Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2013)
749 consumer complaints on file.
- #11181674February 21, 2019VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROST SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE HEAT WAS NOT WORKING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRUNSWICK AUTO MART (3031 CENTER RD, BRUNSWICK, OH 44212, (877) 815-7437) WHERE THE HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11180057February 14, 2019VISIBILITY/WIPER
MY CONCERN FIRST OCCURRED IN NOVEMBER OF 2014, WHERE THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING CAUSING THE WINDOW TO BE COVERED WITH MOISTURE AND VISION OBSCURED. WHEN I BROUGHT TO VW DEALER THE BLOWER HAD STARTED AGAIN AND I WAS TOLD THEY COULD DO NOTHING AS IT WAS NOW OPERATING AS INTENDED. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT IN 2015 TECH TIP WAS ISSUED CONCERNING SNOW OR MOISTURE ENTERING THE BLOWER COMPARTMENT WAS FOUND TO BE IMPAIRING THE BLOWER MOTOR. THEY ISSUED A REPAIR KIT DESIGNED TO SECURE FUTURE SNOW FROM ENTERING THIS AREA. FAST FORWARD TO FEBRUARY 2019, WHEN MY BLOWER AGAIN STOPPED WORKING. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO MY VW DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, HOPING IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED WHEN I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AS IT IS A DESIGN FLAW AND NOT A PART FAILURE. MY DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED INSTALLING THE TECH FIX UPGRADE NOTED TO PREVENT FUTURE FAILURE. THIS COST ESTIMATE WAS $800.00. I MADE A CAL TO VW CUSTOMER CARE TO APPEAL FOR SOME REMEDIATION FOR THIS COST TO REPAIR A KNOW DEFECT. I WAS TOLD THAT NO RECALL HAD BEEN MADE FOR THIS CONDITION AND MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF MILEAGE LIMITS AND AGE. THIS VEHICLE HAS 63000 MILES AND IS SIX MODEL YEARS OF AGE. MY CONTENTION IS THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAD A KNOWN TECH FIX, IN 2015, WHEN MY FIRST CONCERN SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED. I HAVE LEARNED FROM MY ONLINE RESEARCH THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED OCCURRENCE, WHERE SNOW HAS MIGRATED INTO THE BLOWER BOX, CAUSING THE BLOWER MOTOR TO SEIZE OR BECOME INOPERABLE. THANK YOU FOR ANY UPDATE THIS MAY INSPIRE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11179743February 13, 2019ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AND THE VEHICLE COULD SHUT OFF AT ANY MOMENT. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHEARER VOLKSWAGEN (2287 BERLIN STATE HWY, BARRE, VT 05641) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11173763February 3, 2019VISIBILITY/WIPER
DRIVING WHILE IN INCLEMENT WEATHER NOTICED PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FOGGING UP AND DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT IT SUCH AS HEAVY RAIN ETC. AND DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT IT. FAST FORWARD TO SUB FREEZING TEMPERATURES IN A SNOWSTORM AND NOW NOTICED PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD FROZEN AND WIPERS USELESS. START DIAGNOSTICS AND FIND COLD AIR BLOWING OUT AIR VENTS AND READ THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS ABOUT IT. THEY ACTUALLY HAD AN ENXTENDED WARRANTY FOR SOME NOT OTHERS TO COVER THIS ISSUE AND A SERVICE BULLETIN TO BANDAID THE FIX. THIS IS AFFECTING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTING THOUSANDS AND THE WORST THING ABOUT IT IS REPLACING THE HEATER CORE IS ONLY TEMPORARY AS IT WILL HAVE TO BE DONE AGAIN AS THEY HAVE NO PERMANENT FIX. I CAN DEAL WITH FOG ON THE WINDSHIELD BUT NOT A FROZEN WINDSHIELD ONLY TO HAVE NO MEANS OF GETTING HEAT TO THAW OUT. I READ ABOUT BMW HAVING ISSUES FOR BLOWER MOTOR RESISTORS WHY CAN VW BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR A CLOGGED HEATER CORE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11171944January 24, 2019ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY CAR IS A 2013 PASSAT PURCHASED BY ME IN 2014, I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN MY CAR TO BE SERVICED WITH ALL REQUIRED SERVICE MAINTENANCES SINCE PURCHASE DATE (SERVICES DONE ALL AT VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIPS). THE NEXT SERVICE WAS NOT DUE. I HAVE THIS ALL DOCUMENTED BY THE DEALERSHIPS. MY CAR HAS APPROX. 94,000 MILES ON IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. TODAY VOLKSWAGEN DEALER (FOLLOWING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING) TOLD ME THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT THAT THIS IS A RISKY REPAIR AS THE PRIMARY PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IS TELLING ME TODAY THAT THIS IS NOT A USUAL PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN TO ASK FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OR BUY BACK PLAN FOR THIS AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11171424January 22, 2019VISIBILITY/WIPER
I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK ON INTERSTATE 85 (WHICH AS FOUR LANES) AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A GUN SHOT/EXPLOSION SOUND THAT RATTLED MY CAR. I FROZE AND CLOSED MY EYES (THANK GOD I WAS ON A STRAIGHT ROAD & DID NOT YANK MY STEERING WHEEL), WHEN I OPENED I WAS COVERED IN GLASS. FOR SOME REASON, MY SUN ROOF EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT WAS NOT BELOW FREEZING OR EXTREME HEAT AND I HAD NOT BEEN UNDER AN OVERPASS. I HAD GLASS IN MY CLOTHES, MY MOUTH, MY HAIR, AND ALL IN MY CAR.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11171282January 21, 2019AIR BAGS, STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CLOCK SPRING IS NOT WORKING AFTER TAKATA RECALL IMPLEMENTED. NO CONTROLS ON STEERING WHEEL WORK. HORN DOES NOT WORK. AIRBAG WOULD LIKELY NOT INFLATE. AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. THIS OCCURED WHILE THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11166387January 10, 2019UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE DRIVER'S DOOR INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT UNLOCK AND OPEN. THE DRIVER HAS TO ENTER THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR AND CLIMB ACROSS TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN IN NOVEMBER 2018. I SCHEDULED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT AT HANOVER VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE DEPARTMENT (PA) ON 12/28/18. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AND SCANNED FINDING FAULT FOR IMPLAUSIBLE SIGNAL FROM LEFT FRONT DOOR LATCH. THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO REPLACE THE DOOR LATCH AND LATCH COVER. THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE SO I SCHEDULED SERVICE FOR 1/2/19. I WAS THEN NOTIFIED THE PART IS ON NATION BACK ORDER. THE DOOR HAS NOT UNLOCKED 3 DAYS SINCE 1/2/19. I FIND THIS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE I CANNOT EXIT THE CAR EITHER THROUGH THE DRIVER'S DOOR WHEN IT DOES NOT UNLOCK.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11166057January 9, 2019STEERING
THE ELECTRICAL IN STERRING WHEEL IS COMPLETELY OUT. THE HORN AND BUTTONS ARE DEAD AND THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING NOISE WHEN IT TURNS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11162787December 20, 2018ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
MY 2013 VW PASSAT 3.6 SEL LACKS A ELEC STABILITY CONTROL SWITCH ON THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE TRACTION IS TERRIBLE ON THIS VEHICLE IN RAIN, SNOW, AND SLEET. THE ENGINE HAS A KNOCKING NOISE, EVEN THOUGH I SERVICE THE VEHICLE AT VW EVERY 10,000 MILES AS REQUIRED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS VEHICLE HAS MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, SUCH AS THE SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATING, AND I LOSE TENSION IN MY DRIVER SEAT BELT. THAT IS A HUGE SAFETY FLAW FOR THIS $40,000 VEHICLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11162788December 20, 2018STRUCTURE:BODY, SEAT BELTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY 2013 VW PASSAT 3.6 SEL HAS MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTING, SEAT BELTS, AND BODY. THE FOG LIGHTS, AND FRONT MARKER LIGHTS KEEP BLOWING OUT ON THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELTS LOSE TENSION WHILE DRIVING, AND THERE IS BODY ROLL ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO SUBSTANDARD BODY CONSTRUCTION. MY 2005 VW PASSAT V6 4MOTION HAD A MUCH SAFER, HIGHER QUALITY BODY CONSTRUCTION THAN MY 2013 VW PASSAT 3.6 SEL. IT'S QUITE OBVIOUS THE EXECUTIVES AT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, AND VOLKSWAGEN AG IN WOLFSBURG, GERMANY AREN'T INTERESTED IN BUILDING SAFE, QUALITY VW PASSAT'S. THEY ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN SACRIFICING QUALITY, AND SAFETY TO SAVE A DOLLAR.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11162789December 20, 2018SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS (FRONT AND REAR) ON MY 2013 VW PASSAT 3.6 SEL ARE RUSTING, AND MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN I COME TO A STOP. VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT VERIFIED THAT I HAVE PLENTY OF PADS AND ROTORS ON MY BRAKES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, AND FURTHER CONFIRMS A LACK OF BUILD QUALITY FOR PADS AND ROTORS THAT COST $1,100 TO REPLACE. IT'S QUITE OBVIOUS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND EXECUTIVE TEAM AT VOLKSWAGEN AREN'T INTERESTED IN QUALITY OR SAFETY. THEY ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN SACRIFICING QUALITY AND SAFETY TO SAVE A DOLLAR.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11162815December 20, 2018ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA ENGINEERED LESS-THAN-SAFE HEADLAMPS ON MY 2013 VW PASSAT 3.6 SEL. MY HEADLAMPS ARE SUBSTANDARD, AND DO NOT SHINE BRIGHT A NIGHT AS THE XENON HEADLAMPS ON THE COMPETITORS OF VOLKSWAGEN. FOR A $40,000 VEHICLE, IT'S AN EXPECTATION TO HAVE XENON HEADLAMPS, WHICH ARE MUCH SAFER THAN THE EXISTING HEADLAMPS ON THE VW PASSAT. VOLKSWAGEN HAS BEEN INSTALLING 280 HP V6 ENGINES IN ITS PASSAT SINCE THE 2006 MODEL WHILE THEIR COMPETITORS HAVE BEEN INSTALLING 330HP AND UP IN THEIR V6 MODELS. THE VW PASSAT SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST 350HP/380 TORQUE WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE, WITH A LONGITUDINAL ENGINE. IT'S QUITE OBVIOUS THAT THE EXECUTIVES AT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, AND VOLKSWAGEN AG ARE INTERESTED IN SACRIFICING QUALITY AND SAFETY TO SAVE A DOLLAR.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11162806December 20, 2018ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION
