Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2003)

637 consumer complaints on file.

#10177995January 6, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
MY 2003 VW PASSAT 4-DOOR SEDAN HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING AND EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY AND I NOTICED THIS TIME THAT THE EMERGENCY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING EARLIER IN THE DAY - THIS IS ALSO ANOTHER ISSUE THAT ALSO COMES ON/OFF FOR NO REASON. I'VE REPORTED THE WARNING LIGHT A COUPLE OF TIMES AS WELL TO THE VW SERVICE AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHY THAT HAPPENS EITHER. THE WARNING LIGHT WILL AT LEAST SHUT OFF WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, UNLIKE MY BRAKE LIGHTS. SINCE TODAY IS SATURDAY, LEAVING MY BRAKE LIGHTS ON UNTIL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REOPENS ON A MONDAY IS PROBABLY GOING TO RUN MY BATTERY DEAD. WITH THAT CONCERN IN MIND, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE HOTLINE, 800-822-8987, TO SEE IF THEY HAD ANY REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS I CAN LOOK INTO AND THE OPERATOR SAID SHE WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY DOCUMENTATION. SHE ADVISED THAT VW ROADSIDE CAN COME TOW MY VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP (THAT WON'T REOPEN UNTIL MONDAY) OR THEY CAN COME TO JUMP-START MY CAR (WHICH CAN TAKE UP TO 45-60 MIN. AFTER DISPATCH). THIS SEEMS A TERRIBLY LONG TIME TO WAIT & A HUGE INCONVENIENCE ESP. SINCE IT ALSO TOOK 30 MIN. JUST TO REACH THE LIVE OPERATOR IN THE FIRST PLACE. I LOVE DRIVING MY PASSAT; I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW DIRECT FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN 2003. CAR SAFETY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME WHICH IS WHY I'M ADAMANT ABOUT FOLLOWING SERVICE GUIDELINES AND BRING MY CAR IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE & OIL CHANGES. I ONLY BRING IT INTO A VW DEALERSHIP SERVICE, NEVER A LOCAL GARAGE MECHANIC. CAN NHTSA PLEASE LOOK INTO BOTH ISSUES: 1. SPORADIC CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 2. BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINING ON WHILE DRIVING AND AFTER THE CAR IS SHUT OFF. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS BOTH ARE MAJOR CAUSES FOR SAFETY CONCERN, IN ADDITION TO FURTHER EXPENSIVE REPAIRS WHICH MAY BE DEFECTS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD COVER INSTEAD. THANKS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177848January 5, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
OWNER WAS DRIVING WHEN SOMEONE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD POINTED AND INDICATED THERE WAS SOMETHING COMING OUT OF HER VEHICLE THAT LOOKED LIKE FOG. SMOKE WAS THEN NOTICED AND HER HUSBAND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, LOOKED UNDERNEATH, AND SAW FIRE. HE BEGAN THROWING SNOW ON THE VEHICLE. FD EXTINGUISHED FIRE. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE EXHAUST SYSTEM OVERHEATED AND IGNITED THE FIRE DUE TO AN ENGINE MANAGEMENT PROBLEM - SPARK PLUGS SHOWED OVERLY RICH FUEL/AIR MIXTURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177844January 5, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
VEHICLE STARTED FEELING SLUGGISH, REPAIR FACILITY CHANGED SPARK PLUGS, AN IGNITION COIL, AND A HALL SENSOR. FACILITY ADMITTED THEY COULD NOT REPAIR VEHICLE SO IT WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. WHILE BEING DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. CONTINUED DRIVING, ARRIVED AT DEALER, AND THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER HOOD. EXHAUST SYSTEM OVERHEATED, BURNING MATERIALS ON THE RIGHT FRONT FLOORBOARD. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177861January 5, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
OWNER DROVE VEHICLE TO WORK AND NOTICED IT STARTED SMOKING. DROVE BACK HOME AND WENT INSIDE TO CALL AND HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. HE DID NOT GO BACK OUT TO THE VEHICLE UNTIL LATER IN THE EVENING, WHEN HE FOUND THE WINDOWS GRAY FROM SMOKE AND THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS PARTIALLY MELTED BECAUSE IT CAUGHT FIRE. CATALYTIC CONVERTER LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. FIRE DAMAGE LIMITED TO FLOOR BELOW CENTER FRONT OF DASH, ABOVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND EXHAUST SYSTEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176933December 26, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
