Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10417067August 4, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING (2006 PASSAT 3.6 4MOTION) FOLLOWED BY EPC LIGHT (INDICATING E-GAS "LIMP MODE"). VEHICLE WOULDN'T DRIVE ANY FASTER THAN ~40 MPH. CAR REQUIRED OVER $3300 IN REPAIRS (EXCLUDING RENTAL), COVERED BY A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THE CAUSE WAS THE OIL PUMP BOLT BACKING OUT. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE WIDESPREAD AND HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED WITH DOZENS OF REPORTED INCIDENTS ON VWVORTEX.COM AS WELL AS PASSATWORLD.COM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10417114August 4, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CHECK ENGINE (MIL) LIGHT TURNED ON, CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN IDLES AT A HIGHER RPM WHILE WE WERE DRIVING!!! VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP. CAR IS ONLY UNDER WARRANTY FOR 36,000 MILES OR 3 YEARS! DEALERSHIP RAN DIAGNOSTIC, CAME UP WITH: CODE P0123 (THROTTLE HIGH INPUT), P0299 (TURBO UNDER BOOST), P0456 (EVAP LEAK), P1098 (INTAKE TURNING VALVE SHORT TO B+), CODE P2004 (INTAKE RUNNER STUCK), CODE P3237 (INTAKE RUNNER BASIC SETTINGS). DEALER RECOMMENDED INTAKE RUNNER MOTOR REPLACEMENT & REPLACEMENT OF TURBO & N80 VALVE, ALSO CV BOOT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS OVER $1200!!! WE ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF OUR VEHICLES AND HAVE THEM SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD DEFECTIVE INTERIOR PARTS. INTERIOR TRIM (ALL SWITCHES - LOCK, WINDOW & RADIO ARE BUBBLING AND CHIPPING). DOOR PANEL TRIM (RUBBER IS PEELING). SHIFT KNOB - METALLIC PIECE ON SHIFT KNOB, PEELED AND DUG INTO SKIN AND CAUSED INJURY. CARBON FIBER DASH IS PEELING APART. CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA, PER THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE REP, THEY ARE UNABLE TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. CAR IS A 2006 - 67,000 MILES. LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD. I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED A VOLKSWAGEN HAD I KNOWN THEY WERE NOT RELIABLE VEHICLES. UNKNOWLEDGABLE SALES REPS, OR JUST AFTER CUSTOMERS TO MAKE A BUCK. SELLING PEOPLE UNRELIABLE VEHICLES AND VOLKSWAGEN CLEARLY DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS NOR DO THEY CARE ABOUT CUSTOMER LOYALTY OR SAFETY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10416868August 3, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIMING BELT COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE OF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE WHICH ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE IGNITION COIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE TIMING CHAIN WAS DESIGNED TO BE A LIFETIME TIMING SYSTEM AND COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REGISTER THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THE ONLY THING THAT CAN BE DONE IS TO REPLACE ALL FOUR CAM GEAR ADJUSTERS, CONTROL SOLENOID HOUSING, ADJUSTER BOLTS AND TIMING CHAINS, THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND SEALS, TORQUE CONVERTER BOLTS, EXHAUST GASKETS, INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS, INJECTOR SEALS, CHAIN COVER, CHAIN TENSIONERS, REAR MAIN SEAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY GASKETS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10416291July 29, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE
2004 VW PASSAT, VIN [XXX] JULY 2010 - SUNROOF DRAINS FAILED TO DRAIN; WATER ENTERED COCKPIT; WATER DESTROYED CONVENIENCE MODULE UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT. REPAIRED $769 JULY 2011 - SUNROOF DRAINS, ALTHOUGH OPEN, COULD NOT HANDLE FLOW OF WATER, AND AGAIN CONVENIENCE MODULE WAS DESTROYED. WILL BE REPAIRED SOON. THIS CURRENT FAILURE NOW HAS A 'AIRBAG FAULT' WARNING ON THE DASH. WILL NOT ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE CAR. 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
#10415199July 26, 2011
SEATS
