In-car Electronics
CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.
What Owners Say
"The RNS 510 takes 15 seconds to turn on the backup camera after starting the car. This is my 5th car with a camera and not 1 has taken more than a few seconds...AT MOST! VW said the 15-20 seconds is withing their engineering specs and won't fix it"
Kirk P., WA (2015 Volkswagen Passat SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"The back up camera failed to work all the time and the Service Department indicated that they replaced the computer"
Anonymous, NV (2015 Volkswagen Passat TDI 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"The backup camera is nearly useless as it can take up to a minute for it to come on. Frequently I've completed my backing up by the time the camera comes on, only to have it continue to operate for up to 30 seconds after I've started driving forward. Almost totally useless."
Anonymous, (2015 Volkswagen Passat SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"It has always had a 10 to 15 second lag before coming on when starting the vehicle after it has been parked. The manufacturer did not put in a big enough processor so the whole system, radio and camera have that significant lag. Manufacturer says too bad. Back up camera is mostly useless since I do not routinely warm up my car especially in the garage."
Anonymous, UT (2015 Volkswagen Passat SEL 1.8-L 4 Cyl turbo)"The system is so slow to loading that most of the time you can not use it. You could use it but you have to wait a long time."
Anonymous, ON (2015 Volkswagen Passat Unsure 1.8-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Back up screen was dark when used with the back up camera"
Anonymous, CA (2015 Volkswagen Passat SE 1.8-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Just frustrating when you're counting on GPS and it keeps freezing. I did fix it twice and is currently working."
Anonymous, VA (2015 Volkswagen Passat SEL 1.8-L 4 Cyl turbo)"The system, which includes the radio and rearview camera are very delayed and take long periods of time before becoming active. After igniting the engine and changing gears to reverse, I am able to reverse out of my garage and driveway and drive do"
Anonymous, TX (2015 Volkswagen Passat TDI 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"When trying to activate Bluetooth it does not always respond and the screen freezes up"
Steven R., IL (2015 Volkswagen Passat SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"Freezing and slow response are normal for the horrible "upgraded" infotainment system known as the RNS510"
Kirk P., WA (2015 Volkswagen Passat SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"I am VERY disappointed with not only the display screen quality but also the slow responsiveness of this so called high end audio system to turn on and the dim screen. I had a 2012 with the standard audio that was a way better value. This is junk. Not worth the extra money, but it was part of the SEL package."
Max B., FL (2015 Volkswagen Passat TDI 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"Happens during trip after navigation is in progress. Problem isn't constant. Happens without prior symptoms. Clears up after car is turned off. Doesn't clear when turning radio/nav power button off even for multiple minutes."
Anonymous, OR (2015 Volkswagen Passat SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"Entire system freezes up intermittently on start-up. Dealer would not do anything about it when it occurred under warranty because it would never do it for them, although they admitted the infotainment center as being problem prone in this model vehicle. Restarting the system by shutting down the entire vehicle for 5 minutes or more would usually resolve the issue."
Anonymous, AL (2015 Volkswagen Passat SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"Sometimes we put the car in reverse and the screen that should show the backup camera just stays blank"
Anonymous, CA (2015 Volkswagen Passat TDI 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"occasionally music from my phone plays over phone conversations that I'm having. I am completely unable to stop this music and it will continue to play as long as I am on the call."
Paul M., ON (2015 Volkswagen Passat SEL 1.8-L 4 Cyl turbo)"If a phone is paired to the car it can take minutes for the car to connect to the phone. During this time, the radio won't play and most of the time, the backup camera won't work"
Anonymous, (2015 Volkswagen Passat SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"The nav system is very slow to start; has given us routes which put us into a repeating loop; has given us routes which repeatedly sent us in the wrong direction, especially in the Los Angeles area. (Am using an after-market Garmin when in LA)"
Dorothy G., CA (2015 Volkswagen Passat TDI 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"The system is not smart enough to recognize alternate routes and sometimes gives erroneous directions. Not as smart as the TomTom GPS"
Anonymous, CA (2015 Volkswagen Passat SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"Gps froze up. Mechanic self test indicated a failure. System replaced under warranty"
Anonymous, OK (2015 Volkswagen Passat SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"It have to be update but the cost to update very night Sometime it bring you through wrong way or not through best way"
Anonymous, ON (2015 Volkswagen Passat Unsure 1.8-L 4 Cyl turbo)"In the middle of listening to music with my phone paired, sometimes I'd hear such a high-pitched noise all of sudden that I have to push the radio power button right away to turn off the bluetooth / audio system."
Younji W., CA (2015 Volkswagen Passat)"About 1 in 20 times the Bluetooth does not connect. ((% It connects if I turn off the engine and restart the car. Even though have this minor problem my VW Bluetooth works 100% better than my wife's Cadillac, SRX Bluetooth"
Ed L., NY (2015 Volkswagen Passat SEL 1.8-L 4 Cyl turbo)"On two occasions the entertainment system froze up for a period of time and we could not use it. It took a couple of hours and a few stops and restarts of the car before the radio began working again."
Max B., FL (2015 Volkswagen Passat TDI 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"The label-cover on one of the buttons snapped off. Everything works, but it is a cosmetic problem"
William E., TX (2015 Volkswagen Passat SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"Radio problem is related to the backup camera system. Most times the radio will not activate for 20 or more seconds after starting down the road. Again manufacturer says too bad, nothing they will do. It has been like this since new"
Anonymous, UT (2015 Volkswagen Passat SEL 1.8-L 4 Cyl turbo)"The sound from satellite radio and from bluetooth phone music is odd"
Anonymous, CA (2015 Volkswagen Passat TDI 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"Front left speaker rattles with bass tones. Needs replacement, defective since purchase of vehicle"
Anonymous, MD (2015 Volkswagen Passat TDI 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"Bluetooth does not always recognize voice commands"
Steven R., IL (2015 Volkswagen Passat SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"Voice recognition is very unreliable and at times simply does not work"
Anonymous, TX (2015 Volkswagen Passat TDI 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)"The voice dial functionality stops working apropo of nothing and doesnt"
Anonymous, CA (2015 Volkswagen Passat SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl diesel)
"Screen for backup system was very dark - had to get the backup camera replaced under warranty"
Anonymous, CA (2015 Volkswagen Passat SE 1.8-L 4 Cyl turbo)