10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,983 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Volkswagen Passat seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2012 Volkswagen Passat Owner Comments (Page 4 of 14)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #211

Feb 012018

Passat

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Had a clockspring failure in 2012 Passat, causing air bag warning light, and failure of all steering wheel controls. Have noted recall for this item for cars produced just prior to mine based on VIN sequence. VW apparently did not correct the issue in production because I have had the exact issue covered in the recall, yet my car is not covered. Cost was over $600 for repair. The recall should be expanded based on these failures and what I have seen on repeat failures after the recall was done on many cars. It should be obvious that their initial fix is not a true fix for the issue.

- Decatur, AL, USA

problem #210

Feb 082018

Passat

  • 70,900 miles
Clock spring failure after recall service was performed. 2-8-2018 - upon starting to drive when I turned the steering wheel I heard a scraping sound in the steering column and then the air bag light came on indicating air bag not working, all control switches on the steering wheel and horn was not working. I had the recall for the protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring installed at the VW dealer in March 2016. VW dealer and the corporate customer service tell me the replacement of the clock spring is not a warranty issue since the recall was performed over 12 months ago. It's obvious to me that the cover recall fix was not the correct fix and possibly caused the problem I now have with the car. Since VW knew there was a re-design of the clock spring to correct a design flaw the cover recall should have been to automatically replace the clock spring with the improved design. I'm being told I'll have to pay $500 to make the repair which I find very unfair in light of the re-design for the part or the possibility the recall repair was not correct and may be the cause of the probelm now.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #209

Dec 062017

Passat

  • 97,000 miles
Clock spring failure again after recall was done

- Lake Stevens, WA, USA

problem #208

Jan 262018

Passat

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In 2016 my clock spring broke and was replaced as part of the 2015 clock spring recall. In January 2018 my clock spring went out again. I currently have an airbag light on, the horn is not working, and all controls on the steering wheel do not work. The clock spring that was replaced as part of the recall has failed and VW refuses to pay for a replacement. Thank you

- Hazard, KY, USA

problem #207

Jan 122018

Passat

  • 123,000 miles
I was part of a recall to replace the clock spring on the steering wheel. I did not have a problem before, now about three month after we had it done the steering wheel electronics do not work and the airbag light is on. Also about the same time as the previous problems started I noticed the air is not blowing as much on the passenger side. It is also blowing cold when we are calling for heat.

- Riverside, OH, USA

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problem #206

Jan 082018

Passat

  • 110,000 miles
Takata recall saw no evidence of airbag issues prior to takata airbag correction going done by dealer. Months later, the airbag light is on and electronic controls in steering wheel not functioning. Noticed the light come on while in my driveway

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #205

Jan 112018

Passat

  • 88,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When backing out of my driveway, I heard a loud pop come from the steering wheel column. Immediately following, an alarm came up for "airbag error". also, all other functionality on my steering wheel was disabled, including the bluetooth access, radio buttons, etc. I contacted my VW dealership (boucher VW in racine, wi) and they stated that the issue was the airbag clock spring and that the air bag is not functional if this alarm is active. I asked if this was covered as a part of the recall (I believe the recall number is 15V-483) and they stated it was not and that the estimate for the repair would be approximately $550. I asked why this was not covered as a part of the recall but was not provided an explanation. I will follow up with this question when I take the car in for service in the next few days.

- Kenosha, WI, USA

problem #204

Dec 012017

Passat

  • 44,000 miles
Clock spring broke again on 2012 Passat, VW refuses to fix stating it was out of the spare part warranty when the first recall was completed. Air bag light is on, steering wheel controls do not work, and front driver airbag probably won't go if I am in a crash. VW is putting my life at risk because they do not want to foot the bill for a bad part in their vehicles.

- Appleton, WI, USA

problem #203

Dec 212017

Passat

  • 88,000 miles
There was a recall on the 2012 Passat on 8/4/15 for the airbag clock spring, which provides power to the airbag. The recalled part was replaced on our vehicle in Jan. 2016, it went out again in Dec. 2017 and now the manufacturer says it is not covered as the part is only warrantied for 1 year. Really?? you replaced one junk part with another one and now won't stand behind it. What happens when there is an accident and the airbag doesn't deploy while my 17 year old daughter is driving the car. Really sad way of doing business, this repair should be covered by the manufacturer no questions asked.

- Manitowoc, WI, USA

problem #202

Nov 232017

Passat

  • 45,300 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator illuminated and the horn was operable. The vehicle was taken to autobarn Volkswagen of mt. Prospect (333 w rand rd, mt prospect, il 60056 (847) 392-6300) where it was diagnosed with a fractured clock spring that needed replacement. The contact stated that the dealer ordered the parts while awaiting repairs. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 16V078000 (air bags), but was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V483000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall or warranty for the clock spring. The failure mileage was approximately 45,300.

- Mt.Prospect, IL, USA

problem #201

Nov 282017

Passat

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Twice the clock spring has broken and had to be replaced. My vehicle was not identified under the 2015 clock spring recall. I bought the vehicle new, first replacement at approx 60,000 miles in December 2014, second replacement at 119,000 miles today. The vehicle is less than 6 years old. 5 times (including clock spring repair) I have taken the vehicle in for repair due to warning light indicators

- Punta Gorda, FL, USA

problem #200

Oct 302017

Passat

  • 118,000 miles
Takata recall. I had the airbag repair done under the original recall. The repair failed causing the air bag warning light to illuminate and all of the device controls on the steering wheel to stop working, so I brought it to the VW dealer to have it repaired and was told that it was not covered by the original recall and the repair cost me over $500. I did contact VW directly as did the service representative at the dealership that did the repair...we were both told that the repair was not covered.

