Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10668101December 24, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE (EBRAKE) SYSTEM. THE PARKING BRAKE IS SET/RELEASED BY PRESSING A BUTTON ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH BOARD. WHEN I CAME TO A STOP AT HOME, I PRESSED THE EBRAKE AND THE EBRAKE LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH AND I WAS UNABLE TO SET IT. SO I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY FOR A FEW MINUTES WHICH APPARENTLY RESET THE SYSTEM AND IT WORKED PROPERLY AGAIN. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER MY WIFE HAD THE VEHICLE IN TOWN. SHE GOT IN TO LEAVE THE MARKET AND TRIED TO RELEASE THE EBRAKE BUT IT BEGAN TO FLASH AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE IT. SHE CALLED ME BECAUSE SHE WAS STUCK THERE AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I TOLD HER TO TRY AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND THEN RECONNECT IT. SHE WAS NEAR A GAS STATION SO SHE BORROWED A WRENCH AND DID WHAT I TOLD HER TO DO. AGAIN THE VEHICLE RESET ITSELF AND MY WIFE WAS THEN ABLE TO RELEASE THE BRAKE AND COME HOME. NOW I AVOID USING THE EBRAKE FOR FEAR OF THAT HAPPENING AGAIN, BUT NOW I FEEL THAT I'M OUT A PARKING BRAKE AND I'M NOT SURE IF I'LL HAVE AN ISSUE WITH IT WHILE DRIVING IT. I SAW COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR MODEL HAVING THE EBRAKE ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING CAUSING IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE STEERING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT! PLEASE CONSIDER THIS AS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE, WORTHY OF RE-CALL STATUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10668125December 24, 2014
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE GLASS ON THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,300. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10667862December 23, 2014
STEERING
WHEN STEERING THE VEHICLE, WITH MINOR LANE CORRECTION INPUTS, THERE IS A COUNTER FORCE FROM THE VW ELECTROMECHANICAL ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM THAT WILL NOT LET ME TURN THE WHEEL UNLESS I APPLY HARDER PRESSURE. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL FREES UP, IT?S AS IF IT BROKE FREE OF SOME STICKY SUBSTANCE. AT TIMES THIS FORCE HAS BEEN SO HARD THAT THE PASSENGERS WERE JOSTLED IN THE CAR. VW MECHANIC HAS DESCRIBED THE ISSUES AS A DEAD SPOT IN THE STEERING.. THE ISSUE OCCURS UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS; 1) ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH RELATIVELY MINOR CAMBER ANGLES. 2) ON NEW VERY SMOOTH DRY PAYMENT ? IMPORTANT - DOES NOT OCCUR ON ROUGHER NEWER PAVEMENT. 3) SET SPEED CONTROL AT 64 MPH - OCCURS AT HIGHER SPEEDS AS WELL. HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE UNDER 60 MPH. 4) OCCURS IN ALL LANES BUT I DRIVE MOSTLY IN THE RIGHT LANE. 5) IN A STRAIGHT LINE RUN OF 1/8 OF A MILE OR SO WHERE THE STEERING ANGLE IS CENTER-LINED. 6) TURN THE WHEEL WITH MINOR DRIVER STEERING INPUTS/ANGLES TO STAY IN THE LANE - NOT TRYING TO CHANGE LANES. VW TRIED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE WITH A SOFTWARE FIX. IT DIDN'T WORK. THEY NOW SAY THE CAR IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10667263December 19, 2014
POWER TRAIN
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TOLL PLAZA I FELT THE CAR SHUTTER AND HEARD/FELT IT BANG. THAN THE CAR DROPPED INTO SECOND GEAR AND THE "D" INDICATOR OF THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FLASH. I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (THROUGH A LOT OF TRAFFIC). ONCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I WAS ABLE TO SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT. THE CAR WORKED FINE AFTER THAT. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE. IT WAS REPAIRED THE FIRST 2 TIMES BY THE DEALER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10667078December 18, 2014
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,611.
