Worst 2013 Volkswagen Passat Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbags
Engine Problems
Electrical Faults
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Volkswagen Passat.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 371 | 21 | — | 58,468 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 104 | 3 | 4 | 61,208 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 92 | 1 | 2 | 76,550 mi | |
| Fuel System | 65 | 4 | 3 | 71,311 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 57 | 1 | — | 63,840 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 50 | 1 | — | 63,540 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 32 | 2 | — | 45,659 mi | |
| Body Structure | 27 | 4 | — | 41,461 mi | |
| Diesel Fuel System | 21 | — | — | 34,386 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 19 | — | — | 59,228 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 15 | 2 | — | 27,758 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 12 | — | — | 33,499 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette | 10 | — | — | 83,667 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 10 | — | — | 34,320 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 8 | — | — | 44,557 mi | |
| Brakes | 6 | 1 | — | 42,130 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 5 | — | — | 28,405 mi | |
| Back Over Prevention:Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Sunroof/Moonroof | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Volkswagen Passat. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2013 Volkswagen Passat
9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,675,677 vehicles.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG). The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Passat vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Due to improperly assembled wire seals in a connector for an underbody sensor, water may enter and corrode the electrical connectors of the sensor, causing an electrical short.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Volkswagen Group of America (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Passat vehicles manufactured January 2011 through November 2012. In the affected vehicles, the low beam headlight bulb may become loose and lose electrical contact.
Other Volkswagen Passat Years
2013 Volkswagen Passat — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2013 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
What are common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen Passat?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Volkswagen Passat?
How safe is the 2013 Volkswagen Passat?
Does the 2013 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2013 Volkswagen Passat?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Volkswagen Passat reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2013 Volkswagen Passat
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