- Westfield, MA, USA

problem #199

Nov 032017

Passat

  • miles
Takata recall not repaired

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #198

Oct 252017

Passat

  • miles
Recall was issued Feb 2016, dealer says no parts are available to repair. Car is potentially dangerous!

- Goshen, CT, USA

problem #197

Sep 132017

Passat

  • 38,400 miles
Takata recall: I phoned VW customer care on 08/10/2016 requesting a recall letter but never received it. I reported this to jonathan bradley/hallmark VW used car salesman. I reported to gossett VW service agent jeff who said my recall date was 09/30/2017. 08/25/2017 airbag warning light flashed this one time. The low tire indicator came on 09/13/2017 so I drove to gossett to have my tires inflated. The technician did not re-set the indicator in the glove compartment per jennifer osbourn/servide agent as it was locked. When I drove the car again on 09/16/17 the ABS, traction control, seat belt pretensior & low tire indicator light illuminated. Got appointment on 09/22/17 to have their work inspected. I also asked for authorization to repair the takata airbag. On 09/22/17 gossett refused to touch the car unless I paid them $140 diagnostic fee. Following the diagnostic I was told it would cost another $140 to clean dirt from the short to the passenger seat sensor. No problems existed prior to the 09/13/ visit to inflate the tires. Total paid was $340.41. Following this visit the re-set is inoperable, the low tire indicator, seat belt, airbag and traction control lights come on and off each time the vehicle is turned on and flash in and out during driving. The esp/ABS light in the middle panel on the dash comes on, the fuel filler flap door is malfunctioning in the reverse order for this year vehicle, error airbag and error esp/ABS warnings come on. On 09/22/17 my vehicle was returned with broken off part # VW 8E038813348E>ABS< front passenger floor. Reported via mail toal gossett/CEO, VW customer care live chat, telephone to jennifer osborn/service agent, dwayne hill/service manager gossett germantown. Tuesday, 10/17/I received a call from jason tripp but have not been able to make contact with him to date.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #196

Aug 252017

Passat

  • 38,415 miles
Takata recall. Purchased a 2012 VW Passat on 08/07/2015. Was not aware of the recall until the salesman made a follow-up courtesy call to me on 08/08/2016. He was advised I never received a letter. I phoned VW customer care, verified my address and requested a letter from them after renewing my registration but never received a recall letter to this day. August 25, 2017 the airbag warning light came on. September 13, 2017 the low tire indicator light came on. I took my vehicle to gossett VW, had the tires inflated and when I drove the vehicle two days later the ABS/traction control/tire pressure/ and seatbelt lights were continually flashing. I spoke to an advocate via chat on VW's seb site. She authorized the airbag repair on 09/22/2017. I paid approximately $341 to resolve the problem with the warning lights but to date, 09/27/2017 the problem persists. The dealership did not respond to my complaint and the file was closed on 09/25/2017. I phoned customer care earlier today, Wednesday, 09/27/2017 and reopened the case. My vehicle only had 38,415 miles on it. The repair report according to service agent J.O. claimed they found a short to the passenger occupant sensor causing the ABS light, tire light, and traction light. Correction: Repaired short and cleaned right rear speed sensor and bearing. On 09/22, the bottom driver takata airbag was performed. Not only are the same lights alarming each time I turn on the vehicle, but this morning the esp error light flashed. VW customer care was advised and reopened the complaint. Following the service visit I discovered a broken part with VW # 8E0.881.348.E on the right floor mat of the car. This is alarming. I was advised an advocate from VW corporate should be calling me in response to this horrific ordeal. These incidences occurred 2 weeks after the certified pre- owned warranty expired. Never had any problems with the vehicle before this. I am a senior citizen who is extremely alarmed with this matter.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #195

Sep 252017

Passat

  • 125,000 miles
Clock spring on my vehicle broke for a second time disabling my horn and steering wheel controls. My airbag light is also on. Not only is this a costly fix, but my safety is in jeopardy again due to a part that is widely known to be defective for years. For some reason my car is not included in this voluntary recall and it is very upsetting. Please include this VIN in your recall or even the defective replacements. I don't want to die over a car part.

- Hamburg, NY, USA

problem #194

Feb 012017

Passat

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V078000 (air bags); however, the contact was unable to get the recall completed due to unreasonable scheduling from the dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Joe holland Volkswagen (150 maccorkle ave sw, South charleston, wv) was contacted and was unwilling to accommodate the contact. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that they would give the contact a call on Monday. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not provided.

- Southfeild, MI, USA

problem #193

Jul 212017

Passat

  • 109,000 miles
The contact owned a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact's vehicle was struck on the driver's side door by another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed under case number: 092006317. The contact sustained injuries to the back, left shoulder, left elbow, and left knee. Medical attention was not required at the time; however, the contact entered physical therapy for the pain from the injuries three weeks later. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the contact's residence. A dealer was not contacted about the crash. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and provided case number: 171482409. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #192

Aug 072017

Passat

  • 10,021 miles
While driving on the city streets, I heard a pop like a fuse went out. I noticed my horn did not work, the functions on the steering wheel are not operable and my air light came on. This happened prior on 9/16/2014 which the clock spring was replaced.

- Brown Deer, WI, USA

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