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P2196 on VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

Severity
Medium
NHTSA Reports
3
Most Affected
2014, 2013

What P2196 Means on Your VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

Real VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Owner Reports (Source: NHTSA Complaints Database)

"Vehicle schedule for 40000 mile service. engine warning light came on code p2196. volkswagen did a computer update in january 2015 for 30000 mile service, 23n5 ecm software recall. oxygen sensor (front) replaced was replaced by vw when i complained it should not have failed."

— 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT owner • UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM • Filed 09/08/2015

"2014 vw passat tdi se 2.0l manual my vehicle has 62,583 mi. on it. i was driving on the highway when the diesel "glow plug" light began flashing on the dashboard and i lost all engine power."

— 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT owner • POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM • Filed 07/21/2017

"Took our 2014 passat tdi in for a check engine light on 7/18/16 after testing a fault code of p2196 indicated an 02 sensor was faulty. negotiated to $300 to repair/replace unit. picked up vehicle on 7/21/16 after repair was made. on 8/3/16 check engine light again came on."

— 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT owner • FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM • Filed 08/03/2016

Data from NHTSA Vehicle Complaints Database. All reports are filed by vehicle owners directly with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Common Causes of P2196 on VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

33.3%
33.3%
33.3%

Percentages based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

Complaint Trend by Year

2013
1
2014
2

What To Do Next

  1. 1
    Check for recalls on YOUR VIN

    Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. Free repairs if your vehicle is covered.

  2. 2
    Get a proper diagnosis

    A code alone doesn't tell you the exact failed part. A diagnostic at a shop ($50-$150) pinpoints the root cause before you spend money on parts.

  3. 3
    Compare repair quotes

    Get 2-3 quotes. Dealer vs independent shop prices often differ 30-50% for the same repair.

P2196 on Other Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (U.S. Department of Transportation) and the SAE J2012 OBD-II standard. Code definitions follow the SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 standard. Owner reports are filed directly with NHTSA by vehicle owners. This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not replace professional automotive diagnosis. Always consult a qualified mechanic for vehicle repair decisions.

Last updated: March 2026