Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#11457044March 16, 2022
AIR BAGS
The recall listed on the previous page explains why visibility is so poor when low or high beams are on while driving, no matter what the weather conditions are. My safety, along with my family's safety, and oncoming traffic were put at risk due to such poor visibility. I don't have this problem with my other Volkswagen (2017 Jetta). The other problem I encountered is with my steering wheel. I was turning and I heard what sounded like a crinkle type noise. It was rather brief so I didn't pay attention and then it made the sound again when I turned wheel in the opposite direction and again on my next turn. The following day I heard the same type of noise while turning in either direction and then the noise sounded like a spring breaking. I then noticed a light on my dash come on. The light was orange in color displaying a similar no seat belt wearing flash display. Once I was home I looked into what dash light meant and it had to do with an airbag malfunction. I went on to notice that none of my steering wheel functions worked nor did my horn. I researched possible recall involving steering wheel clock spring in a 2014 Passat and found it was indeed a recall. I purchased this car for my soon to be licensed son and he needs these recalls fixed as soon as possible in order to use car for his driving test in April. The nearest VW dealer is in Green Bay, WI which is a few hours away from my home. I was informed by a close friend that works for VW that recalls could be fixed by Halbinsel Mazda in Escanaba MI. My other VW is currently in storage and I am unable to get to it until spring time when the snow melts. This leaves me with the Passat with poor visibility and if I were to get in an accident the airbag wouldn't deploy because of clock spring recall nor can I warn anybody by honking my horn. Both recalls are putting myself, my loved ones and traffic at major safety risks. My vehicle is available for inspection, so matter can be resolved as soon as possible.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11456657March 14, 2022
AIR BAGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
During a left hand turn a loud "pop" occurred in the steering wheel while illuminated the Air Bag error light and disabled the horn and all steering wheel controls. I called Volkswagen about the errors and was transferred around on phone system, hung up on while transferring, message left with no contact back. While searching online have found numerous air bag recalls with clock spring issues but this model is not showing it although it is obvious it has failed. The car is not currently safe to drive and is parked, I currently own 4 of these VW TDI Passat's and need this addressed. Thank You
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455578March 7, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The headlights on this vehicle are constantly going out. I’ve had to repair, replace or pay someone to fix it multiple times since I had the vehicle. One repair shop told me that they needed to take the tire off in order to fix the light and charged me $130+ to replace the bulb. I don’t think that the bulbs are the issue, I think that the sockets are. I sent the car in last year because there was a recall on the headlights but they were working fine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455307March 5, 2022
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
The airbag light is on. It is an orangish color. The controls on front of the steering wheel do not work. That means the horn, cruise control, radio controls, voice controls do not work.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455232March 4, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the low-beam headlights failed to illuminate as needed. The contact replaced an unknown part of the headlights; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454021February 25, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Approximately 2 years ago the backup camera and infotainment system ceased working. I complained to the dealership but they said that failure of the system was a "characteristic" and not a "defect". In my opinion, having an operational backup camera is a safety feature. They quoted me over $2,500 to repair. I now see on the internet that VW has issued a recall of over 32,000 vehicles (model year 2021) for the exact same problem -- losing the rearview camera and infotainment displays. By the way, lose of the system in my car also means that I cannot use my mobile phone "hands-free" thru the car, which is also a safety feature. So, if VW is issuing a recall for 2021 vehicles for this same issue as my car, why must I pay over $2,500 for it to be repaired on my 2014 Passat?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454123February 25, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2014 VW Passat: EPC light and Engine light went on, 1/11/2022. Car stalled. Called AAA and waited awhile. Tried again and car started so I drove.... 0.4 miles and it happened again. AAA driver said it wasn't the battery (lights were still on). Towed to my mechanic. He changed the oil and gave me a new battery. I drove 600 miles roundtrip the next day. Then, on 1/22/2022 same thing happened. EPC light, Engine light went on and Car stalled. The fix: I needed a new Fuel Pump Control Module. Interestingly enough, my OTHER VW Passat (2006) had a recall on the Fuel Pump.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453736February 24, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
I was driving this particular day through a busyfour way stoplight intersection around time school was dismissing so 3:30ish PM. And I lost all power to my vehicle with just the battery light flashing once. I barely made it out of the i intersection and to the shoulder of the road as there was no power steering and i had to pump my breaks to stop. I called the local police and let them know it would be towed tomorrow morning. The tow bill was 100 dollars and i had replaced the battery thinking it was the problem. The brand new battery drained in two minutes tops after install alternator was tested and fuses were in working order all except for one that went to my12 volt charging port which was replaced as well as serpentine belt was replaced with alternator test. The battery still drains instantly and when speaking with volkswagon suntrup in sunset hills st. Louis which is the nearest Volkswagen dealership about 30 minute drive my car still is under a dealership warranty for the national emissions recall that was just fixed after i purchased the vehicle. The dealership refuses to come get/ fix/ diagnose or rectify vehicle although admitting to knowing this year has parasitic draws instally killing a brand new battery even while driving was/is a very dangerous situation for me and my family. This car has been sitting in my drive way now for 6 months while nothing is being by vw and i am without safe or working transportation for my family. Ive also been told by vw. That they cant find some parasitic draws and are confused as me!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453648February 23, 2022
AIR BAGS, STEERING
