Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10549724October 27, 2013
ENGINE
ENGINE OIL PUMP DRIVE FAILURE (TDI ENGINE), CAUSING LOSS OF ENGINE OPERATION INCLUDING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LOSS OF POWER BRAKES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10549611October 26, 2013
STEERING
WHEN I INSERT MY KEY IN COLD WEATHER MY CAR WILL DISPLAY " STEERING WHEEL LOCK" AND MY CAR CUTS OFF AND BEEPS LOCKS KEY IN IGNITION, RELEASES KEY AFTER A BIT AND LETS ME RE TRY AND STARTS, OTHER TIMES IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BUT HAS STARTED. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER THEY SAW NOTHING WRONG WITH IT BUT QUOTED A HIGH PRICE TO REPLACE PART AND MENTIONED THAT ITS A COMMON OCCURRENCE! I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO SERIOUSLY BEFORE ANYONE GETS HURT BY STEERING LOCKING!! AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10549015October 22, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT CONTROL SPEED DOWNHILL WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS SET. VEHICLE SPEED KEEPS INCREASING WHILE GOING DOWNHILL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10548813October 21, 2013
POWER TRAIN
PRNDS LIGHTS FLUSHING AND DSG SHIFTING PROBLEMS. CAR STOPPED ON RED LIGHT WITH DSG IN D POSITION. ON GREEN LIGHT, CAR MOVED AND ACCELERATED BUT, RPM RAISED ABOVE 4000 AND GEAR DOES NOT SHIFTED TO THE NEXT STAGE. SPEED CONTROL WAS DIFFICULT. ADDITIONALLY, CAR HAD A BLINKING SHIFTER "D" LIGHT. I STOPPED THE CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE DSG TO S, N, P BUT, SHIFTER LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BLINK. ONLY AFTER TURNING MY CAR COMPLETELY OFF AND RESTART, DSG MALFUNCTION HAD BEEN FIXED. FORTUNATELY, IT HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED AND DID NOT LEAD TO LOST OF CONTROL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10548623October 20, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE HAS A SIGNIFICANT DELAY/HESITATION UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION (2.5L). THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING INTO OR ACROSS TRAFFIC. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10548346October 18, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS MODULE IS OUT, CAN'T GET EMISSIONS PASSED UNLESS I PAY OVER 600 DOLLARS. ALSO I DON'T HAVE ABS, CAN'T SEE IF MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MEANS ANYTHING BECAUSE I'M TOLD IT ALL GETS RE ROUTED THOROUGH THE ABS MODULE AND CAN'T GET PAST THAT PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10548471October 18, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE A GAS LEAK / SMELL REPAIRED BY 3 DIFFERENT VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS OVER 5 YEARS. WE FIRST APPROACHED THE DEALER IN 2008 WHEN RECEIVING NOTICE OF A RECALL. THE RECALL WAS THE "UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD/FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS (#08V156000). TODAY, 10/17/2013 WE FINALLY HAVE A DEALER STATING THAT THERE IS A FUEL LEAK EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO GET VW TO BELIEVE US FOR 5 YEARS. THE OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GASOLINE PERMEATES OUR ENTIRE HOUSE AFTER A FILL UP AND IMMEDIATELY PARK THE VEHICLE IN OUR GARAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547811October 14, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LOSS OF EITHER DAYLIGHT RUNNING LAMP(S) AND/OR LOWBEAM HEADLAMP(S) DUE TO LAMP SOCKETS MELTING IN HOUSINGS. 3 TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED, ONCE WITH THE DAYTIME LAMPS AND TWICE WITH THE L/S HEADLAMPS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547782October 13, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE FAULT -- IT IS NOW THE 3RD TIME MY ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE HAS FAILED (UNABLE TO DISENGAGE/RELEASE). THE SECOND TIME WAS LAST JUNE OF 2012 THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE, CALIPER, HOUSING, WIRING TO THE TUNE OF $1800. YESTERDAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHERE THE ELECTRONIC SWITCH WAS FLASHING AND WOULD NOT RELEASE AND ALSO THE RED BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR IN DISPLAY WAS ALSO FLASHING HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN POSTED AND WONDERING WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. IT APPEARS THERE IS A SAFETY CONCERN WITH THIS ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE DESIGN. THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH THIS DESIGN. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS WITH THE MANUFACTURER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR BUT AT THE SAME TIME HAVE A CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547634October 11, 2013
