Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2000)

507 consumer complaints on file.

#10214390January 10, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS /BRAKE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AT ABOUT 112,000 MILES. FIRST THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT NOW IT IS CONSTANT. THE ABS PUMP SEEMS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENT KNOWN AS THE EBCM. I REALIZE THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, OTHERWISE VW WOULD HAVE BEEN PRESSURED TO ISSUE A RECALL. HOWEVER, THE STATE OF NJ WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO PASS INSPECTION WITH THE LIGHTS ON BECAUSE THEY CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH IN REALITY IT'S JUST LIKE DRIVING IN THE PRE-ABS DAYS. SO, THE CONSUMER IS FORCED TO PAY $1500-$2000 TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. OF COURSE VW AND BOSCH, WHO MADE THE FAULTY COMPONENT, GET OFF THE HOOK AND IN FACT PROFIT THIS EXTREMELY COMMON FAILURE. WHO IS LOOKING OUT FOR THE CONSUMER? PLEASE HELP! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208727November 12, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 VW PASSAT 1.8T, A BRAKE FAULT WAS IDENTIFIED ON THE DISPLAY SCREEN AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THEIR COMPUTER COULDN'T COMMUNICATE WITH THE CONTROL MODULE AND IT WOULD TAKE HOURS TO TROUBLESHOOT THE REASON. THEY SUGGESTED A BRAKE FLUSH AND I AGREED. I ALMOST ENDED UP IN AN ACCIDENT ON MY WAY HOME WHEN I NEEDED TO STOP QUICKLY AND MY BRAKES NEEDED TO BE FULLY PRESSED TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT DIFFICULTIES HAVING THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED. TO MY SURPRISE, THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE. MORE TO MY SURPRISE IS THE FACT THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL; I AM DISAPPOINTED IN VW AND AGENCIES PROTECTING OUR SAFETY ON THE ROAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207805November 3, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS LIGHT ON AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING. BIG LETTERS SAYING TO STOP! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207536October 31, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE WORD "STOP" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE ABS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS MODULE MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207458October 30, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE FAULT LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207246October 28, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
2000 VW PASSAT EBTCM (ABS MODULE) FAILURE @ 80K MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206227October 18, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. MESSAGE SECTION DISPLAYS STOP, BRAKE FAILURE MESSAGE. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP, THE ABS MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PRICE QUOTED WAS $1,000. APPARENTLY, A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW AND AUDI CARS. VW OWES US A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205392October 11, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND CONTINUING TO PRESENT, USE THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS CONTROLLER, WHICH IS PRONE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, OSTENSIBLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THIS MODULE CONTROLS MULTIPLE BRAKE-RELATED FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE ABS WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR WINTER DRIVING, BUT THE MOST CRITICAL FUNCTION OF THIS MODULE IS PROBABLY THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION, OR EBD. THESE VEHICLES ARE DESIGNED SUCH THAT IF THE EBD IS INOPERATIVE, THE PROPORTION OF HYDRAULIC FORCE APPLIED TO THE REAR BRAKES DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING IS AS GREAT AS IT IS DURING MODERATE BRAKING EFFORT WHEN THERE IS MINIMAL TRANSFER OF VEHICLE WEIGHT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. THE EBD IS SUPPOSED TO ADJUST THE FRONT/REAR BRAKING DISTRIBUTION DYNAMICALLY ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF THE DECELERATION, SO THAT THE REAR WHEELS WILL NOT LOCK UP DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING. IF THIS MODULE SHOULD FAIL DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT, THE REAR WHEELS COULD LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD EASILY INCLUDE FATALITIES. