Is the 2013 Volkswagen PASSAT reliable?

The 2013 Volkswagen PASSAT has 1026 complaints filed with NHTSA (5.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen PASSAT?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (381 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (109 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (95 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Volkswagen PASSAT?

Yes, there are 9 recall(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Contact any Volkswagen dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Volkswagen PASSAT?

The 2013 Volkswagen PASSAT gets 27 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1778. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Volkswagen PASSAT?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Volkswagen PASSAT is approximately $1,390/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Volkswagen PASSAT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Volkswagen PASSAT has 1026 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 5.9x the segment average of 173. The most common issue is air bags problems (37% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen passat (n/a). the contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, a vehicle crashed into the passenger side of the contact's vehicle. the crash forced the vehicle into a concrete wall. a second vehicle crashed into the passenger side of the vehicle caus. There are 9 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 9 fire reports filed.

9 fire reports 35 crash reports 23 injuries

1026

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

5.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

381 complaints

37%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CRASH FORCED THE VEHICLE INTO A CONCRETE WALL. A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAUS
• BRAND NEW CAR AND THE PLASTIC OVER THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG IS CRACKING AND DISINTEGRATING. IT HAS FORMED A CRACK THAT IS STARTING AT THE BOTTOM AND FORMING A CIRCLE AROUND THE EMBLEM IN THE CENTER. RESEMBLES A QUESTION MARK. PICTURE OF IT STARTING SHOWN HERE IN THE LOWER RIGHT OF THE EMBLEM. HT
• CAR OWNER WAS DRIVING AT APPROX. 60MPH REACHED ACROSS THE SEAT THE CAR SWERVED SHE OVER CORRECTED TWICE DUE TO VERY "TOUCHY" STEERING. THE CAR THEN CAREENED ACROSS FOUR LANES OF TRAFFIC, AND DOWN A 30FT EMBANKMENT BOUNCING OFF SEVERAL TREES. THEN STRIKING ONE HEAD ON WITH ENOUGH FORCE AS TO BEND AN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 21 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CRASH FORCED THE VEHICLE INTO A CONCRETE WALL. A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAUS”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Volkswagen PASSAT

Based on 586 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 50K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

174

30-60K

177

60-100K

155

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 41K mi · 80 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Reported earliermedian 42K mi · 70 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 25K mi · 23 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Reported earliermedian 59K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Reported earliermedian 30K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

Reported earliermedian 21K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (9)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS22/05/2019

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 installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Volkswagen PASSAT

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local diesel price)

Per year

$2,282

Per month

$190

Per mile

19.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,080/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,540/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Volkswagen PASSAT

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,390

Full coverage / month

$116

Liability only / year

$574

vs US avg

-17%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1390

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Volkswagen PASSAT Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

TSI turbo engines require VW-approved 502/504 spec synthetic oil. DSG transmission service (if equipped) every 40K miles.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Volkswagen New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Volkswagen. If you're buying a used 2013 PASSAT, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Volkswagen dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 1026 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CRASH FORCED THE VEHICLE INTO A CONCRETE WALL. A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAUS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: DRIVING MY PASSAT TURBO DIESEL ON I-81 NOTED A LOSS IN POWER; DROVE THE CAR HOME (ABOUT ANOTHER 3 MILES) AND NOTED A STRANGE HUMMING SOUND FROM UNDER THE HOOD. NEXT DAY THE SOUND WAS STILL THERE, WITH A BLINKING GLOW PLUG LIGHT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. SPOKE WITH DEALER AND CAR WAS TOWED IN; T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: THE REAR VIEW CAMERA TAKES 10-15 SECONDS TO START UP NEGATING THE SAFETY IT IS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE. VW USA NOTIFIED AND WERE NOT HELPFUL AND SAID THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: OUR 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT LEAKED GASOLINE ON TO OUR GARAGE FLOOR WHILE SITTING IN THE GARAGE. THE GARAGE FLOOR WAS COVERED AND YOU COULD VISIBLY SEE THE FUEL DRIPPING FROM THE GAS TANK. THE FUMES FILLED OUR GARAGE AND HOME AND RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE CLEAN UP AND VENTILATION. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 9 recalls have been completed — free at any Volkswagen dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)