2014 Volkswagen Passat: backup camera failure

Filed Feb 25, 2022 · CT

Approximately 2 years ago the backup camera and infotainment system ceased working. I complained to the dealership but they said that failure of the system was a "characteristic" and not a "defect". In my opinion, having an operational backup camera is a safety feature. They quoted me over $2,500 to repair. I now see on the internet that VW has issued a recall of over 32,000 vehicles (model year 2021) for the exact same problem -- losing the rearview camera and infotainment displays. By the way, lose of the system in my car also means that I cannot use my mobile phone "hands-free" thru the car, which is also a safety feature. So, if VW is issuing a recall for 2021 vehicles for this same issue as my car, why must I pay over $2,500 for it to be repaired on my 2014 Passat?

Filed Sep 14, 2020 · Electrical · 15,000 miles · NJ

Back up camera, radio do not work on a regular basis. Happened a couple of times in the first year but thought it was just a weird blip. Blue tooth disables my ability to make or receive a call while in the car. Radio cuts off or never comes on while driving or stationary. Telephone voice command is stuck in foreign language and even dealer couldn't get it to change back to english commands. Drivers door lock sticks and won't open from outside and sometimes inside. Need to get out on passenger side. Sometimes getting in I have to go to passenger side and can open from inside. Days can pass and things work ok and then out of no where, they don't work?? Maybe electrical or software issue??

Filed Apr 5, 2016 · Electrical · 36,000 miles · WI

I have had several problems with the tsi sel navigation and radio system in my car. It seems as though you cannot touch any buttons until this system is fully up and running. It is extremely slow at start up. Most of the time I can finish my backing out of the driveway even before the back up camera comes on. On a few occasions I have started the vehicle and the radio will suddenly go to full volume. I have had the navigation system lock up on me. Once we were driving in tennessee and pulled off to get some gas, well this completely confused the system and it decided to lock up once we entered back on the highway. I had to pull over to the side and turn the car off for a while and then reprogram my destination. Another time on my way home from work the system locked and would not let me get to any other screen. I have had times when the system never boots completely and stays with the message of "system starting". Of course the dealership cannot repeat the issues and flat out told me they don't work on them because they are junk and they know that they are slow and in adequate. Personally if vw knows they are crap they should give us the upgrades they did to the newer models. I know I am not the only one with this issue because I have talked with others who have the same problems.

Filed Feb 19, 2016 · Electrical, Visibility · 19,000 miles · TX

Backup camera/navigation/radio system system does not working in a consistent manner (camera works when it wants to-big safety concern, screen goes blank, etc.). Radio/navigation controls are inoperable at random occasions while vehicle is in motion or even at a stop position. Radio screen goes blank even if radio is on and user is unable to control it for up to a few minutes. On 2 occasions, even after turning the entire car on and off multiple times the radio was on but all controls were inoperable and unable to turn off. Eventually the system became operable a few minutes later. Safety issue has been discussed with vw dealer and they stated vw knows about all the owner inquiries into this issue but it has yet to make a recall. My concern is that backup camera does not work as it should and therefore the safety feature that the vehicle came with does not function properly. This causes the driver to go in reverse with only the help of mirrors. If safety equipment does not work properly then it should be replaced. Second, when the system controls malfunction the volume and on/off buttons cannot be used and therefore driver is left focusing on how to fix this issue not on keeping their eyes on the road. As per my discussion both with the dealership service department and the customer service at corporate office, they admitted to the recurring issue for many vw owners but said it had not become a big enough issue or safety concern so there was not recall. My question is if system (backup camera/radio/navigation) is already a documented issue for many owners and does not allow a safety feature to work properly (backup camera) or can cause a distraction for a vehicle operator then why is not a recall. I purchased a brand new vehicle with the expectation that all equipment would work as described.

Filed Aug 17, 2014 · Electrical · 600 miles · NC

Since purchased we have found the rns-510 radio navigation asystem to be a dangerous item that volkswagen has known about for a number of years. Their tech tips number, tt 91-13-01 dated 2/8/2013, updated on 5/9/2014 basically tells the car owner to just live with it. I think not since it is dangerous and life threatening. In speaking with vw techs at a number of dealerships I have been told this system is , "crap', "sucks", " is underpowered", "has been a problem since it was introduced", "is a pain in the [xxx]", "will never work right because it is underpowered". My wife is afraid to drive it because of concerns with the aforementioned radio navigation system. When putting the vehicle in reverse and waiting from 3-7 seconds the rearview camera shows a picture.when placed in drive the rearview camera stays on the screen for around 8-9 seconds. My wife has found this distracting and dangerous in moving forward but having a rear view still visible on the screen taking the drivers attention from concentrating on the road ahead. The radio touch screen is also a problem that at times requires multiple touches to get a channel change, again a distraction to the drive. Now the navigation system in this unit also is a pain. When my wife would use the navigation system the map would freeze up on the original streets and not progress as she went forward. I tried all of these things and agree completely. This unit is garbage that is a big distraction that vw has known about since the rns-510 was first introduced. The rns-510 came in my passat sel premium which is supposed to be the top end passat. One would think that such a vehicle would contain a unit that would function in a safe manner. I think this is the type of defective part that should require a recall. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 26, 2014 · Driver assistance · 2,747 miles · MD

While going around a right corner at highway speeds on a dry day and other vehicles going much faster than my vehicle. The car applied the brakes in an aggressive manner in the opposing direction of the turn as if it wanted me to go straight I almost got into an accident with the vehicle in the left lane. I immediately contacted volkswagen about the issue. I first brought the car in on 1/13/14 and was told no malfunctions found. I took the car in again on 2/15/14 and was told vehicle is operating as designed. I took the car in again on 3/14/14 to a different dealership and this time they found that the tires were set at 41.5 psi. The recommend pressure is 30psi. I was told that with higher psi the wheels would bounce and could loose traction. I never had to a air to any of my tires since purchase. During these occasion my vehicle has been in and out of the shop for a number of reason along with a squeaking suspension and backup camera issues and at not time no one noticed the additional 11 psi. After driving for a week it did the same thing again on 3/21/14 even after the tire pressure adjustment. I am schedule to bring the vehicle back to the dealer 3/27/14. All this time I'm left to drive this unsafe vehicle because volkswagen wants to try again and fix the problems without giving me a loaner to avoid the lemon law of 30 out of use in maryland. So far it's been 20days out of use because of the repairs.