Electrical complaints and recalls from NHTSA
Summary
The 2013 Volkswagen Passat has 72 NHTSA electrical complaints and 1 electrical-related recall.
72
Complaints
1
Recalls
0
Injuries Reported
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 10, 2026
16V171000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Passat vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Due to improperly...
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS | In April 2025, my 2013 Volkswagen Passat developed serious issues: the steering wheel cover is lifte... |
| Jan 4, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | Def system failed- cel came on w def light stating xxx miles to no start, codes p204f & 18097, now u... |
| Dec 26, 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed ... |
| Dec 24, 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The drives side door lock will not disengage. This condition will not allow the driver to exit the c... |
| Nov 13, 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated upon activating the A/C, the vehicle v... |
| Oct 1, 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,ENGINE | My vehicle was part of the emissions scandal that I knew nothing about when i purchased it. I was n... |
| Jan 21, 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Like many other VW owners, one of the doors of my car would not close and the car was unsafe to oper... |
| Jul 3, 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | The vehicle cuts off while driving we’ve done numerous expensive replacements to water pump, control... |
| Jun 8, 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Day of purchase (Feb2020)Nox sensor went out on way home. Check engine light came on took back to VW... |
| May 3, 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE | Currently my reverse lights do not come on i have changed the bulbs and checked fuses. it started wi... |
| Oct 13, 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS | The airbag light came on, the horn won't work, and none of the steering wheel controls work. I think... |
| Oct 4, 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Driver side low beam headlights failed. Bulb works. Bulb Holder works. Confirmed by moving bulb a... |
| Mar 23, 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS | The Air Bag Inoperative Light illuminated in the dashboard display. All steering wheel electrical fu... |
| Dec 20, 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Both left and right low beam headlights became inoperable leave vehicle with only high beams. There ... |
| Jul 27, 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The battery died. It's located in the trunk. There was no way to get to the battery because there's ... |
| Apr 23, 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | MY 2013 VW PASSAT 2.5 S ONLY HAS 59K MILES AND I WAS DRIVING I NO DOWN ROAD ALL SUDDEN THE CAR JERKE... |
| Dec 21, 2020 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS | AIR BAG AND ALL STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS FAILED. HAD SIMILAR ISSUE AND HAD CLOCK SPRING REPLACE 12/2... |
| Nov 20, 2020 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | STARTING THE CAR IS A PROBLEM . I'LL BE DRIVING IT FROM TIME TO TIME . THEN IT WILL JUST STOP WORKIN... |
| Sep 23, 2020 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | MY 2013 VOLKWAGEN PASSAT I PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER OF 2019 HAS CONTINUED TO HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS INVO... |
| Aug 27, 2020 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | A BAD DESIGN ON THE TRUNK WIRING HARNESS. AFTER A FEW YEARS OF OPENING AND CLOSING THE TRUCK, BECAUS... |