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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11155228November 30, 2018ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS HIGH SPEEDS IN COLD CLIMATES, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN ACCELERATING. VOLKSWAGEN OF OCALA (5135 SW COLLEGE RD, OCALA, FLORIDA 34474, (352) 387-1330) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REPROGRAMMED THE ENGINE IN OCTOBER OF 2017. AFTER THE ENGINE WAS REPROGRAMMED, SEVERAL OTHER FAILURES OCCURRED. THE COOLANT LINES FAILED AND WERE REPLACED AND AN OIL LEAK DEVELOPED IN THE MAIN SEAL IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. INITIALLY, THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURES, BUT LATER REPLACED THE FAULTY MAIN SEAL. ALSO, THE WATER PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS A RESULT, THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES FRACTURED AND FUEL ENTERED INTO THE FUEL FILTER OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL SPILLED ONTO THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A COOLANT LEAK FROM THE OIL COOLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FITTING ON THE FUEL LINE RELATED TO THE FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY WAS ALSO REPLACED. LASTLY, WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 181530876. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11150379November 9, 2018AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL, VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT FIX THE RECALLED INFLATOR ON MY 2013 PASSAT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11142584October 25, 2018AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE SLIGHTLY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, AIR BAG LIGHT CAME. THERE IS NO COMMUNICATION FROM THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS LEAVING THE HORN IN-OPERATIONAL.GARVEY VOLKSWAGON ASSESSED VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED IT IS DUE TO THE CLOCK SPRING FAILING INTERNALLY. WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW FREEZING, LOCKS WILL NOT UNLATCH. THE DOOR HANDLE WILL NOT MOVE AND THE DOORS CAN NOT BE OPENED UNTIL THE LATCHES UNFREEZE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11139407October 10, 2018AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RECALL PERFORMED REGARDING AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING WHICH INVOLVED INSTALLING A SHROUD OVER THE THE CLOCK SPRING AND LESS THEN 12 MONTHS LATER, THE AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING FAILED. VOLKSWAGEN IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR BECAUSE THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY PERFORMED THE RECALL. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG, STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS AND HORN ARE NO LONGER WORKING IN THE VEHICLE. THERE IS ALSO AN AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH A AIRBAG ERROR IN THE INFORMATIONAL DISPLAY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IN USE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11132788October 1, 2018AIR BAGS, STEERING
MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING A SOFT CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING ON 9/24/2018 VEHICLE HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT. ON 10/30 WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION MAKIN GA SLIGHT TURN IN THE BEND OF A ROAD ON THE HIGHWAY, THE AIRBAG ALERT LIGHT CAME ON AND INDICATED THERE WAS AN AIR BAG ERROR AND THE WHEEL COMMAND CONTROLS STOPPED WORKING.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11132024September 27, 2018AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
MY 2013 VW PASSAT HAS 56,000 MILES. I REPLACED AT 33,000 ON 12/29/2016 AT A VW DEALER THAT IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS, BASED ON THEIR DIAGNOSTIC, THE CLOCK SPRING AND AIRBAG HARNESS IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT COSTED ME $610. FAST FORWARD ON 09/16/2018 IT TURNS OUT THAT I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, NO CONTROLS IN THE WHEEL AT ALL AND AIRBAG LIGHT ON. THE ONLY SYMPTOM WAS A CRUNCH SOUND IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON RIGHT AWAY. A VW DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT IS UNUSUAL FOR A CLOCK SPRING TO GO BAD THAT QUICKLY, THERE'S SOME CARS THAT DON'T NEED A CLOCK SPRING REPLACEMENT AT ALL AND MINE NEEDS A SECOND ONE ALREADY AT 56,000. THROUGH A PHONE CALL VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA STATED THAT WON'T STAY BEHIND THE PROBLEM. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT IT'S A DEFECTIVE/MALFUNCTION PART THAT AFFECTS MY WIFE'S AND MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY SINCE THEY ARE PRIMARILY USING THE CAR. CURRENTLY WE'RE DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT ANY FRONT AIRBAG PROTECTION! PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AND HAVE THE ONES WHO'S FAULT IT IS FIX THE PROBLEM! THANK YOU!
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0