Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2013)

749 consumer complaints on file.

#10641822October 6, 2014
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
ON SEPT. 27, 2014 DURING A PRE-LONG TRIP SAFETY CHECK, AUTO MECHANIC NOTICED UNUSUAL BULGE ON REAR LEFT TIRE. I CALLED MANUFACTURER CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER.AND WAS DIRECTED TO MY NEAREST AUTHORIZED TIRE DEALER.WHO FOUND POSSIBLE DEFECT AND ORDERED A REPLACEMENT TIRE UNDER WARRANTY. TIRE DOT A35M 3WL 1113. CONTINENTAL PROCONTACT 215/60R16 CLAIM # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10640515October 1, 2014
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER: VEHICLE ON THREE OCCASIONS HAS EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. DISPLAY DEPICTS 'ALTERNATOR MALFUNCTION' BUT DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NO FAULT CODE STORED, THEREFORE NO REPAIR CAN BE MADE. I PROVIDED PHOTOS OF THE TROUBLE LIGHTS AND A VIDEO OF OTHER LIGHTS THAT COME ON AFTER THE POWER LOSS HAPPENS. DEALERSHIP VERBALLY ACKNOWLEDGED SOMETHING IS WRONG. VEHICLE TAKEN IN TWICE FOR THIS ISSUE, DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP TROUBLESHOOTS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.TECHNICIAN VERBALLY TOLD ME IT COULD BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM W/ THE INTERNAL CLUTCH FAILING TO RELEASE, STALLING THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10637396September 18, 2014
VISIBILITY/WIPER
HEATED SIDE MIRRORS WILL NOT TURN ON WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS OVER 68 DEGREES. IN HOUSTON, IT'S OFTEN OVER 68 DEGREES, AND MIRRORS WILL FOG OVER. THE SIDE MIRRORS ARE USELESS WHEN THEY'RE FOGGED OVER, AND COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE LACK OF VISIBILITY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10629071August 28, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WAS PULLING SLOWLY INTO A PARKING SPACE, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED AND HIT A PARKING METER POLE. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN SIX AND A HALF WEEKS LATER, AGAIN AT VERY LOW SPEED. THIS TIME THE CAR HIT THE WALL OF THE PARKING RAMP, AND THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED. IN BOTH CASES, IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN THAT MORNING, A DISTANCE OF ABOUT THREE MILES. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10626621August 20, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
ENGINE LOST POWER, GLOW PLUG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING BARELY MADE IT TO THE DEALER. DEALER BLAMED BAD FUEL. IDENTICAL PROBLEM AT 26,480 MILES. DEALER REPLACED HPFP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10620701August 7, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
THIS IS MY SECOND ENTRY ABOUT THIS INCIDENT; THIS CAR WAS A CERTIFIED 2013 PASSAT TDI SEL THAT I HAD OWNED FOR FOUR DAYS! I HAD NEVER EVEN REFUELED IT ONCE AND THE FUEL PUMP EXPLODED ON I-95 IN MARYLAND AND THE ENSUING INCIDENT ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE. I WAS AT THE ENTRY TO THE BALTIMORE I-95 TUNNEL WITH NEARLY NO WHERE TO PULL OVER ONCE THE CAR STOPPED--CARS AND TRUCKS WERE SWERVING AROUND ME TO AVOID HITTING ME. THE TUNNEL MOVING CREW CAME SHORTLY AFTER SINCE MY STOPPED CAR WAS AN EXTREME HAZARD--I AM HANDICAPPED AND HAD NO WHERE TO ESCAPE TO. I EVENTUALLY WAS TOWED BACK TO MY DEALER AND NOW THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP TO BE FIXED FOR 1&1/2 WEEKS. VW CLAIMS THAT THE REASON FOR THIS FAILURE IS THAT OWNERS ARE PUTTING GASOLINE IN WITH THE DIESEL. THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE IN MY CASE AS I ONLY HAD THE CARE FOR 4 DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND THE DEALER HAD TOPPED IT OFF WITH THEIR OWN FUEL! VW IS NOT BEIG HONEST ABOUT THE SEVERITY OF THIS PROBLEM AND NHTSA NEEDS TO ORDER A TOTAL RECALL. IT IS A NEAR MIRACLE THAT I WAS NOT KILLED. IF I HAD BEEN IN THE TUNNEL WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AND WITH NO PLACE TO PULL OVER AT ALL, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT AND MOST LIKELY A FATALITY (ME!) PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED MORE INFO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10619123August 5, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
