Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10289030October 19, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2004 VW PASSAT TDI. VW HAS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. THE SWITCH CONTINUES TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE CIRCUIT AFTER THE TURN SIGNAL IS IN THE OFF POSITION. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THEIR MODELS( JETTA, PASSAT BOTH GAS AND DIESEL). THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE PERSONNEL ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ARE REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH ONLY IF YOUR HAVE ALL YOUR MAINTENANCE DONE AT A AUTHORIZED VW DEALER. SO IF YOU DON"T HAVE ALL YOUR OIL CHANGES AND REPAIRS DONE BY A AUTHORIZED V W DEALER THERE IS NO ASSISTANCE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THIS DEFECTIVE SWITCH. THIS IS A COST OF $300.00 TO THE CONSUMER. THIS SURE IS SAFETY RELATED AND NEED TO BE RECALLED ASAP. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED FIRES UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288824October 18, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
IN JAN. 2007 THE "LOW OIL PRESSURE" LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 PASSAT 1.8T (W/ AUTO TRANSMISSION) ON THE FREEWAY- I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED 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. 60K MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT TELL ME ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR '02 PASSATS FOR OIL SLUDGE-RELATED REPAIRS; I FOUND OUT ABOUT IT BY RESEARCHING ONLINE. HOWEVER, VOLKSWAGEN WOULDN'T HONOR THIS WARRANTY WITHOUT RECEIPTS FOR EVERY OIL CHANGE DONE ON THE CAR - WHICH I DID NOT HAVE. APPROX. A YEAR & A HALF LATER, THE SAME OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING & I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE CAR. THIS TIME, I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE ($8000!!) DUE TO OIL SLUDGE ISSUES. AGAIN, EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR OIL SLUDGE REPAIRS WAS USELESS TO ME BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE RECEIPTS FOR EVERY SINGLE OIL CHANGE DONE OVER THE LIFE OF THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288840October 18, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, TIRES, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
HELLO, I BOUGHT VW PASSAT WAGON GLS BRAND NEW FROM VW DEALER IN OHIO DURING JUNE,2005. THE CAR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP IS COMING ON THRICE SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW. I ALREADY MADE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DURING MY SERVICE VISIT. EVERY TIME THEY FIX IT AT A COST TO THE CUSTOMER.BUT I DO NO KNOW HOW SAFE TO DRIVE IN A HIGHWAY WITH THIS MIL COMES ON SUDDENLY.VW NEVER ADDRESS TO THIS UNTIL. YOUR ACTIONS ARE APPRECIATED. *TR THANKS, MOHAN RAJAMANI
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288798October 17, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LAMP CAME ON AND THE TEST MESSAGE INDICATED "EMISSION WORKSHOP". THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THE MASS AIR FLOW METER (P0101) TO BE FAULTY. IT WAS REPLACE BUT THE PROBLEM AND CODE RECURRED WITHIN 6 MILES. NEXT THE DEALERSHIP FOUND A CRACK IN THE TURBO AIR COOLER, IT WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM AND CODE RECURRED WITHIN MILES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THE CAR FOR NEARLY 2 WEEKS WHEN THEY FOUND A SLIGHT AIR LEAK IN A TURBO HOSE. THE "O" RINGS WERE REPLACED AND IT MAY HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM BUT I HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR SINCE THEY ARE STILL WORKING ON THE ENGINE SURGE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288796October 17, 2009
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, POWER TRAIN
SPORADICALLY THE REAR WINDOWS WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE WINDOW UP/DOWN SWITCH, THEN LATER WITHOUT TOUCHING THE SWITCH THE WINDOWS WOULD OPEN OR CLOSE. THE DEALER FOUND A CHEAP PLASTIC COTTER PIN TYPE INSTRUMENT CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD THE CHANCE TO CHECK OUT THE REPAIR SINCE THE DEALER HAS MY CAR GOING ON 3 WEEKS FOR TWO OTHER ISSUES (TRANSMISSION SURGE AND ENGINE LIGHT/P0101) FOR WHICH THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10287339October 14, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. FOR SEVERAL MONTHS HE NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PLASTIC COVER ON THE HEADLIGHT WAS DEFECTED AND THAT THE SUN'S RAYS CAUSED IT TO DISCOLOR AND DISTORT THE BULB. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR REPAIR WAS $200.00. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10287249October 13, 2009
STRUCTURE, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MY 2001 "NEW" PASSAT GLS V6 HAS BEEN FLOODING EVERY TIME THERE IS RAIN AND IT SOAKS THE DRIVER FOOTWELL AS WELL AS THE SAME SIDE'S REAR PASSENGER FOOT WELL. IT'S CREATED A MOLDY UNPLEASANT ODOR IN THE CAR THAT I'M CONCERNED WILL SICKEN MY FAMILY AND ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10286560October 6, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT ALSO OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY) IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $2,000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THERE WAS CONCERN OF THE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 149,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10286229October 4, 2009
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
