Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10572524March 15, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHENEVER OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE REACHES BELOW 20 DEGREES F THE DRIVER SIDE LOCK FREEZES MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THIS DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, AS THE ONLY MEANS OF ENTRY AND EGRESS IS THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, SUBMERGING IN WATER, FIRE, OR OTHER TYPE INCIDENT, THERE IS SIGNIFICANT RISK, SHOULD THE DRIVER NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CALLED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARE ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS (CASE NUMBERS ARE DOCUMENTED, CALLS RECORDED), ONLY TO BE REASSURED THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER CALLS REGARDING THIS. THE SOLUTION (HELP) THAT THEY OFFER IS TO HAVE ME BRING THE VEHICLE TO MY DEALERSHIP WHEN THE LOCK IS FROZE, SO THE DEALER CAN SEE THE LOCK WHEN IT IS IN THIS CONDITION. IN ESSENCE, THEY ARE ASKING ME TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THEY MANUFACTURED WITH A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN TO MY DEALERSHIP WHEN IT IS THE MOST UNSAFE TO DRIVE. SHOULD I OR ANYONE ELSE HAVE A NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE LOCK IS FROZEN, THERE IS NO WAY TO DO THIS. THIS POSES AN IMMINENT HEALTH THREAT, AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF LIFE OR LIMB. AS I STARTED INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE FOUND COUNTLESS WEBSITES AND FORUMS THAT ADDRESS THIS SAME CONCERN WITH DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FREEZING ON VOLKSWAGEN PRODUCTS, TO THE EXTENT THAT IT REALLY MAKES ME WONDER WHY OUR GOVERNMENT IS NOT ENTRENCHED IN THIS ISSUE. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RESPONSE TO THIS CONCERN THAT I RAISE. IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD ABOUT THIS ISSUE PRIOR TO MY WRITING, PLEASE CONSIDER THIS AS OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION THAT I HAVE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN THAT WARRANTS GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION. FURTHERMORE, THIS ISSUE PRESENTS A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER, AND IMMANENT RISK TO CONSUMER HEALTH AND SAFETY, AND NOW YOU HAVE NOTIFICATION. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, AND LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE. [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
#10572573March 15, 2014
ENGINE
EXITING INTERSTATE AND MERGING ONTO STATE ROUTE, VEHICLE LOST POWER, COULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED IN TRAFFIC. TOWED TO DEALER NEXT DAY, FOUND TURBOCHARGER HAD FAILED WITH NO WARNING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10569447March 14, 2014
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
NOTICED HI-PITCHED WHINE WHICH GOT LOUDER AS RPM'S OF ENGINE INCREASED. HAD VEHICLE TOWED UNDER WARRANTY TO VW DEALERSHIP. ISSUE WAS A DEFECTIVE TURBO. HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THIS LOW OF MILEAGE. IF THE TURBO HAD FAILED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OR DURING A AVOIDANCE/PASSING MANEUVER, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY OR WORSE. I'M HEARING OF MORE AND MORE OF THESE TURBO ISSUES ON THIS MODEL/STYLE OF VW PASSATS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10569471March 14, 2014
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
TURBO FAILED ON A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY. TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. SEVERE DAMAGE TO ENGINE, INTAKE COMPONENTS AND EXHAUST DEVICES. WHILE THIS FAILURE DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IT PLACED US IN CONSIDERABLE DANGER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10572501March 14, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE NOTED WHEN REPLACING FRONT HEADLIGHT BULBS THAT THE PLASTIC COVERING THE HEADLIGHT WIRING WAS DETERIORATING ON ALL THE WIRES TO THE POINT THAT THE WIRING WAS COMING IN CONTACT WITH OTHER DETERIORATED WIRING CAUSING A SHORT AND FAILURE OF THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE A FAILURE INVOLVING A TYPE OF PLASTIC COVERING THE INTERNAL HEADLIGHT WIRES THAT ATTACH TO THE BULBS THAT MAY BE, OR LIKELY BE FAILING DUE TO HEAT CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT WIRES, THE HEADLIGHT BULBS AND BURNED OUT HEADLIGHT FUSES DUE TO THE SHORTING OUT OF THE HEADLIGHT WIRES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10568121March 10, 2014
