10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 28,592 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.
While making a right turn, i attempted to accelerate only to be met with intense juddering. i was able to pull of the road and shut off the engine, but it would not restart. I called the every dealership near me and the soonest appointment was 2 weeks out and they would not tell me if they had loaner cars. The appointment comes and the dealer not only tells me to rent a car out of pocket, but the high pressure fuel pump had failed meaning a $7000 replacement of the entire fuel system. My vehicle is still within the mileage limit on the extended warranty but i was 5 months out of the time limit. I brought up the warranty, and a TSB related to this failure and they still told me i was out of luck. I still owe thousands on this car, and another vw dealer tried to gouge me stating that the only way to get out of this was to buy a new car. absolute insanity all throughout this company. And to add insult to injury, every single maintenance item was followed to the exact mileage and the fuel level wasnt even below a quarter of a tank
- West Jordan, UT, USA
I have had an issue with my transmission since I-??ve got it. I got it with only 38,000 miles on it in july 2021. When i touch my brakes going slow or pull off from a red light my vehicle will make a choppy noise and shake. When i switch gears it will occasionally get stuck and shake when i pull off. I took it to volkswagen service a couple times in 2021 where they assured me i had no transmission issue. I had other things like control arms and water pump issues that i had fixed. But my car was still doing the same thing. So i took it to various shops and volkswagen service many times throughout the entire year of 2022. Then finally they told me there is a issue with my whole clutch gearbox kit and dual mass flywheel as well. During the time they found that issue it was only about 45,000 miles on my vehicle. Volkswagen is known to have transmission issues so i was shocked there wasnt any recall on the issue since my car had very low miles on it and it is a known volkswagen issue. It is progressively getting worse to where it is becoming a hazard and i cant continue to drive my vehicle.
- Hampton, VA, USA
DSG transmission, yes it-??s available for inspection. The vehicle lost power and it wouldn-??t go any faster for a few minutes when accelerated. I-??m talking it for inspection on 03/31/2023. No inspection yet. This problem has never happened before. This happened on March 29th, 2023. The transmission light came on and it said to park the vehicle and let the transmission cool because it was over heating. I parked it for a while and when I started it back up the light went out. I called the dealer and he said to bring it in but don-??t drive it hard. My vehicle is a Volkswagen CC r line but on your website it-??s showing a picture of a Volkswagen Passat with my vin number.
- New Castle, DE, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the vehicle jerked forward while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle went into limp mode with an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact pulled over and inspected the vehicle. The contact stated that the engine was rattling and over heating. At start-up, the RPM's revved up while the rattling persisted, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Bergstrom Volkswagen of appleton (3019 N victory ln #102, appleton, wi 54913, (800) 398-6846) was contacted and an appointment was scheduled for the vehicle to be inspected. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was promised a call back which was still pending. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000. Consumer took the vehicle to be repaired and paid $300 but warning light is still on.
- Appleton, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while parking the vehicle at his residence, the vehicle was shifted from reverse to park however, the vehicle was reversing. There was no warning light illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed and stopped with the parking brake. The contact was unable to immediately remove the key from the ignition switch. The vehicle was not drivable. Alexandria Volkswagen located at 107 w glebe rd, alexandria, va 22305, (703) 684-8888 was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
- Washington, DC, USA
Hello I purchase my Passat 2013 last year in December it never gave me a problem but the engine light came on an it wouldn go off than the all kind of different symbols came across my dashboard so I took it to the mechanic they say I need new glow pipes so I got new glow pipes after they got replaced my car still wouldn't work so they sayed I needed a turbo actuator brought the turbo actuator an the mechanic change it my car still wouldn't work it wouldn't pick up speed or nothing the lights on the dashboard has been rested several different times still wouldn't go away so I call a another mechanic to get a second opinion and he told me it was a electric problem that my car was holding to much heat after changing everything my car been parked for 3months an I'm so sad I love my car but I see that they have a recall on my car and the problem I'm experiencing so basically all the money I spend trying to get it fixed was a waste of money and time but im grateful I'm ok and my car didn't blow up while me and my babies were in it crossing the bridge it was smoking so bad from the back than it started smoking from under the hood after again everything was fix an replaced that when we learn it was a electrical problem and I wasn't going to be able to drive anymore also I try to check the box for the electrical, an engine as well sorry about my complaint I truly love my VW Passat I have a VW tourge also VW or my favorite cars look forward to talking to someone soon
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
My 2013 VW Passat 3.6 sel major issues with the transmission, burning excessive engine oil, and substandard suspension. The transmission slips in 3rd gear, and struggles to search for a gear. VW engineered my Passat for castrol oil 5W40 synthetic oil, 6-7 quarts every oil change (every 10,000 miles). I have to add 3 quarts of oil every 4,000 miles. This is a clear indication the oil weight is insufficient for this vehicle, engineering issues with the oil pump, and/or valve seals. The Passat does not handle well, and feels unsafe in rain, snow, and sleet, because there is no traction control button on the instrument panel. It's quite obvious that the executives at Volkswagen ag are not interested in safety and quality. They are only interested in sacrificing a dollar for safety and quality.
