Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10457713May 7, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE ERUPTED SPONTANEOUSLY INSIDE THE DASHBOARD WHICH CAUSED ALL OF THE WIRES TO MELT AND THE WINDSHIELD TO FRACTURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA WHERE THE IGNITION WAS LOCATED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 6/12/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRE OCCURRED IN THE AREA OF THE IGNITION AND LOCKING COMPONENTS WERE SERVICE, REPLACED AND REMOVED 15 DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPT DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE IGNITION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457593May 6, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTOR FAILED (SEPARATED FROM BOLTING HUB) IN HARD BRAKING AT ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR. BRAKES HAD BEEN REPLACED IN 2009 AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 37,000 MILES DRIVEN SINCE REPLACEMENT. NO OTHER SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE WEAR OR WARPAGE NOTED BY AUTO TECHNICIANS. FAILED PART NUMBER 4B0-615-301-B. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457438May 4, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SCENARIO: 1. CAR STATIONARY IN GARAGE 2. WENT TO TURN ON THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START 3. RADIO AND ACCESSORIES WORKING FINE 4. SMELT A LOT OF GASOLINE AND STOPPED CRANKING THE CAR 5. LARGE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE HAD SPILLED ON THE GARAGE FLOOR ACTIONS: 1. TOW TRUCK DRIVER WOULD NOT TOW THE VEHICLE AS IT SPILLED GASOLINE WHEN LIFTED 2. FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUND THAT THE HOSE FROM THE FUEL TANK IN TO THE FUEL SYSTEM HAD COME LOOSE 3. FIRE DEPARTMENT SUSPECTS THAT THE CABLE WAS NOT ASSEMBLED PROPERLY AND COULD BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT POTENTIAL FAULTY PART DETAILS: 1. HOSE IS BLACK IN COLOR 2. HOSE IS TUCKED INSIDE A BLACK PLASTIC HOUSING 3. FIRE DEPARTMENT OBSERVED NO DAMAGE TO THE HOUSING ON MY VEHICLE 4. FIRE DEPARTMENT HEARD A DISTINCT CLICK WHEN THEY PUSHED THE HOSE IN TO THE FUEL SYSTEM 5. DUE TO #4, FIRE DEPARTMENT SUSPECTS THAT THE CABLE WAS NOT ASSEMBLED PROPERLY AND COULD BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT STRONGLY ADVISE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2012 OWNERS TO CONTACT THEIR DEALER TO GET THE HOSE AND FUEL SYSTEM ASSEMBLY CHECKED OUT AND URGE NHTSA TO OPEN A RECALL. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457034May 1, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I WANTED TO REPLACE THE FUEL CAP FOR MY 2010 VW PASSAT. I ORDERED PART NUMBER 3C0201550N WHICH BELONGS TO MY VEHICLE. THE FUEL CAP DOES NOT FIT. I LOOKED AT THE CAP THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE AND GOT PART NUMBER 1J0-201-553 OFF THE FUEL CAP THAT IS ON THE CAR. I CONTACTED A VW DEALERSHIP PARTS DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS PART 1J0-201-553 IS FOR A VW GOLF OR A VW JETTA AND IS FOR A DIESEL ENGINE CAR. I DO NOT HAVE A DIESEL ENGINE I HAVE A GASOLINE ENGINE. I CALLED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I AM WORRIED THAT THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT I WAS TELLING THEM. I AM WORRIED THAT THE FUEL TANK AND OR THE PIPE THAT LEADS TO THE FUEL TANK IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED OR THE INCORRECT ONE FOR THE VEHICLE AND VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT SEEM TO BE WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF ME OR OTHERS THAT MIGHT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456846April 30, 2012
STEERING
THE DESCRIPTION OF THE RECALL ON THE 130 EARLIER PASSAT VEHICLES WAS EXACTLY WHAT WE HAD. THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN STARTED AND THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS SOMEWHAT DRIVABLE BUT W/O ANY POWER ASSIST WHATSOEVER. I AM A MAN AND COULD WRESTLE WITH IT TO GET THE CAR OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE AND OVER TO THE LOCAL DEALER. BUT MY WIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED. AND I FEAR WHAT MAY HAPPEN IF THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THERE WOULD LIKELY BE AN ACCIDENT THROUGH NO FAULT OF THE DRIVER. THIS HAD HAPPENED TO MY WIFE SEVERAL TIMES BUT IF SHE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR, THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND EVEN SOLD US A NEW BATTERY AS THEIR MACHINE WAS SHOWING LOW VOLTAGE CODES. THE TECH EVEN SAID THAT MAY AFFECT THE STEERING, SINCE IT HAS ELECTRONICS. NOT SURE WHY IN THE WORLD WE NEED STEERING SYSTEMS THAT HAVE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. I THINK THAT VW HAS UNDERESTIMATED THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES THAT LIKELY WERE MANUFACTURED WITH THIS DEFECTIVE PART. THE REPAIR WAS AN ENTIRE NEW STEERING RACK FOR THE CAR. