2013 Volkswagen Passat Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2013 Volkswagen Passat, 12% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 63,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “clock spring” (22% of reports).
- 93electrical system complaints
- 63,000median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 22%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Clock spring: mentioned in 20 of 93 complaints (22%)
- Steering wheel controls: mentioned in 8 of 93 complaints (9%)
- Low beam: mentioned in 7 of 93 complaints (8%)
- Airbag error: mentioned in 5 of 93 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 60 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 93 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 2 a fire.
Volkswagen Passat electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Passat | 3 | 23% | 90 |
| 2021 Passat | 3 | 17% | — |
| 2020 Passat | 3 | 17% | — |
| 2019 Passat | 4 | 33% | 2,763 |
| 2018 Passat | 10 | 22% | 49,900 |
| 2017 Passat | 18 | 16% | 54,078 |
| 2016 Passat | 22 | 21% | 6,100 |
| 2015 Passat | 48 | 20% | 52,100 |
| 2014 Passat | 74 | 12% | 48,000 |
| 2013 Passat | 93 | 12% | 63,000 |
| 2012 Passat | 95 | 20% | 60,000 |
| 2011 Passat | 4 | 25% | 96,500 |
| 2010 Passat | 21 | 13% | 71,000 |
| 2009 Passat | 18 | 12% | 62,800 |
| 2008 Passat | 21 | 13% | 85,000 |
| 2007 Passat | 34 | 13% | 80,000 |
| 2006 Passat | 79 | 14% | 59,244 |
| 2005 Passat | 9 | 6% | 63,507 |
| 2004 Passat | 23 | 8% | 55,999 |
| 2003 Passat | 90 | 14% | 62,359 |
| 2002 Passat | 220 | 35% | 14,590 |
| 2001 Passat | 73 | 17% | 39,500 |
| 2000 Passat | 43 | 8% | 74,000 |
| 1999 Passat | 58 | 9% | 84,799 |
| 1998 Passat | 28 | 8% | 82,365 |
| 1997 Passat | 13 | 35% | 86,000 |
| 1996 Passat | 14 | 35% | 94,600 |
| 1995 Passat | 15 | 16% | 143,435 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Electrical system:wiring
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Passat vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Due to improperly assembled wire seals in a connector for an underbody sensor, water may enter and corrode the electrical connectors of the sensor, causing an electrical short.
Risk: An electrical short can cause the electrical connectors of the sensor to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in September. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23T3.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
In April 2025, my 2013 Volkswagen Passat developed serious issues: the steering wheel cover is lifted, horn and steering wheel controls stopped working, lights malfunctioned, and now the vehicle will not start. It also has an open Takata airbag recall with no parts available until âafter juneâ…
Failed clock spring. Airbag light was present and a rattling noise, when turning, was noticed. Less than 72 hours later, the buttons on the steering wheel, including horn, stopped working, and a louder crack/pop was heard.
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2013 Volkswagen Passats have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 93 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2013 Volkswagen Passat (12% of the 748 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Volkswagen Passat electrical system?
Yes: 1 safety recall list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do electrical system problems start?
The median reported mileage is 63,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the 2013 Volkswagen Passat?
The most frequent phrase is “clock spring”, in 20 of 93 complaints, followed by “steering wheel controls” (8).
Other 2013 Volkswagen Passat problems
- Air Bags problems (382)
- Engine problems (104)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (65)
- Exterior Lighting problems (60)
- Steering problems (51)
See all 2013 Volkswagen Passat problems or electrical system problems across all Passat years.