Volkswagen Passat Complaints (1998)

331 consumer complaints on file.

#10152692March 14, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM
HAD A CREAKING SOUND IN THE FRONT END OF MY 1998 VW PASSAT 1.8T. TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE LEFT FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM TIE RODS WERE BAD (AND DANGEROUS) AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST. DID THIS AND 6 WEEKS LATER THE UPPER CONTROL ARM ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE FAILED WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER "FIXED" THIS PROBLEM AT NO CHARGE AND NOW 4 MONTHS LATER THE SAME SOUND IS BACK AND NOW THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION MUST BE REPLACED AND EXPECTS ME TO PAY FOR IT. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150305February 15, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS FAILED, FLASHING LIGHTS CONTINUALLY. SPOKE WITH DEALER IN SEASIDE, CA SAID COMMON EVENT AND NOT WORTH REPLACING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149748January 25, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1998 PASSAT TIMING BELT PREMATURELY FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO DIE. *TS ***NO ANS REQUIRED*** *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148421January 23, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE A 1998 VW PASSAT THAT HAS HAD IT ABS SYSTEM GO OUT. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS CAR. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS WHEN THE ABS MODULE GOES ON THE CAR IT HAS A HARD TIME MODULATING THE BRAKES CORRECTLY CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WILL HAVE TO EITHER BUY A NEW UNIT OR SEND IT OUT AND HAVE IT REPAIRED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146738January 3, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
1998 VW PASSAT WAGON 2 WHEEL DRIVE 4 CYL. 1.8 L ENGINE. MANUAL TRANSMISSION VIN: [XXX] THINGS BROKEN ON THIS VW. BLINKING ABS LIGHT ON DASH INDICATING ABS MALFUNCTION. IT INTERMITTENTLY GOES OFF ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES, INDICATING FUNCTION PROPERLY. TEMP. GAUGE ON DASH READS NO TEMPERATURE OR 0. IT INTERMITTENTLY COMES BACK ON AND FUNCTIONS PROPERLY. I NEED TO PULL SENDING UNIT WIRE AND CLEAN CONNECTOR. DRIVER'S AUTO DOOR LOCK BUTTON MALFUNCTIONS. WINDOW SWITCHES ON DRIVERS DOOR DOESN'T WORK WELL. STEREO PLAYS CD WITHOUT PUSHING THE BUTTON. (GOES ON BUY ITS SELF) LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE.. MOON ROOF MALFUNCTIONS. MAYBE WON'T CLOSE AFTER OPENING. BRAKE LIGHT'S DON'T LIGHT UP RIGHT AWAY WHEN YOU STEP ON THE BRAKES. OUTSIDE DOOR LOCKS STICK. WHEN IT RAINS, WATER GETS INTO THE LOCK AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO TURN THE KEY INSIDE THE LOCK. PLASTIC DIP STICK GUIDE IS PRONE TO CRUMBLING DUE TO HEAT. (THIS IS THE ORANGE PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT EXTENDS THE LENGTH OF THE DIPSTICK TUBE. ANTENNA GOT SCREWED UP IN RAIN AND WIND. DEC. -05. *JB UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146655January 1, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN MY 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, 3 EVENTS OCCURRED SIMULTANEOUSLY: A 'POP' SOUND FROM THE ENGINE AREA, COPIOUS WHITE SMOKE (NOT STEAM) FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ACTIVATION. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER, AND WHITE SMOKE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY FROM (CLOSED) HOOD, FOLLOWED WITHIN 5 MINUTES BY OPEN FLAMES FROM THE PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL WELL. FIRE CREWS WERE ON SCENE WITHIN 10 MINUTES, BUT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED AND A TOTAL LOSS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145152December 14, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
98 PASSAT, ABS PUMP IS NOT WORKING ANYMORE AT 106000 MILES. I WANTED TO REPLACE THE PART BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME I HAVE TO PAY $1200.00 JUST FOR THE PART. IS VW USA CONSIDERING A RECALL BECAUSE IN MY OPINION A $1200.00 PART SHOULD NOT FAIL TO WORK SO FAST. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144208December 2, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS UNIT FAILURE ON MY 1998 1.8 TURBO PASSAT GLS SEDAN AT 92,000 MILES. SENDING UNIT TO BE REFURBISHED BECAUSE VW OF AMERICA WON'T REPLACE IT UNDER A RECALL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140452October 21, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139231October 10, 2005
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
I HAD THE SUNROOF OF MY 1998 PASSAT SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTER. I WAS DRIVING 60-65 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPEN. THE WEATHER WAS OVERCAST WITH LIGHT RAIN. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 37 F. THE GLASS APPEARS TO BE BLOWN OUTWARD. LUCKILY I HAD THE SUNROOF SHADE CLOSED WHICH PREVENTED ME FROM BEING SHOWERED WITH GLASS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138305October 1, 2005
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE SUNROOF OPENS AND CLOSES BY IT SELF, OPENS AND DOESN'T CLOSE BY IT SELF WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT. IT FIRST OPENED/CLOSED BY IT SELF IN JANUARY, 2005. IT SCARED ME AND WAS/IS UNBELIEVEABLE. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL A MONTH LATER, THE SUNROOF WOULD SLIDE BACK 3/4 OF THE WAY AND THEN CLOSE BY ITSELF. I TOOK THE CAR INTO ROYAL VOLKSWAGON IN FL ON 02/28/05 AND IN ADDITION TO REGULAR SERVICE I ASKED TO CHECK THE SUNROOF. I WAS TOLD THEY WERE "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE CUSTOMER CONCERNS. NO REPAIRS RECOMMENDED AT THIS TIME."
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136514September 14, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF A PASSAT THAT HAD BEEN DRIVEN 72000 MILES. AT THAT TIME THE FOLLOWING DEFECTS WERE NOTED AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED: 1. OUTER TIE ROD AND CV BOOT. 2. COOLING SYSTEM: ALL COOLING HOSES, OIL COOLER, WATER PUMP, RADIATOR, & ASSOCIATED ITEMS. VW OF AMERICA REFUSED TO REIMBURSE FOR THE COST OF THESE UNTIMELY REPAIRS THAT WERE DUE IN PART TO FAULTY INFORMATION IN THE OWNERS MANUAL, THAT STATES THAT THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS SEALED AND DID NOT NEED ANY MAINTENANCE. THESE ENORMOUS AND COSTLY REPAIRS AT A MILEAGE WHEN COMPARABLE CARS OF OTHER MANUFACTURERS NEED LITTLE OR NO REPAIRS UP TO AND WAY PAST 100,000 MILES, ARE EXCESSIVE IN MY OPINION. (THE FIRST OWNER GETS A WARRANTY OF 100,000 MILES AND 10 YEARS, SOMETHING THAT FOR THE SECOND OWNER IS REDUCED TO 50,000 MILES/5 YEARS. I WONDER IF THE CAR IS SUDDENLY NOT AS GOOD ANYMORE WHEN SOMEBODY BUYS IT FROM A PREVIOUS OWNER?) CONSUMER REPORTS MAGAZINE LISTS REPAIR RECORDS FOR ENGINES AND SUSPENSION SYSTEMS OF THAT YEAR AND MODEL AS BEING "WORSE THAN AVERAGE," AND I CAN SEE WHY. I WOULD WELCOME TO JOIN OTHERS WITH SIMILAR EXPERIENCES FOR A POSSIBLE CLASS ACTION AGAINST VW. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134122August 24, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
