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Air bagsPart report

2013 Volkswagen Passat Air bags Problems

Complaints
382about this part
Share
51%of 749 total for the year
Median mileage
56,718miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 382 complaints about the air bags of the 2013 Volkswagen Passat, 51% of the 749 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,718 miles. 21 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 5 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The rear driver side taillights and turn signal quit working, replaced bulbs still broke. Airbag warning light stays on, this is the same problem that many of the vw have. My VIN shows that 5 repairs have been fixed if these are supposed to be fixed it didn't work. Recalls were over before I got the car so what am I supposed to do? These problems occur whether I'm stationary or moving.”

NHTSA complaint #11363663, filed 2020-10, 100,748 miles

“My vehicle was making a ticking sound when turning, then out of nowhere a error message came up that said error airbag, and the air bag light came on. I looked up to see if it was a recall, since I bought the vehicle used, it is for the clockspring, when I used the VIN search it did not so as an active recall for my vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11195537, filed 2019-04, 49,545 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11114621, filed 2018-07, 58,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11103986, filed 2018-06, 72,000 miles

“I have taken my vw in for the recall, scheduled a visit specifically for the recall. After I brought the vehicle in they said they did not have the parts. I was told that the parts were backordered. I have no indication from vw on how long this will take. I am military moving over seas and need this fixed before it can be shipped. I have spoken with vw 3x in the past month about this.”

NHTSA complaint #11111360, filed 2018-07, 89,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2021315%
2020422%
2018511%
20172825%
20162524%
20158836%
201435460%
201338251%
201229661%
2011531%
20104528%
2009128%
20083219%
200710640%
200614826%
200543%
200483%
2003234%
2002112%
2001266%
2000173%
1999213%
199882%
199713%

Other parts of the 2013 Volkswagen Passat

Engine
105 complaintsElectrical system
93 complaintsFuel system
88 complaintsOther or unknown
77 complaintsExterior lighting
60 complaintsSteering
51 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
33 complaintsBody and structure
31 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
23 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Volkswagen Passat

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology