10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,309 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #29

Sep 082018

Passat

  • 73,300 miles
Clock spring recall - Volkswagen not honoring the recall for my VIN #. steering wheel started to click last night upon turning while driving, and now the airbag light is out. Took it into the dealership today and they said it will be a $700 repair for the clock spring. Even with the airbag light out, one of the service guys told me they have dealt with a lot of these and said it was probably safe to drive. When I asked about the recall 69L2, they said my car was not covered in the recall.

- Franklin, TN, USA

problem #28

Aug 122018

Passat

  • 22,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. While the vehicle was in reverse, the contact heard an abnormal clicking noise coming from the steering wheel and a "driver side air bag error" message appeared. The contact called findlay Volkswagen at (702) 558-6600 (located at 983 auto show dr, henderson, nv 89014) and was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired for manufacturer recall number: 239516 and an unknown NHTSA campaign. The vehicle was not repaired again. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #27

Jun 012018

Passat

  • 72,000 miles
While driving one day I heard a snap in the steering column and the airbag symbol illuminated. The horn does not work and each time I turn the wheel I can hear a noise coming from the column. After taking to a dealer it was determined that the clock spring has failed in the vehicle and Volkswagen has refuse to replace due to placing a cover over the clock spring in January of 2016.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #26

Jun 082018

Passat

  • 103,500 miles
The clockspring was recalled and replaced in 2015. While backing out of a parking spot I heard a couple of pops and lost any steering wheel controls, ie: Volume control ect... the airbag light also illuminated. The next day I took it to Volkswagen service center where they assessed the issue and confirmed it was the clockspring and it needed to be replaced.

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #25

Nov 252017

Passat

  • 145,000 miles
In October 2017 I purchased a Passat tdi from armstrong Volkswagen in gladstone Oregon. I then found out about the clock spring recall. Within a month of owning the vehicle, my entire steering wheel components stopped working and the air bag light came on. While driving, my airbag light remains on, none of my steering wheel controls work, when I turn my steering wheel it almost makes a crunchy noise behind the steering wheel, and I am concerned for mine and my families safety while driving my car. I contacted the dealership and spoke with the service manager who informed me that they personally replaced the clock spring in January 2016. I asked them if they would please re-fix it, as the first fix did not work, and the clock spring was already bad again, less than 2 years later. The service manager told me that they had done what was legally required of them, and that they would not be fixing my car. I then asked to speak to the general manager, whom I left a voicemail for, to see if he could help. He has yet to call me back, two weeks later.

- Napavine, WA, USA

problem #24

May 162018

Passat

  • 26,500 miles
I have the same issue as investigation rq 17-009. My clockspring was part of a recall with previous owner having the recall completed in 2017. Now the clockspring is broken once again. I contacted VW and they informed me the recall is closed and on me to fix or dealer I purchased the car through. This is a VW issue. I heard and felt the clock spring pop while making a hard turn a few days ago. Lost all hand controls, horn and airbag light. This is a serious safety issue with no airbag.

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #23

Feb 192018

Passat

  • 54,500 miles
Clock spring has failed in less than a month after clock spring recall in January of 2018. Steering controls are not functional, air bag error light is on, I assume driver's side airbag is currently non functional. Turned the vehicle and heard a pop sound originating from the steering column, lost steering control, and air bag error immediately followed.

- Warsaw, IN, USA

problem #22

Mar 202018

Passat

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while making a turn, the steering wheel made a clicking noise as the steering wheel seized. The air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the ray brandt Volkswagen dealer (504-349-7272, 4050 lapalco blvd, harvey, la 70058) where it was diagnosed that the air bag clock spring needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Gretna, LA, USA

problem #21

Mar 102018

Passat

  • miles
Thw steering wheel air bags error

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #20

Jan 072018

Passat

  • 98,000 miles
A 2013 Volkswagen Passat, on January 7the airbag warning light came on and "error: Airbag" warning was displayed. The horn no longer works and the buttons around the steering wheel are inoperable. The vehicle was taken to VW in findlay, oh where it was diagnosed that the takaka airbag recall was in effect for this vehicle and that recalled part was replaced. However the steering wheel makes a clicking noise when it is turned, the buttons around the steering wheel are still not working and the airbag warning light and "error:airbag" warning is still on.

