Volkswagen Passat Complaints (1998)

331 consumer complaints on file.

#10126463June 24, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT: CALLER SAYS WITHOUT WARNING THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN CALLER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER THEY TOLD HIM HE HAD SOME RECALLS ON HIS CAR. HE WANTED TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC DONE AT THE SAME TIME ON THE AIR BAG PROBLEM AS ON THE RECALLS. MANUFACTURER SAID TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY WOULD PAY FOR IT. MANUFACTURER SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS A SENSOR PROBLEM, AND THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC BECAUSE IT SHOED IT WAS A LOW BATTERY SIGNAL. DEALER SAID MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY FOR IT, BUT WHEN CALLER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BACK THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE DIAGNOSTIC BACK TO MAKE THAT DECISION . CALLER WAS CONFUSED BY WHAT DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE SAYING TO HIM. CALLER DID NOT KNOW FOR SURE IF RECALL WORK WAS DONE BECAUSE OF NO FEEDBACK FROM DEALER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125701June 17, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY LIGHT UP AND SOUND AN EMERGENCY. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO TWO GARAGES, AND NEITHER PLACE CAN DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES I CANI FEEL MY ABS SYSTEM LOCK UP IF I AM TURNING (NOT IN ANY WET CONDITIONS); AND IN THOSE OCCASIONS, I WAS FORTUNATE THAT NO CARS HAD BEEN COMING TOWARD ME B/C I WAS UNABLE TO GAIN CONTROL. NEITHER MECHANIC SAW ANY FAULT IN MY BRAKES, BRAKE PADS, SHOES, ETC., SO THERE IS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL TO BLAME; AND THIS IS A COMPLAINT HEARD OFTEN WITH 1998-1999 VW PASSATS. EITHER WAY, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, ONLY 300.00 IN DIAGNOSTICS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125093June 13, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: THE ABS MODULE FAILED. FIRST NOTICED ON 5/1/05 WHEN DRIVING AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS (EXTERIOR) STARTED FLASHING. THEN A BEEPING NOISE CAME TO WARN ALONG WITH LIGHT. WHEN EMERGENCY BRAKING THE BRAKES LOCK. HAPPENS AT ANY WEATHER CONDITIONS/UP AND DOWN HILL OR ANY TYPE OF ROAD. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN LOOKED AT BY DEALER, BUT HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY MECHANIC, THE ABS MODULE IS THE PART THAT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. *AK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124910June 10, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
DT: WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED AND THEN DISAPPEARED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CHIP FAILED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124917June 10, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY 1998 VW PASSAT FAILED SEVEN TIMES SO FAR. IN MOST OF THE CASES, THEY JUST COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE WHILE THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE WORKED. IN ALL CASES, THE VW SERVICE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM (A CABLE HAD SLIPPED OFF THE TRACK) AND WERE EITHER ABLE TO REPAIR IT WITHIN A FEW MINUTES BY USE OF A LONG SCREW DRIVER GOING THROUGH A HOLE IN THE FRONT DOORS. IN CASE OF THE REAR DOORS, THE DOOR PANELS HAD TO BE REMOVED FOR THE REPAIR. THE LAST REPAIR WAS NECESSARY WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF THE PREVIOUS REPAIR AND IT SET ME BACK $100.00. WHEN COMPLAININT TO VW THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I HAD TO LAUGH ABOUT IT SINCE EVERY TIME I HAVE BEEN AT THE SERVICE THERE WERE FELLOW CUSTOMERS WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEMS. VW DID NOT OFFER ME ANY HELP FOR THIS PROBLEM, JUST STATED THAT MY CAR IS AN "OLD" CAR BY NOW AND REPAIRS SEEM TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124527June 7, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
98 VW PASSAT HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ONE PROBLEM AFTER THE OTHER WITH THIS VEHICLE. JUST HAD TO REPLACE MY OIL PUMP NOW MY TIMING BELT WENT AND DESTROYED MY ENGINE. AFTER I SEE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL OTHERS I BELIEVE VW SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS EXPENSE. I HAVE HAD TO GO THROUGH THE EXPENSE OF THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS, SPEED SENSOR ETC. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE MORE THAN I HAVE DROVE IT. PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124377June 6, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
1998 PASSAT 1.8T B5 BODYSTYLE. BOUGH CAR AT 88,000 MILES USED FROM A DEALERSHIP WHO INSPECTED IT. ABS ABD BRAKE LIGHT GO ON AND STAY ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME. PASSATWORLD WEBSITE SHOWS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WIHT THIS SAME PROBLEM VW NEEDS TO DO A RECALL. PART ARE TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ME TO FIX.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10123676May 31, 2005
SEATS
THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AND THE SEAT FLIPPED BACKWARDS CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10122335May 27, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
I OWN A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 1.8T, AND I HAVE HAD THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAIL. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS TURNED ON AND STARTED TO BLINK. THIS WOULD HAPPEN EVERYTIME I WOULD START MY CAR. I HAD DIAGNOSTICS RUN ON THE CAR, AND FOUND THAT THE CONTROL MODULE COULD NOT COMMUNICATE WITH THE CARS ECU. I HAD MY LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER REPLACE THE ABS MODULE. THIS COST ME $850 FOR THE CONTROL MODULE, $360 FOR LABOR, THEN TAX. I HAD TO PAY $1270 FOR EVERYTHING TO BE FIXED. I FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS, AND I DO NOT THINK THAT THE OWNERS SHOULD PAY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS IF IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10122143May 25, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
OUR 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 4 CYLINDER SEDAN (80K MILES) HAD INTERMITTENT WARNING LIGHTS GO ON FOR THE ABS SYSTEM AND THE BRAKES. THE MANUAL STATES THAT WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS GO ON THE ABS SYSTEM IS DISABLED AND THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY. THERE WAS NO REGULAR PATTERN TO THE LIGHTS COMING ON, BUT ONCE IT STARTED IT HAPPENED VIRTUALLY EVERY TRIP AT DIFFERENT TIMES. I DROVE FOR ABOUT A WEEK WITH THE LIGHT ON WITH NO APPARENT LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. I DID EXPERIENCE A FAILURE OF THE ABS SYSTEM WHILE THE LIGHT WAS ON (ON A HILL ON A RAINY DAY) AND SO DETERMINED IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED. WE TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON. WE CAME BACK WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS ON AND THEY TOLD US WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AT A COST OF $2600. WE WENT AHEAD AND DID THE REPAIR. WE DID NOT KEEP THE PREVIOUS PART. WE ARE DISTRESSED THAT A SINGLE PART FROM A SAFETY SYSTEM IS SO EXPENSIVE AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD IN AUDIS AND VWS. VISIT ANY ONLINE CAR FORUM AND IT IS FILLED WITH STORIES OF THIS REPAIR. BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE I FEEL VOLKSWAGEN BE ALERTED TO THIS ISSUE AND A FORMAL COMPLAINT SHOULD BE REGISTERED ABOUT THIS SAFETY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121328May 18, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON MY 1998 VW PASSAT ARE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. VW REFUSES TO REPLACE THEM EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THESE PARTS. THE REASONING IS THAT: - I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL AT THEIR DEALER IN FEBRUARY 2005 AND AT THE TIME THE PARTS SEEMED OK. - AT THIS TIME, THEIR DEALER HAS REINSPECTED THE CAR. THE VW DEALER THINKS THAT BOTH LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARMS ON THE CAR NEED REPLACEMENT. HOWEVER THE PARTS ARE NOT ABOUT TO FAIL AND THE CAR IS STILL DRIVEABLE AND THUS VW WILL NOT PAY FOR THEIR REPLACEMENT. MY MECHANIC STATES THAT THE CAR NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. PLEASE ADVISE WHETHER VW IS RESPONSIBLE UNDER THE "REVISED-VM (40G3) - DECEMBER 2004" RECALL CAMPAIGN TO FIX THESE. THANKS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10120218May 8, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
NO ACCIDENTS EVER, SEVERE CREAKING IN FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT SUSPENSION. LEFT CONTROL ARM REPLACED (AT MY COST ALTHOUGH UNDER WARRANTY), CREAKING STOPPED FROM LEFT SIDE, BUT RIGHT SIDE STILL CREAKS SEVERELY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10120178May 7, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS, EQUIPMENT
DAILY DRIVING CONDITIONS THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON WITH AUDIBLE WARNING AND THE BRAKE LIGHT BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY. ROOT PROBLEM IS THE ABS ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT IS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AS MUCH WEB RESEARCH HAS BEEN CONDUCTED THROUGH ONLINE PASSAT FORUMS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117921April 15, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I DRIVE A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS OF ANNOYING WARNINGS THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY ABS SYSTEM I TOOK THE CARTO MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. HE HOOKED A SCANNER UP TO IT AND CHECKED THE BRAKE SYSTEM ALL DAY, AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS OVERFILLED. HE FIXED THAT MINOR PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT FIX THE ORIGINAL ISSUE. AFTER ANOTHER WEEK, I FINALLY BROKE DOWN AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER - HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN ON REISTERSTOWN ROAD IN OWINGS MILLS, MD. THEY HOOKED A SCANNER UP TO IT AS WELL, AND FOUND THAT I NEEDES A NEW ABS CONTROL UNIT. THIS WAS A PART THAT, THEY SAID, WOULD COST $3,000 JUST FOR THE PART! AFTER DOING MY OWN RESEARCH, IT SEEMED THIS