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
#10659544December 16, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO TURN OFF AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO ACTIVATE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JUMP A CURB AND RUN OFF THE ROAD, INJURING THE CONSUMERS WIFE. *TA
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10664385December 15, 2014
AIR BAGS
DURING MILD ACCELERATION THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG, THE SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED AT THE TIME. THE DEALER UNPLUGGED AND RECONNECTED THE LIGHT AND RESET THE WANING LIGHT. HE THEN ORDERED A NEW WIRING HARNESS PN 3C0971366DE WHICH WAS INSTALLED ON 11/26/2014. THIS PART IS CONNECTED TO A PART REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 97U3 PN 5K0998582 ON 01/14/2011. I DO NOT TRUST THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN THIS CAR AND THINK THERE IS REASON FOR AN INVESTIGATION. THE EXPLANATION OF THE PROBLEM WAS INADEQUATE AND OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET INDICATE AN ON GOING PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THE PROBABLE PROBLEM WAS SALT AND CORROSION BUT THIS IS NOT THE CASE. I HAVE THE OLD WIRING HARNESS AND IT IS IN MINT CONDITION. I THINK THE MOST LIKELY PROBLEM IS POOR CONTACT MATING. (THE PART IS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR INSPECTION IF YOU WOULD LIKE.) PLEASE ADD THIS VEHICLE TO YOUR ON GOING INVESTIGATION OF SIMILAR PASSAT'S AND JETTA'S. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10664457December 15, 2014
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG FAULT INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10664459December 15, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO INCIDENT TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR AND WITHOUT WARNING OF ANY KIND MY CAR SHUTS OFF AND I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED . I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK TRIED STARTING THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED RIGHT AWAY . I DROVE VEHICLE HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT . I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM NO ENGINE CODES WHERE PRESENT . I DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK AND THIS SAME SCENARIO PLAYED OUT AGAIN I WASN'T DRIVING THE CAR ANY FURTHER AT THIS POINT BECAUSE AGAIN I HAD MY CHILD IN THE CAR AND AGAIN ALSO GOT REAR ENDED . HAD IT TOWED TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC AND THEY TO WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY ENGINE CODES OR PROBLEMS . I HAD MY BOYFRIEND DRIVE THE CAR HOME AND IT STALLED ON HIM AT A RED LIGHT . CAR WOULDN'T RESTART SO HE HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE ACROSS A LANE OF TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD . WHEN THE CAR COOLED DOWN FOR 2 HOURS IT RESTARTED AND DROVE FINE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR CODES PRESENT .. AFTER A MONTH OF HEADACHES WITH THE CAR WE DISCOVERS IT WAS A FAULTY ENGINE SPEED SENSOR THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PART TO FAIL WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING THE CAR POWERLESS IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY I IMAGINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10663521December 11, 2014
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, AN UNUSUAL SOUND WAS HEARD AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD BECOME FRACTURED AND THE CAM SHAFT PULLEY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10663582December 11, 2014
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING. SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR. THIS OCCURRED THREE OTHER TIMES, EVEN AFTER THEY CAR HAD BEEN IN FOR REPAIR. VARIOUS ENGINE PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, SUCH THE TURBO KIT, TURBO CHARGER, GLOW PLUGS. THE LAST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON DEC 5 AFTER PICKING THE VEHICLE UP AND ASSURED THAT IT WAS FULLY REPAIRED. WHILE EXITING THE DEALERSHIP, THE CAR LOST POWER AND I WAS ALMOST T-BONED. THE DEALER CONTINUES TO REPLACE PARTS ON THE ADVICE OF THE VW REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER. YET WE HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IN MOTION. THEY HAVE PUT MORE MILES ON IT THAN WE HAVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10663409December 10, 2014
