10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,309 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2013 Volkswagen Passat Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #49

May 042024

Passat

  • miles

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

On 5/4/24 I was reverse parking & heard a clunk as I was turning my steering wheel then immediately noticed the airbag light come on. Attempted to check any error messages using the only menu control for the vehicle on the steering wheel that did not work. That led me to attempt to test all other controls on the steering wheel which also did not work. During these attempts, I identified that my horn was also not working. Due to the large safety concern this caused, I quickly searched on Google what the cause may be then immediately made an appointment at an auto shop (Greulich's Automotive Repair) with the first available I could find. I did not know this issue was previously recalled as I was too concerned with my safety on the road, specifically not trusting other drivers, not having enough time to research, & the auto shop did not mention the recall either. Spent $1,000 on labor, diagnostic, & the clock steering part. When researching the history of my vehicle, I do not find that this recall was performed. I will be calling VW customer service for reimbursement. After the part has been replaced, the next day, I come to find out that the menu setting control on the steering wheel continues to not work which I have brought attention to the auto shop. Waiting for a call back about why all other controls on the steering wheel works now except the vehicle menu which might be the most important control on the wheel. In addition, the cruise control option does not work either because of this replacement which I come to find out it-??s a separate part that needs to be replaced, hence, additional out of pocket costs. Not okay.

- Glendale , AZ, USA

problem #48

Aug 012023

Passat

  • miles
I was turning into my driveway when I heard a strange clicking noise coming form the steering wheel column. As soon as I heard the clicking sound the airbag indicator light started flashing on my dashboard and the buttons on my steering wheel stopped working. Did some research on the airbag sensor which lead to learning about the clockspring malfunction. Not only I-??m I at risk of my airbag not deploying, my HORN does not work. The horn malfunction came to knowledge when a car pulled out in front of me causing me to run off the road. I spoke with Volkswagen manufacturer about the malfunction recall. I was told since my car is over 120k miles it could not be replaced under the 10 year recall extended warranty. I purchased my 2013 VW CC in October of 2022. I have only owned the car for one year. Yes, the car is available to be inspected upon request.

- Hemingway, SC, USA

problem #47

Jul 172023

Passat

  • miles
My instrument cluster stopped working yday. I could hear something inside or behind the steering wheel when I turned it. Obviously my clock spring has failed. I am pretty sure my car had a recall on this in the past. I haven-??t had another ride to Little Rock to take my car for repairs. I can not afford to fix this. The part alone is over 400$. I understand it is very dangerous to drive. I have no other way to get anywhere. I need this part replaced if possible at all by volkswagon. There were 6 recalls on my car last time I checked. This being one of them. It is very dangerous to drive for me and everyone on the roadways. Please help. Thank you.

- Judsonia, AR, USA

problem #46

Jun 112023

Passat

  • miles

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

The clock spring broke again only four years from being repaired with the last recall.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #45

Mar 302023

Passat

  • miles
While driving Airbag error flashed on dash and the Airbag light-lamp came on. Also my steering wheel horn and buttons do not work. I had no past indication. I am driving with no horn and most likely no Airbag deployment in case of accident. No inspection yet. Actually at risk if driven to the dealership

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #44

Dec 282022

Passat

  • miles
Unsure how this problem arose, but suddenly the airbag error light appeared and non of the controls on the steering wheel work. This also includes the horn, and airbag. From googling it appears there was a recall for the 2013 VW Passat for a faulty clock spring in the steering wheel which can cause the airbag light to appear and be faulty.

- Tiverton, RI, USA

problem #43

Nov 162022

Passat

  • miles

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

Records indicate clock spring recall service was performed at some time in the past. Same exact problem recurred last week. Clearly the recall service did not remedy the problem.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #42

Jul 272022

Passat

  • miles
Recall still from 2015!!! Clock spring defect NEED TO HAVE FIXED ASAP!!! Dealer says have to replace ourselves REALLY"??" It-??s a manufacturer RECALL

- Ocklawaha , FL, USA

problem #41

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

problem #40

Dec 232021

Passat

  • miles
Per Volkswagon the vehicle is known to have a defective steering clock spring. When the part fails, the vehicle steering wheel looses all electronic function. the Airbag is deactivated and the horn does not work. This failure have happened with my vehicle. Volkswagon has initiated a recall; however, it has been 2 months and they can still not provide an eta of when the vehicle will be repaired and have instructed to drive the unsafe vehicle until the parts come in. The failure initially happened in Dec 2021. This week in Feb 2022 I was run off the road by an elderly drive in an SUV that changed lanes. I was unable to notify the other diver that I was next to her because the horn did not work!

