There are 50 owner-reported fuel system complaints for the 2013 Volkswagen Passatin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that shortly after refueling the vehicle and driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road and the vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was diagnosed on scene by an independent mechanic with metal shavings inside the fuel lines. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that a high-pressure fuel pump and fuel system replacement was needed due to metal shavings. The vehicle was not repaired due to the costs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
High pressure fuel pump failed, causing the car to completely shut down on the Highway. Because of the systems design, it sends fragments into the fuel lines and fuel injectors clogging them. The Passat TDI uses the CP4 HPFP that has already been recalled by FCA and BMW. I was unaware how common it is for this fuel pump fail and the complete destruction it causes to the fuel system.
On [XXX] at 6 a.m. I was commuting NB on [XXX] , when engine lost power on 5 lane highway after driving over rough patch of road (~1 mile S of [XXX]). I barely got car onto right shoulder from middle lane when car shut off. Glow plug pigtails warning light came on right as I experienced significant decrease in engine power. AAA towed car to VW Dealer. Diagnostic performed on 7/5. I was informed of catastrophic failure of fuel pump, metal had gotten into fuel lines and tore up. My entire fuel system needs to be replaced. Dealer quoted $7K to repair. Car had never displayed signs of fuel issues. Car is well maintained and gets regular service at dealer. Upon investigation, I see VW had several years with high pressure fuel pumps failing. This needs to investigated/addressed as these failures are still occurring in cars that are 2013 and newer. I have requested dealer to send me pdf of repair estimate. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the "Glow Plug" warning light appeared on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled. After several minutes, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove the vehicle home while in LIMP Mode. The contact used a code reader which showed that there was a defect with the high-pressure fuel pump. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
Was driving on the freeway and the vehicle suddenly died. Leaving me stranded in the car left lane with no way to pull over
Took my car to Heritage.Volkswagen in 2022. They said the fuel tank needed replaced. Had engine light on and epc light on. They replaced the the upper and lower fuel tanks. When I picked up my car it still had the same problem. Still have the same lights on.I get hesitation when the car gets to the 2 ohms mark. I have to add fuel injection cleaner often.
I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL REPAIR MECHANIC THAT TOLD ME THAT HE HAD TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM WITH VW PARTS EXPERTS I WENT TO FREMONT AUTO CENTER IN FREMONT CALIFORNIA, 94536 THEY HAVE A RECORD OF MY VISIT AND TROUBLESHOOTING THE PROBLEM. THEY IDENTIFIED WITH VW THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WAS ACTUALLY RECALLED, NOW WHEN YOU LOOK UP THE VIN NUMBER THE RECALLED PART DOES NOT COME UP. SO I TOOK MY CAR TO THE VW DEALERSHIP LOCATED HERE: 39695 BALENTINE DR, NEWARK, CA 94560 THEY IDENTIFIED THAT THE PART IS RECALLED BUT SAID THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE PART BECAUSE IT DID NOT COME UP UNDER A RECALL WHEN YOU SEARCH THE VIN AND INSTEAD WANT ME TO PAY $180 TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TO "IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM" AND THEN "REPLACE THE PART" WOULD COST ITS OWN AMOUNT. WHO THE HELL SAYS SOMETHING LIKE THAT
PURCHASED VEHICLE LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO AND WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED AND TECH STATES IT IS FUEL PUMP AND FUEL TANK.
WHILE IN MOTION, THANKFULLY AT A LOW SPEED, THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED, THOUGH THE RADIO STAYED ON. AFTER GETTING OFF THE ROAD, I SAW THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AT THAT POINT, BUT IT TURNED OFF ONCE THE CAR WAS RESTARTED, ONLY TO TURN ON AGAIN SIX DAYS LATER.
THE TDI DIESEL TANK SLOSHES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE NOISE IS A MAJOR NUISANCE. ARE THERE NO BAFFLES IN THE FUEL TANK?
CAR FREQUENTLY STALLS AND THE PICKS UP WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP.WHEN I'M PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC IT GETS VERY SCARY WHEN YOU'RE ALREADY OUT IN THE LANE AND IT LOSES POWER AND AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS IT PICKS UP. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY.
