Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10560737January 21, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I NOTICE THAT FUEL IS LEAKING FROM MY VW PASSAT 2001'S FUEL TANK. I FILL OUT THIS COMPLAINT IN ORDER TO SEEK A HELP FROM AUTHORITIES ON THESE MATTERS AND ALSO KNOWING IF MY ISSUES CAN BE HANDLED BY VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10560807January 21, 2014
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN CAR STARTED IN 2006 VW PASSAT. I CALLED THE DEALER SINCE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG, THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY FIXED MY AIRBAG A FEW APPOINTMENTS BACK AND IT WOULDN'T BE A PART OF THIS RECALL. WHEN I ASKED IF IT WOULD HAVE A RECALL DUE TO IT BEING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, VOLKSWAGEN ADVISED ME THAT I CAN PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. MY CAR IS "TOO OLD FOR A WARRANTY EXTENSION". THIS BOTHERS ME SINCE I HAVE 9 AIRBAGS IN WHICH NONE WILL DEPLOY AND THEY REFUSE TO SERVICE THIS SAFETY ISSUE FOR FREE. UPON GOOGLING THE ISSUE, IT SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH NOT ONLY THE PASSAT BUT THE JETTA'S MADE THE SAME YEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10560909January 21, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
IN AUGUST OF 2013, WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, I EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING. AFTER EXAMINING THE CAR, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PLENUM THAT HOLDS THE BATTERY AND BRAKE BOOSTER WAS NEARLY FILLED WITH RAIN WATER. IT WAS NECESSARY FOR ME TO REMOVE ONE OF THE DUCK-BILLED DRAIN PLUGS IN THE PLENUM AS ALL WERE CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS, PREVENTING WATER FROM DRAINING OUT. THE FLOODED PLENUM APPEARS TO HAVE RESULTED IN WATER BEING DRAWN THROUGH THE VACUUM LINES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. THIS, IN TURN, CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WATER TO BE DRAWN INTO THE CRANKCASE. WATER WAS ALSO DRAWN INTO THE CYLINDERS RESULTING IN MISFIRING. AFTER REMOVING AT LEAST ONE DRAIN PLUG IN THE PLENUM FOR PROPER DRAINAGE, AND DOUBLE FLUSHING THE CONTAMINATED OIL IN THE CRANKCASE, I EXPERIENCED NO FURTHER BRAKING PROBLEMS UNTIL FREEZING WEATHER IN NOVEMBER 2013. IN NOVEMBER, WHILE BRAKING NEAR THE BOTTOM OF A HILL, I AGAIN EXPERIENCED A HARD PEDAL WITH NO DEPRESSION AND ALMOST NO BRAKING ABILITY, RESULTING IN THE CAR GOING INTO THE INTERSECTION BEFORE FULLY STOPPING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. TWO WEEKS LATER, THERE WAS AGAIN THE SYMPTOM OF A HARD PEDAL? WITH NO DEPRESSION AND NEAR LOSS OF ALL BRAKING. THE CAR WAS AGAIN RETURNED TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THIS TIME, THE VACUUM BOOSTER, THE VACUUM PIPES, AND THEIR RELATED ITEMS WERE REPLACED. AS NOTED IN THE DEALERSHIP INVOICE, EVIDENCE OF WATER WAS FOUND IN THE REPLACED VACUUM BOOSTER. THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE PLENUM HAD A SIGNIFICANT HIGH-WATER POLLEN LINE, INDICATING FLOODING OF THE PLENUM. IT WAS BELIEVED BY THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT STAFF THAT THE BRAKE FAILURES IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2013 WERE LIKELY THE RESULT OF RESIDUAL WATER FREEZING IN THE VACUUM BOOSTER, CAUSING THE BOOSTER TO BE INOPERATIVE. ALSO, THE IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 01/30/14 THE CONSUMER STATED THE INSUFFICIENT FIX DURING THE 2008 CAMPAIGN DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT ALLOWED FOR CONTINUED FLOODING OF THE PLENUM COMPARTMENT A
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10560681January 20, 2014
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), WHEELS
OUR NEW 2013 TDI PASSAT, FROM DAY ONE HAS HAD THE ISSUE OF INTERMITTENTLY DRAGGING, PULLING CRUNCHING NOISE COASTING THROUGH A CORNER IN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. IT VARIES FROM A SOFT TUG AND CRUNCH NOISE, TO SO HARD IT PULLS YOU INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC! IT SEEMS TO BE WHILE MAINTAINING SPEED OR COASTING, NEVER WHILE BRAKING. AFTER ABOUT 3-4TH TIME INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND EVERYTHING CHECKING OUT FINE, WE FINALLY GOT THEM TO COME UP AND RIDE WITH ME ON OUR ROAD. (WE DO LIVE ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD THAT IS A POSTED 55MPH WITH SOME 40MPH CURVES) THE CAR DID IT AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID, "HMMM." HE SAID ITS THEIR TOP OF THE LINE CAR AND THINKS ITS THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM. I ASKED IF IT WAS ONLY IN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL? HE SAID "NO." I ASKED HOW COME IT DRAGS AND PULLS THE FRONT LEFT NO MATTER IF IT'S A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, AND IS IT SUPPOSED TO DO IT SO HARD SOME TIMES THAT IT PULLS YOU INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC? HE