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EnginePart report

2013 Volkswagen Passat Engine Problems

Complaints
105about this part
Share
14%of 749 total for the year
Median mileage
44,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 105 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Volkswagen Passat, 14% of the 749 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“When I was driving on a city street, the engine started to misfire and shake. As a result, I have to stop and park my car in a parking lot. After a professional check of the car, the report stated that the timing chain and camshaft broke and have to be replaced, which cost more than the worth of the car itself at 83000 miles.”

NHTSA complaint #11400237, filed 2021-03, 83,000 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

“2013 vw Passat 89000 miles fuel pump broke sending metal through system $6500.00 to fix. I see this happens a lot on internet. This is covered for veh up to 2012. If this is still happening why don't they cover 2013 or change fuel pumps. Being a 100% disabled vet. I don't have the $6500.00 to fix it. Surely you have heard of this before. Driving on city street stopped at stop sign.”

NHTSA complaint #10945702, filed 2017-01, 89,000 miles

“While driving on the beltway at 60 miles an hour, the car suddenly lost all electrical power and the engine shut down. I was not able to steer or brake or accelerate. I coasted to the side of the highway, put the car in park and restarted it and drove it home without incident. Dealer could not find an error code. Twice since then, the electrical and system have shut down without warning while the car was running while idling at a traffic light.”

NHTSA complaint #11195748, filed 2019-04, 40,000 miles

“Driving my Passat turbo diesel on I-81 noted a loss in power; drove the car home (about another 3 miles) and noted a strange humming sound from under the hood. Next day the sound was still there, with a blinking glow plug light and the engine light was on. Spoke with dealer and car was towed in; two weeks later the car was back with a new turbo in it.”

NHTSA complaint #10497969, filed 2013-02, 6,703 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2022323%
202116%
2020422%
2019217%
20181124%
201776%
20161716%
20155322%
20147713%
201310514%
2012408%
2011638%
20104125%
20096041%
20084326%
20072811%
20066411%
2005128%
2004186%
2003234%
2002132%
200151%
200082%
199920%
199810%

Other parts of the 2013 Volkswagen Passat

Air bags
382 complaints
Electrical system
93 complaints
Fuel system
88 complaints
Other or unknown
77 complaints
Exterior lighting
60 complaints
Steering
51 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
33 complaints
Body and structure
31 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
23 complaints
Vehicle speed control
15 complaints
Suspension
13 complaints
Electronic 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 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