Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10638111September 22, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
RECENTLY HAD THE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE DONE, BROUGHT THE CAR HOME AND FOUND THAT WHEN IT COOLED AND ALL FLUIDS SETTLED OVERNIGHT, THE FUEL PUMP WAS HAVING TROUBLE- RESULTING IN CAR NOT STARTING. AFTER ONE HOUR OF TURNING THE KEY OVER-AND-OVER, THEN GIVING IT GAS, IT EVENTUALLY STARTED. EXCITED, I TOOK THE CAR OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE, IT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A FOR WAY INTERSECTION. THANKFULLY I LIVE IN A VERY SMALL TOWN, IF THAT HAD HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY THERE WOULD BE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT. CONSIDERING I BOUGHT THIS CAR A COUPLE YEARS AGO, I DON'T FEEL I'M AT FAULT FOR NOT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE DEALERSHIPS RECALL AND IT'S IN MY BEST INTEREST TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER TO SEE IF I'M ELIGIBLE FOR THE FREE REPLACEMENT BY THE DEALER. I WOULD APPRECIATE SOMEONE GETTING BACK TO ME VIA E-MAIL OR TEXT MESSAGE(CANNOT MAKE OR RECEIVE PHONE CALLS) TOP LET ME KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU, VERY MUCH [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10638209September 22, 2014
ENGINE
OUR PASSAT IS THE TDI (DIESEL) MODEL. WE PURCHASED IT USED AND AT AROUND 185,000-190,000 (LOW MILES BY DIESEL ENGINE STANDARDS), THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE BEING DRIVEN. I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. DIAGNOSTICS REVEALED THAT THE CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP ASSEMBLY HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE CHAIN BROKE AND GOT ALL UP IN THE ENGINE AND OIL WAS NO LONGER BEING PUMPED INTO THE ENGINE SO THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED REQUIRING A COMPLETE ENGINE REPAIR. ABOUT 16,000 MILES LATER, I WAS DRIVING AND THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. VOLKSWAGEN HAS ISSUED AN INTERNAL TECHNICAL BULLETIN TELLING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE FIX IS CHANGING OUT THE CHAIN DRIVEN ASSEMBLY WITH A GEAR DRIVEN ONE. THEY ALSO NEVER MADE ANOTHER MODEL WITH A CHAIN DRIVEN ASSEMBLY AFTER THAT MODEL YEAR. SO THEY BASICALLY ADMITTED THAT THIS IS A FAULTY SYSTEM YET WON'T ISSUE A RECALL. CHANGING OUT THE ASSEMBLY IS $1500 FOR THE PART ALONE AND IF YOU'RE CHANGING OUT THAT PART, THE CHANCES ARE GOOD IT'S BECAUSE IT FAILED AND YOU NOW HAVE A DESTROYED ENGINE AS WELL WHICH IS A SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLAR JOB EVEN FOR A USED ENGINE. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL WHEN IT'S GOING TO FAIL AND IT'S NOT PART OF ANY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. VOLKSWAGEN HAS TOLD ME THAT IT'S NOT A COMMON ENOUGH PROBLEM TO ISSUE A RECALL AND YET IT'S A COMMON ENOUGH PROBLEM TO HAVE TO ISSUE A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ABOUT IT. I FIND IT ABOMINABLE THAT THEY KNOW THIS HAS AND IS HAPPENING WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THEY ARE NOT LETTING PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT IT. EVEN IF THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR IT TO BE FIXED, THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THEY ARE DRIVING A TICKING TIME BOMB. SOMEONE COULD GET KILLED IF THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN ON THEM WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON A HIGHWAY. NO POWER STEERING. NO BRAKES. IT'S COMPLETELY UNETHICAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10637884September 21, 2014
ENGINE
SMELLED SMOKE IN CABIN OF CAR STOPPED CAR ON INTERSTATE I-4. SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. LIFTED HOLD TO SEE OIL ALL OVER ENGINE AND EXHAUST. HAD TOW TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED AS A REAR MAIN SEAL DEFECT DUE TO NOT BEADING THE SEAL AT THE FACTORY. FIRE HAZARD!!!!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10637530September 19, 2014
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR STATE INSPECTION AND NO FAILURE CODES WERE PRESENT AT THAT TIME. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 32 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10637575September 19, 2014
