Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2013)

749 consumer complaints on file.

#11636441January 17, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle's sunroof spontaneously imploded while driving on a 40° day going normal speeds ~60 MPH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11636226January 16, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, there was an abnormal metallic sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, there was an odor of smoke and burnt rubber. The contact was able to pull over safely. The contact stated that there was a hole in the engine. The contact stated that the transmission had exploded. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V182000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632892December 28, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The drives side door lock will not disengage. This condition will not allow the driver to exit the car. In the event of a medical emergency, accident, or fire the driver can not extricate themselves and first responders would be delayed in extricating the driver which could lead to serious injury or death.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632454December 26, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that the instrument panel became inoperable. The contact stated the multiple warning lights would inadvertently illuminate with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the clock spring failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630518December 13, 2024
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630569December 13, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated upon activating the A/C, the vehicle voltage dropped. No further information was available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the alternator main fuse wiring was overheating. The dealer determined that the wiring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 131,100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630594December 13, 2024
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11627364November 25, 2024
AIR BAGS, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My vehicle was part of the emissions scandal that I knew nothing about when i purchased it. I was not told. I have had it in over 15 times at the dealership with ongoing problems that they say they fixed but isn't and because of its other Problems have occurred. The vehicle gets hot, and I am afraid to drive it out of fear of it exploding. It is a diesel and has stalled on me while driving after jerking on its own. Other issues are lights going out such as break lights, fog lights and doors locking up and not locking. Glow plugs, fan going out and now problems with the coolant system getting hot. I have taken it to Volkswagen Tracy where i bought it several times, but they only charge me more in diagnostic fees and repairs. I noticed when driving on the highway people stay far at a distance in back of me than normal. Now with a recall on the airbags after it gets hot, I am afraid to drive it out of fear of serious injury or death to me and my family. date is approximate and i have over 50 pages of repair invoices.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11619717October 14, 2024
AIR BAGS
Airbag light is on dashboard indicating system is not operating
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11608764August 15, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The 2012-2013 VW Passat’s have a safety recall 94G8 for a defective headlight caused by a faulty electrical connect at the bulb clip. It is caused by hood closing vibrating the loosens the bulb clip causing a loss of electrical contact. This has been happening to my 2013 Passat for years and I have been able to fix it myself not knowing there was a safety recall. Anytime my hood is closed the bulb stopped working, I would bend up the electrical connections on the bulb holder, wiggle it around and it would work after several attempts. Now my fix no longer works. I went to purchase a new light housing unit and discovered the safety recall which fits exactly the circumstances with my cars light problem. I called VW and they said my 2013 Passat was out of the vin range for this safety recall and that they would not fix my car under the safety program. I downloaded the Campaign Data Sheet from your website and the affected vehicles are the 2012-2013 VW Passat with no vin range mentioned. What recourse besides paying for this replacement myself do I have? Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11607875August 11, 2024
ENGINE
Speed was suddenly dropped and blinking glow plug light on when driving on highway. Had to carefully pull the car to the shoulder. Tow the car to the auto shop and confirmed that the turbocharger was failed. This TDI car was just over 120,000 miles
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11606810August 6, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
High pressure fuel pump failed, causing the car to completely shut down on the Highway. Because of the systems design, it sends fragments into the fuel lines and fuel injectors clogging them. The Passat TDI uses the CP4 HPFP that has already been recalled by FCA and BMW. I was unaware how common it is for this fuel pump fail and the complete destruction it causes to the fuel system.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603379July 19, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The vehicle cuts off while driving we’ve done numerous expensive replacements to water pump, control arm bushings, new battery, variable valve timing, celinoid, camshaft adjustment magnet, spark plugs and coils, ignition switch, fuel pump, gas cap. Oil filters And there is still a problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11599573July 6, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On [XXX] at 6 a.m. I was commuting NB on [XXX] , when engine lost power on 5 lane highway after driving over rough patch of road (~1 mile S of [XXX]). I barely got car onto right shoulder from middle lane when car shut off. Glow plug pigtails warning light came on right as I experienced significant decrease in engine power. AAA towed car to VW Dealer. Diagnostic performed on 7/5. I was informed of catastrophic failure of fuel pump, metal had gotten into fuel lines and tore up. My entire fuel system needs to be replaced. Dealer quoted $7K to repair. Car had never displayed signs of fuel issues. Car is well maintained and gets regular service at dealer. Upon investigation, I see VW had several years with high pressure fuel pumps failing. This needs to investigated/addressed as these failures are still occurring in cars that are 2013 and newer. I have requested dealer to send me pdf of repair estimate. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11589402May 18, 2024
