2.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,600 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.

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problem #17

Jul 132022

Passat

  • miles
Replaced cracked fuel pump 3 times. Electrical problem to fuel pump ; also all were cracked from pressure. Thx !! Dr.

- Nashville , TN, USA

problem #16

Aug 012023

Passat

  • miles
As the trunk hatch opens and closes, the wiring to the hatch wears down, frays, and then shorts or breaks. This killed our rear view camera, which is a safety issue. This also can cut off light to the license plate. The rear hatch also cannot then be opened from the rear of the car, as the handle is electrical and gets disconnected, possible causing another safety issue.

- Castro Valley, CA, USA

problem #15

Jul 012022

Passat

  • miles
There is a short in the wiring for the tail lights the short in the wires also effects the trunk wiring. The design of the wiring in the trunk bends the tail light wires and wears them out so now there is a short in the tail light, reverse light, fog light and the trunk release. It is very unsafe to have these lights not work and to have a faulty wiring.

- Hot Springs National Park, AR, USA

problem #14

Jan 042020

Passat

  • miles
I got all types of misfires and fuel pump and electrical problems the car almost has me in car wrecks every time I drive it the speed thermometer jumps up and down causing me to have no push in the gas I have to turn the car on and off on the highway

- Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA

problem #13

Dec 302020

Passat

  • 156,000 miles
There is a gas leak by rear tire. The mechanics that changed my tires said it was water. Went for an oil change, and they refused to do it because it's a gas leak. They can't tell where it's coming from.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #12

Jan 222020

Passat

  • 99,900 miles
Vehicle lost power and shut off while driving on the street at approximately 20 mph. I had driven about 1 block on this street after having turned onto it from another street. When the car died, "steering wheel locked" displayed on dash panel. Car would not start, steering wheel wouldn't move beyond about 1" to the right. Message would display "steering wheel still locked" or "move steering wheel." After 40 minutes of this rotation of messages and trying to start the vehicle, moved the steering wheel up and down. Car finally started but only for 3 seconds. Battery light would come on. Was able to start the car several times doing this and moving it 30 feet to safely park on the side of the road. Temperature outside was about 30 degrees F. for about 1 month prior to this, I would periodically hear a ticking sound after removing the key from the ignition. After the ticking stopped, a message would display on the dash panel "steering column locked. Visit workshop!" it was extremely cold when this happened, but it didn't happen every time I turned off the car, and the car started fine each time after. Outside temp was in the teens (F) when this typically happened.

- Champaign, IL, USA

problem #11

Oct 022019

Passat

  • miles
After replacing my car battery on 2010 VW cc, the red steering wheel icon appeared on the dash followed by 3 chimes to make known of problem. The steering wheel lost all power steering. Prior to occurance there was never any whining noise, abnormal shaking that could point to a problem with the steering rack. After researching I found others with the same issue and no easy fix but to tow to the shop and get a ridiculous quote on parts and labor for the replacement of the steering rack.

- Northlake, IL, USA

problem #10

Jul 032018

Passat

  • 113,000 miles
Brought the car for airbag sign-on on 07-14-2018. Peabody MA VW dealer said that clock spring need to be replaced for $731. Horn, button on the handle not functioning. It looks like VW trying Dodge the real issue on recall.

- Malden, MA, USA

problem #9

Jun 012018

Passat

  • miles
So we just payed off our car and the problems started, first the car wouldn't go in reverse it acted as it was in neutral then it started doing in when driving so we took it in and they said we need a new transmission after that the A/C stopped working and we started getting a loud ticking noise so we took it in again to the dealership this time they tell us the timing chain needs to be replaced, a seal for the transmission is leaking also, we have done alot of research online and have seen this has been happening to alot of people if the timing chain breaks it can seize the whole motor! I paid roughly 22K for the car it has less then 70K miles and they want around 9K for the repairs there has to something done about this they should not get away with ripping people off

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #8

Jan 102018

Passat

  • miles
My vehicle was a part of the clockspring recall for VW in 2015. The airbag light is now on and all steering wheel electrical controls are no longer working. Mechanic says it is a failure of the clockspring in the steering wheel.

- Hendersonville, NC, USA

problem #7

Dec 132017

Passat

  • 71,000 miles
Vehicle was recalled for air bag/clock spring reason twice in just over a year. Now, shortly after both of these repairs, we had a noise in the steering wheel, as well as an air bag failure indicator illuminate. We cannot help but feel this is related to the work that has been performed on these recent recalls and feel VW should be responsible for the cost of these repairs. This happened while driving on a city street while making a turn. Attached is a copy of the service record.

