Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10390006March 13, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, STRUCTURE
WATER IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE, FROM ANY SOURCE (INCLUDING THE SUNROOF DRAINS THAT WERE RECALLED BUT NOT EFFECTIVELY FIXED) OR SNOW FROM BOOTS THAT HAS MELTED... DRAINS TO THE LOWEST POINT, WHICH IS WHERE VW PUT THE TCM (AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT HIGHLY SENSITIVE TO MOISTURE) THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO SLAM INTO LIMP MODE AT 65 MPH WITH 2 KIDS IN THE BACK SEAT. VOLKSWAGEN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS ARE THOUSANDS OF 1500$ POORER VW OWNERS WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE TCM AND HOPE THAT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10389861March 11, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE - CONSTANTLY A NEW LIGHT ON THAT NEVER STAYED ON. DRIVER'S AIRBAG ISSUE THAT VW SAYS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT - A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VW CHARGED US TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT CAME BACK WITH 12 FAILURE CODES, THE TWO MOST SEVERE BEING INTAKE RUNNER MOTOR AND HIGH PRESSURE PUMP. THEN, NOT LONG AFTER, THE CAR LITERALLY SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND WE COULD HARDLY GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (MIND YOU NO PRIOR WARNING LIGHTS WERE PRESENT). THE ONLY ONE THAT CAME ON FOR A SPLIT SECOND WAS THE EPC (ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL) LIGHT BEFORE THE CAR SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO VW DEALER WHO AFTER INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM, SAID THAT THE ENGINE WAS SHOT. AND, I ALMOST FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THE AIR HASN'T WORKED FOR 2 SUMMERS. VW CLAIMS THAT THIS IS BECAUSE A BAD COMPRESSOR WAS PUT IN THE PASSATS. $1800 TO FIX. THESE ISSUES ARE COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND WE DON'T THINK ANY OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS SHOULD BE OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY. VW NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY ENGINEERING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10389700March 10, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OR IDLING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE ABNORMALLY AND THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN RPMS. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO MAINTAIN PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM SURGING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10389796March 10, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
POWER TRAIN LACK OF POWER WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC. THIS WAS DUE TO WATER LEAK IN POLLEN FILTER BOX (CRACKED) WHICH AFFECTED THE SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID, AFFECTING THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT MILEAGE OF 121,000 MILES. NORMALLY GARAGED AND MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE. AFTER RAIN, FOUND AN INCH OF WATER IN REAR PASSENGER FLOOR. TRANSMISSION NON-FUNCTIONAL, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS ON. DEALER SAID THE POLLEN FILTER SEAL WAS NO GOOD AND THAT WATER LEAKED IN AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE FLOOR BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE READ MANY ACCOUNTS ON THE INTERNET FROM MANY ANGRY OWNERS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHERE LEAKS FROM THIS SEAL HAVE CAUSED CATASTROPHIC REPAIRS. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE VW DEALER TOLD ME THAT CHECKING THE POLLEN FILTER SEAL IS NOT PART OF ANY REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND THAT IN ORDER TO CHECK IT, YOU'D NEED TO DISASSEMBLE QUITE A FEW THINGS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN I ASKED HIM HOW AN OWNER COULD POSSIBLY KNOW IF THE SEAL NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND HE REPLIED "YOU FOUND OUT HOW". I AM CLEARLY NOT ALONE IN HAVING EXPERIENCED A FAILURE FROM A PART THAT IS NOT IN ANY WAY MAINTAINABLE (THE POLLEN FILTER SEAL) AND THAT HAS CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I FEEL THIS IS A CONSUMER ISSUE AND THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE PASSAT THAT VW SHOULD COMPENSATE OWNERS FOR. THERE IS NO WAY FOR AN OWNER TO BE ABLE TO AVOID THIS SITUATION -- IT IS NOT A MATTER OF MAINTENANCE. IT GOT TO DO WITH THE PASSAT LEAKING WATER AND THE LOCATION OF AN EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE COMPONENT IN THE REAR PASSENGER FLOOR, THE AREA WHERE ANY WATER THAT LEAKS MIGRATES TO. IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED DURING DRIVING, I MIGHT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION SPENT ANOTHER 2000$ AND ITS NOT EVEN THIS THE PROBLEM!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386993March 9, 2011
EQUIPMENT, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING AFTER 5 YEARS. CONDENSER CRACKED/BROKEN ACCORDING TO DEALER, REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF ALL AIR CONDITIONING COMPONENTS. TOTAL COST $1,700 INCL. LABOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386525March 5, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STRUCTURE