SAID "NO."HE SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE A SYSTEMS ISSUE BECAUSE WE HAVE KNOWN OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE TAKEN THEIR TDI'S IN FOR THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE SO IT'S NOT JUST A SENSOR IN THIS PARTICULAR CAR. WE CALLED 3 DAYS LATER TO SEE IF THEY HAD A RESOLVE AND THEY SAID THE CAR IS "FINE AND FUNCTIONING NORMAL, THAT I TOOK THE CORNER 8 MPH TOO FAST AND THE CAR DID IT'S JOB"!! I AM CONCERNED FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AS WE HAVE STATED NUMEROUS TIMES AND GIVEN THEM EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THIS AND YET TO NO AVAIL. THIS CAR DOES THIS EVERYDAY. IT'S NOT NORMAL TO SAY TO YOUR SPOUSE THAT IF I'M INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON OUR ROAD, ESPECIALLY A HEAD-ON, IT WAS THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL THAT DID IT. THESE CARS HAVE A SAFETY DEFECT IN THIS SYSTEM AND I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW. I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO FROM HERE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10560321January 17, 2014
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG DEFAULT LIGHT WARNING IS ON ON THE DASH BOARD. I WAS TOLD BY VOLKSWAGEN DEALER THAT THE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDES TO BE REPAIRED, THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED. I AM JUST WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THAT OR ARE THERE MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED, THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 72000 MILES. ALSO I NOTICED THAT MOST VOLKSWAGEN REPAIRS NEED TO BE DONE BY THE DEALER ( IT'S KIND OF MONOPOLY). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10560384January 17, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHEN TEMPERATURES FALL BELOW FREEZING, DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT OPEN (USUALLY IN THE MORNINGS). VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND REPLACEMENT LATCH ORDERED. PART IS ON BACK-ORDER AND I CANNOT ENTER THE VEHICLE UNLESS I CLIMB THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE HURRIEDLY IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR (3) WEEKS AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER TODAY THAT THEY STILL DID NOT KNOW WHEN THIS PART WOULD BE IN. ABSOLUTELY UNSAFE AN ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THAT I HAVE TO CLIMB INTO MY NEARLY NEW CAR WITH 7000 MILES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10560154January 15, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
VEHICLE, WHILE AT SPEED AT NIGHT, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING LOST LOW BEAM ILLUMINATION FROM THE LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION OF THE FACTORY LIGHT BULB REVEALED NO FAULTS: FILAMENT WAS INTACT AND RESISTANCE (OHM) COULD BE MEASURED ACROSS TERMINALS. INSTALLATION OF A NEW VW BULB DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS FACTORY STOCK AND UNMODIFIED. CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALS WHAT APPEARS TO BE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT DEFORMATION OF THE BULB RETENTION HARDWARE. ON-LINE SEARCH REVEALS NUMEROUS IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS POSTED BY OTHER PASSAT OWNERS, AFFECTING BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES VW DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PROBLEM CAN ONLY BE RECTIFIED BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10559496January 12, 2014
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ALL CONTROLS LOCATED ON THE STEERING WHEEL WENT DEAD, AND AIRBAG FAILURE INDICATOR CAME ON. TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG SEEMS NOT TO BE FUNCTIONAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10559530January 12, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
EVERY TIME IT IS COLD OUTSIDE MY DOOR LATCH STOPS FUNCTIONING SO I CANT OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. I SPRAYED LUBRICANT IN IT WHICH HELPS SOMETIMES BUT I THINK A NEW CAR SHOULDN'T HAVE A ISSUE LIKE THAT. ALSO WHEN I CAN GET IT OPEN SOMETIMES IT WONT CLOSE. THE ISSUE IS THE ACTUAL LATCH WHICH OF COURSE ISN'T COVERED. PRETTY EMBARRASSING CLIMBING THROUGH A PASSENGER DOOR TO GET IN THE DRIVER SEAT . WHAT HAPPENS IF IM IN A WRECK AND MY DOOR WONT OPEN? WILL I OWN A PART OF VOLKSWAGEN? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10559016January 8, 2014
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND AS THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING CONTROLS AND HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10558621January 6, 2014
SEATS
