Volkswagen Passat Complaints (1998)

331 consumer complaints on file.

#10113821March 8, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
'RECALL CAMPAIGN' FOR VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS. *BF THIS PROBLEM HAD CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10113635February 24, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
' RECALL CAMPAIGN' ISSUED TO INSTALL PROTECTIVE SHIELD IN RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING. *BF THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO AUTHORIZED DEALERS IN THE AREA. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112855February 16, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
1998 PASSAT BOTH FRONT CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO DEFECTIVE. *BF *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111703February 16, 2005
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
CONSUMER DISAPPOINTED WITH DENIAL FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF REPAIRS ON 2004 VW-PASSAT CONTROL ARM. *BF RECALL CAMPAIGN; NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 99V248000. THE CONSUMER MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE FOR A DEFECTIVE STEERING AND CONTROL MECHANISMS. *TC THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE SHE DID NOT PROVIDE PROOF OF THE 40,000 MILE MAINTENANCE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110657February 16, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1) ABS WARNING LIGHT/SOUNDER CAME ON, TOLD BY DEALER THAT ABS SYSTEM WAS OUT, WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR $1800 BEFORE ANY OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS COULD BE DIAGNOSED BY COMPUTER. 2) DID NOT FIX THIS, WHICH LED TO THEIR EXCUSE THAT THEY COULD NOT ACCURATELY DIAGNOSE OTHER ISSUES, BUT "DID THEIR BEST" TO FIX ACCELERATION PROBLEMS (REPLACED HOSES AND PLUGS) 3) CURRENT ACCELERATION PROBLEM MIRACULOUSLY DIAGNOSED AS SOME SORT OF POWER REGULATOR DEVICE W/O MENTION OF FIXING THE ABS SYSTEM SO THAT COMPUTER "COULD GET PAST IT" 4)ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING MOON ROOF OPENING AND CLOSING AT WILL, DOOR LOCKS OPENING AND CLOSING AT WILL, INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT SHUTTING OFF AND ALARM GOING OFF ALL BY ITSELF (UNABLE TO LOCK DOORS B/C IT SETS THE ALARM) 5) NOW DEALER SAYS THAT IT'S A BATTERY PROBLEM AND RESETTING EVERYTHING SHOULD FIX IT ALL, INCLUDING THE ABS LIGHT PROBLEM. CAN YOU SAY RIP-OFF?*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107246February 16, 2005
STEERING
THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SMOKE HAD AN ODOR OF BURNING OIL AND SMOKE COMBINED. THE APPEARANCE WAS WHITE. THIS STARTED ONE YEAR AGO AND WENT AWAY, AND NOW THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK TOOK CAR TO DEALER IN RAPID CITY SD. THEY SAID THERE WAS AN EXCESS OF GREASE ON CERTAIN PARTS UNDER THE STERING WHEEL / IN THE STERING WHEEL. THIS BUILD UP OF DUST WOULD CAUSE SMOKE AND SMELL. *EH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110196February 9, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT
GROANING AND MOANING NOISE EMANATING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR WHEN TURNING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110850February 2, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
BOTH FRONT CONTROL ARMS DEFECTIVE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FAIL INSPECTION. *BF THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNTIL SHE PROVIDED THEM WITH MAINTENANCE RECORDS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107650January 31, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1. EVENTS: ABS LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. NOW THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND THE BRAKE LIGHT NOW FLASHES WITH 3 BEEPS AND STAYS ON. 2. FAILURES: I HAVE NO WORKING ABS IN THE CAR. 3. CORRECTION: HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY AN INDEPENDENT VW REPAIR SHOP THAT THE ABS MODULE IS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER AND MUST BE REPLACED. THIS MODULE IS A DEALER-ONLY PART ($2,038). NOTE THAT THIS COST IS FOR THE PART ONLY AND DOES NOT INCLUDE LABOR. I'VE CONTACTED 3 OTHER INDEPENDENT VOLKSWAGEN/AUDI REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY'VE ADVISED THAT THEY'VE REPAIRED AN IN ORDINATE NUMBER OF THESE ABS SYSTEMS IN VOLKSWAGENS. ONE SHOP INDICATED HE REPAIRS/REPLACES VW ABS AT LEAST 4 TIMES A MONTH, WHICH WOULD MEAN THAT VW DEALERS ARE LIKELY DOING A LOT MORE OF THESE REPAIRS, YET THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY RECALL EFFORT ON VW'S PART. I'VE NOTIFIED VW AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO ABSORB THE COST OF FIXING IT SINCE A RECALL NOTICE HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. MY CAR IS SCHEDULED FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE ABS MODULE ON 1/27/05. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TOTAL COST TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $2500. *JB *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107797January 24, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL UNIT LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF THE ABS SYSTEM. THE PART WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $2,000.00. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107445January 18, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL."THE ABS LIGHT STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. WHENEVER THE LIGHT IS ON, THE ABS DO NOT FUNCTION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO FAIL INSPECTION. THE ABS LIGHT NOW STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD ABS CONTROL MODULE (IT WOULD NOT COMMUNICATE WITH THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER) AND STATED THAT THE ABS PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE QUOTED COST OF A NEW ABS PUMP WAS $2250." *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106569January 18, 2005
