2013 Volkswagen Passat Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 33 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2013 Volkswagen Passat, 4% of all complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 25,400. A related recall (17V309000) covers a short driveshaft heat shield on diesel/DSG models.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 33
- 4% of 748
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 25,400 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Some owners report the clutch pedal sticking to the floor and the car gradually coasting to a stop while shifting gears.
- Multiple owners describe mechatronics unit failures where the car suddenly slows from highway speed to near a crawl, in one case leading to a rear-end collision.
- Several TDI diesel owners report turbocharger failures, sometimes preceded by a whining noise that grows louder with rpm, followed by loss of power or check-engine warnings.
- Some owners describe the car entering limp mode, unable to exceed low speeds, with dashboard warning lights appearing.
- A few owners report complete loss of engine power when shifting from reverse to drive, with an 'alternator malfunction' message but no stored fault code.
- One owner reported a full transmission replacement on a nearly new vehicle with no explanation given for the failure.
When 2013 Volkswagen Passat transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Aug 26, 2013, latest Sep 24, 2025.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2013 Volkswagen Passat
- NHTSA 17V309000May 11, 2017Transmission & Powertrain84,262 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG). The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.
Risk: If the leaking grease contacts a heated surface, such as the exhaust system and/or the diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft heat shield, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23W5.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Passat model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many transmission complaints does the 2013 VW Passat have?
- NHTSA lists 33 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2013 Passat, which is 4% of the 748 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2013 VW Passat?
- Yes. Recall 17V309000 covers 2012-2014 Passat diesel models with Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG) where the underbody heat shield may not be long enough; Volkswagen replaces the driveshaft heat shield free of charge.
- At what mileage do transmission problems show up on the 2013 Passat?
- The median mileage at failure for transmission & powertrain complaints on the 2013 Passat is 25,400 miles.
- Did the 2013 Passat transmission issue cause any crashes?
- NHTSA records show 2 crashes linked to transmission & powertrain complaints on the 2013 Passat, with no reported fires or injuries.