ISSUE: DIFFICULTY FILLING GAS TANK AT ALL GAS STATIONS. FUEL PUMP AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF WHEN I INSERT THE PUMP INTO THE GAS TANK. IN ORDER TO GET THE PUMP TO FILL THE GAS TANK, I NEED TO PULL THE PUMP OUT AND KEEP NOZZLE CLOSE TO THE OPENING OF THE GAS TANK. IT TAKES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO GET THE PUMP TO FILL THE TANK. BECAUSE I HAVE TO KEEP THE PUMP CLOSE TO THE OPENING OF THE GAS TANK, ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE GAS PRESSURE FROM THE PUMP WAS STRONG WHICH CAUSED IT TO SPRAY OUT OF THE GAS TANK, AND ALL OVER MYSELF. THIS IS A HAZARD! NOTE, I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.
WHILE TRAVELING AT FULL SPEED, THE DIESEL ENGINE STUMBLED, THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THEN BOGGED TO A STOP ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN TRAFFIC. TOWED TO DEALER WHO SAID ALL DIESEL COMPONENTS EXCEPT THE FUEL TANK INCLUDING ALL THE HOSES AND TUBING WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED SENT METAL SHAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM. CAR HAS 98K MILES AND HAS NOT YET HAD ANY DIESEL FIX INSTALLED AS PART OF THE DIESEL SCANDAL. WAS GOING TO HOLD ONTO CAR FOR A SHORT TIME LONGER THEN SELL BACK TO VW. BOY, WHAT A COSTLY MISTAKE BECAUSE THE CAR MUST BE RUNNING TO RETURN IT. NOT HAPPY WITH VW FOR THIS AND A HANDFUL OF OTHER SERIOUS FAILURES AND ILLEGAL (AND QUITE FRANKLY, SHOCKINGLY BRAZEN) BEHAVIORS THIS COMPANY HAS DEMONSTRATED. MY ADVICE IF YOU STILL HAVE A TDI, DON'T WAIT, TURN IT IN NOW. MY ADVICE FOR FUTURE VAG (VW/AUDI/PORSCHE) BUYERS, THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT WELL DESIGNED FOR RELIABILITY AND ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN. FURTHERMORE, VAG HAS PROVEN ITSELF TO PUT PROFITS ABOVE ALL ELSE INCLUDING YOUR SAFETY AND WITH COMPLYING WITH LAWS. BEST TO BUY SOMETHING ELSE AND LET THIS DISHONEST COMPANY SUFFER UNTIL IT REALIZES IT MUST DO BETTER. IF YOU JUST HAVE TO HAVE ONE OF THE PRODUCTS OF THIS DISHONEST COMPANY, BE SURE TO NEVER LET THE WARRANTY EXPIRE AS LONG AS YOU OWN IT BECAUSE ODDS ARE YOU WILL NEED IT OVER AND OVER TO COVER THE FREQUENT AND EXPENSIVE REPAIRS...THE DIESEL FUEL EFFICIENCY WILL NEVER PAY BACK DUE TO THE FREQUENT REPAIR COSTS.
LEAKING FUEL LINE.
2013 VW PASSAT 89000 MILES FUEL PUMP BROKE SENDING METAL THROUGH SYSTEM $6500.00 TO FIX. I SEE THIS HAPPENS A LOT ON INTERNET. THIS IS COVERED FOR VEH UP TO 2012. IF THIS IS STILL HAPPENING WHY DON'T THEY COVER 2013 OR CHANGE FUEL PUMPS. BEING A 100% DISABLED VET. I DON'T HAVE THE $6500.00 TO FIX IT. SURELY YOU HAVE HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. DRIVING ON CITY STREET STOPPED AT STOP SIGN. *TR
THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION (<10 MPH) ON A COUNTY ROAD, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STOP, AND DISABLING THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER BEING TOWED, AN INSPECTION BY THE VW DEALER REVEALED THAT THE HPFP FAILURE SENT MENTAL PIECES THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM, INCLUDING THROUGH THE FUEL FILTER, ULTIMATELY CLOGGING THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RENDERING THE CAR INOPERABLE. THE ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE DEALER NOTED THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF GASOLINE CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL TANK. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WITH ~1/4 TANK OF DIESEL FUEL AND NO OTHER INDICATION OF WHY THE PUMP FAILED. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS RESULTED IN A +$5,000 OWNER OUT-OF-POCKET COST TO GET THE VEHICLE OPERATIONAL AGAIN. VW HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE HPFP FOR THE SAME VEHICLE MAKE/MODE FOR 2012 MODEL YEAR BUT THIS VEHICLE IS A 2013 AND THUS NOT COVERED. THIS OCCURRED ON A 2013 VW PASSAT TDI WITH ~100,800 MILES.
