Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 Volkswagen Passat submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 51 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 51, in the owner's own words
Failed clock spring. Airbag light was present and a rattling noise, when turning, was noticed. Less than 72 hours later, the buttons on the steering wheel, including horn, stopped working, and a louder crack/pop was heard.
On 5/4/24 I was reverse parking & heard a clunk as I was turning my steering wheel then immediately noticed the airbag light come on. Attempted to check any error messages using the only menu control for the vehicle on the steering wheel that did not work. That led me to attempt to test all other controls on the steering wheel which also did not work. During these attempts, I identified that my horn was also not working. Due to the large safety concern this caused, I quickly searched on Google what the cause may be then immediately made an appointment at an auto shop (Greulich's Automotive Repair) with the first available I could find. I did not know this issue was previously recalled as I was too concerned with my safety on the road, specifically not trusting other drivers, not having enough time to research, & the auto shop did not mention the recall either. Spent $1,000 on labor, diagnostic, & the clock steering part. When researching the history of my vehicle, I do not find that this recall was performed. I will be calling VW customer service for reimbursement. After the part has been replaced, the next day, I come to find out that the menu setting control on the steering wheel continues to not work which I have brought attention to the auto shop. Waiting for a call back about why all other controls on the steering wheel works now except the vehicle menu which might be the most important control on the wheel. In addition, the cruise control option does not work either because of this replacement which I come to find out it’s a separate part that needs to be replaced, hence, additional out of pocket costs. Not okay.
I was turning into my driveway when I heard a strange clicking noise coming form the steering wheel column. As soon as I heard the clicking sound the airbag indicator light started flashing on my dashboard and the buttons on my steering wheel stopped working. Did some research on the airbag sensor which lead to learning about the clockspring malfunction. Not only I’m I at risk of my airbag not deploying, my HORN does not work. The horn malfunction came to knowledge when a car pulled out in front of me causing me to run off the road. I spoke with Volkswagen manufacturer about the malfunction recall. I was told since my car is over 120k miles it could not be replaced under the 10 year recall extended warranty. I purchased my 2013 VW CC in October of 2022. I have only owned the car for one year. Yes, the car is available to be inspected upon request.
My instrument cluster stopped working yday. I could hear something inside or behind the steering wheel when I turned it. Obviously my clock spring has failed. I am pretty sure my car had a recall on this in the past. I haven’t had another ride to Little Rock to take my car for repairs. I can not afford to fix this. The part alone is over 400$. I understand it is very dangerous to drive. I have no other way to get anywhere. I need this part replaced if possible at all by volkswagon. There were 6 recalls on my car last time I checked. This being one of them. It is very dangerous to drive for me and everyone on the roadways. Please help. Thank you.
The clock spring broke again only four years from being repaired with the last recall.
While driving Airbag error flashed on dash and the Airbag light-lamp came on . Also my steering wheel horn and buttons do not work . I had no past indication . I am driving with no horn and most likely no Airbag deployment in case of accident. No inspection yet. Actually at risk if driven to the dealership
Unsure how this problem arose, but suddenly the airbag error light appeared and non of the controls on the steering wheel work. This also includes the horn, and airbag. From googling it appears there was a recall for the 2013 VW Passat for a faulty clock spring in the steering wheel which can cause the airbag light to appear and be faulty.
Records indicate clock spring recall service was performed at some time in the past. Same exact problem recurred last week. Clearly the recall service did not remedy the problem.
Recall still from 2015!!! Clock spring defect NEED TO HAVE FIXED ASAP!!! Dealer says have to replace ourselves REALLY???? It’s a manufacturer RECALL
VW BCM unit causes vehicle to idle then shut off while driving making it impossible to steer or increase speed.
Per Volkswagon the vehicle is known to have a defective steering clock spring. When the part fails, the vehicle steering wheel looses all electronic function. the Airbag is deactivated and the horn does not work. This failure have happened with my vehicle. Volkswagon has initiated a recall; however, it has been 2 months and they can still not provide an eta of when the vehicle will be repaired and have instructed to drive the unsafe vehicle until the parts come in. The failure initially happened in Dec 2021. This week in Feb 2022 I was run off the road by an elderly drive in an SUV that changed lanes. I was unable to notify the other diver that I was next to her because the horn did not work!
When parallel parking, the steering wheel began making a clicking noise when turning. The volume and duration of the clicking increased after pulling out from parking spot into the street and the instrument panel airbag light/chime came on within a mile of driving. Clicking in wheel while turning persisted intermittently throughout driving. All electrical controls on steering wheel are no-response. Horn does not work, airbag deactivated, and all steering wheel electronic controls are no-response.
CLOCK SPRING STOPPED WHILE PULING OUT MY PARKING LOT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AFTER WAITING TWENTY MINUTES, THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GUNTHER VOLKSWAGEN OF FORT LAUDERDALE (1660 S STATE RD 7, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33317, (954) 420-7374) WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE STEERING WHEEL; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,401.
