10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,832 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #26

Jul 052017

Passat

  • 80,200 miles
2014 Volkswagen Passat was diagnosed with failure of the steering wheel clock spring resulting in loss of function for airbag, horn, and steering wheel control buttons. Airbag light was illuminated, and horn/buttons did not work. I took the vehicle in for repair right away. My VIN was not included in the existing recall (VW 69L2, NHTSA 15V-483) even though my issue appeared to be exactly the same concerns and symptoms as described in the existing recall notice. The current recall includes 2014 Volkswagen Passat cars manufactured in the us, but my vehicle was excluded. I had the vehicle repaired at a Volkswagen dealership (momentum Volkswagen of jersey village, houston, tx) at my cost of $544.01. Date of repair was 05-Jul-2017, vehicle mileage 80200.

- Tomball, TX, USA

problem #25

Feb 092016

Passat

  • miles
Takata recall I received a recall notice in the mail more than a year ago but in numerous calls to VW service they said they didn't have the parts to fix my car & that it isn't a safety issue in California. Now VW service dealership in salinas said there is no recall on my car even though www.safergov still shows an incomplete recall. Now my horn stopped working, the airbag light is lit on the dashboard and my steering wheel is making noises when I'm steering. This is a dangerous situation. I can't honk as warning and I don't think the airbag will deploy and if it does it can cause injury or death.

- Salinas, CA, USA

problem #24

May 152017

Passat

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. While driving 55 mph, the horn failed to work and the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (bob penkhus Volvo Mazda Volkswagen; 1101 motor city dr, Colorado springs, co 80905; (719) 473-4100) where it was diagnosed that the air bag clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V078000 (air bags). 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 contacted at 800-822-8987 and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall and the contact had to pay for the repair. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Manitou Springs, CO, USA

problem #23

Apr 202017

Passat

  • 30,416 miles
I drive a manual transmission. I have a 3 year old car with 30, 000 miles on it. The transmission jammed while the car was on the highway. It was due to a clutch that had broken into pieces and needed replacement. As a seasoned driver of manual cars, having driven ones with >100, 000 miles on them I have never faced such a dangerous and unexpected disintegration of the clutch in a car that has only 30, 000 miles on it. Keeping in mind the kind of tampering and mishandling that it would need to break a clutch I complained to VW about this and they have done nothing to help. Instead I am left with a heft bill to pay for the repairs, and, will probably need to buy a new car anyway as I would not endanger my life and that of my children driving a car with some serious engineering and/design issues that VW will not take responsibility for. The car also has electrical issues which I informed VW about; the parked car with the parking breaks on while turned off rolls off on the most gradual slopes and onto the street.

- Dublin, CA, USA

problem #22

Oct 072016

Passat

  • 40,000 miles
I was turning my steering wheel to park and heard a noise in the steering wheel that sounded like a wire stretching. Air bag light came on dashboard. Vehicle taken to VW dealer. Dealer states 'airbag clock spring' broken. A NHTSA recall exists for 2014 VW Passat, yet my vehicle is not included in it" NHTSA website states recall closed, yet my 2014 Passat has a defective clockspring. How can this be" dealer now wants $700 to repair and my life is in danger. Please reopen this recall of the 2014 VW clockspring issue since it is not complete and is putting lives at risk.

- Brecksville, OH, USA

problem #21

Jan 312017

Passat

  • 56,528 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle, the audio system failed. The dealer stated that the vehicle's warranty was expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 56,528.

- Middletown, DE, USA

problem #20

Jan 232017

Passat

  • 39,000 miles
Stopped at intersection at green light idling when I went to put on the gas the car stalled. Restarted the car and would not work. Stuck in middle of the road with potential of causing other accidents. VW said the problem was due to an update and after an update was done that I had to pay out of pocket for the car was fixed.

- Saratoga, CA, USA

problem #19

Sep 262016

Passat

  • 60,000 miles
Today I received an "important safety recall" from Volkswagen of America informing me that my vehicle is the subject of safety recall 23T3 - NHTSA: 16V171 relating to improperly assembled wire seals which can cause the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) to illuminate. Since the mil has recently illuminated in my vehicle I contacted naples Volkswagen in naples, Florida to have my vehicle inspected/repaired per the safety recall. I was informed by the service writer, charles, that I would be charged $128 to diagnose the problem. I thought that the manufacturer is responsible for repairing vehicles which are subject to a safety recall.

- Bonita Springs, FL, USA

problem #18

Sep 192016

Passat

  • miles
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V171000 (electrical system); 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.

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

problem #17

Feb 092016

Passat

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V078000 (air bags) and 16V171000 (electrical system); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #16

Aug 042016

Passat

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. While driving approximately 35 mph, the horn was pressed but failed to operate, in addition to other buttons on the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V483000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000. Updated 10/13/16

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #15

Feb 102016

Passat

  • miles
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V078000 (air bags) and 16V171000 (electrical system). The dealer was contacted and they were unable to determine when the parts would become available beyond a reasonable time frame. The contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and was unable to provide a specific date or time frame that the dealer would receive the parts. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Lexington, NC, USA

problem #14

Apr 212016

Passat

  • miles
I just recently purchased this 2014 VW Passat from Nissan and they did not reveal all the recalls on this vehicle! I'm really dissatisfied with the Nissan dealership as I feel this is being deceitful, not to mention very unsafe for me and my family. Dishonest!!!!! to say the least!

