Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Volkswagen Passat owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased in 2024 from a Used Car Dealer. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated after the vehicle was driven off the dealer lot. The contact drove to the destination and restarted the vehicle and the message "Distressed Vehicle Start" was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle back to the dealer and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was advised that there was an issue with the engine. The dealer advised the contact that parts had been ordered and she would be contacted to bring the vehicle in for the repair. The contact was not contacted, and calls were not returned. The contact contacted the warranty company for assistance with the repair. …
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, there was an abnormal metallic sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, there was an odor of smoke and burnt rubber. The contact was able to pull over safely. The contact stated that there was a hole in the engine. The contact stated that the transmission had exploded. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V182000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
I have had an issue with my transmission since I've got it. I got it with only 155,000 miles on it in Nov 2023. When i touch my brakes going slow or pull off from a red light my vehicle will make a Sharp noise and shook When i switch gears it will occasionally get stuck and shake when i pull off. I took it to Auto Plus Dealership service a couple times in 2023 where they assured me i had no transmission issue. I had other things like control arms and tires issues that i had fixed. But my car was still doing the same thing. So, i took it to various shops and Auto Plus Dealership service many times throughout the entire year of 2023. Then finally they told me there is a issue with my 02-sense kit and dual mass flywheel as well. During the time they found that issue it was only about 150, 000 miles on my vehicle. …
I have had an issue with my transmission since I've got it . I got it with only 38,000 miles on it in july 2021. When i touch my brakes going slow or pull off from a red light my vehicle will make a choppy noise and shake. When i switch gears it will occasionally get stuck and shake when i pull off. I took it to volkswagen service a couple times in 2021 where they assured me i had no transmission issue. I had other things like control arms and water pump issues that i had fixed. But my car was still doing the same thing. So i took it to various shops and volkswagen service many times throughout the entire year of 2022. Then finally they told me there is a issue with my whole clutch gearbox kit and dual mass flywheel as well. During the time they found that issue it was only about 45,000 miles on my vehicle. …
While making a right turn, i attempted to accelerate only to be met with intense juddering. i was able to pull of the road and shut off the engine, but it would not restart. I called the every dealership near me and the soonest appointment was 2 weeks out and they would not tell me if they had loaner cars. The appointment comes and the dealer not only tells me to rent a car out of pocket, but the high pressure fuel pump had failed meaning a $7000 replacement of the entire fuel system. My vehicle is still within the mileage limit on the extended warranty but i was 5 months out of the time limit. I brought up the warranty, and a TSB related to this failure and they still told me i was out of luck. I still owe thousands on this car, and another vw dealer tried to gouge me stating that the only way to get out of this was to buy a new car. absolute insanity all throughout this company. …
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. …
DSG transmission, yes it's available for inspection. The vehicle lost power and it wouldn't go any faster for a few minutes when accelerated. I'm talking it for inspection on 03/31/2023. No inspection yet. This problem has never happened before. This happened on March 29th, 2023. The transmission light came on and it said to park the vehicle and let the transmission cool because it was over heating. I parked it for a while and when I started it back up the light went out. I called the dealer and he said to bring it in but don't drive it hard. My vehicle is a Volkswagen CC r line but on your website it's showing a picture of a Volkswagen Passat with my vin number.
Mechatronics unit failure- I was on highway traveling at 74 miles per hour and car just slowed down to about 10 mile per hour with no ....I was in rush hour traffic on the nys state thruway and was also slammed in the rear end by cars/trucks traveling behind me. This is a known issued with vw and older models of my car have been recalled. I coasted off the highway and was towed from the exit to heart vw in kingston ny. My car in being repaired now and I am told it will be $2000+ to fix ... I have estimate and report from when car towed in.
1/26/2018 - I was driving my 2013 vw Passat on the highway at a 60 MPH speed, and it suddenly began forcing itself to stop, as if the transmission was going out. The car began slowing down jerking itself, and the cars behind me had to brake abruptly, almost hitting me. It was a frightening experience. I did look down at the gear while this was happening and noticed that the gear lights d & s were both lit in red and the - and + were also lit in red. I was finally able to stop (on the highway) and put my car gear on park. I quickly put it on park and then tried to drive again, all was well until I exited the freeway, and while I was trying to make a left turn, the car begin slowly jerking again, not allowing to continue driving. I finally pulled to the side and turned off the car, restarting it after a few minutes, and then all was normal again. …
Hello I purchase my Passat 2013 last year in December it never gave me a problem but the engine light came on an it wouldn go off than the all kind of different symbols came across my dashboard so I took it to the mechanic they say I need new glow pipes so I got new glow pipes after they got replaced my car still wouldn't work so they sayed I needed a turbo actuator brought the turbo actuator an the mechanic change it my car still wouldn't work it wouldn't pick up speed or nothing the lights on the dashboard has been rested several different times still wouldn't go away so I call a another mechanic to get a second opinion and he told me it was a electric problem that my car was holding to much heat after changing everything my car been parked for 3months an I'm so sad I love my car but I see that they have a recall on my car and the problem I'm experiencing so basically all the money I …
Related recalls
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG). The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft heat shield, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Transmission complaints in other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2013 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2013 Volkswagen Passat, 4% of the model year's 749 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Volkswagen Passat transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-309 (driveshaft, May 11, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Volkswagen Passat transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 25,000 miles, and 43% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.