- Bloomdale, OH, USA

problem #19

Nov 252017

Passat

  • 187,000 miles
Currently, I have a failing (clicking noise while turning) clock spring my 2013 Passat tdi that went in for the clockspring cover recall in 2016 and also the airbag recall in 8/2017 and has been diagnosed as a "failing clockspring" 11/24/2017, put in for goodwill repair to VW corporate and was immediately rejected and the dealer charges over $700 for replacement. Service tech said since I am a loyal customer of a heavily recalled tdi model, they could repair it for $550 (12/10/2017). This is disappointing...I am waiting for it to fail completely before I chart my next course of action.

- Shorewood, IL, USA

problem #18

Aug 062017

Passat

  • 124,021 miles
When I started turning the steering wheel a few days ago I would hear something kinda ticking like something was caught between the steering and column section. Today after I started my car and the steering wheel air bag came and has stayed on. Thus my horn and buttons to control my instrument panel no longer work.

- Staunton, VA, USA

problem #17

Jul 312017

Passat

  • miles
I have had 2 recalls. I live on an outer island in Hawaii. In order to get a repair I am being told I will have to ship, via ocean barge, my car to oahu.. I think if VW sells to outer islands they at least need to have an authorized service rep on that island. I am not able to afford to ship a car to oahu from kauai and back. When I purchased the car the shipping to my island was included in the price. Please advise

- Kilauea, HI, USA

problem #16

Dec 162016

Passat

  • miles
Clock spring recall. Was fixed in 2016 but is again broken and VW refuses to reimburse the dealer or cover the cost of the repair. Due to this recalled part not being repaired properly, my airbag light is on, I do not have a horn, cruise control, not have the ability to use my steering wheel controls. This, I feel is also relevant to the airbag recall. I cannot sell my car with this issue, nor do I have the $ to fix it. It is dangerous to drive it, as it already has an airbag not working, the airbag light on and no horn. I have contacted both the dealership and VW and they refuse to cover the cost of this recalled part.

- Danbury, CT, USA

problem #15

May 152017

Passat

  • 69,800 miles
Takata recall - I'm placing myself in debt due to the repairs for a car that isn't that old. I'm having electrical problems, steering wheel and brake issues. This company has numerous issues, recalls and legal issues with their cars. I din't sign-up to pay all this money out of pocket, and the airbag recall still isn't available. They were supposed to fix the steering wheel recall, and now my horn doesn't work or any controls on the steering unit. Now how much more money do I have to put into this car" I'm going to notify the better business bureau. I expect certain expenses, but this is a bit much and unfair to the consumer to incur more debt than anticipated. I have obligations and I have to be at work and can't afford to be off due to all these mechanical issues. Especially when the consumer is paying a car note and the car was never reported in an accident. What do you propose I do at this point"

- Penn Hills, PA, USA

problem #14

Mar 062016

Passat

  • miles
I am having airbag light on of my dashboard. I am always having the suspect about airbag will work or not if required. I contact VW services center that they can't help. VW recall website says it is not available from last February 2016. Do I still use the car or not? I have only 1 car for the basic commute to work. I followed up multiple times with VW. But there is no movement to address this problem.

- Hillsboro, OR, USA

problem #13

Sep 172016

Passat

  • 50,000 miles
I purchased this car used in April 2016. In January 2016, as part of the steering wheel clock spring recall, a cover was placed over the clock spring to prevent the cable from tearing (see media.VW.com/release/1042/). less than a year after the recall repair, the clock spring tore and needed to be replaced in my vehicle. The "fix" failed to prevent the known damage from occurring. When I contacted Volkswagen customer care, I was told that they would not cover the replacement of the clock spring, as the one-year parts warranty only applied to the cover that was added to protect the clock spring, and not the clock spring itself, as the clock spring was deemed to be in working order at the time the cover was added. Volkswagen refused to cover this $765 repair, even though they were well aware of the recall problem. I suspect there are other people experiencing similar product failure, and Volkswagen should be held responsible for replacing the clock spring in instances where it fails within a year of the so-called "fix". I was in the grocery store parking lot at the time of the incident, backing out of the parking space. The car was in motion (albeit slowly) at the time. The car horn no longer functions, which is my primary issue.

- Edgewater, MD, USA

problem #12

Jun 052016

Passat

  • miles
Steering wheel too tight especially when turning right or left. Unsafe feeling. Air bag light on.

- Pasco, WA, USA

problem #11

May 022016

Passat

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V613000 (steering) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The VIN was not available.

- Easton, PA, USA

problem #10

May 052016

Passat

  • miles
"takata recall" VW needs to fix my takata airbags, they said there is not a fix right now and it can lead to serious injury. What am I supposed to do, walk 150 miles a day"??"

- The Woodlands, TX, USA

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