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Model Year Problem Record

Volkswagen Passat 2013 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2013 Volkswagen Passat: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

748Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
9Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
8Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
52Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Air Bags381 complaints

381 complaints; 5 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 15V483000, 16V078000, 18V148000, 19V862000, 24V834000.

Engine110 complaints

110 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System95 complaints

95 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 16V171000.

Fuel and Propulsion System88 complaints

88 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other77 complaints

77 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting60 complaints

60 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 14V125000, 19V389000.

Steering50 complaints

50 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train33 complaints

33 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 17V309000.

Vehicle Structure31 complaints

31 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

14V125000Reported March 17, 2014 - 150,201 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on March 17, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 150,201 vehicles across all affected models.

15V483000Reported August 4, 2015 - 415,825 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on August 4, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 415,825 vehicles across all affected models.

16V078000Reported February 10, 2016 - 659,493 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on February 10, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 659,493 vehicles across all affected models.

16V171000Reported March 24, 2016 - 91,442 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on March 24, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 91,442 vehicles across all affected models.

17V309000Reported May 11, 2017 - 84,262 vehicles potentially affected

Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on May 11, 2017. The campaign covers an estimated 84,262 vehicles across all affected models.

18V148000Reported March 6, 2018 - 363,713 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on March 6, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 363,713 vehicles across all affected models.

19V389000Reported May 22, 2019 - 662,185 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on May 22, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 662,185 vehicles across all affected models.

19V862000Reported December 4, 2019 - 226 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on December 4, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 226 vehicles across all affected models.

24V834000Reported October 30, 2024 - 248,330 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on October 30, 2024. The campaign covers an estimated 248,330 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA18003Opened April 18, 2018 - Open

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA18003Opened April 18, 2018 - Open

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA18003Opened April 18, 2018 - Open

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE15010Opened March 24, 2015 - Closed September 28, 2015

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 15V483000.

PE15010Opened March 24, 2015 - Closed September 28, 2015

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 15V483000.

PE15010Opened March 24, 2015 - Closed September 28, 2015

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 15V483000.

RQ17009Opened November 13, 2017 - Closed May 4, 2018

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ17009Opened November 13, 2017 - Closed May 4, 2018

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

201321
201458
201545
2016188
2017122
201865
201945
202042
202121
202231
202320
202428
202559
20263
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.