WAS ONE OF MANY VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS THAT EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM, BUT EVERY ONE WAS BEING CHARGED $1,500 FOR THE PART. THIS OUGHT TO BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, AND HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN OUGHT TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR OVERCHARGING THEIR CUSTOMERS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116811April 12, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS FAILURE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116294April 3, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT BECAME ILLUMLINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAD THE TROUBLE LIGHTS DIAGNOSED AT THE 70K SERVICE AND THE DEALER NOTED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1,800. THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO WORK, HOWEVER THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS NOT OPERABLE DUE TO THE FAILED CONTROL MODULE. VOLKSWAGON WAS UNWILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND I HAVE SENT THE MODULE TO AN OUTSIDE VENDOR FOR A COMPLETE REBUILD OF THE UNIT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116073March 30, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
MY LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARMES ARE VERY SQUIKY AND BOLT JOINT BOOTS ARE RIPPER. I WAS ABOUT TO REPLACE THE MYSELF BUT JUST BEFORE I CALLED VW AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL ON FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS.*AK AFTER 5 HOURS WITH MY CAR THEY TOLD ME TO COME AND PICK IT UP. I DISCOVERED THAT ONLY VACUUM LINE WAS REPLACED AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO MY CONTROL ARMS. I WENT OVER WATER AND THE SQUIK WAS GONE AT THE TIME THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALER. SO THEY DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING. BUT THE RUBBER BOOTS ARE STILL TURNED APPART!!! THE MANAGER AND THE GUY WHO WORKED ON IT TOLD ME THAT WE DIDN'T SEE ANY PROBLEM WITH YOUR CONTROL ARMS. AND THE RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED. THE SQUIK CAME BACK THE NEXT DAY, AND I KNOW THAT RUBER BOOTS ARE STILL RIPPED ON THE CONTROL ARMS. CALLED VWOA AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT THEY TRUST THE DIAGNOSTIC MADE BY THEIR AUTHORISED DEALER. BECAUSE THE DEALIER DIDN'T SEE ANY PROBLEMS WITH CONTROL ARMS THE RECALL IS CLOSED NOW. THEY WOULDN'T REIMBERSE THE COST OF REPLACEMENT OF CONTROL ARMS EVEN IF I GO TO THE DIFFERENT DEALER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114795March 26, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1998 VW PASSAT, 4-CYLINDER, 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AUTOMOBILE. THE ABS BRAKES WARNING LIGHT CAME ON (FEBRUARY 27, 2005). I CONSULTED WITH MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE ABS BRAKES WERE NECESSARY IN WET OR ICY WEATHER IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THE PROBLEM DID NOT RESULT IN ANY ACCIDENT OR INJURY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON MARCH 21, 2005. THE DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOSIS AND DETERMINED THE ABS PUMP NEEDED REPLACING. THE DEALER (NEW CENTURY VOLKSWAGEN IN GLENDALE, CA) QUOTED A PRICE OF $3125, PARTS AND LABOR, TO FIX. I AM UNABLE TO REPAIR THE CAR AT THIS TIME DUE TO THE EXPENSE. RESEARCH ONLINE AND IN DISCUSSING WITH INDEPENDENT VW MECHANICS REVEALS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VW. I CHECKED WITH AN INDEPENDENT VW MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM THAT THE PRICE OF ABS USED PARTS IS RAPIDLY RISING. IN INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM PLEASE REFER TO THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE FOR A REMARKABLE NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS: HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=173334&PAGE=1&PP=30&HIGHLIGHT=ABS+MODULE . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114236March 17, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION ON 3/11 WHERE A WOMAN CUT ME OFF BY MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AS SHE WAS HEADED TOWARD ME. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR STUCK THE SIDE OF HER CAR. THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR WAS SMASHED IN BUT NO AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH AND HAVE NOT IDEA HOW FAST THE OTHER DRIVER WAS GOING. MY CAR HAS BEEN DECLARED TOTALED. MY PASSENGER SUFFERD A BRUISED CHEST FROM HER SEAT BELT. SHOULD EITHER OF THE AIRBAGS IN MY CAR HAVE DEPLOYED? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10109050March 15, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
BRAKE WARNING BELLS SOUNDED FOLLOWED BY BLINKING RED BRAKE, AND SOLID AMBER ABS LIGHT IN DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. TOOK AUTOMOBILE TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. ABS MODULE WAS DETERMINED TO BE DEFECTIVE, AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT FOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM TO WORK AGAIN.*AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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