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TIE ROD FAILURE (EXCESSIVE WEAR), LEADING TO "LOOSE" STEERING ON A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. SOME PASSAT'S OF THIS MODEL YEAR HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY RECALLED FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM; VW INFORMS ME THAT MY CAR IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105734January 4, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
DEC 2004, THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM SNAPPED IN TWO, SENDING THE FRONT END OF MY CAR TO THE GROUND. LUCKILY, I WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY AS MANY ARE TELLING ME (EVEN THE DEALER) THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. 2 YEARS PRIOR I HAD EEKING/MOANING/GROANING IN FRONT SUSPENSION. DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG, AS I PAID TO HAVE THE SOUND CHECKED OUT. I'VE SEEN MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE SOUNDS BEING RELATED TO LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE, ALTHOUGH I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYONE W/ ONE THAT ACTUALLY BROKE LIKE MINE! VERY SCAREY... AFTER SOME FIGHTING (MY CAR AS 103K MILES) WITH THE DEALER AND VWOA, THEY ENDED UP REPLACING LOWER CONTROL ARMS AT NO COST TO ME. HOWEVER, I DID END UP WITH A $1250 BILL FOR OTHER SUSPENSION PARTS IN THE FRONT (TIE ROD, SWAY BARS, LINK ARMS). DAMAGE WAS ALSO DONE TO UNDER SIDE OF MY CAR FROM SLAMMING TO THE CONCRETE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104767December 30, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
1. EARLY ON BRAKING (INTERMITTENT) AND NOW ALWAYS AT ENGINE STARTUP 2. THE ABS BRAKE COMES ON SOLID, THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES, AND THREE BEEPS ON ENGINE STARTUP. THIS INDICATES THAT THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM HAS FAILED. AND INDEED I CURRENTLY HAVE NO ABS, ALTHOUGH THE BRAKES WORK, AND THE CAR CANNOT PASS DC INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE WARINING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. 3. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BY RUNNING THE VAG-COM DIAGNOSTICS ON IT. VAG-COM CANNOT COMMUNICATE WITH THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WHICH INDICATES THE ABS CONTROL MODULE MUST BE REPLACED. I AM CURRENTLY IN PURSUIT OF A USED REPLACEMENT PART OR A REBUILD OF THE CURRENT MODULE DUE TO THE HIGH PRICE OF THIS PART FROM VW AND THE FACT THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. I HAVE ALSO SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TO VW OF AMERICA.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104716December 29, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I WAS JUST TOLD BY THE VW DEALER THAT MY 1998 VW PASSAT WITH 1.8T ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF SLUDGE PROBLEMS. I CHANGE THE OIL MORE FREQUENTLY THAN THE REQUIRED 5000 MILES (USUALLY BETWEEN 3000 AND 3500), BUT DON'T HAVE EVERY RECEIPT, AND DON'T HAVE THE OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER, SO THEY WON'T HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. THEY WANT ME TO PAY $8000 WHEN IT IS THEIR RECOGNIZED DESIGN FLAW. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT YET. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104042December 17, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VW PASSAT 1998 HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE ABS LIGHT STAYS SOLID AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES. THIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS TAKEN NO MEASURES TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE SHIFTED RESPONSIBILITY ON THE CONSUMER TO PAY THEM EXTRA $ 2000.00 TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102574December 10, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI LOCK BRAKE CONTROL UNIT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102586December 10, 2004
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
WATER LEAKS INTO DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR, RELAY FAILURE AND RESULTANT DEFROSTER FAILURE. MILDEW, RESPIRATORY DISTRESS, UNCONTROLABLE SNEEZING, AND RESULTANT DIFFICULTY WITH VEHICLE CONTROL. ENTIRE CARPET REPLACEMENT. COST OVER $1000 WITH LABOR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10101867November 30, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE ABS MODULE PUMP.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100798November 30, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS LIGHT BLINKING CONSTANTLY ON MY 98 VW PASSAT FOR PAST 19 MONTHS. DEALER INDICATES NO FAULT CODE ANUNNCIATED WITH COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS. QUOTES $1300. CONTROL UNIT NEEDED. ABS SYSTEM NOT FUNCTIONAL.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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