Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10715961May 12, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I KEPT NOTICING A SMELL OF GASOLINE. ONE MORNING WHEN I BACKED UP AND LOOKED FORWARD THERE WAS A PUDDLE. I GOT OUT, BENT DOWN AND SMELLED IT. IT WAS GAS. I BACKED UP A LITTLE MORE AND THERE WAS ANOTHER SMALL PUDDLE. IT ALSO WAS GAS. WHEN I FIRST SAW THE PUDDLES OF GAS I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS AND THAT ANY RECALL THAT WAS ON MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN COMPLETE (NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL LEAK). JUST THIS PAST WEEK (5/2/15) I NOTICED THE SAME SMELL. THIS TIME I COULD ACTUALLY SEE THE FUEL LEAKING FROM THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE AND I FILMED IT ON MY CELL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10715584May 11, 2015
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A CRACKING NOISE AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AS THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE MODULE FAILED. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE OF THE NAME OF THE MODULE THAT NEEDED TO REPLACE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10715638May 11, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON APRIL 14, 2015, I WENT TO VW KENNEDY SERVICE CENTER IN PUERTO RICO BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS WITH MY 2012 PASSAT DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK AND REAR DOOR'S LOCKS, THAT SOMETIMES FAILED TO OPEN OR LOCK, AND HAVE WEIRD SOUNDS WHEN I OPEN THEM WITH THE POWER LOCKS BUTTON OR WHEN THE CAR REACH 10 MILES. ON APRIL 16, THEY MADE A DIAGNOSTIC OF A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR LEFT DOOR LATCH BUT THEY ONLY MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT TO IT. ON APRIL 21, I RETURNED TO THE SERVICE CENTER WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE REAR LEFT DOOR LATCH, BUT TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK. SINCE THEN, THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS DOOR LOCK CONTINUES ON A RANDOM BASIS, SOMETIMES FAILED TO OPEN OR CLOSE, BUT THE VW SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEMS. I THINK THAT A DOOR LOCK THAT FAILED TO CLOSE OR OPEN ON A RANDOM BASIS REPRESENTS A SECURITY PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10715305May 8, 2015
STEERING, AIR BAGS, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
WAS TURNING IN A PARKING LOT AND HEARD A LOUD CRACKING SOUND. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS AND THE HORN WERE NOT WORKING. CHECKED ONLINE AND APPARENTLY ISSUES WERE FOUND ON SAME MODEL. IT IS A BROKEN CLOCK SPRING. CONTACTED DEALER, THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHICH WOULD COST $120. I INFORMED THEM OF THE BROKEN PART BUT THEY SAID THEY STILL WOULD HAVE TO DO THE DIAGNOSTIC. THE CLOCK SPRING ITSELF WOULD COST $485 IF THAT WAS BROKEN PLUS LABOR CHARGES. CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 57250 MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10715327May 8, 2015
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E007000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10714972May 6, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHICH IMPAIRED THE VISION OF THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT THE POSITION OF THE LIGHTS WERE TOO LOW, BUT NO ADJUSTMENTS TO CORRECT THE FAILURE COULD BE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 285,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10714466May 4, 2015
AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING HOME DOING 45MPH, WHEN MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT WOULD'VE CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10714169May 2, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CENTER CONSOLE RADIO HEAD-UNIT STOPPED WORKING. THE SPEAKERS STOPPED PLAYING MUSIC, THE DISPLAY ON THE HEAD-UNIT BLACKED OUT, THE BACK-LIGHTING FOR THE UNIT WENT OUT, AND MY BLUE TOOTH CAPABILITIES CUT OUT AS WELL. MY RADIO HAS NOT WORKED FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, AND I AM UNABLE TO USE HANDS-FREE BLUE TOOTH WITH MY PHONE. I NOW HAVE TO USE MY PHONE BY HAND IF I WANT TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WHILE DRIVING. I'VE BEEN NOTICING INCREASED DRAIN ON MY BATTERY (EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF) WHICH WAS CONFIRMED TO BE COMING FROM MY DEAD RADIO ACCORDING TO DIAGNOSTICS RUN AT AN AUTO SHOP. I HAVE HAD TO JUMP AND REPLACE MY BATTERY TWICE UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET THE ISSUE DIAGNOSED. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY BATTERY WILL DRAIN AGAIN FROM THE DEFECTIVE RADIO UNIT. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE VW DEALERSHIP, THE ONLY OPTION THEY OFFERED TO ME WAS TO PAY $125 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND THEN ANOTHER $800 TO PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT UNIT OF THE SAME BRAND. I REFUSE TO PAY $800 FOR A REPLACEMENT PART THAT I AND MANY OTHERS BELIEVE IS A DEFECTIVE PART. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10713986May 1, 2015
POWER TRAIN
PURCHASED A NEW VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SEPTEMBER 22, 2014. TWO WEEKS LATER OCTOBER 6 I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN ABRUPTLY THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL PRESSED THE GAS THE RPM WENT TO 4 I HAD TO STOP. ANOTHER TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN.I SCHEDULED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT FOR NOVEMBER 17 TH. ON THE 14TH AND 15 TH OF NOVEMBER THE CAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN, HOWEVER ON THE 15 TH IT HAPPENED ON A LOCAL STREET DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MILES/ HOUR. I TOOK THE CAR FOR SERVICE I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE AND MAYBE I HANG MY POCKET BOOK ON THE CHANGER. I WAS ALSO TOLD THE CAR IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. I TOOK THE CAR AND THE SAME NIGHT THE CAR ABRUPTLY SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN . I TOOK THE CAR BACK AND WAS TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR.I EXPLAINED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER I HAVE A CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY HE SAID " GET IT OUT OF YOUR HEAD YOU ARE NOT GETTING A NEW CAR OR YOUR MONEY BACK." I HAVE PARKED THE CAR AND HAVE NOT DRIVEN SINCE NOVEMBER 20TH EXCEPT TO HAVE IT CHECKED BY ANOTHER DEALER TWICE WHO TELLS ME THE CAR IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. I STILL HAVE THE CAR PARKED BECAUSE I CANNOT BE DRIVING SCARED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10714072May 1, 2015
ENGINE
VEHICLE HAS BROKEN DOWN TWICE WHILE DRIVING. IT LOSES TURBO. THE FINAL PROBLEM OCCURRED DECEMBER 22, 2014 AT WHICH THE DAMAGE WAS CONCLUDED TO BE THE CAM CHAIN. THIS CHAIN CAN BE DAMAGED BY THE CAM FOLLOWER. THE FOLLOWER WAS RECALLED THE CHAIN WAS NOT. THIS RENDERS THE CAR USELESS. THE CHAIN IS NOT A CONSUMABLE ITEM AND THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE ON IT. IF THEY HAD, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10713716April 30, 2015
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. THE AIR BAG ERROR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN ALSO DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10713741April 30, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE PERSONALLY INSPECTED MANY 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT'S AND FOUND AN ISSUE PERTAINING TO THE ALARM SYSTEM. WHEN THE VEHICLES ALARM IS SET OFF, THERE IS A SPLIT SECOND WAY TO BYPASS THIS AND AID MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT AS WELL AS THEFT OF PERSONAL ITEMS IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE ALARM HAS BEEN SOUNDED, AN INDIVIDUAL CAN DEPRESS THE FLASHER BUTTON IN THE CENTER OF THE DASH AND PRESS IT ONCE MORE TO SHUT THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS OFF, THIS WILL BYPASS AND DEACTIVATE THE VEHICLES FACTORY ALARM SYSTEM, THUS OPENING THE VEHICLE UP TO A HIGHER POTENTIAL OF THEFT. WITH NO ALARM SOUNDED, AN INDIVIDUAL WILL HAVE A VAST AMOUNT OF TIME TO EITHER STEAL THE MOTOR VEHICLE, STEAL PERSON POSSESSIONS, OR MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS. I AM IN THE NEW ENGLAND AREA AND UNSURE IF ANY OTHER AREAS OR MODELS ARE AFFECTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10713742April 30, 2015
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO WORK AND THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE15010 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,283. UPDATED 7/9/15*CN UPDATED 9/18/15 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10713631April 29, 2015
