10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 2
Average Mileage:
59,224 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.

2013 Volkswagen Passat fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2013 Volkswagen Passat Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #59

Nov 222023

Passat

  • miles

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

While making a right turn, i attempted to accelerate only to be met with intense juddering. i was able to pull of the road and shut off the engine, but it would not restart. I called the every dealership near me and the soonest appointment was 2 weeks out and they would not tell me if they had loaner cars. The appointment comes and the dealer not only tells me to rent a car out of pocket, but the high pressure fuel pump had failed meaning a $7000 replacement of the entire fuel system. My vehicle is still within the mileage limit on the extended warranty but i was 5 months out of the time limit. I brought up the warranty, and a TSB related to this failure and they still told me i was out of luck. I still owe thousands on this car, and another vw dealer tried to gouge me stating that the only way to get out of this was to buy a new car. absolute insanity all throughout this company. And to add insult to injury, every single maintenance item was followed to the exact mileage and the fuel level wasnt even below a quarter of a tank

- West Jordan, UT, USA

problem #58

Jun 082023

Passat

  • miles
Day of purchase (Feb2020)Nox sensor went out on way home. Check engine light came on took back to VW dealership they fixed for free. Next component to go bad or become faulty was and still is the fuel door actuator when raining or washing off the car will get wet and fuel door will not open. Reported it to VW dealer after the issue arose at which time I was told it was not covered under the emissions warranty even though it-??s listed. Next issue was clock spring broke and had to have VW repair the clock spring. This they did free of charge. Then issues arose with first blinkers bulbs blowing and randomly ceasing to work. It has progressed from blinkers, to back up lights and tag lights. Recently the OBD displayed a Adblu Error 200 miles to no engine restart. Then it dropped to 50 miles. Then zero at which time the OBD flashed red and car would not start. Filled adblu waited few hours car started up no codes showing on dash. Get on interstate and with little time it flashes the same messages Adblu Error 200 miles to no engine restart. Then to 50 miles down to 10 miles turning red at 0 miles No engine Start. As of 6 days ago I have recently learned of a recall made by VW regarding the Approved Emissions Modification being faulty leading to the exact symptoms the car displays regarding the adblu(DEF system). VW dealer refuses to acknowledge that the recall fix needs fixing since they reported to have fixed it already. All of the issues that we have had with the NOx sensor, clock spring, exterior lighting, fuel door actuator, and the def system corrected approved modification, has been part of a recall that was supposedly already performed prior to the purchase. Now the def system is not working properly due to the malfunctioning of the AEM software. Def injector have clogged due to crystallization of adblu, a affect of inadequate injection from the faulty AEM. Emission mod decals under hood are not in proper locations nor properly filled.

- Blue Mountain , MS, USA

problem #57

Jun 192023

Passat

  • miles
I financed a car from a car place (mainline) auto in march, there-??s been some lights on it, I mentioned this numberless times also, the steering wheel was completely out of commission and the horn did not work, or the mileage, I talk with him he said bring it in and he will fix it, he fixed the steering wheel 2 weeks later but there-??s lights still on the vehicle, last Friday 06/16/2017 I got an email saying I need to make a payment of the months that I missed not intentionally, so I proceed to call the dealer and she said she would make note that I will come into the office Monday morning 06/19/2023 so that the car wouldn-??t be repossessed, afterwards come sun I woke up around 11:30 and the car was gone, I called my insurance company pear holdings and they opened up a claim, I also called Jacksonville police department and they told me that it was repoed. Went up there Monday and payed tons of money that I had no idea I was being charged or responsible for, after I argued about the missing information and lack of communication so this would not happen, after I payed to get the car I walked to get inside and on the the front window it said (caught slipping) In white marker, I tried to get it off the a wet paper towel but it didn-??t come off so I went inside the place and told her about the writing and she called someone from the back in a language I-??m not fluent with and told me I would need to talk with them, that was already a red flag as well, when I got to the back of the dealer place outside I asked one of the mechanics could he come over and see if he could wipe it off, this is harassment, favoritism, Mis handled information, long waits for watever reason I-??ve asked them numerous of times to just give me the money that I put down on the car back that I didn-??t even give them personally same week I brought it, they got my card info from the insurance company that wasn-??t authorized by me I would like to take further action because I-??m still making payments

- Jacksonville , FL, USA

problem #56

Apr 162022

Passat

  • miles

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

Was driving on the freeway and the vehicle suddenly died. Leaving me stranded in the car left lane with no way to pull over

- Los Angeles , CA, USA

problem #55

Apr 242022

Passat

  • miles
VW BCM unit causes vehicle to idle then shut off while driving making it impossible to steer or increase speed.

- Fremont, CA, USA

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problem #54

Apr 232021

Passat

  • 59,540 miles
My 2013 VW Passat 2.5 S only has 59K miles and I was driving I no down road all sudden the car jerked forward and went into limp mode. I had it looked at then parts replaced and still having issues and they can't figure out issue. And now new codes keep coming up and keep getting new parts put in but it still feels like engine about shake right out of the car. I tried calling Volkswagen and they were supposed to call me back withing 2 days and I never heard anything back. I take really good care of my car and had all the parts replaced but its still having throttle and electrical issues and I can't get ahold of anyone. Mines having a lot of same issues as these people too which is weird especially around same time.