WAS USING THE HEATED DRIVERS SEAT AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN COLD WEATHER. THE SEAT BEGAN TO OVERHEAT, CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNED A HOLE IN MY PANTS, AND BURNED THROUGH THE PADDING AND SEAT FABRIC IN MY 2003 VW PASSAT. I QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE SEAT AND PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND PUT OUT THE SMOLDERING SEAT. THE SEAT, PADDING, HEATING ELEMENTS, AND MY PANTS ARE COMPLETELY RUINED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10176671December 20, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L FUEL PUMP DIED WITHOUT WARNING DURING RUSH HOUR IN A VERY BUSY PART OF TOWN. IT CAUSED A HUGE TRAFFIC JAM, AND I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE BY AAA. I HAD MY MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT AND HER VERIFIED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD DIED. THE CAR HAS ONLY 55K MILES ON IT, WHICH IS VERY PREMATURE FOR A FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THIS IS A RECALL ITEM ON 2003 PASSATS BUILT UP UNTIL 3/03. MY CAR WAS BUILT ON 4/03 AND VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO COVER THE REPAIR, NOR FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE MY CAR IS OVER THE WARRANTY MILEAGE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175923December 12, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
AIRBAG FAULT - BAD MODULE - AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT - 2003 VW PASSAT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175796December 11, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, AN OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE OIL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND FAILED DUE TO MAINTENANCE NEGLIGENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175156December 5, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE TO WORK, FRONT UNDERBODY COVER BECAME DETACHED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND I WAS WITHIN 5 MILES OF A REPAIR SHOP. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175063December 4, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A BURNING SMELL WAS NOTICED AND THE DRIVER SEAT WAS HOT. THE CONTACT NOTICED TWO HOLES WERE BURNED IN THE SEAT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174637November 29, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I WAS DRIVING MY PASSAT WITH 1.8 T ENGINE AND THE ENGINE FAILED. VOLKSWAGEN "ADVOCATES" WERE COMPLETELY UNHELPFUL THIS OCCURRED IN SUMMER OF 2005. VOLKSWAGEN AWARE OF PROBLEM AND LEFT CONSUMER TO PAY FOR 9000 DOLLAR REPAIR. IN THE LAST YEAR MY CAR HAS BEEN IN AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. COMPANY AWARE OF PROBLEM AND UNWILLING TO HELP. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174641November 29, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
I AM INVESTIGATING AND GATHERING INCIDENT INFORMATION ABOUT THE FLOODING PROBLEMS THAT VOLKSWAGENS, ESPECIALLY THE PASSAT, EXHIBIT FROM MODEL YEARS 1998 TO THE PRESENT. THERE IS A CHANCE OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR WHICH THIS INFORMATION IS BEING GATHERED. IF INTERESTED, PLEASE RESPOND TO [email protected] FOR MORE INFORMATION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174570November 28, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
MY DRIVER SEAT STARTED ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE HAD A CAN OF SODA ON HAND TO POUR ON IT BECAUSE THE FLAMES WERE COMING FROM DEEP INSIDE THE INTERIOR OF THE FOAM PADDING INSIDE THE SEAT. I WAS NOT INJURED, BUT BASED ON THE SIZE OF THE FLAMES, COULD HAVE EASILY LOST MY ENTIRE CAR IF I HAD NOT BEEN ON A SLOW ROAD (ABLE TO STOP QUICKLY) AND DOUSE IT WITH SOMETHING WET. I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WARMER WAS ON SO IMMEDIATELY SHUT IT OFF. SEVERAL DAYS LATER I TURNED THE WARMER BACK ON TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN - WITHIN 60 SECONDS SMOKE AND SPARKS WERE VISIBLE FROM THE HOLE CAUSED BY THE ORIGINAL FIRE. THERE WERE REAL FLAMES AND MY CAR WAS FULL OF SMOKE. HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO PUT THEM OUT QUICKLY AND HAD MY CHILDREN STRAPPED INTO THEIR CAR SEATS AT THE TIME THIS COMPLAINT WOULD PROBABLY BE A DEATH NOTICE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174439November 27, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, NONE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 04V096000, WHICH PERTAINS TO THE BRAKE LIGHTS SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE MODEL OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 12/18/2006 - THE NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS INSTALLED ON 11/28/2006. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174022November 21, 2006
