2013 Volkswagen Passat Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 93about this part
- Share
- 12%of 749 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 93 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Volkswagen Passat, 12% of the 749 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is 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“Engine shuts off unexplainably. This has occurred while the vehicle was stationary on a city street and in motion on the highway. The component part/system that is causing the safety risk is unknown to me as well as the Volkswagen dealership and foreign auto mechanic that I have taken the vehicle to, to have it serviced.”
NHTSA complaint #11241632, filed 2019-08, 98,000 miles“Takata inflator maybe. In 2015 my vehicle was tboned by another vehicle, to where the impact even caused my car to spin, yet no airbag was deployed, even the police at the scene were wondering why my airbags did not go off... Fast forward to yrs later my car reads airbag error.”
NHTSA complaint #11222339, filed 2019-06, 82,000 milesRelated recalls
- 16V171000Mar 24, 2016Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Passat vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Due to improperly…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2012–2014
Related service bulletins
- 11035772Jul 15, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the…
- 11030829Mar 6, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct…
- 11028490Jan 6, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct a…
- 11007398Aug 28, 2024Battery testing
- 10241183Aug 3, 2023Installation of accessory alarm added instead of referring out to another website.
- 10239654Jul 13, 2023Diagnostic assistance for excessive static current draw
- 10238400Jun 30, 2023This communication is a notice for software changes with the ODIS program for specific cars.
- 10239655Jun 28, 2023Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
- 10238308Jun 28, 2023Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
- 10238301Jun 27, 2023Software Version Management (SVM) instruction.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 23% |
| 2021 | 4 | 20% |
| 2020 | 3 | 17% |
| 2019 | 4 | 33% |
| 2018 | 10 | 22% |
| 2017 | 18 | 16% |
| 2016 | 22 | 21% |
| 2015 | 48 | 20% |
| 2014 | 74 | 12% |
| 2013 | 93 | 12% |
| 2012 | 95 | 20% |
| 2011 | 4 | 25% |
| 2010 | 21 | 13% |
| 2009 | 18 | 12% |
| 2008 | 21 | 13% |
| 2007 | 34 | 13% |
| 2006 | 79 | 14% |
| 2005 | 9 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 8% |
| 2003 | 90 | 14% |
| 2002 | 220 | 35% |
| 2001 | 73 | 17% |
| 2000 | 43 | 8% |
| 1999 | 58 | 9% |
| 1998 | 28 | 8% |
| 1997 | 13 | 35% |
| 1996 | 14 | 35% |
| 1995 | 15 | 16% |
| 1994 | 5 | 20% |
| 1993 | 14 | 21% |
| 1992 | 3 | 8% |
| 1991 | 2 | 8% |
| 1990 | 2 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2013 Volkswagen Passat
382 complaintsEngine
105 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