- Battleboro, NC, USA
1/26/2018 - I was driving my 2013 VW Passat on the highway at a 60 mph speed, and it suddenly began forcing itself to stop, as if the transmission was going out. The car began slowing down jerking itself, and the cars behind me had to brake abruptly, almost hitting me. It was a frightening experience. I did look down at the gear while this was happening and noticed that the gear lights D & S were both lit in red and the - and + were also lit in red. I was finally able to stop (on the highway) and put my car gear on park. I quickly put it on park and then tried to drive again, all was well until I exited the freeway, and while I was trying to make a left turn, the car begin slowly jerking again, not allowing to continue driving. I finally pulled to the side and turned off the car, restarting it after a few minutes, and then all was normal again. Today, 1/27/2018, on my way to work, the same issue happened. I'm taking my car into service firs thing Monday morning. I just purchased this vehicle on October 2017, and no recalls were on this vehicle. So to be having these problems just a few months after the initial purchase is disappointing. No personal belongings were anywhere near the gear, so that was definitely not an issue. Please advise if anyone has reported the same vehicle concern. Thank you.
- Pico Rivera, CA, USA
Passat sel year 2013 2.5 gas engine. O9G transmission hard shifting clunky slipping very uncomfortable to drive especially on traffic stop and go jerky transmission it happened for very long time oil and filter was done still have the same issue
- Bronx, NY, USA
Periodically while driving, the seat belt light will come on, the the driver's seat belt will lose tension. The push start button has be pressed multiple times in order for the vehicle to start. I receive the error message on the dash, "key not in range" when the key fob is on my person. The built-in traction does not handle well, because the weight distribution is not 50/50. There is entirely too much body roll for this vehicle. The 2013 Volkswagen Passat 3.6 sel should have been manufactured as an all-wheel drive, and a hard body. The transmission is sluggish between 1st and 2nd gears. I used to own a 2005 Volkswagen Passat glx V6 4motion, and it was a much better build quality than the 2013 Passat. The quality of Volkswagen Passat is in major decline, and is not the same as it was in the early 2000S.
- Nashville, NC, USA
I keep receiving recall notices for [xxx]. Volkswagen took possession of this car on 11/29/2016 under the diesel emissions recall. VW blames NHTSA for continued notices on a car they own.. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Wrightwood, CA, USA
Stalling, sputtering erratically. It sputters, bumps and may stall. When it stalls it is necessary to turn ignition completely off and start again in park.
- Bethesda, MD, USA
Mechatronics unit failure- I was on highway traveling at 74 miles per hour and car just slowed down to about 10 mile per hour with no....I was in rush hour traffic on the nys state thruway and was also slammed in the rear end by cars/trucks traveling behind me. This is a known issued with VW and older models of my car have been recalled. I coasted off the highway and was towed from the exit to heart VW in kingston NY. My car in being repaired now and I am told it will be $2000+ to fix... I have estimate and report from when car towed in.
- Stone Ridge, NY, USA
2013 Passat tdi diesel lost power while driving is down a city street. Once I pulled off the road engine light and service now light were on. A catastrophic failure occurred in the high pressure fuel pump. Thus occurred in euless Texas. VW will not cover my indecent under a warranty extension. They will cover 2012 models my car was manufactured before July 2012 but has a 2013 listing. As of 12/17 no repair scheduled due to $6,000 cost.
- Flower Mound, TX, USA
Purchased the car in December of 2012. Approximately March of 2013 at 4,900 miles the turbo began to "whine" and failed. Was replaced by VW after approximately 12 days. May of 2015, at 50,000 miles, the turbo failed again, starting with "whine", followed by loss of power and a "flashing glowplug light." Second turbo replaced by VW. Clearly a design defect for the original and replacement part. VW has extended the factory warranty on this defective part until 120,000 miles, but should be compelled to replace this part for the life of the vehicle as this car was purchased with the intent of driving it for more than 120,000 miles. There are multiple occurrences/reports of turbo failure for the 2012-2014 Passat tdis listed at www.tdiclub.com. this is a safety issue as catastrophic failure of the engine can occur when the turbo fails as well as damage to the diesel particulate filter and other exhaust/emission control parts.
- Oakdale, NY, USA
Driving northerly on I-95 at highway speed going up the incline to the piscataqua river bridge (the border between New Hampshire and Maine), the vehicle lost forward power about halfway up the incline of the bridge approach. The engine did not stall at any time during or after the event. Driver was preoccupied with [1] turning on hazard flashers, [2] safely negotiating entry to the breakdown lane, and [3] not braking in an attempt to coast to the top of the bridge such that the car could coast down the far side of the bridge and allow exiting the highway at the nearby exit #1 in Maine. The driver's preoccupation with safely addressing the power loss event did not allow him to scan any of the gauges or indicators on the front panel. Upon reaching the top of the bridge the car was coasting to a stop and the driver shifted between drive / sport / neutral to see if any power could be restored. Within 30 seconds or less the car again resumed forward motion in the drive shift setting. Car was driven to the nearby VW dealer where it was purchased. Service department checked (diesel) fuel quality which was good, and found no error codes when a scan was done. A vta case was opened and owner contacted VW customer care in auburn hills, mi. Subsequent testing at the same dealer's service department on 9 April 2015 also resulted in no findings for a cause. VW recommends I continue driving it until the power loss occurs again. I asked what they would then do if no error codes were again found. They indicated they would ask me to lend them the car to drive until they can get the problem to reoccur. (= a no-cost lease back to VW!). owners' opinion is that there is a design fault in the Volkswagen Passat engine/transmission pairing that is directly related to a deficiency of meaningful error sensors and fault / error code readout values during a power loss event..
- Greenland, NH, USA
Car was set on cruise control and engine revved up, cruise control shut off and loss of power to the motor. Tried to reset cruise control to a lesser speed and would not set. Car felt like it would not shift gears (acted like it was a manual drive being wound to tight). Drove for several miles then the warning light came on (glowplug indicator). Parked in a safe location and stopped car. After about 10 minutes I restarted the car and no warning flashed so I began to drive car...would not accelerate. Warning light came back on. Had car towed to dealership got repaired (replaced turbo charger along with oil feed and return lines). Picked car up on 11/26/14 drove for less than 30 miles and got a engine oil light and warning message: Engine off manual. Had car towed to dealership. Dealership stated that they talked with manufacturer and they are going to give me a new turbocharger and new engine. The car is still in the shop and repairs have not been completed at the time of this writing.
- Surry, VA, USA
On 11/9/14 the turbo failed on my 2013 VW Passat with the tdi diesel engine. VW knows they are having a serious issue with their turbos on the tdi engine (europe currently has a class action law suit against them). In August I received a letter in the mail from VW extending my warranty on the turbo to 10 years/120000 miles. They are simply waiting for the turbos to fail rather than replacing them on all 2012 & 2013 Passats. This is a serious safety concern, when the turbo fails you loose all engine power (ie. GM ignition recall). This is an extremely dangerous position for VW to put its customers in who don't have the knowledge of what to do in a situation when you loose engine power at highway speeds. Mine did just that, it failed on the highway resulting in no power. I would like to see VW recall these turbos and replace them in all the affected cars before it causes a fatality.
- Bristol , RI, USA
Complete loss of engine power: Vehicle on three occasions has experienced complete loss of engine power when shifting from reverse to drive. Display depicts 'alternator malfunction' but dealership claims no fault code stored, therefore no repair can be made. I provided photos of the trouble lights and a video of other lights that come on after the power loss happens. Dealership verbally acknowledged something is wrong. Vehicle taken in twice for this issue, dealership unable to replicate problem. Dealership troubleshoots electrical system.technician verbally told me it could be a transmission problem w/ the internal clutch failing to release, stalling the vehicle.
- Fort Worth, TX, USA
- Port St. Lucie, Fl 34952, FL, USA