ENGINE
LOW OIL PRESSURE DO TO SLUDGE BUILD UP. BOUGHT THE CAR AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE. I BOUGHT IT AROUND 60K AND AT 100K I AM BEING TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10637396September 18, 2014
VISIBILITY/WIPER
HEATED SIDE MIRRORS WILL NOT TURN ON WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS OVER 68 DEGREES. IN HOUSTON, IT'S OFTEN OVER 68 DEGREES, AND MIRRORS WILL FOG OVER. THE SIDE MIRRORS ARE USELESS WHEN THEY'RE FOGGED OVER, AND COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE LACK OF VISIBILITY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10632206September 10, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE HEEL OF HER SHOE WOULD BECOME STUCK IN THE FLOOR MAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY AND THE POTENTIAL RISK OF BECOMING INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10630929September 5, 2014
ENGINE
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AT 42K MILES IN MAY 2010. THE VW DEALERSHIP HAD CHANGED OIL AT THE TIME OF MY PURCHASE. ALMOST EXACTLY 4 WEEKS LATER I CHECKED MY OIL AND NONE REGISTERED ON THE DIPSTICK. IT REQUIRED AN ENTIRE QUART OF OIL TO BRING BACK TO ACCEPTABLE FILL LEVEL. CALLING VW THEY STATED THIS WAS NOT ENOUGH OIL TO EVEN CONSTITUTE AN OIL TEST. THEY STATED THAT THIS FSI MOTOR CAN BURN UP TO 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1200 MILES AND WILL STILL BE WITHIN THE MFR ACCEPTABLE LIMITS. THIS MEANS IN THIS 2.0T 4 CYL MOTOR IT CAN BURN OVER 6 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, WHICH IS MORE THAN IT CAN HOLD. A QUART OF FULL SYNTHETIC OIL CASTROL BRAND AS REQUIRED IS OVER $9, THIS IS NOT COST EFFECTIVE AND INFURIATING. I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER VW BECAUSE OF THIS EXPERIENCE AND RECOMMEND ANYONE ELSE NOT TO AS WELL. VW OFFERED NO OPTIONS REPAIRS OR FIXES AND I FOOT THE EXPENSIVE OIL HABIT. WHO BUYS A CAR THAT KNOWINGLY BURNS AND BREAKS DOWN FULL SYNTHETIC OIL? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10631008September 5, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AS WITH SIMILAR REPORTS THE CAR WAS DRIVEN THEN SAT FOR 24HRS, WHEN IT WAS STARTED AGAIN A STRONG GAS SMELL WAS NOTICED AND A PUDDLE OF GAS WAS FOUND UNDER THE PASSENGER REAR PANEL. IMMEDIATELY TOOK TO REPAIR STATION WHERE THEY COULD NOT FIND A LEAK. THEY FILLED THE TANK WITH GAS AND LEFT IT TO SIT OVERNIGHT AND UNDER PRESSURE. NO LEAK. 3 WEEKS HAVE PASSED WITH TYPICAL DRIVING, NOT EXCESSIVE USE AND NO LEAKS UNTIL TODAY SEPTEMBER 5TH 2014. STARTED THE CAR UP AND BACKED UP TO FIND A GAS PUDDLE AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10629809September 1, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
VEHICLE: 2004 VW PASSAT 4MOTION SEDAN W/1.8L TURBO, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FILLED VEHICLES FUEL TANK, NOTICED STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE, NOTICED FUEL DRIPPING FROM FUEL TANK OF VEHICLE TO GROUND. CANNOT FILL TANK WITHOUT GAS DRIPPING TO GROUND; FUEL LEAK IS NEXT TO EXHAUST SYSTEM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE (VERY DANGEROUS). FOUND FOLLOWING INFORMATION: MANUFACTURER: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC SUMMARY: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A FUEL LINE (1.8T ENGINES ONLY) OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) THAT CAN LEAK DUE TO FRACTURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10629071August 28, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WAS PULLING SLOWLY INTO A PARKING SPACE, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED AND HIT A PARKING METER POLE. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN SIX AND A HALF WEEKS LATER, AGAIN AT VERY LOW SPEED. THIS TIME THE CAR HIT THE WALL OF THE PARKING RAMP, AND THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED. IN BOTH CASES, IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN THAT MORNING, A DISTANCE OF ABOUT THREE MILES. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10629164August 28, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TDI ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, HAD THE DEALERSHIP CHECK IT OUT, IT INDICATED A SENSOR FAILURE. THE COST TO REPAIR WAS $1,100.00 DEALERSHIP REDUCED IT TO $430, SAID VW PITCHED IT BECAUSE IT MAY END UP AS A RECALL AND WE WOULD RECEIVE OUR MONEY BACK IF THAT HAPPENS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10628678August 27, 2014