ENGINE
CAR WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALER AT 90K MILES. WHILE DRIVING LOCALLY ONE MONTH AFTER THE SERVICE, THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO START, IDLED ROUGH, SPUTTERED WHILE TRAVELING, AND BUCKED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BREAK. THE TIMING CHAIN IS NOT SUGGESTED TO BE REPLACED UNTIL 110,000 MILES. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THERE IS A FAULTY ENGINE COMPONENT (TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER) THAT VW IS AWARE OF, BUT REFUSES TO LET CUSTOMERS KNOW ABOUT. PLEASE GOOGLE TSB 15 12 01, DATED JULY 23, 2012 WHICH IS A SERVICE BULLETIN RELEASED BY VW DETAILING THE FAULTY COMPONENT. THIS FAULTY COMPONENT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A MAJOR ROAD HAZARD DUE TO AN UNCONTROLLABLE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547522October 10, 2013
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE MANIFOLD, CAM SHAFT, AND THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547389October 9, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. IT WAS HIGHLY DANGEROUS AND MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. I GO TO THE DEALER AND FIND OUT THAT THERE WAS A FUEL PUMP FOR CERTAIN 2003 VW PASSATS BUT MY VIN NUMBER FOR MY CAR DID NOT FALL UNDER THE CATEGORY FOR THE RECALL AND THEREFORE VW HAD REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR FIXING THE FUEL PUMP. MY DEALER HAD TOLD ME THAT THEIR WERE SIMILAR CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS FOR ALL VW 2003 BUT UNFORTUNATELY MY CAR DIDN'T FALL UNDER THE RIGHT VIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547405October 9, 2013
ENGINE
3.6 OIL BOLT FAILURE REQUIRES COMPLETE MOTOR REPLACEMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547176October 8, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WE ARE DRIVING A LOANER 2013 VW PASSAT THAT WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PURCHASING. WE DROVE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME AT NIGHT AND ENCOUNTERED A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. WE EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND WHILE GOING AROUND THE BEND OF THE OFF RAMP I WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT ALL. AT FIRST I THOUGHT MY VISION BLURRED BUT AS WE EXAMINED IT FURTHER WE LEARNED THAT THERE IS A VERY SERIOUS DARK AREA ON BOTH FRONT CORNERS OF THE CAR. WHEN RE -ENTERED THE HIGHWAY WE ALSO FOUND OURSELVES DISTRACTED BY THE DARK SPOTS EVEN WHILE GOING IN A STRAIT LINE. WE PROCEEDED TO DIM ALL INSTRUMENTATION TO SEE IF THAT WAS ADDING DISTRACTION BUT THE PROBLEM WAS STILL PREVALENT. AS WE DROVE HOME WE REVIEWED THE HEADLIGHT DISPERSION OF OTHER CARS AND ALL OF THEM PROJECTED ADEQUATE LIGHT IN THE FRONT CORNERS OF THE CAR. IF THERE WERE A BICYCLIST OR PERSON WALKING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY WE WOULD HAVE HIT THEM OR GO OFF INTO A DITCH FROM THE INABILITY TO SEE THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546821October 5, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS DRIVING INSIDE TOWN APPROXIMATELY AT 35 MPH AND WAS STOPPING IN THE STOP LIGHT. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. AFTER THE STOP LIGHT TURNED GREEN I RELEASED BRAKE AND THE SHAKE WAS NOT THERE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS GONE. I WENT FEW MILES TO PICK MY DAUGHTER AND AFTER PICKING MY DAUGHTER AND LESS THAN A MILE ON ROAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THERE IS A SLIGHT VIBRATION OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED ON. I'M YET TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP. NOT SURE IF THERE IS ANY FACTORY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546622October 3, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
