2013 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

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. *TR

DRIVING FROM ON FREEWAY AT 60 MPH SUDDENLY LOST ANY ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND POWER STARTED DROPPING RAPIDLY AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING. IT PUT ME IMMEDIATELY INTO A VERY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER IN RAPIDLY-MOVING, HEAVY TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE FREEWAY AND CALL THE DEALER'S VW SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR, AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO SERVICE. I WAS STRANDED JUST OFF THE FREEWAY IN THE NEXT TOWN, AND AFTER SEVERAL HOURS WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TURBO WAS BAD (THIS PART HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE, ABOUT 100 OR SO MILES EARLIER). HOWEVER, THAT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY VW PROPERLY, AND WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR IT FAILED AGAIN WITHIN 10 MINUTES. FORTUNATELY THIS TIME I WAS NOT AT HIGH SPEED, AND WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR TO A SAFE LOCATION. THIS SITUATION WITH THE TURBO COULD EASILY HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT, POTENTIALLY VERY SERIOUS OR EVEN DEADLY IF AT HIGH SPEED. *TR

JANUARY 2014: TURBOCHARGER FAILED ON MY 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI. THE CAR FAILED IN THE EVENING, BUT THAT MORNING WHEN LEAVING FOR WORK, THE TURBO MADE A SPLIT SECOND CHOO-CHOO TRAIN WHISTLE, BUT CONTINUED TO FUNCTION, ALTHOUGH IT FELT LIKE THE TURBO WAS FREE-WHEELING AND NOT REALLY IN SYNC WITH THE ACTUAL BOOST. WHEN IT FAILED, THERE WAS A MUFFLED BANG, FOLLOWED BY A LOCOMOTIVE TYPE BLACK OILY SMOKE ROLLING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. I WAS ONLY 2 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP, SO I DROVE IT THERE IMMEDIATELY. WHEN STANDING ON THE THROTTLE, IT SOUNDED LIKE A NUT RATTLING AROUND IN A CAN. DEALER REPLACED THE INTERCOOLER, EGR AND DPF. MARCH 24, 2014: TURBOCHARGER AGAIN FAILED AT 17,000 MILES. THIS TIME NO AUDIBLE WARNING THAT THE UNIT WAS FAILING, JUST INSTANT POWER LOSS. *TR

TURBO FAILED ON VEHICLE. BEGAN AS WHINING NOISE. VEHICLE THEN SHOWED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WOULDN'T ACCELERATE ABOVE 1ST GEAR. *TR

TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH AND CAR LOST POWER. FAILED TURBO ! WE ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT AND JUST MADE IT TO THE SIDE ON THE ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE TALK TO MANY OTHER VW 2012-2013 PASSAT OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ! *TR

I BOUGHT A 2013 PASSAT SE MAY 16, 2013, IT CURRENTLY HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT AND I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. 2 WEEKS AGO I JUST STARTED MY TRIP TO WORK (75 MILES ONE WAY / 95% HIGHWAY) WHEN THE GLOW PLUG INDICATOR CAME ON AND I IMMEDIATELY LOST MOST POWER. IT WAS ABOUT 7 DEGREES F, I WAS ABLE TO LIMP IT TO A DEALER, WHO, AFTER CONTACTING VW TECHNICIAN SUPPORT DETERMINED MY TURBO WAS SHOT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SUPPORT TECH SAID THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS ONLY A COUPLE OF TIMES AND IT WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT SEEN AT MY DEALERSHIP, HE SAID THE REPLACEMENT WAS A LARGER TURBO, PUMP, PIPE, FILTERS AND EVERYTHING.IT TOOK A WEEK AND A HALF TO DO THE JOB MOST OF THE TIME WAS WAITING FOR PARTS. *TR

THESE STEERING WHEEL COMPONENTS STOPPED WORKING: HORN, TURN SIGNALS, HIGH BEAMS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND CRUISE CONTROL. NOT SURE IF AIR BAG WILL IN CASE OF A CAR WRECK. INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYS THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE: "BUTTON FOR DRIVER ASSISTANT SYSTEM DEFECTIVE". BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR THE PAST SINCE BUYING THE CAR 2013, ROUGHLY 5 YEARS AGO. VOLKSWAGENS TECHNICIANS REPAIRED THE ISSUE MULTIPLE TIMES ON SEPERATE OCCASSIONS *WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANT.

DURING MY TRIP FROM CITY OF CHICAGO TO MY HOME MY CAR LOST POWER AND STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET LEAVING ME STUCK AMONG MOVING TRAFFIC. I ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS AND FINALLY WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE CAR OFF THE STREET AND ONTO NEARBY PARKING LOT. I HAD TO STOP THE INCOMING TRAFFIC SO I COULD ACCOMPLISH THAT. I ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR COUPLE MORE TIMES AND STILL HAD NO SUCCESS. AT THIS TIME IT WAS ALMOST 9PM AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS DROPPING DRAMATICALLY. I CONTACTED MY WIFE WHO MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR A SITTER AND STARTED TO DRIVE TOWARDS ME. I WAS FREEZING AT THAT POINT INSIDE MY CAR AS THERE WERE NO VENUES OPEN AROUND ME. AFTER MY WIFE ARRIVED WITH TOOLS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT WE STILL HAD NO SUCCESS AND DECIDED TO HAVE OUR CAR TOWED TO OUR HOME OF RESIDENCE. THE NEXT DAY I TRIED TO TROUBLESHOOT THE CAR DUE TO NO AVAIL. I CONTACTED THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT TOWED THERE. THE VW DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE CAR AND CONCLUDED A COMPLETE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AS WELL AS THE FUEL LINES, FUEL FILTER AND ITS HOUSING, FUEL INJECTORS AND THEY FLUSHED THE FUEL TANK FROM ANY MERAL SHRAPNEL AND DEBRIS. THE VW OD AMERICA COVERED THE REPAIR WITHOUT ANY QUESTIONS. THEY ARE COMPLETELY AWARE OF HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS FAILING REGULARLY ON THESE VEHICLES BUT NO RECALL IS MADE AND CARS ARE DEALT WITH CASE BY CASE BASIS. I RECEIVED GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM THE DEALER AS WELL AS THE CORPORATE. BUT DUE TO HOW COMMON THIS PROBLEM IS AMONG VW TDI CARS IT IS ALARMING THAT SUCH RISK OF CAR LOOSING POWER AS SUCH IN A MIDDLE OF THE TRAFFIC EXISTS. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND FOR OTHERS SAFETY BECAUSE NO GUARANTEE WAS MADE BY VW THAT THIS PROBLEM WONT HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