- Appleton, WI, USA

problem #53

Apr 292021

Passat

  • 10 miles

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

I took my car to a local repair mechanic that told me that he had to troubleshoot the problem with VW parts experts I went to fremont auto center in fremont California, 94536 they have a record of my visit and troubleshooting the problem. They identified with VW that the fuel pump module was actually recalled, now when you look up the VIN number the recalled part does not come up. So I took my car to the VW dealership located here: 39695 balentine dr, newark, ca 94560 they identified that the part is recalled but said they would not be able to replace the part because it did not come up under a recall when you search the VIN and instead want me to pay $180 to run a diagnostic to "identify the problem" and then "replace the part" would cost its own amount. Who the hell says something like that

- Fremont, CA, USA

problem #52

Sep 232020

Passat

  • 99,553 miles
My 2013 volkwagen Passat I purchased in November of 2019 has continued to have so many problems involving what I have been told the major recal the Volkswagen has for my vehicle. How ever I only see the recal fix for my vehicle back in October of 2019 yet it was back in the dealer for the same recal just 6 weeks ago and now I have had it in another machanic shop for the 2nd time now same recal issues and I cant get an hones answer from any one. My vehicle was also supposed to be at the dealer ship just about 6 weeks ago but I went there and my vehicle was not there yet they would not give me any information and my gps is on however my account information is incorrect.

- Central Point, OR, USA

problem #51

Sep 042020

Passat

  • miles
Purchased vehicle less than 6 months ago and would not start. Had it towed and tech states it is fuel pump and fuel tank.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #50

Sep 032020

Passat

  • 84,000 miles
While in motion, thankfully at a low speed, the car suddenly stalled, though the radio stayed on. After getting off the road, I saw that the check engine light was on at that point, but it turned off once the car was restarted, only to turn on again six days later.

- Pawling, NY, USA

problem #49

Aug 182020

Passat

  • 136,005 miles

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

2013 Passat tdi. 136000 miles. Vehicle was driving at highway speeds and the glow plug light started to flash, no other indicator lights or car performance issues were noted at this time. Car was pulled over safety to a town within 5 miles, the car was shut down. Just to see if it was a glitch car was restarted briefly and the check engine light remained on. Car was immediately turned off. While on the phone relaying my information to family, bystanders advised me that the car was on fire below the engine bay. The fire was quickly put out with water. The damage seems to be in the same area as has been noted by recalls 17V309000 and 16V171000, both of these recalls were complied with prior to this event. Documentation of this is maintained with the owner. All scheduled maintenance and repairs have been completed at Volkswagen dealerships since purchase, all records maintained.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #48

Nov 202019

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 85,000 miles
I purchased my car November 20th 2019 with 85,000 miles and 10 weeks later when it broke down I was told I had no warranty and they say they only sell used certified with warranty used vehicles and I was forced to pay 25,00 dollars and when I picked my car up 11 days later my extra key fob was missing and I was treated so incredibly bad.my loan was supposed to be processed asap and I spoke with the bank and everything went thru and then lithia motors took my loan docs from when I signed on November 20th and they copied them and put the date for November 21st and I do have the documents from my car insurance company and the call was recorded with my self the employee at lithia and my insurance company as we give information about the loan and car I was purchasing and consider lithia motors does not allow vehicles to leave the lot unless a binder is in there position. And now the fuel system has had issues and my vehicles not running and I fear the lash back from them since they about to be served with a lawsuit from my lawyer.

- Medford, OR, USA

problem #47

Jun 132019

Passat 4-cyl

  • 53,000 miles
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.

- Hawthorne, CA, USA

problem #46

Apr 152020

Passat

  • 29,200 miles
2013 Passat tdi sel. Emission modification at 28,514 miles. Now 29,200 miles on odometer. Bought the car less than a month ago. Vehicle is equipped with diesel misfueling guard. Stopped at grocery store and also filled up diesel from sam's club. Drove 4 miles down the road around 40 mph and about to enter highway when glow plug indicator started flashing and check engine light illuminated. Heard some rattling and the engine shut down without warning. Coasted over to shoulder. Would not start. Abandoned the car for the night. Next day I had the car towed to VW. They tested the fuel and it tested fine. Diagnosed as a failed high pressure fuel pump. It exploded and sent shrapnel through the fuel lines and forward into the engine and exhaust system. Also sent shrapnel backwards into fuel filter, fuel tank, and low pressure fuel pump. $5500-$7500 repair quoted if not under warranty.

- Rutledge, TN, USA

problem #45

Mar 162020

Passat

  • 700,000 miles
Minor front end collision causing explosion of car causing my son to burn to death

- Cape Girardeau, MO, USA

problem #44

Mar 152020

Passat

  • miles
Vehicle struck a tree and caught on fire. My brother in law was killed.

- Cape Girardeau, MO, USA

problem #43

Feb 212020

Passat

  • 151,750 miles
My 2013 VW Passat tdi has been to the dealership 3 times for a crank but no start condition.first time when the tow truck driver dropped it off it started right up, so we picked it up and went on our way. The second time it had a bad fuel lift pump that they replaced the third time a complete hpfp failure that at 151,000 miles they will not take care of. After looking into the problem I find out that the faulty lift pump may have contributed to the failure and in California this seems to be a very common problem. Can you help in any way? thank you ron

- El Cajon, CA, USA

problem #42

Mar 102020

Passat

  • 33,750 miles
The tdi diesel tank sloshes when accelerating from a stop. The noise is a major nuisance. Are there no baffles in the fuel tank?

- Orchard Park, NY, USA

problem #41

Sep 012019

Passat

  • 87,000 miles
Car frequently stalls and the picks up when accelerating from a stop.when I'm pulling out into traffic it gets very scary when you're already out in the lane and it loses power and after several seconds it picks up. This happens every day.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #40

May 102018

Passat

  • 70,000 miles
My vehicle for some reason is not under the recall for all other models with same defect. I have a intake manifold malfunction that was recalled on all cc's of my year and prior but for some reason my model wasn't covered and should be.

- Atlant, GA, USA

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