AIR BAGS
While making a U turn the clock spring broke, the air bag light came on and the steering wheel controls no longer function. This is the third time it has broken in this vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11588936May 15, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ENGINE
Currently my reverse lights do not come on i have changed the bulbs and checked fuses. it started with one reverse light, however the warning light would come on and off on my dashboard. Next, the other reverse light so i attempted to change both bulbs and change fuses. still not working. Now it is also my low beam headlights again changed the bulbs and fuses with no fix. My vehicle flickers a light in my rear lights when vehicle is off. my engine is having cooling problems and now the fan is completely off. i have electrical problems. i bought this car a year ago and have had issues with the power of the vehicle and suspension is very unstable. i have not had a check engine light come on for any of these problems so mechanics don't have a solution. my headlights are now not in the right position when i do turn them on so it makes it extremely hard to see at all at night. my vehicle seems to overheat or just on and off drive with very little power. i have had the battery replaced recently. i have always felt extremely unsafe driving this vehicle since i bought it from a dealer. i believe these issues are related to recall 94L9, 94G8/7v, 23w5
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11587766May 8, 2024
STEERING
On 5/4/24 I was reverse parking & heard a clunk as I was turning my steering wheel then immediately noticed the airbag light come on. Attempted to check any error messages using the only menu control for the vehicle on the steering wheel that did not work. That led me to attempt to test all other controls on the steering wheel which also did not work. During these attempts, I identified that my horn was also not working. Due to the large safety concern this caused, I quickly searched on Google what the cause may be then immediately made an appointment at an auto shop (Greulich's Automotive Repair) with the first available I could find. I did not know this issue was previously recalled as I was too concerned with my safety on the road, specifically not trusting other drivers, not having enough time to research, & the auto shop did not mention the recall either. Spent $1,000 on labor, diagnostic, & the clock steering part. When researching the history of my vehicle, I do not find that this recall was performed. I will be calling VW customer service for reimbursement. After the part has been replaced, the next day, I come to find out that the menu setting control on the steering wheel continues to not work which I have brought attention to the auto shop. Waiting for a call back about why all other controls on the steering wheel works now except the vehicle menu which might be the most important control on the wheel. In addition, the cruise control option does not work either because of this replacement which I come to find out it’s a separate part that needs to be replaced, hence, additional out of pocket costs. Not okay.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11587768May 8, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The central locking system is malfunctioned as the car does not automatically or manually lock. This is a safety risk as anyone inside or outside the vehicle can open the doors. This issue has been ongoing for about a year & has been ignored from different auto shops during different service times. I addressed this issue again when bringing the vehicle to the auto shop on 5/4/24 for a separate concern & the diagnostic code has been confirmed but was told “we will clear the code & it should reboot itself”. This did not work as the locking system is still malfunctioned & still have to manually lock the vehicle through the driver door when leaving the car. When inside the car & attempting to lock the car inside, you can hear it trying to lock but does not fully click over to lock because when driving, anytime speed is accelerated from 0mph to 10mph, it continuously attempts to auto lock. The locking indicator light does not illuminate when inside the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11580587April 2, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am trying to trade in my car online and submitted to get an instant offer. The instant offer says my vehicle is reported to have 30,000 more miles on it than my odometer is showing. My title also states its a 2 Dr sedan.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11575991March 7, 2024
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the "Glow Plug" warning light appeared on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled. After several minutes, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove the vehicle home while in LIMP Mode. The contact used a code reader which showed that there was a defect with the high-pressure fuel pump. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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