NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Volkswagen Passat. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
WAS ON RAMP ENTERING I-5 SOUTH OFF CLAIREMONT (SAN DIEGO) WHEN ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED WITH NO WARNING LIGHT OR PREVIOUS SIGNS. STEERING AND BRAKES STOPPED BUT I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SIDE. THE CAR DID NOT START RIGHT UP RIGHT AWAY. MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AND I HAD JUST STOPPED TO GET GAS; SHE GOT OUT OF CAR TO CHECK GAS CAP. IT WAS ON TIGHTLY. SHE GOT BACK INSIDE CAR AND THE CAR STARTED AGAIN. A COUPLE DAYS LATER, DOORS UNLOCKED ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO DEALER 8.21.2015 AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AND NOTHING RECORDED IN THE CAR'S SYSTEM. THEY KNOW I AM VERY CONCERNED AND THIS IS VERY DISTURBING.
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT SIXTY MILES AN HOUR AS I TRY TO COME OFF THE FREEWAY TO MY EXIT THE BRAKES DO NOT SEEM TO ENGAGE AS I GET CLOSER TO MY TURN I DEPRESS THE CAR EVEN DEEPER THE CAR DOESN'T ATTEMPT TO STOP OR SLOWDOWN SO I BRACE FOR IMPACT AND NOW THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A HIGHWAY SIGN POST. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUFFER ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
THE CAR WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL THEN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND GLOW PLUG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. ALSO A WINDING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN ACCELERATING WHICH DID NOT ACCELERATE VERY WELL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WOULD NEED A TURBO WHICH WAS JUST REPLACED 20,000 MILES AGO, MECHATRONIC UNIT ,, AD BLUE HESTER KIT ,PARTICULATE FILTER PART . THE CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD I PUT ABOUT 35K MILES ON A YEAR. I SERVICE THE CAR RELIGIOUSLY NEVER HAVE MISSED REQUIRED SERVICE. OVER $6,000 DOLLAR REPAIR
AIRBAG ERROR LIGHT CAME ON AFTER STARTING UP CAR IN DRIVEWAY ON AUGUST 3, 2015 AND WILL NOT TURN OFF EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. VW SAID TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP. I COMPLIED AND, AT MY EARLIEST CONVENIENCE, TOOK IT TO RALPH THAYER VW IN LIVONIA, MI ON AUGUST 5, 2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30 AM. DEALERSHIP STATED THEY CAN NOT LOOK AT IT FOR FOUR DAYS, UNTIL MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015. NO LOANER CAR WAS PROVIDED AFTER REQUEST OF SUCH.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V483000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE DEALER HAD NOT RESPONDED AFTER SEVERAL CALLS AND INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD FOLLOW-UP TO DETERMINE WHEN AN APPOINTMENT WOULD BE SCHEDULED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT YET RECEIVED A CALL BACK. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
THE TDI HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND AS A RESULT, ALSO CAUSED THE GAS LINE AND FUEL INJECTORS TO FAIL BECAUSE METAL WAS SENT THROUGH THE CAR. THE CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND WILL NO LONGER TURN ON.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A LOUD CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,500.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V483000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
TURNING THE CORNOR WHILE DRIVING THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE HORN AND BUTTONS ON STEERING WHEEL STOP WORKING. WAS TAKING TO THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A CLOCK SPRING. PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED DID NOT KNOW IT WAS SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. HOPE IT WILL GET RESOVLED SOON. I WAS TOLD IF I WOULD GET IN A ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT COME OUT.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V483000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V078000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT AND VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
ON 8 TO 10 OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS I HAVE LOST POWER, I.E. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, BUT ACTED AS THOUGH IT WERE IN NEUTRAL WITH HIGH RPM?S. SOMETIMES IT IS INTERMITTENT AND RECOVERS POWER BUT ON THREE OCCASIONS ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS IT HAS LOST ALL POWER AND I HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER. TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND IT STARTS NORMALLY WITH FULL POWER. THE DEALER CHECKED THE ENGINE CODES AND ONLY FOUND ENGINE LOST COMMUNICATION WITH TRANSMISSION AND SAID THE VW DID NOT HAVE ANY NOTICES ON THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS TO VW AND THEY SAY IT HAS NOT BEEN AN ISSUE. QUICK GOOGLE SEARCHES SHOW SOMETHING DIFFERENT WITH LOTS OF VW TDI ENGINES SHOWING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. LOSS OF POWER IN 65 MPH TRAFFIC IS VERY DANGEROUS AND INEXCUSABLE. VW SHOULD BE LOOKING MORE CLOSELY AT THIS PROBLEM.
