Four problems related to steering column have been reported for the 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat based on all problems reported for the 2012 Passat.
Clock spring failure after recall service was performed. 2-8-2018 - upon starting to drive when I turned the steering wheel I heard a scraping sound in the steering column and then the air bag light came on indicating air bag not working, all control switches on the steering wheel and horn was not working. I had the recall for the protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring installed at the vw dealer in March 2016. Vw dealer and the corporate customer service tell me the replacement of the clock spring is not a warranty issue since the recall was performed over 12 months ago. It's obvious to me that the cover recall fix was not the correct fix and possibly caused the problem I now have with the car. Since vw knew there was a re-design of the clock spring to correct a design flaw the cover recall should have been to automatically replace the clock spring with the improved design. I'm being told I'll have to pay $500 to make the repair which I find very unfair in light of the re-design for the part or the possibility the recall repair was not correct and may be the cause of the probelm now.
October 2014 was turning into driveway from the street at slow speed and heard a crunch while turning the wheel . After completion of the turn the light for the airbag came on and none of the steering wheel controls worked. Had dealer repair clock spring and associated items in column. November 2015 we were making a u-turn on a public road,at slow speed , at the completion of the turn there was a resistance in the column and a crunch , followed by the airbag light coming on and no steering wheel controls working . The airbag light is still on , there is constant crunching sounds from the column and the dealer says its been more than a year its not covered under warranty(the previous replacement at more than $500. 00) and that they know of no recall or safety issue with the clockspring or airbag on these cars .
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. While driving 55 mph, a loud clicking noise was heard under the steering wheel and the air bag light illuminated. The vehicle lost power and was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the steering column control model needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 42,500.
No accident. A premature failure of part 39462 - electric defective steering column control module which controls airbags, horn and other items in the steering column.