Steering Column Problems of Volkswagen Passat - part 1

On 1/12/21 while turning into a fast food restaurant I heard clicking in the steering column and then the air bag light came on and error codes across the digital screen and a clock emblem signal came on. Pulled over and looked at my manual. Drove on home and did research and found that the clock spring is a major issue with vws. I went back out to test the steering column and sure enough the horn and all controls on the column did not work. Called the local vw dealer the next day. They said there was a recall on this 2017 Passat sel model. They replaced 6 days later.

See all problems of the 2017 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

Vehicle lost power and shut off while driving on the street at approximately 20 mph. I had driven about 1 block on this street after having turned onto it from another street. When the car died, "steering wheel locked" displayed on dash panel. Car would not start, steering wheel wouldn't move beyond about 1" to the right. Message would display "steering wheel still locked" or "move steering wheel. " after 40 minutes of this rotation of messages and trying to start the vehicle, moved the steering wheel up and down. Car finally started but only for 3 seconds. Battery light would come on. Was able to start the car several times doing this and moving it 30 feet to safely park on the side of the road. Temperature outside was about 30 degrees f. For about 1 month prior to this, I would periodically hear a ticking sound after removing the key from the ignition. After the ticking stopped, a message would display on the dash panel "steering column locked. Visit workshop!" it was extremely cold when this happened, but it didn't happen every time I turned off the car, and the car started fine each time after. Outside temp was in the teens (f) when this typically happened.

See all problems of the 2010 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

While parked, upon starting the vehicle, a message on the console shows the following message: steering column lock defective!.

See all problems of the 2011 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

When parked or while driving the steering column locks up causing the car to lose the ability to steer or will automatically shut the car off while in traffic!! there have been several on line complaints about this same issue and Volkswagen refuses to acknowledge this faulty part which not only endangers the driver and passengers but everyone out on the road in the car's path. I have uploaded the other complaints about this very dangerous issue.

See all problems of the 2009 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

"steering column lock defective" warning displays on the obd panel regularly, yet randomly since purchasing vehicle. Bought in 2011 odometer 5,989, now in 2019 60,000 mi. Have reported this to vw dealer multiple times during service maintenance. Always told that no code pops, and no recall has been issued. Yet it occurs regularly causing the vehicle not to start. On one occasion, vehicle did start while warning was on display, attempted to exit parking lot, and while moving forward steering was unresponsive. Shut off vehicle and restarted. Warning did not reappear. If you reference - safercar. Gov - there are hundreds to thousands of complaints that discuss this same factory design flaw; some consumers report vehicle shutting down at highway speeds with this defect. All have the same quantry: vw will not address. A voluntary recall was issued without notification to owners in USA. It limited model/years and imposed an expiration date, even though it may affect all b6 Passats made during 2005-2010. Apparently, an open recall was issued for uk owners. My concern is that this defect has serious if not fatal safety concerns that vw is being allowed to pass on at the buyers expense. (dealer quotes range from $1,500-2,000 and above) now that vw is manufacturing in the us I am urging this agency to reinvestigate this manufacture defect affecting safe operation. I do have date/time stamped photos of this obd warning display. If vw wants to enjoy continued manufacturing in the us then they should be made accountable for replacing defective steering column systems through open recall to us buyers. This held true for emissions violations (us standards vs uk) shouldn't us buyers be given the same safety consideration as uk buyers.

See all problems of the 2008 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

The steering wheel lock was defective on my 2009 Volkswagen Passat. The vehicle had less than 35000 miles on it. This is a safety issue. The steering wheel locked up on several different occasions while I was trying to take the vehicle out of the garage. The steering wheel lock also caused the vehicle to stall. In addition, it could cause the vehicle to shake while it is being driven. Volkswagen USA admitted that this part is an issue. They issued several technical service bulletins about the steering wheel column lock. Several other makes and models of Volkswagens were recalled as a result of this issue. I am seeking judgement from Volkswagen in the amount of $588. 91, which is the cost of repair. Volkswagen refuses to pay for the safety issue because the car only had a 3 yr warranty. I will never purchase another Volkswagen ever. They are not willing to work with the consumer. The vehicle has been repaired by a Volkswagen dealer on 12/28/2018.

