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2013 Volkswagen Passat airbags problems
severe
Owners of the 2013 Volkswagen Passat have filed 311 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See airbags across all vehicles →
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented
repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall
(it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication for the airbag control module. For trouble code DTC B10001B. Driver airbag igniter resistance too high -N95
This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication for the airbag control module. For trouble code DTC B10001B. Driver airbag igniter resistance too high -N95
Grinding noises can be heard from the area of the steering wheel/driver airbag or steering column when maneuvering OR Various controls, warnings or fault indicators, such as airbag, electronic stabilization programming (ESP), steering assist etc., light up after starting the engine in the instrument cluster.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 Passat carries a high-risk Takata driver frontal airbag recall issued in 2015–2016 for inflator rupture hazard. As of 2025, recall parts remain unavailable at most VW dealerships; owners have waited 9+ years for repair. The defect: under crash conditions, the inflator ruptures and metal fragments pass through the airbag material, striking occupants' faces and bodies. VW has refused loaner vehicles for most owners, citing NHTSA guidance that the vehicle is safe to drive until parts arrive—a position multiple owners dispute after receiving warning letters stating the airbag "may result in serious injury or death."
Clock spring failures plague owners. Some snap during routine turns or parking maneuvers; others fail months or years after the 2015 recall replacement, leaving owners without horn, steering wheel audio controls, or airbag function. Repair quotes are $450–$732, but dealers deny warranty coverage, stating the vehicle is out of coverage or previous repair work was done correctly. VW refuses further assistance.
Several documented crashes show airbags either non-deploying during head-on and side impacts (causing head injuries, concussions, and spinal trauma) or deploying with visible metal fragmentation striking occupants' faces. In one case, VW examined a totaled vehicle at the salvage yard and blamed driver error, refusing liability. Owners report that dealers often sold them the vehicle without disclosing the active recall, and recall letters took months to arrive or never arrived at all.
Same Volkswagen Passat airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Takata driver frontal airbag inflator rupture
Defective Takata inflator can rupture during a crash, allowing metal fragments to pass through the airbag material and strike occupants. Owners report receiving recall notices for NHTSA 16V078 and 69E6 since 2015-2016, but repair parts remain unavailable for years. Multiple owners report crashes where the airbag either failed to deploy or deployed with visible metal fragmentation.
When: Recall notices issued starting April 2016 through January 2025; failures occur upon crash events at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: No deployment during frontal crashes at moderate to high speed; Airbag deploys but metal fragments strike occupants' faces and bodies; Airbag warning light illuminates on dashboard; Recall parts listed as unavailable for extended periods (months to years)
Repairs/costs cited: Recall remedy is to replace driver airbag inflator; however, parts have remained unavailable at dealerships for extended periods. Some dealers have temporarily installed protective covers or temporary fixes. Owners report being told parts will not be available until second quarter 2025 or later.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall issued; VW states NHTSA advised vehicle is safe to drive until parts arrive and does not mandate loaner vehicles. Some owners report VW offering loaner vehicles after contacting corporate office or filing complaints. VW credit and some dealers refuse to repurchase or take back vehicles or provide alternative transportation. Multiple dealers have been avoiding customers or providing no timeline for repair.
Clock spring failure after recall repair
Steering wheel clock spring fails, either initially during the recall repair process or after replacement under a previous recall (15V483). When clock spring fails, driver loses critical steering wheel functions: airbag sensor wiring breaks, horn becomes inoperable, and steering wheel controls stop working. Airbag light illuminates. Occurs during turns, parking maneuvers, or routine use.
When: Initial failures reported 2013-2018; recurrent failures after 2015-2016 recall repair occurring 2018-2024. Mileage ranges from 26,000 to 122,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Cracking or snapping sound from steering wheel during turns or maneuvering; Airbag warning light illuminates; Horn fails to function; Steering wheel audio, cruise control, and function button controls become inoperable; Clicking sound when turning steering wheel
Codes mentioned:NHTSA 15V483000, Clock spring malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers quote $450–$732 to replace clock spring. Owners argue the part should be covered under warranty since it was previously replaced under recall. Many dealers refuse to warranty the repair, stating vehicle is out of warranty or workmanship is not covered. One owner had protective cover installed instead of replacement; cover failed months later.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VW states vehicle was previously repaired per recall and offers no further assistance. Warranty claims are denied. One regional case manager advised owner to pay dealer labor costs ($536+) before VW would review the case. Dealers refuse to provide solution without manufacturer approval. VW support directed owners back to dealers, who have no control over parts.
Airbag system warning light and sensor malfunction
Airbag warning light comes on and remains illuminated or flashes intermittently. Some owners report the light came on before any crash or after recall repair work. Light may be accompanied by beeping sounds. Sensor continues to malfunction after recall service appointment.
When: Reported from 2015 through 2025; some after scheduled recall appointments
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates on dashboard; Light remains solid or flashes on and off repeatedly; Beeping sound associated with light flashing (reported post-repair); Light does not turn off even after vehicle restart; Light came on before any accident
Codes mentioned:Airbag sensor fault, Clock spring electrical short
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers reset light temporarily; it returns within minutes or hours. One owner reports dealership replaced airbag inflator (after waiting months for parts) but light continued to malfunction post-repair, suggesting faulty replacement part or system-wide sensor issue. No permanent fix achieved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers reset warning light without addressing root cause. No effective remedy provided. VW customer care directed owners to contact dealers, who have no solution.
Airbag non-deployment during crashes
Front driver airbag fails to deploy during frontal or front-end collisions at moderate to high speeds. Vehicles struck head-on, side-impact with front involvement, or rear-ended while stopped; occupants expect deployment but airbag remains inactive, resulting in head and spine injuries.
When: Reported crashes from 2013 through 2020; mileages from 1,000 to 101,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during frontal crash impact; Occupants strike steering wheel, dashboard, or side structures; Occupant head injuries including concussion, whiplash, and spinal trauma
Codes mentioned:Airbag deployment failure, NHTSA 16V078000, Clock spring open circuit
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles not repaired; damage is assessed post-collision. VW engineers examined one totaled vehicle and determined foot was on gas pedal (not brake) and found no tears in airbag, refusing liability claim.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VW refused to acknowledge defect in one case, claiming driver error. No proactive remedy. One dealer noted recall repair could not be completed due to part unavailability at time of crash.
Synthesized from 311 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
7 most recent
airbags
· filed 12/29/2015
"takata recall" I have had my Volkswagen passat since may of 2015, since then my journey as a customer has been frustrating and a very scary experienced. Once I got the car within a week I took it to mechanics to get the usual diagnostics done to ensure the safety of the car. It automatically had the tire warning light on till date after tire changes, diagnostics, and timely services. My…
airbags
· filed 12/28/2016
Takata recall: "recall incomplete. Remedy not yet available". On december 27, 2016, called dealer about airbag error message on dash. Was told there was still no fix, but to bring the car in to see why the error message. Paying for a car that is unsafe to drive. Recall notice dated february 9, 2016. NHTSA recall number 16v078 manufacturer recall number 69m9
airbags
· filed 12/28/2016
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool…
airbags
· filed 12/28/2016
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool…
airbags
· filed 12/28/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v483000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution…
airbags
· filed 12/23/2016
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen passat. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags). The contact stated that the parts needed for the recall remedy were still not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 01/31/2017*ct updated 032/06/17*jb
airbags
· filed 12/22/2020
Clock spring broke
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 Volkswagen Passat?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2013 Volkswagen Passat?
It's a meaningful issue. 311 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
Yes — 5 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Volkswagen/Passat.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.