WHEN TEMPERATURES FALL BELOW FREEZING, DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT OPEN (USUALLY IN THE MORNINGS). VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND REPLACEMENT LATCH ORDERED. PART IS ON BACK-ORDER AND I CANNOT ENTER THE VEHICLE UNLESS I CLIMB THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE HURRIEDLY IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR (3) WEEKS AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER TODAY THAT THEY STILL DID NOT KNOW WHEN THIS PART WOULD BE IN. ABSOLUTELY UNSAFE AN ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THAT I HAVE TO CLIMB INTO MY NEARLY NEW CAR WITH 7000 MILES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE SUNROOF OF MY 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT EXPLODED OUTWARDS, CREATING AN APPROXIMATELY 18" HOLE. SOME GLASS FELL INSIDE BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE GLASS EXITED THE CAR. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS ~65 DEGREES, NO OTHER WINDOWS WERE OPEN AND THE SUNROOF WAS FULLY CLOSED; THE INTERIOR COVER OF THE SUNROOF WAS OPEN. NEITHER THE HEAT OR AIR CONDITION WERE ON. I WAS NOT ON MY CELL PHONE AND THE MUSIC VOLUME WAS ON LOW. I AM THE FIRST OWNER OF THIS CAR, HAVING TAKEN POSSESSION 87 DAYS AGO. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ACCEPT CULPABILITY AND HAS STATED I WOULD HAVE TO PROVE A FACTORY DEFECT LED TO THE EXPLOSION OF THE SUNROOF. AN INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THE EXPLODING SUNROOF IS NOT AN UNHEARD OF PROBLEM. WE CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH THE DEALER BUT AS OF THIS MOMENT, INDICATIONS ARE THEY WILL EXPECT OUR INSURANCE TO COVER THE COSTS OF REPAIR. *TR

CAR WAS SET ON CRUISE CONTROL AND ENGINE REVVED UP , CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF AND LOSS OF POWER TO THE MOTOR. TRIED TO RESET CRUISE CONTROL TO A LESSER SPEED AND WOULD NOT SET. CAR FELT LIKE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS (ACTED LIKE IT WAS A MANUAL DRIVE BEING WOUND TO TIGHT). DROVE FOR SEVERAL MILES THEN THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON (GLOWPLUG INDICATOR). PARKED IN A SAFE LOCATION AND STOPPED CAR. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES I RESTARTED THE CAR AND NO WARNING FLASHED SO I BEGAN TO DRIVE CAR...WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. WARNING LIGHT CAME BACK ON. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP GOT REPAIRED (REPLACED TURBO CHARGER ALONG WITH OIL FEED AND RETURN LINES). PICKED CAR UP ON 11/26/14 DROVE FOR LESS THAN 30 MILES AND GOT A ENGINE OIL LIGHT AND WARNING MESSAGE: ENGINE OFF MANUAL. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY TALKED WITH MANUFACTURER AND THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE ME A NEW TURBOCHARGER AND NEW ENGINE. THE CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP AND REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETED AT THE TIME OF THIS WRITING. *JS

ROAD TEST WITH LESS THAN 1/4 TANK OF FUEL. ON OCTOBER 25 2013, I HAD MY RADIO VOLUME DOWN FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE AND I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. I HEARD A SLOSHING SOUND AND COULD FEEL A SLIGHT BUMP AS IF SOMETHING WAS LOOSE IN TRUNK OR UNDER THE CAR. FROM THEN I KEPT MY RADIO DOWN AND EVERY TIME I CAME TO A STOP I COULD HEAR THE SOUND AND FEEL THE SLIGHT BUMP. IT BECAME VERY CLEAR THAT IT WAS FLUID AND IT WAS CENTERED IN THE BACK OF THE CAR. ON 10/28/2013 I CALLED OURISMAN OF ROCKVILLE AND VOLKSWAGEN AND I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE SOUND. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN ON 10/29/13. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE CAR AND SAID THE CAR IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. I TOLD VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION. I WENT TO DARCARS VOLKSWAGEN ON 11/1/13 THE DEALER CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND SAID THE TECHNICIAN THINKS IT WAS COMING FROM THE ADD BLUE TANK SO THE ADDED ADD BLUE I TOLD THEM I COULD STILL HEAR THE SLOSHING SOUND. I WAS ADVISED TO RETURN THE CAR ANOTHER DAY BECAUSE THE ROADS WERE WET . I WENT BACK ON 11/5/13 AND THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME WHEN I BACKED THE CAR UP AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO DUPLICATE THE SLOSHING SOUND. WHEN THE MANAGER HEARD THE SOUND HE SAID "MINE DOESN'T DO THAT, IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE". I WENT ON A ROAD TEST WITH HIM BECAUSE OF TWO OTHER CONCERNS A HAD. I WAS GIVEN A LOANER WHICH WAS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SE GASOLINE ENGINE AND AT NO TIME WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR I WAS ABLE TO HEAR THE GAS SLOSHING AROUND IN THE TANK. DARCARS SAID THEY REMOVED THE FUEL PUMP AND MAKE SURE NOTHING WAS ROLLING AROUND IN THE TANK. THEY RE-INSTALLED THE FUEL PUMP AND CONFIRMED IT WAS THE FUEL IN THE TANK THAT WAS MAKING THE NOISE AND NOW THE SAME MANAGER WHO SAID IT SOUND LIKE SOOTHING IS LOOSE IS NOW SAYING IT IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THEY RETURNED THE CAR TO ME ON 11/08/13. STILL SLOSHING. *TR

