Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2013 Volkswagen Passat — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2017 to Dec 2015
The most reported issue is air bags problems (289 complaints). 29 complaints involved crashes. 4 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (9)
NHTSA Campaign: 19V389000
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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."
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 18V148000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 17V309000
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 16V078000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 15V483000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 16V171000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 14V125000
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 19V862000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 24V834000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
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.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 746)
Air Bags →16 issues
Your airbag warning light is on, which means your airbags may not deploy in a crash. At the same time, your steering wheel controls and horn aren't working, making it harder for other drivers to know your intentions on the road. This is a serious safety issue that needs immediate attention. The fix will likely involve diagnosing the electrical system that controls the airbags, steering wheel buttons, and horn—possibly replacing a faulty module or wiring.
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Your car has an open Takata airbag safety recall (69E6) that hasn't been repaired despite being on a dealership waiting list for over 6 months. Your dashboard is displaying an airbag warning light indicating an active safety issue. The dealership has repeatedly told you to wait without providing a repair appointment, timeline, or loaner vehicle. Getting the airbag system inspected and repaired by the dealership is critical to address this known safety defect.
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Your airbag has been part of a recall for nearly a year, but you haven't been able to schedule a replacement appointment because the part is out of stock. You're concerned about driving with a potentially defective airbag that could be dangerous. Getting your airbag replaced will require visiting a dealership once the recalled part becomes available.
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Your driver's side airbag won't deploy because the clock spring (the coiled connector that lets the airbag system communicate with the steering wheel) is defective. This is a serious safety issue since the airbag won't protect you in a crash. The repair will involve replacing the defective clock spring assembly.
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Your airbag system is subject to an open recall that hasn't been completed yet. Volkswagen hasn't provided you with a repair date, and despite three weeks of contact, they also haven't confirmed when a loaner car will be available during the repair.
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Your 2013 Passat has a recalled Takata driver airbag that poses a safety risk, especially in high-heat climates like Texas where the airbag inflator could rupture. Volkswagen has told you the replacement part won't be available until September 2025, meaning you've been waiting over 9 years for this critical repair. The fix will require Volkswagen to replace the faulty airbag inflator with a safe one once parts become available.
Parts you may need:
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Your Passat is subject to a safety recall (24V834) announced in October regarding a potentially defective airbag that could explode and cause injury. Your dealership has had the car on their repair list for nearly a year but says the replacement part is still on backorder with no delivery date. Because you live in a hot climate where temperatures exceed 100°F, the heat-sensitive airbag poses an increased risk. The repair will involve replacing the defective airbag module with the recalled part once it becomes available.
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Your 2013 Volkswagen Passat is part of a safety recall (Campaign 24V834000) for the airbag system, but the required repair part isn't available yet. You've contacted your dealer multiple times, and the manufacturer hasn't been made aware of your concern about the extended delay. The fix will involve replacing or repairing the affected airbag component once the part becomes available.
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Your 2013 Volkswagen Passat was included in a recall for the airbag system (Campaign 24V834000), but the required replacement part hasn't been available yet. You contacted your dealer about the delay, and while you haven't experienced an airbag failure, you feel the manufacturer has taken too long to make the repair part available. The manufacturer is aware of your concern.
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You received a recall notice for your airbag system, but when you contacted the dealer, they told you the replacement parts aren't available yet. Your airbag hasn't failed, but Volkswagen needs to install updated parts to address a potential safety issue. The fix will involve the dealer replacing or repairing components in your airbag system once parts become available.
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Your 2013 Volkswagen Passat is subject to a recall (Campaign 24V834000) for the airbag system, but the replacement parts aren't yet available from the dealer. You contacted the manufacturer about the delay, which you believe has gone on longer than reasonable. Your airbags have not failed or deployed unexpectedly.
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Your air bag warning light turned on while driving, and your dealer confirmed that a safety recall (Campaign 24V834000) applies to your vehicle. However, the replacement parts needed for the recall repair aren't yet available from the manufacturer, leaving your air bags in an unknown condition. You'll need to contact your dealer or Volkswagen to find out when the parts arrive and schedule the repair.
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Your 2013 Volkswagen Passat is subject to a recall (Campaign 24V834000) for the airbag system, but your dealer has confirmed that the necessary replacement part is not yet available. You haven't experienced any airbag failure yet, but the manufacturer has taken longer than expected to make the part available for the repair.
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Your 2013 Volkswagen Passat is under recall for an airbag issue (NHTSA Campaign 24V834000), but Volkswagen doesn't currently have the replacement part in stock. You've been waiting longer than expected for the repair to be completed, and the manufacturer is aware of the delay. You haven't experienced any airbag failures so far. The repair will involve replacing the affected airbag component once parts become available.
Parts you may need:
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Your 2013 Volkswagen Passat is subject to a recall (Campaign 24V834000) for the airbag system, but the replacement parts aren't currently available. You've contacted your dealer and the manufacturer, but haven't received a response about when the repair can be done. Your airbags haven't failed yet, but you're waiting for parts to arrive so the dealer can complete the recall service.
Parts you may need:
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Your 2013 Volkswagen Passat is subject to a recall (Campaign 24V834000) affecting the airbags, but the replacement parts aren't currently available from the manufacturer. The dealer told you that to order the part, you'd need to accept a loaner vehicle, or you'd face a longer wait time for the recall to be completed. You haven't experienced any airbag problems yet, but the manufacturer has taken longer than expected to make parts available. The repair will involve replacing the affected airbag component once the part becomes available.
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Engine →1 issue
Your car unexpectedly stalled at red lights on multiple occasions without any warning lights appearing. The dealer was unable to identify the cause, so the problem remains unresolved. The issue started occurring around 100,000 miles on your odometer.
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Power Train,engine →1 issue
Your 2013 Passat's check engine light came on right after you bought it used, followed by a "Distressed Vehicle Start" message. After the timing belt was replaced, the car lost power while shifting and shook abnormally, with multiple warning lights appearing. The dealer towed the vehicle but didn't complete a full diagnostic or repair it. The issue may require a complete engine diagnostic, timing system inspection, and transmission evaluation to identify the root cause.
Parts you may need:
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Air Bags,seat Belts →1 issue
Your airbag warning light came back on after you had it serviced at a Volkswagen dealership for a previous recall. The light shouldn't return after the recall was completed, suggesting the original fix may not have been done properly. You'll want to return to the dealership to have them diagnose why the airbag system is showing a fault again.
Parts you may need:
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Power Train,vehicle Speed Control,engine →1 issue
Your engine's timing chain may not be functioning properly, and motor oil may not be circulating through the engine as it should. Volkswagen has issued recalls for 2.0L turbo engines in 2013 models for these issues. The repair will likely involve inspecting and possibly replacing the timing chain and checking the oil circulation system.
Parts you may need:
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Related Vehicles
Other Volkswagen Passat years: