Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2001)

432 consumer complaints on file.

#10171465October 20, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
PURCHASED 2001 PASSAT IN MAY, 2005. HAD SAME 'NON-COVERED' OIL PUMP PROBLEM AS MANY ON THE LIST HAVE. LAST MONTH, NOTICED A POOL OF OIL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR AFTER BACKING IT OUT. LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, NOTICED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE OVERFLOW LOOKED LIKE A CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE. OIL COOLER AND OIL COOLER SEALS HAD TO BE REPLACED. 76000 MILES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171160October 18, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE AIRBAG AND HARNESS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170082October 6, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2000 1.8L PASSAT, BRAKE FAULT ON SCREEN, STOP ON SCREEN WITH BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING AND ABS WARNING LIGHT ON. BRAKES SOMETIMES VERY DIFFICULT TO PRESS WITH NO STOPPING POWER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170016October 5, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
THE ABS MODULE HAS FAILED IN MY 2001 PASSAT, WHICH ONLY HAS 79000 MILES ON IT... THEY ARE CHARGING ALMOST $1000 TO GET THIS FIXED, IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AND COVERED BY VOLKSWAGEN... I HAVE READ A LOT OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PART AND THE NEED TO REPLACE IT PREMATURELY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10169780October 2, 2006
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, STRUCTURE
INTERIOR LEFT FRONT FLOOR OF CAR FLOODED WITH WATER AFTER VERY HEAVY RAIN. THERE WAS AN INCH OF STANDING WATER SITTING ON THE VEHICLE'S CARPET. THIS IS THE 2ND INCIDENT IN 5 WEEKS. AFTER A SIMILAR HEAVY RAINFALL IN AUGUST THE INTERIOR LEFT FRONT AND REAR FLOOR WAS FLOODED. STANDING WATER WAS IN THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE CAR. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON-LINE THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE SUN ROOF DRAINS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167737September 9, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TRACKING NUMBER: [XXX] DATE: SEPTEMBER 09TH 2006 11:24:34 AM COMPLAINANT: [XXX] - RE: 2001 PASSAT VWS AND THE ONGOING SLUDGE PROBLEMS!!! *JB COMPLAINT: MY COMPLAINT IS THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE WITH REGARD TO VW PASSATS. SLUDGE!!!! I JUST SPENT $2000 TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN 2 DAYS LATER. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT HE DID SOME RESEARCH AND THAT THERE IS AN INHERENT PROBLEMS OF SLUDGE IN THESE CARS ESPECIALLY. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND ASK IF YOU HAVE ANY REFERRAL ATTORNEYS FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I HAVE TO RENT A CAR AT $30 DOLLARS A DAY AND MY INSURANCE DOESN'T COVER IT. IF THIS IS BEEN GOING ON SO LONG, WHY IS THERE NOT A CLASS SUIT? IF YOU HAVE A NUMBER I CAN CALL FOR SAME, PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU, [XXX]. YOU CAN REACH ME BY PHONE AT EITHER [XXX] HOME, OR [XXX]I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM SOMEONE SOON, AND YOUR HELP IS MUCH APPRECIATED. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167076August 30, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
I AM A PRIVATE FIRE INVESTIGATOR THAT RECENTLY INVESTIGATED A FIRE IN 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE FIRE WAS VERY MINOR ORIGINATING BELOW THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER AT THE IGNITION COIL MODULES AND PLUG CONNECTOR BETWEEN CYLINDERS #3 & 4. APPEARS TO BE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONNECTION AT THE PLUG CONNECTOR CAUSING THE PLUG CONNECTOR TO OVERHEAT AND IGNITE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166826August 29, 2006