ALL STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONS HAVE STOPPED WORKING INCLUDING THE HORN. THE AIRBAG ICON SHOWS AN "ERROR" MESSAGE. THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CRACKING SOUND WHEN IT TURNS. IDENTICAL PROBLEM AS IN THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION #PE15010. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE: STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING/STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE (SCCM). DEALER WANTS OVER $ 500 TO REPLACE IT. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 58,000 MILES AND WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2012. UPDATED 9/15/15*CW UPDATED 09/17/15*LJ UPDATED 11/22/2017*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V483000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JULY OF 2015. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V483000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
DRIVER STEERING COLUMN AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A SEVERE CRASH. UPDATED 11/09/15*LJ...UPDATED 11/13/15 *BF UPDATED 1/4/16*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. MA 08/05/15 THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A MECHANIC ADVISED THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED, WHICH APPEARED TO BE RELATED TO NHTSA PE 15010. UPDATED 9/29/2015*JS
ON 6-9-15 THIS DIESEL VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATE AS I DO NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE (IT IS AT THE DEALER). TAKEN TO VW OF NORTH ATTLEBORO, MA FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. DEALER STATED FUEL WAS CONTAMINATED AND CLEANED OUT FUEL LINES AND REPLACED FILTER. DEALER STATED VEHICLE STILL WOULD STILL NOT START. DEALER THEN STATED THEY INVESTIGATED FUEL DOWN-LINE OF FILTER AND FOUND CONTAMINATED FUEL IN THE COMMON FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL JUST BEFORE THE FUEL INJECTORS. DEALER STATED THEY DID NOT RETAIN THE FUEL FILTER WHICH WOULD HAVE SHOWN A FILTER BREACH/RUPTURE THAT ALLOWED THE CONTAMINATED FUEL TO GO BEYOND THE FILTER CAUSING THIS ADDITIONAL MISCHIEF. REQUEST FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF VW PASSAT DIESEL FUEL FILTERS AND THE FUEL FILTRATION SYSTEM THAT MAY CAUSE SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE BECAUSE OF PASSING THROUGH CONTAMINATED FUEL, RATHER THAN FILTERING AS IT SHOULD WHICH WOULD CAUSE A SLOWER DECREASE IN ENGINE POWER BECAUSE OF RESTRICTED FUEL FLOW. THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF DIESEL FUEL FILTRATION IS TO PREVENT INTRODUCTION INTO CRITICAL ENGINE COMPONENTS CONTAMINATES OFTEN FOUND IN DIESEL FUEL. DEALER ESTIMATES REPAIR COST OF $7,236.25, THE BULK OF WHICH IS FOR DAMAGE TO CRITICAL ENGINE COMPONENTS DOWNSTREAM OF THE DIESEL FUEL FILTER RESULTING IN SUDDEN ENGINE STOPPAGE. THIS VEHICLE WAS REFUELED ONLY AT DIESEL FUEL STATIONS FOR WHICH RECEIPTS WERE OBTAINED, SO NO GASOLINE OR OTHER IMPROPER FUEL WAS INTRODUCED INTO THIS VEHICLE.
I HEARD A WEIRD NOICE IN MY STEERING COLUMN WHILE BACKING OUT, LIKE A SCRAPING NOISE. I TURNED THE WHEEL THEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. ALL ELECTRICAL ON MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT WORK AFTER THIS, EVEN THE HORN. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A WIRING HARNESS THAT COULD HAVE BROKE POSSIBLY DEPLOYING THE AIR BAG, IT COULD ALSO BE A BAD CLOCKSPRING WHICH VW DEALERS WANT HUNDERDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT WITH VW VEHICLES. THE HORN NOT WORKING AND THE AIR BAG POSSIBLY DEPLOYING IS VERY DANGEROUS. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER TRYING TO PAY MY CAR PAYMENT LET ALONE GO PAY VW TO REPLACE A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT IN THIER VEHICLES. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ASK THEM TO DO IT IF VW FEELS THEY HAVE NO RESPONSABILITY TO DO IT ON THIER OWN. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THIS. I ALSO NOTICED THAT OTHER VEHICLE MANUFACTURES HAVE ORDERED A RECALL FOR THESE SAME ISSUES ON THEIR VEHICLES.