REDUCTIVE AGENT HEATING ELEMENT AND/OR LEVEL SENSOR FAILED. CAR HAS LESS THAN 32,000 MILES ON IT. THE REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER OUR CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED WARRANTY, BUT I SEE THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PART FAILURE, SO I WANT TO REPORT IT.
156 MILES INTO A 200 MILE TRIP THE VEHICLE LOST POWER CLIMBING A GRADE ON A HIGHWAY. AT FIRST IT FELT LIKE THE ROAD WAS WASHBOARDED BUT AFTER CHANGING LANES THE 'WASHBOARD' FEELING REMAINED AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLAT TIRE. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS OF CHANGING LANES THE VEHICLE LOST POWER - 60MPH TO 30MPH IN A SECOND. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD, VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT HAD VERY LITTLE POWER TO MOVE FORWARD. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED THE HPFP HAD FAILED DUE TO METAL SHAVING IN THE SYSTEM. PUMP, RAILS AND INJECTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS 110K MILES ON IT. AT 80K I HAD ONE OF THE INJECTORS REPLACED AT A VW DEALERSHIP - CAR WAS HAVING SYMPTOMS OF POWER LAG AND INTERMITTENT 'WASHBOARD ROAD' FEELING WHEN ACCELERATING. WAS TOLD AT THAT TIME THE INJECTOR 'JUST WENT BAD, HAPPENS SOMETIMES' - NOW I AM SURE THE SYSTEM WAS GOING BAD AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BEFORE IT BECAME CATASTROPHIC. NOT COVERED BY VW, $5K REPAIR.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT / MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP CAME ON IN CAR. I WAS ABOUT 1 MILE INTO MY COMMUTE TO WORK DRIVING AROUND 50MPH.TOOK TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND CAR HAD P203B, REDUCTANT LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT WHICH WAS A DAMAGED AD BLUE SENSOR. MECHANIC AND SALES ADVISOR MENTIONED THAT THIS PART IS CRITICAL AND THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF AND NOT START UNTIL REPLACED. I WAS FORCED TO FIX OR BE LEFT WITH A NON-RUNNING CAR. SALES ADVISOR MENTIONED THAT THIS PART HAS BEEN UPDATED AND FIXED BY VOLKSWAGEN AND THAT THE NEW PART WILL NOT MALFUNCTION FOR NEWER CARS. I'M NOT SURE IF THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION OR ON THE INTERSTATE, BUT IT COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. I FEEL THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AND PEOPLE WHO PAID TO HAVE THIS FIXED BE RE-REIMBURSED. I FEEL SCREWED TO HAVE A NON-SELLABLE DIESEL VEHICLE AND THEN GET HIT WITH ANOTHER $1175 PART FOR A DEVICE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO CLEAN UP DIESEL EXHAUST EMISSIONS.
ON SEPT 14, 2016, WHILE DRIVING, MY CAR BEGAN LOSING POWER, GLOW-PLUG INDICATOR LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, AND THEN THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STALLED. FROM FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE TO COMPLETE POWER LOSS WAS LESS THAN 60 SECONDS. SCARY STUFF WHEN YOUR ON THE HIGHWAY. HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE VW DEALER. AFTER I EXPLAINED HOW THE CAR HAD LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUSPECTED IT WAS A HIGH PRESSURE PUMP FAILURE. THE NEXT DAY, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS A "HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE". BASICALLY THE FUEL PUMP EXPLODED, SENDING METAL FRAGMENTS THROUGH THE ENTIRE FUEL AND FUEL INJECTOR SYSTEMS. NOT GOOD NEWS! THE VW TECH TESTED THE FUEL IN THE TANK AND CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS 100% DIESEL FUEL. THE VW SERVICE ADVISOR INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TDI'S SINCE 2009. THE VW TECH INDICATED THAT THE CAR WOULD NEVER RUN AGAIN UNLESS THE WHOLE FUEL SYSTEMS IS REPLACED, AND THE COST FOR THIS WOULD BE AROUND $6,500. VW TECH AND VW CUSTOMER SERVICE INDICATED THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THAT THEY HAVE ADDRESSED THE ISSUE WITH 2009 - 2012 TDI'S BY EXTENDING THE WARRANTY. UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE A 2013 AND HAD NO CLUE THESE PUMPS WERE FAILING ON OLDER MODELS. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE NOT TO MENTION A COSTLY MALFUNCTION THAT CAN AND MOST LIKELY WILL HAPPEN TO OTHER 2013 TDI OWNER'S. I'M GLAD IT WAS NOT MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED.
Showing 1–20 of 50 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026