Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2001)

432 consumer complaints on file.

#10238430August 15, 2008
TIRES, TIRES:VALVE
I WAS JUST ENTERING I-90 AT HARLEM AVE WHEN WITHOUT WARNING MY 2 MONTH OLD TIRE WENT FLAT. THERE WAS NO WARNING, AND BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE EXPRESSWAY THE TIRE WAS SHREDDED. I CHANGED THE TIRE WITH MY SPARE AND SINCE THE TIRE WAS A REPLACEMENT ON A SET FROM NTB I DECIDED THAT I WOULD COMPLETELY REPLACE THE WHOLE SET AS I WAS COMPLETELY WITHOUT ANY CONFIDENCE WITH NTB. THE TIRE DID NOT LOOK LIKE IT HAD ANY PROBLEMS EXCEPT FOR THE DAMAGE DONE BY RUNNING FLAT. I REPLACED THE TIRES 8/9/08 AND UPON RETURNING HOME FROM THE TIRE STORE READ A CONSUMER'S REPORT ALERT THAT SOME CHINESE MADE VALVE STEMS ARE FAILING. WHILE AT THIS POINT I DO NOT HAVE THE STEM IN QUESTION THE TIRE WAS OF CHINESE MANUFACTURE AND ALL SYMPTOMS I ENCOUNTERED ARE CONSISTENT WITH STEM FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235852July 26, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE A '01 VW PASSAT. I HAD TO GO TO THE VW DEALER TODAY SINCE I WAS HEARING A PINGING NOISE WHEN I DRIVE. THEY CHECKED AND ADVISED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND TIE ENDS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED SINCE THEY WERE WORN OUT. THE CAR HAS 77K MILES AND ON RESEARCHING HAVE FOUND THAT OTHER VW PASSAT OWNERS FROM THE SAME TIME FRAME ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. IT HAS BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO DESIGN FLAWS. I AM WORRIED THAT THIS IS GOING TO DETERIORATE AND LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. ADDITIONALLY THEY IDENTIFIED A VALVE COVER CAMSHAFT SEAL LEAKAGE. THIS IS ANOTHER ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY OTHER OWNERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233160July 3, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE FUEL SENSOR FAILS AFTER ABOUT ONE YEAR OF USE. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE FAILURE MODE IS THAT IT ALWAYS REPORTS TWICE THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF FUEL AVAILABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232126June 24, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED, RESULTING IN WARNING BEEPS AND FLASHING LIGHTS. BRAKES WILL OPERATE (?) HOWEVER ABS IS NOW DISABLED RESULTING IN A DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION. THIS PROBLEM IS ABSOLUTELY VERY COMMON ACROSS ALL YEARS PASSATS AND IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. VW DOES NOTHING AND MAKES MONEY FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230511June 10, 2008
STRUCTURE
MY 2001.5 PASSAT HAS FLOODED THREE TIMES, TWICE THROUGH THE POLLEN FILTER AND ONCE THROUGH THE SUN ROOF. MY INSURANCE COMPANY PAID $6000 FOR THE LAST REPAIR. THE ELECTRICAL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WAS DESTROYED TWICE. FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS THE SUN ROOF OPENS ON ITS OWN WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED, ENGINE OFF. RAIN WOULD AGAIN DESTROY THE ELECTRICAL WERE THIS TO HAPPEN DURING A STORM. I CHECK ON THE CAR EVERY NIGHT TO BE CERTAIN THAT THE ROOF IS CLOSED. VW WILL TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. THE VERY WORST HAPPENING WAS WHEN I HAD HAD THE CAR FOR ONE WEEK AND ATTENDED A VERY TRAGIC FUNERAL. THE HORN STARTED BEEPING AS IF AT A WEDDING. I DROVE OUT OF THE PROCESSION AND TO A SAFE PLACE WHERE I CALLED FOR TOWING. THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND I WANT VW TO HONOR THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THEIR CONSUMERS. THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSIS WHICH COULD COST $1000, AND THEY WOULD THEN DECIDE WHAT TO DO. I HAD VW PICK UP THE CAR AND FIX THE SIDE AIR BAG STRIP THAT HAD FALLEN AND HUNG OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE'S WINDOW. THEY CLAIM THEY NEVER SERVICED THIS. THEY ARE NOT TRUTHFUL IN THEIR SERVICE TO ME. HOW FOOLISH IT WOULD BE TO HAVE THEM DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM THEY WOULD CHARGE ME TO FIX ...LIKE GIVING A THIEF KEYS TO THE HOUSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230005June 5, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE HARD LINE MOUNTED ON THE FIRE WALL THAT GUIDES THE THREE FUEL LINES BROKE OR FAILED. PLASTIC FUEL LINE WHICH CRACKS OR IS DEFECTIVE LOCATED AT THE SITE WHERE THE LINES ARE CLAMPED BY A PLASTIC HOUSING. GASOLINE SPRAYS ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229012May 27, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OWNER DRIVING THE CAR WHEN SMOKE BEGAN APPEARING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. FIRE DENSITY INCREASED RAPIDLY AND OWNER DROVE INTO A SAFEWAY PARKING LOT WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IMMEDIATELY FILLED WITH SMOKE. FIRE DEPT. WAS CALLED AND BROKE ALL WINDOWS CAUSING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SMOKE TO BE RELEASED. THE SMOKE WAS WHITE AND BLACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224606April 15, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS, STRUCTURE
