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.
Was driving 2013 Passat tdi sel just fine. Turned around in a parking lot and when I went to pull back into traffic, the car had no power. Stepping on the gas almost made the car stall, but it would idle fine. After trying everything and even shutting the car off and restarting, it did the same, would idle fine but you could not step on the fuel pedal, it would make the car stall out. Local mechanic drove to his nearby shop by just leaving it and drive and used idle power only to get it there (yes it took a while). There were no indicator lights on the dash so he hooked it up to his computer and it gave three errors for injector failures. Vehicle was towed by roadside assistance to dealer 100 miles away. The next day, I was told the turbo charger had failed and had to be replaced. Two weeks later, I was told they were still waiting for a gasket. Finally after almost 3 weeks to the day, they said my car was fixed. I am going to pick it up tomorrow but have very little faith in this car after reading the numerous threads out there about the turbo charger failure rate in this model vehicle. I think its time for a recall.
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.
While driving at 55mph, the vehicle lost power and the "glow plug" light on the dashboard illuminated. The vehicle nearly stalled on the expressway while in traffic, and then would not operate above 25-30 mph. I had the vehicle taken by flat bed tow truck to the VW dealer, where it was diagnosed as "turbine shaft seized" and repaired under warranty. Review of public data reveals this to be a common occurrence with the Passat equipped with the diesel engine.
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.
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.
- Bethlehem, PA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Authorized dealer stated a turbo failure. Driving highway about 50 minutes into a trip and the car approximately 25% power and the glow plug light came on the dash. Called service department and they said to pull over and have towed to the closed authorized dealer.
While starting from a stop sign, vehicle seemed to have low power. Vehicle would accelerate, but very slowly. A few miles later, I had to stop for another car that had stopped to turn left into a driveway. When I attempt to accelerate after that car had turned, I had no power (vehicle was still running). I was able to coast to the side of the road, but a vehicle coming up from behind me had to brake quickly to avoid hitting my car from behind. I had the car towed to the dealer, which confirmed a failure of the turbocharger system and then replaced the turbocharger under warranty. Replacement of turbocharger appears to have fixed the problem.
Turbocharger failed. Dealer is fixing under warranty. Dealer stated that there have been enough turbocharger failures on the diesel tdi that they are now stocking all turbo parts for repair.
When I operate my car and shift into 3rd gear I feel a noticeable stutter, this occurs at around 1200 RPM. I am afraid that it is linked to the numerous turbo failures that are occurring with the 2012 and 2013 tdi Passats. Other people have noted complete loss of power followed by a turbo failure.
Turbo failed on a limited access highway. Total loss of power. Severe damage to engine, intake components and exhaust devices. While this failure didn't cause an accident it placed us in considerable danger.
Noticed hi-pitched whine which got louder as RPM's of engine increased. Had vehicle towed under warranty to VW dealership. Issue was a defective turbo. Had to be replaced at this low of mileage. If the turbo had failed on a busy highway or during a avoidance/passing maneuver, it could have caused injury or worse. I'm hearing of more and more of these turbo issues on this model/style of VW Passats.
Vehicle was down on power with noticeable turbocharger whining noise. Vehicle was taken to dealership, turbocharger was replaced. Original turbo had damage on impeller and turbo housing.
Vehicle was accelerating away from a stop light when a loud "crack" was heard followed by a loud grinding and whistling sound, the car lost power. My wife fortunately was able to coast to the shoulder of the road and turn into a residential street. After coming to a stop the engine was still running she was able to move the car at a very slow speed (car would go no faster than about 10 mph) to a business parking lot and call Volkswagen roadside assistance and waited for a tow truck to take our car to the nearest Volkswagen dealer. The following day the dealer service adviser informed us of the turbo failure.
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 !
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!
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.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Tupper Lake, NY, USA