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.
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.
October 2014 was turning into driveway from the street at slow speed and heard a crunch while turning the wheel. After completion of the turn the light for the airbag came on and none of the steering wheel controls worked.had dealer repair clock spring and associated items in column.November 2015 we were making a U-turn on a public road, at slow speed, at the completion of the turn there was a resistance in the column and a crunch, followed by the airbag light coming on and no steering wheel controls working. The airbag light is still on, there is constant crunching sounds from the column and the dealer says its been more than a year its not covered under warranty(the previous replacement at more than $500) and that they know of no recall or safety issue with the clockspring or airbag on these cars.
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V483000 (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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the air bags and engine lights remained illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was jumpstarted and taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the source of the failure, but clearly stated that the battery was good. The failure recurred several times. The contact also received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V483000 (air bags) but had not contacted a dealer or the manufacturer for the remedy. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 83,000.
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.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
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The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. While driving 5 mph and attempting to make a turn, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. In addition, the controls on the steering wheel failed to function. The seat belt and the air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V483000 (air bags). The failure mileage was 60,000.
Heard a small snap in steering wheel while 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
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.
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.
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.
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 updated 09/17/15 updated 11/22/2017
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
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.
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. www.edmunds.com/car-news/feds-probe-2012-Volkswagen-Passat-cc-because-drivers-airbag-may-not-deploy-properly.html
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.
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.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cincinatti, OH, USA