Volkswagen Passat Complaints (1999)

664 consumer complaints on file.

#10070721January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STEERING, SUSPENSION, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM THE START, MELTING OF PLASTIC, LIGHTS IN THE CAR WORKING SPORADICALLY AT BEST. OIL, DRAIN, OIL PUMP, CAMSHAFT,ALL BLAMED ON LACK OF VERIFIABLE OIL CHANGES. TIMING BELT - LET GO ON HIGHWAY AT 85000 MILES (WARRANTY FOR 1999 PASSAT, 100,000 MILES) BLAMED ON OIL CHANGES. 82 DAYS IN SHOP STEERING GOES DURING THIS TIME AND I'M TOLD I NEED AN ALTENATOR [ 3RD ONE ] THE STORY GOES ON AND ON......
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046315January 12, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH ITS TIE RODS AS STATED IN RECALLS 99V248000 AND 00V414000, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *CB *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050995December 23, 2003
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE INSPECTION BY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INDICATED THAT BOTH FRONT TIE RODS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAGIN BUT VW DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050653December 17, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS MODULE ON MY 1999 VW PASSAT HAS GONE BAD. I HAVE READ OTHER POSTS ABOUT SUCH FAILURES. IT WENT OUT WHEN MY CAR HAD ABOUT 105 K MILES. THOUGH THAT IS A LOT OF MILES, I DON'T SEE WHY A LOT OF HIGH WAY DRIVING WOULD CAUSE THE ABS MODULE TO FAIL. IT'S ALSO A VERY COSTLY FIX. 1200 FOR THE PART AND THEN ANOTHER 200 FOR LABOR. THAT'S 1500. MY CAR IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048224December 10, 2003
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S SEAT BOLT FAILED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO FALL BACKWARDS. *AK THE BOLT SNAPPED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING CAUSING THE SEAT TO SLID BACK AND FORTH WITH ACCELERATION. ANY SUDDEN IMPACT WOULD'VE SENT HER INTO THE STEERING WHEEL OR THE CHILDREN'S BACKSEAT. THE BOLT IS METAL. VW REPAIRED IT AT NO COST AND PROVIDED NO PAPERWORK. *PH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049107December 3, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
FOR 2 YEARS NOW, ON COLD DAYS (TEMPS IN THE TEENS) THERE HAVE BEEN OCCASIONS (ABOUT 5) WHERE THE ACCELERATOR STICKS IN THE ACCELERATING POSITION. ADJUSTING THE PEDAL POSITION HAS NO EFFECT ON SLOWING THE CAR DOWN. IN FACT, THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CAR WAS TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THIS ACTUALLY CAUSES LOSS OF POWER BRAKES AND STEERING AND MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. AFTER WAITING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES, YOU CAN START THE CAR AND EVERYTHING IS BACK TO NORMAL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND PERHAPS A LIFE THREATENING CONDITION. THE CAR HAS A 2.8 LITER V6 WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAD AN AUDI A6 QUATRO (1999) WITH THE SAME 2.8 V6 AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE. AFTER SPENDING SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TRYING TO GET IT RESOLVED WITH NO LUCK, HE SOLD THE CAR. THIS DOESN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT IT MAY KEEP HIS FAMILY ALIVE. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10047433November 23, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
THE ABS / BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON MY DASHBOARD. I TOOK IT TO SERVICE TO ROD EAST VOLKSWAGEN (VW) AND AFTER CHARGING ME $75 THEY SAID THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR CAR. THE LIGHT IS ON EVERYDAY. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048455November 21, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046808November 12, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
MY ABS CONTROL MODULE IS NOT WORKING WHICH CAUSES MY ANTI LOCK BRAKES NOT TO WORK. I AM AWARE OF THIS ISSUE HAPPENING ON VARIUOS OTHER VW PASSATS AND I WANTED TO MAKE NHTSA AWARE OF THE SITUATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046817November 12, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
USB CONTROL MODULE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS, CAUSING THE "ABS" AND "BRAKE" LIGHT TO FLASH INTERMITTENTLY. ACCORDING TO MY SERVICE CENTER, THE BRAKES STILL WORK FINE, BUT A SENSOR IN THE CONTROL MODULE HAS A PROBLEM, THE COST TO FIX IS OVER $1500 INCLUDING LABOR, THOUGH THERE IS NO ACTUAL PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES, THEY FUNCTION PERFECTLY. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 1998 AND 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS-YOU CAN READ ABOUT SOME OF THE OCCURENCES HERE-HTTP://WWW.CLUBB5.COM/FORUMS/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?T=60526
