2013 Volkswagen Passat: common problems and reliability

The 2013 Volkswagen Passat has 747 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 9 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and engine. Owners most often flag sunroof hits wind deflector and reverses: frequency: isolated. caused by sticky tracks or misaligned glass; fixable with lubrication and adjustment.

Safety record for the 2013 model year

747
Owner complaints
9
Recalls
29
Crash reports
4
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2013 Volkswagen Passat vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2013 a good year for the Passat?

Across the 23 Passat model years we track, complaint volume runs from 12 (2019) to 1,304 (2002). With 747 complaints, the 2013 Passat sits abovethe model's median of 243.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

air bags
381
engine
104
electrical system
93
fuel/propulsion system
65
exterior lighting
60

Recalls affecting the 2013 Passat

exterior lighting:headlights

Campaign 19V389000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 18V148000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's

engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel

Campaign 17V309000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG). The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 16V078000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet an

What owners report on the 2011-2015 Passat

Owners of the 2011-2015 Passat overwhelmingly praise the 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine as "bulletproof" and one of the most reliable modern engines, often comparing its durability favorably to Toyota and Honda. The car is described as comfortable, smooth, and

  • Sunroof hits wind deflector and reverses: Frequency: isolated. Caused by sticky tracks or misaligned glass; fixable with lubrication and adjustment.
  • ABS wheel speed sensor failure: Frequency: recurrent. Triggers warning lights; requires scanning to identify which sensor.
  • Vacuum pump (brake booster supply) can fail: Frequency: isolated. An aftermarket delete kit is available as a cheaper fix.
  • PCV system deterioration around 130k miles: Frequency: isolated. An aluminum valve cover is available as a permanent solution.
  • Interior plastic degradation (cracking trim, peeling surfaces, broken visor clip): Frequency: recurrent. Attributed to age and heat exposure.

Owner insights for the 2011-2015 Passat. Read the full 2011-2015 owner report.

Typical used price

Used Passat listings typically run $9,995–$16,052 across 2012 to 2022 model years.

Other Passat model years

Compare every Passat year side by side to see how 2013 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Passat against its rivals