WAS OUT OF TOWN IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND EXPERIENCED A NEAR COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE DO NOT OPERATE VEHICLE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. WAS ABLE TO PULL VEHICLE OFF TO SHOULDER OF THE BUSY FREEWAY AND SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS I RE-STARTED THE VEHICLE. IT STILL WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON SO I SHUT IT DOWN AGAIN. WAS ABLE TO CALL THE VW SERVICE CENTER WITH CELL PHONE AND A TOW TRUCK DISPATCHED. GOT IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE THE SERVICE CENTER WAS CLOSED. LUCKILY A MOTEL WAS CLOSE BY. THE NEXT MORNING THE SERVICE CENTER ADVISED THERE MAY BE A BAD FUEL PROBLEM. IT WAS SHELL DIESEL FROM A FAIRLY LARGE CITY STATION. SUPPOSEDLY THE FUEL WAS "MURKY." IF IT WAS FUEL PROBLEM I TOLD VW SERVICE ADVISOR I WANTED A SAMPLE OF THE FUEL SO I COULD RECOUP MY REPAIR EXPENSE FROM SHELL. LATER I WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO METAL SHAVINGS, AND THE PARTS AND LABOR EXPENSE TO DRAIN THE FUEL, PURGE THE LINES, AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT CHARGED TO ME PER "GOOD WILL" SERVICE. THEY DID NOT SAVE ANY FUEL FOR ME. I DID INCUR MOTEL AND FOOD EXPENSES AND AM WORRIED VW WILL NOT REIMBURS MY TRIP INTERRUPTION EXPENSES BECAUSE IT IS "BAD FUEL" AND SINCE I HAVE NO FUEL I CANNOT PROVE TO SHELL THE FUEL WAS BAD. ACCORDING TO INVOICE THE CAUSE OF MY PROBLEM WAS A P0087 = FUEL/SYSTEM PRESSURE TOO LOW. SEEMS VW VEHICLES ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM MORE THAN THEY SHOULD AND THE CUSTOMER IS KEPT IN THE DARK. I AM AFRAID THIS PROBLEM WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REPLENISH THE DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID, THE FLUID OVERFLOWED AND DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IT LEAKED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED LUNG PROBLEMS. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN CLEANED THE FLUID BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR I MADE A STOP FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. I WAS RETURNING TO MY VEHICLE WHEN A NOTICED BLUE FLUID COMING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER ABOUT 3 MILES AWAY. AFTER THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THEY FOUND "HOSE CONNECTOR NEAR PUMP LEAKING WASHER FLUID". THE DEALER REPLACED THE HOSE CONNECTOR. NOT LEAKING AT THIS TIME. I HAVE SINCE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR OTHER ISSUES I'M EXPERIENCING WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT WASN'T PRESENT DURING MY TEST DRIVE AND I AM FILING SEPARATE COMPLAINS FOR THOSE ISSUES BECAUSE IM BEING TOLD THAT THESE ARE NORMAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IT ONLY HAD 38 MILES. CURRENT MILEAGE 1900 MILES. *TR

WE ARE DRIVING A LOANER 2013 VW PASSAT THAT WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PURCHASING. WE DROVE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME AT NIGHT AND ENCOUNTERED A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. WE EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND WHILE GOING AROUND THE BEND OF THE OFF RAMP I WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT ALL. AT FIRST I THOUGHT MY VISION BLURRED BUT AS WE EXAMINED IT FURTHER WE LEARNED THAT THERE IS A VERY SERIOUS DARK AREA ON BOTH FRONT CORNERS OF THE CAR. WHEN RE -ENTERED THE HIGHWAY WE ALSO FOUND OURSELVES DISTRACTED BY THE DARK SPOTS EVEN WHILE GOING IN A STRAIT LINE. WE PROCEEDED TO DIM ALL INSTRUMENTATION TO SEE IF THAT WAS ADDING DISTRACTION BUT THE PROBLEM WAS STILL PREVALENT. AS WE DROVE HOME WE REVIEWED THE HEADLIGHT DISPERSION OF OTHER CARS AND ALL OF THEM PROJECTED ADEQUATE LIGHT IN THE FRONT CORNERS OF THE CAR. IF THERE WERE A BICYCLIST OR PERSON WALKING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY WE WOULD HAVE HIT THEM OR GO OFF INTO A DITCH FROM THE INABILITY TO SEE THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR

OUR 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT LEAKED GASOLINE ON TO OUR GARAGE FLOOR WHILE SITTING IN THE GARAGE. THE GARAGE FLOOR WAS COVERED AND YOU COULD VISIBLY SEE THE FUEL DRIPPING FROM THE GAS TANK. THE FUMES FILLED OUR GARAGE AND HOME AND RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE CLEAN UP AND VENTILATION. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP ARRIVED WITH A FLAT BED AND TOWED THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MAN WHO TOWED THE CAR EVEN COMMENTED ABOUT THE ODOR AND YOU COULD VISIBLY SEE THE GASOLINE RUNNING FROM THE CAR AS IT WAS LOADED ON TO THE FLATBED. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND NO CHANGES TO THE VEHICLE ARE NECESSARY! *TR

A PASSENGER EXITED REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. WHEN HE PUT HIS HAND OUTSIDE THE CAR AS HE EXITED, ONE OF HIS FINGERS RECEIVED A DEEP CUT. AFTER THE INCIDENT, WE INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND OUT A SHARP POINT AT THE END OF A CHROME TRIM ALONG THE WINDOW/ROOF LINE. LATER I INSPECTED FURTHER AND FOUND OTHER LOCATIONS NEAR THE DOORS WHERE SHARP EDGES/POINTS EXIST. THIS IS HAZARDOUS AS PASSENGERS ENTER OR EXIT THE CAR. PARTS OF BODY AND/OR HAND CAN RECEIVE CUT WOUND IF CONTACTED WITH THESE SHARP EDGES/POINTS. *TR

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. *TR

THIS CAR HAS AN ISSUE WITH STABILITY ABOVE 65 MPH. (YES THEY ARE INFLATED TO PROPER PRESSURE) I TOOK A 550 MILE TRIP RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT IT AND THE CAR WAS EXTREMELY UNSTABLE AT 65MPH+ ON ALL SURFACES INCLUDING: SMOOTH CONCRETE, GROOVED CONCRETE, OLD PAVEMENT, BRAND NEW PAVEMENT, PAVEMENT WITH NO TIRE WEAR OR TIRE GROOVES, IN WIND OR NO WIND. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN YOU TRY TO KEEP THE CAR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. IT WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT. IT WILL GO LEFT OR RIGHT, BUT NOT STRAIGHT. HAD ALIGNMENT CHECKED AND IT WAS CORRECT. THE CAR ALSO TENDS TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT A LITTLE NO MATTER IF YOUR ON THE DOWN OR UPSLOPE OF THE CREST ON THE ROAD. IT IS BORDERLINE DANGEROUS BECAUSE IN TRAFFIC I FOUND THE CAR WANTING TO DART TOWARDS THE LEFT AND RIGHT LANE. IF YOU DON'T CONSTANTLY FIGHT THE STEERING EVERY SECOND, YOU WILL HIT A CAR NEXT TO YOU. I HIGHLY SUSPECT IT IS THE 17" HANKOOK TIRES THAT COME ON THE CAR AS MANY HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES AND HAVE HAD ISSUES FROM BEING DANGEROUS IN SNOW AND WATER TO THE WANDERING LEFT AND RIGHT WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE STRAIGHT. SOME HAVE EVEN REPORTED THE SIDEWALLS RUPTURING. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT PUTS ME IN FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND I WILL BE REPLACING THE TIRES AS SOON AS I CAN AFFORD IT. HOPEFULLY MORE PEOPLE WILL COMPLAIN HERE INSTEAD OF JUST ON FORUMS. I URGE YOU TO RESEARCH THESE TIRES AND THE VW PASSAT FORUMS AND YOU WILL FIND TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TIRES. ANOTHER NOTE: I HAVE DRIVEN TRUCKS, FAMILY SEDANS, SPORTS CARS, SUV'S, AUDIS, VW, MERCEDES, BMW, FORD, CHEVY, DODGE, AND I HAVE NEVER FELT THE STEERING REFUSING TO STAY ON THE CENTER LINE UNTIL THIS CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHENEVER HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECCURED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE OCCURRENCES WERE CONTRIBUTED TO THE WAY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

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. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT MANUAL FORCE WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE EPC LIGHT. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,700.

"510" NAV SYSTEM BACK UP CAMERA IS USELESS. PUT CAR IN REVERSE, BACK OUT OF GARAGE -STILL NO CAMERA, IT TURNS ON WHEN ALREADY DOWN DRIVEWAY. THIS IS A COMMOM COMPLAINT (SEE INTERNET) THE COMPANY WILL DO NOTHING TO ADDRESS THIS EXPENSIVE BUT USELESS TOY AS THE NAV SYSTEM IS ALSO USELESS BECAUSE OF COMPLEXITY. CELL PHONE IS MY NAVIGATOR OF CHOICE. KNOWING NOW WHAT I KNOW I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THIS MODEL. THIS SYSTEM IS BASICALLY A USELESS ADD ON AND AN EMBARRASSMENT TO VW.