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR OWNERS, COSTING ROUGHLY $2000, AND MANY OWNERS HAVE PROBABLY PUT OFF THE REPAIR INDEFINITELY. EVIDENCE WHICH CAN BE FOUND THROUGH A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH, SUGGESTS THAT THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD, AND THAT IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY LED TO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS, IT IS ONLY A QUESTION OF TIME. THIS PROBLEM IS GENUINE, AND VW/AUDI SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204822October 4, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS WARNING LIGHT FLASHES AND BEEPS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSTICS SHOW ABS MODULE NEEDS REPLACEMENT. DEALER QUOTES $1400 FOR REPAIR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204165September 26, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE A 2000 VW PASSAT WAGON AWD V6 WHICH HAS A FAULTY ABS MODULE, CAUSING THE ABS LIGHT TO COME ON ALONG WITH A BLINKING AND BEEPING BRAKE LIGHT. I GET A STOP! BRAKE FAULT; SERVICE MANUAL MESSAGE WHICH MANY, MANY OTHERS ARE ALSO GETTING. VW SHOULD ABSOLUTELY ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS AS MANY VW DEALERS ARE SEEING THIS EXACT ISSUE (WHICH HAPPENS TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND DIAGNOSE). *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204206September 26, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL, EQUIPMENT, CHILD SEAT:HARNESS:STRAP/WEBBING, CHILD SEAT:TETHER: STRAP/WEBBING, CHILD SEAT
BOUGHT A VW PASSAT USED FROM PRIVATE DEALER~I OWNED THE CAR FOR EXACTLY 1 YEAR, TURBO FAILED ~ CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE OWNING VEHICLE. CAR HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH OIL SLUDGE ISSUES FROM PREVIOUS OWNERS. JUST PAID FOR TURBO AND TWO OIL LINES TO BE REPLACED. VW OF AMERICA STATED THEY WOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY ~ NEVER HEARD FROM THEM, I KEEP CALLING ~ CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE DAY ONE ~ NO ONE WANTS TO HELP ME ON THIS QUEST TO SEEK ACTION. I OWE 11,000.00 MORE ON THE VEHICLE CAR WAS SMOKING SEVERELY ~THOUGHT IT WAS AN UNDERCARRIAGE~BUT IT IS NEAR THE TURBO LINE SO IT COULD BE MISTAKEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203348September 18, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE. A WARNING IS DISPAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT THERE IS A BRAKE FAULT AND THE ABS SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY BUT WITH GREATER FREQUENCY WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 60 DEG F. BELOW 60F THE WARNING ONLY APPEARS AFTER THE VEHICLE WARMS UP. ABOVE 75F THE WARNING DISPLAYS AS THE VEHICLE IS STARTED FROM COLD. BETWEEN 60F & 75F THE OCCURRENCE IS MORE RANDOM. THE ABS SYSTEM WORKS BEFORE THE WARNING IS DISPLAYED BUT DOES NOT WORK AFTER THE WARNING IS DISPLAYED. ONCE DISPLAYED THE WARNING REMAINS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE JOURNEY AND UNTIL THE VEHICLE COOLS DOWN. ESTIMATES TO REPLACE THE ABS UNIT ARE APPROX $1500 PLUS FITTING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203012September 14, 2007
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START HIS VEHICLE ON A COLD MORNING, THE DEFROST FEATURE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE HEATER CORE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER CORE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,700 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202604September 4, 2007
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
FAX FROM CONGRESSMAN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH HER VW PASSAT. *KB IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. SHE WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED, HOWEVER THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 8-10 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201105August 29, 2007
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I OWN A 2000 V6 PASSAT WITH 80500 MILES. MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER BANKS 1 AND 2 HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED AS NOT EFFECTIVE ENOUGH NECESSITATING A CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT. VW USA REFUSED TO OFFER ME ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS CATALYTIC CONVERTER, POINTING OUT THAT THE WARRANTY FOR THIS ITEM EXPIRED 500 MILES AGO. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE AND HOPE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ALLOW THIS CAR MANUFACTURER TO SHIRK ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO ITS CONSUMERS AND TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199851August 16, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VW PASSAT V6 WAGON 2000 65K MILES ABS BRAKE FAULT WARNING LIGHTS (ABS, BRAKE AND WARNING ILLUMINATED; STOP MESSAGE) APPEARED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAY. INTERMITTENT FOR FIST DAY, REMAINED ILLUMINATED DAY 2 -3. DEALER SERVICE INDICATED THE ABS COMMUNICATION MODULE FAILED; WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON ABS WILL NOT ACTIVATE. ABS MODULE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1189. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198356August 3, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