WAS DRIVING MY 1999 VW PASSAT. WHILE IN MOTION THE DRIVER SEAT STEEL BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE SEAT IN PLACE SHEARED OFF. I WAS THEN FLIPPED 180 DEGREES BACK INTO THE REAR SEAT. LOST CONTROL OF STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES SINCE IT FLIPPED ME. CONTACTED VW TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS SINCE THE PART IS NOT EXPOSED TO WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE STEEL SHOULD NOT SHEAR OFF LIKE THAT. VW STATED NO RECALL AND THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR REPAIR DUE THE AGE OF CAR AND NO WARRANTY. I HAD IT REPAIRED AT VW SERVICE CENTER ($860) SINCE NEEDED A CAR FOR TRANSPORTATION. I HAVE THE DEFECTED PART AND PICTURES. SENT UP COMPLAINT TO VW AMERICA AND THEY SAID THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT BUT NOT ABLE TO KEEP ME POSTED, LEAVING ME TO FEEL THAT THEY MIGHT NOT SEE THE URGENCY TO THIS TERRIBLE INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED TO ME. IF MY TODDLER KIDS WERE IN THE CAR I COULD HAVE CRUSHED THEIR LEGS WHEN THE DRIVER CHAIR FLIPPED. MY HUSBAND AND I REALLY COULD HAVE DIED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10415200July 26, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE PRIOR, AND BOTH OCCURRENCES TOOK PLACE DURING RAINY WEATHER. THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WATER DAMAGE. TWO YEARS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAILED AGAIN AFTER A STORM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,859 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413936July 21, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BEWARE OF THE 2006 VW PASSAT. I HAVE HAD ONGOING ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. MAJOR ISSUE: STALLING OUT WITHOUT WARNING. MY CAR WAS WORKED ON 6 MONTHS AGO APPROX DATE OF 1/11 FOR STALLING. CAR RAN GREAT, JULY 7TH,11 TRAVELING HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON INTERSTATE, CAR STALLS, ALMOST GOT HIT! TAKEN TO (2) TWO DIFF DEALERSHIPS AND (2) DIFF OPINIONS. DROPPED OFF AT DEALERSHIP ON JULY 14TH,11 PART NEEDED IS ON BACK ORDER UNTIL JULY 25,11) THEY SAY THE STALLING IS CAUSED FROM CAM SHAFT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP! AND APPARENTLY THEY (VW) HAS DECIDED TO COVER THIS UNDER AND EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY UP TO 120,000 MILES! NO RECALL. HMMMM WONDER WHY? THEY WOULD BE OUT ALOT OF MONEY! THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM ON THIS CAR. THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED IS A JOKE! SIX MONTHS AGO MY FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AND NOW ANOTHER PROBLEM EXISTS. MY POINT IS THIS: MY CAR HAS STALLED OUT ON THE INTERSTATE AND VARIOUS OTHER PLACES. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE! THIS CAR IS UNSAFE. I MADE A COMPLAINT TO VW AND THEY BASICALLY STATED IT WAS MY PROBLEM! I HAVE HAD MY CAR ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE 2 TIMES AND ALL HAVE COME BACK WITH DIFF ISSUES! WHEN SPEAKING TO THE REP FROM VW, I ADVISED THEY ALL GAVE ME DIFF OPINIONS DUE TO DIAGNOSTIC READINGS AND SHE STATED "MAYBE YOUR CAR HAS ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS" MAYBE? SO I PAY FOR ALL OF THESE "MAYBE'S" TO GET MY CAR FIXED AND "MAYBE" IT WILL RUN THE WAY ITS SUPPOSED TO, OR "MAYBE" IT WONT! I'M NOT THE ONLY CONSUMER THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM, IT STILL EXISTS FOR MANY OTHERS. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10414032July 21, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
I TOOK MY VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND CHECK UP AND WAS INFORMED THAT I HAVE A BAD FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO RISK OF THE BEARING LOCKING UP THE WHEEL. THE WHEEL BEARING IS CURRENTLY ON A NATIONWIDE BACK ORDER DUE TO EXCESSIVE DEMAND. THE WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT PART WAS RECENTLY MODIFIED DUE TO A KNOWN PROBLEM. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT IS UNKNOWN WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT. MY VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IS A 2007 AND ONLY HAS 29,000 MILES. IT IS UNHEARD OF FOR A WHEEL BEARING TO FAIL WITH MILEAGE THAT LOW, SINCE WHEEL BEARINGS ONLY WEAR OUT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR (IE 80,000 MILES OR MORE) OR FLOOD. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A FLOOD AND I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT ALL THE CARS NEEDING REPLACEMENT WHEEL BEARINGS AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A FLOOD. THE WHEEL BEARINGS ARE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY AND THE FACT THAT THEY CANNOT BE REPLACED IN A TIMELY MANNER IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413736July 20, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