- Olathe, KS, USA

problem #39

Sep 232021

Passat

  • miles

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

When parallel parking, the steering wheel began making a clicking noise when turning. The volume and duration of the clicking increased after pulling out from parking spot into the street and the instrument panel airbag light/chime came on within a mile of driving. Clicking in wheel while turning persisted intermittently throughout driving. All electrical controls on steering wheel are no-response. Horn does not work, airbag deactivated, and all steering wheel electronic controls are no-response.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #38

Dec 022020

Passat

  • 71,000 miles
Clock spring stopped while puling out my parking lot

- Bullhead City, AZ, USA

problem #37

Jun 012019

Passat

  • 42,401 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and the steering warning indicator illuminated. After waiting twenty minutes, the vehicle started. The vehicle was taken to gunther Volkswagen of fort lauderdale (1660 S state rd 7, fort lauderdale, fl 33317, (954) 420-7374) where unknown repairs were made to the steering wheel; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,401.

- Plantation, FL, USA

problem #36

Jun 182019

Passat

  • 56,718 miles
While driving my 2013 VW Passat, the airbag light came on, on the dashboard and started beeping. When I pulled into my garage, I noticed that the horn no longer worked and none of the steering wheel functions work anymore. I have only 56,718 miles on the car and the VW dealer says it is not covered under a recall and I would have to pay out of pocket for the repair because my warranty deductible is $500. This is a safety issue and VW should be required to repair these airbag issues, not us, the consumer. This is not something we (the consumers) are causing, this is a VW quality issue.

- Saint Charles, MO, USA

problem #35

Mar 182019

Passat

  • 0 miles
Everything on my steering wheel stopped working( buttons, horn, etc.) passenger airbag light is on as well. Does not work when the car is moving or stationary.

- Glendale Heights, IL, USA

problem #34

Jan 122019

Passat

  • miles
Clock spring is not working after takata recall implemented. No controls on steering wheel work. Horn does not work. Airbag would likely not inflate. Airbag light is on. This occured while the car was not moving.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

problem #33

Oct 022018

Passat

  • miles
The electrical in sterring wheel is completely out. The horn and buttons are dead and the steering wheel makes a clicking noise when it turns

- Metairie, LA, USA

problem #32

Sep 302018

Passat

  • 68,000 miles
My steering wheel started making a soft clicking noise when turning on 9/24/2018 vehicle has 68,000 miles on it. On 10/30 while the vehicle was in motion makin ga slight turn in the bend of a road on the highway, the airbag alert light came on and indicated there was an air bag error and the wheel command controls stopped working.

- Bow, WA, USA

problem #31

Sep 162018

Passat

  • 56,000 miles
My 2013 VW Passat has 56,000 miles. I replaced at 33,000 on 12/29/2016 at a VW dealer that is no longer in business, based on their diagnostic, the clock spring and airbag harness in the steering wheel. It costed me $610. Fast forward on 09/16/2018 it turns out that I have the same problem, no controls in the wheel at all and airbag light on. The only symptom was a crunch sound in the steering wheel while turning and the airbag light came on right away. A VW dealership stated that it is unusual for a clock spring to go bad that quickly, there's some cars that don't need a clock spring replacement at all and mine needs a second one already at 56,000. Through a phone call Volkswagen of America stated that won't stay behind the problem. I strongly feel that it's a defective/malfunction part that affects my wife's and my children's safety since they are primarily using the car. Currently we're driving the car without any front airbag protection! please investigate this and have the ones who's fault it is fix the problem! thank you!

- Anaheim, CA, USA

problem #30

Aug 082018

Passat

  • 101,009 miles
Clock spring failure. Dangerous as air bag and horn do not work.

- Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA

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