STRUCTURE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE RAINWATER DRAINAGE TUBES UNDER THE CARPETED FLOORBOARD AREA LEAKED ONTO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING WHICH CAUSED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE TO MALFUNCTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE WIRING TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED UPDATED 10/17/2006 - THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166878August 29, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART AND THE CONTACT PUSHED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS EXCESSIVE OIL SLUDGE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166776August 28, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE VEHICLE HAD OIL LEAKS FROM EVERY SEAL AND GASKET. OIL WAS ALL OVER THE ENTIRE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT CONTACTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10165851August 11, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT COOLANT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND ENGINE SHUT OFF. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED IT RAN AT REDUCED POWER. UPON INSPECTION MECHANIC DETERMINED THERE WAS A FAULTY SENSOR IN THE COOLING JACKET. *KB MOISTURE INVADED THE SENSOR, MIGRATED UP THE WIRING HARNESS AND DESTROYED THE COMPUTER WHICH MANAGED ALL ENGINE FUNCTIONS. THE CONSUMER WAS BILLED $3200. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALER EXPLAIN THAT THIS WAS NOT AN UNCOMMON FAILURE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164090August 1, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM OF NOT HAVING ANY BRAKES AFTER MY CAR SITS FOR MORE THAN 8 HOURS. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE 4TH TIME WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163816July 28, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WE HAVE A 2001 PASSAT AND PUT ABOUT 10K MILES/YEAR. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED ABOUT TWICE EVERY YEAR AT OUR LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW. WE ORIGINALLY BOUGHT THE CAR WITH SAFETY IN MIND. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ABOUT A WEEK AGO, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR SEIZED/STALLED AS I WAS GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE. THIS COULD EASILY HAVE LED TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO OUR DEALERSHIP. ONCE THEY REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED, THEY BECAME VERY HOSTILE. THEY ASKED US FOR ALL OF OUR RECORDS. THEY HAD INCOMPLETE ONES FOR US AS THE DEALERSHIP HAD CHANGED HANDS A FEW YEARS AGO. WE HAVE ALMOST EVERY RECORD BUT THIS WILL NOT SUFFICE FOR THEM. THEY ARE ASKING FOR HALF OF THE 11K REPAIR BILL (AND SUGGESTED THAT WE REPAIR IT AND TRADE IN FOR ONE OF THEIR USED CARS). WHAT REALLY BOTHERS US IS THAT PART OF THE PROBLEM OF MISSING RECORDS IS DUE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THAT WHEN THE CAR HAD FAILED, THE TOW GUY SHOWED ME THAT THE OIL CAP WAS ENCRUSTED WITH SLUDGE. WHEN I POINTED THIS OUT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THAT WHILE THEY PROBABLY WOULD HAVE SEEN THIS AT THE LAST OIL CHANGE, THAT THEY ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO INFORM THE CUSTOMER OF SUCH A POTENTIAL HAZARD. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND VW/VW DEALERSHIPS SHOULD BE OBLIGED TO WATCH FOR THIS AND AT LEAST SUGGEST AN ENGINE FLUSH. AFTER TOO MUCH TRUST, WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH VW FOR THIS. THEY SHOULD KNOW BETTER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162666July 14, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MECHANIC REFUSES TO REPAIR 2001 PASSAT ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN MIS-DIAGNOSED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL HOSE LEAK. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160634June 23, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT AND CONSTANTLY NEED REPLACING, ONLY PROBLEM IS IT MUST BE COMPLETED AT THE DEALERSHIP. HAVE REPLACED AT LEAST 7 LIGHTS SINCE PURCHASE OF CAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160034June 16, 2006
STRUCTURE
