Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10295319December 11, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SIDE ROAD. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF AN OIL/SLUDGE PROBLEM. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE HER WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,167. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295332December 11, 2009
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING ON A BRIDGE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER A FEW MINUTES HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. HE WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER, BUT HE WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295383December 11, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WATER IN BRAKE BOOSTER FROZEN, CAUSING BREAKS TO FAIL - NEAR INCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. FROZEN WATER IS DUE TO KNOWN SERVICE ISSUE WITH 2002 PASSAT. VW WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAILURE OF BRAKE BOOSTER EVEN THOUGH MECHANICS INDICATE FAILED AIR PLENUM/FILTER IS ONLY WAY FOR WATER TO ENTER BRAKE BOOSTER. VW WILL NOT TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION ON BRAKE BOOSTER, A $600 REPAIR. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN COLD WEATHER. SEE INVESTIGATION #PE07-018. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295212December 10, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL GAUGE READS INCORRECTLY. PRIOR TO FIRST SERVICE CALL, GAUGE READ NEARLY EMPTY WHEN TANK WAS FULL; AFTER REPLACING "SENDING SENSOR" THE CONDITION REVERSED AND NOW READS FULL WHEN TANK IS NEARLY EMPTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295300December 10, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A 2005 PASSAT TDI GLS. MY CAR HAD DEVELOPED A VERY SERIOUS NOISE CAUSED BY THE OIL PUMP CHAIN UNIT THAT WAS ORIGINALLY ON THIS VEHICLE. I DID TALK TO VW AND MY DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THE THRASHING CHAIN NOISE. I GOT POLITE DENIALS AND BLANK STARES WHEN I TOLD THEM OF THIS ISSUE. MEMBERS OF THE WWW.TDICLUB.COM DISCOVERED A VW ENGINEERED FIX FOR THE VEHICLES INVOLVED. MEMBERS WHO HAVE DRIVEN THEIR CARS BEYOND THE 80K OR SO SEEM MORE LIKELY TO HAVE THE CHAIN SNAP DURING OPERATION WHICH RENDERS THE CAR INOPERATIVE AND DANGEROUS DURING THE BREAKAGE. THE FIX IS NOT EXACTLY AN INEXPENSIVE REPAIR AS THE PARTS ALONE ARE AROUND $1500 AND THE INSTALLATION REQUIRES EXTENSIVE DISASSEMBLY OF THE VEHICLE. THE REPAIR INVOLVES REPLACING THE CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY WITH A GEAR DRIVEN ASSEMBLY. THE BELOW LINK HAS VIDEOS/SOUND CLIPS OF MY CAR BEFORE THE NOISE, AFTER THE NOISE AND AFTER THE FIX. THIS WAS TAKEN WITH 44,444 MILES ON THE CLOCK: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=K0WMGCDJFQI THIS THE CAR PRIOR TO BALANCE SHAFT REPAIR IN MAY 2009 WITH 56,000 MILES ON THE CLOCK: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=TTQX3SJ6_FK THIS IS A POST-OP RECORDING JUNE 2009 AT 57,000 MILES OF MY PASSAT AFTER BRIAN JOHNSTON OF CARDOCAUTOMOTIVE IN ST. LOUIS MISSOURI. HE IS A NATIONALLY KNOWN INDEPENDENT ASE CERTIFIED EXPERT ON THIS ISSUES REPAIR. HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=XTQIAK-CWD4. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295121December 9, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH 2006 VW PASSAT WHERE IT WILL START BUT WILL NOT STAY RUNNING. HAVE CHECKED WEBSITE AND DETERMINED THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR/MODEL OF VW. AM CONCERNED AS THERE IS A MESSAGE THAT DISPLAYS THAT SAYS DEFECTIVE STEERING WHEEL LOCK. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 81K MILES. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294595December 5, 2009
AIR BAGS
