Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#11467859June 6, 2022
AIR BAGS, STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Airbag clock spring has broken but part is unavailable and has been on back order for over a year. I now do not have an airbag, horn or any steering wheel buttons. Couldn’t care less on the buttons but my concern is safety with the airbag and horn. Also it will no longer pass my states inspection. Volkswagen needs to fix this and now! Part on back order for over a year and no expected time in near future is unacceptable for those in this position!! :(. They should realize some people will die instead of survive certain crashes without airbags working!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467191June 2, 2022
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V483000 (Air Bags) and the recall repair was completed. The contact stated the air bag warning light illuminated after the recall. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that the previous repair had failed and the clockspring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was no longer under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466415May 27, 2022
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I belive the clock spring has malfunctioned on my car, the air bag light won't go off and the horn does not work. This has put my safety at risk because twice last week a car almost side swiped me and I have no horn. I called the dealer and they said my particular model isn't covered under the recall but It says volkswagen passat models 2010-2014. I have not taken my car to the dealership yet. The airbag light and horn stopped working at the same time about a month ago and I have replace the the fuse and relay switch and the air bag light is still on and the horn still doesn't work.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466424May 27, 2022
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while reversing out of a parking space at approximately 3 MPH and turning the steering wheel, she heard a loud clicking noise coming from the wheel. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated along with an error: air bag message on the instrument panel. Additionally, the contact stated that the horn ceased functioning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the clockspring needed to be replaced. The contact was advised by the dealer that the clockspring was on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 275,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466457May 27, 2022
AIR BAGS
My clock spring went out in December 2021. VW dealership acknowledged the problem and told me the repairs/part are covered under recall/extended warranty, but VW has a back order on the part. Meanwhile, I am without a drivers side airbag AND a working horn almost 6 months later. I can’t even honk the horn to alert someone and prevent an accident. VW could use aftermarket parts (aftermarket parts may work better), but they have refused. I am stuck with no airbag or horn AND I can’t even trade the car in (except at the VW dealership) because it doesn’t have a working airbag. Super frustrated with Volkswagen!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11465884May 24, 2022
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 87,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466003May 24, 2022
AIR BAGS
Clockspring broke so no airbag and the dealership won’t fix it and it’s under warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11465466May 20, 2022
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. Additionally, the horn was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clockspring needed to be replaced; however, the clockspring part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that an ETA for parts was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11465328May 19, 2022
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the airbag warning light illuminated the instrument panel. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he was informed that the clockspring was defective. The mechanic then called the dealer and was provided an estimate for the cost of a new clockspring. The contact then took the vehicle to a second independent mechanic who informed him of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V483000 (Air Bags) and referred him to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11464326May 12, 2022
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Clockspring broke when making a turn in the drive-thru pharmacy. Loud pop, then lost all power to steering wheel. Horn does not work, none of the controls work and the airbag is not guaranteed to work. Car has been at dealership for 5 months waiting for a repair. No ETA for 5 months now....
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463833May 9, 2022
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated the that while the vehicle was idling, there was an abnormal clicking sound detected. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated and the horn became inoperable. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 236,000. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463732May 7, 2022
AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I heard a loud crack while turning my steering wheel and now I have an "Airbag Error" message and the controls on my steering wheel do not work. Is this related to the Airbag recall? Is it the Steering Wheel Clock Spring?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463311May 4, 2022
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the control buttons on the steering wheel were no longer operable and the horn would fail to honk when engaged. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a Volkswagen certified independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the clockspring needed to be replaced; however, the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed that the part for repair was not available. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V483000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but informed the contact that they could not cover the repair due to the vehicle mileage and the part was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463379May 4, 2022
AIR BAGS
The airbag not working after recall, the dealer says the clock spring is bad. Cant order a new one bc they have been on backorder for over 9 months now.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463414May 4, 2022
AIR BAGS
Hit a deer head on while travelling at about 40 mph on a rural highway. Airbags did NOT deploy, despite front end damage.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463189May 3, 2022
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Although this site has my car listed with ZERO unfixed recalls, that is not true. I received a recall notice for the clockspring on this vehicle, called my local dealership and was told it was no big deal, just to have it fixed when I brought my car in for 80k mile servicing. At that time, the clockspring had not yet broken and my car only had 50k miles on it. Late last October, my clockspring broke and I took it to the dealership. They ordered the part but said it was on backorder and it is STILL on indefinite backorder. I have now been driving more than 6 months with NO airbags, NO horn and NO hands free steering wheel controls. The dealership will not give me a loaner until my vehicle is made safe to drive. I have reached out to VW headquarters, the consumer product safety commission and the NTSB. I am on an online chat site where it is apparent there are thousands of us who cant pass state safety inspections and have had to park our vehicles or are driving them out of necessity, like myself. I am a widow who works full time and cant just buy another vehicle so easily. I believe VW should either buy our vehicles from us or give us loaners until they can be made safe to drive. People will have accidents and VW will wish they had done something. It should not get to that point! My local dealership told me the VW clockspring is made in Ukraine - so obviously this is not getting resolved by VW anytime soon. Please help! Thank you for your time. The failure of these parts leaves the vehicle with no airbags, horn or hands free controls on the steering wheel. Consumer stated there are thousands of us out here with unsafe and disabled vehicles and we can get no response at all from VW. Dealership stated the part is on indefinite backorder and consumer has already been without airbags, horn, etc for more than 6 months now. Consumer believes VW should authorize loaner vehicles until ours can be made safe to drive or purchase the vehicles to get them off the road. Right now, consumer can’t sell them, c
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463112May 2, 2022
POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES
The brakes totally went out on my vehicle with no warning. It first started when I bought the car, the brake pad (almost brand new) almost set my left front rotor on fire within 10 minutes of driving. If I didn’t pull over there’s no question that my car would’ve set on fire. My fuel like was leaking heavily, and the emergency brake which is hydraulic wouldn’t even deploy. I could’ve gotten killed. There is also an extreme issue with the power train system. Completely unsafe.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462737April 29, 2022
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
Clock Spring has failed. Te vehicle has been inspected by the service dealership department and confirmed the prognosis. The clock spring failure prevents the airbag from deploying in an accident. It also controls the electronic components in the steering wheel blinkers, horn etc they also do not work. Airbag light came on and as I went to honk my horn at another car my horn did not work creating a safety hazard and almost causing an accident. Luckily I slammed on my breaks and no one was behind me. Immediately notified the dealership service department of problem they confirmed the clock spring has failed and told me the car is still driveable but comes with hazardous safety issues that may prevent saving a life in the event of an accident. For example no horn to alert another car, no blinkers to safely change lanes, if in an accident airbags won’t deploy etc.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462816April 29, 2022
ENGINE
The car consumes one quart of oil per week. Also, the Electronic Stabilization Control and ABS cause the car to sputter and stop. This happened in 2019 and now it is happening again in 2022.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462688April 28, 2022
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
My VW Passat has no turn signals, horn, bright lights, wipers just all steering column and steering wheel controls don’t work. Have even heard airbag don’t work. VW shop in St. Peter’s Missouri said my clock spring is broke but part is back ordered. They said come get the car it is drivable until unknown time part will come in. My car might drive but it is illegal and unsafe to drive without wipers in rain and no turn signals. Unsafe to not have horn, bright lights, or air bag.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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