- Tumwater, WA, USA

problem #13

Mar 182016

Passat

  • 36,000 miles
I have had several problems with the tsi sel navigation and radio system in my car. It seems as though you cannot touch any buttons until this system is fully up and running. It is extremely slow at start up. Most of the time I can finish my backing out of the driveway even before the back up camera comes on. On a few occasions I have started the vehicle and the radio will suddenly go to full volume. I have had the navigation system lock up on me. Once we were driving in Tennessee and pulled off to get some gas, well this completely confused the system and it decided to lock up once we entered back on the highway. I had to pull over to the side and turn the car off for a while and then reprogram my destination. Another time on my way home from work the system locked and would not let me get to any other screen. I have had times when the system never boots completely and stays with the message of "system starting". of course the dealership cannot repeat the issues and flat out told me they don't work on them because they are junk and they know that they are slow and in adequate. Personally if VW knows they are crap they should give us the upgrades they did to the newer models. I know I am not the only one with this issue because I have talked with others who have the same problems.

- Genoa City, WI, USA

problem #12

Feb 092016

Passat

  • 14,900 miles
Exactly 28 days after first breakdown had another exactly the same. See your previous report #10818720. Driving to work on highway 2014 VW Passat engine lights came on. Car can not go over 30mph & decreasing speed. Tow truck called, mechanic & dealership, rental car, & private insurance all again. Dealership stated chewed wires from squirrels & does not cover under warranty. 1st time $2,700. 2nd time $700. Learned of soy-based coating on wires. Local farmers & government grass cutter workers have chewed wires on their tractors also. Pleae investigate. Please recall. Please help.

- Hester, LA, USA

problem #11

Dec 022015

Passat

  • 19,000 miles
Backup camera/navigation/radio system system does not working in a consistent manner (camera works when it wants to-big safety concern, screen goes blank, etc.). radio/navigation controls are inoperable at random occasions while vehicle is in motion or even at a stop position. Radio screen goes blank even if radio is on and user is unable to control it for up to a few minutes. On 2 occasions, even after turning the entire car on and off multiple times the radio was on but all controls were inoperable and unable to turn off. Eventually the system became operable a few minutes later. Safety issue has been discussed with VW dealer and they stated VW knows about all the owner inquiries into this issue but it has yet to make a recall. My concern is that backup camera does not work as it should and therefore the safety feature that the vehicle came with does not function properly. This causes the driver to go in reverse with only the help of mirrors. If safety equipment does not work properly then it should be replaced. Second, when the system controls malfunction the volume and on/off buttons cannot be used and therefore driver is left focusing on how to fix this issue not on keeping their eyes on the road. As per my discussion both with the dealership service department and the customer service at corporate office, they admitted to the recurring issue for many VW owners but said it had not become a big enough issue or safety concern so there was not recall. My question is if system (backup camera/radio/navigation) is already a documented issue for many owners and does not allow a safety feature to work properly (backup camera) or can cause a distraction for a vehicle operator then why is not a recall. I purchased a brand new vehicle with the expectation that all equipment would work as described.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #10

Jan 042016

Passat

  • 14,000 miles
2014 Volkswagen Passat diesel. Ownership 1/1/2 yrs. Mileage 14,000. Driving to work could not go over 30mph. Dashboard light came on showing emission control monitor & pre glow. Thought it was due to colder weather. Had to be towed & at dealership now for repair. Complete breakdown. VW mechanic stating there is major damage due to a rodent or squirell problem. Stated the wiring is chewed up even in the headlights. I am the only car owner in the parish and in the neighborhood with this problem?? have warranty but VW said this is not covered under warranty. Had to get rental car. Waiting for state farm insurance adjuster to go to dealership. Help! please send a NHTSA rep to investigate and look at vehicle.

- Hester, LA, USA

problem #9

Feb 272015

Passat

  • 5,800 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. While attempting to merge into traffic at 5 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,800.

- Angleton, TX, USA

problem #8

Jan 202015

Passat 4-cyl

  • 9,700 miles
When driving car loss of power had towed to VW dealer turbo failure with just 9700 miles.

- Milan, OH, USA

problem #7

May 022014

Passat 4-cyl

  • 600 miles
Since purchased we have found the rns-510 radio navigation asystem to be a dangerous item that Volkswagen has known about for a number of years. Their tech tips number, tt 91-13-01 dated 2/8/2013, updated on 5/9/2014 basically tells the car owner to just live with it. I think not since it is dangerous and life threatening. In speaking with VW techs at a number of dealerships I have been told this system is, "crap', "sucks", " is underpowered", "has been a problem since it was introduced", "is a pain in the [xxx]", "will never work right because it is underpowered". my wife is afraid to drive it because of concerns with the aforementioned radio navigation system. When putting the vehicle in reverse and waiting from 3-7 seconds the rearview camera shows a picture.when placed in drive the rearview camera stays on the screen for around 8-9 seconds. My wife has found this distracting and dangerous in moving forward but having a rear view still visible on the screen taking the drivers attention from concentrating on the road ahead. The radio touch screen is also a problem that at times requires multiple touches to get a channel change, again a distraction to the drive. Now the navigation system in this unit also is a pain. When my wife would use the navigation system the map would freeze up on the original streets and not progress as she went forward. I tried all of these things and agree completely. This unit is garbage that is a big distraction that VW has known about since the rns-510 was first introduced. The rns-510 came in my Passat sel premium which is supposed to be the top end Passat. One would think that such a vehicle would contain a unit that would function in a safe manner. I think this is the type of defective part that should require a recall. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Goldsboro, NC, USA

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