HEATED SEATS ON DRIVER SIDE STOPPED WORKING ONLY TO FIND SEAT HAD SMOLDERED A FIRE BENEATH ME! WAS THERE A RECALL ON THESE SEATS!? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10558304January 3, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL DRAGGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING THROUGH SNOW. THE CONTACT IN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT A FRACTURED PLASTIC COMPONENT AND THE ZIP TIE HOLDING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL WAS CONSUMING PREMATURELY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL) WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10558154January 2, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THERE IS A DANGEROUS GAS LEAK FROM THE PREVIOUSLY RECALLED FUEL TANK THAT IS NOT DAMAGED BY THE ROAD, OR OTHER DEBRIS. THE RECALL NEEDS TO STAY OPEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10557858December 30, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2000 VW PASSAT GLS WAGON BEGAN EXHIBITING A FLASHING/BEEPING RED BRAKE LIGHT ACCOMPANIED BY A SOLID YELLOW ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TO INDICATE A FAILURE IN THE ABS SYSTEM. ALSO AT THIS TIME THE INFORMATION HUD HAS "STOP, BRAKE FAULT, SERVICE MANUAL" FLASHING. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE, IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS FAILURE IS FAIRLY COMMON ON 1998-2001 PASSATS, BUT NO ACTION HAS EVER BEEN TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER. I INTEND TO HAVE THE ABS MODULE REBUILT AND DO THE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION WORK MYSELF; THE RESULT SHOULD BE AROUND $220 OUT OF POCKET. HOWEVER, MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOUGHT DEALERSHIP SERVICE WORK FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM HAVE SPENT WELL IN EXCESS OF $1,000. GIVEN THE APPARENT FAILURE RATE OF THIS MODULE AND THE FACT THAT IT IS A CORE SAFETY FEATURE OF THE CAR, IT IS MY OPINION THAT IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR RECALL (INCLUDING COMPENSATION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY MADE THE REPAIR). THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10557701December 30, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PURCHASED 2014 FULLY LOADED PASSAT ON 10/26/13, SAFETY ISSUE WITH CAR DUE TO MY 1.5 HR DAILY COMMUTE. EXTREMELY POOR QUALITY WHEN USING BLUETOOTH THROUGH CARE STEREO, NOT RECOGNIZING NAMES ON IPHONE 4S CAUSING DRIVER TO REMOVE EYES FROM ROAD TO LOOK UP NUMBER WHICH IS A MAJOR DISTRACTION ESPECIALLY DURING NIGHT DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10557528December 28, 2013
STRUCTURE, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE PLASTIC CLIPS HOLDING THE WINDOW IN PLACE BROKE AND WINDOW FALLS DOWN. IT COSTS $350 TO REPLACE THE $1.50 CHEAP PLASTIC PART. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10557527December 28, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS
THE SEAT WARMER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STARTED A FIRE THAT BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT AND ONTO MY LEG. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY AND TURN OFF THE CAR FOR IT TO STOP BURNING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10556864December 20, 2013
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE SUNROOF OF MY 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT EXPLODED OUTWARDS, CREATING AN APPROXIMATELY 18" HOLE. SOME GLASS FELL INSIDE BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE GLASS EXITED THE CAR. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS ~65 DEGREES, NO OTHER WINDOWS WERE OPEN AND THE SUNROOF WAS FULLY CLOSED; THE INTERIOR COVER OF THE SUNROOF WAS OPEN. NEITHER THE HEAT OR AIR CONDITION WERE ON. I WAS NOT ON MY CELL PHONE AND THE MUSIC VOLUME WAS ON LOW. I AM THE FIRST OWNER OF THIS CAR, HAVING TAKEN POSSESSION 87 DAYS AGO. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ACCEPT CULPABILITY AND HAS STATED I WOULD HAVE TO PROVE A FACTORY DEFECT LED TO THE EXPLOSION OF THE SUNROOF. AN INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THE EXPLODING SUNROOF IS NOT AN UNHEARD OF PROBLEM. WE CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH THE DEALER BUT AS OF THIS MOMENT, INDICATIONS ARE THEY WILL EXPECT OUR INSURANCE TO COVER THE COSTS OF REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10556549December 18, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
SUDDEN FAILURE OF STEERING WHEEL. DISPLAY SHOWS "STEERING WHEEL LOCK". THIS COULD BE SERIOUS ISSUE IF IT HAPPENED DURING DRIVING. UNABLE TO START THE CAR OR TO GET THE CAR IN NEUTRAL GEAR. HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO THE VW SERVICE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STEERING CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10555696December 11, 2013
VISIBILITY/WIPER
WINDOWS CONTINUE TO COMPLETELY FOG UP CAUSING VERY LITTLE VISIBILITY. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A YOUNG CHILD AND AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY. THERE IS ALSO A STRONG ODOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen Passat