filter (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAir Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
At 120,000 miDiesel Particulate Filter (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2012 Volkswagen Passat Sedan dominate in one area — the air bags, 219 of 481 reports (46%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 11 recall campaigns target the air bags, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 13 of the reports describe a crash and 3 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1566
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
481
Owner complaints
13 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 481 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags219
Electrical System25
Electrical System,Air Bags24
Fuel/Propulsion System17
Steering,Air Bags16
Steering,Electrical System,Air Bags16
Engine15
Unknown Or Other11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V389000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 22/05/2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may…

18V329000Unknown Or OtherReported 16/05/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1566 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TT 10-18-02_22026-06-18EngineLubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_32026-06-18EngineInstruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
V6919012010479_172026-06-11Air BagsInquiries
V1719012012855_812026-06-04EngineVolkswagen Engine Oil Standards
SM 26-20262026-05-19StructureThis special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Passat Sedan. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 batteryVehicles taking 6.3 qtEngine oil filter 03H115441Engine air filter 1K0129620LFuel filter 561919679Spark plug 101905600C

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Passat Sedan take?

6.3 qt of 0W-40, 5W-30 OR 5W-40 MEETING VW SPECIFICATION 502.00, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Passat Sedan have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.