Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2009)

152 consumer complaints on file.

#10861358April 25, 2016
STEERING
WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING WAS DISABLED. PULLED THE CAR OVER, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A DAY OR TWO. SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AND RESOLVED SAME WAY BY ME. HAPPENED AGAIN - TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RACK. I ASKED THE DEALER IF THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE AND THE RESPONSE WAS "EXTREMELY RARE". I TOOK TO AUTHORIZED VW REPAIR CENTERS (NON-DEALER). COULD NOT QUOTE AN EXACT PRICE FOR THE "REPAIR" AS NONE OF THEM HAVE EVER SEEN A REPAIR LIKE THIS NEEDED ON A VW. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND VW RECALL NO. 48J1/P3 WHICH WAS ISSUED FOR THE 2009 PASSAT BUT APPARENTLY NOT FOR MY VIN? THE HAZARDS AS EXPERIENCED IN THIS PUBLICATION ARE WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING. CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOW THAT IS POSSIBLE? VW IS REFUSING TO CONTRIBUTE OR COVER ANY COST OF THE REPAIR AND IT IS A HIGH SAFETY CONCERN FOR MY FAMILY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10860720April 21, 2016
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND FROM THE MOMENT I TOOK IT OF THE LOT 13 MONTHS AGO I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS. THE CARE WILL STOP, SHAKE. I HAVE ALREADY HAD IT CHECK 3 TIMES AND REPAIRED TWICE. FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE AND I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD IF I AM ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND NO WARNING TAKE PLACE WHICH COULD LEAD TO A MAJOR ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE READ THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES AND VOLKSWAGON HAS NOT RESOLVED THE SITUATION. HELP!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10860325April 19, 2016
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED ENGINE OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR MAIN ENGINE SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10837359February 21, 2016
STEERING
WENT TO WORK ON A SUB ZERO TEMPS DAY. CAR WAS WARMING UP. WENT TO PULL AWAY SHE THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WITH A 3 CHIM TONE WARNING AND LOCKED UP THE STEERING COLUMM. HAD CAR TOWED TO AN OTHERIZED DEALSHIP WHERE THEY SCANNED VEHICLE AND FOUND FOUR CODES FOR STEERING RACK BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETECT ANY WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10822372January 26, 2016
ENGINE
MY CAR HAS 76000 MILES AND IS OTHERWISE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I JUST GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND AFTER REPLACING THE PCV VALVE, AND I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE REAR MAIN ENGINE SEAL IS LEAKING. THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AT THIS POINT AND NOW I HAVE TO SPEND ALMOST $1000 IN REPAIRS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY VW WARRANTY, AS THERE ARE SO MANY CASES OF THIS EXACT FAILURE AT THE SAME AMOUNT OF MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10788363November 4, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10761531September 4, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SUDDEN FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSED ENGINE TO QUIT MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. AFTER A FEW MINUTES SITTING DEAD IN TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE WOULD RESTART AND THE CAR WOULD OPERATE A FEW MINUTES UNTIL THE ENGINE SHUT-OFF AGAIN. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO QUIT. THE CAR HAD PLENTY OF FUEL. THE FOLLOWING TROUBLE CODES WERE PRESENT WHEN THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC: P3043- FUEL PUMP MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION P0087- FUEL RAIL SYSTEM PRESSURE TOO LOW ULTIMATELY, THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL CONTROL MODULE WERE REPLACED. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAD ONLY 32,000 MILES, VW DECLINED TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10749468August 18, 2015
STEERING, SUSPENSION
WHEN BACKING UP, OR GOING FORWARD SLOW, TO PARK WITH FRONT WHEELS TURNING THERE IS A SNAPPING SOUND WHICH A AN ARIZONE VW DEALER BLAMES ON SALT/SAND FROM NE. CAR WAS ON LIFT IN MAINE AND I PAINTED UNDERCARRAIGE AND THERE WAS NO SIGN OF RUST EXCEPT ON PARTS OF CLAMPS/SCREWS. VEHICLE WAS WASHED A MINIMUM OF ONCE A WEEK DURING WINTER. MOVED TO AZ AND THE SNAPPING IS MORE EVIDENT. VW REPLACED MUCH OF THE FRONT END AND HAD CAR FOR THREE WEEKS. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE CAR AND STILL HAD TO PAY OVER $1200.00. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A VEHICLE REPAIR SERVICE TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10746682August 6, 2015
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS STOPPED WORKING ONE DAY, ALONG WITH THE HORN. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE DISPLAY SHOWS "AIRBAG FAULT" EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS CAR, AND VW REFUSES TO COVER THE REPAIR. MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE A FAULTY CLOCK SPRING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10721249May 24, 2015
ENGINE
