10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 31,629 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
I experienced the same issue that the 2012-2013 model Passats experienced in that the low beam died multiple times. I had to replace the headlight housing on the passenger three times after the original owner replaced it once. I took it to a Volkswagen dealership and they finally figured out the root of the problem. The applied the same fix that was part of a 2012-2013 model recall and got the headlight working properly.
- Napa, CA, USA
Clock spring failure!!! clock spring failure!!! clock spring failure!!! while moving and executing a right turn a crunching noise was heard from the center of the steering wheel. The airbag light immediately came on. Also, the horn & all steering wheel buttons/controls failed. This car was purchased a week prior from carvana. 49,300 miles on the odo. Too late to return it. The clock spring failure means that the airbag system is not active until the part is replaced, installed, and the system is reset. A quick read thru of these numerous complaints from model year 2015 show these failures of a safety-critical part over the last 18 months are now occurng with increasing frequency. It is quite obvious to me that vwoa/chattanooga installed the same defective part, from the same supplier, that fails after about 2.5-3 years in service. This problem is no different than that of the thousands of identical failures in VW Passat model years 2012, 2013, & 2014 leading to a recall of the defective component. Immediate action is required by dot to readdress and recall this previously recalled part. VW dealers are currently charging 2015 Passat owners between $500 and $800 to install a $35 part. If their Passat is older than 2015, the part is installed gratis as part of that recall.. VW will not act until prompted/ordered to do so. Something is rotten in wolfsburg again! let's quickly act before more are harmed/killed because an airbag system failed to operate when parameters dictated it should have deployed.
- Plainwell, MI, USA
Airbag light on, steering controls (on steering wheel, radio, horn) no longer functioning
- Fountain Inn, SC, USA
I was parked on flat ground while starting my car this morning and noticed the air bag light on the dash board stayed light. Then I noticed the stereo control on the steering wheel was not light and did not work. At work I did some research and found that it could be the clock spring. When I got home from work I tested my horn to find that my horn does not work. My vehicle has 47773 miles and I bought it new. I'm almost positive it is the clock spring after all the research I have done. I feel VW should extend the recall past 2014 because it seems obvious that the issue continued into 2015 models.
- Enumclaw, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. While driving 65 mph on different occasions, the engine turned off while the vehicle was still engaged in drive. Also, the engine power control, battery, and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V509000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,600.
- Pueblo West, CO, USA
Clock spring failure, airbags off-line, horn inoperative, steering wheel controls inoperative
- Wildwood, MO, USA
Steering wheel began clicking when being turned. Air bag light came on. Horn and steering wheel controls are not working. Appears to be a failed clock spring.
- Saint Cloud, FL, USA
At around 47,000 miles I began hearing a clicking noise when turning my steering wheel. After a day or two of this my airbag light came on. I lost function of my horn and found that out while traveling at highway speeds when some one was merging into my lane without checking to see if it was clear. I also lost all steering wheel mounted controls. I purchased the vehicle used about 27 days prior so I returned to the dealer and was informed I was responsible for the repairs. They did trouble shoot the issue and let me know that the clock spring was defective.
- Hampton, VA, USA
There was a noise like a overtightened spring from the steering column when turning at low speed. Right afterwards, the horn as well as steering wheel controls for audio and phone stopped working. Later the airbag warning light came on in dash. Possible failure of the clock spring. Failed at 59,600 miles.
- Franklin, TN, USA
Around the 60,000 mile mark, the airbag light came on, and the horn, as well as the steering wheel controls, stopped working. Went to the dealership, where they figured it was the clockspring, which would cost nearly $700 to replace. VW has prevously issued recalls for other models because of this very issue
- San Antonio, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. While driving 20 mph, the contact depressed the horn, but it failed to sound. The vehicle was taken to commonwealth Volkswagen (1 commonwealth dr, lawrence, MA 01841). The dealer diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and was unable to assist. The failure mileage was 51,000.
- North Andover, MA, USA
Air bag error message and light illuminates. The steering wheel makes a cracking sound while turning in either direction. Also the buttons on the steering wheel do not work to include the horn.