WHILE DRIVING MY 2013 VW PASSAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, ON THE DASHBOARD AND STARTED BEEPING. WHEN I PULLED INTO MY GARAGE, I NOTICED THAT THE HORN NO LONGER WORKED AND NONE OF THE STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONS WORK ANYMORE. I HAVE ONLY 56,718 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE VW DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE MY WARRANTY DEDUCTIBLE IS $500. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND VW SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPAIR THESE AIRBAG ISSUES, NOT US, THE CONSUMER. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE (THE CONSUMERS) ARE CAUSING, THIS IS A VW QUALITY ISSUE.
EVERYTHING ON MY STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING( BUTTONS, HORN, ETC.) PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AS WELL. DOES NOT WORK WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING OR STATIONARY.
CLOCK SPRING IS NOT WORKING AFTER TAKATA RECALL IMPLEMENTED. NO CONTROLS ON STEERING WHEEL WORK. HORN DOES NOT WORK. AIRBAG WOULD LIKELY NOT INFLATE. AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. THIS OCCURED WHILE THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING.
THE ELECTRICAL IN STERRING WHEEL IS COMPLETELY OUT. THE HORN AND BUTTONS ARE DEAD AND THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING NOISE WHEN IT TURNS
MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING A SOFT CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING ON 9/24/2018 VEHICLE HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT. ON 10/30 WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION MAKIN GA SLIGHT TURN IN THE BEND OF A ROAD ON THE HIGHWAY, THE AIRBAG ALERT LIGHT CAME ON AND INDICATED THERE WAS AN AIR BAG ERROR AND THE WHEEL COMMAND CONTROLS STOPPED WORKING.
MY 2013 VW PASSAT HAS 56,000 MILES. I REPLACED AT 33,000 ON 12/29/2016 AT A VW DEALER THAT IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS, BASED ON THEIR DIAGNOSTIC, THE CLOCK SPRING AND AIRBAG HARNESS IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT COSTED ME $610. FAST FORWARD ON 09/16/2018 IT TURNS OUT THAT I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, NO CONTROLS IN THE WHEEL AT ALL AND AIRBAG LIGHT ON. THE ONLY SYMPTOM WAS A CRUNCH SOUND IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON RIGHT AWAY. A VW DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT IS UNUSUAL FOR A CLOCK SPRING TO GO BAD THAT QUICKLY, THERE'S SOME CARS THAT DON'T NEED A CLOCK SPRING REPLACEMENT AT ALL AND MINE NEEDS A SECOND ONE ALREADY AT 56,000. THROUGH A PHONE CALL VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA STATED THAT WON'T STAY BEHIND THE PROBLEM. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT IT'S A DEFECTIVE/MALFUNCTION PART THAT AFFECTS MY WIFE'S AND MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY SINCE THEY ARE PRIMARILY USING THE CAR. CURRENTLY WE'RE DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT ANY FRONT AIRBAG PROTECTION! PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AND HAVE THE ONES WHO'S FAULT IT IS FIX THE PROBLEM! THANK YOU!
CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. DANGEROUS AS AIR BAG AND HORN DO NOT WORK.
CLOCK SPRING RECALL - VOLKSWAGEN NOT HONORING THE RECALL FOR MY VIN #. STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO CLICK LAST NIGHT UPON TURNING WHILE DRIVING, AND NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS OUT. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY SAID IT WILL BE A $700 REPAIR FOR THE CLOCK SPRING. EVEN WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT OUT, ONE OF THE SERVICE GUYS TOLD ME THEY HAVE DEALT WITH A LOT OF THESE AND SAID IT WAS PROBABLY SAFE TO DRIVE. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL 69L2, THEY SAID MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND A "DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG ERROR" MESSAGE APPEARED. THE CONTACT CALLED FINDLAY VOLKSWAGEN AT (702) 558-6600 (LOCATED AT 983 AUTO SHOW DR, HENDERSON, NV 89014) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: 239516 AND AN UNKNOWN NHTSA CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
WHILE DRIVING ONE DAY I HEARD A SNAP IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE AIRBAG SYMBOL ILLUMINATED. THE HORN DOES NOT WORK AND EACH TIME I TURN THE WHEEL I CAN HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM THE COLUMN. AFTER TAKING TO A DEALER IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING HAS FAILED IN THE VEHICLE AND VOLKSWAGEN HAS REFUSE TO REPLACE DUE TO PLACING A COVER OVER THE CLOCK SPRING IN JANUARY OF 2016.
THE CLOCKSPRING WAS RECALLED AND REPLACED IN 2015. WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT I HEARD A COUPLE OF POPS AND LOST ANY STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS, IE: VOLUME CONTROL ECT... THE AIRBAG LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE CENTER WHERE THEY ASSESSED THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED IT WAS THE CLOCKSPRING AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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