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE RADIATOR, THE WATER PUMP, AND THE TIMING BELT. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10628479August 26, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES PER HOUR ON STATE HIGHWAY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER. STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD AND COAST INTO PARKING LOT. CAR WOULD NOT START FOR 24 HOURS TO MOVE TO REPAIR SHOP. AFTER DIFFICULTY DIAGNOSING DUE TO LOSS OF ALL POWER, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE POWER SUPPLY RELAY WAS APPARENTLY BAD. COULD FIND NO RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE. SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A CAR WITH SO FEW MILES WHICH HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY ISSUE! WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER IN TIME TO AVOID TRAFFIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10628549August 26, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE HORN BECAME INOPERABLE. THE PROBLEM RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN...UPDATED 03-11-15 *BF UPDATED 6/18/2015*JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10628112August 25, 2014
STEERING
MY 2014 PASSAT TDI VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT ...ON HIGHWAY, IN RIGHT LANE, WILL MOVE RIGHT OFF THE ROAD IN LESS THAN 7 SECONDS IF HANDS ARE NOT ON THE WHEEL. DEALER MADE SOME IMPROVEMENTS ....IE BEFORE IT WOULD RUN OFF THE ROAD IN LESS THAN 3 SECONDS. VW FIELD REPRESENTATION CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL EFFECT OF ROAD CROWN AND REFUSES TO CORRECT THE CONDITION. I DROVE A PASSAT ( NON DIESEL ) THAT DROVE FINE... I DROVE A 2015 PASSAT DIESEL THAT WAS BETTER BUT STILL HAD EXCESSIVE PULL FROM ROAD CROWN. I'M CONSTANTLY FIGHTING THE VEHICLE TO STAY ON THE HIGHWAY....ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING IN THE RIGHT LANE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME .....VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY ON THE ROAD! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10627448August 22, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
POSSIBLE CAM TENSIONER THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO MAKE A LOUD CLICKING NOISE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AS A RESULT. TOOK IT TO 3 MECHANICS AND DID A DIAGNOSTIC BUT COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. HELP ME PLEASE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10626953August 21, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I BEGAN NOTICING A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING THROUGH THE VENT WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD, I NOTICED THAT THE RIGID FUEL LINE HAD CRACKED WHERE IT PASSED THROUGH A MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE UPPER REAR OF THE ENGINE BAY. THE CRACK WAS EMITTING A STEADY FLOW OF FUEL ONTO THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WE DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR ANY FURTHER AND HAD THE LINE REPAIRED WITH A PATCH OF FLEXIBLE FUEL LINE MATERIAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10627339August 21, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO HAVE DINNER WITH MY DAUGHTER AND THE CAR STARTED LOSING POWER. IT WAS ONLY A 4 MINUTE TRIP AND BY THE TIME I GOT TO MY DAUGHTER'S DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE WAS SMOKING. AFTER USING A HOSE TO COOL OFF THE HOOD, THE HOOD WAS POPPED AND THERE WAS A FIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. AFTER WE GOT THE FIRE OUT, LOT OF HOSES AND THE WIRE ASSEMBLY WERE BURNED BADLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10626621August 20, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
ENGINE LOST POWER, GLOW PLUG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING BARELY MADE IT TO THE DEALER. DEALER BLAMED BAD FUEL. IDENTICAL PROBLEM AT 26,480 MILES. DEALER REPLACED HPFP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen Passat