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2013 Volkswagen Passat Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 748 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Volkswagen Passat, most often about the air bags (51% of complaints, typically around 56,500 miles). It is the most complained-about Passat model year since 2000 and has 9 recalls.
Most common 2013 Volkswagen Passat problems
Air bags
382 complaints · 51%Half of these problems showed up before 56,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Was turning in a parking lot and heard a loud cracking sound. The air bag light came on immediately and noticed the steering wheel controls and the horn were not working. Checked online and apparently issues were found on same model. It is a broken clock spring. Contacted dealer, they said to bring it in for…
"takata recall" I have had my Volkswagen Passat since may of 2015, since then my journey as a customer has been frustrating and a very scary experienced. Once I got the car within a week I took it to mechanics to get the usual diagnostics done to ensure the safety of the car. It automatically had the tire warning…
Engine
109 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 40,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
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…
Vehicle schedule for 40000 mile service. Engine warning light came on code p2196. Volkswagen did a computer update in january 2015 for 30000 mile service, 23n5 ECM software recall. Oxygen sensor (front) replaced was replaced by vw when I complained it should not have failed. The emission system is in question since…
Electrical
93 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn, alternator/generator/regulator.
My clock spring was supposedly replaced in 08/17 by a vw dealer before I bought the car from chevy. When I took my car in because air bag light was on and no steering wheel controls worked, I was informed that I had an open circuit in my clock spring and since it had already been repaired by the recall I would have to…
While driving my 2013 vw Passat, the airbag light came on, on the dashboard and started beeping. When I pulled into my garage, I noticed that the horn no longer worked and none of the steering wheel functions work anymore. I have only 56,718 miles on the car and the vw dealer says it is not covered under a recall and…
Fuel system
87 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles.
Turbocharger failed. Dealer is fixing under warranty. Dealer stated that there have been enough turbocharger failures on the diesel tdi that they are now stocking all turbo parts for repair.
I have a 2013 vw Passat tdi. The check engine light came on. The dealership stated the ad blue heater must be replaced. This will cost $1200.00. This website has been gathering data about this issue. The warranty expired only 5 months ago. This is outrageous .
Other or unspecified
77 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles.
In october 2015 the passenger front door lock began to intermittently fail to engage and disengage. Attempts to switch the lock from the door panel switch and the key were both ineffective. The lock control for the vehicle is 100% electronically controlled, such that there is no means for manual override on the…
The car has coolant issues, had power steering system replaced, now there's a gas leak, replaced gas cap loss of power suspension is horrible now everytime I refuel the car struggles to turn on.
Lights
60 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: turn signal, headlights.
Headlamp assembly connectors on driver side are causing the low beam headlight to disconnect and not turn on bulb. Have replaced numerous headlamps, none were burnt out. After having the vehicle looked at several times, it was determined the headlight assembly may become loose and lose electrical contact. Called vw…
I brought my car a year ago to central auto group in plainfield, ct for a low beam light out on my car. I replaced the bulb and it still didn't work. The warning light was on also. They cleaned and looked for recall on the car but didn't find one. They said bulb was fine. I was told not to slam hood and be careful.…
Steering
51 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: steering wheel/handle bar.
Was turning in a parking lot and heard a loud cracking sound. The air bag light came on immediately and noticed the steering wheel controls and the horn were not working. Checked online and apparently issues were found on same model. It is a broken clock spring. Contacted dealer, they said to bring it in for…
The bolts which attached the front suspension struts to the vehicle rattle due to failure of the bolt. This failure effects the handeling of the vehicle at high speeds and during cornering.
Transmission
33 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 25,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
When I operate my car and shift into 3rd gear I feel a noticeable stutter, this occurs at around 1200 RPM. I am afraid that it is linked to the numerous turbo failures that are occurring with the 2012 and 2013 tdi passats. Other people have noted complete loss of power followed by a turbo failure.
Vehicle was down on power with noticeable turbocharger whining noise. Vehicle was taken to dealership, turbocharger was replaced. Original turbo had damage on impeller and turbo housing.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Volkswagen Passat recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed december 4, 2024. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69eg, 69gq, and 69e6.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 beetle, beetle convertible, 2012-2014 passat, 2017 passat wagon, and 2006-2007 passat sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began december 20, 2019. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69r6, 69q8, 69q9, and 69y5.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 passat, 2011-2014 golf a6, and 2011-2013 audi a3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Lights: headlights
Risk: Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began july 16, 2019. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94l9.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 volkswagen passat and 2018-2019 atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began march 16, 2018. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69q9. Note: this recall partially supersedes recall 16v-078.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 volkswagen cc, 2010-2014 golf, 2010-2014 eos, 2007-2010 passat sedan and wagon, and 2012-2014 passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Transmission: driveshaft
Risk: If the leaking grease contacts a heated surface, such as the exhaust system and/or the diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could increase the risk of fire.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft heat shield, free of charge. The recall began on july 7, 2017. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23w5.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and direct-shift transmissions (dsg). The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.
Electrical: wiring
Risk: An electrical short can cause the electrical connectors of the sensor to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in september. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23t3.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 passat vehicles equipped with tdi engines. Due to improperly assembled wire seals in a connector for an underbody sensor, water may enter and corrode the electrical connectors of the sensor, causing an electrical short.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on april 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 golf, 2007-2010 passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 passat sedan and eos, 2009-2014 cc, 2009-2012 audi q5, 2010-2012 s5 cabriolet and 2010-2012 audi a5 cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on january 15, 2016. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 volkswagen cc, and passat, 2010-2013 eos, 2011-2014 golf, gti, jetta, and tiguan, and 2012-2014 jetta sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Lights: headlights
Risk: A loss of low beam headlights may reduce the driver's visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen notified owners, and dealers will replace the bulb holder, free of charge. The recall began in may 2014. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagens recall number associated with this campaign is 94g8/7v.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 passat vehicles manufactured january 2011 through november 2012. In the affected vehicles, the low beam headlight bulb may become loose and lose electrical contact.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Air bag clockspring failure
Summary
In august 2015, volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) launched safety recall 15v-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 model year (my) cc, passat, eos, golf, gti, tiguan, jetta and jetta sportwagen models.contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel mounted controls.the loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag will result in i
Air bag clockspring failure
Summary
In august 2015, volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) launched safety recall 15v-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 model year (my) cc, passat, eos, golf, gti, tiguan, jetta and jetta sportwagen models.contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel mounted controls.the loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag will result in i
Air bag clockspring failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (sccm) failures in model year (my) 2012 volkswagen passat and cc models.the sccm is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a ribbon cable) to electrically connect the steering wheel to the vehicle's electrical system while allowing for the turning of the steering wheel.complainants alleged that that the clock spring failed while driving and without warning.when the sccm fails electrically, an air bag warning light is illuminated on the dash of the vehicle.if a vehicle with a failed sccm were to be invo
Questions about the 2013 Volkswagen Passat
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen Passat?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (382 complaints, typically around 56,500 miles); engine (109 complaints, typically around 40,500 miles); electrical (93 complaints, typically around 62,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Volkswagen Passat have?
- 9 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 30, 2024 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Volkswagen Passat?
- It is the most complained-about Passat model year since 2000, with 748 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.