10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 23,717 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
When I got Passat SE I did research and I thought it was a safe car. My first priority to lease a car was safety. On April 2016 I got a letter from VW that airbag on front is not safe and it may causes serious injury or death. It been almost 10 months and still there is no words on when it will be fix. What is going to happen if I get in accident and die" who would fulfill my place for my kids" I want to change the car or have VW buy my car back. I want to live with my family not die. This is a serious safety issue and needs to be fixed right away. I got in accidentand the front airbag did not open
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
My leased VW Passat 2014 check engine light was fixed by the dealer and was from a faulty exhaust flap. They want to charge me $485 for the flap; till 2012 the same part was given an extended warranty upto 120,000 miles because of multiple failures; so after the "fix", the same part (two model years later) has failed at 60,000 miles; VW cust support does not want to cover the repair on my car as they have not heard of this problem for the 2014 model. I think it is very unusual for an exhaust part to fail like this specially when it was supposed to have been "fixed". I am looking for some help in understanding why VW is not extending the warranty on the same part on the 2014 car when it was being covered till 2012 and supposedly resolved. VW can ignore individual complaints and I am sure that they would not share with me if there have been more complaints of the same nature from other customers. I am hoping that by writing to you, a record is created in case others like me lodge a similar complaint with your Agency. Thank you
- West Bloomfield, MI, USA
When outside temperature reaches below 30 degrees F the driver side lock freezes making it impossible to open this door. Only means of entry and egress is through the passenger side door. Investigation of this issue, led to countless websites and forums that address this same concern with driver side door lock freezing on Volkswagen products. Could lead to a potential safety issue existing the vehicle.
- Golden Valley, MN, USA
Battery light came on. Then headlights began to darken, power steering failed, ABS brake light warning came on, airbag warning light came on, TPMS light came on, low fuel light came on, engine became sluggish with little acceleration, speedometer went out and all lights in car went out. I could barely control, move or turn car. This happened after my 40K mile service 4 days ago. Everything checked out fine at that time.
- Washington, DC, USA
Takata recall - I want to be able to exchange out of my lease with VW credit into a newer 2016 VW that is not part of this recall. VW is denying my request and saying my lease is not negotiable. However, on page 2 under early termination liability", it clearly states I am able to get out of my lease if there is "irreparable damage" (this is the recall that has no remedy} my 2014 Passat was hit on the 101 freeway at 55 mph and thankfully I was not injured. After two months in the repair shop, they almost totaled it, but did not. Then, I noted the recall as well on the 2014 VW> I do not feel safe driving this car and do not want to continue to drive it knowing the next time I could die due to airbag inflating. Please address this with VW credit and group of America.
- San Carlos, CA, USA
My car has an open recall for the takata air bag situation. It' been open since February it's now August. As I understand it, the airbag apparatus is subject to corrosion in humid warm climates. I live in brevard county Florida, on the coast subject to high humidity and heat. My neighbor has an Acura which is also subject to the recall. Since Acura thinks more of it's clients they made arrangements for a rental car for them until the fix finally came in, in July. Maybe if VW had to do the same they may expedite my repair so my wife and I aren't risking our lives every time we have to drive our VW. Any help is welcomed.
- Rockledg, FL, USA
In cold weather, the driver door would not open from outside or inside. All other doors worked properly. At initial service request, problem would not duplicate once car was warm. Service manager said he'd seen this problem previously. After phone calls, emails, and diagnostic service appointment, VW did replace the door latch assembly at no charge. Retail replacement was quoted at $500. Concern is of utmost importance because potential existed that I could not exit my car in an emergency.
- Girard, OH, USA
Takata airbag there hasn't been 1 specific incident involving the airbags, but my car is on the list of those that should be recalled. Volkswagen didn't notify me, I found out on my own!!!
- East Rockaway, NY, USA
On several occasions when I start my car it blows extremely hot air out the driver's side vents while the passenger side still follows the heater control settings. So even if I turn the temperature down so the ac kicks in it still is extremely hot on the driver's side. I tried turning off the control, restarting the car, and just about everything else and only after it sits a while does it work again. This makes for some very uncomfortable driving when it is warm outside. This happens about once a week and never when I can get it to the dealership for them to check.
- Genoa City, WI, USA
Driver's door latch froze/broke on 2/18/2015. Cold morning in central nys. Could not unlock or open driver's door from outside or inside latches. Called my VW dealer and had car towed to them for repairs. I use my car for business and do substantial work in metro areas so I can not crawl in / out on passenger side at parking garages. My car has been at the local VW dealer since Feb 18 as parts are back ordered. Today I was told the part won't be available until 3/14. If the door lock/latch parts are in such demand to be back-ordered for a month, this tells me the that the problem is prolific. I'm considered outside of warranty as well and have been quoted $500 for repair. I guess that's bye-bye to my VW loyalty credit I was hoping to use for routine maintenance items like oil changes. In addition, I had to rent a car at a rate of $300/week so this little GEM has gotten quite costly.
- Marathon, NY, USA
Windshield cracks by itself
- Washington, DC, USA
Heater core was plugged. VW did replace it under a tsb but friends of mine state their heater cores plugged again after having them replaced once. I was warm defrost on the drivers side and cold on the passenger side. Wouldn't even defrost the windshield so I could see with frost on it.
- Blaine, WA, USA
No heat from passenger HVAC vents. Vehicle defrost/visibility capability seriously compromised. Heater core clogged, replaced under warranty.
- Ft. Worth, TX, USA
Exploding sunroof while driving 55 mph in normal weather conditions; glass was pushed outward.
- Costa Mesa, CA, USA
- Dublin, CA, USA