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED. I HAVE HAD IT FOR TWO YEARS NOW. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED: BURNING SMELL, DRIVER SIDE FLOOD LIGHT BLEW OUT OR CAME OFF; SHAKING MOMENTARILY WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER SIDE MIRROR FLEW OFF WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN; NOTICED WHEN I HAD AN OIL CHANGE LAST OF JANUARY OR FIRST PART OF FEBRUARY THE VEHICLE WAS USING QUITE A BIT OF OIL. I PUT ABOUT FIVE OR MORE QUARTS IN BY MAY. THE LATTER PART OF MAY IT USED TWO QUARTS IN TWO WEEKS. WENT SHOPPING SATURDAY BEFORE MOTHER'S DAY, PARKED THE CAR AT FOOD LION WHEN I CAME BACK OUT, I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND IT STALLED. WHEN IT DID START, THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING. I TOOK THE CAR HOME, CHECKED THE OIL ALONG WITH MY BROTHER AND IT NEEDED MORE OIL. I PUT TWO MORE QUARTS IN. ON MONDAY I WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AT 6:40 A.M. (WOKE THEM UP). AFTER CHECKING THE CAR, THEIR FINDING WAS IT NEEDED A FUEL PUMP AND A SENSOR; LATER THEY REPLACED TWO CRANK SENSORS AND SAID THE CAR IS STILL SHAKING; THEN AFTER APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AND A HALF, I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HE INFORMED ME THE CAR NEEDS A ENGINE. FRIDAY, MAY 22, I WENT BY THE DEALERSHIP AND PICKED UP SOME THINGS OUT OF THE AUTOMOBILE AND WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY COMPANY FINALLY GAVE IN AND THE MOTOR WILL BE IN, IN THREE DAYS. WELL, AFTER READING THE HORROR STORIES ABOUT THE 2009 PASSAT ON THIS WEBSITE. I PLAN TO TRADE THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT DELAY, AS SOON AS THEY RELEASE IT TO ME. I AM SADDEN, BECAUSE I REALLY LOVED THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN RELUCTANT TO DRIVE THIS CAR OUT OF TOWN, AND NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT TO WORK WHICH IS 30 MILE A DAY PLUS OR AT ALL. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN IT, AND I PAY TO MUCH TO BE HAVING ALL THESE PROBLEMS. WHO KNOWS WHAT WILL BE NEXT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10706438April 18, 2015
STEERING
MY POWER STEERING LOCK UP ON ME 2X RED LIGHT CAME ON THE SECOND TIME AND BING 3X. STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOCK RIGHT AWAY. TOOK THE PASSAT DOWN TO A AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED RACK AND PINION AND IT COST $ 1,772.33. MY PASSAT IS 6 YEARS OLD AND HAD ONLY 37,270 MILES. THIS STEERING PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPEN WITH LOW MILEAGE. I CALLED THE VW CARE CENTER TO ASK IF IT WAS RECALL THEY SAID NO. AND WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. BECAUSE IT WAS OVER 3 YEARS OLD. I WILL NEVER BUY OTHER VW AGAIN SCENTS THEY WILL NOT STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10695527March 20, 2015
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MAIN REAR BEARING SEAL FAILURE, SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, BURNING SMELL FROM UNDER CAR, $1,700 REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10690691February 25, 2015
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2009 VW PASSAT 2.0T. OIL LEAKING FROM REAR MAIN SEAL. REAR MAIN SEAL FAILED AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. FIRST INDICATION WAS OIL SPOT ON DRIVEWAY AND THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. INSPECTED BOTTOM OF ENGINE AND IT WAS COATED WITH OIL. THE PCV VALVE FAILED AND CAUSED REAR MAIN SEAL TO RUPTURE AND SHOOT OIL (AND POSSIBLY GAS VAPORS) ALL OVER BOTTOM OF HOT ENGINE. ALTHOUGH NOTHING IGNITED IN THIS CASE, BEGAN TO QUESTION IF SOME OF THE OTHER FIRE INCIDENTS LISTED ON NHTSA SITE WERE POSSIBLY CAUSED BY SIMILAR CONDITION. FAILURE OF APPROX. $40 PART CAUSED APPROX. $1700 IN DAMAGE- ALL OUT OF WARRANTY. WARRANTY IS FOR 5 YEARS/60,000 MILES. NO MAINTENANCE DATA AVAILABLE TO OWNER INDICATED THAT PCV VALVE SHOULD BE CHECKED AS PART OF SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. VW LEADERSHIP DECLINED TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONIBILITY FOR SITUATION. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10683447February 14, 2015
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
2009 VW PASSAT 2.0T. OIL LEAKING FROM REAR MAIN SEAL. REAR MAIN SEAL FAILED AT ABOUT 70,000 MILES, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. FIRST INDICATION WAS SMELL OF BURNING. SHORTLY BEFORE THIS FAILED, THE PCV VALVE FAILED - ALSO OUT OF WARRANTY. WARRANTY IS FOR 5 YEARS/60,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10671705January 12, 2015
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
INITIAL FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO MAIN THOROUGHFARE. VEHICLE LOST ALL ENGINE POWER AND STALLED OUT. VEHICLE WAS SEND TO VW DEALER FOR REPAIR WHERE SOME WARRANTY REPAIRS WERE MADE AS WELL AS PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE THAT WAS ADVISED. THE CAR WAS RETURNED AS "REPAIRED" AND AFTER DRIVING HOME EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME FAILURE WHILE THE CAR WAS IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY. CAR WAS RETURNED AGAIN AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE A SECOND TIME WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON I275 IN DETROIT. THE CAR STALLED OUT AND I AGAIN LOST ALL POWER. I WAS FORCED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CAR THEN FAILED TO START. I WAS FORCED TO SIT FOR THREE HOURS IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER WITH A TWICE IN 2 WEEKS REPAIRED ISSUE AS MY CAR WAS BURIED IN SNOW ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10671109January 8, 2015