The clock spring has went out on my 2012 VW Passat, but VW does not have them in stock, nor do they know when they'll have them in stock. This means that the drivers air bag will not work in the event of an accident. They are not doing a recall, but are doing an "extended warranty". They are knowingly putting unsafe vehicles out on the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452967February 19, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I bought an extended warranty on this car and it does not cover ESC light coming on . Car is burning oil. I’m afraid to drive due to the ESC also car misfires hardly
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452806February 18, 2022
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
The clock spring in my VW Passat has failed twice, leaving my horn and drivers side airbag inoperable. By not having an airbag and horn creates a safety hazard to myself as the driver if I were to be involved in a head on collision and the other drivers as I cannot notify them via a honk of the horn. This VW part has a past of failing and recalls. There is just not a specific recall on my VIN. The part is on “back order” making a resolution almost impossible.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452632February 17, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Took vehicle to shop report oil leak no warning signs causing timing chain problems what is the cause of oil leak is the recall issue on the engine?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452266February 16, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Catastrophic failure of high pressure fuel pump sent metal shards into my fuel system on my vw tdi 2014 diesel car . Unknown high dollar repair costs. This is a known issue with this make model year and engine but when I call vw customer care they say my specific car isn’t covered. I don’t understand how that is possible. I also found an extension to cover this exact issue published by NHTSA.gov and yet vw still says my car isn’t covered and I have to foot all the bills. Please help
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452311February 16, 2022
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
my 2013 vw passat with only 61576 miles showed problems with heat on driver side and no heat for passenger side .brought car to dealer on 2/15/2022 and was told heater core was defective and should be changed because it could cause car to over heat and cause damage to engine if not taken care of. i had the car repaired at $1000.00 out of my pocket because they wouldnt cover it in their warrenty. Multiple vw forum members have the same experiance . i contacted vw customer care and they would not help.i believe this is a major recall that could cause someone to blowup their engine for a poor quality heatercore
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451307February 10, 2022
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
The Clock Spring on this vehicle has failed which controls the driver side airbag, horn and all other buttons on the steering wheel. Apparently, there are almost 5,000 people waiting for this part to fix their car which most are under extended warranties since VW knows they have an issue with this part. I have made numerous calls trying to get this part and there is no end in sight as to when my VW dealer can expect it to get my car fixed. I find this unacceptable, and it sounds like VW is not even manufacturing this part and it could be months or even years before this is resolved. I will not drive my car without a horn or airbag. I am sure many people are driving around with this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451045February 8, 2022
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLER/RADIATOR:HOSES AND FITTINGS
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH there was no issue with the vehicle. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, he noticed a fluid leak on the floor underneath the vehicle. The contact was later informed by the dealer that it was a transmission fluid that was leaking from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and he was informed that the transmission oil cooler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was then informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V182000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450826February 7, 2022
AIR BAGS, STEERING
Per Volkswagon the vehicle is known to have a defective steering clock spring. When the part fails, the vehicle steering wheel looses all electronic function. the Airbag is deactivated and the horn does not work. This failure have happened with my vehicle. Volkswagon has initiated a recall; however, it has been 2 months and they can still not provide an eta of when the vehicle will be repaired and have instructed to drive the unsafe vehicle until the parts come in. The failure initially happened in Dec 2021. This week in Feb 2022 I was run off the road by an elderly drive in an SUV that changed lanes. I was unable to notify the other diver that I was next to her because the horn did not work!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450690February 6, 2022
AIR BAGS
Horn and drivers airbag in steering column no longer work. The clock spring is broken that powers both units.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450606February 5, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS
On the 29th of January, upon turning on my car and turning my steering wheel, I heard a "clicking" noise, and immediately on the dash my airbag light displayed along with a message saying, "Error: Airbag". After driving, I realized that my horn no longer worked and the controls on my steering wheel were inoperable. When I arrived at my destination, I began looking up the issue and things that could cause the airbag light to display, along with causing the other issues I was experiencing. The first thing that popped up described a recall that was initiated in 2015 for the clockspring piece failing, which causes the airbag light to display, the horn to not work, as well as the controls on the steering wheel to not work. I looked up the CarFax on my specific vehicle and found that this clockspring piece was replaced on my car back in 2016 (before I owned it), so on the following Monday, I called my local Volkswagen dealership where the guy confirmed that this had been a recall that was previously fixed on my car and offered me an appointment for the 24th of February to confirm that this was the issue going on with my car. As I was unsatisfied with waiting this long, I called other local Volkswagen dealerships to see if they could get me in sooner. The York Volkswagen dealership got me in on the 4th of February, ran diagnostics, and confirmed that this was the issue with the car, the clockspring needed to be replaced, again. However, it was relayed to me that this piece is part of a nationwide backorder and that they could not give me a time frame of when they would be able to replace this piece for me, all they could do was tell me that the part had been ordered for me and they would call me when the part arrived. Upon asking what I was supposed to do in the meantime, as far as driving with this extreme safety issue or do as my inspection is coming up and will not pass inspection with the airbag light on or the horn not working, no one was able to give me any guidance.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449197January 27, 2022
AIR BAGS
Driver airbag warning came on. Lost use of all controls on steering wheel. Probable clockspring failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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