10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 1
Average Mileage:
50,985 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Volkswagen Passat:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #83

Aug 012023

Passat

  • miles
I was turning into my driveway when I heard a strange clicking noise coming form the steering wheel column. As soon as I heard the clicking sound the airbag indicator light started flashing on my dashboard and the buttons on my steering wheel stopped working. Did some research on the airbag sensor which lead to learning about the clockspring malfunction. Not only I-??m I at risk of my airbag not deploying, my HORN does not work. The horn malfunction came to knowledge when a car pulled out in front of me causing me to run off the road. I spoke with Volkswagen manufacturer about the malfunction recall. I was told since my car is over 120k miles it could not be replaced under the 10 year recall extended warranty. I purchased my 2013 VW CC in October of 2022. I have only owned the car for one year. Yes, the car is available to be inspected upon request.

- Hemingway, SC, USA

problem #82

Jun 082023

Passat

  • miles
Day of purchase (Feb2020)Nox sensor went out on way home. Check engine light came on took back to VW dealership they fixed for free. Next component to go bad or become faulty was and still is the fuel door actuator when raining or washing off the car will get wet and fuel door will not open. Reported it to VW dealer after the issue arose at which time I was told it was not covered under the emissions warranty even though it-??s listed. Next issue was clock spring broke and had to have VW repair the clock spring. This they did free of charge. Then issues arose with first blinkers bulbs blowing and randomly ceasing to work. It has progressed from blinkers, to back up lights and tag lights. Recently the OBD displayed a Adblu Error 200 miles to no engine restart. Then it dropped to 50 miles. Then zero at which time the OBD flashed red and car would not start. Filled adblu waited few hours car started up no codes showing on dash. Get on interstate and with little time it flashes the same messages Adblu Error 200 miles to no engine restart. Then to 50 miles down to 10 miles turning red at 0 miles No engine Start. As of 6 days ago I have recently learned of a recall made by VW regarding the Approved Emissions Modification being faulty leading to the exact symptoms the car displays regarding the adblu(DEF system). VW dealer refuses to acknowledge that the recall fix needs fixing since they reported to have fixed it already. All of the issues that we have had with the NOx sensor, clock spring, exterior lighting, fuel door actuator, and the def system corrected approved modification, has been part of a recall that was supposedly already performed prior to the purchase. Now the def system is not working properly due to the malfunctioning of the AEM software. Def injector have clogged due to crystallization of adblu, a affect of inadequate injection from the faulty AEM. Emission mod decals under hood are not in proper locations nor properly filled.

- Blue Mountain , MS, USA

problem #81

Jul 172023

Passat

  • miles
My instrument cluster stopped working yday. I could hear something inside or behind the steering wheel when I turned it. Obviously my clock spring has failed. I am pretty sure my car had a recall on this in the past. I haven-??t had another ride to Little Rock to take my car for repairs. I can not afford to fix this. The part alone is over 400$. I understand it is very dangerous to drive. I have no other way to get anywhere. I need this part replaced if possible at all by volkswagon. There were 6 recalls on my car last time I checked. This being one of them. It is very dangerous to drive for me and everyone on the roadways. Please help. Thank you.

- Judsonia, AR, USA

problem #80

Apr 012023

Passat

  • miles
While I was driving I notice my steering wheel making a crumbling of plastic noise when I made any kind of turn. A few days later my Airbag error lamp started to blink. I parked and restarted my engine then the airbag became solid. My dash read -??Airbag Error-??. I notice all my steering wheel buttons do not work. Came home and neither does my horn. My car has never been in accident, but I feel it-??s a safety hazard. I-??m basically driving mute and I-??m sure my airbag will not deploy in case of accident. Also, Vw does have a recall on the Clock spring but was never completed due to not hearing back from manufacturer. That was a few years back and do not understand how recalls work, but a recall was started for a reason and NOT completed. Is that even possible? This a serious safety issue if I-??m in an accident without an Airbag. Also the horn will not work in case to warn other drivers of a possible fatal hazard

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #79

Mar 302023

Passat

  • miles
While driving Airbag error flashed on dash and the Airbag light-lamp came on. Also my steering wheel horn and buttons do not work. I had no past indication. I am driving with no horn and most likely no Airbag deployment in case of accident. No inspection yet. Actually at risk if driven to the dealership

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #78

Jan 012016

Passat

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagens Passat. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and multiple unknown safety lights are illuminated on the dash. The vehicle was able to restart. On other occasion, while parked the vehicle stalled and multiple safety lights were illuminated again. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact believes that the failure is associated with NHTSA Campaign Number:?17V509000. The manufacture was notified and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 150,100.

- Hudson , NY, USA

problem #77

Oct 132022

Passat

  • miles
The airbag light came on, the horn won't work, and none of the steering wheel controls work. I think it is the clockspring failure that wasn't fixed right.

- Grand Junction, CO, USA

problem #76

Nov 162022

Passat

  • miles
Records indicate clock spring recall service was performed at some time in the past. Same exact problem recurred last week. Clearly the recall service did not remedy the problem.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #75

Oct 042022

Passat

  • miles
Driver side low beam headlights failed. Bulb works. Bulb Holder works. Confirmed by moving bulb and bulb holder assembly to passenger side where it operates fine. Search on-line finds many people with same problem. It appears to be an electrical connection problem within the headlight assembly. There was a reportedly recall for this problem that did not cover all VINs. This is definitely a safety issue that also reportedly costs up to $600 to fix.

