A/C requirements, update to title.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Volkswagen Passat brakes problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Volkswagen Passat have filed 6 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Passat | 10 |
| 2013 Passat (this page) | 6 |
| 2014 Passat | 4 |
| 2015 Passat | 22 |
| 2016 Passat | 7 |
| 2017 Passat | 12 |
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes 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.
Mandatory fastener.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Antilock brake function test direction.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Antilock brake function test direction.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗MIL-on fault P2407 in the ECM
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The brake pads and rotors (front and rear) on my 2013 vw passat 3.6 sel are rusting, and make a grinding noise when I come to a stop. Vw service department verified that I have plenty of pads and rotors on my brakes. This is unacceptable, and further confirms a lack of build quality for pads and rotors that cost $1,100 to replace. It's quite obvious the board of directors, and executive team…
Had brakes 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 brakes problem on the 2013 Volkswagen Passat?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 72,038 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
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.