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456864April 30, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OIL PUMP BOLT BACKED OUT/BROKE CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE. CAR LOSS OIL PRESSURE FORTUNATELY WAS NEAR AN EXIT TO AVOID THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY GETTING INVOLVED IN A POTENTIAL DANGEROUS WRECK. DEALER SAYS IT WILL COST $11,000.00 TO REPLACE ENGINE. VW KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE BUT WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING SEEING I AM OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY AND STATED WOULD NOT DO A THING BECAUSE I AM THE SECOND OWNER. ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND BOUGHT IT AS A PRE-CERTIFIED OWNED USED VEHICLE FROM THE VW DEALERSHIP. I HAVE SEARCHED ON LINE AND MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. LINK TO VIEW NUMEROUS ISSUE HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?4321376-**OFFICIAL-24V-3.6L-ENGINE-(OIL-PUMP-BOLT)-FAILURE-THREAD**. ALSO ANOTHER LINK: HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/74-VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT-B6-DISCUSSION/331097-OIL-PUMP-BOLT-FAILURE-74K-MILES.HTML THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND WE THE CONSUMERS A RE PAYING FOR IT. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456577April 26, 2012
SUSPENSION
FRONT CONTROL ARMS FAILURE. VERY COMMON IN THIS SUSPENSION DESIGN. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ISSUED IN EUROPE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. LIKEWISE, THE AUDI A4 SHARES THE SAME CHASSIS AND SAME FRONT END SUSPENSION. THESE CONTROL ARMS ARE SERIOUSLY UNDER DESIGNED. THIS IS DANGEROUS! HAVING THIS FAIL WHILE DRIVING WILL RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW, AND IS BEING OVERLOOKED. THE BUSHINGS ON MY CONTROL ARMS (ALL 4 FOR EACH OF MY FRONT WHEELS, EIGHT IN TOTAL) ARE SERIOUSLY CRACKED AND NEED REPLACEMENT. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE FAILING AT 50K AND 70K MILES. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING FAILED CONTROL ARMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10455240April 14, 2012
POWER TRAIN
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2012 PASSAT TDI. I REALLY LIKED THE CAR. HOWEVER, I HAVE A SAFETY SUGGESTION THAT MAY SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE IN THE FUTURE. LET ME TELL YOU MY EXPERIENCE. I TOOK POSSESSION ON FEBRUARY 9, 2012. ON MARCH 15, I CAME HOME TO LUNCH AND PULLED IN MY GARAGE. APPARENTLY, I DID NOT HAVE THE BACK TIRES ALL THE WAY IN. OUR DRIVEWAY HAS A SLIGHT INCLINE. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND WAS WATERING SOME FLOWERS. IN A FEW MOMENTS MY CAR ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVE, CURVED AND WENT OFF AN EMBANKMENT AND HIT TREES ON THE WAY DOWN. IT WAS TOTALED. I HAD IT ONE MONTH AND ONE WEEK. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS SICK. NOW I REALIZE THAT I DID NOT HAVE IT IN PARK. THIS CAR WAS DIFFERENT THAT ANY CAR THAT I HAVE DRIVEN IN THE PAST BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE AN IGNITION TO PUT THE KEY IN. YOU JUST HAVE A BUTTON TO TURN IT ON AND TURN IT OFF. BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFERENT, I WAS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT PUSHING THE BUTTON TO TURN IT OFF. IN ALL OF MY OTHER CARS YOU COULDN'T GET THE KEYS OUT UNLESS YOU HAD IT IN PARK. I HAD MADE THIS MISTAKE A FEW TIMES BUT WAS ALWAYS ON A FLAT AREA-USUALLY IN MY GARAGE. MY SUGGESTION IS THAT YOU HAVE A FEATURE ON THESE PUSH BUTTON VEHICLES THAT WILL SOUND SOME KIND OF ALARM WHEN IT IS TURNED OFF AND NOT IN PARK. MY HEART CRINGES WHEN I THINK THAT I COULD HAVE DONE THIS WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT IN THEIR CAR SEATS. THIS CAR HAS MANY FEATURES AND IS VERY TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED, BUT I STRONGLY FEEL THAT A FEATURE SUCH AS THIS SHOULD BE PLACED ON THESE CARS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454838April 11, 2012
AIR BAGS
