Volkswagen Passat Complaints (1999)

664 consumer complaints on file.

#10163572July 26, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE LIGHT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163411July 25, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY PEOPLE, AND VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD OWN UP TO IT. WATER IS GETTING INTO MY CAR THROUGH SOMETHING UNDER THE HOOD AND SOAKING MY CARPETS. IT HAS FRIED MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS. THE COMFORT CONTROL MODULE NEEDS REPLACING AS WELL AS THE CORRODED WIRES. THE ESTIMATED COST IS ABOVE $2000. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163261July 24, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
THE FAILURE OF LOWER CONTROL ARM HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING, DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON THE CITY ROAD WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN (APPROXIMATELY AT 5 MPH SPEED). RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM SHEARED IN TWO PIECES, LEAVING A FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL COMPLETELY SEPARATED. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPENED ON ANY HIGHER HIGHER SPEED, CONSEQUENCES WOULD BE DEADLY. I RESEARCHED THIS SAFETY HAZARD AND FOUND THAT VW ISSUED A SERVICE ACTION FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON 1999 PASSAT. HOWEVER, VW SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT THE SERVICE ACTION DOES NOT COVER MY VEHICLE. VW'S EXPLANATION WAS THAT IT ONLY COVERS PARTS FROM CERTAIN SUPPLIER (ACCORDING TO REPRESENTATIVE, VW USED TWO DIFFERENT SUPPLIERS FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM). I BELIEVE THAT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS A DEFECTIVE PART, AS THIS TYPE OF FAILURE COULD NOT BE A RESULT OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE TO REPLACE LOWER CONTROL ARM, DRIVE SHAFT AND WHEEL LINER (AND, POSSIBLY SOME OTHER PARTS WHICH WERE DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE CONTROL ARM FAILURE) AT MY EXPENSE. I BELIEVE, VW SHOULD COVER AT LEAST SOME OF THE EXPENSE, AS IT HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF A FACTORY DEFECT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162672July 17, 2006
SEATS
WHILE DRIVING MY 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, THE DRIVER'S SEAT SLID BACKWARDS AND BECAME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. FOR A MOMENT I COULD NOT REACH THE PEDALS OR THE STEERING WHEEL. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO RETAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR AND STOP IT SAFELY. IT SEEMS THE ENTIRE SEAT IS SECURED TO THE CAR WITH TWO SCREWS WHICH HAD COME LOOSE. AFTER RE-ATTACHING THE SEAT, I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY COULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I BELIEVE THEY APPLIED SOME LOCK-TIGHT TO THE SCREWS, BUT THAT WAS IT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162309July 13, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
JUST BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF MY 100,000-MILE, 6-YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY AT 99,938 MILES (AND 23 DAYS BEFORE THE END OF 6 YEARS) I TOOK MY 1999 1.8L TURBO VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (B5) TO THE DEALERSHIP. I REQUESTED THAT THEY PERFORM THE 100,000-MILE SERVICE AND TO THOROUGHLY CHECK THE CAR FOR ANY REPAIRS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED SINCE IT WOULD SOON BE OUT-OF-WARRANTY. FOUR HOURS LATER WHEN THE SHOP WAS CLOSING, I PICKED UP MY CAR. UPON CHECKOUT, THE SERVICE REP STATED THAT THEY DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS, BUT THAT THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN AND VOLKSWAGEN RECOMMEND CHANGING THE TIMING BELT, TENSIONER, AND WATER PUMP AT 105,000 MILES. I THANKED HIM AND WENT HOME NOT REALIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF HIS COMMENT. THREE WEEKS LATER ON JUNE 2, 2006 AT 102,088 MILES (AND 3 DAYS PAST THE SIX-YEAR POINT), MY TENSIONER BROKE WHICH CAUSED MY TIMING BELT TO SLIP AND STRIP THE TEETH INTERMITTENTLY OFF THE BELT. SINCE I WAS NOT AWARE THAT MY TIMING BELT WAS SLIPPING (EXCEPT FOR AN INCREASE IN NOISE WHEN I ACCELERATED), THE VALVES WERE BENT DURING THE EVENT. I HAD MY CAR TOWED THE FOLLOWING MORNING TO A LOCAL VW SERVICE SHOP, AND THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT MY TIMING BELT WAS BROKEN AND THAT MACHINING OF THE CYLINDER BLOCK WAS NECESSARY SINCE THE VALVES WERE BENT. THE REPAIR TO MY ENGINE, INCLUDING A WATER PUMP AND FAULTY PLASTIC HOSE, COST $2,342. IN ADDITION, I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR ONE WEEK FOR THE DURATION OF THE REPAIR ($225) AND TOW THE CAR TO THE SERVICE SHOP ($28). UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I REALIZED IT IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THE TIMING BELT TO FAIL PREMATURELY ON B5 PASSATS AND THAT HAD EITHER THE DEALERSHIP OR VW NOTIFIED ME OF THIS PROCLIVITY FOR FAILURE (AND CHANGE THEIR SERVICING RECOMMENDATION) THIS FAILURE AND ASSOCIATED $2600 EXPENSE WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162313July 13, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