2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI DIESEL, HEARD A SMALL SNAP IN STEERING WHEEL WHILE BACKING UP AND TURNING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE HORN AND STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS QUIT WORKING. THIS IS DEFINITELY THE CLOCKSPRING UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE IS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE INCLUDING NTSB LOOKING INTO THE ISSUE AS A RECALL. IF ACCIDENT OCCURRED RIGHT NOW THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT WORK. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, VW FACTORY SAID THEY WOULD NOT HELP OUT WITH THE REPAIRS. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED TWO MONTHS AGO FROM MOSSY VOLKSWAGON IN EL CAJON, CALIFORNIA. THEY WONT HELP EITHER. SOMETHING NEEDS TO HAPPEN WITH THIS RECALL. INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND HERE. HTTP://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/CAR-NEWS/FEDS-PROBE-2012-VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT-CC-BECAUSE-DRIVERS-AIRBAG-MAY-NOT-DEPLOY-PROPERLY.HTML
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING.
I HEARD A CLICK WHEN I WAS TRURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND THE AIRBAG MESSAGE APPEARED .
DRIVING ON MAY 24.2015 MAKING A LEFT TURN, I HEARD A LOUD CRACK IN MY STEERING WHEEL. I LOST ALL OF THE FUNCTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND AN MESSAGE SHOWED AIR BAG ERROR, CHECK ENGINE, NO CONTROL. I LOST ALL FUNCTION OF MY STEERING WHEEL, AND EVERY MOVE MADE A CRACKING SOUND. I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE ANYMORE BECAUSE THE AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY. I HAVE TRANSPORTED IT TO A VW DEALER TO CHECK ON IT AND FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG, STILL WAITING FOR AN ANSWER. I KNOW AN INVESTIGATION REGARDING THIS ISSUE WAS FILLED PE15010 AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING FAILURE DEFECT. I WAS VERY AFFRAID AND AM WONDERING WHY THERE IS NO RECALL AS OF TODAY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A CRACKING NOISE AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AS THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE MODULE FAILED. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE OF THE NAME OF THE MODULE THAT NEEDED TO REPLACE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD CODES READ. THE CODE WAS P205C AND THIS INDICATES THE EMISSIONS ADBLUE HEATER AND SENSOR HAD A PROBLEM. THE UNIT (HEATER AND SENSOR) IN THE ADBLUE TANK IS A NON SERVICEABLE UNIT AND MUST BE REPLACED. OVER $750.00 TO REPLACE. ALL THE EFFICIENCY OF TDI JUST WENT UP IN SMOKE. HAPPENED AT 4,000 MILES PAST WARRANTY AND DEALER HAD NO HELP EVEN THOUGH A LOT OF TDI'S ARE HAVING IDENTICAL PROBLEMS. SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN DESIGN, MANY MANY TDI'S ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
ON APRIL 14, 2015, I WENT TO VW KENNEDY SERVICE CENTER IN PUERTO RICO BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS WITH MY 2012 PASSAT DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK AND REAR DOOR'S LOCKS, THAT SOMETIMES FAILED TO OPEN OR LOCK, AND HAVE WEIRD SOUNDS WHEN I OPEN THEM WITH THE POWER LOCKS BUTTON OR WHEN THE CAR REACH 10 MILES. ON APRIL 16, THEY MADE A DIAGNOSTIC OF A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR LEFT DOOR LATCH BUT THEY ONLY MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT TO IT. ON APRIL 21, I RETURNED TO THE SERVICE CENTER WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE REAR LEFT DOOR LATCH, BUT TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK. SINCE THEN, THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS DOOR LOCK CONTINUES ON A RANDOM BASIS, SOMETIMES FAILED TO OPEN OR CLOSE, BUT THE VW SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEMS. I THINK THAT A DOOR LOCK THAT FAILED TO CLOSE OR OPEN ON A RANDOM BASIS REPRESENTS A SECURITY PROBLEM.
