Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2001)
432 consumer complaints on file.
- #10509501April 25, 2013STRUCTURE:BODY, AIR BAGS
I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT THAT WAS OUT OF ORDER. THE DRIVER OF THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND I ASSUMED SHE WAS GOING TO SUBSEQUENTLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR, SO I INSTINCTIVELY PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR TO EASE FORWARD. UNFORTUNATELY, I MISCALCULATED AS THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME DID NOT MOVE FORWARD. AS A RESULT OF MY ACTIONS, I REAR-ENDED THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS GOING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH. MY CAR SUSTAINED ABOUT 90% OF THE DAMAGE. MY COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE DEPLOYMENT OR LACK THEREOF OF THE AIRBAGS. THEY NEVER DEPLOYED. MAYBE I WAS WRONG TO ASSUME THAT THEY WOULD DEPLOY ON SUCH A LOW SPEED. PLEASE ADVISE AS THE IMPACT FROM THE ACCIDENT WAS RATHER STRONG. *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10504325March 24, 2013SERVICE BRAKES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SENDING THIS E-MAIL TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE ABS MODULE ON MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THEY ARE NO REASON WHY IT SHOULD BE OUT , I BELIEVE ITS A DEFECTIVE PART, SHOULD LAST LONGER OTHER PEOPLE I TALK WITH SAY THEY HAVE BEEN THRU THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE VOLKSWAGEN NEED TO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS ABS MODULE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10502621March 13, 2013ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMISSIONS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT APPROACHED A TRAFFIC STOP AND A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING OIL EMITTED FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED OIL LEAKING ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000. UPDATED 04/30/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE EMISSION WORKSHOP LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER HAD NO ANSWER, AS TO WHY THE LIGHT WAS ON. THE CONSUMER STATED IN DURING SOME RESEARCH, HE FOUND THE LIGHT WAS ON DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. ALSO, A PLUGGED PCV SYSTEM CAUSED EXCESSIVE INTERNAL ENGINE PRESSURE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10500670February 27, 2013ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING COOLANT. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEATER CORE WAS BAD. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE INSIDE COMPUTER ALREADY AND PROBABLY ALL THE CARPET SINCE THE WATER HAS BEEN LEAKING INTO THE CAR. I SUFFER FROM ASTHMA AND CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THIS CAR SINCE IT SMELLS LIKE COOLANT/MOLD AND NOT TO MENTION WATER LEAKING ON MY FOOT AS I DRIVE (VERY UNSAFE SINCE THE PEDAL GETS SLIPPERY.) I HAVE READ ONLINE ON MANY SITES THAT THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THIS MATTER AND THE OWNERS WERE NEVER NOTIFIED. I NEED THIS FIXED BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS; EITHER I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT OR I END UP IN THE HOSPITAL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR GETTING BACK TO ME AND GETTING THIS MATTER FIXED PROMPTLY. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10485005November 17, 2012ENGINE
CAR HAD BEEN SITTING ALL DAY DROVE IT ONCE CAUGHT FIRE AROUND 4AM IN THE MORNING CAR TOTAL ALOT BURN BAD IN THE FRONT. I HAD NOTICE THAT SOME FEATURES WERE NOT WORKING BUT I DID NOT ATTRIBUTE IT TO A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE FIRE DEPT WHO CAME TO PUT THE BLAZE OUT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10470614August 14, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE FAILURE WHICH CAUSES PERMANENT LOSS OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10463542June 29, 2012FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD MORE FUEL THAN WHAT WAS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC FOUND THE FAILURE IN THE FUEL TANK LEVEL SENDING UNITS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V157000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,370.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10462944June 25, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE CONTROL MODULE FAILED CAUSING "STOP", AND OTHER LIGHTS TO COME ON AND STAY ON. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10444616January 20, 2012ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT, CAUSING SMOKE TO BE RELEASED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT ANTIFREEZE LEAKED ONTO THE ELECTRICAL WIRES. THE DEALER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,980 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10440898December 21, 2011STEERING