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, IT STARTED TO LEAK FUEL FROM UNDERNEATH THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,500. ...UPDATED 06-12-15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS ADVOCATING TO GET A NEW FUEL TANK INSTALLED FOR HIM AT NO COST. UPDATED 06/23/15*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10713139April 27, 2015
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN WOULD NOT WORK WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 6/4/15*CN. UPDATED 07-16-15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ALL AIR BAGS EXCEPT THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED. UPDATED 11/13/2015*JS
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10712966April 26, 2015
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON. CAR AT TIMES START SHAKING - NOT CONSISTENTLY THOUGH. TOOK IT TO SHOP: FOUND OUT IGNITION COILS MISFIRES. THIS HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES IN A 2 YEAR TIME SPAN. THE MOST RECENT 2 BEING A MONTH APART. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT BURNED ALMOST ALL OF THE SPARK PLUGS. DID RESEARCH AND THIS WEBSITE DESCRIBES MY SITUATION PERFECTLY: HTTP://WWW.VWPROBLEMS.COM/TRENDS/IGNITION-COIL/. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10712798April 25, 2015
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON. THERE MIGHT BE A RESISTANCE ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAUSING IT TO TURN ON. I READ THAT THE RESISTANCE VARIANCE WITHIN A FRONT SEAT SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG CONNECTOR CAN CAUSE THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10712445April 23, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE
I HAVE HAD MY 2003 VW PASSAT A YEAR NOW I HAVE JUST NOTICED IN THE PAST WEEK THAT IT HAD A LEAK I THOUGHT IT WAS FROM THE WINDOW OR SUN ROOF I WENT TO VACUUM THE CAR OUT ON A NICE DAY AND SEEN THAT IT STILL HAD VERY WET CARPET AND THEN NOTICED THE CARPET WAS A GREEN COLOR LIKE IT WAS COOLANT I THEN HAD MY BF CHECK IT AND IT IS. I RUN A DAYCARE AND USE THIS CAR DAILY WITH MY CHILDREN WE HAVE BEEN BREATHING IN THIS COOLANT FOR WEEKS NOW AND THAT PROBABLY EXPLAINS MY DAUGHTER SAYING SHE GETS HEADACHES WHEN WE DRIVE THE CAR. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND SEE IT IS A VERY COMMON AND RECALLED THING WITH THE HEATER CORE AND I HAD NO IDEA I HOPE US BREATHING THIS IN HASN'T DONE ANY DAMAGE I HAVE A ONE YEAR OLD WHO HAS BEEN IN IT THIS WHOLE TIME AS WELL.IM VERY UNPLEASED WITH THIS CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10712504April 23, 2015
POWER TRAIN
THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO PARKWAY VOLKSWAGEN, SANTA CLARITA CA 91355, FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDED TRANSMISSION SERVICE. REPORTED MECHATRONIC GASKET LEAKING AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. OFFERED TO DO SO AT A REDUCED PRICE. AFTER DEALER REPAIR CAR GOES INTO NEUTRAL RANDOMLY FROM DRIVE MODE. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. CLAIMS FAILURE IS A COINCIDENCE AND NOT RELATED TO THEIR WORK ON THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10712295April 22, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, STEERING
HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE TURNING IN A PARKING LOT. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND NONE OF THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL INCLUDING THE HORN WOULD WORK. AFTER INVESTIGATING ONLINE I FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND DISCOVERED THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING A FAILURE THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN AT ABOUT 50,000-60,000 MILES 9 I HAD ABOUT 58000 AT THE TIME). AFTER DISCOVERING THAT AN INVESTIGATION WAS STARTED HERE JUST DAYS BEFORE MINE FAILED I CONTACTED THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE INVESTIGATION OR THE ISSUE.... HOWEVER THEY WERE ABLE TO QUICKLY TELL ME IT WOULD COST ABOUT $700 TO FIX, AND IF VW ISSUES A RECALL LATER I COULD TRY TO GET IT REFUNDED FROM CORPORATE AT THAT TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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