1. FRONT AND REAR BRAKES INADEQUATE FOR VEHICLE--HAD TO HAVE BRAKE WORK AT ~20,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT JUST UNDER 42,000 MILES (THIS HAS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER CAR). BRAKES REPAIRED/PARTS REPLACED TWICE. CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED BY MANUFACTURER FOR BRAKES 2. SUNROOF +/- WINDSHIELD DRAIN(S) BECAME BLOCKED AND LEAKED AND FLOODED PASSENGER FOOTWELLS, WITH RISK OF DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED ON THE WEB. VW NEEDS TO RECALL CARS FOR THE PROBLEM WITH BLOCKED DRAINS/LEAKAGE AND DAMAGE TO VEHICLES. COST TO VACUUM WATER OUT OF FOOTWELLS BELOW THE CARPET > $600 WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT PROBLEM WILL NOT RECUR 3. VW PASSAT HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SLUDGE BUILD UP IN ENGINE AND CONSEQUENT ENGINE FAILURE--I HAVE NOT (?YET) HAD THE PROBLEM BUT FEEL THAT VW GUARANTEE TO REPAIR PROBLEM ONLY IF OWNER CAN PROVE OIL CHANGES EVERY 3000 MILES IN AN UNREASONABLE ABNEGATION OF DUTY. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND THE COMPANY SHOULD HAVE TO RECALL ALL CARS WITH THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR AT NO CHARGE WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT BLAME TO CONSUMER. NOW HAVING TO USE EXPENSIVE SYNTHETIC OIL FOR OIL CHANGES ON A VERY FREQUENT BASIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223549April 7, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I OWN A 2001 VW PASSAT AND I NOTICED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED IN TEMPERATURES OF 17 DEGREES. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE ALEXANDRIA VW DEALERSHIP (ALEXANDRIA, VA) TWICE AND THEY KEPT IT FOR A FEW DAYS BUT FOUND NOTHING. AFTER READING THROUGH THE OTHER REPORTS ONLINE, I FEEL THAT VW CORPORATION OF AMERICA SHOULD REPLACE ALL ASSOCIATED PARTS THAT COULD CAUSE THIS AND AVOID POTENTIAL VEHICLE EXPLOSIONS AND LOSS OF LIFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223581April 7, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
I HAVE HAD MY 2001 VW PASSAT FOR 7 YEARS NOW AND HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP MULTIPLE ISSUES INCLUDING WARPED ROTORS (FRONT AND BACK), CRACKED CHASSE, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND VARIOUS OTHER PROBLEMS. BEFORE HAVING THIS CAR, I HAD A TOYOTA FOR 8 YEARS AND IN THE 8 YEARS I HAD THE TOYOTA, I ONLY HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THIS CAR IS DISAPPOINTING AND EVERYONE I TALK TO WHO HAS A SIMILAR MODEL/YEAR SAYS THE SAME THING. I THINK THE 2001 VW PASSAT IS A LEMON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223615April 7, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I HAVE SUFFERED THE SAME ISSUES AS OTHERS CONCERNING THE HEADLIGHTS FOR MY 2001.5 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS. I HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVERS SIDE LIGHT ON 3 OCCASIONS. I HAVE REPLACED IT MYSELF ON ALL OCCASIONS. THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS COMPLETELY MELTED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE BULB IS REPLACED, IT USUALLY LASTS A WEEK BEFORE GOING OUT AGAIN. MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT LAST NIGHT. WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE THE BULB, I AGAIN FOUND A MELTED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THIS ONE IS NOT AS SEVERE AS THE DRIVER SIDE BUT ALSO POSES A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS WILL RESULT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $1,000 IN REPAIRS. VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO STEP UP AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223620April 7, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, SUSPENSION:FRONT
FAILURE OF MULTIPLE FRONT CONTROL ARMS IN 2001 VW PASSAT. WAS GIVEN QUOTE OF NEARLY $2100 TO REPAIR CONTROL ARMS. WAS TOLD THIS IS A "WIDE SPREAD" PROBLEM WITH VW PASSATS AND NOTHING HAS BEEN RECALLED AS OF YET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223352April 4, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD LIABILITY COVERAGE; THEREFORE, THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WILL GIVE THE MANUFACTURER A REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222644March 29, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
