Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2003)

637 consumer complaints on file.

#10041503October 9, 2003
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:SWITCH
TAIL LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY DO NOT TURN ON WHEN HEAD LIGHTS SWITCH IS ENGAGED. DEALER REPLACED HEAD LIGHT SWITCH UNDER WARRANTY. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10041405October 7, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OUR CAR HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER 6 TIMES IN NINE MONTHS. 5 TIMES FOR THE SAME, SERIOUS PROBLEM. THE CAR STALLS WITH NO WARNING AND FOR APPARENTLY NO REASON. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM ONCE, BUT UNABLE TO FIX IT AND UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THE NEXT 4 TIMES. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL OTHER THAN IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN ON HOT DAYS WHEN THE AIR CONDITION IS ON AND OFTEN IN TRAFFIC. WHEN THE CAR STALLS NEITHER THE BRAKES NOR THE STEERING WILL WORK UNTIL IT CAN BE RESTARTED. VW CANNOT FIX THE CAR AND WILL NOT REPLACE IT OR REFUND MY MONEY. THEIR RESPONSE, "SUE US." *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10041424October 7, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FAILURE TO CORRECT MISFIRE AND STALLING PROBLEM AFTER 3 VISITS TO VW DEALER. ENGINE CONTINUES TO MISFIRE AND VW WON'T TRY TO REPLACE ANY OBVIOUS PARTS RELATED TO THE CAUSE. TOLD TO RETURN THE CAR FOR REPAIR FOR THE 4TH TIME WHEN PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN. CAR HAS BEEN TO 2 VW DEALERS IN 2 WEEKS AND PROBLEM CONTINUES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10041054October 1, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FAILURE TO PROVIDE REPLACEMENT COILS AFTER MANUFACTURER' S RECALL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10041058October 1, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ENGINE STARTS TO STALL AND MISFIRES IN TRAFFIC. DEALER REFUSED TO CHANGE RECALLED COILS ON 8-15-03 . CONTACTED VW HELP LINE AND THEY INDICATED THAT THEIR RECORDS SHOW THAT DEALER REPLACED THE RECALLED COILS EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN'T. IT APPEARS THE DEALER FILED A FALSE WARRANTY SERVICE CLAIM WITH VW ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION THEY RECEIVED. DEALER STILL REFUSED TO CHANGE COILS ON 9-25-03.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10031150August 9, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VERY EXPESIVE UNRELIABLE CAR WITH NOTHING BUT EXCUSES FROM THE DEALER-MANUFACTURER FILLED WITH LIES, CONSTANT TROUBLE WITH CAR AND VOLKSWAGEN CANNOT FIX PROPERLY PLUS REFUSES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE CAR TWICE OVER! THEY TOLD ME WHEN I PURCHASED THIS CAR THAT ALL THE 2003 HAD FIXED COIL PROBLEMS. THEY FAILED AROUND 7000 MILES. ALSO HAVE REPLACE THE DASH, REPROGRAMMED COMPUTER,RUINED A PILLAR UPHOLSTERY,PUT IN WRONG OIL, REPLACE D A SPRK PLUG THINKING THAT WOULD FIX THE MISSFIRE, STILL RUNS BAD. EVERY TIME I HAVE TO GO TO THE DEALER ITS A 260 MILE ROUND TRIP! I GOT OUT OF A 99 PASSAT THAT THEYSOLD ME (UNKOWINGLY)WRECKED AND THEN COLDNT FIX SO I TRADED UP TO THIS 2003 WITH LOTS OF TROUBLE. NIGHTMARE VW FOR SURE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10028624July 19, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
MY VOLKSWAGON PASSAT HAS MANY TIMES LUNGED FORWARD WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. I HAVE FORTUNATELY NOT BEEN CLOSE TO ANOTHER CAR WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A REAR-END CRASH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10029383July 16, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE IGNITION COIL IS NOT WORKING.DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10025927July 11, 2003
AIR BAGS
DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONT-END COLLISION.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10026280June 30, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE JUMPS IN AND OUT OF GEARS, TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND THEY STATED THA TTRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023535June 22, 2003
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