1. THERE IS A NOTICEABLE HESITATION AFTER A COLD START (TDI, DIESEL ENGINE) GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. THIS HAS OCCURRED EVERYDAY SINCE PURCHASED. 2. THIS CAR HAS ALWAYS AND STILL HAS A HARD RIGHT PULL SINCE PURCHASE (CAR WILL PULL INTO ADJACENT LANE WITHIN 200-250 FEET). MY PREVIOUS 2012 PASSAT TDI SEL STEERED STAIGHT. MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS ISSUE ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, TO NO AVAIL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

CAR OWNER WAS DRIVING AT APPROX. 60MPH REACHED ACROSS THE SEAT THE CAR SWERVED SHE OVER CORRECTED TWICE DUE TO VERY "TOUCHY" STEERING. THE CAR THEN CAREENED ACROSS FOUR LANES OF TRAFFIC, AND DOWN A 30FT EMBANKMENT BOUNCING OFF SEVERAL TREES. THEN STRIKING ONE HEAD ON WITH ENOUGH FORCE AS TO BEND AND PUSH BACK THE FRAME. NONE OF THE FIVE AIR BAGS THIS CAR IS FACTORY EQUIPPED WITH DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MANY BUMPS AND BRUISES ALONG WITH A SHATTERED ANKLE WHICH REQUIRED SURGERY TO PLACE TWO STEEL PLATES IN HER ANKLE. RECOVERY IS EXPECTED BUT IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS. UPON REPORTING THE CRASH AND NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, ALL THE SALESMAN HAD TO SAY WAS "THANKS FOR GETTING OUR LEMON OFF OUR LOT". *TR

BRAND NEW CAR AND THE PLASTIC OVER THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG IS CRACKING AND DISINTEGRATING. IT HAS FORMED A CRACK THAT IS STARTING AT THE BOTTOM AND FORMING A CIRCLE AROUND THE EMBLEM IN THE CENTER. RESEMBLES A QUESTION MARK. PICTURE OF IT STARTING SHOWN HERE IN THE LOWER RIGHT OF THE EMBLEM. HTTP://S191.PHOTOBUCKET.COM/USER/LIGHTFLYER1/MEDIA/2013%20PASSAT%20TDI%20SEL/IMG_20130603_122923_ZPS5DBE1CA3.JPG.HTML OTHER REPORTED OCCURRENCES AT WWW.TDICLUB.COM HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?P=4206936#POST4206936. *TR

I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES SINCE ORIGINAL PURCHASE FOR CONCERNS WITH THE SUSPENSION. AT NORMAL OPERATING SPEEDS, THE CAR WILL PULL TO THE RIGHT VERY QUICKLY ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. AT 65+ MPH, ANY ROAD CHANGES FORCE THE CAR TO JUMP LANES. IT FEELS LIKE DRIVING A BOAT IN ROUGH WATER. I WAS TOLD EACH TIME THAT EVERYTHING IS IN SPEC. THE CAR WILL LURCH OFF THE SHOULDER DURING TURNS THAT HAVE ANY MINOR ROUGH PATCHES AT ALL. THIS HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT NOW WHERE WE CANNOT OPERATE THE CAR SAFELY.

AS MANY OTHERS HAVE STATED ON THIS SITE AND ALL OVER THE INTERNET, THE BACK-UP CAMERA IS RIDICULOUSLY SLOW TO COME ON. MOST TIMES, I CAN BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, STOP, AND BE GOING FORWARD DOWN THE STREET BEFORE THE BACK-UP CAMERA EVEN COMES ON. AT THAT POINT, I'M DRIVING UP TO A BLOCK AWAY WITH MY BACK-UP CAMERA STILL ON. WHILE MOST OF THE TIME THIS IS SIMPLY AN ANNOYING INCONVENIENCE, IT IS ALSO A VERY REAL SAFETY ISSUE. ONE OF THE REASONS I BUY CARS WITH BACK-UP CAMERAS IS TO MAKE SURE I'M ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING SMALL (LIKE A CHILD, BIKE, ETC.) BEHIND THE CAR WHILE BACKING THAT MY MIRRORS WON'T SHOW. MY LEXUS ALSO HAS THIS CAMERA (AS DID MY PRIUS THAT I TRADED FOR THE PASSAT) AND IT CAME ON WITHIN ONE SECOND OF PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE. THE PASSAT IS ROUTINELY TAKING 6-8 SECONDS, AND HAS TAKEN AS LONG AS 15 SECONDS TO TURN ON. I'VE NOTICED THAT IT IS NOT JUST THE CAMERA THAT IS SLOW. MANY OF THE OTHER FUNCTIONS OF THE TOUCH SCREEN ARE ALSO SLOW TO REACT. THE VW DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM SAYS THAT VW IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT IT IS SIMPLY A SLOW PROCESSOR SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. *TR

TAKATA RECALL. NO REMEDY IS YET AVAILABLE AND THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS A RESULT OF THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG.

MY FIRST WEEK WITH THIS CAR AND THE BRAKES START TO MAKE THE NASTIEST SOUND. IT WAS AS IF IT HAD NO BRAKE PADS. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND ASKED THEM WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR I SUSPECTED THE BRAKES FROM THE START. I HAD TO TAKE IT IN AND THEY CHECKED THEIR SITE AND IT REPORTED THAT ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR THE CARS CAME WITH A DEFECT IN THE BRAKES. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THEM WITH NEW ONES. 2 MONTHS LATER IT STARTS UP AGAIN. THE BAD THING IS THAT VW NEVER ADMITS TO THEIR FAULTY CARS. THEY SET ME UP WITH HIGH PAYMENTS AND WONT HELP ME WITH ANY OF MY CONCERNS. THE CAR IS NICE NO DOUBT ABOUT IT BUT WHY WOULD I WANT TO STAY WITH A FAULTY CAR AND HIGH PAYMENTS? MAKES NO SENSE! *TR