FAILURE FOR AIRBAG TO DEPLOY WHEN I REAR-ENDED SOMEBODY. MY APPROXIMATE SPEED WAS 25-25 MPH AND ALL MY FRONT COMPONENTS IN THE CAR WERE DAMAGED. THAT INCLUDES THE RADIATOR, THE AIRCONDITIONING ALL THE FANS IN THE FRONT AND THE ENGINE COVER. IT COST ME AROUND 9000 TO FIX IT. BUT THE POINT IS WITH SO MUCH DAMAGE IN THE FRONT THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN SUCH AN ACCIDENT BEFORE AND NOW I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THAT CAR. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAGS WILL EVER WORK ALSO. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294475December 4, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION. SUDDENLY, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR UNLATCHED WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE DOOR FAILED TO SECURE IN A CLOSED POSITION. WHENEVER THE POWER LOCK WAS ENGAGED THE DOOR OPENED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000. THE VIN WAS REJECTED FROM THE SYSTEM WHICH WILL BE UPDATED UPON RECEIPT OF THE SAFETY COMPLAINT FILING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294542December 4, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ENGINE COLD. TRANS. IN EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE. UPON RELEASING BRAKE CAR MOVES TOO FAST. WHEN APPLYING BRAKE NOTHING HAPPENS. AFTER REPEATEDLY APPLYING BRAKE THEY FINALLY CATCH HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 TIMES. THIS TIME THEY DIDN'T CATCH AND I REARENDED A PICKUP WAITING AT A STOP SIGN. I DON'T THINK I FAILED TO APPLY THE BRAKES PROPERLY BECAUSE I RAISED MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND REAPPLIED THEM AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE IMPACT BUT THAT IS NEVER-THE-LESS STILL A POSSIBILITY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294364December 3, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHENEVER THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS IT BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND HESITATE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 38,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294299December 2, 2009
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN HE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW AND THE ENTIRE WINDOW FELL OFF TRACK INSIDE THE DOOR. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CLOSE THE WINDOW WITH THE AUTOMATIC SWITCH AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294175December 1, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL PUMP MODULE BURNED OUT UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING ENGINE TO CEASE OPERATING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON APPROXIMATELY 5 MIN. BEFORE FAILURE. ONCE ENGINE STOPPED,VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER TO SIDE OF ROAD, HAD TO COAST TO SAFE SHOULDER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294188December 1, 2009
SEAT BELTS
SHOULDER BELT IN CENTER REAR POSITION IS FULLY RETRACTED AND LOCKED, MAKING IT UNUSABLE. UNKNOWN CAUSE THIS TIME. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED TO US. THE FIRST TIME, WE FOLDED DOWN THE REAR SEAT FOR CARGO AND THEN WERE UNABLE TO PULL IT BACK UP. THE FIRST TIME, THE RETRACTOR WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ESTIMATE TO REPLACE IT THIS TIME IS $450. ADDITIONAL REPORTS OF THE PROBLEM WERE FOUND IN DISCUSSION GROUPS ON THE INTERNET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293415November 24, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2003 VW PASSAT HEATER CORE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND VW AMERICA REFUSED TO DO IT AT NO COST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293315November 23, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAILURE OF KEY (FOB OR WHAT EVER VW CALLS IT) TO START VEHICLE WHEN INSERTED IN IGNITION SWITCH. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE AND RESULTED IN IGNITION SWITCH NEEDING TO BE REPLACED BY DEALER. ON THE SECOND OCCURRENCE THE KEY ITSELF SHORTED OUT AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO OPEN POWER DOORS; HOWEVER, THE KEY WOULD ALLOW ME TO OPEN THE POWER REAR HATCH SO THAT I COULD CRAWL THROUGH CAR TO UNLOCK DOORS. TODAY THE OTHER KEY STARTED ACTING UP FOR MY WIFE AND WOULD NOT ALLOW HER TO UNLOCK DOORS AND SHE HAD TO CRAWL THROUGH CAR TO UNLOCK DOORS. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER HAS THE FIRST FAULTY KEY FOR WHICH HE WAS TO GET US A REPLACEMENT AND WE ARE WAITING ON VW TO REPLACE FAULTY KEY. I DO NOT KNOW IF DEALERSHIP STILL HAS FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER STILL HAS MY KEY. THE DATES OF THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENTS ARE 01/20/2009 & 09/09/2009. THE CAR WAS IN SERVICE LESS THAN 15 DAYS BEFORE THE FIRST IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I LEFT MY KEY WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER WHEN WE PICKED UP THE CAR ON 09/13/2009. