2013 Volkswagen Passat: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Mar 31, 2022 · Airbags, Electrical · WA

The Air Bag Inoperative Light illuminated in the dashboard display. All steering wheel electrical functions including horn, display control for items such as speed display stopped working, radio control, and phone control eased to function. There was a grinding noise coming from inside the steering wheel when I turned the wheel. I took the car to the dealer. The dealer said it is a known issue concerning the steering wheel clock spring and VW has known about this for years and has issued an extended warranty. However, VW has the parts on back order and is not supplying the parts to fix the problem in a timely fashion as it should with an emergency safety condition. I called VW of America to report this. They gave me a case number. They then sent me an email a week later saying they would get back to me in a month to let me know the status. This is negligent and unacceptable. This is not a dealership issue. VW is not supplying the part to fix the airbag system. This is a SAFETY ISSUE. Thousands of cars are affected, not just mine. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE AND IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. Just like the Takata airbag scenario, this should be acted on immediately before someone is seriously hurt or killed because VW will not fix a known safety issue with their air bag system. There is still no resolution from VW. This has been a known issue with VW for over 5 years.

Filed Mar 7, 2020 · Suspension · IN

Squeaking if suspension when I go over bumps

Filed Dec 20, 2018 · Brakes · NC

The brake pads and rotors (front and rear) on my 2013 vw passat 3.6 sel are rusting, and make a grinding noise when I come to a stop. Vw service department verified that I have plenty of pads and rotors on my brakes. This is unacceptable, and further confirms a lack of build quality for pads and rotors that cost $1,100 to replace. It's quite obvious the board of directors, and executive team at volkswagen aren't interested in quality or safety. They are only interested in sacrificing quality and safety to save a dollar.

Filed Aug 17, 2016 · Fuel system · 85,000 miles · AL

Internal high pressure fuel pump failure. Thankfully, my car was parked and idling at the time since my wife had just been on the highway. I began to hear a slight knocking sound, then a slight squeal like a belt makes, and then the car shut down. It would turn over, but would not restart. I had it towed to the local dealer and was advised that there was an internal high pressure fuel pump failure that would cost $6200 because the entire fuel system basically had to be replaced. Apparently, upon research, this has been a known problem since 2009. This could be a real safety issue particularly at highway speeds or at times when acceleration is necessary. My car is three (3) years old and has 85,000 miles.

Filed Feb 27, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 34,572 miles · MI

Vehicle was accelerating away from a stop light when a loud "crack" was heard followed by a loud grinding and whistling sound, the car lost power. My wife fortunately was able to coast to the shoulder of the road and turn into a residential street. After coming to a stop the engine was still running she was able to move the car at a very slow speed (car would go no faster than about 10 MPH) to a business parking lot and call volkswagen roadside assistance and waited for a tow truck to take our car to the nearest volkswagen dealer. The following day the dealer service adviser informed us of the turbo failure.

Filed May 21, 2013 · Seats · MI

I purchased the vw passat in december 2012. I noticed within the first week the slow response of the navigation but I thought maybe because of the cold weather. I live in michigan. When spring came around I still saw the slow response and it was agitating me. I put the car in reverse and back out of my drive way and the camera still doesn't come on till after. At the same time my seat was squeaking. I took it to the dealer and they said the seat is fine and they will ask about the navi unit. At one point the navi restarted while I was driving. I took it back to the dealer and showed them how slow it responds and they got approval to replace it. I also showed them the seat they looked and saw that it was cracked. How can a seat crack? The second navi unit had the same response time. It also restarted while I was driving. I took it to the dealer and they called vw and the technician on the phone told them that the sd card I am using for my music is to large of memory probably that's why its slow. Now I am an engineer and that is just absurd. I called vw and they said I cant talk to a technical expert they will have to call the dealer ship. Have not heard anything and the dealer has not as well. I then moved all my music to the internal hard drive and took it to the dealer and they said will call them and explain to them what is happening. The music is not the problem even with out any music the unit is very lagging. If the navigation unit boot up is slow that is fine. What is the purpose of the camera if I can back out of my drive way or any parking spot start to drive then see the camera. Now sometimes it works but most of the time the unit takes close to a minute or so to boot up. Also the new seat they put in is beginning to squeak again.