2013 Volkswagen Passat [XXX] I received a recall notice for the Takata driver airbag inflator in 2016, and as of July 2025, I am still being told by Volkswagen that the repair is “Not Yet Available” and will not be until September 2025. This means I will have waited over 9 years for a critical safety repair. I live in Texas, a region identified by NHTSA as high-risk for airbag explosion due to heat and humidity. I’m requesting NHTSA’s assistance in holding Volkswagen accountable for this delay and in compelling the manufacturer to provide a safe alternative or transportation accommodation immediately. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I PURCHASED THE VW PASSAT IN DECEMBER 2012. I NOTICED WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK THE SLOW RESPONSE OF THE NAVIGATION BUT I THOUGHT MAYBE BECAUSE OF THE COLD WEATHER. I LIVE IN MICHIGAN. WHEN SPRING CAME AROUND I STILL SAW THE SLOW RESPONSE AND IT WAS AGITATING ME. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND BACK OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND THE CAMERA STILL DOESN'T COME ON TILL AFTER. AT THE SAME TIME MY SEAT WAS SQUEAKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE SEAT IS FINE AND THEY WILL ASK ABOUT THE NAVI UNIT. AT ONE POINT THE NAVI RESTARTED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND SHOWED THEM HOW SLOW IT RESPONDS AND THEY GOT APPROVAL TO REPLACE IT. I ALSO SHOWED THEM THE SEAT THEY LOOKED AND SAW THAT IT WAS CRACKED. HOW CAN A SEAT CRACK? THE SECOND NAVI UNIT HAD THE SAME RESPONSE TIME. IT ALSO RESTARTED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CALLED VW AND THE TECHNICIAN ON THE PHONE TOLD THEM THAT THE SD CARD I AM USING FOR MY MUSIC IS TO LARGE OF MEMORY PROBABLY THAT'S WHY ITS SLOW. NOW I AM AN ENGINEER AND THAT IS JUST ABSURD. I CALLED VW AND THEY SAID I CANT TALK TO A TECHNICAL EXPERT THEY WILL HAVE TO CALL THE DEALER SHIP. HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING AND THE DEALER HAS NOT AS WELL. I THEN MOVED ALL MY MUSIC TO THE INTERNAL HARD DRIVE AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID WILL CALL THEM AND EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT IS HAPPENING. THE MUSIC IS NOT THE PROBLEM EVEN WITH OUT ANY MUSIC THE UNIT IS VERY LAGGING. IF THE NAVIGATION UNIT BOOT UP IS SLOW THAT IS FINE. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CAMERA IF I CAN BACK OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY OR ANY PARKING SPOT START TO DRIVE THEN SEE THE CAMERA. NOW SOMETIMES IT WORKS BUT MOST OF THE TIME THE UNIT TAKES CLOSE TO A MINUTE OR SO TO BOOT UP. ALSO THE NEW SEAT THEY PUT IN IS BEGINNING TO SQUEAK AGAIN. *TR

1. THE LIGHTING RECALL I HAVE HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT LEAST 4XS FOR LIGHT.. THE LIGHT IS STILL NOT FIXED, EVERY TIME THE HOOD IS OPEN AND CLOSED THE LIGHT GOES OUT. 2. I WAS SENT RECALL LETTER ABOUT AIRBAG, I WENT TO HAVE IT FIXED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SENSOR GOT WET AND ITS MY RESPONSIBILITY AND WAS CHARGED ALOMOST 1K TO FIX IT.3. MY CAR WHILE DRIVING SAYS SETTINGS ARE NOT ACCESSIBLE, THIS IS CONSTANT AND ITS NOT AS THOUGH IM TRYING TO CHANGE THE SETTINGS, WHILE DRIVING. ALSO THE LAST TIME I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE I PAID FOR MY AC FILTER TO BE CHANGED AND IT WASN'T THEY SAID MY TIRES WERE OK THEY WERE NOT. I HAVE BEEN KICKED OUT OF ONE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS CLEARLY A RACIST. I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS AND WHEN I CALL VW OF AMERICA IM PUT ON HOLD, JUST TO BE TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. NOW THEY ARE CALLING ME OVER, AND OVER TO EXTEND MY WARRANTY, I PAID FOR MY CAR IN FULL.. I CANT GET ONE PERSON TO TAKE MY ISSUES SERIOUSLY, I CAN BARELY SEE THE ROAD WHEN DRIVING, THE CARS SETTINGS CONSTANTLY CHANGE. LAST BUT NOT LEAST I PAID FOR COSMETIC ISSUES AND HAD A NEW BATTERY PUT IN ALL WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. BECAUSE THE SERVICE MANAGER KICKED ME OUT OF DEALERSHIP.

PURCHASED THE CAR IN DECEMBER OF 2012. APPROXIMATELY MARCH OF 2013 AT 4,900 MILES THE TURBO BEGAN TO "WHINE" AND FAILED. WAS REPLACED BY VW AFTER APPROXIMATELY 12 DAYS. MAY OF 2015, AT 50,000 MILES, THE TURBO FAILED AGAIN, STARTING WITH "WHINE", FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF POWER AND A "FLASHING GLOWPLUG LIGHT." SECOND TURBO REPLACED BY VW. CLEARLY A DESIGN DEFECT FOR THE ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT PART. VW HAS EXTENDED THE FACTORY WARRANTY ON THIS DEFECTIVE PART UNTIL 120,000 MILES, BUT SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO REPLACE THIS PART FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE AS THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH THE INTENT OF DRIVING IT FOR MORE THAN 120,000 MILES. THERE ARE MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES/REPORTS OF TURBO FAILURE FOR THE 2012-2014 PASSAT TDIS LISTED AT WWW.TDICLUB.COM . THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENGINE CAN OCCUR WHEN THE TURBO FAILS AS WELL AS DAMAGE TO THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER AND OTHER EXHAUST/EMISSION CONTROL PARTS.