MY FAMILY AND I WERE FINISHING UP OUR FOOD SHOPPING AND LOADED THE CAR AND STARTED DRIVING OFF AND WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A TURN TO EXIT THE PARKING LOT SOMETHING IN THE STEERING WHEEL "POPPED" AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED. BEING MECHANICAL IN NATURE I ASSUMED THE CLOCKSPRING BUT NEVER IMAGINED THAT IT WOULD FAIL WITH SO LITTLE MILES OR AT ALL FOR THAT MATTER. I CALLED VW AND TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AND THE CLOCKSPRING WAS THE ISSUE.
VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL AS INFORMED US ON THE INFORMATION CLUSTER HORN NO LONGER WORKS AND NONE OF THE STEERING WHEEL PUSH BUTTON CONTROLS WORK DEALER SAID IT WAS A BROKEN CLOCK SPRING AND THAT WE NEEDED TO BRING IT IN IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY POTENTIALLY THE ONLINE FORUMS THAT I'VE LOOKED FOR INFORMATION STATED THAT MULTIPLE VEHICLES WITH THIS AMOUNT OF MILES HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM I WAS JUST CURIOUS WHY THERE WASN'T A RECALL COMING IF THE AIRBAG POTENTIALLY DOESN'T WORK. *TR
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR LONGER THAN SIX MONTHS. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V483000 (AIR BAGS) AND THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE RECALL INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 2016. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED, BUT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V125000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
MY SPRING CLOCK BROKE ON MY VEHICLE. I CAN HEAR A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AS I TURN. I AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON, MY HORN AND CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER WORK. IT IS A FRIGHTENING FEELING KNOWING THAT THE AIRBAGS MAY DEPLOY AT ANYTIME OR NOT AT ALL IN AN ACCIDENT. LOOKING ONLINE TO RESEARCH THE COST IN REPLACING THIS PIECE, I HAVE FOUND THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE TURNING IN A PARKING LOT. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND NONE OF THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL INCLUDING THE HORN WOULD WORK. AFTER INVESTIGATING ONLINE I FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND DISCOVERED THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING A FAILURE THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN AT ABOUT 50,000-60,000 MILES 9 I HAD ABOUT 58000 AT THE TIME). AFTER DISCOVERING THAT AN INVESTIGATION WAS STARTED HERE JUST DAYS BEFORE MINE FAILED I CONTACTED THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE INVESTIGATION OR THE ISSUE.... HOWEVER THEY WERE ABLE TO QUICKLY TELL ME IT WOULD COST ABOUT $700 TO FIX, AND IF VW ISSUES A RECALL LATER I COULD TRY TO GET IT REFUNDED FROM CORPORATE AT THAT TIME. *TR
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO PARKWAY VOLKSWAGEN, SANTA CLARITA CA 91355, FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDED TRANSMISSION SERVICE. REPORTED MECHATRONIC GASKET LEAKING AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. OFFERED TO DO SO AT A REDUCED PRICE. AFTER DEALER REPAIR CAR GOES INTO NEUTRAL RANDOMLY FROM DRIVE MODE. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. CLAIMS FAILURE IS A COINCIDENCE AND NOT RELATED TO THEIR WORK ON THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO FUEL VISIBLE ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE LOCATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH MY 2012 WV PASSAT. THE BULBS SEEM TO BE BLOWING OUT THIS IS THE THIRD TIME BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON MY AUTO. IN SEPTEMBER 2014 (FIRST) IT WAS THE RIGHT SIDE , THEN AFTER A WHILE ON 3/23/15 THE LEFT SIDE AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS THIS TIME.. WHEN THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FRONT HOOD PROBLEMS WHICH EFFECTED THE FRONT LIGHTS..JAN 2014.. THERE WAS A TIME 2014 WHEN THE LOW BEAMS AND TURNING LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING FOR A AT LEASE THREE HOURS.. THEN THEY WENT ON.. *TR