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293321November 23, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2003 VW PASSAT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH COILS AND VALVE COVERS. MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE! LUCKILY THE FIRE WENT OUT ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER I STOPPED THE CAR! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED! IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? ARE THERE ANY RECALLS OUT THERE?! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292671November 18, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DURING TRIP IN 2008 THE "LOW OIL PRESSURE" LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 PASSAT 1.8T (W/ AUTO TRANSMISSION) ON THE FREEWAY- I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF THE CAR AS THE WARNING LIGHT ADVISED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP & I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW OIL PUMP DUE TO OIL SLUDGE ($1300). THE CAR HAD APPROX. 120K MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP DID TELL ME ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 02 PASSATS FOR OIL SLUDGE-RELATED REPAIRS, HOWEVER, VOLKSWAGEN WOULDN'T HONOR THIS WARRANTY WITHOUT RECEIPTS FOR EVERY OIL CHANGE DONE ON THE CAR - WHICH I DID NOT HAVE. APPROX. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING.THIS IS ALL DUE TO OIL SLUDGE ISSUES. I HAD ABOUT 90% OF ALL OF MY OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS AND VW WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. AS AND ENGINEER IN KNOW THAT THE 1.8T ENGINE WAS NOT DESIGNED CORRECTLYBECAUSE IF IT WERE, VW WOULD NOT HAVE CHANGED THE SIZE OF THE ORIGINAL OIL FILTER TO A LARGER ONE AND THERE WOULD BE NO NEED TO USE SYNTHETIC OIL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292813November 18, 2009
STEERING
2006 PASSAT SEDAN DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN MESSAGE IN DASHBOARD MONITOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292407November 16, 2009
STRUCTURE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2005 PASSAT WAGON - 38000 MILES BLOCKED DRAINS AROUND THE SUNROOF CAUSED RAIN WATER TO LEAK INTO THE FLOOR BOARDS OF THE CAR. THE BUILD-UP OF WATER CAUSED THE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE) TO MALFUNCTION. THE (AUTOMATIC) CAR WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN ONLY WITH HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN GEARS AND NOW WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. (UNDRIVABLE). REPLACEMENT OF THE TCM WILL COST $3210. THE CAR WAS A GARAGED CAR UP UNTIL A FEW MONTHS AGO. IT WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE DRAIN TUBES CAN GET CLOGGED WITH "ONE LEAF" AND THE NEXT RAIN CAN CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED TO PARK IN A COVERED AREA AND NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAW THAT ONE LEAF FOLLOWED BY ANY RAIN CAN CAUSE THE TCM TO FAIL AND NEED REPLACING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292073November 13, 2009
TIRES, TIRES:VALVE
IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE THIS AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE, I BOUGHT 4 NEW CONTINENTAL CONTIPROCO TIRES IN JUNE 2009 FOR A 99 VW PASSAT. AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN 7K MILES, WHILE TRAVELING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY ABOUT 65 MPH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED INTO 3 PIECES. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING THAT I KNOW OF AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY. IT WAS SIMILAR TO A TRUCK RETREAD TIRE THAT SEPARATES AND YOU SEE ON THE ROAD ALL THE TIME. CONTINENTAL WILL REPLACE THE TIRE BUT QUITE HONESTLY I DON?T TRUST THEIR PRODUCTS AT THIS TIME. IF THIS OCCURRED ON A FRONT TIRE, I WOULD HAVE ROLLED OVER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen Passat