A PASSENGER EXITED REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. WHEN HE PUT HIS HAND OUTSIDE THE CAR AS HE EXITED, ONE OF HIS FINGERS RECEIVED A DEEP CUT. AFTER THE INCIDENT, WE INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND OUT A SHARP POINT AT THE END OF A CHROME TRIM ALONG THE WINDOW/ROOF LINE. LATER I INSPECTED FURTHER AND FOUND OTHER LOCATIONS NEAR THE DOORS WHERE SHARP EDGES/POINTS EXIST. THIS IS HAZARDOUS AS PASSENGERS ENTER OR EXIT THE CAR. PARTS OF BODY AND/OR HAND CAN RECEIVE CUT WOUND IF CONTACTED WITH THESE SHARP EDGES/POINTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10546654October 3, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR MAINTENANCE WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE VEHICLE WAS LISTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. VOLKSWAGEN INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS NO LONGER AN OPEN RECALL IN THEIR SYSTEM, AND THEY WOULD NOT HONOR IT. UPDATED 12/04/13
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546431October 1, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
OUR 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT LEAKED GASOLINE ON TO OUR GARAGE FLOOR WHILE SITTING IN THE GARAGE. THE GARAGE FLOOR WAS COVERED AND YOU COULD VISIBLY SEE THE FUEL DRIPPING FROM THE GAS TANK. THE FUMES FILLED OUR GARAGE AND HOME AND RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE CLEAN UP AND VENTILATION. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP ARRIVED WITH A FLAT BED AND TOWED THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MAN WHO TOWED THE CAR EVEN COMMENTED ABOUT THE ODOR AND YOU COULD VISIBLY SEE THE GASOLINE RUNNING FROM THE CAR AS IT WAS LOADED ON TO THE FLATBED. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND NO CHANGES TO THE VEHICLE ARE NECESSARY! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10545421September 25, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
ON SUNDAY MORNING ABOUT 11:20 AM AS I TURNED MY CAR ON IT IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO RATTLE FOLLOWED BY BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED MY CAR OFF, UNLOCKED MY HOOD AND UNBUCKLED MY 3 BOYS OUT OF THEIR CAR SEATS AND RAN OUT OF THE CAR. AS I MADE SURE THEY WERE AT A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE CAR I WALKED BACK TO MY CAR POPPED THE HOOD UP AND NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND RAN TO MY NEIGHBORS APARTMENT TO ASK FOR WATER SO MY CAR WOULDN'T BURN TO THE GROUND. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MADE IT OUT MY NEIGHBOR AND I WERE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT THANK GOD. THE FOLLOWING DAY I HAD IT TO TOWED BY HANNA'S TOWING THROUGH MY CAR INSURANCE AGENCY TO THE NEAREST VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE CENTER. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WALTER HAD TO UNPLUG THE BATTERY BECAUSE WHEN HE TURNED IT ON TO PUT THE VEHICLE ON NEUTRAL TO HOOK IT UP TO THE TOW TRUCK IT STARTED TO SMOKE UP AGAIN. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10545220September 24, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WOULD NOT START EVEN AFTER A CHECK OF THE BATTERY. THE CAR HAD NO POWER WHATSOEVER AND COULD NOT BE PLACED INTO NEUTRAL TO TOW. AFTER 4 DAYS IN THE SHOP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM HAD BURNED OUT AND FRIED THE IGNITION AS WELL. HOW THIS HAPPENED IS A COMPLETE MYSTERY AS THERE HAD NEVER BEEN EVEN THE SLIGHTEST INDICATION THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG BEFORE THIS INCIDENT.THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE PULLED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE SEEN MANY, MANY REPORTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THIS CAR ON THE INTERNET AS I DID SOME RESEARCH AFTER THIS HAPPENED. THE PRICE TO REPAIR THE CAR WAS $895.00,,,WHICH SEEMS RIDICULOUS TO ME GIVEN THAT THE CAR ONLY HAS 45K MILES. I TRIED TO GET SOME HELP FROM VW CUSTOMER CARE GIVEN THAT THIS SEEMS LIKE A DESIGN FLAW...IT REALLY IS UPSETTING TO HAVE TO PAY SO MUCH FOR A CAR SO LIGHTLY USED...AND COULD IT JUST HAPPEN AGAIN? VW WAS COMPLETELY UNWILLING TO WORK WITH ME IN ANY WAY. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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