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I FEEL THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THERE IS KNOW WAY TO BYPASS THE ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL. EVERY OTHER CAR I'VE OWNED INCLUDING MY 2005 PASSAT HAS A BUTTON THAT ALLOW YOU TO BYPASS THE TRACTION CONTROL. THE PASSAT IS DESIGNED TO SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN WHEN THE TIRES BEGIN TO SPIN. THIS MAY HELP A NOVICE DRIVER OR BE HELPFUL IN THE RAIN, BUT WHEN YOUR IN THE SNOW OR ICE AND ON A HILL OR INCLINE IT IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE THE ENGINE CUT OFF AND LEAVE YOU STOPPED. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET TRACTION ON A HILL OR TO GET ANY MOMENTUM WHEN THE CAR SHUTS THE ENGINE DOWN WHEN THE TIRES SPIN. THIS LEAVES YOU AT A STAND STILL AND VULNERABLE TO CARS OR TRUCKS BEHIND YOU. THE PASSAT SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO BYPASS THE TRACTION CONTROL UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES,SO YOU CAN SPIN THE TIRES TO GET MOMENTUM, SO YOU CAN AT LEAST MOVE OFF THE ROADWAY. IT IS NECESSARY TO SPIN THE TIRES UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES SO AT LEAST YOU CAN MOVE THE CAR TO A SAFE LOCATION. I WOULD HATE TO SEE SOMEONE GET HURT BECAUSE THE PASSAT BECOMES IMMOBILE WHEN THE TIRES SPIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10663066December 9, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR IN THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT, A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE STARTED TO COME THROUGH THE VENTS. I OPEN THE HOOD AN A LINE BEHIND THE ENGINE BAY WAS SQUIRTING OUT GASOLINE DIRECTLY ONTO THE HOT SURFACE OF THE ENGINE. I CHECK ONLINE AND I SEE THAT THERE WAS APREVIOUS RECALL THE R5 RECALL BUT MANY OWNERS WERE BEING TOLD BY VOLKSWAGEN THAT IT'S NO LONGER COVERED OR THAT THERE VIN WASN'T COVERED EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS THE SAME YEAR ON THE RECALL. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN ASWELL AND THEY MENTIONED TO ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAD BEEN SERVICED ALREADY. IT LEAKS WHEN IT'S ON OR NOT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
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
#10662926December 8, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UNABLE TO UNLOCK DRIVERS SIDE DOOR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH KEY FOB. NO MECHANICAL SOUND HEARD ON DRIVERS DOOR WHEN KEY FOB PRESSED. ALL THREE (3) OTHER DOORS UNLOCKED WITH NO ISSUES. ON A COUPLE OF OTHER OCCASIONS, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE AND COULD NOT EXIT THE CAR (HANDLE ONLY MOVED A SMALL AMOUNT AND SEEMED 'JAMMED'). AFTER SEVERAL TIMES OF PRESSING THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON THE DOOR FINALLY OPENED. ONCE I HAD TO EXIT THE CAR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE INABILITY TO EXIT THE CAR THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN MY MIND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10662594December 6, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THIS IS ALL ABOUT VW PASSAT 2008 2.0T, IT WAS A RAINY DAY ON SATURDAY (NOV-14) ENGINE STARTED MISFIRE AND GAVE FLASHING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT, IMMEDIATELY WENT TO SEE THE VW SERVICE TO GET THE FEEDBACK, SERVICE GUY GUESSED IT MIGHT CAUSED DUE TO MISFIRE IN ONE OR MORE CYLINDER AND TOOK VEHICLE BACK WITH ENGINE FLUID TOPOFF, ON THE WAY BACK HOME THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME AND STAYED CONSTANT. SO ON MONDAY MORNING WENT TO VW SERVICE TO GET FULL DIAGNOSE, SERVICE GUY GAVE P300 AND P301 AS RANDOM MISFIRES AND DID ADDITIONAL FINDINGS SAYING INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS DE-CARB WITH $1000+ IN SERVICE CHARGE, I DECLINED THE REPAIR AND GOT THE VEHICLE BACK WITH CLEARED CODE. NOW THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING SMOOTH AND SEEMS IT LOST TURBO POWER. EVEN DURING FREEWAY TAKE OVER IF I PRESS HARD ON GAS PEDDLE ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES FOR COUPLE TIMES AND THERE IS NO FASTER PICK UP TO DO SMOOTH OVER TAKE, IF I CHOOSE RUN VEHICLE UNDER THIS CONDITION IT MAY NOT BE SAFE ON ROADS. I READ SIMILAR COMPLAINTS REPORTED HERE. PLANNING TO TAKE BACK TO SERVICE CENTER TO SEE IF THEY GOT ANY POSSIBLE RECALL UPDATES FROM VW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10662370December 5, 2014
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE COMPRESSOR WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPRESSOR FAILED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10662218December 4, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES
THE PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTIONS DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE ELECTRONICS SYSTEM BOARD. THIS ISSUE IS SEVERELY UNDER-REPORTED AS A LARGE PORTION OF CARS AFFECTED IGNORE OR RESET THE ERROR BY DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY EACH TIME IT APPEARS. THIS NEEDS TO BE AN OFFICIAL RECALL BUT VW REFUSES TO DO IT BECAUSE THEY CLAIM "NOT ENOUGH CARS ARE AFFECTED". *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10662268December 4, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE HAS STALLED PERIODICALLY (ONCE A MONTH?) AT LOW SPEEDS EVERY SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN (AUGUST?) 2012. OFTEN THE STALL OCCURS AT TIMES IN TRAFFIC WHEN ONCOMING TRAFFIC MAKES IT DANGEROUS. I LOVE THIS CAR, BUT THIS PROBLEM HAS OFTEN MOTIVATED ME TO SELL IT. IT IS A DIESEL. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS POSSIBLY CAUSED BY DIESEL FUEL CONTAMINATED WITH GASOLINE OR OTHER MATERIAL. SOME THINK IT IS CAUSED BY THE BOSCH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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