- Parkton, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. When the contact started the vehicle, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and the following codes appeared: (U1123-0017178 data bus error, P0441-0021406 evap ignition control system incorrect purge, P0456 evap system small leak, and P0303 cylinder #3 misfire). The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. In addition, the front driver side window failed to function. The vehicle was taken to nemer Volkswagen (550 troy schenectady rd, latham, NY 12110, phone number: (518) 512-0024) where it was diagnosed that the window motor failed due to overheating. The dealer stated that this was a common issue among all Volkswagen and nothing could be done. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that nothing could be done because the warranty ended. The approximate failure mileage was 43,900.
- Albany, NY, USA
I was in my drive way and started my car when the air bag malfunction light came on in my car. At that point the horn, cruise control, phone, and radio functions all stopped working on my steering wheel. I looked in my owner manual and it said to call the dealership immediately. When I called - the VW dealership I normally go to said it would be 2-3 weeks before they could get me in. I asked if the vehicle was safe to drive and they, of course, would not tell me "yes or no." Only to find out later that the entire time I was driving with this light on - my airbags would not have deployed if I were in an accident. I have 2 children and if we were in a wreck and me or one of my children were injured due to my airbags not working -- VW would have a lawsuit on their hands. It is a matter of time before this occurs. So, I took my vehicle to an authorized VW dealership. After running a diagnostic on the car - I was told that the steering wheel clock spring was faulty. I left the car to be repaired. While I was without my vehicle (one week due to having to order parts, etc.) I researched the issue. I was excited to see that VW had issued a recall in Aug. 2015 for the steering wheel clock spring. Unfortunately, it is only for 2010-2014 Passat. My Passat is considered a 2015; however, the production date is Dec. 2014. I was told at the dealership that I would have to pay for this repair out of pocket because my car was not covered under the recall. I contacted VW care center and even emailed several managers from the corporate location. My emails were never answered and the customer care center said there was nothing they could do. I am left with paying over $500 in repairs and almost $200 for the rental car I had to get for the 7 days my car was at the dealership. I would like to know why my car is not covered under the recall when it has the exact same issues.
- Freeport, FL, USA
Car start button will not start car. Car in park position, brakes are press and car start press but car does not start. There was no sound of the motor turning. Tries it two more times and on the third time it started.
- Port Orange, FL, USA
Rodents are eating wiring in car due to soy plastics. This could result in car becoming nonoperational while driving, which could result in injury or death. The United States code for motor vehicle safety (title 49, chapter 301) defines motor vehicle safety as "the performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment in a way that protects the public against unreasonable risk of accidents occurring because of the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle, and against unreasonable risk of death or injury in an accident, and includes nonoperational safety of a motor vehicle." A defect includes "any defect in performance, construction, a component, or material of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment." Generally, a safety defect is defined as a problem that exists in a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment that: Poses an risk to motor vehicle safety and may exist in a group of vehicles of the same design or manufacture may exist in a group of items of equipment of the same type and manufacture. Please stop automakers from using plant based wiring immediately. Automakers are making millions of dollars replacing wiring. Get to work please, fix this problem!
- Aptos, CA, USA
Vehicle cluster illumination lights stopped working, not fuse or relay related. Main electrical harness malfunction. Major electrical diagnosis.
- Hollis, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, the engine stalled while the battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred numerous times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
- Plantation, FL, USA
I have personally inspected many 2015 Volkswagen Passat's and found an issue pertaining to the alarm system. When the vehicles alarm is set off, there is a split second way to bypass this and aid motor vehicle theft as well as theft of personal items in the vehicle. When the alarm has been sounded, an individual can depress the flasher button in the center of the dash and press it once more to shut the emergency flashers off, this will bypass and deactivate the vehicles factory alarm system, thus opening the vehicle up to a higher potential of theft. With no alarm sounded, an individual will have a vast amount of time to either steal the motor vehicle, steal person possessions, or motor vehicle parts. I am in the new england area and unsure if any other areas or models are affected.
- Boston , MA, USA
- Xenia, OH, USA