329 of the
10,333 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Passat
are about the lighting —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2013.
Passenger side headlight went out. The problem was not the bulb or fuse. This issue seems to perfectly match Safety Recall 94G8, but for some reason my car is not covered in that recall notice, even though safety recall 94G8 is for "some" 2012-2013 VW Passats, which is what I drive.
NHTSA complaint #11736609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 “after june” I contacted the dealership by phone and Spoke to Lykoto at Molle dealership in Kansas City. they have refused to provide a tow or a loaner vehicle. Due to this I have not had an in-person inspection. I no longer feel safe driving the car. The Manufacturer has been notified of this via email due to their services being closed on the weekends but will contact over the phone Monday morning. Symptoms worsened over months and the no-start issue appeared recently. Will be taking to a private mechanic asap to have the no-start issue confirmed.
NHTSA complaint #11656938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The component is the wiring harness leading to trunk light. The safety issue is low as it is just a trunk light although this is definately a defect because opening and closing the lid you can see the light works until the lid is opened past half way, then the light goes off. Where the harness is angled as the trunk arm swings, has caused this and is a common complaint on internet forums. I did not have vehicle inspected, no warnings and this problem did happen within a year of purchasing it used in 2019
NHTSA complaint #11643869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the front driver's side low beam light and the driver's side taillights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, where the contact was informed that the light bulbs did not need to be replaced. The contact was informed that the failure was related to the wiring. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #11641726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the low-beam headlights failed to illuminate as needed. The contact stated that the driver’s side low-beam headlight had stopped functioning as designed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the bulb; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.
NHTSA complaint #11637476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The 2012-2013 VW Passat’s have a safety recall 94G8 for a defective headlight caused by a faulty electrical connect at the bulb clip. It is caused by hood closing vibrating the loosens the bulb clip causing a loss of electrical contact. This has been happening to my 2013 Passat for years and I have been able to fix it myself not knowing there was a safety recall. Anytime my hood is closed the bulb stopped working, I would bend up the electrical connections on the bulb holder, wiggle it around and it would work after several attempts. Now my fix no longer works. I went to purchase a new light housing unit and discovered the safety recall which fits exactly the circumstances with my cars light problem. I called VW and they said my 2013 Passat was out of the vin range for this safety recall and that they would not fix my car under the safety program. I downloaded the Campaign Data Sheet from your website and the affected vehicles are the 2012-2013 VW Passat with no vin range mentioned. What recourse besides paying for this replacement myself do I have? Thank you for your attention to this matter.
NHTSA complaint #11608764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Currently my reverse lights do not come on i have changed the bulbs and checked fuses. it started with one reverse light, however the warning light would come on and off on my dashboard. Next, the other reverse light so i attempted to change both bulbs and change fuses. still not working. Now it is also my low beam headlights again changed the bulbs and fuses with no fix. My vehicle flickers a light in my rear lights when vehicle is off. my engine is having cooling problems and now the fan is completely off. i have electrical problems. i bought this car a year ago and have had issues with the power of the vehicle and suspension is very unstable. i have not had a check engine light come on for any of these problems so mechanics don't have a solution. my headlights are now not in the right position when i do turn them on so it makes it extremely hard to see at all at night. my vehicle seems to overheat or just on and off drive with very little power. i have had the battery replaced recently. i have always felt extremely unsafe driving this vehicle since i bought it from a dealer. i believe these issues are related to recall 94L9, 94G8/7v, 23w5
NHTSA complaint #11588936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle at night, the contact became aware that the driver’s side exterior headlamp was not functioning properly, potentially compromising nighttime visibility. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V389000 (Exterior Lighting), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 65,000.
NHTSA complaint #11557329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
As the trunk hatch opens and closes, the wiring to the hatch wears down, frays, and then shorts or breaks. This killed our rear view camera, which is a safety issue. This also can cut off light to the license plate. The rear hatch also cannot then be opened from the rear of the car, as the handle is electrical and gets disconnected, possible causing another safety issue.