- Chico, CA, USA

problem #6

Oct 232017

Passat

  • 190,000 miles
During the normal operation of the vehicle, without notice the steering wheel light comes on and disables the ability to steer the vehicle normally. I've incounter this problem at all speeds and also during idleling at a red traffic light. Please help as this may cause me to have a serious accident. Thank you

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #5

Oct 262016

Passat

  • 61,899 miles
I have been having electrical issues with this car after owning it for 4 years. It started with the tail light bulb always burning out. I have had issues with the windows before and had it replaced. Last year I paid almost $2200 for window which won't roll down and the door which won't lock, water pump, oil leak and other minor issues. The keypad will lock 3 doors only and the lights won't come on when locked but when unlocked it'll come on. I have purchased 3 batteries thus far because the car constantly drains the battery. I've had this car stop in the middle of driving on major streets and almost got rear ended. My passenger right rear door does not lock and window does not work at all.I feel unsafe in this car because I am afraid that some electrical issue might cause my car to catch on fire. The tail light will work if I tap the outside cover to the light. I have gotten pulled over several times because of this and once I show the cop that if I tap it it'll come on, then they understand. At this present moment I can not open the driver side door from the outside and that will cost over $1000 to repair. I purchased my car in August 2009 and I have 62,043 miles on the vehicle. I do not mistreat the car but it's really not worth it and VW does not want to acknowledge that this is a poorly built vehicle. It feels as if this is was a trial an error model car. I am confident that if this car wasn't as old as it is now it would qualify for the lemon law. I am sure that I am not the only VW cc owner experiencing these headaches but if I am at least I am making it known of some of the issues I have encountered while being a first time and last time VW owner.

- Miami Gardens, FL, USA

problem #4

Aug 312016

Passat

  • 100,300 miles
Fuel manifold under the back seat of the vehicle was cracked due to the wiring harness placement and pressure from occupants in the back seat caused the manifold to crack and spew fuel all over the electrical harness. Poor placement of the electrical harness for the fuel pump or poor engineering caused this manifold to crack. Very dangerous having fuel leaking out at a high volume onto the electrical connection to the fuel pump. Fire and or explosion danger!!!!

- Castle Rock, CO, USA

problem #3

May 012013

Passat 4-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
I was driving home on the highway when my center console radio head-unit stopped working. The speakers stopped playing music, the display on the head-unit blacked out, the back-lighting for the unit went out, and my blue tooth capabilities cut out as well. My radio has not worked for the past two years, and I am unable to use hands-free blue tooth with my phone. I now have to use my phone by hand if I want to be able to communicate while driving. I've been noticing increased drain on my battery (even when the car is turned off) which was confirmed to be coming from my dead radio according to diagnostics run at an auto shop. I have had to jump and replace my battery twice until I was able to get the issue diagnosed. I am concerned that my battery will drain again from the defective radio unit. When I took my car to the VW dealership, the only option they offered to me was to pay $125 to diagnose the problem and then another $800 to pay for a replacement unit of the same brand. I refuse to pay $800 for a replacement part that I and many others believe is a defective part.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #2

Aug 242011

Passat 4-cyl

  • 22,000 miles
While driving on the highway, we switched lanes and pressed the accelerator to the floor while attempting to pass another vehicle. There was no response from the throttle. After 15 seconds or more the car finally responded. Upon reaching our destination, the transmission was put into park, whereupon the engine RPM's began to climb past 4000. The accelerator was not pushed down. The concern is that the electronic throttle is not responding to the driver's input and could lead to an unintended acceleration. The incident has been reported to the dealer and we are awaiting a response.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #1

Nov 302010

Passat

  • 23,101 miles
Driving on 267 East Virginia in morning parking brake indicator light came then car immediately was unable to accelerate and shut down causing near life ending accident, navigated to side of toll road based on forward motion in car at which time car completely shut off and was unable to start. Vehicle was towed to local dealership. At time of pick up ass service manager at VW indicated they are aware this is occurring but have not issued a full recall. While on the side of the road after almost being in a tragic accident car was almost clipped as it looked like I was a lane. Requested vehicle buyback VW refused. VW was are of the potential problem but has not informed customers prior to purchase or ongoing. Letters for 2009 customers issued. Turning over to legal, explore class action

- Leesburg, VA, USA