2013 Volkswagen Passat Air Bags Problems

NHTSA component category: AIR BAGS · data through 07/14/2026

371Air Bags complaints

49.7%Of all 747 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How air bags ranks on this vehicle

AIR BAGS371 · 49.7%

ENGINE104 · 13.9%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM92 · 12.3%

Unspecified / other77 · 10.3%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM65 · 8.7%

Share of the 747 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2013 Volkswagen Passat overview page.

What owners report

“WAS TURNING IN A PARKING LOT AND HEARD A LOUD CRACKING SOUND. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS…”NHTSA complaint 10715305 — filed 05/08/2015

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. THE AIR…”NHTSA complaint 10713716 — filed 04/30/2015

“COMPANY IS CLAIMING THAT AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE OF A SPILL ON PASSENGER SEAT HAS CAUSED THE AIR BAG FAULT THAT DISABLES THE AIRBAG.”NHTSA complaint 10672732 — filed 01/15/2015

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Air Bags complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Volkswagen Passat have air bags problems?

Air Bags is the most-reported problem area on the 2013 Volkswagen Passat: 371 of 747 complaints on file (49.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2013 Volkswagen Passat have in total?

747 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 29 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 24 reported injuries, and 2 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's air bags category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the AIR BAGS category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.