HI, I HAVE A VW PASSAT 2001.5 SEDAN. I RECENTLY HAVE NOTCIED THAT WATER ENTERS INTO THE REAR PASSENGER FLOOR WHEN IT RAINS. I HEAR THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOTICED BY A NUMBER OF FELLOW PASSAT OWNERS ON VARIOUS FORUMS. I HAVE LEARNT THAT WATER CAN DAMAGE PREVIOUS ELECTRONICS AND CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I FEEL THAT THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM HERE WITH THE VW PASSAT THAT ALLOWS WATER INTO THE CAR WHEN IT SHOULD BE KEPT OUT. I STRONGLY HOPE VW WOULD RECALL THE VEHICLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. -- ARAVIND. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159749June 13, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2001 PASSAT------MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE STOP ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED IN BIG RED LETTERING AND PROCEEDED TO SAY THAT THE OIL PRESSURE WAS LOW. WE GOT TO A GAS STATION AND CHECKED THE OIL AND IT LOOKED FINE. GOT HOME AND LOOKED AGAIN WITH BETTER LIGHTING, STILL THE SAME. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THERE THE SERVICE CENTER HAD TOLD US THAT THIS WAS DUE TO "OIL SLUDGE" AND WILL BE COVERED UNDER OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY IF DOCUMENTATION WAS PROVIDED FOR ALL OIL CHANGE SERVICES. NOT TO MENTION THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE IN 2001 WITH 6 MILES AND HAS ONLY GOT 53000 NOW IN 2006. I HAVE GOTTEN THE ROUTINE OIL CHANGES UP TO DATE AND THEY ARE REQUIRING ME TO SHOW PROOF OF ALL OIL CHANGES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO KEEPS EVERY OIL CHANGE RECEIPT!!! THIS IS INSANE. I AM SO FED UP WITH THE WAY VW IS TAKING CARE OF THIS ISSUE, THEY ARE USING THIS AS AN EXCUSE SO THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. I AM STILL IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIND ALL THE "DOCUMENTATION" THAT IS NEEDED. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT LESS THAN 3 WEEKS OF MY LAST OIL CHANGE VW STILL WILL NOT PROVIDE ME WITH MODERATE SERVICE. I WILL NEVER, REPEAT NEVER BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE OR RECOMMEND VW TO ANYONE!! I HAVE READ ALL OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND I CAN SEE THAT VW HAS NO REMORSE FOR THE FISHY SERVICE IT IS PROVIDING. I WILL TAKE THIS ACTION FURTHER. I JUST WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE GOT THERE VEHICLES WITH THE "SLUDGE" COVERED UNDER WARRANTY??? WHY EVEN PURCHASE THE WARRANTY IF IT IS NOT COVERING THE PROBLEM??? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158663May 31, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ALL BOLTS HOLDING COMPRESSOR IN PLACE BROKE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157874May 19, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND I GOT A "STOP", "BRAKE FAILURE", "SERVICE MANUAL" SIGNS WITH SEVERAL BEEPS. I HAD TO STOP OVER THE SHOULDER, TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND IT WAS DETECTED THAT IT WAS A ABS COMPUTER MODULE MALFUNCTION (NOT REALLY AN ABS MECHANICAL ISSUE). THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL. I CALLED VW AMERICA AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO KNOWN RECALLS. THE DEALER QUOTED $700 FOR THIS PART. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND I'M SURPRISED THAT VW HAS NOT RESPONDED SO FAR. THE EFFECTS OF THIS ARE THAT THE MAIN COMPUTER MODULE WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME DEFECTIVE AND STRANGE SIGNS/WARNINGS/BEEPS WOULD COME OVER THE DASHBOARD. VW PASSAT GLX V6, 2001. (ITS ONLY 5 YRS OLD AND 60K MILES). PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY (ONCE PER DRIVING SESSION) WE WOULD NOT KNOW WHEN THERE IS A REAL ABS PROBLEM WHICH COULD CAUSE CATASTROPHIC INCIDENTS (PER SERVICE MANUAL). *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157466May 12, 2006
STRUCTURE, EQUIPMENT
2001 VW PASSAT V6. A DEFECTIVE POLLEN FILTER SEAL ALLOWED WATER TO PULL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. THIS OCCURRED AFTER 24 HOURS OF RAIN. THE WATER HAS DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THOSE REPAIRS AND THE REPAIR OF THE WATER DAMAGE TO THE CARPET AND RESULTING MOLD IS ESTIMATED AT OVER $2,000. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT THIS IS AN LONG-STANDING DEFECT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH VW AND AUDI. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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