I WAS DRIVING MY CERTIFIED 2013 VW PASSAT TDI SEL WITH ONLY 32,100 MILES AT 60 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD SOMETHING "POP" AND FELT THE CAR SHUDDER. I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE BUT NOTICED THE I HAD NO POWER. I CRUISED TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WAITED TO BE TOWED TO A VW DEALERSHIP. FOUND OUT LATER THE FUEL PUMP HAD "CAME APART" AND IT WILL TAKE 1.5 WEEKS UNTIL IT IS FIXED. VERY TROUBLING PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR HAS SUCH FEW MILES AND WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY AND DEALER WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10618475August 3, 2014
STRUCTURE
SIDE PANEL OF CENTER CONSOLE COMES LOOSE OFTEN. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS (3 TIMES OUT OF 11 INCIDENTS TO DATE) THE PANEL FELL ONTO THE FLOOR CAUSING DANGEROUS INTERFERENCE WITH THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO SAFELY USE THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS. INFORMAL RESEARCH REVEALS MANY REFERENCES TO THIS PANELS POOR FIT ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10615346July 22, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
WHILE SITTING STILL IN A PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY KNOCKED VIOLENTLY AND STOPPED RUNNING. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN AND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM CAUSING METAL FRAGMENTS TO BE SPREAD THROUGH THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 1/2 TANK OF FUEL AND HAD RAN PERFECT BEFORE THE INCIDENT. AT NO TIME HAVE WE EVER ACCIDENTALLY FILLED IT WITH GASOLINE INSTEAD OF DIESEL AND AT NO TIME HAD THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH AS IF IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE COMBUSTING THE FUEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10611140July 16, 2014
ENGINE
TURBO QUIT MAKING A HIGH PITCH NOISE... BLOWING SMOKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10610603July 15, 2014
BACK OVER PREVENTION:WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT
THE BACKUP CAMERA IN THIS VEHICLE FREQUENTLY FAILS TO ACTIVATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN REVERSE. VW OFFICIALS ACKNOWLEDGE, IN A WRITTEN RESPONSE, A DELAY TIME OF ONE (1) TO TWO (2) MINUTES BEFORE THE CAMERA WILL ACTIVATE. IT IS AN UNREASONABLE EXPECTATION, FROM A CONSUMER / DRIVER STANDPOINT, TO WAIT 1 TO 2 MINUTES FOR A CAMERA TO ACTIVATE FOR A DRIVER TO DETERMINE IF IT IS SAFE TO BACKUP. VW CONTINUES TO IGNORE THIS DEFICIENCY DESPITE THE NUMBER OF DEATHS AND INJURIES EACH YEAR CAUSED BY BACKUP ACCIDENTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10610298July 14, 2014
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H426 TIRES, SIZE 215/55R17 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,727.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10609588July 10, 2014
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VW PASSAT TDI SE (THE "VEHICLE") LOST POWER, CAUSING THE GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. TO PREVENT ANY ADDITIONAL DAMAGE, THE VEHICLE ENTERED INTO LIMP MODE. WHILE IN LIMP MODE, THE AUTOMOBILE BECOMES UNABLE TO ACCELERATE, FORCING THE DRIVER TO PULL OVER AND PHONE FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AT WHICH TIME NOTIFICATION WAS GIVEN THAT THE VEHICLE'S TURBO NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND THE REPAIR WOULD TAKE APPROXIMATELY A WEEK. DURING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SERVICE CONSULTANT, THEY STATED THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED RECENTLY BY VW, ON TURBO FAILURES AND PROPER MODIFICATIONS OF THE INSTALLATION TO PREVENT FUTURE FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY 3-4 WEEKS AFTER THE INITIAL FAILURE, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SECOND TURBO FAILURE. AT WHICH TIME, THE TURBO FAILED WHILE CROSSING INTO TRAFFIC, JEOPARDIZING LIVES OF MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. VW HAS ONCE AGAIN REPLACED THE TURBO. I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN TWO OTHER INCIDENTS OF THE VEHICLE LOSING POWER INTERMITTENTLY, BUT NOTHING SUSTAINED. IF THE TURBO FAILS AGAIN, THAT WOULD BE A THIRD OCCURRENCE. VW'S RESPONSE TO THE ISSUE HAS BEEN RATHER INSIGNIFICANT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10608540July 7, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES
