Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2013)

749 consumer complaints on file.

#10702008March 26, 2015
ENGINE
TURBOCHARGER FAILURE AT 15,000 MILES; REPLACED AND 2ND TURBO FAILED AT 25,000 MILES. FIRST FAILURE WAS DOCUMENTED IN A PRIOR REPORT AND IS REPEATED HERE. FAILURE 1 AT ~15,000 MILES IN JUNE 2014. DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN MODERATELY HEAVY TRAFFIC AT NIGHT, SUDDEN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER TO SHOULDER AND VEHICLE WAS THEN ENGULFED IN BLACK SMOKE. WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY FOR 1.5 HOURS WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK SENT BY VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. LOTS OF TRAFFIC PASSING BY VERY CLOSE AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE TURBO WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. FAILURE 2 AT ~25,000 MILES IN MARCH 2015. DRIVING ON LOCAL ROAD, NO SHOULDER, AT 30-40 MPH. NOTICED INTERMITTENT WHINING NOISE AND PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY WHERE THEY ARE CURRENTLY REPLACING THE TURBO AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10701406March 24, 2015
AIR BAGS, STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO THE DRIVE POSITION AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10691680March 2, 2015
ENGINE
WAS MERGING ONTO INTERSTATE WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND FLASHING GLOW PLUG ILLUMINATED. CLEANED THE MASS AIR SENSOR AND RAN IT FOR SEVERAL DAYS WITH NO PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BOOST PRESSURE SENSOR AND TURBO FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10691199February 27, 2015
ENGINE
TURBO FAILURE. WHINING SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. LOUDER AS ENGINE RPM'S INCREASE. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE OF A TURBO IN THIS CAR. FORTUNATELY, I CAUGHT IT IN TIME TO NOT LOSE POWER. AFTER TOW IN TO DEALERSHIP, THEY CONFIRMED THAT IT NEEDS ANOTHER REPLACEMENT TURBO TO REPLACE THE FIRST REPLACEMENT TURBO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10689515February 20, 2015
VISIBILITY/WIPER
2013 VW PASSAT TDI SEL.CAR STILL UNDER MANUFACTURE WARRANTY. MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED YESTERDAY FOR NO REASON WHEN TEMPERATURE DROP. WINDSHIELD CRACK DUE TO STRUCTURAL DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10680589February 2, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
THIS IS MY THIRD COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. DURING THE AUGUST FLOODING, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND PASSING THROUGH SOME WATER PILES MY CAR LOST THE BOTTOM ENGINE COVER, LOWER GRILL BROKE, GOT THEM REPLACED NO PROBLEM. WINTER COMES AND WHEN IT GETS COLD FRONT DOOR FREEZES SHUT, REMOTE START BARELY WORKS ONLY WHEN IT WANTS TOO. ALSO NO PROBLEM. WE GOT OUT FIRST WINTER STORM THANK GOD I HAD PUT NEW TIRES BEFORE THIS. HOWEVER DRIVING HOME SOME AREAS HAD A BIT OF SNOW FIRST I GET STUCK AND CANT TURN OFF TRACTION CONTROL. THEN MY LOWER GRILL BREAKS AGAIN. IS THE GRILL MADE OUT OF WATER BOTTLE PLASTIC. IF EVERY TIME THERE IS A STORM I NEED TO SPEND 250 DOLLARS ON A LOWER GRILL THAT IS JUST A WONDERFUL CAR EXPENSE. YOU TRY AND TRADE IN THE CAR AND THE VALUE JUST DROPPED. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST VW. HORRIBLE QUALITY THAT A BUMPER CAN'T WITH STAND SOME ACCUMULATION OF SNOW. I WILL FILE A COMPLAINT WITH VW AS WELL, LETS HOPE THEY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. PLUS THEY STILL DID NOT CORRECT THE NAVIGATION AND BLUETOOTH ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10672732January 15, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, SEATS
COMPANY IS CLAIMING THAT AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE OF A SPILL ON PASSENGER SEAT HAS CAUSED THE AIR BAG FAULT THAT DISABLES THE AIRBAG. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10672260January 13, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS STUCK AND FAILED TO OPEN THE DOOR. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE DOOR HANDLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED AND THE DOOR COULD NOT BE LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE LOCK WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10671437January 9, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