MY CAR JUST STOPPED. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT HAD I NOT GOTTEN OFF THE ROAD IN TIME. I WAS ON ROUTE 68, A 4 LINE HIGHWAY. COME TO FIND OUT THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING TENSIONER BROKE, WHICH THE MANUFACTURE KNEW WOULD HAPPEN BECAUSE ALL THE REPAIR BOOKS SAY TO HAVE IT CHANGED AT ABOUT 65,000 TO 75,000 MILES. NOBODY TOLD ME THAT. IF MY CHILDREN WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME NEEDLESS TO SAY IF MY WIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING INSTEAD OF ME WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. IT IS COSTING ME OVER $2,300.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. NEEDLESS TO SAY HAD I BEEN WARNED I WOULD HAVE HAD IT REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222099March 24, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARDS WORKED PERIODICALLY. NOW THEY HAVE STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. WENT TO VW BUT WAS TOLD THAT NHTSA RECALL 04V584000 DOESN'T COVER MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE VIN NUMBER AND THEY COULDN'T TELL ME FOR SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH OUT MY PAYING THE 150.00 DIAGNOSIS FEE FIRST, THEN I WOULD HAVE TO PAY ALMOST 100.00 AN HOUR FOR THEM TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10221840March 20, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS MODULE ON MY 2001 VW PASSAT FAILED. THIS WAS A $1000 REPAIR. I T FAILED AT ABOUT 81,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219352February 27, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
ABS MODULE ON MY 2001 VW PASSAT FAILED. THIS WAS A $1000 REPAIR AND AFTER READING HUNDREDS OF THREADS ABOUT OTHER PASSAT ABS MODULES FAILING, SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS AND VW SHOULD RECALL THIS PART AND GIVE PEOPLE THEIR MONEY BACK WHO HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THE REPAIR! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216909February 4, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY CAR IS A 2001 V6, WE HAD HEAVY RAIN DURING THE PAST WEEK AND ONE MORNING MY CAR HAD A PUDDLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND FAILED TO START OR EVEN PUT IN GEAR THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER WAS FLOODED AND IT TOOK 4 DAYS FOR THEM TO TAKE ALL WATER OUT OF THE CAR AND TEST ALL SENSORS . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216299January 28, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
I HAVE A 2001 VW PASSAT, IN THE PAST MONTH, MY ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND E-BRAKE LIGHT, HAVE BEEN COMING ON RANDOMLY. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES AND BEEPS/RINGS FOR A FEW SECONDS. HALF OF THE TIME THE LIGHTS GO OUT AFTER A FEW SECONDS, SOMETIMES THE ONLY WAY THEY GO OUT IS TO STOP, TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART. AND THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THIS DOESN'T WORK EITHER. THERE HAVE BEEN SUGGESTIONS BY VW DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE ABS CONTROL MODULE WHICH IS APPROX, $1350-1400. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT THOUSANDS OF VW OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THE REPLACEMENT OF CONTROL MODULE HAS NOT CORRECTED PROBLEM, NEITHER HAS REPLACING IGNITION SWITCH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215897January 24, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
I OWN A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH A 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINE AND 85,000 MILES. MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT TO THE VW DEALER RIGHT AWAY. THE DEALER CLAIMS MY MOTOR IS "SLUDGED". EVEN THOUGH VW HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR 8 YEARS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IT WILL NOT COVER MY VEHICLE REPAIRS OF OVER $2,000 AND GROWING. I HAVE KEPT EXCELLENT TRACK OF OIL CHANGES IN MY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE BOOK AND EVEN CHANGED EVERY 3,000 WHEN THE SERVICE CALLS FOR ONLY 5,000. I HAVE USE A GOOD QUALITY SAE VALVOLINE 5W-30 MOTOR OIL WHICH MY OWNERS MANUAL SAYS IS FINE. VW WILL NOT COVER MY REPAIRS SIMPLY BECAUSE I DID NOT KEEP EVERY SINGLE PURCHASE RECEIPT FOR MY OIL CHANGES. THEY CLAIM, WITHOUT RECEIPTS THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT I PUT IN APPROPRIATE OIL. MY RESPONSE IS, YOU SPEND $30,000 FOR A VEHICLE, I HAVE PROVEN I CHANGED OIL EVERY 3,000, WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD I PUT IN AN OIL THAT DID NOT CONFORM TO MY OWNERS MANUAL. THIS IS THE LAST VW MY FAMILY WILL PURCHASE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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