Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10564966February 19, 2014
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING AND I PULLED INTO MY PARKING LOT AND MY ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. I PUT IT OUT WITH SNOW THANK GOD OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. I ALWAYS HAVE COOLANT AND OIL AND I CHECKED IT A LOT CAUSE OF THE FREEZING WEATHER WE HAVE HAD RECENTLY HAD -30 FOR QUITE AWHILE. I CALLED VW CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY WERE VERY WORRIED ABOUT MY SAFETY AT 1ST THEN THEY HAD A PRODUCT SOMETHING GUY CALL ME AFTER SEE THE PICTURE I SENT THEM. I UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE PEOPLE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A QUICK ESCAPE GOAT BUT THIS WAS A FIRE IT COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH WORSE IF THERE WAS NOT SNOW NEAR BY. I WANT MY CAR FIXED BUT I AM MORE WORRIED ABOUT THE NEXT PERSON THIS COULD HAPPEN TOO. I SHOULD TELL YOU AFTER ASK HIM IF HE JUST WANTED TO FIND THE REASON BEHIND IT HE SAID NO. PERSONALLY A CAR FIRE IS NOT A NORMAL THING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564891February 18, 2014
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING HOME ON A SNOWY DAY WAS GOING UP A STEEP HILL CAUSING THE CAR TO SLIDE SIDE TO SIDE HAD TO TRY AND EASE UP THE HILL, WHICH INTERN RAISED HE RPM UP AND THE "STOP OIL PRESSURE LIGHT &TURN OFF ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON AFTER RESEARCHING IT SEEMS TO BE A SLUDGE ISSUE AND IS GOING TO BE COSTLY REPAIR AND WOULD MOST LIKELY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ON THIS ISSUE THE CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED USING SYNTHETIC OIL ON ALL OIL CHANGES SINCE PURCHASED DID PURCHASE USED BUT ACCORDING TO THE CAR FAX AND AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALERS THAT SERVICE THE VEHICLE IT HAS ALWAYS HAD SYNTHETIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564483February 15, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
STARTED CAR AFTER BEING PARKED FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. FUEL (DIESEL) STARTED POURING OUT THE BACK BY THE FUEL TANK NECK. ABOUT 2-3 GALLONS OF FUEL CAME OUT ( LESS THAN A MINUTE) BEFORE REALIZED THIS WAS HAPPENING AND TURNED CAR OFF. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE DETERMINED THE FUEL LINE CAME OFF BUT CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY OR HOW. VW TOLD THEM THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED. CHECKED ON LINE AND CAN SEE THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT IS HAPPENING BUT NOT BEING REPORTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564317February 14, 2014
ENGINE
I NOTICED MY COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS LOW AND ADDED COOLANT. I HAD ALSO NOTICED THE SMELL OF COOLANT IN THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY I CHECK COOLANT LEVEL AGAIN IT WAS LOW WITH NO LEAKS NOTICED UNDER CAR. I OPENED REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND FOUND AT LEAST 1" OF COOLANT ON TOP OF THE CARPET. I STARTED LOOKING ONLINE FOR THIS ISSUE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ON VOLKSWAGEN. I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THESE OR AT LEAST HAVE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM CASE BY CASE. MY GRANDDAUGHTER HAS TO RIDE IN THE BACK OF THIS CAR AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S SAFE ANYMORE. I WILL HAVE TO BYPASS HEATER CORE TO STOP THIS UNTIL REPAIRS CAN ME MADE. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET VOLKSWAGEN TO FIX THIS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564284February 13, 2014
ENGINE
MY CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED WHEN I ENTERED A CONVENIENCE STORE. NO SMOKE FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OR ANY SIGN OF TROUBLE WHEN I ENTERED THE STORE. I EXITED THE STORE APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES AFTER ENTERING, AND THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE BELLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SOMETHING UNDER THE HOOD HAD CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE ULTIMATELY GREW LARGE ENOUGH WHERE A STANDARD FIRE EXTINGUISHER COULD NOT PUT OUT THE FLAME AND A FIREFIGHTERS WERE REQUIRED. THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE FIREFIGHTERS ON THE SCENE AND A MECHANIC AFTERWARDS COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, BUT BELIEVED THAT IT WAS LIKELY MECHANICAL OF SOME SORT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563990February 12, 2014