My car has less than 35000 miles. The steering wheel column lock is defective has been appearing on my instrument panel. This defective part will not allow the car to start at time. Further investigation revealed that it could cause the car to stall while it is being driven. A search of the internet revealed that this is a frequent problem with this make and model of the car. It is a safety issue which is not caused by normal wear and tear. Volkswagen refuses to repair the vehicle at no charge for a known safety issue. I want Volkswagen held responsible. If the vehicle stalls while in motion, I will file a lawsuit. I want to give your company the opportunity to resolve it first.

There is an electric steering column defect which makes the car stop all of a sudden in the middle of the drive. After that, the car would not start even after trying for at least a minute. This is dangerous as the car just stops while you are driving.

See all problems of the 2007 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

While driving one day I heard a snap in the steering column and the airbag symbol illuminated. The horn does not work and each time I turn the wheel I can hear a noise coming from the column. After taking to a dealer it was determined that the clock spring has failed in the vehicle and Volkswagen has refuse to replace due to placing a cover over the clock spring in January of 2016.

See all problems of the 2013 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

2014 vw Passat clockspring issue: my vw was under recall for the takata airbags which I had not taken in to have replaced yet. When turning the wheel while pulling out of a parking spot I heard a click or pop from the steering column. At that point, I noticed my airbag light came on and that none of the controls on my steering column were working. Upon some searching I discovered it was likely the clockspring and took it for repair. I was told many of the 2014 Passats were under recall but mine was not. I also checked NHTSA for issues and noticed about 100 other complaints from Passat owners that also had to have clockspring repaired on vehicles not covered by the recall. I believe all the vw Passat clockspring issues should be covered under the recall as it clearly is a widespread issue.

See all problems of the 2014 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

When the car is started it immediately shuts itself off and says steering column lock defective. I took it to the dealer today and they told me this could cause more serious problems while driving, especially the airbag system. This seems like a very common issue with these cars and could potentially lead to life threatening situations while driving. A simple google search reveals hoards of people who experience the same issue with this model Passat.

Clock spring has failed in less than a month after clock spring recall in January of 2018. Steering controls are not functional, air bag error light is on, I assume driver's side airbag is currently non functional. Turned the vehicle and heard a pop sound originating from the steering column, lost steering control, and air bag error immediately followed.

Takata inflator replaced, 2 months later, while driving, and turning the corner at low speed, on a city street, into my subdivision at approximately 3-5 miles per hour, during a snow storm. The air bag light illuminates, hear crunching sound coming from steering column, immediately following, I have no horn or steering wheel control buttons. I now hear the same crunching sound coming from the steering column every time I turn the wheel. Called dealer, advised it sounds like the clock switch which commonly fails and would cost around $900 to repair and was not under warranty, since I had 40k at the time of incident. I was advised that my air bag will not work without repair.

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.

See all problems of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

Steering column lock device failed. Instrument panel message center began displaying "steering column lock defective", with illumination of a warning lamp, and would immediately shut down engine upon initial start-up (or on occasion, would not allow vehicle to even be started). Vehicle was stationary at all times. On a second or third try, sometimes with a small twist of the steering wheel, the vehicle would start as normal and was driveable. Vw recalled vehicles for this defect, but it appears the recall expired Feb 2013. This continues to be a common problem and I'm puzzled how or why this recall was allowed to expire. Cost to repair was over $600.

Dashboard warning states " steering column lock defective".

For a couple of weeks now the car starts and suddenly turn off. I went to start the car on 09/10/2017 and a message appeared on the mfd: "steering column lock" and the key is unable to be removed from the ignition. I have been reading about the steering column lock on various forums and found that vw issued a voluntary recall which expired somewhere around February 28, 2013. Since it was voluntary, and many people did not have the problem myself included, it would seem that this should be a mandatory recall. It is certainly a safety concern because the steering column can lock up and cause a major accident if this should occur while driving. It has been several years later and I have read many of the newer vw models are expiriencing the same issue. I certainly believe that this should merit a recall.

See all problems of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

The steering column lock is defective it will not start if it starts it stalls out locks up can cause a serious accident on the highway.

