Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#11497112December 12, 2022
AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My airbag light is on. Had a test done and it also indicated airbag problem. My car was supposedly repaired of this defect some time ago, but here we are. Also when entering my VIN for any recall; it lists defective light. Previous work done by Audi/VW of Jackson, Ms. On 12/9/22 the airbag indicator light and service light is on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496628December 8, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that he was unable to immediately restart the vehicle. The contact stated that after an hour the vehicle restarted. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become recurring. The vehicle was towed back to the residence after one failure. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496070December 5, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Bought in July and had 38461 miles and only put 3000 miles since bought. Driving down the road and it started raining and had 2” of water in my drivers side floor board. Took to jack Morris auto glass and they looked at it and said the pan on the driver’s side of the sunroof was cracked. He told me that driving it was risky as it could catch fire and cause electrical issues. Please advise.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496102December 5, 2022
AIR BAGS
Clockspring is bad as noted by many other owners. Airbag light is lit and horn doesn’t work
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11495810December 2, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel smell in cabin. Diagnosed to be pin hole in high pressure fuel rail. Lucky no explosion or fire from related fuel leak.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11495014November 27, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
The power steering system failed. At first I thought the steering wheel was locked. I started the car and could not turn the wheel. The power steering light illuminated in red and there was a loud beeping sound when the car is turned on. It was not until the car was towed that I realized that the wheel was not locked. The tow truck driver was able to turn the wheel to steer the vehicle on to the truck bed. I had someone plug in a diagnostic machine. I do not recall the exact code but he said the power steering system was not getting a signal. He replaced the steering angle sensor but that did not fix the issue. I had passenger at the time and was concerned for my safety. Luckily, the system failed while the car was parked, but we were left stranded. I have come across the following information on the Kelley Blue Book website: Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion) NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 08V577000 Report Date: Oct 31 2008 Vehicles Affected: 130 Consequence: DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO OVERCOME THE SYSTEM DURING MALFUNCTION WILL CAUSE (1) VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL; (2) THE STEERING SYSTEM MOTOR TO TURN OFF; (3) THE RED STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE; AND (4) AUDIBLE WARNINGS TO CHIME. A MALFUNCTIONING STEERING SYSTEM COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. What You Should Do: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-4822-8987. Summary: VW IS RECALLING 130 2009 PASSAT, PASSAT WAGON, AND PASSAT CC VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN ELECTROMECHANICAL STEERING GEAR CONTROL UNIT THAT CAN MALFUNCTION DUE TO A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS, THE DRIVER'S STEERING INPUT IS NOT PROPERLY PROCESSED BY THE SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RESPOND AS THE DRIVER INTENDS. THIS DEFECT CAN ONLY OCCUR IMMEDIATELY AFTER VEHICLE START-UP WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED FOR THE FIRST TIME AND AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 5 MPH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494883November 25, 2022
AIR BAGS, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Records indicate clock spring recall service was performed at some time in the past. Same exact problem recurred last week. Clearly the recall service did not remedy the problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494168November 18, 2022
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I purchased this car from what I believed was a private individual for my 15 year old daughter as her first car. This individual knew the purpose of this sale and was accutely aware that a new driver would be the primary driver. Before allowing her to drive this car, I had a detailed safety and condition inspection completed by a local import repair specialist. They found that there had been a deployment of the air bags resulting in the clock spring and front seat belt retractors being unusable. In addition, the air bag warning light had been removed from the instrument cluster and the bulb was removed, disguising the fact that there was an issue with the air bags. Further inspection showed overspray on one headlight lens from the repairs, the ac condenser was bent upwards, none of the splash shields under the front were intact or completely missing, body panels do not line up, and there is an issue with the front brakes. It is the opinion of the inspector and the business owner that this car had been reconditioned for a quick sale, intentionally hiding the fact the air bags had been deployed and the air bag system was rendered unusable. The CarFax shows minor damage to the rear and left rear, nothing about front end. The title reflects this car was at Adesa in Jacksonville FL (a car reconditioner) and sold to NES Enterprises of Jacksonville, then sold to Performance Motor Group, who sold it to me, all between 9/22/2022 and 10/31/2023. The individual I was dealing with was not involved in this sale.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493921November 17, 2022
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
