2012 volkswagen passat tdi diesel, heard a small snap in steering wheel while backing up and turning. The air bag light came on and the horn and steering wheel buttons quit working. This is definitely the clockspring under the steering wheel. There is complaints on the internet about this same issue including ntsb looking into the issue as a recall. If accident occurred right now the air bag would not work. Huge safety issue, vw factory said they would not help out with the repairs. I bought the car used two months ago from mossy volkswagon in el cajon, california. They wont help either. Something needs to happen with this recall. Information can be found here. Http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/feds-probe-2012-volkswagen-passat-cc-because-drivers-airbag-may-not-deploy-properly.html
2012 Volkswagen Passat airbags complaints
Page 11 of 11: complaints 281 to 296 of 296, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I heard a weird noice in my steering column while backing out, like a scraping noise. I turned the wheel then the air bag light came on. All electrical on my steering wheel would not work after this, even the horn. After doing some research, I understand that there is a wiring harness that could have broke possibly deploying the air bag, it could also be a bad clockspring which vw dealers want hunderds of dollars to replace. After doing research online, this is not an isolated incident with vw vehicles. The horn not working and the air bag possibly deploying is very dangerous. I am a single mother trying to pay my car payment let alone go pay vw to replace a major safety defect in thier vehicles. The government should ask them to do it if vw feels they have no responsability to do it on thier own. I don't have the money to replace this. I also noticed that other vehicle manufactures have ordered a recall for these same issues on their vehicles.
I heard a click when I was trurning into my driveway and the airbag message appeared .
Driving on may 24.2015 making a left turn, I heard a loud crack in my steering wheel. I lost all of the function of the steering wheel and an message showed air bag error, check engine, no control. I lost all function of my steering wheel, and every move made a cracking sound. I was afraid to drive anymore because the air bag may deploy. I have transported it to a vw dealer to check on it and find out what is wrong, still waiting for an answer. I know an investigation regarding this issue was filled pe15010 air bag clockspring failure defect. I was very affraid and am wondering why there is no recall as of today.
My family and I were finishing up our food shopping and loaded the car and started driving off and when I went to make a turn to exit the parking lot something in the steering wheel "popped" and the airbag light immediately followed. Being mechanical in nature I assumed the clockspring but never imagined that it would fail with so little miles or at all for that matter. I called vw and took it in to have it diagnosed and the clockspring was the issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that the horn failed to work and the clock spring failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency action number: pe15010 (air bags, electrical system). The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,283. Updated 7/9/15*cn updated 9/18/15
Heard a clicking noise coming from the steering column while turning in a parking lot. When I started the car again the airbag light came on and none of the controls on the steering wheel including the horn would work. After investigating online I found several complaints about this issue and discovered that many other owners are experiencing a failure the clock spring in the steering column at about 50,000-60,000 miles 9 I had about 58000 at the time). After discovering that an investigation was started here just days before mine failed I contacted the dealer. I was told that they were not aware of the investigation or the issue.... However they were able to quickly tell me it would cost about $700 to fix, and if vw issues a recall later I could try to get it refunded from corporate at that time.
Vehicle air bag light illuminated as well as informed us on the information cluster horn no longer works and none of the steering wheel push button controls work dealer said it was a broken clock spring and that we needed to bring it in immediately because the air bags would not deploy correctly potentially the online forums that I've looked for information stated that multiple vehicles with this amount of miles have the same exact problem I was just curious why there wasn't a recall coming if the airbag potentially doesn't work.
My spring clock broke on my vehicle. I can hear a clicking noise coming from the steering wheel as I turn. I airbag indicator light went on, my horn and controls on the steering wheel no longer work. It is a frightening feeling knowing that the airbags may deploy at anytime or not at all in an accident. Looking online to research the cost in replacing this piece, I have found that it is a very common problem.
Clicking noise started inside steering wheel. Turning all the way to the right popping noise with airbag error message. Now no hands free controls, horn. ...updated 03-11-15 *bf updated 6/18/2015
No accident. A premature failure of part 39462 - electric defective steering column control module which controls airbags, horn and other items in the steering column.
Upon pulling out of my driveway and turning the steering wheel there was a cracking noise and then the air bag light went off with an airbag error. At which point all mechanisms within the steering wheel stopped working. After taking the car to the dealership it was determined that the steering wheel clock spring broke, because of this the airbag, horn and other steering wheel mechanisms are not functional without repair. Further research online shows that this has consistently broken on other 2012 volkswagen passat between 50k and 60k miles on it. I further addressed my concern with volkswagen customer cares to ask why there has not been a recall on this part, they indicated that not enough customers have submitted claims. Because this fails/breaks at this mileage it is outside the standard warranty, there is "nothing they can do about it." I requested to speak to a manager multiple times, and was told I would have to wait 24 hours. It's unfortunate that volkswagen doesn't care about the safety of their customers, and has not addressed this problem with a recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, all of the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel and the horn became inoperable. The problem recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown...updated 03-11-15 *bf updated 6/18/2015
The driver door latch froze several times again this year after doing it three times last year. The latch froze every time there was moisture (fog, snow ,rain, etc.) and the temperature fell below 32 f. The latch was finally replaced. In addition, the sensor for the airbags failed and had to be replaced.
Pulling into a parking space, I felt a click vibration on the steering column and then a message flashed on the dash screen: airbag: error none of the electronic switches on the steering column function, no airbag availability, no horn. I took it to the onion creek dealership in austin, tx and they quickly found what was a quick, but expensive fix can be done. $700 to fix. When I inquired that this is a safety issue and requested they cover the cost, they balked. I contacted vw USA, they eventually agreed to cover 75% of the cost, then later rescinded the offer because the lady at vw USA decided she didn't want to cover it and I had no choice in the matter. When they did offer to pay the 75%, I had agreed to pay the difference. When I attempted to negotiate for greater coverage, I suppose she did not like that.
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