APRIL 6, 2012 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT CAME ON - DROVE IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE CLOSEST VW DEALER WHO SAID THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY, AND THE ENTIRE BILL WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. PROBLEM COULD BE CAUSED BY ONE OF SIX POSSIBILITIES, AND THE COST TO REPAIR COULD NOT BE DETERMINED UNTIL IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY A SHOP TECH. COMPLAINT MADE DIRECTLY TO VW THE FOLLOWING DAY, WITH NO REPLY YET. AM NOW DRIVING A CAR WITH 8 AIRBAGS THAT WON'T WORK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT - A CAR I PURCHASED NEW IN 06 WITH CASH SPECIFICALLY FOR THE AIRBAG SAFETY FEATURES AND WHICH HAS HAD ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER EARNING IT THE LEMON DESIGNATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454849April 11, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALMOST HOME ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL (CC) ON, AND IT SUDDENLY GOES OFF - CAR RUNNING FINE BUT IT WON'T GO BACK ON CC. CHECKED OTHER ELECTRICAL CONTROLS AT THE STEERING WHEEL, AND NONE WERE WORKING - NO HORN, NO TURN SIGNALS, NO W/S WIPERS, NO LIGHTS (HEADLIGHTS STILL WORKED AS THEY ARE ALWAYS ON WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING). MADE IT SAFELY HOME, AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF - BUT, THE HEADLIGHTS WON'T GO OFF. TRIED IT SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. THEN TRIED TO GET THE KEY OUT, BUT IT WOULD NOT COME OUT SO I WAS LEFT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND UNABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT. DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO GET THE LIGHTS OFF. MONDAY PREPARED TO DRIVE THE CAR INTO THE NEAREST VW DEALER 35 MILES AWAY - CONNECTED THE BATTERY AND STARTED THE ENGINE, BUT IT QUIT RIGHT AWAY - TRIED IT SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. FINALLY HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE VW DEALER AT MY EXPENSE. VW DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY STEERING MODULE, AND SAID THE BILL WOULD BE OVER $1,000 BUT THAT I WOULD ONLY HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR. DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE AND THEN FOUND THAT THE IGNITION/STARTER SWITCH WAS FAULTY. FINAL BILL CAME TO MUCH MORE THAN A $1,000.00, OF WHICH I WAS REQUIRED TO PAY $382.75 IF I WANTED MY CAR BACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454857April 11, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HORN STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIR BAG AND A BOLT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS WIRING HARNESS REPLACEMENT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE CURRENT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454653April 10, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER BEGAN TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE DURING ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE UPWARD AND DOWNWARD OXYGEN SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE MALFUNCTION PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454373April 6, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SMOKE AND FLAMES BEGAN TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WHICH ORIGINATED WITHIN THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED AS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO SAVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 05/11/12*LJ UPDATED 06/01/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454179April 4, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
AT THE MORNING OF 3/30/2012 WHILE WAS DRIVING TO WORK BRAKES FEEL FUNNY( SOMETIMES LIKE HARD, SOMETIMES SOFT) STARTED THAT MORNING. WHILE I WAS BARKING MY CAR BRAKES FAILED, HARDLY STOPPED AND CRASHED TO ELECTRIC POL. BROKE FRONT GRILL AND EMBLEM PUT A DENT ON CHROME PIECE ON THE FRONT.I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER. FOUND BRAKE BOOSTER NEPRENE HOSE HAD MULTIPLE CRACKS.. THAT REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE FREE BUT THEY CHARGE ME SOME$200.00. I WOULD LIKE TO COMPLAIN VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA. GOOD THINK DID NOT HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY 70 MPH. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453720April 1, 2012
POWER TRAIN
