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

The vehicle was in park in a flat lot when I first noticed that my airbag light was on, as well as my steering wheel controls for the stereo did not work. Upon driving the vehicle, I noticed a clicking coming from the steering column when turning. I spoke with a local mechanic who told me about the previous VW recalls for clock springs, and that I was having that same issue, but mine would not be covered by the recall.

- Schofield, WI, 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

There is a weird noise when I turn the steering wheel and the controls on the steering wheel do not work. The airbag light is on.

- Corning, CA, USA

Air bag sensor has gone on 3 times while under warranty. Each time the dealership fixed it. It has gone off again now that I am @37,000 miles and out of warranty. The steering wheel is making a cranking noise. The horn does not work, the switches on the horn do not work.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

Airbag warning light remains illuminated and warning chime constantly rings. This is at approximately 53,000 miles. When vehicle turned on light came on and has remained on.

- Schenectady, NY, 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

Airbag sensor light came on suddenly. Took car to dealership and they stated that the sensor was bad and had to be replaced. 52K miles. Dealer wanted me to pay for issue but at the end VW will be covering the expense. Had an extended warranty that had no coverage.

- Newnan, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the clock spring failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

- Sherwood, AR, 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

Volkswagen Passat recall my husband and I bought a 2015 Volkswagen Passat in January of 2016. It was the newest car we have ever purchased as a young professional couple with two small children. Well at 36,750 miles in March of 2017, the steering wheel began to click and the airbag light came on. I was no longer able to use the horn, the radio or the phone from the steering wheel. I called the dealer where we purchased the car and he said it sounded like a clockspring and that we did have a warranty for 3 years or up to 36,000 miles and since we were so close, we needed to call the Volkswagen dealer. I called new motors in erie, pa. I talked to a very nice mechanic that agreed that it sounded like that was indeed the issue. He informed me that Volkswagen had recalled that particular part on the 2012-14 models but had yet to recall it on our 2015 model that we had. He also said that although we were very close to the 36,000-mile warranty, it was out of his hands to fix it under warranty and to call corporate to give him the go ahead to do so since it did seem like this is the right call since we were so close to the warranty and it is a consistent problem in these models. My husband and I both talked to Volkswagen corporate several times since March of 2017 to only have them treat us poorly and tell us that it isn't their concern. My airbags and horn currently aren't working because of it. I had the erie Volkswagen dealer officially diagnose the car issues in June of 2017 and it was in fact a faulty clockspring. Again Volkswagen refused to cover the repair cost of over $1000. This part has been recalled on numerous Volkswagen models. The car was stationary when it happened. I turned it on one morning to find the horn not working, controllers on the steering wheel and airbag light on.

- Oil City, PA, 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

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

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received an unknown recall notification for the air bags. The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called South bay Volkswagen (3131 national city blvd, national city, ca 91950 (619) 336-4020) where it was confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The VIN was unavailable. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- La Jolla, CA, USA

Takata recall, my airbag warning light has come on and I've been told the clock spring are messed up. This car is 2 years old and $120 is what VW charges to diagnose the problem then will decide what portion I should pay according to the service dept. Manager at village VW in chattanooga, tn. I was told it is warranted for 36,000 miles. I'm assuming that these are "all" messed up after going to a couple of websites and reading about the problems hundreds of others are having..there has been no accident but I am concerned for my daughters safety driving with these lethal airbags. I was told this occurs quite often and occasionally VW will partially reimburse for this part as they have not decided (or been forced) to recall this yet. This is a defective part and should be examined closer for a recall and immediate repair. Charging $120 to reset the light is not a N adequate solution.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. While the vehicle was stationary with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning. As a result, the contact's vehicle rear-ended another vehicle. The contact stated that the failure recurred a second time, but there was no crash. The air bags did not deploy in the first crash. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was driven away from the scene. The paul clark Volkswagen dealer was made aware of the failure, but could not diagnose the cause of the failure. The dealer test drove the vehicle in stop and go traffic and determined that the vehicle was in good working condition and was performing as designed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle was tested a second time after the failure recurred, but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The failure mileage was 6,175.

- Brockton, MA, USA

As reported by takata: In the event of an inflator rupture, metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material, which may result in serious injury or death to vehicle occupants

- Lebanon, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. While in park with the emergency brake engaged, the vehicle rolled away in reverse and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. There were no passengers in the vehicle when the failure occurred. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,000.

- Fort Pierce, FL, USA