2013 Volkswagen Passat: backup camera failure

Filed Aug 3, 2022 · VA

The infotainment screen and system have malfunctioned. The screen goes black and attempts to reboot repeatedly, never actually starting up. This prevents any access to the infotainment system and and use of the backup camera. Not only is this an inconvenience but a safety hazard as all cars are now required to have a backup camera. Upon further research, this is a common problem among many Volkswagen models and has cost Volkswagen customers thousands per incident/case.

Filed Apr 6, 2016 · 10 miles · CA

"510" nav system back up camera is useless. Put car in reverse, back out of garage -still no camera, it turns on when already down driveway. This is a commom complaint (see internet) the company will do nothing to address this expensive but useless toy as the nav system is also useless because of complexity. Cell phone is my navigator of choice. Knowing now what I know I would not have bought this model. This system is basically a useless add on and an embarrassment to vw.

Filed Jul 15, 2014 · Driver assistance · 200 miles · VA

The backup camera in this vehicle frequently fails to activate when the vehicle is placed in reverse. Vw officials acknowledge, in a written response, a delay time of one (1) to two (2) minutes before the camera will activate. It is an unreasonable expectation, from a consumer / driver standpoint, to wait 1 to 2 minutes for a camera to activate for a driver to determine if it is safe to backup. Vw continues to ignore this deficiency despite the number of deaths and injuries each year caused by backup accidents.

Filed Mar 31, 2014 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 200 miles · WY

Backup camera is slow to start. May take from 5 to 20 seconds to become operational after start up. This is hazard with respect to reliance on backup cameras by drivers to see obstructions behind the car. Failure of camera to start up quickly results in reduced safety because drivers will back up without camera operational. I can start my car and back out of driveway and reach the corner of my block before the camera starts up and shows me the road disappearing behind me. A camera does not replace driver obligations to make sure that obstructions are not behind their car, but the camera is also there to be a safety feature and it is not reliable as a safety feature do to its extremely slow start up. Individuals do not like to wait 30 seconds at a stop light much less 20 just to back out of their driveway. This is a design or manufacturing issue that should be corrected to ensure that the backup camera is a reliable safety feature as it was intended.

Filed May 10, 2013 · Driver assistance · 2,800 miles · WA

As many others have stated on this site and all over the internet, the back-up camera is ridiculously slow to come on. Most times, I can back out of my driveway, stop, and be going forward down the street before the back-up camera even comes on. At that point, I'm driving up to a block away with my back-up camera still on. While most of the time this is simply an annoying inconvenience, it is also a very real safety issue. One of the reasons I buy cars with back-up cameras is to make sure I'm able to see anything small (like a child, bike, etc.) behind the car while backing that my mirrors won't show. My lexus also has this camera (as did my prius that I traded for the passat) and it came on within one second of putting the car in reverse. The passat is routinely taking 6-8 seconds, and has taken as long as 15 seconds to turn on. I've noticed that it is not just the camera that is slow. Many of the other functions of the touch screen are also slow to react. The vw dealer I bought the car from says that vw is aware of the issue but it is simply a slow processor so there is nothing they can do about it.

Filed May 2, 2013 · Driver assistance · 150 miles · VA

The backup camera is very slow to respond when placing the vehicle into reverse (15-25 seconds). Frequently, the camera will not activate until the vehicle has completed backing up and the vehicle is placed into drive. Volkswagen is aware of the issue, having identified it in a vw technical bulletin. I contacted volkswagen customer care in auburn, mi, about resolving the issue. I received a letter from[xxx], dated 22 april 2013, which stated: ". . . Your vehicle is operating as per its designed intent. As such, we will not be able to make a repair to [the] system." information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr updated 05/05/14.

Filed Mar 25, 2013 · Electrical · 200 miles · DC

The rear view camera takes 10-15 seconds to start up negating the safety it is supposed to provide. Vw USA notified and were not helpful and said they've never heard of this problem.