Volkswagen Passat Complaints
7,897 consumer complaints on file.
- #11526897June 13, 2023AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY
In 2022 I was in an accident on the highway; a dear hit my car while I was traveling at 70 MPH. My airbags did not deploy and I ended up hitting my head on the driver side window really hard and it gave me a concussion and I injured one of the disks in my back. I almost got hit by semi trucks traveling behind me as well. Again, my airbags didn’t deploy after this and I’ve seen many recalls on the 2014 VW Passat specifically about the vehicles airbag deployment being that they’re also Takata airbags that had major recalls too. They should’ve deployed on a head on collision. My insurance didn’t total my car but I have proof that the entire frame was bent from the accident and my entire front headlight, fender and bumper are smashed in and wires for my transmission were severed. I still haven't settled this claim yet. I’m considering getting a lawyer about it.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11524095May 27, 2023EXTERIOR LIGHTING
(2023) Low beam light warning. Bought new bulb but light still didn't work. Had bulb and fixture for bulb checked, both were fine. Had same problem in 2019. Had to replace bulb and then realized closing the hood too hard cause light to go out. Replaced bulb and the piece that holds bulb because it burned it. This time the other part isn't burnt but it doesn't seem to be working.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11523682May 24, 2023ENGINE
I have no heat on the passenger side of the vehicle from any of the vents. The windshield would ice up due to this. The drivers side works fine. This car does not have Climatronic. It has manual controls. I have been told the heater core is clogging by my mechanic. This is a 2015. VW extended the warranty for 2012-14 Passat TDI's with the CKRA engine however this is a 2015 with the CVCA TDI engine. Is there any extended coverage for this generation engine? I don't want this to develop into a larger issue with deficient EGR cooling problems. The heater core in the 2015 is the same part number used in previous model years which are covered by the recall.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11523759May 24, 2023POWER TRAIN
Transmission clunks into gear and loses traction while shifting.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11523418May 23, 2023AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
My clock spring has broken. It is giving major safety concerns because my front airbag will not work. The horn does not work, limiting my communication with other drivers in case of impending accidents. None of the buttons work on my steering column as well.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11522933May 19, 2023AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
HELLO MY DOUGHTER HAD A ACCIDENT CAR WAS TOTAL LOSS AND AIR BAGS DID NOT POP UP AND SEAT BELT WAS NOT TIGHT ENOUGH
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11522677May 18, 2023VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
I am the original owner of a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. My front windshield has been delaminating around the edges. It began as only a small pop, but nothing loud to investigate. But today the separation of the epoxy from the windshield is visually evident. The popping sound happens daily. I have taken good care of my Volkswagen Passat with only a little over 39000 miles. My concern is will my window fly off its base one day while I am driving? Obviously this was not a concern while my vehicle was under warranty. But today I am concerned. I recently took my car to Rudolph Volkswagen for service. They recommended brakes and plugs replacement but did not look into the windshield issue.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11520899May 8, 2023POWER TRAIN
I have had an issue with my transmission since I’ve got it . I got it with only 38,000 miles on it in july 2021. When i touch my brakes going slow or pull off from a red light my vehicle will make a choppy noise and shake. When i switch gears it will occasionally get stuck and shake when i pull off. I took it to volkswagen service a couple times in 2021 where they assured me i had no transmission issue. I had other things like control arms and water pump issues that i had fixed. But my car was still doing the same thing. So i took it to various shops and volkswagen service many times throughout the entire year of 2022. Then finally they told me there is a issue with my whole clutch gearbox kit and dual mass flywheel as well. During the time they found that issue it was only about 45,000 miles on my vehicle. Volkswagen is known to have transmission issues so i was shocked there wasnt any recall on the issue since my car had very low miles on it and it is a known volkswagen issue. It is progressively getting worse to where it is becoming a hazard and i cant continue to drive my vehicle.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11521068May 8, 2023STEERING
steering wheel clock spring failed
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11519271April 27, 2023AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while reversing out of a parking spot, she heard an abnormal snapping sound coming from the steering wheel. The steering control buttons and the horn ceased to operate as designed. Additionally, the driver's side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the clock spring had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the same diagnostic was provided. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V483000 (Air Bags) because the mileage had been exceeded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11517807April 19, 2023AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE, STEERING
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel in either direction, there was a clicking sound was coming from the steering column. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated, with the cruise control feature inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the clockspring was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated that the failure was repaired on two previous occasions. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11517645April 18, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake fluid warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that he became aware that brake fluid had leaked from an unknown location and that the brake fluid reservoir needed to be refilled. The contact stated that after driving for a few blocks, he had to refill the reservoir again. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V075000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) as a possible cause for the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11517727April 18, 2023LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Since owning the vehicle, the lane assist is very aggressive. It will pick up tire marks or tar in the road and jerk the car out of the lane that I am in. I’ve contacted the dealership and they told me that there is nothing they can do to turn the sensitivity down. It has done it several times and almost caused a sideswiped collision.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11517226April 15, 2023UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On 4/12/2023 - I was traveling on highway 4 in the afternoon headed back home from work. While driving around 70mph all in sudden without any warning front driver side wheel locked up and causing the car to pull hard on driver side. I hit the retaining divider while trying my best to not to hit any other cars. This should be a recall a major one as no car should lock up like this
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11517003April 14, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Rear back left light keeps going out. Could be an electrical issue. I have had to change light 5 times. The rear left back light blinker keeps going out.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11515663April 5, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced unstated electrical failures while driving at various speeds. Additionally, the rear-view camera would activate while the vehicle was in drive(D). The contact stated that the passenger occupant air bag sensor was flashing on and off without a passenger being seated in passenger’s side seat. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was determined that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11514600March 30, 2023POWER TRAIN
DSG transmission, yes it’s available for inspection. The vehicle lost power and it wouldn’t go any faster for a few minutes when accelerated. I’m talking it for inspection on 03/31/2023. No inspection yet. This problem has never happened before. This happened on March 29th, 2023. The transmission light came on and it said to park the vehicle and let the transmission cool because it was over heating. I parked it for a while and when I started it back up the light went out. I called the dealer and he said to bring it in but don’t drive it hard. My vehicle is a Volkswagen CC r line but on your website it’s showing a picture of a Volkswagen Passat with my vin number.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11514628March 30, 2023ENGINE
The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while approaching an off ramp while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where an unknown diagnostic test and repair was completed. Additionally, the dealer fractured an unknown part underneath the hood and water entered the vehicle near the sun visor and there was water accumulating on the rear passenger’s side door location. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11514642March 30, 2023ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired in 2016 for an unknown failure. The contact reported that on multiple occasions, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle began to overheat, with a beeping sound. The contact stated that the temperature gauge started to rise and that an abnormal odor was coming through the vents. The vehicle was veered to the side of the road after smoke was seen coming from the engine compartment. The contact allowed the vehicle cool down before restarting. Additionally, on several occasions while stopped, the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was towed to two separate dealers where several parts were replaced however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle had been overheating. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case number was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11514683March 30, 2023AIR BAGS, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving Airbag error flashed on dash and the Airbag light-lamp came on . Also my steering wheel horn and buttons do not work . I had no past indication . I am driving with no horn and most likely no Airbag deployment in case of accident. No inspection yet. Actually at risk if driven to the dealership
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0