2013 Volkswagen Passat Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 1%of 749 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,575miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2013 Volkswagen Passat, 1% of the 749 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,575 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“January 2014: turbocharger failed on my 2013 Volkswagen Passat tdi. The car failed in the evening, but that morning when leaving for work, the turbo made a split second choo-choo train whistle, but continued to function, although it felt like the turbo was free-wheeling and not really in sync with the actual boost. When it failed, there was a muffled bang, followed by a locomotive type black oily smoke rolling out of the exhaust. I was only 2 miles from the dealership, so I drove it there immediately. When standing on the throttle, it sounded like a nut rattling around in a can. …”
NHTSA complaint #10575113, filed 2014-03, 15,150 miles“The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired in 2016 for an unknown failure. The contact reported that on multiple occasions, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle began to overheat, with a beeping sound. The contact stated that the temperature gauge started to rise and that an abnormal odor was coming through the vents. The vehicle was veered to the side of the road after smoke was seen coming from the engine compartment. The contact allowed the vehicle cool down before restarting. …”
NHTSA complaint #11514642, filed 2023-03, 24,000 miles“2013 Volkswagen Passat. Consumer writes in regards to no communication from customer service regarding emissions issues or airbag recall repairs. Consumer states wants to be considered for buy-back program. The consumer stated two weeks ago, the nitrogen emissions sensor came on due to the ongoing issue with the emissions system.”
NHTSA complaint #10875108, filed 2016-06“The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat tdi. The contact stated that while attempting to replenish the diesel exhaust fluid, the fluid overflowed and due to a design flaw it leaked into the rear passenger floor board. As a result of the failure, the contact experienced lung problems. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician cleaned the fluid but was unable to determine how to prevent the failure from happening again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10651614, filed 2014-10, 9,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10250798Feb 22, 2024VW Engine oil quality standards
- 10249139Jan 9, 2024Update TB because of new engine coolant part number.
- 10245607Nov 22, 2023VW Engine oil quality standards
- 10241177Aug 21, 2023Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- 10239653Jul 10, 2023Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10238307Jun 20, 2023Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards, updated to include model year 2024.
- 10238306Jun 20, 2023Engine Oil Consumption Measurement Instruction and Work sheet.
- 10238300Jun 15, 2023Gasoline quality information in regards to gasoline engine performance.
- 10238297Jun 15, 2023Diagnostic Aid for engine misfire.
- 10237427May 30, 2023Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 6% |
| 2020 | 1 | 6% |
| 2016 | 2 | 2% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 | 4 | 1% |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 9 | 5% |
| 2007 | 32 | 12% |
| 2006 | 66 | 11% |
| 2005 | 50 | 34% |
| 2004 | 59 | 21% |
| 2003 | 131 | 21% |
| 2002 | 135 | 21% |
| 2001 | 92 | 21% |
| 2000 | 94 | 19% |
| 1999 | 86 | 13% |
| 1998 | 39 | 12% |
| 1997 | 7 | 19% |
| 1996 | 5 | 13% |
| 1995 | 19 | 20% |
| 1994 | 9 | 36% |
| 1993 | 18 | 26% |
| 1992 | 17 | 44% |
| 1991 | 6 | 25% |
| 1990 | 12 | 35% |
Other parts of the 2013 Volkswagen Passat
382 complaintsEngine
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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Volkswagen Passat
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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