2013 Volkswagen Passat Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 13 Passat years
The 2013 Volkswagen Passat has 748 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 100, and ranks worst of the 13 Passat model years tracked, earning an Avoid verdict. Airbags account for 51% of complaints, with 9 recalls filed against this year.
- Complaints
- 748
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 29 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 24 / 2
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 22 city / 31.5 hwy
Top 2013 Volkswagen Passat problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags382 (51%)
- Electrical System139 (19%)
- Engine116 (16%)
- Fuel System87 (12%)
- Other82 (11%)
- Steering51 (7%)
- Structure & Body35 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain33 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires26 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers22 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report that frontal airbags failed to deploy even in serious crashes, including collisions that pushed the front end into the cabin.
- Some describe the airbag warning light staying on along with a non-functioning horn, traced to a failed clock spring.
- Others report sudden unintended acceleration or the gas pedal getting stuck, sometimes while the car was in park.
- One owner reported the clutch pedal sticking to the floor while shifting on the highway, causing the car to slow unexpectedly.
- A vehicle reportedly surged forward at low speed while pulling into a parking space, striking a fixed object.
- One owner reported smelling smoke inside the cabin, which was linked to an engine problem.
2013 Volkswagen Passat recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V834000Oct 30, 2024Airbags248,330 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.
- NHTSA 19V862000Dec 4, 2019Airbags226 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
- NHTSA 19V389000May 22, 2019Electrical System662,185 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.
2013 Volkswagen Passat fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 31.5 MPG
- Combined
- 25.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
- Compared to other Passat model years, the 2013 ranks worst, with 748 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 100, giving it an Avoid verdict.
- What is the main problem with the 2013 Volkswagen Passat?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 51% of complaints (382 complaints), including reports of non-deployment and clock spring failures at a median mileage of 56,718.
- Does the 2013 Volkswagen Passat have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists multiple airbag-related recalls for the 2013 Passat, including Takata inflator replacements and a driver airbag module replacement campaign from 2024.
- How many recalls does the 2013 Passat have?
- NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2013 Volkswagen Passat, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2013 Passat compare to newer model years?
- The 2013 Passat's complaint index of 100 is far higher than later years like 2019 (0) and 2022 (8), which carry Best verdicts.