Power Train Problems of Volkswagen Passat - part 1

Vehicle in question has a dual-clutch automatic transmission with 103,000 miles on the odometer. Transmission failed without warning while turning left onto a major highway from a standing stop -- stuck in 1st gear, it was dangerously slow to get out of other drivers' way, creating a serious road hazard concern. Vehicle had been maintained since new with fluid changes as required but still failed prematurely and without warning of any sort. Dealer inspected the car and stated the transmission needs to be replaced.

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My vehicle has a transmission coolant leak, which is common for some of the 2014 Passat. Not pretty sure if it is due to the faulty o-ring recalled for some of 2014 Passats.

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Leak from water pump area and airbag.

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.

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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 stated that the timing belt was replaced, the vehicle was repaired; however, the vehicle had developed other failures. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and was shaking abnormally while shifting gear. The contact stated that the failure recurred with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The warranty company was contacted, and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to a dealer; however, a full diagnostic test was not completed, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

While driving car began to jerk and had odd smell. Stopped at a midas to have car looked at and all of the transmission fluid leaked out. Techs at midas state the gasket that hold the fluid in came out and caused all the fluid to leak out. Had no issues while driving previous to this, this just happened randomly in the middle of our drive. We did jot hit or run over anything and the road we were traveling on was in good paved condition.

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On 6 separate occasions while operating my vehicle it randomly stops running. The first two were at 40 mph and I was told it was a battery issue. It happened twice less than 4 days after the battery was replaced, once at 25 mph and once at 15 mph. I then had the fuel pump replaced. Less than 4 days later it happened twice again. Once at 10 mph and another time at 45 mph.

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Timing chain issues, motor oil circulation problems, that Volkswagen has recalls out for 2. 0 cc turbo 2013.

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. And to add insult to injury, every single maintenance item was followed to the exact mileage and the fuel level wasnt even below a quarter of a tank.

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving 10-15 mph, the transmission was shifting hard, and the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound while shifting between 1st and 2nd gear. The contact drove to the residence and parked the vehicle. The contact then shifted into reverse (r) and the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound. The contact stated that the failure recurred while shifting into drive (d). The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle went into limp mode. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,074.

Upon further inspection a bushing was needed to be replaced. The bushing that holds the shift connection component together disconnected and popped off the shifting mechanism. The problem was reproduced several times. My safety was at risk, I was pulling into a parking space, put my vehicle in park, my car did not display a 'p' the option was empty (no r or d either was displayed). My car jumped forward and started to go and I was able to hold the brake and pull the emergency brake. I shut the car off after the shifter was stuck into the 'drive' position. Manually putting the vehicle in park was able to fix the issue. No warning lights or issues prior occurred, the vehicle stuck in drive and it would have caused a crash if I were reversing or elsewhere. The issue happened again after the replacement part, the bushing popped off and the same behavior happened.

I had just had the engine replaced on my 2014 Volkswagen Passat tdi 13 miles previously and on my first drive upon getting my car back I had an error code “transmission overheated” and I lost power while driving and the check engine light also illuminated. The transmission cut out almost immediately when the overheating message illuminated on the dashboard. It then illuminated a wrench where the drive indication is not the dashboard and would not allow selection of any gears. I had the transmission inspected by the dealer and they aren’t sure what happened and that it does indeed need a new transmission. The fact that I lost the ability to drive the car immediately after the light came on while driving seems dangerous to me and a transmission with 63,000 miles and 64 degrees f shouldn’t overheat. It is a dsg transmission and I have read online of several other owners experiencing similar situations of the transmission having faulty parts and overheating. I also reached out to Volkswagen of America and they said there isn’t anything they can do as the car is out of warranty (I believe the warranty for the transmission was 60,000). I had pointed out to Volkswagen that the transmission is cooled by the engine so a brand new engine 13 miles ago and then the consequent overheating and terminal failure seems rather odd to me. Had I been driving on the freeway instead of 40 mph the situation could have ended significantly different then it did.

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was unofficially diagnosed; however, the mechanic noticed that the engine was misfiring. The mechanic performed a tune-up on the vehicle, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired the independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact researched the failure and identified five unknown recall repairs with the same description of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the recall repairs had been previously completed on the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased new, and the contact had been the sole owner of the vehicle. The contact stated that no recall repairs had ever been completed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was unknown.

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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.

Transmission clunks into gear and loses traction while shifting.

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We owned vehicle approx 8yrs and in late 2022 will driving/on highway 55mph or local roads like broadway 15-20mph the vehicle goes into neutral. Very dangerous it wil work as it should after a restart.

Car has low oil pressure come up. After new oil change around 2,000 mile the oil has disappeared/burned away. I had falcone check 3 different times. They see no leaks or issue. Due to this my engine knocks.

The brakes totally went out on my vehicle with no warning. It first started when I bought the car, the brake pad (almost brand new) almost set my left front rotor on fire within 10 minutes of driving. If I didn’t pull over there’s no question that my car would’ve set on fire. My fuel like was leaking heavily, and the emergency brake which is hydraulic wouldn’t even deploy. I could’ve gotten killed. There is also an extreme issue with the power train system. Completely unsafe.

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The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving a 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where she informed the mechanic that she had to top off the oil reservoir with 1 to 2 quarts of oil every two weeks. The mechanic informed her that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil and referred her to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where she was informed that the upper timing chain cover and transmission oil cooler needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 14v182000 (power train) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and she was informed that her vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.

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. I am not the only one dealing with this stalling issue/go forward to go backwards issue** dangerous*** what is I have to suddenly put it in reverse to get out of another vehicle or another harmful situation?????.

Dual mass flywheel failure.

