2.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,612 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.

2010 Volkswagen Passat steering problems

steering problem

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2010 Volkswagen Passat Owner Comments

problem #12

Jan 222020

Passat

  • 99,900 miles

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

Vehicle lost power and shut off while driving on the street at approximately 20 mph. I had driven about 1 block on this street after having turned onto it from another street. When the car died, "steering wheel locked" displayed on dash panel. Car would not start, steering wheel wouldn't move beyond about 1" to the right. Message would display "steering wheel still locked" or "move steering wheel." After 40 minutes of this rotation of messages and trying to start the vehicle, moved the steering wheel up and down. Car finally started but only for 3 seconds. Battery light would come on. Was able to start the car several times doing this and moving it 30 feet to safely park on the side of the road. Temperature outside was about 30 degrees F. for about 1 month prior to this, I would periodically hear a ticking sound after removing the key from the ignition. After the ticking stopped, a message would display on the dash panel "steering column locked. Visit workshop!" it was extremely cold when this happened, but it didn't happen every time I turned off the car, and the car started fine each time after. Outside temp was in the teens (F) when this typically happened.

- Champaign, IL, USA

problem #11

Oct 022019

Passat

  • miles
After replacing my car battery on 2010 VW cc, the red steering wheel icon appeared on the dash followed by 3 chimes to make known of problem. The steering wheel lost all power steering. Prior to occurance there was never any whining noise, abnormal shaking that could point to a problem with the steering rack. After researching I found others with the same issue and no easy fix but to tow to the shop and get a ridiculous quote on parts and labor for the replacement of the steering rack.

- Northlake, IL, USA

problem #10

Sep 072019

Passat

  • 92,400 miles
The second time in one week I lost power steering while driving on a city street. Loss of power steering due to clock spring malfunction? if that occurs while driving on a highway it very dangerous to me and other motorists. I purchase this vehicle 9 months ago.

- Media, PA, USA

problem #9

Sep 202014

Passat

  • 51,816 miles

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

My clock spring failed on my steering wheel and had to be replaced for the first time. Symptoms were: The wheel locked up, a crunching sound was heard, and it was difficult to turn the car.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #8

Nov 092018

Passat

  • 93,000 miles
The clock spring on my car's steering has failed twice now in a 4 year period. VW refuses to acknowledge it's a problem and claims my model is not impacted by other recalls for that part. This last time the clock spring failed, the ribbon came undone and prevented me from turning the steering wheeling, nearly causing a wreck. After forcefully jerking the steering wheel, the ribbon came loose and I was able to turn. This is a safety issue since the loss of steering can result in a wreck.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #7

Aug 132018

Passat

  • 100,637 miles
"takata recll"I put a new motor in now the power steer light came on it is hard to turn. I was driver on I-10 coming from dr.office in tall.it run good just "power steer" hard & just got the other "recall fix, air bag, fuel pump, this month and lord please let me get help with this I was out a lot of money for motor.please jesus.

- Quincy, FL, USA

problem #6

Dec 012017

Passat

  • 52,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Passat. When the steering wheel was turned, the horn inadvertently sounded. The vehicle had to be turned off and restarted to disengage the horn. The contact stated that the failure began after the vehicle was serviced on January 25, 2016 for NHTSA campaign number: 15V483000 (air bags). The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer (Audi boise, 8400 West franklin road boise, Idaho 83709, (208) 377-5400) for diagnostic testing or repairs; however, the contact removed the horn relay. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,000.

- Meridian, ID, USA

problem #5

Jan 102018

Passat

  • miles
My vehicle was a part of the clockspring recall for VW in 2015. The airbag light is now on and all steering wheel electrical controls are no longer working. Mechanic says it is a failure of the clockspring in the steering wheel.

- Hendersonville, NC, USA

problem #4

Dec 132017

Passat

  • 71,000 miles
Vehicle was recalled for air bag/clock spring reason twice in just over a year. Now, shortly after both of these repairs, we had a noise in the steering wheel, as well as an air bag failure indicator illuminate. We cannot help but feel this is related to the work that has been performed on these recent recalls and feel VW should be responsible for the cost of these repairs. This happened while driving on a city street while making a turn. Attached is a copy of the service record.

- Chico, CA, USA

problem #3

Oct 232017

Passat

  • 190,000 miles
During the normal operation of the vehicle, without notice the steering wheel light comes on and disables the ability to steer the vehicle normally. I've incounter this problem at all speeds and also during idleling at a red traffic light. Please help as this may cause me to have a serious accident. Thank you

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #2

Jan 082014

Passat

  • 51,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was a popping sound as the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact also mentioned that the steering controls and horn failed to function. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.

- Culpepper, VA, USA

problem #1

Aug 192010

Passat

  • 9,587 miles
Heard a loud "whirring" noise when the steering wheel was turned left or right when car was stationary - like it needed steering fluid - but it does not use fluid. Also having sporadic trouble with the car not starting when the key fob was put into the ignition. VW replaced clock spring, steering rack & pinion, as well as the steering rack 3 times so far. The second time they replaced these parts, they obviously didn't test drive it. Cars front tires made loud noise - like I had on snow tires. I brought it back in for steering noise (still) and now the tires, and they had to replace both front tires due to "cupping" which was caused by incorrect installation of the steering rack. 20,000 miles later I still hear the noise, but now that my car has been "escalated" by VW, they now claim that this noise is normal. I feel that this is a serious safety issue, and do not feel comfortable driving the car.

- Parkesburg, PA, USA

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