I HAVE HAD MY 2000 VW PASSAT FOR A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS AND IT HAS BEEN A MONEY PIT! I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS SINCE A MONTH OR SO AFTER I BOUGHT MY CAR. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A PRIVATE PARTY, TEST DROVE THE CAR, HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC, AND I HAVE PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THE CAR. I BOUGHT THE CAR JUST BEFORE MY SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL THINKING I MADE A WONDERFUL CHOICE, AND I HAD TO REPLACE A NEW RIGHT SIDE BOOT JUST AFTER A MONTH OF OWNING THE CAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/ABS/AIRBAG KEPT COMING ON AND BEEPING AT ME, AND I HAD TO BUY A WHOLE NEW BRAIN TO THE CAR OVER $1500. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT WAY BEFORE THE MILE WARRANTY, OIL LEAKS WHICH RUINED SOME WIRES, NEW SHOCKS/SHOCK ABSORBERS, NOW THE WINDOW WILL GO PART WAY DOWN, BUT WILL NO LONGER GO UP... AND MY HEADLIGHTS ARE FOGGED UP WHICH I HAVE NOTICED ON ALL OTHER 2000 PASSATS...! MANY THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG WITH THIS CAR. I AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH THE CAR. I DO NOT RECOMMEND A VW TO ANYONE! I AM GOING INTO THE SECOND YEAR OF COLLEGE AND HAVE SPENT MOST OF MY SAVINGS ON THIS PIECE OF JUNK. I THINK AFTER FIXING A PART OF THE CAR THAT IT SHOULD RUN WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. SINCE I HAVE PUT SO MUCH MONEY INTO THIS CAR I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET A RELIABLE CAR. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH VW AND THE RECALLS! AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED THE WHOLE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197273July 23, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
I JUST BOUGHT MY DAUGHTER A NEW "USED" VEHICLE. BECAUSE IT IS OVER 5 YEARS OLD, THE VEHICLE IS SOLD "AS IS" - NO WARRANTY. SINCE GETTING THE CAR HOME, IN THE FIRST 120 MILES I DROVE, NOT 1, BUT 2 WINDOW REGULATORS BROKE CREATING A LOAD CRASHING NOISE AND A SAFETY CONCERN. THE NOISE CAUSED ME TO BRAKE SUDDENLY SINCE I DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE NOISE CAME FROM. FORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLES BEHIND WERE ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT CRASHING, BUT IT WAS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION. THE CAR IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP RIGHT NOW AND THE ESTIMATED REPAIR IS COST $501.75. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 35 YEARS AND IN MY LIFETIME, I HAVE NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE HAVE 2 WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURES WITHIN A ONE HOUR TIME SPAN, ALSO WITHIN A 20 MILE DRIVING SPAN. IT SEEM TO ME THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY VOLKSWAGON. ALL THIS AFTER I JUST SPENT $7000.00 FOR THIS VEHICLE. IN DOING RESEARCH, I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR VOLKSWAGON. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197072July 20, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
BOUGHT USED 2000 PASSAT. ABS BRAKE FAULT LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN 30 DAYS OF PURCHASING VEHICLE. MECHANIC HAS TRIED REPLACING ABS SENSOR, ABS CONTROL MODULE AND HYDRAULIC BOOSTER, CHANGED WIRE HARNESS, AND INSTALLED INSTRUMENT PANEL TWICE. LIGHT STILL COMES ON. MECHANIC ASSURES ME BRAKES ARE WORKING AND ABS IS WORKING. HOPE I DON'T PROVE HIM WRONG. VERY FRUSTRATED. HAVE GOTTEN NO HELP FROM VW SERVICE. THEY SEEM AT A LOSS OF WHAT TO DO ALSO. RECALL THIS VEHICLE PLEASE!! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196692July 18, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
2000 VW PASSAT. ABS MODULE WENT OUT CAUSING LOSS OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REDUCED SAFETY OF CAR. REPLACEMENT WILL BE $1200-$1500. MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THIS WA SCOMMON TO VOLKSWAGEN CARS BETWEEN 50-100K MILES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen Passat