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2013 Volkswagen Passat: engine stalls while driving

27 of the 749 complaints about the 2013 Volkswagen Passat describe engine stalls while driving.

owner complaints
27
of this car's complaints
4%
typical mileage
32,300
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 303 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine stalls while driving by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 2, 2025 · Engine · 100,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while at a red light ,the vehicle intermittently stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Jan 30, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MA

Def system failed- cel came on w def light stating xxx miles to no start, codes p204f & 18097, now unable to start or drive car safely, 18097 code may cause abs & steering to shut off while driving & p204f renders the car unusable. EPA mod was never performed on my car per dieselgate settlement rules- & now the manufacturer(vw) is refusing to fix their mistake car has been in shop repeatedly for 30+ days at a time since 2022 for the def system and not once was the epa mod mentioned to me VW refuses to fix the def system or do the epa required mod- meaning I was sold a stop sale car. Also claiming I’m not entitled to warranty even though per their own warranty I am the first owner that I can see other then a dealership Am now told by other TDI owners that are still under warranty that vw is refusing to fix anything to do with the p204f code

Filed Nov 25, 2024 · Airbags, Electrical · CA

My vehicle was part of the emissions scandal that I knew nothing about when i purchased it. I was not told. I have had it in over 15 times at the dealership with ongoing problems that they say they fixed but isn't and because of its other Problems have occurred. The vehicle gets hot, and I am afraid to drive it out of fear of it exploding. It is a diesel and has stalled on me while driving after jerking on its own. Other issues are lights going out such as break lights, fog lights and doors locking up and not locking. Glow plugs, fan going out and now problems with the coolant system getting hot. I have taken it to Volkswagen Tracy where i bought it several times, but they only charge me more in diagnostic fees and repairs. I noticed when driving on the highway people stay far at a distance in back of me than normal. Now with a recall on the airbags after it gets hot, I am afraid to drive it out of fear of serious injury or death to me and my family. date is approximate and i have over 50 pages of repair invoices.

Filed Mar 7, 2024 · Fuel system · 135,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the "Glow Plug" warning light appeared on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled. After several minutes, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove the vehicle home while in LIMP Mode. The contact used a code reader which showed that there was a defect with the high-pressure fuel pump. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

Filed Feb 17, 2024 · Driver assistance, Engine · CA

Stalling? Have to put in DRIVE in order to forward in order to get car to back up? Air bags Clock wheel has more connection to what wrong/Air bags connections is Connected to HORN (which stopped working) DRIVE? all the refuses are working fine. horn not work; Dangerous driving in CALIIFORNIA without a HORN** I just want ALL is for them to REPLACE the PARTS OF MY VW 2013 PASSAT WITHOUT ANY CHARGE Whatsoever; even an UNNECESSARY FEE** I am driving a car with DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS, TIRES HEADLIGHTS, Suspension, SEATBELTS PROBLEMS, TRANSMISSIONS PRBLEMS, steering, electrical, system THAT CAN EXPLODE LEADING TO A LETHAL SITUATION FOR MYSELF And/or my DISABLED SON NOT TO SAY SOMETIMES I HAVE MY GRANDKIDS here have been a lot of complaints other than for what these recalled products are allowed on this vehicle. I am not the only one dealing with this stalling issue/go forward. DANGEROUS what does SOMEONE have do suddenly put it in reverse to get out of another vehicle or another harmful?? Because these issues are really serious!! Especially when dealership like AUTO PLUS IN INDIO. CA. use car DEALERSHIP in vehicles like this and promising. people things about the vehicle and not true!!

Filed Jan 4, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

Stalling? Have to put in DRIVE in order to forward in order to get car to back up? Air bags Dealer will not fix wo $245.00 DX fee. Clock wheel has more connection to what is wrong/Air bags connections as well Connected to HORN (which stopped working) DRIVE? All fuses replaced with new ones; horn would still not work; Dangerous driving in FLORIDA without a HORN** I just want ALL of the DEEMED REPLACEMENT PART OF THIS VW 2013 PASSAT DONE WITHOUT ANY CHARGE Whatsover; even an UNNECESSARY DX FEE** I am driving a car with DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS THAT CAN EXPLODE LEADING TO A LETHAL SITUATION FOR MYSELF AND/or my DISABLED GRANDCHILD** There have been a lot of complaints online other than for what these recalled products are allowed on this vehicle. I am not the only one dealing with this stalling issue/go forward to go backwards issue** DANGEROUS*** what is I have to suddenly put it in reverse to get out of another vehicle or another harmful situation?????

Filed Mar 28, 2023 · Electrical · 150,100 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagens Passat. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and multiple unknown safety lights are illuminated on the dash. The vehicle was able to restart. On another occasion, while parked the vehicle stalled and multiple safety lights were illuminated again. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact believes that the failure is associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number:Â 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). The manufacturer was notified and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 150,100.

Filed Apr 25, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

VW BCM unit causes vehicle to idle then shut off while driving making it impossible to steer or increase speed.

Filed Nov 25, 2020 · Electrical · 121,000 miles · WA

Starting the car is a problem . I'll be driving it from time to time . Then it will just stop working. So very dangerous when I'm at a red light and it stalls.

Filed Sep 9, 2020 · Fuel system · 84,000 miles · NY

While in motion, thankfully at a low speed, the car suddenly stalled, though the radio stayed on. After getting off the road, I saw that the check engine light was on at that point, but it turned off once the car was restarted, only to turn on again six days later.

Filed Jan 17, 2020 · Fuel system · 87,000 miles · FL

Car frequently stalls and the picks up when accelerating from a stop.when I'm pulling out into traffic it gets very scary when you're already out in the lane and it loses power and after several seconds it picks up. This happens every day.

Filed Aug 4, 2018 · Driver assistance, Engine · 20,000 miles · KS

Pulling out of driveway epc light comes on. Total loss of power and engine speed set to 1800rpm in "safe mode" no one knows exactly what is wrong. Mechanics cannot ttell me what is wrong. Dealership vw has no idea and want to start replacing items in descriminately and I don't have that kind of money to throw around and besides. The people that built the car can't figure it out. This is a huge safety issue. Computer faults and shuts down the power at hiway speeds and sometimes car stalls out. This is very dangerous and happening to hundreds maybe thousands of people I'm reading online and talking with other owners.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the 2013 Volkswagen Passat stalling

Is engine stalls while driving a common problem on the 2013 Volkswagen Passat?

27 of 749 owner complaints about the 2013 Volkswagen Passat (4%) mention engine stalls while driving. The model year with the most reports is 2003.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2013 Volkswagen Passat?

There are 0 recalls and 303 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2013 Volkswagen Passat

Airbag light 75Headlights 48Check engine light 47Loss of power 33Fuel pump 30Door locks 24Steering noise 18Won't start 17Coil spring 16No deployment 10Engine failure 10Knocking 8Whining noise 8Backup camera 7Jerking 7Won't shift 7Grinding brakes 6Key fob 6Overheating 6Tire blowout 6Wipers 6Misfire 5Sunroof shattered 5

All model years of the Volkswagen Passat

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