The vehicle lane assistance feature for my 2021 Volkswagen Passat nearly caused me to collide with another vehicle on two separate occasions. While driving home on my regular route, there are many cross streets where intersecting traffic may cross in order to facilitate a left turn. On one such occasion a vehicle pulling a utility trailer crossed in front of me but did not proceed through entirely, leaving the trailer sticking out into the lane ahead of me. As I approached I attempted to pilot the car into the right lane adjacent to me, in order to avoid a collision. The lane assist feature took control of the vehicle's steering, pulling me back on a collision-course toward the trailer and other vehicle. I was forced to wrest control of the wheel in order to avoid the other vehicle resulting in a near-miss. Several days later a similar occurrence happened, causing me to lose confidence in the vehicle entirely. This feature can not be permanently disabled, meaning that each and every time I start the car, I am forced to actively disable it. Should I forget to do so, I am in danger of another similar incident. A phone call to Volkswagen confirmed that there is no way to disable this feature permanently, and there is no intent to make an update to vehicle software. This feature, rather than assisting in the safety of individuals, is actively putting lives at risk! Volkswagen refused to offer a vehicle buy-back. I think that the dangers posed here are enough to investigate and also to mandate that manufacturers offer an option to permanently disable the active lane assist feature.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493179November 11, 2022
AIR BAGS
VW has a back order of over 7,000 clock springs with no time table for delivery. No relief provided by VW. Drive vehicle at your own risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492519November 6, 2022
AIR BAGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
* Driver air bag, horn, all controls in steering wheel. * Not having a horn or working air bag * Yes, defective clock switch has been confirmed-this was a recall, was replaced and failed again * No- dealer/recall repair center only * No, air bag light came on and that was it. At that moment nothing worked This occurred in March 2022. I was told it would take 1-2 months to get the part. The part is still unavailable. Called VM Customer Care-they instructed me to call the dealer. The dealer has no control over parts coming from VW. Now driving 8 months without an airbag or horn. All controls in the steering wheel are inoperable. Most are convenience items. Air bag and horn are safety issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492331November 4, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving 5 mph and making a left turn, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road of oncoming traffic. The contact placed the vehicle into park and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle would shudder and idle at a high RPM when she started the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that a fuel pump sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the stalling failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was also illuminated. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11491877November 2, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
Power brakes are not functional on startup when cold -- brake pedal is very stiff and takes a lot of pedal pressure to stop the car from moving while exiting driveway. Generally, braking improves within a minute or two of driving, but sudden stops in this condition are difficult and unsafe. The dealer service department diagnosed a leaking check valve in the vacuum system and the brake booster needs to be replaced - safety-related components such as brake boosters should not be failing at such an age.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492028November 2, 2022
SUSPENSION
I noticed my car was sitting lower than normal all the way around. While driving, I heard some unusual noises coming from the rear. I took the car to a mechanic for evaluation. The mechanic said three of the four coil springs had broken (both rear and drivers side on the front. I did some research and found there is an existing recall for broken springs in Volkswagen automobiles. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5. NHTSA’s campaign number: 19V188000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11491738November 1, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated his wife was unable to insert the key into the ignition to start the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed the key was faulty. The vehicle was repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11491742November 1, 2022
AIR BAGS
In a multi-vehicle rear end collision, the airbags in the vehicle did not deploy. My vehicle was totaled and I sustained medical injuries.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
6
Deaths:
0
#11491363October 28, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Driver side low beam headlights failed. Bulb works. Bulb Holder works. Confirmed by moving bulb and bulb holder assembly to passenger side where it operates fine. Search on-line finds many people with same problem. It appears to be an electrical connection problem within the headlight assembly. There was a reportedly recall for this problem that did not cover all VINs. This is definitely a safety issue that also reportedly costs up to $600 to fix.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11491044October 26, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Noticed the carpeting getting wet on the drivers side floor. After doing some research online tracked it down to the drivers side drain for the moonroof. The hose shrunk over time and disconnected from the rubber piece that goes through the firewall and allows the water to drain outside of the vehicle. Had to splice a piece of hose to the original so it would be long enough to connect again. Worried that the condensation from the water leaking inside the car may affect electrical components over time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490760October 25, 2022
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:SEALS/GASKETS
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking an unknown fluid underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the vacuum pump, oil pan, and the gaskets needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact to contact the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 193,211.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11489175October 13, 2022
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking and then lost motive power. The contact pushed the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel injector needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced the fuel injector. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen Passat