ENGINE
PULLED INTO GARAGE AND PARK AFTER COMING HOME FROM WORK. CAR STARTED ON FIRE 10 MINUTES LATER. THE CAR BURNED COMPLETELY ALONG WITH GARAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10568109March 10, 2014
ENGINE
2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH 117000 MILES ON THIS CAR WITH 1.8 TURBO, STOP OIL PRESSURE LOW, TOOK TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND OIL SLUDGE WAS DETECTED, WAS CLEANED AND STARTED RUNNING NORMALLY AGAIN BUT EMITTED A WHITE SMOKE THAT SMELLED FROM EXHAUST. TWO WEEKS LATER STOP OIL PRESSURE LOW ON CAR AGAIN TOOK TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP AGAIN. ANOTHER 500.00 AND THIS WAS YET AGAIN CLEANED AND WHITE SMOKE STILL COMING FROM EXHAUST. WAS TOLD THAT IF THE TURBO IS GOING OUT THAT THE OIL SLUDGE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD UP AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567797March 7, 2014
ENGINE
MY CAR WAS BURNT ON HIGHWAY WEEK AGO. ALL MY FAMILIES WERE ON THE CAR THAT TIME. I CALLED THE POLICE OFFICE, THE POLICEMEN AND FIREMEN ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE IN 10 MINS. 2 DAYS LATER, AFTER WE CHECKED THE CAR WITH THE INVESTIGATORS FROM THE FIRE DEPT., THEY FOUND THAT THERE ARE 2 HOLES ON THE ENGINE, THE OIL SPRAYED OUT AND TOUCHED THE HIGH TEMPERATURE AREA INSIDE THE CAR SO THE FIRE HAPPENED! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567691March 6, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AS THE ENGINE, AIR BAG AND BRAKE SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567399March 5, 2014
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE WAS DOWN ON POWER WITH NOTICEABLE TURBOCHARGER WHINING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, TURBOCHARGER WAS REPLACED. ORIGINAL TURBO HAD DAMAGE ON IMPELLER AND TURBO HOUSING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566831March 3, 2014
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD FLASH INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CORD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566695March 2, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE
I LEFT MY HOME AND DRIVE MY VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 1.5 MILES AT SPEEDS AT OR UNDER 25 MPH. I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN BEFORE MAKING A RIGHT TURN ONTO ANOTHER ROAD. WHEN I ACCELERATED THE CAR HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND I COULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED. I WAS ABLE TO GO APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND I WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC. LATER THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A PREMATURE TURBO FAILURE. IF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAD OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I MAY HAVE BEEN IN DANGER OR ENDANGERED OTHER MOTORISTS. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS BEING MORE FREQUENTLY REPORTED ON INTERNET FORUMS AND MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING TURBO FAILURES AT LOW MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566579March 1, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE
I HAVE A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0T. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED WITH 66000 MILES. AFTER NUMEROUS VISITS TO MY DEALER ABOUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON AND THEM SAYING IT WAS A SENSOR NOT A PROBLEM THEY WOULD REPLACE IT. I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 65 DOING 65MPH THE CAR SPUTTERED AND LOST MOST POWER DOWN A MAJOR INTERSTATE. THIS CAUSED A QUICK REDUCTION IS SPEED. COME TO FIND OUT THE CAMSHAFT AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WERE DESTROYED BY THE TWO COMPONENTS GRINDING AGAINST EACH OTHER. NOW THE 2006 AND THE 2007 VEHICLES BOTH HAD THIS PROBLEM AND VOLKSWAGEN PUT EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON THESE VEHICLES. THIS COULD CAUSE A ACCIDENT SOONER OR LATER. THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566419February 28, 2014
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
