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.
We took our car in for service on 8/11/18 due to the air bag light coming on and steering wheel functions no longer working. The dealership confirmed the issue with the clockspring and stated that because our car was out of warranty that we would be responsible for repairs. We stated that this seems like an issue with defective equipment since the car is only 5 yrs old as well as a safety issue with the vehicle. We escalated the issue to the corporate customer service. The rep stated again that they would not cover the repairs because the car was past its warranty. We conducted our own research on recalls for this vehicle as there has been others (I.e. air bag and adblue heater). We located the 2015 recall on the clock spring and discussed this with VW customer service as well. They refused to acknowledge our vehicle as one of the ones affected even though we are experiencing the same issues. We are concerned with this safety issue as we are not able to use the horn, the airbag is inoperable as well.
Takata recall: On November 17, 2017, took 2013 VW Passat to chapman Volkswagen (4500 E 22nd St; 85711) to replace airbags. Clock spring fail: On August 29, 2018, took 2013 VW Passat back to chapman Volkswagen since 'check maintenance airbag' light on, horn not working, and the dials for radio/ bluetooth not working. Informed by service tech that clock spring failed so need to remove/replace and could not find recall re:clock spring based on VIN. Billed and paid $672.80.
Recall #94G8 on 8/26/2014 I had my vehicle in for servicing at the dealership from which I had purchased it. They informed me that in addition to the routine servicing they would be addressing a recall issue regarding the "low beam headlights". the invoice I received shows the work performed. Flash forward 4 years almost to the date, I wake in the morning to leave for work to see that neither of my low beam headlights are working. I called the dealership to get the issue resolved asap. While at the dealership later that day they looked the car over and come back with an estimate of $950 to fully replace both headlight assemblies based off the fact that there is power to the light sockets, but not to the bulbs. This seems to be an issue that would be very closely related to the issue the recall was issued for. Yet because they have performed the initial solution meet the recall resolution specifications, Volkswagen is not required to do anything further. How is this possible? if a specified resolution to a safety recall issue fails, the manufacturer should be made to look further into a better resolution, at no charge to the consumer. It most certainly is nothing that I did that caused the issue. The problem wouldn't exist at all if the design by the manufacturer wasn't flawed.
My clock spring was supposedly replaced in 08/17 by a VW dealer before I bought the car from Chevy. When I took my car in because air bag light was on and no steering wheel controls worked, I was informed that I had an open circuit in my clock spring and since it had already been repaired by the recall I would have to pay for it this time.
- Clifton, AZ, USA
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My steering wheel has been making a crunching noise. While driving on the interstate, I got off at an exit to purchase food. While turning into a parking lot, one loud crunch noise happened and the drivers side airbag light came on. I also noticed that I lost all electronic functions in the steering wheel. I was very concerned since I still had an hours drive home and was unsure if the car was safe or not.
My vehicle was a part of the vehicles that had the clockspring recall. I took it to a VW dealership to have the recall fixed and exactly one year after they 'fixed' the clockspring, it ceased to work again. Now the airbag warning light is on, the horn does not work, and neither do any of the steering wheel controls. VW refuses to fix the issue without a charge of upwards of $500, stating that because it is not apart of the initial recall it is not their responsibility.
I have the same issue as investigation rq 17-009. My clockspring was part of a recall with previous owner having the recall completed in 2017. Now the clockspring is broken once again. I contacted VW and they informed me the recall is closed and on me to fix or dealer I purchased the car through. This is a VW issue. I heard and felt the clock spring pop while making a hard turn a few days ago. Lost all hand controls, horn and airbag light. This is a serious safety issue with no airbag.
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. While parking the vehicle, the air bag error warning illuminated and all the electrical components turned off. As a result, the contact could not use the horn or the radio. The dealer (roseville Volkswagen, 830 automall dr, roseville, ca 95661) stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V483000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Clock spring has failed in less than a month after clock spring recall in January of 2018. Steering controls are not functional, air bag error light is on, I assume driver's side airbag is currently non functional. Turned the vehicle and heard a pop sound originating from the steering column, lost steering control, and air bag error immediately followed.
Left front lowbeam went out, replaced bulb but still comes on intermittently. Contacted VW and my car was not part of original recall, however my VW dealer has said hundreds of this make and model not covered under original recall have had same issue.
A 2013 Volkswagen Passat, on January 7the airbag warning light came on and "error: Airbag" warning was displayed. The horn no longer works and the buttons around the steering wheel are inoperable. The vehicle was taken to VW in findlay, oh where it was diagnosed that the takaka airbag recall was in effect for this vehicle and that recalled part was replaced. However the steering wheel makes a clicking noise when it is turned, the buttons around the steering wheel are still not working and the airbag warning light and "error:airbag" warning is still on.