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE WITH A FAULTY DOOR LATCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10664765December 17, 2014
ENGINE
AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR A SHORT TIME OUR 2009 VW PASSAT WAS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE. NO SIGNS OF ANY PROBLEMS WHEN DRIVER WENT INSIDE THE HOUSE. ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES AFTER BEING PARKED NOISE WAS HEARD FROM GARAGE AND AT THAT TIME INTENSE SMOKE AND FIRE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS DISCOVERED. BEFORE HELP COULD ARRIVE FRONT OF CAR WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE AND NEARBY MATERIALS IN GARAGE WERE IGNITED. CAR WAS CONSIDERED TOTAL LOSS ALONG WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO INSIDE OF GARAGE. FIRE DEPARTMENT ATTRIBUTED THE CAUSE OF FIRE AS "CAR ENGINE/ELECTRICAL". FORTUNATELY, ,THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES BUT SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE.. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10663271December 9, 2014
ENGINE
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND SMOKE WITH THE DISTINCT FIRE SMELL STARTED POURING OUT OF MY HOOD. I HAD TO RUN THE RED LIGHT TO GET OFF OF THE STREET WHERE I ENDED UP IN A BIG PARKING LOT. I RAISED THE HOOD AND SAW HEAVY SMOKE AND SMALL FLAMES. I GRABBED MY PHONE AND TOOK A PICTURE AND THEN RAN AND GOT WATER TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THIS WILL COST ME A 500 DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO RAISE MY RATES. I AM SO PISSED TO FIND OUT THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE! I AM GLAD I WAS DRIVING INSTEAD OF MY WIFE WITH OUR KIDS IN THE CAR! VW THE FIGHT IS NOW ON! I WAS WONDERING WHY MY SERVICE ADVISER NEW EXACTLY WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. A 27 DOLLAR PART FAILED AND CAUSED A COUPLE OF GRAND IN DAMAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10639179September 25, 2014
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR SUDDENLY HAS 50% OR LESS POWER AND BEGINS STUMBLING VERY BADLY. ACCELERATION IS SO POOR THAT IT'S QUITE DANGEROUS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THE ABILITY TO PULL OFF THE ROAD IS SEVERELY HAMPERED. THE ONLY WAY I'M ABLE TO KEEP THE CAR MOVING AND RUNNING IS TO USE THE MANUAL FEATURE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND KEEP THE RPM'S VERY HIGH. THE FOUR COIL PACKS IN THE CAR WERE REPLACED THIS SPRING. SUDDENLY, THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM IS BACK AGAIN 4 MONTHS LATER. CODES WERE RANDOM MISIFRE AND MULTIPLE MISFIRES AT VARIOUS CYLINDERS. STRANGE THAT ALL FOUR PACKS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME....? THAT'S NOT LOGICAL UNLESS IS SOMETHING OTHER THAN NORMAL WEAR CAUSING THE ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE AND BOTH TIME IT BEGINS IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC WHERE THE SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE POWER LOSS IS NEARLY COMPLETE. BOTH TIMES WERE UNDER ACCELERATION WHEN THE HEAVY STUMBLING OCCURRED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY FOR 5 MIN. TO HOPEFULLY RESET THE CARS EPC AS THE PROBLEM IS SO SUDDEN IT ALMOST CERTAINLY IS ELECTRICAL. THERE IS NO LOGICAL EXPLANATION FOR FOUR COIL PACKS ALL NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME AND 4 MONTHS AFTER THE LAST REPLACEMENT...? UNDOUBTEDLY A CONSISTENTLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10616861July 28, 2014
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE CAR ACCELERATED NORMALLY AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE ENGINE SPUTTERED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE QUIT. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE FAILED. I WAS LOCATED AT AN INTERSECTION AND PUSHED THE CAR OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND NOTICED AN AROMA OF BURNING PLASTIC. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS SMOKE EMANATING UNDER THE TOP ENGINE COVER, TOP LH SIDE VIEWED FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE COVER. I REMOVED THE COVER AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE #1 IGNITION COIL HARNESS WAS MELTED FROM THE FIRE AND ASSOCIATED FIRE DAMAGE WAS NOTED ON THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE COVER ABOVE THE ENGINE COIL LOCATION. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE OF THE #1 ENGINE COIL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT IN DETAIL TO THE VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA CUSTOMER SUPPORT AS SOON AS I RETURNED HOME. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING REPAIRS TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ITEMS. I WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO CURRENT RECALLS IN EFFECT. I WENT TO THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND FOUND THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY INVESTIGATED AND NO RECALL WAS ISSUED AT THE TIME. I FELT OBLIGATED TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT AS IT PERTAINS TO PUBLIC SAFETY. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen Passat