SUSPENSION
MY WIFE BOUGHT A 2008 TOUAREG FROM A LOCAL DEALER WITH ABOUT 16,000 MILES ON IT AND SHE SELDOM DRIVES THE VEHICLE (TO AND FROM WORK). AFTER ABOUT 3 OR 4K MILES THE TIRES BEGAN TO MAKE ALOT OF NOISE. I NOTED FEATHERING/CUPPING ONLY ON THE INSIDE REAR TIRES. THE TIRES WITH NEW ONES AND AFTER ABOUT 8,000 MILES (W/ROTATIONS) THE REAR TIRES BEGAN TO FEATHER?CUP AGAIN. I HAVE A 2010 PASSAT THAT HAS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. WHEN THE TIRES BEGIN TO FEATHER/CUP THE NOISE SOUNDS LIKE SNOW TIRES.THIS IS THE REAR TIRES ONLY AND ON THE INSIDE TREAD. I CAN'T ROTATE THE TIRES CAUSE WHEN YOU DO, IT SOUNDS LIKE ONE IS RUNNING ON ALL FLAT TIRES.I CHECKED THE WEB AND THERE IS THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND OF COURSE VW DENIES ANY WRONGDOING. I BELIEVE ITS A REAR GEAR-BOX, OR AXLE PROBLEM. I HAVE SPOKE TO MANY VW OWNERS 07 THRU 2010 AND MOST HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, WHILE ONLY A FEW DO NOT. I BELIEVE A RECALL IS ON ORDER. VW ENGINEERS SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR ALLOWING THIS DEFECT TO LEAVE THEIR FACTORIES AND VOLKSWAGEN TO YOU I SAY..NOT BUILT TO LAST! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564002February 12, 2014
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563843February 11, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
ON A VERY COLD DAY (BELOW FREEZING) IN JANUARY 2013 WHILE DRIVING DOWN MY LONG DRIVEWAY WITH A 4% GRADE, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE CAR AND THE CAR ENTERED THE ROAD. THE ROAD HAS A SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MPH AND FORTUNATELY NO CAR WAS ON THE HIGHWAY OR I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED. ON SUBSEQUENT WARMER DAYS THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE VW DEALER IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, FLOW VW, WHERE THEY FOUND WATER IN THE BOOSTER PUMP AND "REMOVED COWL DRAINS AND VACUUM WATER OF THE BOOSTER." THIS PROBLEM IS CITED IN A VW SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE THE NHTSA WEBSITE - P 9-66C8. THE INVOICE DID NOT MENTION INSTALLING AN IMPROVED POLLEN FILTER SEAL AS IS DESCRIBED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN. THE DEALER DID NOT CHARGE ME FOR THIS REPAIR WHEN I COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS DUE A DESIGN FLAW. THIS RESOLVED THE PROBLEM UNTIL THIS YEAR WHEN ON ANOTHER COLD DAY BELOW FREEZING THE BRAKES AGAIN FAILED TO STOP THE CAR WHEN DRIVING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY. ON SUBSEQUENT WARM DAYS THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY. I TESTED THEM AGAIN ON A VERY COLD DAY AND THEY AGAIN FAILED. I TOOK CAR BACK TO THE SAME VW DEALER ON A WARM DAY AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS WATER IN THE BOOSTER PUMP AND I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE BOOSTER PUMP AT A COST OF ABOUT $800. WHEN I COMPLAINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW AS EVIDENCED BY REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON WEBSITES INCLUDING NHTSA?S WEBSITE THEY EVENTUALLY OFFERED TO LOWER THE PRICE TO $500. I BELIEVE THIS IS STILL TOO MUCH TO PAY FOR WHAT IS CLEARLY A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS WATER TO GET INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND THAT THE DEALER HAD FAILED TO REALLY CORRECT LAST YEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563695February 10, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHT REPAIRED. BOTH HAD STOPPED WORKING OVER THE WEEKEND DUE TO THE INSULATION BECOMING BRITTLE AND BREAKING OFF OF BOTH WIRES TO THE PLUG THAT HOLDS THE LIGHT BULB. THE WIRES WERE SHORTING OUT PREVENTING THE HEADLIGHTS FROM WORKING. I MADE A TEMPORARY FIX BY APPLYING ELECTRICAL TAPE TO THE WIRES THAT ALLOWED THE LIGHTS TO WORK. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 120000 MILES ON IT. THE SERVICE PEOPLE AT WEST HOUSTON VW, [XXX], INDICATED THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM AND THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $ 800. I SEE THIS AS A DEFECT WITH THE WIRES USED FOR THE ASSEMBLY. I CHECKED ON-LINE AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE 2006 PASSAT HEADLIGHTS FAILING. I CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER CARE FOR ASSISTANCE AND WAS DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR AND THE MILEAGE. THEY ALSO INDICATED THERE WAS NO RECALL OR SERVICE ALERT ON THE PROBLEM. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE SINCE THE STAFF AT WEST HOUSTON VW KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS ONCE WE DESCRIBED IT TO THEM. IT SEEMED TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE SEEN WITH THE HEADLIGHTS FAILING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BOTH FROM THE LACK OF LIGHTS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. I HAVE WORKED FOR A WIRE MANUFACTURER AND THE INSULATION DOES NOT JUST BECOME BRITTLE AND FALL OFF OF THE WIRE. THERE IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THE INSULATION ON THE WIRE. VW NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE WIRING. 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