Periodically while driving, the seat belt light will come on, the the driver's seat belt will lose tension. The push start button has be pressed multiple times in order for the vehicle to start. I receive the error message on the dash, "key not in range" when the key fob is on my person. The built-in traction does not handle well, because the weight distribution is not 50/50. There is entirely too much body roll for this vehicle. The 2013 Volkswagen Passat 3.6 sel should have been manufactured as an all-wheel drive, and a hard body. The transmission is sluggish between 1st and 2nd gears. I used to own a 2005 Volkswagen Passat glx V6 4motion, and it was a much better build quality than the 2013 Passat. The quality of Volkswagen Passat is in major decline, and is not the same as it was in the early 2000S.
Takata recall after having my air bags replaced on 5/5/2017 I discovered my horn will not function. When I called the dealership who installed the replacement takata airbag they told me I would be charged for the repair. I told them they failed in their air bag replacement repair work. I did not make an appointment. So now my car is unsafe as I do not have a horn. The Volkswagen dealership is Volkswagen of murrieta, 41300 date street, murrieta, ca 92562, 951-894-6555.
Clock spring recall. Was fixed in 2016 but is again broken and VW refuses to reimburse the dealer or cover the cost of the repair. Due to this recalled part not being repaired properly, my airbag light is on, I do not have a horn, cruise control, not have the ability to use my steering wheel controls. This, I feel is also relevant to the airbag recall. I cannot sell my car with this issue, nor do I have the $ to fix it. It is dangerous to drive it, as it already has an airbag not working, the airbag light on and no horn. I have contacted both the dealership and VW and they refuse to cover the cost of this recalled part.
The repaired clock spring failed again per dealer. So the air bag doesn't work and neither does the horn or any other steering wheel controls. She was driving and turned the steering wheel and heard a pop !
Takata recall - I'm placing myself in debt due to the repairs for a car that isn't that old. I'm having electrical problems, steering wheel and brake issues. This company has numerous issues, recalls and legal issues with their cars. I din't sign-up to pay all this money out of pocket, and the airbag recall still isn't available. They were supposed to fix the steering wheel recall, and now my horn doesn't work or any controls on the steering unit. Now how much more money do I have to put into this car" I'm going to notify the better business bureau. I expect certain expenses, but this is a bit much and unfair to the consumer to incur more debt than anticipated. I have obligations and I have to be at work and can't afford to be off due to all these mechanical issues. Especially when the consumer is paying a car note and the car was never reported in an accident. What do you propose I do at this point"
I purchased my car in 2014. I started having issues with the car as soon as I bought it. I started hearing a metal noise and I took it 3 times to the dealer and they could not find anything, then I had a problem with the A/C supposedly they fixed. During this time the car was still under warranty. Since 2015 I been receiving by mail a recall (safety recall 69M9) every time I contact the dealer they always say the don't have the air bag in stock. Has been 2 years since I received the first letter and they still have not received the air bags, and for this reason they have been unable to service my car. I feel very unsafe! driving the car like this! now in 2017 another problem arise, when I am driving the car suddenly brakes / stops. ( feels like it is going to turned off on the middle of the road) the epc light comes on. This is the 4th time in happens while driving. For example the first 3 times I was driving at 40 miles per hour and the car starting shaking and the speed decreased down to 20 miles, I tried to accelerate and the car didn't response. I had to pull over and turn off the car. I can definitely tell is getting worst! it happened again yesterday and was worst, I was driving at 30 miles per hour and I came to a stop as soon as I brake, the epc light came on and the car will not accelerate. The car behind me almost hit me, I could be dead! how is possible that a 2013 car has some many problems/"? is only 4 years old and has more issues than an older car. I don't feel safe driving this car. It stops suddenly while driving and it won't accelerate. I have to pull out turn off the car wait and turn it back on. What about if I'm driving in an express way?? and the car stops suddenly" someone will crash into me! and we both could die!
My wife was driving car makes a turn and hears a noise in steering wheel. The drivers side air bag light comes on. Upon further investigation the steering wheel electric controls also do not work. Online research shows voluntary recall by VW for certain 2010- 2014 Passats for clock spring. Bring to local mechanic who tells me clock spring is bad and I should bring it to VW for repairunder recall. Call my dealer in riverhead NY who informs me that even though the Passat is in recall range the VIN is not part of recall at this time.VW has recall for 420,000 cars for clock spring but for some reason mine is not included and I will have to pay $400 for repair. Recall needs to be expanded.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Benicia, CA, USA