MY COMPLAINT IS MORE GENERAL IN NATURE. I PURCHASED A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IN 2001. THIS WAS THE FIRST CAR I PURCHASED BRAND NEW. AS I THINK BACK OVER THE TIME THAT I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE AND READING THE COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN LOGGED IN ON THIS SITE, I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK THAT VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD OFFER SOME TYPE OF SUBSTANTIAL "HARDSHIP" REIMBURSEMENT BESIDES REPAIRS AND SUCH. IN THE TIME THAT I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE, I'VE HAD THE FOLLOWING INCIDENTS OCCUR: 1. HAVE A CONTROL UNIT REPLACED (HORN NOT WORKING, UNABLE TO ROLL DOWN WINDOWS, ETC..) 2. REPLACE IGNITION COIL (STOP MOTOR STATUS LIGHT COMING ON AS I'M DRIVING IN THE MIDST OF TRAFFIC) 3. HAD UNDERSHIELD FALL FORWARD AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE STATE HIGHWAY, PRETTY MUCH SCOOPING UP POTENTIAL DEBRIS FROM THE ROADWAY SURFACE. 4. DAMAGE TO ENGINE FROM OIL SLUDGE AND OIL PUMP REPLACEMENT NO LESS THAN THREE TIMES. (STOP MOTOR LIGHT AGAIN) 5. INTERIOR OF CAR FLOODED AND FROZEN OVER FROM SUNROOF FLAW AND ELECTRONICS ARE AFFECTED... JUST ON MERITS OF BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE PROOF OF OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOWING THAT THESE SERVICES WERE INDEED RENDERED AT A VOLKSWAGEN AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITY, I BELIEVE THAT AT MINIMUM, VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD AGREE TO REIMBURSE ALL EXPENSES, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. IT'S BECOME CLEAR THAT THE QUALITY OF THESE VEHICLES WAS SUBSTANTIALLY SUB-PAR AND POORLY DESIGNED ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN MY PARENTS DRIVEWAY, AS THE LAST TIME THE OIL PUMP WENT CAUSED SO MANY ISSUES THAT I ENDED UP NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR (LIVE AND WORK OUT OF STATE NOW AND REGISTRATION EXPIRED THE SAME MONTH THE PUMP WENT THEN COULDN'T AFFORD INSURANCE AFTER REPAIRS). TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, I DIDN'T RECEIVE THE CLAIM NOTICE ABOUT FIXING THE SUNROOF ISSUE UNTIL A YEAR LATER, AS IT WENT TO MY OLD ADDRESS AND NOW IT'S TOO LATE TO EVEN FILE THE CLAIM. ALL I WANT IS HAVE A RELIABLE CAR TO OPERATE WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT IF I'M GONNA HAVE SKIP LUNCH BECAUSE I SPENT ALL MY MONEY ON REPAIRS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10388617March 5, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, POWER TRAIN
DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW WITH ALL PASSATS 1998 AND UP THEY ARE PRONE TO HAVING MAJOR FAILURE OF TCM TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AS IN CASES OF HEAVY RAIN WATER WILL LEAK INTO PASSENGER FLOOR AREA AND FILL THE TCM WITH WATER HENCE LOCKING TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND NO LONGER ALLOWING VEHICLE TO BE SHIFTED...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386280March 3, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 VW PASSAT STATION WAGON FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED. AS I WAS PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE ENGINE, AS WELL AS A BROWN BURN CIRCLE. I GOT MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND CALLED 911. WITHIN 2-3 MINUTES, THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIREMEN INFORMED ME THAT THEY BELIEVE IT STARTED WITH/NEAR THE BATTERY. IT WAS CONSIDERED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN ACTING UP, NOR HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEEN COMING ON IN RECENT WEEKS OR MONTHS. THE CAR IS A COMPLETE LOSS. THE VW PASSAT WAS ONLY 6 YRS OLD, WITH LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON IT. REGULAR TUNE-UPS AND MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE. IT WAS SHOCKING HOW QUICKLY IT WENT UP IN FLAMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386052March 1, 2011
VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PSSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR DOORS HOUSED PIVOTING TABS FOR A SHADE TO KEEP THE SUN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DESIGN WAS POORLY MANUFACTURED BECAUSE THE CHILD OCCUPANT IN THE BACK SEAT COULD PULL THE TABS UP AND DOWN AND COULD POTENTIALLY CATCH HIS FINGERS IN THE TAB. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383827February 24, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN, STATING A SERIES OF ISSUES SUCH AS OIL SLUDGE, ENGINE MALFUNCTION ISSUES, ANTI-FREEZE AND COOLANT ISSUES AND IGNITION COIL ISSUES WITH VOLKSWAGENS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE LEARNED THERE WAS A SPECIFIC TYPE OF COOLANT THAT ONLY BE USED FOR HER MODEL VEHICLE. SHE STATED EACH SUMMER SHE DROVE AROUND WITH 2 CONTAINERS OF ANTI-FREEZE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSUME SO MUCH ANTI-FREEZE. ALSO, THE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383978February 22, 2011
SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF HER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE SEATBELTS DID NOT RETRACT ON IMPACT. AS A RESULT, HER HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING A CONCUSSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 86,000. UPDATED 4/11/2011 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK IN TO PLACE. UPDATED 04/22/11
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10383425February 21, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2006 VW PASSAT 2.0T AT LEAST EVERY 6 MONTH, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATE LIGHT ON WITHOUT ANY REASON. WHEN I GO TO THE REPAIR SHOP, THEY JUST RESET IT. IT BACK TO NORMAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383027February 17, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
IN 2002, I BOUGHT MY PASSAT NEW. AT THE END OF DECEMBER 2010, THE STOP OIL LIGHT CAME ON. TWO WEEKS LATER, A RECALL LETTER ARRIVED. I DROVE TO PASADENA AND BACK TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FEBRUARY 2011. AFTER A LITTLE MALFUNCTION ON THE FREEWAY IN LIVERMORE, I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND THE PASSAT STARTED TO SOUND LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE. TOWED TO DUBLIN VW. THEY SAY THE ENGINE IS FRIED AND A NEW ONE WOULD COST $6800. ALL THIS DUE TO OIL SLUDGE ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383165February 17, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLAMP WIRING HARNESS MELTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382892February 16, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE DRIVER OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT PIECES OF THE ENGINE BLOCK WERE FRACTURING INTO THE OIL PAN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383006February 16, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OIL PUMP FAILURE LEADING TO ENGINE FALUE. REQUIRING ENGINE REPLACEMENT.*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382707February 15, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. HE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR, AND NOTICED SMOKE RELEASING FROM THE VENTS. WITHIN MOMENTS THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AREA WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE AS 94,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381647February 11, 2011
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
BOUGHT THE 2006 VW PASSAT IN FEB OF 2009 @ 11,000 MILES. THE PROBLEMS STARTED @ 22,900 BATTERY CABLE (HARNESS) NEEDED REPLACEMENT; @ 25,012 STEERING COLUMN AND CONTROL UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED, SYSTEM WOULD LOCK THE WHEEL; @ 26,096 COULDN'T OPEN GAS DOOR, GAS ACTUATOR FAULTY AND REPLACED; @ 32,390 CAT CONVERTER INTERNALLY BROKEN, REPLACED; BUT THE SCARIEST WAS @ 37,280 TRACTION LIGHT AND EPC LIGHT POPS ON AND VEHICLE LOSES POWER, INTERNAL FAULT IN THROTTLE BODY, REPLACED BUT NOT REPAIRED AS OF TODAY 37,438 LIGHTS HAVE REAPPEARED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381454February 10, 2011
AIR BAGS
AIRBAGS HAVE FAILED FIVE TIMES ON PASSAT BECAUSE OF BAD SENSORS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382188February 9, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1. ON THE EVENING OF FRIDAY OCTOBER 24, 2008 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND THE CAR STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. 2. ON THE MORNING OF SATURDAY OCTOBER 25, 2008 I BROUGHT THE CAR TO SOUTHPOINT VOLKSWAGEN IN BATON ROUGE, LA. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY #4 ENGINE COIL. THEY REPLACED THE COIL, TESTED THE CAR AND RETURNED IT TO ME. THE CAR SEEMED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED OFF. 3. THE NEXT DAY, SUNDAY OCTOBER 26, 2008, AFTER DRIVING ONLY 28 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE CAR BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AGAIN. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD INTO A GAS STATION. AT THIS TIME I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND A FIRE NEAR THE LOWER PART ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO SOUTHPOINT VOLKSWAGEN. 4. SOUTHPOINT REPLACED THE OTHER 3 COILS AND OTHER PARTS THAT WERE DAMAGED BY THE FIRE. 5. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2008 SOUTHPOINT VW MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO MEET IN ORANGE, TX, TO RETURN MY PASSAT AND PICK UP THE RENTAL CAR. AFTER THIS EXCHANGE, AND APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING TIME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS STEADY. 6. I THEN LEARNED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS CAUSED BY AN ISSUE WITH THE EMISSION SYSTEM. THE COIL FAILURE ALLOWED UNBURNED GAS TO GO INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM DAMAGING THE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. VW HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED BUT HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO MY EMISSION SYSTEM. DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT THE TIME OF THE COIL REPLACEMENT SHOW THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY PRIOR TO THE FIRE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen Passat