NHTSA Complaint #10670517 — 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

UPON PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THERE WAS A CRACKING NOISE AND THEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT OFF WITH AN AIRBAG ERROR. AT WHICH POINT ALL MECHANISMS WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING BROKE, BECAUSE OF THIS THE AIRBAG, HORN AND OTHER STEERING WHEEL MECHANISMS ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL WITHOUT REPAIR. FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THAT THIS HAS CONSISTENTLY BROKEN ON OTHER 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT BETWEEN 50K AND 60K MILES ON IT. I FURTHER ADDRESSED MY CONCERN WITH VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARES TO ASK WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PART, THEY INDICATED THAT NOT ENOUGH CUSTOMERS HAVE SUBMITTED CLAIMS. BECAUSE THIS FAILS/BREAKS AT THIS MILEAGE IT IS OUTSIDE THE STANDARD WARRANTY, THERE IS "NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT." I REQUESTED TO SPEAK TO A MANAGER MULTIPLE TIMES, AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT 24 HOURS. IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT VOLKSWAGEN DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS, AND HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM WITH A RECALL.