CLICKING NOISE STARTED INSIDE STEERING WHEEL. TURNING ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT POPPING NOISE WITH AIRBAG ERROR MESSAGE. NOW NO HANDS FREE CONTROLS, HORN. ...UPDATED 03-11-15 *BF UPDATED 6/18/2015 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO WORK AND THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE15010 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,283. UPDATED 7/9/15*CN UPDATED 9/18/15 *JS
2012 VW PASSAT WITH NO PREVIOUS SIGNS OF PROBLEMS BEGINS SPUTTERING/FLASHING ENGINE LIGHT. CAR WAS DRIVEN APX. 1/4 MILE BACK HOME, WHERE IT BEGAN SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE. ENTIRE ENGINE BURNT OUT. CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. NHTSA INVESTIGATED PASSAT'S FAULTY IGNITION COILS YET DID NOT ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SAFETY ISSUE...BUT IF THE ENGINE CATCHES ON FIRE...WITH ALL THE COMBUSTIBLES IN A CAR...ONE WOULD THINK THAT WAS A LITTLE UNSAFE. GLAD MY 4 YEAR OLD WAS NOT WITH ME. *TR
NO ACCIDENT. A PREMATURE FAILURE OF PART 39462 - ELECTRIC DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE WHICH CONTROLS AIRBAGS, HORN AND OTHER ITEMS IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WITH DOOR UNLOCKED. SPOKE TO VW SERVICE AND THEY SAID IT'S A COMMON ISSUE ON THIS CAR. COLD TEMPERATURES FREEZE UP THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM. HAD TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM WITHIN THE VEHICLE. VW SERVICE ADVISED ME TO STOP OPENING THE DOOR BECAUSE THE LATCH MECHANISM COULD FAIL COMPLETELY AND THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH TO CLOSE. THEY SAID BRING THE VEHICLE IN SO THEY COULD LOOK AT IT. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN AND THEY SAID YES IT'S A FAILING DOOR LATCH MECHANISM AND THE REPLACEMENT COST WOULD BE $480.00. THIS SEEMS TO BE A GENERAL ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE WITH MANY CUSTOMERS COMPLAINING. A DRIVERS SIDE DOOR THAT WON'T OPEN AND WON'T LATCH TO CLOSE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, THE DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
VW HAS NO TRACTION CONTROL (NOT STABILITY CONTROL) BUTTON TO DEFEAT THE SYSTEM AT LOW SPEEDS. WHEN THERE IS SNOW AND ICE ON AN INCLINE OF ANY DEGREE, THIS IS DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS. IT RETARDS THE POWER THE CAR DELIVERS BY APPLYING BRAKES TO WHEELS THAT ARE SLIPPING. I WAS ON A HILL AND THE CAR WAS REDUCED TO 3-6 MILES PER HOUR WITH CARS BEHIND ME AND ONCOMING. IT IS DESIGNED AS A SAFETY SYSTEM BUT IS DOING THE OPPOSITE ON SLICK INCLINES. PROBABLY A MONEY SAVING MEASURE, BUT PUTS DRIVERS AT RISK. *TR
UPON PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THERE WAS A CRACKING NOISE AND THEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT OFF WITH AN AIRBAG ERROR. AT WHICH POINT ALL MECHANISMS WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING BROKE, BECAUSE OF THIS THE AIRBAG, HORN AND OTHER STEERING WHEEL MECHANISMS ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL WITHOUT REPAIR. FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THAT THIS HAS CONSISTENTLY BROKEN ON OTHER 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT BETWEEN 50K AND 60K MILES ON IT. I FURTHER ADDRESSED MY CONCERN WITH VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARES TO ASK WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PART, THEY INDICATED THAT NOT ENOUGH CUSTOMERS HAVE SUBMITTED CLAIMS. BECAUSE THIS FAILS/BREAKS AT THIS MILEAGE IT IS OUTSIDE THE STANDARD WARRANTY, THERE IS "NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT." I REQUESTED TO SPEAK TO A MANAGER MULTIPLE TIMES, AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT 24 HOURS. IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT VOLKSWAGEN DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS, AND HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM WITH A RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