The steering tightens up at times when decelerating between 30 - 42 mph. This has occurred three times now since purchase of the vehicle new. My vehicle database feedback notes no repairs needed; just check of vehicle at 20,000 miles and oil change at 10,000 miles. I am subscribed to the vehicle's car-net data monitoring system since purchase of the vehicle new from the dealership. The monitoring system notes gps location, speed travelling, etc. When this steering condition occurs it is as if power to the steering is lost for about 0. 7 - 1. 2 seconds. It is as if driving in a vehicle that has an electrical system controlling the power functioning of the steering and there is a loss of electrical feedback to the steering. I have driven over 100 vehicles and this vehicle does have a problem with the steering system. There is a noticeable pull back on the vehicle when the automatic shifts down and this steering issue may or may not be related to the automatic transmission downshifting mechanisms.

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. Volkswagen is known to have transmission issues so I was shocked there wasnt any recall on the issue since my car had very low miles on it and it is a known Volkswagen issue. It is progressively getting worse to where it is becoming a hazard and I cant continue to drive my vehicle.

The 2018 vw Passat se is only 3 years old and the transmission went out. The mileage was just a little over 98,000. The car has been kept up with as far as oil change, routine maintenance, and extras, such as tires and brakes. We have been given no reason to why the transmission would have went out like it did. But we are stuck making payments on it and the cost of repair from the dealership itself is $4,500.

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The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the vehicle jerked forward while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle went into limp mode with an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact pulled over and inspected the vehicle. The contact stated that the engine was rattling and over heating. At start-up, the rpm's revved up while the rattling persisted, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Bergstrom Volkswagen of appleton (3019 n victory ln #102, appleton, WI 54913, (800) 398-6846) was contacted and an appointment was scheduled for the vehicle to be inspected. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was promised a call back which was still pending. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

Rattle noises while driving on asphalt roads from rear of vehicle underneath car and/or front. Loose bolts or missing welds maybe. Dealer replace front sway bar and problem did not go away so wallas Volkswagen put the original oem part back on last month and did not charge us for the service. They told us it's unknown why the rattling continued.

Transmission went into neutral while accelerating at highway speed last night. False neutral? no noticeable lights came on and finally put itself back in gear after we came to a stop. Gear selector was never moved. I've read many people having this issue and seems to be a temp or speed sensor in the trans.

See all problems of the 2008 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

My 2012 Passat had an issue with the flywheel as it was starting to come apart and cause a rattle noise like an exhaust pipe rattling it went away when I took rpm to a little higher number had it fixed by dealership I wonder why there wasn't a recall on this as it happened to many people I had it replaced in time but was lucky enough to catch it in time if I hadn't and it broke as I was driving it would have stopped the engine causing multiple problems and destroying the engine and at 75 mph could possibly get into a serious wreck this flywheel didn't wear out it was completely coming apart and for a 2012 with 80,000 it shouldn't be coming apart the car has never been mistreated and had regular maintenance since new all recommended by factory. I was shocked to see no recalls anywhere for this flywheel part on a tdi 2. 0 Passat.

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The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while parking the vehicle at his residence, the vehicle was shifted from reverse to park however, the vehicle was reversing. There was no warning light illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed and stopped with the parking brake. The contact was unable to immediately remove the key from the ignition switch. The vehicle was not drivable. Alexandria Volkswagen located at 107 w glebe rd, alexandria, va 22305, (703) 684-8888 was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

While driving the car the epc light came on. I took the vehicle to the dealership where they determined the oil level was so low that no oil was showing on the dip stick. Dealership added 3. 8 quarts its and noted they suspect based on my history of timely oil changes that the engine is consuming oil. The low oil indicator light never came on. The car is still consuming oil and no indicator light is coming on.

While at idle the timing chain makes a rattling noise. I had the timiing chain , guides, and tentioner replaced, and it still makes the same noise. The vareible cam timing is now making a noise.

Sluggish, hesitates, will not accelerate uphill. Codes: p039b, p93af, p03b9.

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 spend trying to get it fixed was a waste of money and time but im grateful I'm ok and my car didn't blow up while me and my babies were in it crossing the bridge it was smoking so bad from the back than it started smoking from under the hood after again everything was fix an replaced that when we learn it was a electrical problem and I wasn't going to be able to drive anymore also I try to check the box for the electrical, an engine as well sorry about my complaint I truly love my vw Passat I have a vw tourge also vw or my favorite cars look forward to talking to someone soon.

The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14v182000 (power train) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure stated in the recall. The vehicle was taken to dean team Volkswagen of ballwin (15121 manchester rd, ballwin, mo 63011) who informed the contact that the engine needed to be taken apart to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that recalls were VIN specific. The VIN was not included. No assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.

The automatic transmissions used in the b6 Volkswagen Passat 2. 0t along with several other vw models are notoriously problematic. There was a recall on the transmission control unit needing a software update which was done on my vehicle, however this does not address the real issue with these transmissions. The widespread and more serious issue with these transmissions is the valve body assembly part of the transmission causing hard shifts usually between first and second or third and fourth gear. These hard shifts cause the entire car and it's passengers to jerk violently during upshifts and sometimes downshifts between these gears. At only 91,000 miles and well taken care of my car has developed this problem between third and fourth gear making it feel very dangerous and unsettling for the driver and passengers of the vehicle when getting up to speed especially on on-ramps to the highway. I also want to mention that this problem has destroyed my motor mounts as well. Vw should take responsibility for this defective part of the transmission similar to the way Honda did with their odyssey, only this does not require the whole transmission to be replaced like with the odyssey. This is an enormous safety concern that needs to be acknowledged and address by Volkswagen, the largest automobile manufacturer in the world.