Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#11537108August 8, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Began smelling fuel. Made an appointment for a week out. They found that the fuel pump cover under the seat had been pushing on the top of the fuel pump. This means that the pressure of the seat has been pushing on the top of the fuel pump. The fuel pump was cracked and a stream of fuel was spraying on the bottom side of the plastic fuel pump cover. fuel could be smelled in the car and outside. it would drip on the ground after about 2 minutes of running. This seems like a poor design that has potential for bigger issues because of the fuel hazard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11535970August 2, 2023
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
My clock spring isn’t working after having my vehicle for barely a year. My air bag light is currently on. I can’t use my horn nor use any of the controls on my steering wheel. I’ve paid already 800 plus on previous car issues such as my harness hose. I’m still awaiting reimbursement. Further review and assistance needed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11535981August 2, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Replaced cracked fuel pump 3 times. Electrical problem to fuel pump ; also all were cracked from pressure. Thx !! Dr.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11536181August 2, 2023
AIR BAGS
Clock spring is broken air bag will not deploy which is a recalled component for some vehicles. Somehow my Vin is not on the list.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11535909August 1, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY/WIPER
As the trunk hatch opens and closes, the wiring to the hatch wears down, frays, and then shorts or breaks. This killed our rear view camera, which is a safety issue. This also can cut off light to the license plate. The rear hatch also cannot then be opened from the rear of the car, as the handle is electrical and gets disconnected, possible causing another safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11535723August 1, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Day of purchase (Feb2020)Nox sensor went out on way home. Check engine light came on took back to VW dealership they fixed for free. Next component to go bad or become faulty was and still is the fuel door actuator when raining or washing off the car will get wet and fuel door will not open. Reported it to VW dealer after the issue arose at which time I was told it was not covered under the emissions warranty even though it’s listed. Next issue was clock spring broke and had to have VW repair the clock spring. This they did free of charge. Then issues arose with first blinkers bulbs blowing and randomly ceasing to work. It has progressed from blinkers ,to back up lights and tag lights. Recently the OBD displayed a Adblu Error 200 miles to no engine restart. Then it dropped to 50 miles. Then zero at which time the OBD flashed red and car would not start. Filled adblu waited few hours car started up no codes showing on dash. Get on interstate and with little time it flashes the same messages Adblu Error 200 miles to no engine restart. Then to 50 miles down to 10 miles turning red at 0 miles No engine Start. As of 6 days ago I have recently learned of a recall made by VW regarding the Approved Emissions Modification being faulty leading to the exact symptoms the car displays regarding the adblu(DEF system). VW dealer refuses to acknowledge that the recall fix needs fixing since they reported to have fixed it already. All of the issues that we have had with the NOx sensor, clock spring, exterior lighting , fuel door actuator, and the def system corrected approved modification, has been part of a recall that was supposedly already performed prior to the purchase. Now the def system is not working properly due to the malfunctioning of the AEM software. Def injector have clogged due to crystallization of adblu , a affect of inadequate injection from the faulty AEM. Emission mod decals under hood are not in proper locations nor properly filled.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11535105July 28, 2023
AIR BAGS, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Failed part: Clock spring. Yes, the work was appropriately installed. This is my fourth replacement within less than 100k miles. No additional inspections as of yet. No warning lights, just a faint click coming from the steering wheels while making turns two days prior to hearing a snapping noise. My air bag light illuminated and my dash notified me of an air bag error. Lost all connection to steering wheel controls and horn. This is the same thing that has happened every time prior. The car is inoperable, once again, due to clock spring failure. I cannot drive my vehicle as I am concerned about not having safety features of an air bag and a horn. This has been an ongoing issue with VW. I have been the only owner of this vehicle for almost nine years.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11534556July 26, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I was letting my car run for a couple of minutes for the AC to cool down the car and I went into my house. When I came out about 2 minutes later, there was a large puddle of gas under the car in front of the right rear wheel and gas was running down the driveway all the way to the street. I immediately turned off the car and the gas stopped pouring out from under the car. I was lucky the car, my house or I did not go up in flames.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11534164July 24, 2023
ENGINE
Drove the car to and from work that day with no problems. Also, went back to work a 2nd side job that evening with no issues. Got home, shut the car off and when my wife and I went out to go to work the next morning at 5 a.m., the car wouldn't start at all. Wouldn't even click. Did a lot of research because I had the starter replaced about 2 weeks before and knew it couldn't be the starter and also had bought a new battery when I had the starter replaced as well, so knew it wouldn't be the battery. After a lot, I mean a lot of research online, finally came to the decision it was the timing chain tensioner was faulty. When I went to replace the tensioner for the timing chain, I took my camera and put it in the cylinder heads and found out that there was 2 broken valves in the number 3 piston. One was broken and sideways in the piston and the other just broken. I'm not sure whether a rod has gone through the bottom of the head or not, couldn't get my camera to go that far down. So now I have no vehicle what-so-ever to drive back and forth to work. My wife had to resign from her job because she had no way to get there everyday and I have to pay someone gas money weekly to pick me up and bring me home from work so needless to say, we are currently struggling, can't pay our bills because my wife cannot get a job and now I have to figure out how to repair this damage that should have been made a recall for these volkswagens because by the looks of things, there are over 100 people that have had this same problem. An engine is going to be between $4,000 and $6,000 to repair and I have no way to fix this at that price. So now I am probably going to have to just junk the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11533804July 22, 2023
ENGINE