THIS CAR IS BUILT WITH REVERSED COLOR CODED BATTERY CABLES WITHOUT PROPER, EASILY IDENTIFIABLE POLARITY IDENTIFICATION. THE FACTORY BATTERY HAS CONVENTIONAL MARKINGS, RED +, BLACK -, HOWEVER THE BLACK CABLE IS DESIGNED TO GO ON THE "+" TERMINAL AND THE RED CABLE IS DESIGNED TO GO ON THE "-" TERMINAL ON THIS MODEL. THERE ARE NO OBVIOUS POLARITY MARKINGS ON THE CABLES. IF ONE LOOKS VERY CAREFULLY YOU CAN FIND A TINY - STAMP ON THE RED CABLE TERMINAL AND THE TINY + STAMP IS HALF COVERED BY INSULATION AND HIDDEN ON THE BLACK CABLE TERMINAL. THE BATTERY TERMINALS ARE OF SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT DIAMETERS TO GUIDE YOU TO THE PROPER INSTALLATION BUT THE DIAMETER DIFFERENCE IS NOT LARGE AND IS EASILY ADJUSTED WITH A SCREWDRIVER WHICH I HAVE HAD TO ADJUST TO FIT ON CABLES THAT WERE NOT IMPROPERLY REVERSED IN THE PAST. NOT NOTICING THE REVERSED COLOR CODED CABLES PRIOR TO REPLACING THE BATTERY I HOOKED UP A NEW VW OEM REPLACEMENT BATTERY WITH REVERSED POLARITY AS A RESULT OF THE IMPROPER/REVERSED BATTERY CABLE COLOR CODES. THE CABLES WERE NOT TIGHTEND, JUST PLACED ON THE TERMINALS AT WHICH POINT THE HORN SOUNDED AND WOULD NOT GO OFF AT WHICH POINT I REMOVED THE CABLES AND LOOKED VERY CLOSELY FOR MARKINGS INDICATING THAT I MIGHT HAVE HOOKED THEM UP IMPROPERLY AND NOTICED THE AFOREMENTIONED VERY HARD TO FIND TINY HIDDEN STAMPINGS ON THE TERMINALS REVEALING THAT I HAD HOOKED UP THE BATTERY WITH REVERSE POLARITY. THIS RESULTED IN $3000 OF ELECTRICAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR - AND ALMOST CAUSED A FIRE, MELTING SOME OF THE HARNESS AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES. ADDITIONALLY 2 OF THE 3 PROTECTIVE FUSIBLE LINKS DESIGNED TO PROTECT THIS CIRCUITRY MELTED TOGETHER SHORT CIRCUIT (INSTEAD OF FUSING OPEN CIRCUIT) NOT PROTECTING ANYTHING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MULTIPLE DEFECT DESIGN THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE INJURY AND FIRE IN ADDITION TO EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND COSTLY REPAIRS. *JS
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD CODES READ. THE CODE WAS P205C AND THIS INDICATES THE EMISSIONS ADBLUE HEATER AND SENSOR HAD A PROBLEM. THE UNIT (HEATER AND SENSOR) IN THE ADBLUE TANK IS A NON SERVICEABLE UNIT AND MUST BE REPLACED. OVER $950.00 TO REPLACE. HAPPENED AT 50,466 MILES AND DEALER HAD NO HELP EVEN THOUGH A LOT OF TDI'S ARE HAVING IDENTICAL PROBLEMS. SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN DESIGN, MANY MANY TDI'S ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
UNABLE TO UNLOCK DRIVERS SIDE DOOR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH KEY FOB. NO MECHANICAL SOUND HEARD ON DRIVERS DOOR WHEN KEY FOB PRESSED. ALL THREE (3) OTHER DOORS UNLOCKED WITH NO ISSUES. ON A COUPLE OF OTHER OCCASIONS, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE AND COULD NOT EXIT THE CAR (HANDLE ONLY MOVED A SMALL AMOUNT AND SEEMED 'JAMMED'). AFTER SEVERAL TIMES OF PRESSING THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON THE DOOR FINALLY OPENED. ONCE I HAD TO EXIT THE CAR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE INABILITY TO EXIT THE CAR THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN MY MIND. *TR