JUST BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF MY 100,000-MILE, 6-YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY AT 99,938 MILES (AND 23 DAYS BEFORE THE END OF 6 YEARS) I TOOK MY 1999 1.8L TURBO VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (B5) TO THE DEALERSHIP. I REQUESTED THAT THEY PERFORM THE 100,000-MILE SERVICE AND TO THOROUGHLY CHECK THE CAR FOR ANY REPAIRS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED SINCE IT WOULD SOON BE OUT-OF-WARRANTY. FIVE WEEKS AND 3000 MILES LATER (AND OUT OF WARRANTY) I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN ON TWO OCCASIONS MY ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON AND THREE BEEPS SOUNDED (THE FIRST INSTANCE OCCURRED AT 103,085 MILES). BOTH TIMES THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF WITHIN SECONDS. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS RELATED TO A FAILED ABS CONTROL MODULE, APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH IT SINCE IT FAILS PREMATURELY. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT WILL COST BETWEEN $1800 AND $2400 FOR THEM TO REPAIR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. THIS IS THE SECOND LARGE ITEM FAILURE WITHIN FIVE WEEKS AND 3000 MILES OF MY WARRANTY EXPIRATION (THE FIRST WAS A FAILED TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER). IT APPEARS TO ME THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS INSTITUTED PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE INTO THEIR PRODUCTS! I AM ALSO VERY UPSET THAT BOTH OF THESE FAILURES ARE WELL DOCUMENTED AND SHOULD BE KNOWN BY BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND VOLKSWAGEN AND COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED WITH VERY LITTLE EFFORT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160750June 26, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1999 VW PASSAT OIL CONSUMPTION - 1 QT. EVERY 750 MILES. DEALER HAS REPLACED SEALS, TESTS AND IS NOW PLANNING FURTHER SEAL REPLACEMENT. I KNOW THIS WON'T GET FIXED; THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW WHERE MANY OTHER CONSUMERS ARE ALSO "SUFFERING". WILL THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DEMAND A RECALL???????*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160690June 25, 2006
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, STRUCTURE
AFTER HEAVY RAINS THIS PAST WEEK, MY 99 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS FLOODED TWICE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, FRONT AND BACK. AFTER RESEARCHING, I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM CAME FROM CLOGGED SUN ROOF DRAINS. I WET VACUUMED OUT 3 GALLONS OF WATER FROM THE CAR. THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO CAUSED BY CLOGGED POLLEN FILTERS. THERE IS NO MENTION OF EITHER OF THE PROBLEMS IN THE MANUAL. VW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS PROBLEM/DEFECT IN THEIR CARS. I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS ON THE SAME ISSUE (WWW.HTTP://WWW.THEAUTOBAHN.COM/FORUM AND WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM). THIS FLOODING PROBLEM IS CAUSING TRANSMISSION CONTROL PROBLEMS LEADING TO THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE MADE TO PAY! *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160611June 23, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS LIGHT, ABS INTERMITANT FAILURE, OIL LIGHT FAILURE, TACHOMETER FAILURE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#10160278June 20, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS, ASR, AND BRAKE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT IS ON THE CAR'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING AND THE OWNERS MANUAL SUGGESTS REAR WHEELS MAY LOCK AND THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE DRIVEN SLOWLY TO A SERVICE STATION. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE THEY ENSURED ME THAT A NEW WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND ASSOCIATED WIRING WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE SERVICE I RECEIVED AND BECAUSE I'M A COMETENT ENGINEER WITH ELECTRICAL TROUBLE SHOOTING SKILLS I ACTUALLY FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A FAULTY ABS CONTROL MODULE. I'M CURRENTLY AWAITING THE REBUILDING OF THE COMPONENT AND WILL INSTALL IT WHEN IT ARRIVES. THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF THESE COMPLAINTS AT VARIOUS SITES ON THE INTERNET. ONE SIGHT HAS OVER 28 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160284June 20, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
THE FOLLOWING IS EXACT COMMENTS FROM VW TECH WRITTEN IN DEALERSHIP INVOICE. "ABS CONTROL UNIT IS FAULTY ABS LIGHT IS ON AND THE WORD BRAKE IS FLASHING WHEN THE CONTROL UNIT IS PLUGGED IN. NO TACHOMETER READING AND THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT FLASHES. 5052 WILL NOT COMMUNICATE WITH THE UNIT AT ALL. DEALER TECH UNPLUGGED ABS CONTROL UNIT AND THE TACHOMETER SIGNAL CAME BACK AND THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT STOPPED FLASHING." **5052 WILL NOT COMMUNICATE** DIAGNOSTIC TOOL WILL NOT DETECT FAULT WITH ABS MODULE!!! *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159618June 12, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
