2013 Volkswagen Passat Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 4%of 749 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,100miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the body and structure of the 2013 Volkswagen Passat, 4% of the 749 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,100 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driver door handle sticks in cold weather and won't open from the outside. When crawling across from passenger side to open driver door from the inside, something broke very easily. I was able to open the door, but now my drivers door won'tlock in place to stay shut. Very dangerous to try driving with the door swinging open at every curve.”
NHTSA complaint #11063349, filed 2018-01, 76,000 miles“We have had to replace the actuators on three of the four door locks over the last two years. The locks ceased to function leaving us with a car we could not lock. When driving the actuators would constantly click trying to lock. The last one was repaired at our expense on 14 may 2019 ( we paid for all three repairs )”
NHTSA complaint #11210614, filed 2019-05, 77,200 miles“In cold weather sometimes the front drivers and passenger doors will not open, I have to go through a rear door and open it from the inside, then most of the time it will work fine after that, though a few times the door would not stay latched. The first time I took it to the dealer they said they heard of this and did nothing, I just recently brought it back and they installed a updated latch. There should be a recall issued for this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10671184, filed 2015-01, 15,835 miles“I attempted to enter my vehicle, but the driver side door would not open. The car was stationary. The temperature was below 30f. After finally getting in the car, I was not able to exit the car through the driver side door because it was still stuck. The car had been driven around 40 miles before getting to my destination. The car was stationary and not running while trying to get out. I could have become trapped in this vehicle in an emergency. I am not extremely mobile and had a lot of issues exiting the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11290017, filed 2019-12, 83,000 miles“On november 19th at approximately 4:30 pm, as I was pulling into my garage, the car just accelerated uncontrollably and crashed into my husbands work bench which was against a concrete wall. Damaging front of car,windshield, workbench,steel storage cabinet,etc.”
NHTSA complaint #10661524, filed 2014-12, 6,116 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11033526May 19, 2026This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 11010024Oct 30, 2024Lack of paint under roof
- 11008846Sep 12, 2024Wind & Water Leak Checking
- 10232117Feb 20, 2023Strut or Shock leak assessment.
- 10220342Sep 6, 2022update to required vehicle wash shampoo.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 5% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 3 | 3% |
| 2016 | 4 | 4% |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% |
| 2014 | 12 | 2% |
| 2013 | 31 | 4% |
| 2012 | 17 | 4% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 5 | 2% |
| 2006 | 10 | 2% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 16 | 6% |
| 2003 | 29 | 5% |
| 2002 | 30 | 5% |
| 2001 | 23 | 5% |
| 2000 | 10 | 2% |
| 1999 | 11 | 2% |
| 1998 | 8 | 2% |
| 1997 | 3 | 8% |
| 1996 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 6 | 6% |
| 1994 | 1 | 4% |
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 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 30, 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