A RAINY NIGHT, 10:30 PM., ON THE FREEWAY RETURNING HOME FROM A SYMPHONY CONCERT, THE ENGINE SIMPLY QUIT. I, HUSBAND/DRIVER, TRIED THREE TIME TO RESTART IT BEFORE YELLING TO MY WIFE TO TURN ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS WHICH SHE DID. AS WE SLOWED, I REMEMBER SEEING ALL ICONS ON DASH BLINKING. BOTH OF US WERE KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND DO NOT REMEMBER BEING HIT BY THE CAR BEHIND. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INJURIES SUSTAINED: A CONTUSION AND MINOR WHIPLASH BY HUSBAND; FRACTURED C-7 AND T-1 VERTEBRATES AND CONCUSSION BY MY WIFE. SHE HAS BEEN IN A NECK-TO-WAIST BRACE FROM NOV. 10, 2013 UNTIL PRESENT. WE ALWAYS MAINTAINED OUR PASSAT SCRUPULOUSLY ACCORDING TO VW STANDARDS AT THEIR SERVICE CENTERS BY THEIR TRAINED MECHANICS. ONE MONTH EARLIER WE HAD BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO BE CHECKED BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT WOULD NOT START AFTER DRIVING IT SOMEPLACE. TWICE HAD TO WAIT FOR AAA TOWING. AAA ABLE TO START IT RIGHT UP AS THOUGH NOTHING WAS WRONG. VW RAN "FAULT CODES" BUT FOUND NO PROBLEM.WE BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY AT VW'S SUGGESTION. SOMETHING WENT HORRIBLY WRONG WITH OUR CAR INSPITE OF OUR RESPONSIBLE MAINTENANCE. WE WERE EXTREMELY LUCKY NOT TO BE KILLED. WE WISH TO KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHER CASES LIKE OURS. AT THE VERY LEAST, WE WANT OTHERS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS POSSIBLE DANGER. I WILL APPRECIATE YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THIS REPORT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10566226February 27, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566308February 27, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE
VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT WHEN A LOUD "CRACK" WAS HEARD FOLLOWED BY A LOUD GRINDING AND WHISTLING SOUND, THE CAR LOST POWER. MY WIFE FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND TURN INTO A RESIDENTIAL STREET. AFTER COMING TO A STOP THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING SHE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR AT A VERY SLOW SPEED (CAR WOULD GO NO FASTER THAN ABOUT 10 MPH) TO A BUSINESS PARKING LOT AND CALL VOLKSWAGEN ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE OUR CAR TO THE NEAREST VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE DEALER SERVICE ADVISER INFORMED US OF THE TURBO FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565580February 24, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED OFF ROAD INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT, AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V375000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565564February 24, 2014
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AS THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ADDED OIL TO THE VEHICLE BUT THE ENGINE REFUSED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT AND THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565407February 22, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES
PUT KEYFOB IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH ILLUMINATED BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN. ALSO STEERING LOCK WARNING LOCK KEEPS BLINKING. CAR IS STUCK IN PARK, MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE IT TOWED, BEFORE FINALLY HAVING AN EXPERIENCED TOW TRUCK DRIVER DRAG IT ON TO A FLAT BED BECAUSE OF CAR BEING STUCK IN PARK, KEY FOB LOCKED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, HAS BEEN TOWED TO 3 DIFFERENT SHOPS WHO HAVE YET TO PINPOINT THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. ONE SHOP CLAIMED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND THAT IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH HOWEVER WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT. HAS SPENT XXX AMOUNT OF MONEY HAVING IT TOWED TO SEVERAL SHOPS AND STILL NOT FIXED. FRUSTRATED!!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565213February 20, 2014
POWER TRAIN, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
I HAVE THE TURBO DIESEL VERSION. I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 695 IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND DURING RUSH HOUR (0800ISH) WHEN I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ONLY TO LOSE POWER. THE CAR HAD JUST ENOUGH POWER TO GET ME OFF THE ROAD AND BECOME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THIS MAJOR HIGHWAY FOR 80+ MINUTES. DEALERSHIP REPORTED FAILED TURBO. THIS WAS NOT A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE AND ONE THAT I HOPE OTHERS DO NOT HAVE TO EXPERIENCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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