I HAVE A 1999 VW PASSAT V6 GLS. I HAVE 74, 270 MILES ON THE CAR. MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT 1 1/2 WEEKS AGO, THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN MY ABS/ BRAKE AND OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND WERE FLASHING. I BROUGHT IT TO VW DEALER TODAY, AND WAS TOLD MY ABS MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT FOR $975.00. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND AT VWVORTEX.COM THAT QUITE A FEW PEOPLE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR PASSAT IN MY YEAR RANGE. I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE CHARGED FOR A DEFECTIVE PART THAT IS JEOPARDIZING MY SAFETY. IN ADDITION, I RECEIVED A RECALL IN 11/04 FOR VEHICLE CONTROL ARMS. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO VW DEALER ON 12/17/04, AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CONTROL ARMS DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. AT THAT TIME I HAD 61, 923 MILES ON THE CAR. TODAY, I AM TOLD ONLY 12,000 MILES LATER THAT MY CONTROL ARMS NEED TO BE REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE BECAUSE THE RECALL IS CLOSED. I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE CHARGED FOR THIS PART EITHER, THE DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN 12/04 BEFORE IT COULD POSE A HAZARD TO MY SAFETY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159552June 11, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES - WAS TOLD ABS UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON DETERMINED THAT ABS AND THE PROPORTIONING SYSTEM OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATING AND FEEL THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. DEALER WANTS CRAZY AMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR REPAIR WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD. I FOUND OUT ONLINE THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS I DO AND WE ALL STRONGLY FEEL THAT THIS DEFINITELY DESERVES TO BE A RECALL BY VW OF AMERICA. THEY KNOW THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158504May 29, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
I OWN A 1999 VW PASSAT GLX WITH 72,000 MILES. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO, THE ABS LIGHT, THE BRAKE LIGHT, THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR, AND THE TACHOMETER BEGAN TO BEHAVE ERRATICALLY. TWO WEEKS AGO, THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER STUCK IN THE EXTENDED POSITION, STARTING A WHEEL FIRE AT THE ROTOR. I REPLACED THE CALIPER, ROTOR, AND PADS. A NON-VW SERVICE CENTER REPLACED THE REMAINING ROTORS AND PADS, REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, AND FLUSHED/BLED THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS AND ALARMS PERSISTS. THE LIGHTS AND ALARMS ARE USUALLY ABSENT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY COLD, THEN USUALLY APPEAR AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF DRIVING. THE LIGHTS AND ALARMS CAN DISAPPEAR WHILE DRIVING, THEN REAPPEAR DURING LATER DRIVING. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED VW DIRECTLY, BECAUSE I'M CONCERNED WHAT THE ESTIMATE MIGHT BE TO ATTEMPT REPAIR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157799May 18, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 20 MPH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM RETURNED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE SAME COMPONENT WAS REPLACED AGAIN. UPDATED 06/07/2006. *AK *TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157727May 17, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HAVE BEEN MAKING A LOT OF NOISE FOR SOME TIME NOW. WAS TOLD IT WASNT A SAFETY CONCERN YET, JUST ANNOYING BECAUSE OF THE NOISE. CALLED VW AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD DO NOTHING EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE DOCUMENTED MANY ISSUES WITH THE CONTROL ARMS AND TIE RODS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155951April 24, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS LIGHT STARTED TO LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FOR ABOUT TWO DAYS AND IS NOW ON CONSTANTLY. BRAKING CHARACTERISTICS HAVE NOTICEABLY CHANGED AND RANDOMLY PULSE AT TIMES. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED FAILURE IN VW PASSATS AT AROUND 75K MILES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156285April 21, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
THE DRIVER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY IN THE CONSUMER'S 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FELL OFF. *NM THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE HEADLIGHT BULB ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REPLACED ON 12/19/05 AND BELIEVES THE MECHANIC MAY HAVE LOOSENED THE TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154406April 3, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
SAME AS PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS: ABS WARNING LIGHT FLASHES CONSTANTLY W/ ABS CHIME SOUNDING CONSTANTLY EACH TIME THE CAR STARTS. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS THE ABS MODULE AND THAT IT HAS REPORTEDLY BEEN PROBLEMATIC IN A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THESE CARS. IN MY OPINION, VW NEEDS TO STAND BY THERE PRODUCT IN THIS CASE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154282March 31, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LAMPS DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, THE DEALER CONCLUDED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS THE PROBLEM AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. UNFORTUNATELY, THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT PERFORM ANY REMEDY TO THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 4/19/2006 - *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen Passat