THE PASSAT HAS BEEN A WELL MAINTAINED FAMILY WAGON. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED AND HAS MOSTLY EASY HIGHWAY MILES. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER ON A RAINY EVENING. AFTER MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN BACK TO THE LEFT PAST CENTERED. SHE STOPPED THE DISABLED CAR ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND CALLED ME AND THE TOW TRUCK. WHEN I ARRIVED I CONFIRMED HER ANALYSIS. THE TOW DRIVER HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THE VW DEALER CALLED THE NEXT DAY AND INDICATED THAT THE STEERING RACK HAD FAILED. THEY ALSO REPLACED UPPER ARMS AND THE RIGHT AXLE. I SPENT $1950 FOR THE REPAIR AND ANOTHER $200 FOR THE RACK, IF NEEDED FOR ANALYSIS BY NHTSA OR OTHERS. IF THIS FAILURE HAD HAPPENED AT A DIFFERENT PLACE OR AT HIGHER SPEED IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10440596December 20, 2011ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND AVAILABLE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10440206December 16, 2011EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
SAME TURN SIGNAL ISSUE AS 04V584000 RECALL - TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARDS WORKED PERIODICALLY. NOW THEY HAVE STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER.. NHTSA RECALL 04V584000 FOR OTHER VW MODELS OF THIS YEAR, BUT NOT PASSAT. IS COMMON FOR THIS YEAR OF VW PASSAT ALSO PER MY INTERNET RESEARCH. VW PASSAT NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THIS RECALL. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10409067June 27, 2011ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE FIRST THINGS THAT IS HAPPEN IS THAT MY DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL BLINK IN AND OUT AND THE SECOND IS THAT WATER BE RUNNING IN THE CAR COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10401255May 17, 2011FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE WOULD SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. HE THEN INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FUEL LEAK. HE LATER DISCOVERED A TRAIL OF GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 198,000. UPDATED 07/21/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRACTURE OCCURRED WITHOUT EXTERNAL STRESS OF ANY KIND. IT DEVELOPED WITHOUT WARNING AND GIVEN THE POSITION WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IT COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN A FIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 02/03/12
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10401354May 17, 2011ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2001 PASSAT GLX MY ABS LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT/ASL LIGHT FLASH ON MY DASH PANEL RANDOMLY DURING THE DAY WHICH POINTS TO ANOTHER FAILED ABS MODULE. I GET THE THREE BEEPS THAT ACCOMPANY THE FLASHING LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 10 TIMES A DAY OR MORE. I CAN FEEL A KICK FROM MY BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THIS HAPPENS DURING BRAKING. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10397081April 21, 2011SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING DEALER SAYS IT IS AN ABS CONTROL MODULE A 650 PART DOLLAR ENDING IN A 1000 DOLLAR ALL TOGETHER REPAIR CAR HAS 108,000. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10394068April 3, 2011EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WIRING AND CONNECTORS FOR BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE MELTED UNDER NORMAL USAGE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10390485March 17, 2011TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
MY ABS FAILURE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUE TO FLASH AND ALARM ON MY 2001 VW PASSAT. I UNDERSTAND BAS FAILURE IS COMMON ON THE CAR. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10383165February 17, 2011ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLAMP WIRING HARNESS MELTS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10380080February 3, 2011FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER INSPECTED AND ADJUSTED THE FUEL LINE ROUTING AS WELL AS THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE BUT DID NOT REPLACE ANY COMPONENTS. AFTER REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SPRAYING FUEL ONTO THE ENGINE AND WAS CAUSING OVERPOWERING GASOLINE FUMES TO EMIT THROUGH THE DEFOGGER SYSTEM. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO INFORMED HER THAT THEY MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL AND THEY ONLY HAD TO INSPECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT ANY FURTHER REPAIRS WOULD BE AT HER EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE DEALER REPAIRED THE EXACT COMPONENTS LISTED UNDER RECALL AND NOTHING MORE. THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0