THIS IS PORTIONS OF A LETTER SENT TO THE CUSTOMER COMPLAINT SECTION OF THE WWW.VW.COM WEBSITE ON JUNE 22, 2003. I AM WRITING TO REPORT A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS PASSENGER SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING THE ELECTRIC FRONT SEATS IN THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX ON A RAINY AFTERNOON, MY SIX YEAR OLD SON AND I GOT INTO THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT. I PUT HIM INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AND HE SECURED HIMSELF WITH THE SEAT BELT. I WENT AROUND TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND ENTERED, PUTTING THE UMBRELLA INTO THE FOOT WELL OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WITH THE HANDLE RESTING ON THE FRONT SEAT EDGE. AS I STARTED THE CAR, WITHOUT MY NOTICING, THE UMBRELLA HANDLE FELL BETWEEN THE SEAT AND INSIDE DOOR, ACTIVATING THE LEVER TO RECLINE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BACK. MY SON YELLED SOMETHING ABOUT THE SEAT AND I TURNED TO SEE THE SEAT BACK LOWERING TOWARD HIS LEGS. HE COULD NOT MOVE OUT OF THE WAY BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT. WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT HAD HAPPENED, I COULD NOT IMMEDIATELY FIND A WAY TO STOP THE SEAT FROM RECLINING FURTHER. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND PULLED THE KEY OUT, BUT THE SEAT CONTINUED DOWNWARD ONTO HIS LEGS. AT THE LAST SECOND I REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND PULLED THE UMBRELLA HANDLE OFF THE SEAT LEVER AS THE SEAT BACK LOWERED ONTO MY SONS KNEES, PINNING HIM INTO THE REAR SEAT. AFTER I RAISED THE SEAT, MY SON COMPLAINED OF PAIN IN BOTH OF HIS KNEES. IN CHECKING OUT THE SEAT LATER, I FOUND THAT THE FRONT SEAT BACK HAS NO STOP, RATCHET OR RELEASE TO PREVENT IT FROM LOWERING FORCIBLY INTO THE REAR SEAT CUSHION. THE SEAT CONTINUES DOWNWARD INTO THE CUSHION UNTIL THE MOTOR STRAINS TO A STOP. * NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10023294June 18, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2003 PASSAT, WITH 10K MILES, HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 22 DAYS NOW AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. THIS IS THE FOURTH TRIP IN FOR THE SAME THING. THE BATTERY GOES DEAD EVERY NIGHT. ACCORDING TO UTAH LEMON LAW I SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO ARBITRATE, BUT VW WILL NOT DISCUSS THIS OPTION. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023337June 18, 2003
AIR BAGS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD AIRBAG (AIR CURTAIN) OF A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT W8 SEDAN DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR...A FEW MINUTES LATER, WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED, THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY...I SUFFERED A PERMANENT WRIST INJURY AND AM SUFFERING FROM POST TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME...THE INCIDENT, WHICH HAPPENED DURING A TEST DRIVE, WAS REPORTED TO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE VW DEALERSHIP FOR WHICH I WAS WORKING AND TO VW OF AMERICA BY THE MANAGEMENT...I SENT A DETAILED INCIDENT REPORT TO BOTH VW OF AMERICA AND VW AG (GERMANY) CEOS... A VW CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ADMONISHED ME TO NOT MAKE A FUSS ABOUT THE INCIDENT, SAYING IT WAS A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OCCURRENCE UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN AGAIN, AND ADVISED ME THAT MY LETTER TO THE VWOA CEO HAD BEEN RECEIVED BUT THAT HE HAD NOT READ IT... THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME IN A SPECIAL MEETING THAT HE HAD BEEN CONTACTED BY A VWOA MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIVE WHO WAS UNHAPPY WITH THE COMPLAINTS I HAD MADE TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT THE LACK OF FOLLOW-UP BY VW AND THE MEANS OF ALERTING VW OWNERS ABOUT THE INCIDENT I WAS CONSIDERING... I LEFT THE MEETING BELIEVING MY JOB AND FUTURE IN THE CAR BUSINESS, AT LEAST SELLING VW PRODUCTS, WOULD BE IN JEOPARDY IF I TOOK ANY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION SUCH AS FILING THIS COMPLAINT. A PROMISE THAT I WOULD BE INFORMED BY VWOA OF THE REASON FOR THE SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT HAS NOT BEEN FULFILLED AND I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY ANY VW REPRESENTATIVE IN ALMOST FOUR MONTHS... RECENTLY, I WAS FIRED BECAUSE OF AN INCIDENT, I CONSIDER, RELATED DIRECTLY TO THE INCIDENT... I AM FILING THIS REPORT BECAUSE I HAVE JUST LEARNED THAT ANOTHER PERSON HAS, REPORTEDLY, EXPERIENCED THE SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT OF AN AIRBAG IN A VW CAR AND I AM NOW CONFIDENT THAT WHAT I EXPERIENCED WAS NOT A FREAK OCCURRENCE. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10014142April 8, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND REVERSING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THE EGINE RPM'S REACHED 18000. 40000 MILES SERVICE WAS DONE 6 MTHS PRIOR. DEALER CLAIMS IT RESULTED FROM OIL OVERFILL. NOT THE CASE, OIL OVERFILL RESULTED AFTER THE FACT. VW AMERICA WILL NOT HONOR POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, SAYING MAINTENANCE RECORDS INCOMPLETE. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10014054April 7, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA WILL NOT RECALL FAULTY COIL PACKS IN 2001/2002/2003 PASSAT 1.8TS, EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THE INSTALLED PART IS DEFECTIVE. MY FIRST COIL PACK FAILED, AND WILL BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT VW WILL NOT REPLACE ALL COIL PACKS, AS THEY SHOULD. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS COIL PACK FAILURE WHILE ON THE ROAD MAY CAUSE ACCIDENTS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10013957April 4, 2003
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT LATCH FAILED AT 4200 MILES. SEAT BELT WOULD NOT BUCKLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10010919March 23, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
LOSS OF POWER TO CLIMATE CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL, HEADLIGHTS (LOW BEAM), SOME INTERIOR LIGHTS, RADIO DISPLAY, STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS, HOME LINK TRANSMITTER. APPARENT SHORT IN DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR. VISOR WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10010729March 19, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS FOR THE PASSING GEAR, THE GAS PEDAL REMAINED STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THIS HAPPENED ON TWO DIFFERENT DAYS. THE ONLY WAY I COULD STOP WAS TO PUT THE CAR IN NATURAL,AND TURN OFF THE KEY. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THAT THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN ICE STUCK TO THE GAS PEDAL CABLE?????????? I ALMOST GOT KILLED WITH THE CAR GOING 100 MPH BEFORE I COULD GET IT UNDER CONTROL. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10010187March 9, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2003 PASSAT V6 ENGINES UPPER END OF THE ENGINE DRAINS OF OIL ALLOWING KNOCKING FOR 1-2 SECONDS BEFORE THE OIL CIRCULATES. (METAL ON METAL NOISE). *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10008113February 25, 2003
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
ON THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 25TH, AS I WAS LEAVING HOME AND ATTEMPTED TO BUCKLE THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT ON A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS. THE LATCH DID NOT HOLD THE METAL BELT TONGUE. I DROVE DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND LEFT IT FOR REPAIRS. WHEN ARRIVING TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE LATE IN THE AFTERNOON, I WAS ADVISED THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COMPLETED DUE TO THE NEED TO ORDER A PART, WHICH WAS TO ARRIVE IN 4-7 DAYS. WHEN ASKING FOR A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE, THE RESPONSE WAS NEGATIVE AND THEY SEEMED UNCONCERNED WITH THE FACT A CRITICAL SAFETY FEATURE WAS NOT OPERABLE. MY HOME STATE, TENNESSEE, HAS A LAW CLEARLY REQUIRING SEATBELT USE, AND I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN THE ABILITY OF A SEATBELT TO REDUCE THE PORTENTIAL OF A CRITICAL INJURY OR DEATH. THIS IS CONFIRMED BY YOUR AGENCY AND BY THE OWNER'S MANUAL PROVIDED BY VOLKSWAGEN. AT THIS POINT, I AM USING THE BUCKLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, WHICH CAUSED THE BELT TO RIDE JUST BELOW MY NECK AND OBSTRUCTS MY ARM WHEN SHIFTS THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION.*JB IT APPEARS THE SEATBELT LATCH SERIOUSLY LACKS QUALITY AND IS POORLY CONSTRUCTED. CONSIDERING THE LATCH HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED, HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT AND THERE IS NO VISIBLE SIGN OF EXTERNAL DAMAGE, IT COULD EASILY BE CONCLUDED TO EITHER POOR WORKMANSHIP OR MATERIALS. IN ADDITION, CONSIDERING THIS FAILURE OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL USE AND WITH LIMITED MILES (8,899) ON THE VEHICLE, IT IS ALARMING TO CONSIDER WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE RESULTS IF THE FAILURE BECAME EVIDENT IN AN ACCIDENT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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