The Lemon Index2013 Volkswagen Passat.
The 2013 Volkswagen Passat is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 312 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 209, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 23 to 34 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Passat year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 748 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Volkswagen Passat year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 26K to 80K miles on the car (403 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 33K–83K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 18K–86K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 41K–99K miles
Recalls 9
- airbags 2024
The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- airbags 2019
The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- lights 2019
The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed.
Show all 9 recalls
- airbags 2018
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- engine 2017
The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.
- electrical 2016
Due to improperly assembled wire seals in a connector for an underbody sensor, water may enter and corrode the electrical connectors of the sensor, causing an electrical short.
- airbags 2016
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- airbags 2015
In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned.
- lights 2014
In the affected vehicles, the low beam headlight bulb may become loose and lose electrical contact.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Volkswagen told dealers about
Volkswagen sent dealers 1595 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Dtc p0441 stored in the engine control module
- Due to accessory drive belt being damaged or missing, the charging system is inoperative
- Diagnosis for high pressure fuel pump where no start, engine crank, without driving, after long
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenAir bag clockspring failure2018
- ClosedAir bag clockspring failure2017–2018
- ClosedAir bag clockspring failure2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2450–3450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Takata recall recall issued 9 month ago and I am reporting this has not been taken care of yet. I had a clock spring replaced per recall but not the airbag.
2013 Volkswagen Passat owner · NHTSA complaint 10925421
More owner reports
"takata recall". I received a letter about the recall in april 2016 and have called the dealer twice and they do not have the parts to repair this problem.
NHTSA complaint 10911262
Takata recall.... All Volkswagen dealers in houston area say they do not have a fix for my airbag. There is no waitlist, no way of knowing when this dangerous deadly airbag will be replaced. 11 people have died from it already.
NHTSA complaint 10903802
Quick answers
Is the 2013 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 209; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Volkswagen Passat year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2013 Volkswagen Passat problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (44%), engine (15%) and fuel or ev drive system (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Volkswagen Passat have?
9 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Volkswagen Passat get?
23 to 34 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Volkswagen Passat safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Volkswagen Passat problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 26,000 and 80,000 miles. The middle report was at 51,000 miles, from 403 complaints.
Does the 2013 Volkswagen Passat have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2013 Volkswagen Passat cost in fuel a year?
About $2450 to $3450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Volkswagen Passat have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Volkswagen Passat year is better than the 2013?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2018 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works