10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,592 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2013 Volkswagen Passat Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #9

Jun 292014

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 19,000 miles

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

I was driving in the right lane of I-84 shifting from 5th to 6th when the clutch pedal stayed on the floor and the car slowly came to a stop with no sudden jerking motion. The brake pedal was not involved nor did it stay on the floor as the clutch did.

- Chevy Chase, MD, USA

problem #8

May 222014

Passat

  • 32,000 miles
This incident had to happen twice for the dealer to see the issue. Accelerating from stop at a light when I reached 3000 RPM the engine stalled and the car will not accelerate. I pulled to the side and turned the car off and turned it back on problem was gone. I took it to the dealer and they could not see any issue. Couple of weeks later same thing happened again but instead of turning the car off or even shifting out of D. I drove the car with that condition directly to the dealer and instructed one of the service technician to get in the car and take a ride with me. He saw the issue and this time believed me and they investigated further and found out that the knock sensors were malfunctioning. I have had nothing but problems with my car. My seat frame was fixed incorrectly twice. My navigation unit replaced twice and VW still ignoring the lag and freezing of the unit. Why pay 5000 more for a navigation and camera for them not to function right. A section of my muffler was malfunctioning as well. Another issue is the key fob. I found out it is effected very easily by interference and when your key fob is in the car it can say key fob not in close proximity. I am very disappointed by this vehicle, I thought VW had better quality standards.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

problem #7

May 092014

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 11,000 miles
Turbo failed for second time and after only 4,000 miles. Began as whining noise. Vehicle then showed check engine light and wouldn't accelerate above 1st gear.

- Richland, WA, USA

problem #6

Mar 132014

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 25,400 miles

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

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.

- Dufur , OR, USA

problem #5

Mar 052014

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 14,310 miles
Noticed hi-pitched whine which got louder as RPM's of engine increased. Had vehicle towed under warranty to VW dealership. Issue was a defective turbo. Had to be replaced at this low of mileage. If the turbo had failed on a busy highway or during a avoidance/passing maneuver, it could have caused injury or worse. I'm hearing of more and more of these turbo issues on this model/style of VW Passats.

- Williamsburg, IA, USA

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problem #4

Feb 192014

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 25,100 miles
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.

- Northwood, IA, USA

problem #3

Feb 112014

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 22,000 miles

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

I have the turbo diesel version. I was driving on hwy 695 in baltimore, Maryland during rush hour (0800ish) when I began to accelerate only to lose power. The car had just enough power to get me off the road and become stranded on the side of this major highway for 80+ minutes. Dealership reported failed turbo. This was not a pleasant experience and one that I hope others do not have to experience.

- Mount Airy, MD, USA

problem #2

Sep 182013

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 8,151 miles
Total failure of transmission on a nearly new car. Fortunately occurred as I was parking at a destination and not on highway. VW replaced the entire transmission while we were out of the country but never told me what or why it failed.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #1

Aug 252013

Passat

  • 6,600 miles
I have a 2013 VW Passat sel tdi and have had two incidents so far with the vehicle. I bought the car new in September 2012 and in January 2013 with about 4000 miles on it the car went into limp mode. The car would not exceed 30mph and a few lights appeared on the dash. I took it to the dealer and was diagnosed with a turbo issue. The had reset something and told me they would call me when the part was in they needed to replace. A few days later the car was back to running well. Then on August 25th the car basically died while in motion with a loss of brakes and power steering. We have 6600 miles on the vehicle at the time of the second incident. Tried to restart the car and as the accelerator was depressed the car would stall again and again. Had to do this for a mile or so to get the car home, very dangerous, but since it was a Sunday we couldn't get a hold of the dealer. On August 26th (next morning) we had it towed to the dealer ship and currently awaiting diagnosis. My wife as well as myself are now worried about driving the car anywhere as we feel something is going to happen again. We believe that this is a serious safety issue as when the car stalls there is no power steering or brakes.

- Linwood, NJ, USA

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