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.
I received a recall notice on my car 14 months ago, and immediately got it fixed. The recall was for my steering wheel clock spring- this affects my horn, airbags, and hands free phone option. I got it fixed in July 2017. 14 months later (today) it broke again. This is an obvious fault on Volkswagen's part. Because its after 12 months, they will not honor the broken part and fix it. I would have to pay out of pocket for the part that cost $300. This a safety issue, and I am afraid my airbags will not work, let alone my horn absolutely does not work. Volkswagen should honor this issue, and make an exception, since it is a two months difference.
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. While the vehicle was stationary, the air bag indicator illuminated without warning. Volkswagen reading (2746 bernvillee rd, leesport, Pennsylvania 19533, (610) 777-6500) stated that the clockspring needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with case number: 181-245-460. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 15V483000 (air bags). The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. While driving 65 mph, the contact crashed into the rear of a 2018 Honda Accord. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company to an independent mechanic. The vehicle damages had not been determined. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 125,298.
Clock spring failure resulting in airbag, steering wheel control, and horn malfunction. This seems to be a big issue with other VW owners by doing a simple google search.
When we took the car in for the takata recall, service dept. Told us the clockspring needed to be replaced. After being charged more than $400, we looked into it to discover that it had been replaced under a different recall in 2016. Upon further investigation, we found that many other VW owners have experienced the same thing. We'd like to be added to the list of customers who didn't receive adequate repairs under safety recall #69L2, and to find out what the status is on the NHTSA investigation into this matter.
- Kettering, OH, USA
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Clockspring failed 6 months after I got it fixed under recall. Little noise coming from steering wheel, air bag light is on, horn and all steering wheel controls do not work.
Steering wheel, upon parking, made a strange noise and then what sounded like a break of a plastic clip. Noise continued as I turned wheel the other way. Error on drivers side air bag appeared on display as well air bag icon appearing on console. Immediately called dealership and asked if car safe to drive and was told to bring car as soon as possible. Was only 2 miles away so I did and they were nice enough to look at car right then. Turned out to be clockspring which had been replaced in February of 2016, an initial recall of clock spring. So now the recall workaround needs a workaround.
The airbag clock spring was replaced under a recall in February 2017 but failed again in may of 2018. From what I am seeing on the internet this seems to be a common recall failure with this vehicle. VW customer care and its warranty dept will cover the cost of a replacement part but not labor.
On 01/10/18 I took my vehicle in for some recalls. On 05/22/18, I heard noise coming from the steering column, the airbag warning light illuminated on the dashboard and all of the steering-mounted controls failed. This occurred while I was driving, and can hear the noises most when turning. Based on my research and talk with other VW drivers, it appears to be the clock spring (which had a recall on it, and was supposed to have been fixed). I understand there is no active recall on this issue, however, does this not indicate the recall performed failed? that being said, I dont feel safe driving around in a vehicle that says my airbag wont deploy if I am in an accident.
Clock spring failed after being "fixed" by previous recall. In early 2016 I had the recall on my clock spring. I took it to a dealer where they put on the cover that was supposed to fix the clock spring issue. Two days ago my airbag light came on while driving and today I noticed my horn and the controls on my steering wheel do not work. VW will not fix the part even though it wasn't actually replaced during the previous recall.
My vehcile was recalled for a defective clockspring. The remedy was to replace the clockspring if the airbag light was on and install a shield if the airbag light was off. My vehcile did not have a light so a shield was installed over the defective (but not yet failed) clockspring. Subsequently, the clockspring has failed and Volkswagen refused to replace the clockspring per the recall. VW stated that once the recall was performed, either way, that is it completed and they are no longer responsible for it. The recall does not state that once a shield is installed that you can never again be covered by the recall. I think this practice of "shielding" against the future failure of a defective part is not safe or fair. I think that a recall that has more than one remedy should remain open to the other remedy if those conditions are met.
My airbag light came on and the horn stopped working as well as the buttons on the steering wheel. Took my car to the dealership for 2 recalls and they said the problem is with my clock spring. One of the recalls they are doing replaces the clock spring cover. They quoted me a new clock spring for ~$500. They are replaced the clock spring cover for a clock spring that is defective.
In March of 2016 our clock spring was replaced due to a NHTSA mandated recall. In October of 2017 our airbag was replaced in the takata recall. In January of 2018 the horn started malfunctioning while turning the steering wheel and at times while going straight. This occurred while we were traveling out of town. Fuse was pulled and then replaced by dealer when brought in for service. Couldn't duplicate issue. Same issue occurred end of April. Brought in for service and they informed us the clock spring was broken. It was not under warranty and would be $741 to fix. We declined. We feel this should be covered since a recalled replacement part has failed again in less than two years.
Airbag warning light comes on dash when driving. It appears to only come on while driving on the highway at over 50 mph. I have had current takata recall warranty work completed already. Volkswagen said this is a separate issue and would not cover under recall warranty. Specifically, they said the air bags will not deploy while this warning light is on if involved in an accident.
Takata inflators were changed due to recall in Jan 2018. In April 2018 I heard a strange noise & then the airbag light came on. Then I realized that only info showing on my panel was the phone hookup, along with the airbag light. I checked the horn & that did not work either. After checking fuses we called the dealership & made an appt to have it checked. We are told it is the clockspring that needs to be replaced. Cost is over $500. We called Volkswagen customer service & they stayed we had the clock spring replaced in 2016 under a recall. However we have no recollection of this being done. This noise & then the clicking & other issues connected to the clock spring happened as I was backing out of a parking spot in a shopping area. This can be very dangerous being that the airbag would not deploy if & when needed. Also I was almost hit by a vehicle that decided to backup without looking & I couldn't use my horn to warn the other driver. Thank god he realized what he was doing. As for the dealership saying they replaced the clock spring in may of 2016, my question is why was that replaced then & not the airbags" also, being there was recall on the airbag & it was being done, why didn't they redo the clock spring. I love the Passat but I don't want to get in an accident because of shoddy workmanship! I noticed a lot of other complaints about the clock spring & would like to know why you are not taking care of this issue" I feel that Volkswagen is having its customers pay for the airbag recall labor being that the clock spring goes bad shortly after repairs are done to the recalled airbag.
Clock spring was changed in 2016 and takata recall airbag was changed in March. After the airbag was replaced I heard clicking noises when turning my steering wheel and now my airbag error light is on. My horn doesnt work and my buttons to control radio do not work. I brought to dealership where the takata recall was done and they diagnosed it with open broken clock spring and power steering gear broken. They do not want to take responisbility for the clock spring since it was changed in 2016. I have made a case with Volkswagen against this particular dealership.
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. While driving 30 mph, there was an abnormal scraping noise. Also, the air bag indicator illuminated and the horn failed to sound. The vehicle was taken to niello Volkswagen (2701 arden way, sacramento, ca 95825) where it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the repairs were previously completed; therefore, no further assistance would be provided. The failure mileage was 47,789.
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. When the vehicle was started, the air bag indicator illuminated and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to Ontario Volkswagen (701 South kettering dr, Ontario, ca, 91761) where it was diagnosed that the clock spring was out of warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the warranty expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Carfax not able to display VIN records updated 9/26/18
Got a recall on clock spring in 2016 had it repaired. Went out and light is now on. Told I have to replace the whole clock spring for over $500. I was told it happens, but I just saw that there is an investigation. Dealer told me that I am responsible.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ambler, PA, USA