Volkswagen Passat wipers problems

Filed May 15, 2026 · Airbags · MO

Early in 2024 my VW Passat TDI SEL the airbag light would not go off after starting and operating the car. The steering wheel controls were also operation incorrectly -- the horn didn't work, nor did the cruise control, wiper controls, etc. I took the car to my local VW dealership, where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel clock spring was defective and needed to be replaced. The dealership reported the component was on a serious back order, and they would call me when it was available. This presented a clear safety issue, since the airbag was non-functioning, and the horn did not work, and the other steering wheel controls were not operating correctly. I requested a loaner car until such time as the repair could be effected, but was told they would not provide me with one. Many months later, the part became available and in September 2024 the faulty steering wheel clock spring was replaced, and I paid for it. Late in 2025, VW mailed me a notice that they were utilizing an extended warranty coverage for the steering wheel clock spring replacement that I had done. I emailed my application to them, according to all of their guidelines, and 4 month later, after receiving on reply to my application, I contacted VW and was told my submission had been overlooked, but I would receive action within a few days. A few days later, the email I received from VW denied that the faulty clock spring replacement was covered by the warranty coverage for which they had mailed me to apply.

Filed Aug 5, 2022 · Airbags · CT

The clock spring was diagnosed to be faulty in February '22 and a new part was ordered and not in yet. This has made the airbag, wipers and horn stop working. This is a failure that affects thousands of VWs and they have no idea when the new parts will be available. This auto is my only transportation!

Filed Apr 28, 2022 · Airbags · MO

My VW Passat has no turn signals, horn, bright lights, wipers just all steering column and steering wheel controls don’t work. Have even heard airbag don’t work. VW shop in St. Peter’s Missouri said my clock spring is broke but part is back ordered. They said come get the car it is drivable until unknown time part will come in. My car might drive but it is illegal and unsafe to drive without wipers in rain and no turn signals. Unsafe to not have horn, bright lights, or air bag.

Filed Feb 3, 2019 · Visibility · 117,000 miles · NY

Driving while in inclement weather noticed passenger side window fogging up and didn't think much about it such as heavy rain etc. And didn't think much about it. Fast forward to sub freezing temperatures in a snowstorm and now noticed passenger side windshield frozen and wipers useless. Start diagnostics and find cold air blowing out air vents and read thousands of people have the same issue and volkswagen knows about it. They actually had an enxtended warranty for some not others to cover this issue and a service bulletin to bandaid the fix. This is affecting thousands of people and is a safety issue affecting thousands and the worst thing about it is replacing the heater core is only temporary as it will have to be done again as they have no permanent fix. I can deal with fog on the windshield but not a frozen windshield only to have no means of getting heat to thaw out. I read about bmw having issues for blower motor resistors why can vw be held responsible for a clogged heater core.

Filed Aug 28, 2018 · Fuel system, Lights · 174,000 miles · SC

Headlight pigtails have melted ,fuel pump has gone ,and the plastic reservoir peice from my coolant pump has melted off driver side wiper arm bar has malfunctioned

Filed Jun 23, 2018 · Visibility · 152,000 miles · FL

My passenger wiper is no longer working. And the screw had stripped off. I live in florida where it rains all the time and is a safety concern especially with children in the car.

Filed May 24, 2018 · Airbags, Lights · 10,000 miles · SC

These steering wheel components stopped working: horn, turn signals, high beams, windshield wipers, and cruise control. Not sure if air bag will in case of a car wreck. Instrument panel displays the following message: "button for driver assistant system defective". Been an ongoing issue for the past since buying the car 2013, roughly 5 years ago. Volkswagens technicians repaired the issue multiple times on seperate occassions *while the vehicle was still under warrant.

Filed May 21, 2018 · Seats · 40,000 miles · SC

I have 51,000 miles on my car and the air conditioner unit went out. The car is too young to have the A/C replaced at this juncture...faulty parts. The A/C unit is listed in a class action lawsuit, along the windshield wiper system and the bearings. The A/C problem was mentioned to the vw mcdaniels service advisor twice when I was in on a service call, but said was not recorded on my portal of the vehicle. The driver seat has split and on the side it is warned. This is not good.

Filed Jan 18, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 46,400 miles · MA · crash

On 11/15/11 @33,125 miles when accelerating intermittently shift into neutral correct back to drive "could not be replicated" by vw service. Then, car started to become "hesitant" on acceleration from a stop or when on driving. 1/16/12, hesitation more frequent; vw service took a short drive,could not replicate "it's not an issue unless mil" (recommended new wiper blades). 3/6/12, @ 41,117 miles, continued to intermittently hesitate/wanted to stall/ neutral" no engine light (mil); 3/14/12 @ 41,595 miles, left headlight bulb replaced. 6/7/12, while in traffic on expressway approximate speed was 20mph, car hesitated to move with flow of traffic then immediately after hesitation, 2 things occurred @same time, I was rear-ended & engine light (mil) came on. Then car hesitated as I went to pull over. Mil went off then flickered on. I called vw service the mil was off & was told that rear-ended caused the flicker. Mil cont to intermittently go on & off. On 6/30/12 @47,098 miles, mil on steering locked up car hesitating; vw service was informed that auto body shop stated obd car misfiring; replaced l headlight again-car passed inspection. On 7/12/12 @ 48347 miles, mil vw swapped wires again; mil, hesitation while driving, & shifting issue still intermittent; 3/2/13@ 64070 miles mil on l headlight bulb replaced; 3/30/13 mil replace spark plugs; 4/15/13 @ 65,689 mil ignition coil manifold fuel injectors replaced; returned 4/16/13 hesitation rebreather corrected; safety inspection mil on forced car to passed. Mil stays on still hesitates @78,942 water pump; @79000 car hesitating stalling mil intake valve fuel injector need cleaning - l headlight again; @91,195, left headlight replaced vehicle ret to me by vw with mil & steering lock lights on refused to repair 100,191 miles mil still on 107,290 vw forced fail safety inspection mil came on &has never gone off

Filed Jan 30, 2017 · Airbags, Visibility · 120,000 miles · IN

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2007 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that the windshield wiper fluid dispenser motor did not work. The failure occurred without warning. When the vehicle was started, the air bag warning indicator illuminated and flashed a picture of an inflated air bag with a "vehicle statue, air bag default" warning message. The failures were not diagnosed. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags). The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and stated that the windshield wiper motor was not included in a recall and the air bag failure was not recall related. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available....updated 11/15/17 *bf updated 12/1/2017