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10037892November 5, 2003
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE TIE ROD ENDS (RECALL #99V248000) THE VEHICLE WAS LOOKED AT A 53,000, HOWEVER THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. AT 60,000 MILES THE MECHANIC STATED THE TIE RODS WERE SO WORN THAT HE CONSIDERED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL, THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL. *JB *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043747October 28, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
FAULTY ABS CONTROL MODULE MADE ABS SYTEM INOPERATIVE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10042251October 24, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
THE VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL FOR THE PROTECTIVE SHIELD IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING . THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL. *NLM *SCC THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THEY ONLY GET A FEW PARTS IN THE OFFICE A TIME. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043294October 21, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
SPARK PLUG IGNITION MODULE FAILURE. CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND CAUSED A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MY WIFE AND CHILDREN. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043242October 20, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS UNIT FAILED FROM DEFECT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN A MANUFACTURED PART AND VW AMERICA REFUSES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE UNIT. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10041754October 14, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. MY ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED CAUSING THE LIGHT TO COME ON ALONG WITH AN AUDIBLE ALARM. I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH MANY INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS RECOMMENDED REPLACING NOT ONLY THE ABS CONTROL MODULE BUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AS WELL. THE CONTROL MODULE COSTS APPROXIMATELY $1200 INSTALLED AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS ABOUT $500 INSTALLED. WHEN APPROACHED ABOUT THE MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THE DEALERSHIPS AS WELL AS THE VW SERVICE CENTER CLAIMED THEY KNEW NOTHING OF THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING REIMBURSED BY THE VW/AUDI SERVICE CENTER FOR THEIR REPAIRS AS IF THERE IS A SILENT RECALL BUT I WAS NOT GIVEN THIS OPTION. I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE THE MODULE MYSELF WHICH SOLVED THE PROBLEM. AT NO TIME DID ANYONE ATTEMPT TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE COMPONENT THAT HAS A VERY INEXPENSIVE SUB-COMPONENT THAT IS FAILING. THE CUSTOMER IS LEFT HOLDING THE BAG. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10041472October 8, 2003
SEATS
I SENSED A ROCKING MOTION IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, ESPECIALLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY DETERMINED THE SEAT FRAME HAD BROKEN AT THE POINT OF A SPOT WELD. THEY REPLACED THE FRAME AT A TOTAL COST OF $480.79. THE REPAIR RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10041243October 5, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED ON MY WIFE?S PASSAT. THE CAR IS 4 YRS OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 85000 MILES ON IT . THE ESTIMATED REPAIR FROM BILL BARRY VW. TO FIX IT IS AROUND 1600 DOLLARS. I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEMS NEVER FAIL BECAUSE THEY ARE MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL. BEFORE THAT AROUND 68000 MILES THE CAR BEGAN TO RUN ON 3 CYLINDERS. THEY HAD TO REPLACE A CONTROL MODULE THAT COST ME $612.00 NONE OF THIS WAS COVERED UNDER ANY OF MY WARRANTY. EVEN THOUGH I AM SUPPOSED TO HAVE A 10 YR. OR 100000 MILES. THIS WILL BE OUR LAST VOLKSWWAGEN. IF I WERE TOLD THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS WORTH SO MUCH MONEY UP FRONT, WE WOULD NEVER HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10041242October 4, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
1999 VW.PASSAT EXHAUST CATAYLITIC CONVERTER FAILURE AND ENGINE SKIPPING PROBLEM. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10034288October 1, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL FOR THE FILLER NECK RECALL 02 V 026 000 WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THEY WERE MAKING APPOINTMENTS A MONTH TO 6 WEEKS IN ADVANCE.*AK *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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