I recently replaced the battery but noticed the car was still missing. I had similar issue in February and catalytic converter was replaced. Three days ago I noticed the car was misfiring and EPC light as well as check engine light came on. I had OBD code checked and my car is misfiring on pistons 2 and 3.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11533031July 18, 2023
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
My instrument cluster stopped working yday. I could hear something inside or behind the steering wheel when I turned it. Obviously my clock spring has failed. I am pretty sure my car had a recall on this in the past. I haven’t had another ride to Little Rock to take my car for repairs. I can not afford to fix this. The part alone is over 400$. I understand it is very dangerous to drive. I have no other way to get anywhere. I need this part replaced if possible at all by volkswagon. There were 6 recalls on my car last time I checked. This being one of them. It is very dangerous to drive for me and everyone on the roadways. Please help. Thank you.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11532430July 15, 2023
SUSPENSION
Rear coil spring is broken. Normal driving conditions and we noticed a significant vibration. Upon inspection of rear suspension we found a broken rear coil spring. I researched this issue and found that VW recalled several other 2015 models for rear coil springs breaking. This is a major safety issue. Currently we cannot use the car due to this safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531558July 11, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
My sensors cause the car to break in the middle of traffic. Almost causing accidents for the people behind me. This has happened 3x in the last month.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11530921July 7, 2023
ENGINE
Intake Manifold Runner is failing. This could suddenly put the vehicle in limp mode on the open highways, resulting in a hazardous situation due to sudden slowing. MIL light is illuminating and diagnostics from Meineke Car Care Center confirms failure of the Intake Manifold Runner. Similar issues have been noted with past VW models, with Intake Manifold warranty extension to 10 years, 120,000 miles for 2006-2008, 2008-2012, and 2013-2017 model years. It seems the problem continues through 2018 as I reached 90,000 miles with a failure. Volkswagen service specialists was quoted as "that sounds about right" so the problem clearly lingers for the 2018 model years and beyond.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11530411July 5, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the rear brake pads were generating an excessive amount of brake dust. The dealer was notified. The contact stated that he was informed a year later at a vehicle State Inspection, that the rear brakes were significantly worn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was an uneven brake wear as the rear brakes were prematurely worn while the front brakes were in very good condition. The dealer notified the manufacturer, who informed the dealer that there would be no assistance as the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11528305June 22, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made abnormal sounds. The contact stated that the vehicle started independently, and the Driver Assist function engaged independently. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was swerving unintendedly and would vibrate while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times; however, the dealer informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The dealer later replaced the brake rotors; however, the failure persisted. The electronic power control (EPC), the Adaptive Cruise Control and low oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the message "Front Assist Error" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake caliper was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the thermostat as the message "Coolant Error" was displayed on the instrument panel. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11527901June 20, 2023
AIR BAGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VW repaired clock spring (a recall) after airbag warning, steering wheel controls stopped working. VW returned the vehicle to me, the customer, with the clock spring supposedly repaired yet steering wheel buttons, including cruise control and others, remained broken and unusable. VW wanted several hundred dollars to fix this, despite the issue obviously being directly related to the clock spring as all buttons were in working order prior to the clock spring issue. (dates below May not be entirely accurate as this happened several years ago and still has not been repaired, however I was unaware I could file a report here)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11527995June 20, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I financed a car from a car place (mainline) auto in march, there’s been some lights on it, I mentioned this numberless times also, the steering wheel was completely out of commission and the horn did not work, or the mileage, I talk with him he said bring it in and he will fix it, he fixed the steering wheel 2 weeks later but there’s lights still on the vehicle, last Friday 06/16/2017 I got an email saying I need to make a payment of the months that I missed not intentionally, so I proceed to call the dealer and she said she would make note that I will come into the office Monday morning 06/19/2023 so that the car wouldn’t be repossessed, afterwards come sun I woke up around 11:30 and the car was gone, I called my insurance company pear holdings and they opened up a claim, I also called Jacksonville police department and they told me that it was repoed. Went up there Monday and payed tons of money that I had no idea I was being charged or responsible for, after I argued about the missing information and lack of communication so this would not happen, after I payed to get the car I walked to get inside and on the the front window it said (caught slipping) In white marker , I tried to get it off the a wet paper towel but it didn’t come off so I went inside the place and told her about the writing and she called someone from the back in a language I’m not fluent with and told me I would need to talk with them, that was already a red flag as well, when I got to the back of the dealer place outside I asked one of the mechanics could he come over and see if he could wipe it off,this is harassment, favoritism, Mis handled information, long waits for watever reason I’ve asked them numerous of times to just give me the money that I put down on the car back that I didn’t even give them personally same week I brought it, they got my card info from the insurance company that wasn’t authorized by me I would like to take further action because I’m still making payments
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11526913June 14, 2023
AIR BAGS
I’ve been try to contact the recall department for my air bag issued for 2years straight since I purchased the vehicle but no appointment has been set to fix the airbag recall
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11526830June 13, 2023
AIR BAGS, STEERING
The clock spring broke again only four years from being repaired with the last recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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