Common Volkswagen Electrical Problems

  1. Clock Spring Failure

    Volkswagen owners continue to have clock spring problems years after the parts were first recalled. The failed recall is under investigation, but in the meantime VW owners are staring at a disabled driver's side airbag, horn, and steering-w…

    Continue reading article "Clock Spring Failure" A steering wheel with the VW emblem in the middle
  2. What Are We Missing?

    We know there's more problems than this. Let us know which one you'd like to see us cover next.

    Continue A steering wheel with the VW emblem in the middle

Where Electrical Complaints Happen

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Recent Electrical News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. You know that annoying-but-useful chime that comes on every time you open the car door with the key still in the ignition?

    Turns out it might not be working in the 2018-2019 Atlas and 2019 Jetta. VW determined a data container wasn't coded correctly, something that will cause a failure of the instrument cluster to provide an audible warning when the driver opens the door with the key still in the ignition.

    That’s a federal safety no-no. To fix the issue, VW has scheduled a recall for January 18, 2019.

    keep reading article "These VW Vehicles Won’t Alert You When You’ve Left the Key in the Ignition"
  2. Some VW Passat TDIs are being recalled, but it has nothing to do with emissions. At least not yet.

    VW says faulty wire seals in an underbody sensor can be affected by water, causing corrosion of the connectors inside the sensor.

    "The corrosion can cause overheating and an electrical short that can lead to an underbody fire."

    Does anyone know if NOx emissions are flammable?

    keep reading article "Faulty Seals Leave Wires Exposed to Elements Under Passat TDIs"