NHTSA complaint #11535909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I financed a car from a car place (mainline) auto in march, there’s been some lights on it, I mentioned this numberless times also, the steering wheel was completely out of commission and the horn did not work, or the mileage, I talk with him he said bring it in and he will fix it, he fixed the steering wheel 2 weeks later but there’s lights still on the vehicle, last Friday 06/16/2017 I got an email saying I need to make a payment of the months that I missed not intentionally, so I proceed to call the dealer and she said she would make note that I will come into the office Monday morning 06/19/2023 so that the car wouldn’t be repossessed, afterwards come sun I woke up around 11:30 and the car was gone, I called my insurance company pear holdings and they opened up a claim, I also called Jacksonville police department and they told me that it was repoed. Went up there Monday and payed tons of money that I had no idea I was being charged or responsible for, after I argued about the missing information and lack of communication so this would not happen, after I payed to get the car I walked to get inside and on the the front window it said (caught slipping) In white marker , I tried to get it off the a wet paper towel but it didn’t come off so I went inside the place and told her about the writing and she called someone from the back in a language I’m not fluent with and told me I would need to talk with them, that was already a red flag as well, when I got to the back of the dealer place outside I asked one of the mechanics could he come over and see if he could wipe it off,this is harassment, favoritism, Mis handled information, long waits for watever reason I’ve asked them numerous of times to just give me the money that I put down on the car back that I didn’t even give them personally same week I brought it, they got my card info from the insurance company that wasn’t authorized by me I would like to take further action because I’m still making payments
NHTSA complaint #11527995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
(2023) Low beam light warning. Bought new bulb but light still didn't work. Had bulb and fixture for bulb checked, both were fine. Had same problem in 2019. Had to replace bulb and then realized closing the hood too hard cause light to go out. Replaced bulb and the piece that holds bulb because it burned it. This time the other part isn't burnt but it doesn't seem to be working.
NHTSA complaint #11524095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rear back left light keeps going out. Could be an electrical issue. I have had to change light 5 times. The rear left back light blinker keeps going out.
NHTSA complaint #11517003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My airbag light is on. Had a test done and it also indicated airbag problem. My car was supposedly repaired of this defect some time ago, but here we are. Also when entering my VIN for any recall; it lists defective light. Previous work done by Audi/VW of Jackson, Ms. On 12/9/22 the airbag indicator light and service light is on.
NHTSA complaint #11497112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driver side low beam headlights failed. Bulb works. Bulb Holder works. Confirmed by moving bulb and bulb holder assembly to passenger side where it operates fine. Search on-line finds many people with same problem. It appears to be an electrical connection problem within the headlight assembly. There was a reportedly recall for this problem that did not cover all VINs. This is definitely a safety issue that also reportedly costs up to $600 to fix.
NHTSA complaint #11491363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There is a short in the wiring for the tail lights the short in the wires also effects the trunk wiring. The design of the wiring in the trunk bends the tail light wires and wears them out so now there is a short in the tail light, reverse light , fog light and the trunk release. It is very unsafe to have these lights not work and to have a faulty wiring.
NHTSA complaint #11486836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Air Bag Inoperative Light illuminated in the dashboard display. All steering wheel electrical functions including horn, display control for items such as speed display stopped working, radio control, and phone control eased to function. There was a grinding noise coming from inside the steering wheel when I turned the wheel. I took the car to the dealer. The dealer said it is a known issue concerning the steering wheel clock spring and VW has known about this for years and has issued an extended warranty. However, VW has the parts on back order and is not supplying the parts to fix the problem in a timely fashion as it should with an emergency safety condition. I called VW of America to report this. They gave me a case number. They then sent me an email a week later saying they would get back to me in a month to let me know the status. This is negligent and unacceptable. This is not a dealership issue. VW is not supplying the part to fix the airbag system. This is a SAFETY ISSUE. Thousands of cars are affected, not just mine. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE AND IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. Just like the Takata airbag scenario, this should be acted on immediately before someone is seriously hurt or killed because VW will not fix a known safety issue with their air bag system. There is still no resolution from VW. This has been a known issue with VW for over 5 years.
NHTSA complaint #11459070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The headlights on this vehicle are constantly going out. I’ve had to repair, replace or pay someone to fix it multiple times since I had the vehicle. One repair shop told me that they needed to take the tire off in order to fix the light and charged me $130+ to replace the bulb. I don’t think that the bulbs are the issue, I think that the sockets are. I sent the car in last year because there was a recall on the headlights but they were working fine.
NHTSA complaint #11455578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.