THE BACKUP CAMERA IN THIS VEHICLE FREQUENTLY FAILS TO ACTIVATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN REVERSE. VW OFFICIALS ACKNOWLEDGE, IN A WRITTEN RESPONSE, A DELAY TIME OF ONE (1) TO TWO (2) MINUTES BEFORE THE CAMERA WILL ACTIVATE. IT IS AN UNREASONABLE EXPECTATION, FROM A CONSUMER / DRIVER STANDPOINT, TO WAIT 1 TO 2 MINUTES FOR A CAMERA TO ACTIVATE FOR A DRIVER TO DETERMINE IF IT IS SAFE TO BACKUP. VW CONTINUES TO IGNORE THIS DEFICIENCY DESPITE THE NUMBER OF DEATHS AND INJURIES EACH YEAR CAUSED BY BACKUP ACCIDENTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CRASH FORCED THE VEHICLE INTO A CONCRETE WALL. A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE WALL A SECOND TIME. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE SCENE AND SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION AT THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2013 VW PASSAT FROM CRESTMONT VW, POMPTON PLAINS, NJ. THE CAR DROVE EXTREMELY WELL FOR THE FIRST FEW WEEKS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THERE WERE LOUD BEEPING AND WARNING SOUNDS FROM THE DASHBOARD CONTROL PANEL AND THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE SPEED. UPON VW SUGGESTION, WE TOOK IT TO CRESTMONT SERVICE DEPT. IT APPEARS THERE WAS MOTOR OIL SPEWING ALL OVER THE ENGINE. A WEEK LATER THERE WERE LOUD NOISES EMANATING FROM THE ROOF AREA EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE NEGOTIATED A BUMP IN THE ROAD. ONCE AGAIN CRESTMONT VW SERVICE DEPT. EXAMINED THE CAR AND THEY DETERMINED THE ENTIRE SUNROOF PANEL HAD TO BE DISMANTLED IN ORDER FOR ADDITIONAL INSULATION COULD BE ADDED TO THE ENTIRE ROOF, TO DAMPEN THE SOUNDS DURING NORMAL, CURSORY DRIVING CONDITIONS. BOB GROSS, THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER AT CRESTMONT VW HAS LEFT ME A DETAILED VOICEMAIL INFORMING ME THAT HE RECEIVED A TECH BULLETIN FROM VW, NOTIFYING ALL DEALERS THAT THERE WERE PLASTIC SHAVINGS LEFT BEHIND DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS THAT CAUSED THE OIL TANK TO RUPTURE, RESULTING IN MOTOR OIL TO GUSH PROFUSELY, WHICH CAN LEAD THE CAR TO STALL AND POSSIBLY THE ENGINE TO CEASE. I HAVE WRITTEN TO [XXX], GM FOR VW NORTH AMERICA, AND TO [XXX], PRESIDENT AND CEO OF VW NORTH AMERICA. NEITHER OF THEM DENY THE CLAIMS. IT IS CLEARLY EVIDENT THIS VEHICLE NEED ADDITIONAL SCRUTINY TO RECTIFY THE INHERENT FLAWS, SHORTCOMINGS AND INADEQUACIES THAT ARE PREVALENT FROM THE LACK OF OVERSIGHT DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THE SOLE OPERATOR OF THIS VEHICLE IS MY SON WHO RECENTLY TURNED 17. *TR

DRIVING MY PASSAT TURBO DIESEL ON I-81 NOTED A LOSS IN POWER; DROVE THE CAR HOME (ABOUT ANOTHER 3 MILES) AND NOTED A STRANGE HUMMING SOUND FROM UNDER THE HOOD. NEXT DAY THE SOUND WAS STILL THERE, WITH A BLINKING GLOW PLUG LIGHT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. SPOKE WITH DEALER AND CAR WAS TOWED IN; TWO WEEKS LATER THE CAR WAS BACK WITH A NEW TURBO IN IT. *TR

OUR NEW 2013 TDI PASSAT, FROM DAY ONE HAS HAD THE ISSUE OF INTERMITTENTLY DRAGGING, PULLING CRUNCHING NOISE COASTING THROUGH A CORNER IN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. IT VARIES FROM A SOFT TUG AND CRUNCH NOISE, TO SO HARD IT PULLS YOU INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC! IT SEEMS TO BE WHILE MAINTAINING SPEED OR COASTING, NEVER WHILE BRAKING. AFTER ABOUT 3-4TH TIME INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND EVERYTHING CHECKING OUT FINE, WE FINALLY GOT THEM TO COME UP AND RIDE WITH ME ON OUR ROAD. (WE DO LIVE ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD THAT IS A POSTED 55MPH WITH SOME 40MPH CURVES) THE CAR DID IT AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID, "HMMM." HE SAID ITS THEIR TOP OF THE LINE CAR AND THINKS ITS THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM. I ASKED IF IT WAS ONLY IN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL? HE SAID "NO." I ASKED HOW COME IT DRAGS AND PULLS THE FRONT LEFT NO MATTER IF IT'S A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, AND IS IT SUPPOSED TO DO IT SO HARD SOME TIMES THAT IT PULLS YOU INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC? HE SAID "NO."HE SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE A SYSTEMS ISSUE BECAUSE WE HAVE KNOWN OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE TAKEN THEIR TDI'S IN FOR THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE SO IT'S NOT JUST A SENSOR IN THIS PARTICULAR CAR. WE CALLED 3 DAYS LATER TO SEE IF THEY HAD A RESOLVE AND THEY SAID THE CAR IS "FINE AND FUNCTIONING NORMAL, THAT I TOOK THE CORNER 8 MPH TOO FAST AND THE CAR DID IT'S JOB"!! I AM CONCERNED FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AS WE HAVE STATED NUMEROUS TIMES AND GIVEN THEM EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THIS AND YET TO NO AVAIL. THIS CAR DOES THIS EVERYDAY. IT'S NOT NORMAL TO SAY TO YOUR SPOUSE THAT IF I'M INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON OUR ROAD, ESPECIALLY A HEAD-ON, IT WAS THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL THAT DID IT. THESE CARS HAVE A SAFETY DEFECT IN THIS SYSTEM AND I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW. I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO FROM HERE. *TR

TAKATA RECALL ON AIRBAG. THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR YEARS NOW. NO REPLACEMENT IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS A FAMILY CAR. NEED IT REPLACED OR CAR BOUGHT BACK ASAP!