MORRISON AUTO GROUP REPAIRED REAR BRAKES AS THEY WERE STUCK. AFTER THIS REPAIR THE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT CAME ON BLINKING. THE TACHOMETER ALSO ZERO'S OUT. A WARNING NOISE ALSO OCCURS. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE THIS WARNING LIGHT IS ON THE ABS SYSTEM IS DISABLED. BRAKING WORKS BUT NO ABS AVAILABLE. I LIVE IN ALASKA AND CAN'T HAVE MY CAR WITHOUT ABS ESP DURING CRITICAL TIMES OF BRAKING. I HAVE READ ON TECH FORUMS FOR THIS TYPE OF CAR THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD (MORE THAN A HANDFUL OF CARS). THE EXORBIRANT COST OF THIS REPAIR (AS STATED BY OTHERS) FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT BE FAILING WITHIN ITS LIFETIME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133673August 21, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED. $2200 FOR PART NO LABOR, SEARCH ONLINE SHOWS MASSIVE FAILURES OR BOSCH 5.3 AND 5.3I UNIT USED IN PASSAT AND A4.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132675August 12, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
BOTH BLINKERS ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10130168July 27, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON I95 (MD) SOUTHBOUND FROM ELKTON, MD TO ABERDEEN PROVING GROUNDS, MD, THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED. OBVIOUSLY, WITHOUT ENGINE POWER, THE STEERING AND BRAKES WERE DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. TRAFFIC WAS HOWEVER AVOIDED DUE TO AID OF A HIGHWAY PATROL RIGHT BEHIND ME. THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP AND TOWED WITHIN A COUPLE OF HOURS AND TAKEN TO A LOCAL GARAGE. CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS FAILED TIMING BELT. CAR HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES AND IT'S ONNLY 7 YEARS OLD. HOWEVER, VW REFUSE TO HONOR THE 100,000 MILES/10YEAR POWER TRAIN WARRANTY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10130134July 26, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS MODULE WARNING LIGHT & ALARM INDICATE FAILURE OF ABS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129661July 22, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1) ON EARLY MODEL VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS WITH THE 4CYL. 1.8 LITRE TURBO MOTORS, THE IGNITION CONTROL UNIT WILL FAIL WITH NO WARNINGS AT ALL. 2)THE CAR DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY. THE OWNER IS LEFT WITH CONSTANT MISFIRING, AND IF DRIVEN CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS EMISSION TROUBLES DOWN THE ROAD. SINCE THE FAILURE IS COMPLETELY RANDOM AND SHOWS NO SIGNS OF A PROBLEM, THIS CAN AND USUALLY WILL LEAVE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS STRANDED. 3)THE UNIT MUST BE REPLACED OR THE CAR WILL NOT RUN PROPERLY. I PURCHASED A UNIT OF THE BRAND HUCO, BECAUSE THE OEM UNIT (BOSCH) LISTS FOR NEARLY $400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127048June 29, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
1) NORMAL DRIVING, HIGHWAY SPEED. 2)ABS WARNING LIGHT, ABS FAILURE UPON TESTING, ANNOYING BRAKE/ABS LIGHTS AND WARNING TONE 3) REPAIRED ABS CONTROL MODULE THROUGH REPAIR SERVICE. NOT THROUGH DEALER
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126782June 27, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE CAR AND IT STAYS ON WHILE I DRIVE MY CAR. THE BRAKE LIGHT BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY AND IN BAD WEATHER YOU CAN FEEL THAT ABS IS NOT WORKING. FROM VW PASSAT FORMS I UNDERSTOOD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 98+ PASSAT MODELS. I TALKED TO SOME LOCAL SHOPS AND THEY TOLD THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM AND I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE VW DEALER. I TALKED TO A DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS $150 TO CHECK THE PROBLEM AND IF THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO ABS CIRCUIT OR SOMETHING THEN IT IS GOING TO COST ME AROUND $2000+. THAT IS AROUND 25% OF MY CARS CURRENT VALUE AND FROM MY UNDERSTANDING LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FACING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED ABOUT VW'S RELIABILITY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen Passat