THE CAR WAS IN ON MILD SLOPE (UP-HILL). I WAS HOLDING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE WAITING FOR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR STARTED MOVING BACKWARDS. I QUICKLY PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND AVOIDED THE COLLISION WITH THE CAR BEHIND ME IN THE LAST MOMENT. I WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES ON THE MILD SLOPE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10452745March 23, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, BACK AND CHEST. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10452405March 20, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN THE ALARM MESSAGE "OIL PRESSURE LOW: STOP ENGINE" CAME ON. I GOT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. BENT VALVES, BROKEN PISTON SHAFT, ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED. I'VE SEEN THIS SO MANY TIMES ON THE INTERNET AS I'VE BEEN LOOKING INTO MY OPTIONS SINCE THEN. VOLKSWAGEN WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP NOR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THEY OFFERED ME $1000 TOWARD A NEW VOLKSWAGEN. SERIOUSLY? I HAVE MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE. THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, IT IS CRIMINAL TO SELL THESE WITHOUT RECALLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IF I WASN'T ABLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY, OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO, MY PASSENGER AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN SMASHED WITH COUNTLESS OTHER INJURIES. I DIDN'T STOP THE CAR ONCE I GOT OFF THE ROAD, IT STOPPED ITSELF. VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR PRODUCTS. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10452073March 17, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS
I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY CAR FOR FEWER THAN 15 MINUTES WITH THE SEAT HEATING ELEMENT ON. I NOTICED AN ACUTE BURNING HEAT NEAR MY UPPER LEFT LEG, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER NOTICED A HOT/BURNING/MELTING SMELL. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT AND PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT. AFTER BEING TURNED OFF FOR 10 MINUTES, THE BURNING SMELL WAS STILL HANGING IN THE CAR AND MY SEAT WAS STILL EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE GRAY LEATHER NEAR THE OUTER LEFT EDGE OF THE SEATING SURFACE IS EMBLAZONED WITH A SINGED, BROWNISH BURN MARK, AND A HOLE WAS BURNED COMPLETELY THROUGH THE LEATHER. I HAVE NOT TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATING ELEMENT SINCE THIS INCIDENT, BUT AM QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451142March 12, 2012
AIR BAGS
THIS PASSAT CONTINUES TO HAVE AIR BAG ISSUES. THE AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT HAS GONE ON MULTIPLE TIMES IN LAST 12 MONTHS. PER THE VW TECH'S, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON. THE AIR BAGS, WIRES, HARNESSES AND COMPONENTS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED. AT LAST VISIT TO VW, THEY STATED NOTHING ELSE CAN GO WRONG BECAUSE IT HAS ALL BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN FOR SAME REPAIR. THE ABOVE DATE IS AN ESTIMATE. BUT, IT HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR THIS ISSUE BY CURRENT DEALER SINCE 8/11/11. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451066March 10, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2.0L VW PASSAT TDI HAD A RATTLING, VIBRATING CHAIN NOISE FROM THE OIL PUMP BALANCE SHAFT MODULE IN THE OIL PAN. THE OIL PUMP CHAINS/SPROCKETS/TENSIONERS WERE WORN AND CAUSED NOTICEABLE VIBRATION AND RATTLING NOISE FOR THOUSANDS OF MILES; HOWEVER, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE. WE HAD THE ENTIRE OIL PUMP ASSEMBLY REPLACED BY A VW DEALERSHIP AT APPROXIMATELY 120,000 MILES WITH OEM GEAR DRIVEN PUMP WHICH INCLUDES THE BALANCE SHAFTS AND OIL PUMP. IT WAS A $3700 REPAIR TO EXCHANGE THE ORIGINAL OIL PUMP WITH THE GEAR DRIVEN PUMP. NOT A CHEAP SERVICE. THE SOUND BEFORE AND AFTER THE MODULE CHANGE WAS MUCH IMPROVED BECAUSE THE GEARS ARE QUIETER. THE REPLACEMENT GEAR DRIVEN OIL PUMP/BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY USES A SIMILAR BALANCE SHAFT BUT WITH A DIFFERENT OIL PUMP AND GEAR DRIVE. THE GEAR DRIVE SMOOTHES OUT STRESS ON THE OIL PUMP HEX SHAFT SO RUNS MUCH BETTER. IN SUMMARY, I AM NOT HAPPY WITH HAVING TO DO SUCH AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR DUE TO A POOR DESIGN AT THE LOW MILEAGE OF 120,000 FOR A DIESEL THAT SHOULD LAST TO AT LEAST 400,000 MILES. THIS IS A RECURRING EXPENSIVE PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE REIMBURSED BY VW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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