NOTICED MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR STICKING DURING RECENT COLD WEATHER, IT WAS FROZEN. CLIMBED THROUGH PASSENGER DOOR FOR A CPL DAYS.. NO BIG DEAL FOR A ONE YR OLD CAR, RIGHT? WHEN THE DOOR DID OPEN, IT WOULDN'T SHUT. I HAVE TO HOLD THE DOOR SHUT WHILE DRIVING. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER, WAS INFORMED THAT I AM THE THIRD PERSON TODAY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON A PASSAT, BUT IT WILL BE A WEEK AND A HALF BEFORE THEY CAN CHARGE ME $700 TO FIX IT. I REALIZE I'M OVER MY WARRANTY WITH MILEAGE.. BUT THIS IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE!! I'M NOW DRAGGING AROUND TOWN HOLDING MY DOOR CLOSED, DRIVING NO FASTER THAN 15MPH WITH BLINKERS ON. CAN'T SHUT OR LOCK IT, HOPE IT DOESN'T GET STOLEN! I WAS TOLD THAT EVERYTHING THAT OPENS THE DOOR IS BROKE. THE DOOR LATCH, LEVER, AND 2 CABLES. THIS HAS TO BE A DEFECT.. NO WAY IT'S SAFE AND OK FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. CALLED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE, WAS TOLD OVER WARRANTY, NOTHING THEY CAN DO.. HAVE A NICE WEEKEND. SMALL CONSOLATION. I GUESS IT'S TOTALLY FINE TO DRIVE MY CHILDREN AROUND IN A CAR IS PURCHASED BC OF THE SAFETY RATINGS ALL THE WHILE HOLDING A DOOR CLOSED FOR A WEEK AND A HALF. UNBELIEVABLE *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10671184January 8, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
IN COLD WEATHER SOMETIMES THE FRONT DRIVERS AND PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT OPEN, I HAVE TO GO THROUGH A REAR DOOR AND OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE, THEN MOST OF THE TIME IT WILL WORK FINE AFTER THAT, THOUGH A FEW TIMES THE DOOR WOULD NOT STAY LATCHED. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THEY HEARD OF THIS AND DID NOTHING, I JUST RECENTLY BROUGHT IT BACK AND THEY INSTALLED A UPDATED LATCH. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10663409December 10, 2014
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I FEEL THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THERE IS KNOW WAY TO BYPASS THE ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL. EVERY OTHER CAR I'VE OWNED INCLUDING MY 2005 PASSAT HAS A BUTTON THAT ALLOW YOU TO BYPASS THE TRACTION CONTROL. THE PASSAT IS DESIGNED TO SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN WHEN THE TIRES BEGIN TO SPIN. THIS MAY HELP A NOVICE DRIVER OR BE HELPFUL IN THE RAIN, BUT WHEN YOUR IN THE SNOW OR ICE AND ON A HILL OR INCLINE IT IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE THE ENGINE CUT OFF AND LEAVE YOU STOPPED. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET TRACTION ON A HILL OR TO GET ANY MOMENTUM WHEN THE CAR SHUTS THE ENGINE DOWN WHEN THE TIRES SPIN. THIS LEAVES YOU AT A STAND STILL AND VULNERABLE TO CARS OR TRUCKS BEHIND YOU. THE PASSAT SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO BYPASS THE TRACTION CONTROL UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES,SO YOU CAN SPIN THE TIRES TO GET MOMENTUM, SO YOU CAN AT LEAST MOVE OFF THE ROADWAY. IT IS NECESSARY TO SPIN THE TIRES UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES SO AT LEAST YOU CAN MOVE THE CAR TO A SAFE LOCATION. I WOULD HATE TO SEE SOMEONE GET HURT BECAUSE THE PASSAT BECOMES IMMOBILE WHEN THE TIRES SPIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10661954December 3, 2014
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CAR WAS SET ON CRUISE CONTROL AND ENGINE REVVED UP , CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF AND LOSS OF POWER TO THE MOTOR. TRIED TO RESET CRUISE CONTROL TO A LESSER SPEED AND WOULD NOT SET. CAR FELT LIKE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS (ACTED LIKE IT WAS A MANUAL DRIVE BEING WOUND TO TIGHT). DROVE FOR SEVERAL MILES THEN THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON (GLOWPLUG INDICATOR). PARKED IN A SAFE LOCATION AND STOPPED CAR. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES I RESTARTED THE CAR AND NO WARNING FLASHED SO I BEGAN TO DRIVE CAR...WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. WARNING LIGHT CAME BACK ON. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP GOT REPAIRED (REPLACED TURBO CHARGER ALONG WITH OIL FEED AND RETURN LINES). PICKED CAR UP ON 11/26/14 DROVE FOR LESS THAN 30 MILES AND GOT A ENGINE OIL LIGHT AND WARNING MESSAGE: ENGINE OFF MANUAL. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY TALKED WITH MANUFACTURER AND THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE ME A NEW TURBOCHARGER AND NEW ENGINE. THE CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP AND REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETED AT THE TIME OF THIS WRITING. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10661524December 2, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY, AIR BAGS
ON NOVEMBER 19TH AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM, AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE, THE CAR JUST ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND CRASHED INTO MY HUSBANDS WORK BENCH WHICH WAS AGAINST A CONCRETE WALL. DAMAGING FRONT OF CAR,WINDSHIELD, WORKBENCH,STEEL STORAGE CABINET,ETC. *JS
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10661370November 30, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