STRUCTURE
1) OUR 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T IS LEAKING WATER INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAB. 2) THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE PASSAT AS WELL AS OTHER VOLKSWAGENS AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. 3) REPAIR WILL REQUIRE MODIFICATION OF DRAIN SYSTEMS AROUND THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF WATER INTO SENSITIVE SPACES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173828November 19, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2003 VW PASSAT W8 OVERHEATED AFTER BEING SERVICED FOR TEMP SENSOR. ENGINE SEEMED TO BLOW HEAD GASKET. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO DEALER WHERE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED. VEHICLE STILL THERE AND DAMAGE MAYBE WORSE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173360November 13, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
2003 VW PASSAT DRIVER LEATHER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE OPERATING CAR. IT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT & SCORCHED/DAMAGED MY COAT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ONLY DRIVING A FEW BLOCKS & HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. I CONTACTED VW CONSUMER RELATIONS & WAS SHOCKED AT THE RESPONSE. IT SEEMED ROUTINE TO THE MANAGER. THEY "MAY GIVE ME THE REPLACEMENT VALUE OF MY COAT IF IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED". I WAS TOLD THAT A CAR WOULD BE GIVEN TO ME TO DRIVE AT NO CHARGE WHILE MINE IS BEING REPAIRED. I EXPLAINED THAT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION UNDER ME AND I WAS TOLD THAT A TOW WOULD BE PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE. I WILL HOLD VW RESPONSIBLE THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT SEATS & WARMER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, THE COSTS OF A RENTAL OR LOANER CAR WHILE MINE IS IN REPAIR, THE COST TO REPLACE ANY DAMAGED CLOTHING, & ANY OTHER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INCIDENT YET TO BE DETERMINED. IT IS VERY UPSETTING TO ME TO THINK THAT I WAS SITTING ON A FIRE WHILE OPERATING MY CAR. WHAT IF MY COAT CAUGHT ON FIRE??? I DRIVE A VERY BUSY INTERSTATE TO & FROM WORK. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ON MY LUNCH BREAK DRIVING A VERY SHORT DISTANCE & NOT DRIVING HOME. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172677November 6, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
DRIVER'S SIDE CAR SEAT STARTED SMOLDERING THEN FLAMES APPEARED. TURNED OFF CAR SEAT HEATER AND EXTINGUISHED WITH WATER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172131October 30, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER 15 MINUTES WITH THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER ON, THE SEAT BEGAN TO SMOKE AND THEN SMOLDERED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND WAS TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10172205October 30, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
I HAD JUST BEGAN LEAVING A SUPERMARKET PARKING LOT WHEN I FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON MY LEFT UPPER THIGH. I REACHED DOWN TO DETERMINE WHY AND THEN SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. LOOKING DOWN, I SAW A BURN HOLE IN THE DRIVER SEAT, LEFT SIDE, TOWARD THE BACK OF THE SEAT. IT LOOKED LIKE A CIGARETTE BURN. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF, WHICH WAS ON 3, PULLED OVER AND EXTINGUISHED THE SMOLDERING WITH MY HAND. THE DEALERS INITIAL RESPONSE WAS THAT MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THEY WOULD SEE IF IT COULD STILL BE COVERED AT NO CHARGE. I'M WAITING ON A RESPONSE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RELATIVELY COMMON FAILURE BASED ON THE COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED AND IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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