- Thompson's Station , TN, USA

problem #74

Jul 272022

Passat

  • miles
Recall still from 2015!!! Clock spring defect NEED TO HAVE FIXED ASAP!!! Dealer says have to replace ourselves REALLY"??" It-€™s a manufacturer RECALL

- Ocklawaha , FL, USA

problem #73

Mar 232022

Passat 5-cyl

  • miles
The Air Bag Inoperative Light illuminated in the dashboard display. All steering wheel electrical functions including horn, display control for items such as speed display stopped working, radio control, and phone control eased to function. There was a grinding noise coming from inside the steering wheel when I turned the wheel. I took the car to the dealer. The dealer said it is a known issue concerning the steering wheel clock spring and VW has known about this for years and has issued an extended warranty. However, VW has the parts on back order and is not supplying the parts to fix the problem in a timely fashion as it should with an emergency safety condition. I called VW of America to report this. They gave me a case number. They then sent me an email a week later saying they would get back to me in a month to let me know the status. This is negligent and unacceptable. This is not a dealership issue. VW is not supplying the part to fix the airbag system. This is a SAFETY ISSUE. Thousands of cars are affected, not just mine. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE AND IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. Just like the Takata airbag scenario, this should be acted on immediately before someone is seriously hurt or killed because VW will not fix a known safety issue with their air bag system. There is still no resolution from VW. This has been a known issue with VW for over 5 years.

- Lake Forest Park, WA, USA

problem #72

Dec 202021

Passat

  • miles
Both left and right low beam headlights became inoperable leave vehicle with only high beams. There has been a recall submitted by VW for the exact year/make/model/and production date. I have contacted closest dealership and have been given several reasons from the vehicle isn-€™t included in the recall but no explanation as to why it isn-€™t even though it meets every single criteria listed which vehicles it included and I was also told the recall was completed by another dealership but can not give the date or location of when the recall was supposedly done. If it was done, hypothetically speaking, then it obviously wasn-€™t done correctly because the same issue is still occurring, placing me and any passengers in extreme danger.

- Harlan, KY, USA

problem #71

Sep 232021

Passat

  • miles
When parallel parking, the steering wheel began making a clicking noise when turning. The volume and duration of the clicking increased after pulling out from parking spot into the street and the instrument panel airbag light/chime came on within a mile of driving. Clicking in wheel while turning persisted intermittently throughout driving. All electrical controls on steering wheel are no-response. Horn does not work, airbag deactivated, and all steering wheel electronic controls are no-response.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #70

Jul 272021

Passat

  • miles
The battery died. It's located in the trunk. There was no way to get to the battery because there's no keyhole in the trunk lid and without power nothing works. As in the trunk latch. Once I was able to jump the car bypassing the battery the trunk latch in the driver's side door malfunctioned. Now I can't get into the trunk at all. The latched to let the backseat down are located in the trunk. It's a horrible design and I'm just grateful I was stranded alone somewhere when the trunk latch failed.

- West Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #69

Apr 232021

Passat

  • 59,540 miles
My 2013 VW Passat 2.5 S only has 59K miles and I was driving I no down road all sudden the car jerked forward and went into limp mode. I had it looked at then parts replaced and still having issues and they can't figure out issue. And now new codes keep coming up and keep getting new parts put in but it still feels like engine about shake right out of the car. I tried calling Volkswagen and they were supposed to call me back withing 2 days and I never heard anything back. I take really good care of my car and had all the parts replaced but its still having throttle and electrical issues and I can't get ahold of anyone. Mines having a lot of same issues as these people too which is weird especially around same time.

- Appleton, WI, USA

problem #68

Dec 212020

Passat

  • 145,000 miles
Air bag and all steering wheel controls failed. Had similar issue and had clock spring replace 12/26/2016 and appears to have failed again 4 years later.

- Willoughby, OH, USA

problem #67

Sep 232020

Passat

  • 99,553 miles
My 2013 volkwagen Passat I purchased in November of 2019 has continued to have so many problems involving what I have been told the major recal the Volkswagen has for my vehicle. How ever I only see the recal fix for my vehicle back in October of 2019 yet it was back in the dealer for the same recal just 6 weeks ago and now I have had it in another machanic shop for the 2nd time now same recal issues and I cant get an hones answer from any one. My vehicle was also supposed to be at the dealer ship just about 6 weeks ago but I went there and my vehicle was not there yet they would not give me any information and my gps is on however my account information is incorrect.

- Central Point, OR, USA

problem #66

Nov 202020

Passat

  • 121,000 miles
Starting the car is a problem. I'll be driving it from time to time. Then it will just stop working. So very dangerous when I'm at a red light and it stalls.

- Fife, WA, USA

problem #65

Apr 022020

Passat

  • miles
Trunk wire harness failure. Trunk does not open from key fob, driver side button, or outside trunk lever. The only way to open the trunk in manual lever from inside the trunk.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #64

Apr 012020

Passat

  • 100,748 miles
The rear driver side taillights and turn signal quit working, replaced bulbs still broke. Airbag warning light stays on, this is the same problem that many of the VW have. My VIN shows that 5 repairs have been fixed if these are supposed to be fixed it didn't work. Recalls were over before I got the car so what am I supposed to do? these problems occur whether I'm stationary or moving.

- Danville, IL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »