9.7

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$700
Average Mileage:
84,400 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace clock spring (4 reports)
  2. not sure (2 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Volkswagen dealer.

problem #6

Jun 112023

Passat SE 2.5L V5

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

Clock spring recall failed after only 4 years, disabled airbags and use of steering wheel controls.

- Morgan M., Reno, NV, US

problem #5

Aug 042019

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I purchased this one-owner vehicle last year from the dealership where it was originally sold. I was told it had all the routine care and maintenance at that dealership. A couple of days ago, I lost controls on the steering column and the airbag error light came on. A quick Google search shows it's obviously the clock spring and a subsequent search showed it was a Safety Recall in 2015. As it turns out, debris can get into the area and break the spring, leading to loss of front airbags, steering controls, and the horn. I called the dealership, confident they would take care of the issue and was told the "required repair" was already done before a problem ever arose and therefore the repair would not be covered. This is complete crap because something as small as a hair could have been down in there already and over time caused the failure. But now I'm going to be stuck with $700 repair or risk my safety with no horn or airbags!

It's clear that the original "fix" was not adequate and VW should stand behind the product and make this right. The best part...I loved my Passat so much that I convinced my fiancé and his stepdad to each purchase one. They're going to kill me!

- Sarah S., Newburgh, US

problem #4

Jul 262019

Passat SE 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,000 miles

I've had the clock spring in my 2013 Passat replace 2 times since the recall happened. I had to take it in for the 3rd time! I'm concerned VW won't pay for the part/labor because it's already supposedly been fixed during the recall the first two times it was replaced. It's not like I was doing anything different than I normally do. I heard the spring break as I was pulling into a parking spot and every button in my steering wheel just stopped working and the airbag light came on again. VW needs to be held accountable for not fixing it the right way from the beginning of the recall.

- Corina P., Inver Grove Heights, US

problem #3

Nov 012017

Passat SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

Beyond disappointed with Volkswagen will never buy one again. Multiple recalls on this car - worst has been the clock spring recall. Due to recall I took car in for clock spring repair 8/31/16. In September 2017 heard loud pop sound coming from steering wheel area and my air bag light came on. I called dealership and they told me probably related to this years Air Bag recall but it was safe to drive until they got parts in and appointment scheduled. Late November 2017 horn quit working too. Got car into dealership in December 2017 for Air Bag recall and they replaced air bag, unfortunately that did not fix it. Dealership told me that it was a clock spring failure and would cost about $700 to replace clock spring. Tried to get Volkswagen to stand behind product and fix but they won't. Went online and saw that the Feds are looking into this very same issue- clock spring failure after the cars were repaired under the recall.

- Nancy W., North Bend, US

problem #2

Dec 162016

Passat SE AT 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,373 miles

I'VE HAD TIME CLOCK REPLACED 4 DIFFERENT TIMES ON A SAFETY RECALL. NOW THEY SAY I HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW WHEEL TO MAKE THE BUTTON WORK ON MY STEERING WHEEL. THE LAST THREE TIMES IT WAS FIXED WHEN THEY FIXED THE TIME CLOCK ISSUE. I'M SOOO MAD. THEY ARE SAYING THE WHOLE WHEEL HAS TO BE REPLACED FOR A WHOOOPING.......... $850 !!!!! WTF

- simsangel71, Cypress, US

problem #1

Nov 012016

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

Flow Volkswagen in Greensboro NC fixed my steering wheel clock spring under the recall now the clock string has gone out again Volkswagen said they weren't going to fix the problem I had to pay for it out of pocket they fix it less then 6 months ago now its broke again and they said I had to pay for the repairs

- Tina C., Troy, ND, US