#10563786February 10, 2014
ENGINE
TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH AND CAR LOST POWER. FAILED TURBO ! WE ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT AND JUST MADE IT TO THE SIDE ON THE ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE TALK TO MANY OTHER VW 2012-2013 PASSAT OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563783February 10, 2014
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS DRIVING UP SOMEWHAT OF A HILL AND HAD TO SLOW DOWN DUE TO A BIT OF TRAFFIC FLOW. I HAD REALIZED I WAS A LITTLE CLOSER THAN I THOUGHT SO I BRAKED A LITTLE HARDER THAN USUAL. MY BRAKES WERE GRABBING ON TIGHTLY TO THE GROUND LIKE THEY SHOULD BUT THEN SEEMED TO HAVE GIVEN OUT AT THE LAST COUPLE SECONDS. MY CAR HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, RESULTING IN BOTH MY FRONT AIRBAGS GOING OFF. THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SWUNG OUT AND HIT MY RIGHT HAND, RESULTING IN SOME MINOR BURNS AND SCRAPES. I THEN STARTED GOING BACKWARDS AFTER THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS HIT. I HIT MY BRAKES TO STOP MY CAR FROM ROLLING AND THERE WAS NOTHING. MY CAR WOULD NOT LET ME BRAKE. SO I WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT PARK. FINALLY THE CAR STOPPED ROLLING BACKWARDS AND WE WENT TO GO MOVE THE CAR OUT OF THE STREET ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER. THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE AT THIS POINT, SO I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF PARK AND PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. THE BRAKES ARE WORKING FINE NOW FOR THE MOST PART AND THERE HAD BEEN NO PREVIOUS BRAKE PROBLEMS. THERE WAS NEVER A LIGHT INDICATOR THAT SAID THAT MY BRAKES NEEDED TO BE CHECKED NOR HAD THEY FELT DIFFERENT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563190February 5, 2014
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE CAM FOLLOWER ON 2006-2008 PASSATS WITH THE 2.0T FSI BPY ENGINE ARE ALL SUSCEPTIBLE TO AN EVENT WHERE THE CAM FOLLOWER GETS A HOLE IN IT AND THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP CAN DRILL THROUGH THE INTAKE CAMSHAFT. VOLKSWAGEN GAVE A WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 2006 AND 2007 PASSATS BUT WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THE 2008S! VOLKSWAGEN CLAIMS NEW PARTS WERE USED BUT I HAD THE REPAIR DONE AND THE PART NUMBER ON MY FUEL PUMP WAS DIFFERENT THAN THE NEW ONE! IT IS A $2000 PROBLEM AND THIS NEED TO HAVE ACTION TAKEN! THE SYMPTOMS CAN CAUSE TERRIBLE ACCIDENTS! THEY INCLUDE EXTREMELY POOR ACCELERATION, JOLTS, HESITATIONS, ROUGH STARTS, AND ROUGH IDLES. VOLKSWAGEN SAYS THAT THIS IS VIN SPECIFIC AND 2008S DO NOT APPLY BUT NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH PASSATS, GTI'S, AND JETTA'S WITH THIS ENGINE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM! IT IS DANGEROUS. I HAVE NEARLY GOTTEN IN MANY ACCIDENTS AND IT IS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR IT. THEY HAVE RECOGNIZED IT AS A PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE RELEASED NUMEROUS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS FOR THIS SPECIFIC MODEL YEAR CONCERNING THESE PARTS! THERE NEEDS TO BE FORMAL ACTION TAKEN AS THIS IS NOT JUST A FEW CARS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO, BUT MANY! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562979February 4, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SUSPENSION
ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE FAULT; WAS DRIVING ON JANUARY 18,2014. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THIS EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING YELLOW. ALSO THERE WAS A RED BRAKE LIGHT THAT WAS FLASHING AND BEEPING THREE TIMES. SHE GOT THE CAR UNDER CONTROL MIND YOU SHE IS ONLY 17 AND SHE JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM CAMPUS AUTO HERE IN FORT DODGE, IA ON THE 10TH AND HE TOLD HER NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. EVERYTHING HAS WENT WRONG WITH THIS CAR THAT CAN GO WRONG. SHE PULLED OVER AND READ IN HER MANUAL THAT WITH THE BEEPING 3 TIMES AND THE RED LIGHT INDICATOR SAID THAT SHE WAS SUPPOSE TO GET IT TO A TRUSTED MECHANIC RIGHT AWAY. SO SHE DID THE SMART THING AND CALLED ME TO HAVE THE CAR TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. BUT WHAT IF SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. SHE WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THIS CAR ON A HIGHWAY. PLEASE LOOK INTO THESE PASSAT. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THEM. WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BAD IN THE REAR. FUEL PUMP WENT BAD. COILS BURN. THESE ARE ALL DANGEROUS THINGS. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562779February 3, 2014
ENGINE, WHEELS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY FIRST WEEK WITH THIS CAR AND THE BRAKES START TO MAKE THE NASTIEST SOUND. IT WAS AS IF IT HAD NO BRAKE PADS. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND ASKED THEM WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR I SUSPECTED THE BRAKES FROM THE START. I HAD TO TAKE IT IN AND THEY CHECKED THEIR SITE AND IT REPORTED THAT ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR THE CARS CAME WITH A DEFECT IN THE BRAKES. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THEM WITH NEW ONES. 2 MONTHS LATER IT STARTS UP AGAIN. THE BAD THING IS THAT VW NEVER ADMITS TO THEIR FAULTY CARS. THEY SET ME UP WITH HIGH PAYMENTS AND WONT HELP ME WITH ANY OF MY CONCERNS. THE CAR IS NICE NO DOUBT ABOUT IT BUT WHY WOULD I WANT TO STAY WITH A FAULTY CAR AND HIGH PAYMENTS? MAKES NO SENSE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562253January 30, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, AIR BAGS
THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH FROZE SEVERAL TIMES AGAIN THIS YEAR AFTER DOING IT THREE TIMES LAST YEAR. THE LATCH FROZE EVERY TIME THERE WAS MOISTURE (FOG, SNOW ,RAIN, ETC.) AND THE TEMPERATURE FELL BELOW 32 F. THE LATCH WAS FINALLY REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE SENSOR FOR THE AIRBAGS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10561610January 27, 2014
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND WINDSHIELD LINKAGES WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000. UPDATED 03/12/14*LJ *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10561722January 27, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY AT NIGHT. NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME TO KICK UP A ROCK, NO OVERPASSES FOR SOMETHING TO BE THROWN FROM. COMPLETELY RANDOM EXPLOSION. I HEARD A LOUD GUNSHOT SOUND, THEN SMALL GLASS PIECES RAINED DOWN ON MY HEAD AND FACE AND ALL OVER MY THREE CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. LOOKED UP AND HEARD THE SOUND OF WIND AND SAW THE HOLE IN MY SUNROOF. SO FAR THE DEALERSHIP HAS SAID THEY WON'T REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY AND I HAVE REACHED OUT TO VW DIRECTLY AND THEY ARE DENYING THE CLAIM AS WELL. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THEY ARE NOT STANDING BY THEIR PRODUCT. THEY ARE LUCKY NOBODY WAS INJURED OR KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT. HOPEFULLY THAT DOESN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN FOR THEM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10561493January 25, 2014
STEERING, WHEELS
ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014 I WAS ON MY WAY HOME ON BRADDOCK ROAD. IT WAS A RAINY DARK NIGHT AND SO THE TRAFFIC WAS MOVING AT LESS THAN THE SPEED LIMIT. AS I CAME ROUND THE BEND JUST PAST T.J. HIGH SCHOOL, I WENT OVER A DEEP POTHOLE THAT CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY CAR. MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO RATTLE AND SHAKE AND I KNEW MY CAR WAS DAMAGED. I MANAGED TO GET HOME AND MY HUSBAND DECIDED WE NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED. THE MECHANIC AT VOLKS WERKS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT FRONT RIM WAS DAMAGED AND THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS OFF. AFTER ALL THE WORKS WAS DONE TO GET MY CAR IN WORKING CONDITION IT COST US $997. THE POTHOLE WAS RECENTLY FILLED BECAUSE IT WAS A ROAD HAZARD. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW VA DOT CAN HELP US WITH THIS LARGE BILL. I AM WILLING TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IF REQUESTED. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10560919January 22, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON THE MAINE TURNPIKE AT 55-60 MPH DUE TO SOME BLACK ICE IN AREAS. TEMP WAS 35, CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR, VISIBILITY GOOD. AFTER PASSING EXIT 75, WITHOUT WARNING MY VW PASSAT ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE ENGAGING, CAUSING MY BRAKES TO LOCK UP AND CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, SWERVING SIDE TO SIDE FOR APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS. DURING THIS TIME, THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT WAS FLASHING AS WELL AS A PARKING BRAKE FAULT MESSAGE ON THE DASH WAS DISPLAYED. I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, REFERRED TO MY MANUAL, WHICH WAS NO HELP. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, LOOKED AROUND IT AND THEN CALLED A FEW PEOPLE TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM. NO ONE HAD EVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE AND I SAW NO OBVIOUS SIGN OF ERROR. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE BUTTON ON THE DASH. I BELIEVE ITS ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION AND A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN VEHICLES NEAR MINE, WE WOULD OF COLLIDED. I HAD MY DAUGHTER AND HER FRIEND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND WE WERE ALL VERY SCARED DURING THIS ENTIRE INCIDENT. AFTER 10 MIN OF SHUT OFF, I RESTARTED, THE DASH STILL DISPLAY PARKING BRAKE FAULT. I WAS ABLE TO MANUALLY DISENGAGE THE BRAKING BRAKE. BUT THE "FAULT" ERROR ON DASH WOULD NOT GO AWAY. I THEN OPERATED THE VEHICLE AT 30-35 MPH WITH HAZARDS ON TO EXIT GRAY. I PARKED THE VEHICLE AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 30 MINUTES. WHEN I TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON THE "FAULT" LIGHT HAD GONE OFF AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE RUNNING OK. BUT I WAS UNSURE IF I SHOULD VENTURE FURTHER AND TOOK ROUTE 100 BACK TO MY HOME IN LEW. THE NEXT DAY I DID NOT USE THE VEHICLE AND CALLED VW ON MON AFTER NOTING NUMEROUS VW FORUMS WITH COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE. CASE #[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
#10560918January 22, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
I LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST US WHERE IT TENDS TO GET COLDER THAN 0 DEGREES CELSIUS CONSTANTLY DURING WINTER. EVERYTIME IT IS BELOW FREEZING MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH GETS STUCK. THIS IS DEFINITELY A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR VW PASSATS, BUT VW RESPONSE TO FIXING IT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO DECEMBER 16TH AND EXPLAINED THAT I NORMALLY WARM UP THE CAR FOR OVER 20 MINUTES(WHILE I WALK MY DOG). THE INITIAL RESPONSE WAS THAT ITS NOT AN ISSUE AND I SHOULD EITHER PARK THE CAR IN A GARAGE WHERE IT WON'T FREEZE OR WARM UP THE CAR LONGER (I FIND THAT ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS). SO I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE GARAGE FOR DECEMBER 16TH. LUCKILY THE WEATHER FORCAST FOR TEMPERATURES BELOW -4 CELSIUS ALL WEEK. HAD THE TEMPERATURE BEEN ABOVE 0 CELSIUS THE LATCH WOULD HAVE WORKED FINE AND YOUR GARAGE WOULD HAVE SAID THERE IS NO ISSUE. THE REASON WHY I HIGHLIGHT THE TEMPERATURE HERE IS BECAUSE THAT IS THE MAIN ISSUE, AND YOUR GARAGES TROUBLESHOOTING AND DIAGNOSTIC METHODS ARE MY BIGGEST CONCERN. I GUARANTEE THAT THERE ARE EVEN MORE CASES OF THIS ISSUE THAT ARE BEING DISMISSED. THE FACT THAT THERE IS NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10559530, FILED BY SOMEONE ELSE PROVES IT. I'M SURE THE FACT THAT I CAN FIND THIS ON NHTSA (NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10559530) MEANS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHERS WHO ARE JUST NOT REPORTING IT OR DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO GO. I WILL ALSO BE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA, AS WELL. IT HAS BEEN OVER A MONTH, AND THE SERVICE GARAGE TELLS ME THERE IS NO PARTS AVAILABLE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS AND IF ITS TRUE I THINK THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I ALSO HOPE THAT DURING THE WINTRY WEATHER THE NORTHEAST HAS EXPERIENCED THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS NO ONE WAS INJURED IN A PASSAT WHERE EMERGENCY WORKERS WERE NOT ABLE REACH THE VICTIM (POSSIBLY DUE TO A STUCK DOOR LATCH). THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND THE LACK OF RESPONSE IS CONCERNING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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