OUR 2013 VW PASSAT'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SUDDENTLY WENT DEAD WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON A BUSY ROAD. WE PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FIVE MINUTES LATER, THE CAR STARTED UP AGAIN. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT TWO MILES, THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT OFF AND AGAIN WE PULLED IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE WE CALLED FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE CAR CURRENTLY IS AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE CENTER BEING REPAIRED. APPARENTLY, OTHER VW OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLES. NHTSA, PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10608364July 5, 2014
SUSPENSION
CAR PULLS SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. VOLKSWAGEN STATES THAT EVERYTHING IS IN SPEC. NOTHING IS BENT OR BROKEN. WE HAVE A SECOND 2013 PASSAT THAT DOES THE SAME THING. THE CASTER IS OUT OF SPEC IN A INDEPENDENT ALIGNMENT, BUT WAS TOLD IT IS NON ADJUSTABLE.( CAME FROM THE FACTORY THIS WAY) MANY PASSATS FROM 2012- 2014 HAVE THIS ISSUE. AT 65 MPH OUR TWO PASSATS WILL COMPLETELY CHANGE LANES IN 6 SECONDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10608370July 5, 2014
SUSPENSION
CAR PULLS SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. VOLKSWAGEN SAYS EVERYTHING IS IN SPEC. NOTHING IS BENT OR BROKEN. THEY ALSO SAID " IT'S JUST THE WAY THE CAR HANDLES" I AM NOT STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR, JUST COASTING ON ANY ROAD AND WITHIN 5 TO 6 SECONDS I AM HALFWAY IN THE OTHER LANE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10608238July 4, 2014
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING IN THE RIGHT LANE OF I-84 SHIFTING FROM 5TH TO 6TH WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL STAYED ON THE FLOOR AND THE CAR SLOWLY CAME TO A STOP WITH NO SUDDEN JERKING MOTION. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT INVOLVED NOR DID IT STAY ON THE FLOOR AS THE CLUTCH DID. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10605626June 24, 2014
ENGINE
VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY IN BUSY TRAFFIC. GLOW PLUG LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING (IT'S A TDI) AND I HEARD A CLICKING NOISE. I PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY ENGULFED IN SMOKE. I WAITED ON THE SHOULDER OVER AN HOUR FOR A TOW WITH CONTINUED BUSY 60+ MPH TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST DEALER. THEY'VE DIAGNOSED IT AS A TURBOCHARGER FAILURE. CLEARLY THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AT ONLY 15,000 MILES BUT IT APPEARS TO BE COMMON. TURBO AND EXHAUST SYSTEM ARE BEING REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10598831June 17, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHENEVER HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECCURED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE OCCURRENCES WERE CONTRIBUTED TO THE WAY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10596425June 5, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
THIS INCIDENT HAD TO HAPPEN TWICE FOR THE DEALER TO SEE THE ISSUE. ACCELERATING FROM STOP AT A LIGHT WHEN I REACHED 3000 RPM THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. I PULLED TO THE SIDE AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON PROBLEM WAS GONE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT SEE ANY ISSUE. COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN BUT INSTEAD OF TURNING THE CAR OFF OR EVEN SHIFTING OUT OF D. I DROVE THE CAR WITH THAT CONDITION DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND INSTRUCTED ONE OF THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN TO GET IN THE CAR AND TAKE A RIDE WITH ME. HE SAW THE ISSUE AND THIS TIME BELIEVED ME AND THEY INVESTIGATED FURTHER AND FOUND OUT THAT THE KNOCK SENSORS WERE MALFUNCTIONING. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. MY SEAT FRAME WAS FIXED INCORRECTLY TWICE. MY NAVIGATION UNIT REPLACED TWICE AND VW STILL IGNORING THE LAG AND FREEZING OF THE UNIT. WHY PAY 5000 MORE FOR A NAVIGATION AND CAMERA FOR THEM NOT TO FUNCTION RIGHT. A SECTION OF MY MUFFLER WAS MALFUNCTIONING AS WELL. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE KEY FOB. I FOUND OUT IT IS EFFECTED VERY EASILY BY INTERFERENCE AND WHEN YOUR KEY FOB IS IN THE CAR IT CAN SAY KEY FOB NOT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED BY THIS VEHICLE, I THOUGHT VW HAD BETTER QUALITY STANDARDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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