OUR 2013 VW PASSAT TDI HAD THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAIL AT 25,599 MILES. WHEN WE ASKED WHY THE PUMP WOULD BE FAILING SO SOON AND IF IT WAS COMMON, THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID IT USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER SOMEONE PUTS GASOLINE IN THE TANK. I CAN ASSURE 100% THAT GASOLINE WAS NEVER PUT INTO THIS CAR'S TANK. THE REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT OBVIOUSLY THE VW TDI HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS A DESIGN FLAW OR IT CANNOT WORK CORRECTLY WITH AMERICAN DIESEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10659390November 19, 2014
SUSPENSION
AT ABOUT 12000 MILES ON MY VW PASSAT CLUNKS BEGAN TO DEVELOP IN FRONT END OF CAR. IT KEPT GETTING WORSE. I TOOK IT INTO VW GARAGE FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS AT 15000 MILES. THE TOLD ME THE SWAY BARS FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THEM. AFTER REPAIR THE SWAY BAR LINKS WERE REPLACED AND CAR IS WITHOUT NOISE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10654219November 11, 2014
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON 11/9/14 THE TURBO FAILED ON MY 2013 VW PASSAT WITH THE TDI DIESEL ENGINE. VW KNOWS THEY ARE HAVING A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THEIR TURBOS ON THE TDI ENGINE (EUROPE CURRENTLY HAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST THEM). IN AUGUST I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL FROM VW EXTENDING MY WARRANTY ON THE TURBO TO 10 YEARS/120000 MILES. THEY ARE SIMPLY WAITING FOR THE TURBOS TO FAIL RATHER THAN REPLACING THEM ON ALL 2012 & 2013 PASSATS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, WHEN THE TURBO FAILS YOU LOOSE ALL ENGINE POWER (IE. GM IGNITION RECALL). THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS POSITION FOR VW TO PUT ITS CUSTOMERS IN WHO DON'T HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT TO DO IN A SITUATION WHEN YOU LOOSE ENGINE POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MINE DID JUST THAT, IT FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY RESULTING IN NO POWER. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE VW RECALL THESE TURBOS AND REPLACE THEM IN ALL THE AFFECTED CARS BEFORE IT CAUSES A FATALITY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10653573November 8, 2014
AIR BAGS
MY DAUGHTER WAS HIT IN AN ACCIDENT THAT CRUSHED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE JAMMING THE FRONT DOORS AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSES GREAT CONCERN THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE FAULTY IN THE 2013 VW PASSAT. THE CAR WAS SO SEVERELY DAMAGED SHE HAD TO CRAWL OUT THE BACK DOORS OF THE CAR AS THE ENGINE WAS SHOVED IN.....UPDATED 11/18/14 *BF UPDATED 8/12/2015*JS *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10651614October 31, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REPLENISH THE DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID, THE FLUID OVERFLOWED AND DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IT LEAKED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED LUNG PROBLEMS. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN CLEANED THE FLUID BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10649618October 24, 2014
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
I DRIVE A 2013 VW PASSAT TDI SE. YESTERDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2014, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED UPWARD/OUTWARD FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE WEATHER WAS NOT EXTREMELY HOT OR COLD. WE WERE ON A "LONELY" STRETCH OF INTERSTATE 40 JUST EAST OF WINSLOW, AZ. THIS OCCURRED LATE IN THE AFTERNOON, NOT DURING THE HOT, MIDDLE OF THE DAY. NO OBJECTS STRUCK OUR CAR/SUNROOF, IT JUST BLEW UPWARD LEAVING A LARGE HOLE IN THE GLASS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10643045October 7, 2014
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE IN NICE WEATHER AND LOW TRAFFIC THE SUNROOF OF MY 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT EXPLODED OUTWARDS CREATING A LARGE HOLE 18" - 20". IT WAS A LOUD GUNSHOT TYPE NOISE AND SOME GLASS ENDED UP ON OUR FACES AND ARMS CREATING MINOR CUTS. MOST OF THE GLASS WAS BLOWN OUTSIDE THE CAR AND DAMAGED THE ROOF AND TRUNK. WHEN THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED THE WINDOWS WERE CLOSED AND THE SUNROOF WAS ALSO CLOSED AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON. WE WERE NOT UNDER ANY OVERPASSES OR NEAR BUILDINGS OR ROAD DEBRIS. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY SAYING IT IS AN OUTSIDE FORCE. VW CUSTOMER CARE WAS DIFFICULT TO REACH AND ALSO DENIED THE CLAIM AND I WILL HAVE TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM DUE TO EXTENT OF DAMAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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