When I started turning the steering wheel a few days ago I would hear something kinda ticking like something was caught between the steering and column section. Today after I started my car and the steering wheel air bag came and has stayed on. Thus my horn and buttons to control my instrument panel no longer work.

Car will not start after flashing sign or it could stop anywhere which could cause crash: steering - inspect for steering concern - comfort control module need to be replaced at no cost to the owner of the car - steering column control module: electronic steering column lock, hardware need to be replaced and program correctly at no cost to the owner of vehicle as it is vw programing is defaulted.

I have been experiencing a steering column lock defect warning on my dash and the car often will not start without repeated attempts. This appears to be a common and very expensive defect with Passats and the vw Passat blogs are full of complaints about this defect. I contacted vw and they were no help. The rep offered her sympathy but nothing as far as vw taking responsibility for the problem. It appears that this defect can result in steering wheels locking while driving, engines cutting off without warning, and the car not starting leaving drivers stranded. I will be delivering the vehicle to the local vw agency for repair and request that the NHTSA require vw to reimburse all Passat owners with this problem for all related expenses to correct this very dangerous defect.

Steering column lock malfunction, the vehicle will turn over but not fire. Every now and then it will fire and then immediately die. Luckily it went out while my vehicle was parked, if it were to malfunction while driving it could be very dangerous.

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 .

Attempted to start my vehicle by pressing the key fob into the ignition. Car did not start and the message "steering column defective" was displayed. Attempted to start the car again, but this time the car failed to even turn the engine over. In addition, the key fob cannot be extracted from the ignition. Now the car is immobile. I researched this issue and quickly discovered that this is a prevalent issue with this make and model. Many other's have voiced their complaint with vw regarding this issue but despite this, vw still has yet to even acknowledge that there is a manufacturing defect. The car, being bought through a vw dealership pre-owned, was not under warranty. The car has less than 80k miles on it and had only accrued 10k miles since it was purchased, by me and from the dealership, 14 months ago.

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.

My car suffers from a "steering column lock defective" issue for which vw of America has issued a recall as it is a very common problem on this year of the car. For some reason my car was not included in the recall (by VIN), and now that the piece is starting to fail they will not cover it. It is a clear defect and it is well documented, but they still want me to pay out of pocket ($800) to cover the repair costs. If this part fails, I will be left stranded with no way of turning the car on. A lot of money has already been spent fixing this car as this was a problematic year for this model. I do not want to spend more money fixing what is clearly a defect and something that vw has recognized is a problem and is fixing in other calls from the same year. Thank you.

Steering column lock defective -just like all the other complaints that are listed. Does someone have to die in order for this to be investigated? I don't know how many more pages of complaints you need.

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.

I put the key in ignition and the car does not start. Take key out and put back in and then it starts and says "steering column defective". I've read from other 2007 Passat owners that they've encountered this problem too. They have stated that eventually the car starts shutting off randomly without notice.

Steering column lock defective light came on and the car would randomly die out turn back on and randomly die out again. Almost causing an accident.

Vehicle has approx one year of difficult starts requiring multiple attempts. On 7/20/14 while driving in parking lot vehicle stalled and refused to restart despite numerous attempts. Towed home. Dtc showed control module for electronic steering column lock leaking. Vehicle refusing to start despite all other electrical components checking out. Check engine light not on.

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that when attempting to start the vehicle, the steering colum lock defective warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000.

I have code steering lock column defective this is my second vw Passat with same problem.

After starting car it would immediately stall this would happen over and over again until eventually it would start during this time I would see on the cars display a warning that the steering column lock was defective. This issue continues to happen intermittently and sometimes the key will get stuck in the ignition and until you get it out it will not allow you to try and restart the car. The key can be removed by pressing the button on the gear shift three times in succession. I found that bit of information on a car forum but not in the vw manual. After looking on the internet I have found that this is a pretty common issue with the vw Passat spanning several years.

Went to start my car after work, it turned over and stalled immediately. I get the error message 'steering column lock is defective' followed by 3 loud beeps. This issue had me stranded for about a half hour until many times of trying, it finally started and ran. From what I have seen this is a very common issue and vw dealers are wanting on average $1800 to repair.