THE REAR VIEW CAMERA TAKES 10-15 SECONDS TO START UP NEGATING THE SAFETY IT IS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE. VW USA NOTIFIED AND WERE NOT HELPFUL AND SAID THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM.

STEERING: VEHICLE PULLS TO AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT POTENTIALLY LEADING TO INJURY OR DEATH. IT DOES NOT TRACK STRAIGHT AT ALL, NO MATTER IF IT'S ON THE LEFT LANE OF THE ROAD, CENTER CROWN OF THE ROAD OR IN THE RIGHT LANE (NO CURVES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP OVER 4 TIMES THINKING IT MAY BE AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THE SECOND TIME THAT IT PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT AS A "SAFETY MEASURE", TO LEAD THE CAR TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER TO GET OFF THE ROAD ON TO THE SHOULDER. ASKED THE SERVICE ADVISOR TO SHOW ME WHERE VW HAD DISCLOSED THIS AS A "SAFETY" MEASURE. THERE WAS NO SUCH DOCUMENTATION. I TOOK IT IN TO ANOTHER VW DEALERSHIP IN MY SAME CITY. THEY DID WHAT THEY SAID WAS THE 'BEST THEY COULD DO WITHOUT EXCEEDING VW'S SPECIFICATIONS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT AND THE SECOND DEALERSHIP ADMITTED TO ME THAT VW WAS HAVING SOME PROBLEMS WITH THIS ISSUE. LIGHTS/ELECTRICAL: THE LOW BEAM LIGHT WENT OUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO ONE OF THE DEALERSHIPS IN MY CITY. I THOUGHT IT WENT OUT TOO SOON BUT SUSPECT IT WAS AN ISSUE. IT TURNED OUT TO BE MORE THEN A SIMPLE BURNT OUT BULB. THE WHOLE LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF WHAT THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME WAS INDEED A PROBLEM VW WAS HAVING WITH THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MAKING CONTINUOUS CONTACT (LIKE A PLUG & RECEPTACLE). HE STATED THAT THEY HAD CHANGED THE DESIGN IN THE 2014 MODELS BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT IN THE 2013 MODELS. I REQUESTED THAT SINCE IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE, I WOULD LIKE THEM TO RETROFIT OR CHANGE OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT. HE STATED TO ME HE WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO CHANGE THE DEFECTIVE UNIT UNTIL IT ACTUALLY FAILS. THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AS IT CAN HAPPEN AT NIGHT WHEN LIGHTS ARE REALLY NEEDED, AND DURING THE DAY IF LIGHTS NEED TO BE ON FOR SAFETY WHERE IT IS REQUIRED ON SOME OF THE MORE DANGEROUS ROADS. GET IT IN WRITING WHAT IS WRONG-NO GLOSSING OVER. *TR

BACKUP CAMERA IS SLOW TO START. MAY TAKE FROM 5 TO 20 SECONDS TO BECOME OPERATIONAL AFTER START UP. THIS IS HAZARD WITH RESPECT TO RELIANCE ON BACKUP CAMERAS BY DRIVERS TO SEE OBSTRUCTIONS BEHIND THE CAR. FAILURE OF CAMERA TO START UP QUICKLY RESULTS IN REDUCED SAFETY BECAUSE DRIVERS WILL BACK UP WITHOUT CAMERA OPERATIONAL. I CAN START MY CAR AND BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND REACH THE CORNER OF MY BLOCK BEFORE THE CAMERA STARTS UP AND SHOWS ME THE ROAD DISAPPEARING BEHIND ME. A CAMERA DOES NOT REPLACE DRIVER OBLIGATIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT OBSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT BEHIND THEIR CAR, BUT THE CAMERA IS ALSO THERE TO BE A SAFETY FEATURE AND IT IS NOT RELIABLE AS A SAFETY FEATURE DO TO ITS EXTREMELY SLOW START UP. INDIVIDUALS DO NOT LIKE TO WAIT 30 SECONDS AT A STOP LIGHT MUCH LESS 20 JUST TO BACK OUT OF THEIR DRIVEWAY. THIS IS A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED TO ENSURE THAT THE BACKUP CAMERA IS A RELIABLE SAFETY FEATURE AS IT WAS INTENDED. *TR

THE BACKUP CAMERA IS VERY SLOW TO RESPOND WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE (15-25 SECONDS). FREQUENTLY, THE CAMERA WILL NOT ACTIVATE UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETED BACKING UP AND THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO DRIVE. VOLKSWAGEN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, HAVING IDENTIFIED IT IN A VW TECHNICAL BULLETIN. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARE IN AUBURN, MI, ABOUT RESOLVING THE ISSUE. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM[XXX], DATED 22 APRIL 2013, WHICH STATED: ". . . YOUR VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS PER ITS DESIGNED INTENT. AS SUCH, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE A REPAIR TO [THE] SYSTEM." INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 05/05/14.*JB