20 AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAR AT CARMAX IN LAUREL, MD IN JUNE 2009 I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK BECAUSE MY AC WAS BLOWING HOT AIR, AFTER A DIAGNOSIS CARMAX SENT MY CAR TO A FITZGERALD VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP IN ANNAPOLIS, MD WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED IT FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND IN TURN HAD TO REPLACE MY AC COMPRESSOR, CONDENSOR AND CLUTCH. I RAN THE AC FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS (JULY & AUG 2009) THAT YEAR, SINCE WE WERE ALREADY HALF WAY THROUGH THE SUMMER. IN MAY 2010 WHEN I TURNED MY AC ON AGAIN IT BLEW HOT AIR, I SENT IT BACK TO CARMAX WHO DIAGNOSED IT AGAIN AND SAID THE AC COMPRESSOR AND PRESSURE SWITCH SHOULD BE REPLACE, LESS THAN A YEAR SINCE THE INITIAL AC WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME. AT THIS POINT, I CALLED FITZGERALD AND WAS TOLD I WAS PAST MY 12,000 MILES PER THE REPLACEMENT WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE WORK WHICH WAS QUOTED AT $2300 AND $1700. AFTER I COMPLAINED TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE, THE DEALER OFFERED A GOOD WILL ONE TIME OFFER DECREASING THE ESTIMATED COST TO $900. I DECLINED THE OFFER SINCE I DON'T BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT CLEARLY WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME. AFTER PURCHASING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR ANOTHER ISSUE, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY DIAGNOSED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I AGREED TO HAVE THEM FIX IT BASED ON MY WARRANTY COVERAGE HOWEVER, I WAS DENIED COVERAGE BY THE WARRANTY COMPANY BECAUSE VOLKSWAGEN PREVIOUSLY ISSUED A TSB REGARDING AC ISSUES IN 2006 VW PASSAT. THIS TSB WAS ISSUED IN 2007, MY CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 2009. SO AS OF TODAY 7/20/2011 I AM STILL WITHOUT A WORKING AC SYSTEM AND I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING AROUND IN HEAT ADVISORY WEATHER WITH NO AC. I AM FORCED TO MAKE ALTERNATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR TRANSPORTATION AS A RESULT, SINCE THE EXCESSIVE HEAT EXPOSURE CAUSES ME HEADACHES & DIZZINESS. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413755July 20, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
EXCESSIVE EXTERNAL CAR NOISE WHILE IDLE. LOUD NOISE IN MOTOR AREA WHEN STARTING CAR. NOTHING CAN BE DONE ACCORDING TO REYDEL VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND SHREWSBURY VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE AND HAS NOT BEEN HANDLED BY VOLKSWAGEN CORPORATION. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413276July 18, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
MY FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FOR THE 2ND TIME IN 2 YEARS. IN 2009, I SMELLED FUEL WHEN THE TANK WAS FULL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE TANK WAS CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHICH I PAID FOR. IN 2011, THE EXACT SAME THING OCCURRED. THE DEALER IS PAYING FOR THE REPLACEMENT. THIS CONCERNS ME THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL TANKS IN THE 2002 VW PASSAT. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED EARLIER AND SORT OF RECALLED UNDER THE HEAT SHIELD PROBLEM. IF IT IS THE SAME ISSUE AS THAT, I SHOULDN'T HAVE PAID FOR THE REPAIR IN 2009. COULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE FUEL TANKS...THE ESCAPE OF FUEL SCARES ME! *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413244July 17, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A 2003 VW PASSATT 1.8L TURBO. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW, AND HAVE USED FULLY SYNTHETIC OIL FOR THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. FROM READING SEVERAL FORUMS ON THE ISSUE I AM GOING TO REPORT, I DO NOT HAVE A GOLD PLATED RECORD OF ALL OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. I HAVE CHANGED MY OIL EVERY 3000-5000 MILES. TWO MONTHS AGO, I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN THE STOP ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, WHO IS A MASTER MECHANIC. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS THE OIL INTAKE TUBE IN THE OIL PAN....IT WAS COMPLETELY CLOGGED UP AND NO OIL WAS GETTING THROUGH IT. I PAID FOR PARTS AND LABOR FOR HIM TO MAKE THE REPAIRS AND IT COST ME $2500 DOLLARS. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY COST, AND FIND OUT WHAT VW HAS DONE TO COVER OWNERS FOR THESE REPAIRS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412290July 14, 2011
EQUIPMENT, STRUCTURE
THERE ARE SEVERE TOXIC ODOR'S (VOC'S) COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CARPET INSULATION OF THE INTERIOR IF THE CAR. IT IS SO POTENT THAT I HAVE SORE THROATS , HEADACHES AND FEEL LIGHT HEADED DURING AND AFTER I DRIVE THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THIS ODOR/VOC HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO FAINT DUE TO THE SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION I HAVE TO IT. I HAVE TO HAVE ALL WINDOWS OPEN TO EVEN DRIVE THE AUTOMOBILE. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET UNDER "VOLKSWAGEN CRAYON SMELL" THERE ARE HUNDREDS ARE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT VOLKSWAGEN CARS WHERE THEY HAVE FOUND THE INTERIOR SOUND INSULATION MAT UNDER THE CARPER FLOOR TO BE THE CAUSE. I NEED MY CAR AND I CAN'T DRIVE IT LIKE THIS AS IT IS UNSAFE FOR MY HEALTH AND I FEAR THIS "CRAYON ODOR" COULD CAUSE ME TO HAVE A CAR ACCIDENT. I HAVE TRIED TO ENLIST VW AMERICA AND THEY STATE THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE , HOWEVER, THERE ARE HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSAND COMPLAINTS THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED FROM THIS TOXIC ODOR THAT IS COMING INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN OF THEIR CARS ESPECIALLY THE 2006 PASSAT. THIS TOXIC CRAYON ODOR IS PRESENT AT ALL TIMES , IT IS NOT DEPENDENT ON THE CAR RUNNING (BEING ON) WHAT SO EVER.. PLEASE HELP!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10411824July 11, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE SENSORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410691July 6, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK AND THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410803July 6, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 VW PASSAT 1.8T/AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH 97,500 MILES WHICH HAD UNDERDASH ELECTRICAL FIRE WHILE RUNNING THE CAR AND NOW IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE CAR WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION PRIOR TO THE EVENTS. ELECTRICAL UNDERDASH FIRE STARTED VERY FAST WITH SMOKE COMING FROM DRIVER VENT. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET APPEARS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AN NOT MANY PEOPLE REALLY REPORT THE CAR FIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410581July 5, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MAKE:VOLKSWAGEN MODEL: PASSAT YEAR:2000 STREAMING GASOLINE LEAK INBOARD OF THE REAR QUARTER PANEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN THE ENGINE STARTS. AFTER OPERATING FOR A TIME (20 MIN OR MORE) THE LEAK STOPS AND DOES NOT REAPPEAR UNTIL THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR SEVERAL DAYS WITHOUT RUNNING. THIS CONDITION WAS FIRST REPORTED TO VW HILEY ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND COULD FIND NOTHING. I HAD SEEN OCCASIONAL LEAKS SINCE BUT THIS TIME SCARED ME BECAUSE IT WAS SO MUCH THAT MY GAS GAUGE MOVED AS A RESULT. I WAS HEADED TO WORK WHICH IS ABOUT 20 MINUTES AWAY. BY THE TIME I GOT THERE THE LEAK HAD STOPPED. TODAY IS JULY 5TH 2011. IT WAS SITTING SINCE JULY 1ST 2011. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410385July 4, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN MY 1996 VW PASSAT AT 65 MPH AND THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF MY CAR WAS ENGULFED WITH WATER AND ANTI FREEZE STEAM AND VAPOR. IT WAS QUICKLY AND WITH OUT WARNING IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS A DEFECTIVE HEATER CORE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD HAVE LEAD TO A MAJOR ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410358July 3, 2011
VISIBILITY
2002 VW PASSAT PLASTIC LENS COVER OVER THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE SO FILMY, CLOUDY CAN HARDLY SEE AT NIGHT..THE LENS COVERS HAVE BEEN CLOUDY FOR YEARS, I NOTICE LOTS OF CARS WITH CLOUDY LENS COVER NOT JUST VW...SHOULD BE SAFETY RECALL..... DO WE WAIT LIKE WE DID ON NO DOC LOANS UNTIL WE ADMIT WE HAVE A PROBLEM.........NO EXACT INCIDENT BUT I'M SURE THEY HAVE HAPPENED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10409956June 29, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
STREAMING GASOLINE LEAK INBOARD OF THE REAR QUARTER PANEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN THE ENGINE STARTS. AFTER OPERATING FOR A TIME (20 MIN OR MORE) THE LEAK STOPS AND DOES NOT REAPPEAR UNTIL THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR SEVERAL DAYS WITHOUT RUNNING. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS, BUT NEITHER THE VW DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR, NOR AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE WAS ABLE TO FIND IT (BY THE TIME I GOT IT INTO THE SHOP, THE LEAK WAS GONE AND THE GAS HAD EVAPORATED). IT HAS GRADUALLY WORSENED, THOUGH, AND LAST WEEK I TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST VW DEALER. WHEN THEY DETECTED THE STRONG ODOR OF GAS, THEY PARKED IT IN AN ISOLATED AREA. THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED AND TOLD ME THAT THE "ROLLOVER" VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE CAR NEEDED A NEW GAS TANK. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AT DREW VOLKSWAGEN IN LA MESA, CA, AWAITING PARTS. WHEN IT OCCURS, THIS IS A VERY SUBSTANTIAL LEAK WITH GAS STREAMING ONTO THE GROUND.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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