2012 Volkswagen Passat: sudden loss of power

Filed Apr 26, 2022 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NC

Lost power reconnect batter n steering locked

Filed Feb 24, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · MO

I was driving this particular day through a busyfour way stoplight intersection around time school was dismissing so 3:30ish PM. And I lost all power to my vehicle with just the battery light flashing once. I barely made it out of the i intersection and to the shoulder of the road as there was no power steering and i had to pump my breaks to stop. I called the local police and let them know it would be towed tomorrow morning. The tow bill was 100 dollars and i had replaced the battery thinking it was the problem. The brand new battery drained in two minutes tops after install alternator was tested and fuses were in working order all except for one that went to my12 volt charging port which was replaced as well as serpentine belt was replaced with alternator test. The battery still drains instantly and when speaking with volkswagon suntrup in sunset hills st. Louis which is the nearest Volkswagen dealership about 30 minute drive my car still is under a dealership warranty for the national emissions recall that was just fixed after i purchased the vehicle. The dealership refuses to come get/ fix/ diagnose or rectify vehicle although admitting to knowing this year has parasitic draws instally killing a brand new battery even while driving was/is a very dangerous situation for me and my family. This car has been sitting in my drive way now for 6 months while nothing is being by vw and i am without safe or working transportation for my family. Ive also been told by vw. That they cant find some parasitic draws and are confused as me!

Filed Mar 7, 2019 · Airbags, Steering · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen passat. While driving at an unknown speed, the steering lost power and the air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to o'steen volkswagen (904‑322‑5100, located at 11401 philips hwy, jacksonville, fl 32256) where the clockspring was replaced. The failure recurred and the same dealer replaced the clockspring again. The failure recurred and the same part was replaced for a third time. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The contact was not sure if the failure was remedied. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed May 8, 2018 · Fuel system · 60,000 miles · FL

Fuell pump control computer module lost power. Vehicle stalled while turning in front of oncoming traffic! In the middle of intersections etc. Causing a extremely dangerous possibility of death situation. Vw has had this item recalled for a long, long time! Vw still has no fiix to date!

Filed Feb 27, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 80,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen passat. When the vehicle was started, the air bag indicator illuminated and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to ontario volkswagen (701 south kettering dr, ontario, ca, 91761) where it was diagnosed that the clock spring was out of warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the warranty expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. *tt carfax not able to display VIN records updated 9/26/18

Filed Dec 29, 2016 · Engine · 79,000 miles · IL

Car lost power while driving on highway, diesel fuel all inside the engine bay, dealership said a bolt on the engine had a stress fracture and broke.

Filed Nov 17, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 50,000 miles · MA

Vehicle developed a ," loss of power" issue at approximately 1.5 years ago around 50,000 miles. It usually occurs within the first 10- 15 minutes after cold start up and when vehicle is traveling between 10 and 40 MPH. The vehicle will be operating normally, then instantly lose power and start shuddering. When merging onto a highway on numerous occasions since then, the sudden loss of power has nearly caused me to be struck by other vehicles. Along with loss of power, there has been a noticeable odor of diesel fuel which comes from the observed fuel pooling on the top of the engine. This is a fire hazard only waiting to happen. I will not let any other members of my family drive this vehicle for fear of their safety. Manufacturer dealer has been able to duplicate the issue but not resolve it. The manufacturer engineering and technical dept has been involved but still not able to solve after 1.5 years and numerous shop visits.

Filed Aug 19, 2015 · Airbags, Steering · 42,500 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen passat. While driving 55 MPH, a loud clicking noise was heard under the steering wheel and the air bag light illuminated. The vehicle lost power and was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the steering column control model needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 42,500.

Filed Jul 8, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 72,000 miles · PA

On 8 to 10 occasions over the last two years I have lost power, I.e. The engine was running, but acted as though it were in neutral with high RPM?s. Sometimes it is intermittent and recovers power but on three occasions on a major interstate highways it has lost all power and I had to coast to the shoulder. Turning off the engine and it starts normally with full power. The dealer checked the engine codes and only found engine lost communication with transmission and said the vw did not have any notices on the problem. I have also reported this to vw and they say it has not been an issue. Quick google searches show something different with lots of vw tdi engines showing similar problems. Loss of power in 65 MPH traffic is very dangerous and inexcusable. Vw should be looking more closely at this problem.

Filed Jul 29, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 44,800 miles · MD

On july 16, 2014 at approximately 5:00 pm, my 2012 volkswagen passat tdi sel premium lost power on the highway. The engine failed and shut off while I was traveling on interstate 95 north and left me stranded on the highway surrounded by cars traveling at speeds greater than 65 MPH. The engine failure put my life, my colleague's life and my fetus'' life in danger and could have been disastrous for other motor vehicles as well. My car was towed to a volkswagen service center, where they inspected the fuel system and found a broken bolt. This bolt held the fuel rail and fuel injectors in place and when it broke, caused the injectors to pop out of the cylinder head and the subsequent engine failure. The installed bolt was part of the fuel system replacement repair that another dealership service center, closer to my home, performed back in april 2014. I''ve had three major incidents with my vw now, all within the last 3 months and it seems to be stemming from the fuel system replacement. When the fuel system was replaced, the service center blamed it on a "bad batch of diesel fuel" from a local gas station. They said that within 3 weeks, they've had around 25 cars come in with the same problem. My car is not even 3 years old and has only 44,000 miles on it. This is completely unacceptable. Because of these incidents, the last one of which put my life as well as 2 other lives in grave danger, I would like to submit this complaint, in case it is a more wide spread problem.

Filed May 12, 2014 · Electrical, Fuel system · 41,000 miles · VA

Glow plug light on dashboard started blinking. Major loss of power. Had vehicle towed to dealership in fayetville, nc. Problem reported to be failed turbo.

Filed Mar 26, 2014 · Engine · 32,000 miles · IL

Heard a whistle sound followed by some sort of puff and loss of power. Ton of white smoke, thought car on fire, pulled over. People passing by called fire department due to the amount of smoke from the exhaust pipe. After car smelled like burned oil, exhaust pipe covered in oil, and oil drops on the exhaust pipe. Told by the dealership new turbocharger is needed.