VW PASSAT WINDSHIELD SHATTERS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS SEEMS TO BE A TREND THAT I DISCOVERED WHILE TALKING WITH OTHER VW OWNERS AND SEARCHING THE WEB....THIS HAS HAPPENED TO PEOPLE WHILE DRIVING. TIME BOMB WAITING TO HAPPEN AND MONEY OUT OF PEOPLES POCKETS!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285807September 30, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL AT AN EXPENSE OF $403.00. THE FAILURE RESURFACED ONE YEAR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE IGNITION COIL FAILED AND CAUSED THE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE ENGINES COMPUTER TO BURN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT AN EXPENSE OF $887.97. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000. UPDATED 10/21/09. *LJ UPDATED 12/07/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER PROBLEM, THE FAILED STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 12/08/09
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285722September 29, 2009
EQUIPMENT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INTERIOR LIGHTING
2004 VW PASSAT 4 SEDAN REAR CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND ASH TRAY ARE NOT SAFELY AND FUNCTIONAL INSTALLED WELL. HAVE THE TENDENCY TO KEEP COMING APART ENTIRELY EXPOSING ELECTRICAL WIRES LEADING TO BURN AND ELECTRICAL SHOCK OR POPPING OR BURNING OF WIRES. HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BY DEALER AS WELL AS BY MYSELF TO FURTHER PREVENT THE MISHAP SINCE OUT OF WARRANTY. MY CHILDREN BUMP THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND IT CAUSED SPARKS AND BURNING SMELL. I WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE ENCLOSURE AGAIN FOR THE 13TH OR SO TIME AND SINCE IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY IT'S NOT COVERED. CHILDREN SIT IN THE REAR MORE THAN ADULTS BUT THERE HAS BEEN TIME WHERE THE ADULTS HAVE CAUSD THE SAME ISSUE. IT'S THAT MY 9 YR OLD SON TRY TO REPAIR OR PUT BACK IN WHERE THE ENTIRE ENCLOSURE FELL OUT AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285456September 28, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO FIRESTONE FOR A ROUNTINE TUNE-UP AND TO REPLACE MY AXLE. BECAUSE OF FIRESTONES MIS-DIAGNOSIS OF THE TUNE-UP, THEY DETERMINED IT WAS THE ENGINE COIL. MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO AUDI OF BROOKLINE FOR A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY FOUND THIS.....A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION - E.C.M..THE ENGINE COIL WAS ONLY A SYMPTOM OF THE BIGGER PROBLEM IN THE FAULTY E.C.M. MISFIRING. PRIOR TO BRINGING MY VEHICLE INTO FIRESTONE, IT WAS OPERABLE. BECAUSE OF THEIR TAMPERING WITH THE IGNITION COILS; MY VEHICLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED. REGARDING THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT, THE CURRENT AND PASSED CONDITION OF MY VEHICLE, WHICH IS NORMALLY A HEALTHY, SAFE, VEHICLE, IS AS FOLLOWS: "FUEL DELIVERY INSPECTION AT PRESENT TIME, IGNITION SYSTEM CHECK, AND POWER PROVIDED TO COILS TECH FOUND NO COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (E.C.M.) AND A.B.S. CONTROL MODULE BECAUSE A.B.S. CONTROL MODULE WAS DISCONNECTED. RECONNECT AND ACCESS A.B.S. SYSTEM AND FAULT DETECTED CUSTOMER AWARE OF THE A.B.S. PROBLEM AND WARNING HAS BEEN ON FOR A WHILE. THAT IS TRUE, AND NOT THE REASON FOR THIS LETTER. CONTINUED: FOUND E.C.M. FAULT FOR #3 IGNITION COIL OPEN CIRCUIT. PIN CHECK WIRES ON #3 IGNITION COIL PLUG #3 POST FROM CONNECTOR TO E.C.M. FOUND HEIGHT RESISTANCE IN WIRE, REPLACED #3 CONNECTOR AND RE-TESTED OK. ALSO CLEAN AND REPLACE TERMINAL ON TOP OF VALVE COVER FOR PROPER GROUND. START ENGINE AND ROAD TEST VEHICLE, FOUND ENGINE MISFIRE ON #1, #2, #3, #4 IGNITION COILS". I HAVE TO REPLACE ALL 4 IGNITION COILS, CATAYLTIC CONVERTER, AND E.C.M. THIS IS THE SECOND IGNITION COIL REPLACED IN THE 1 YEAR I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE. THIS CAR HAS MORE MECHANICAL ERRORS THAN IMAGINABLE. THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIRS IS IN THE THOUSANDS. I CAN'T AFFORD TO MAINTENANCE THIS TEMPERMENATL VEHICLE. I WILL HAVE TO JUNK THE CAR. I REFUSE TO FIX THIS VEHICLE. PUSHING FOR A RECALL!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285518September 28, 2009
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH THE HEATED SEATS ON, SHE BEGAN TO FEEL EXTREMELY HOT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED A HOLE IN THE DRIVER SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $500.00 - $600.00 TO REPLACE THE SEAT . NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285523September 28, 2009
AIR BAGS
WE HIT A DEER HEAD-ON AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. WE WERE TRAVELLING ABOUT 60 MPH AND DID NOT BRAKE. THE CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE TO REPAIR. THIS SEEMS UNUSUAL BECAUSE AIR BAGS ARE DESIGNED TO GO OFF AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285145September 24, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VW PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE LOW PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL; WHICH INSTRUCTED HER TO DISCONTINUE OPERATION. IT THE CONTACT CHOSE TO CONTINUE OPERATING THE VEHICLE ENGINE FAILURE COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. A TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE TURBO ALONG WITH THE OIL AND PICK-TUBE; TO AVOID OIL FROM ENTERING INTO THE INNER COOLER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000. UPDATED 10/21/09 *BF UPDATED 10/20/09*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285052September 23, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR STARTED CHUGGING AND DIED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND A NEW PUMP AND FILTER WERE REPLACED. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP FOR THE 2003 VW PASSAT BUT THE DEALERSHIP WON'T RECOGNIZE IT FOR THE 2005. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285059September 23, 2009
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE HAS SPECTOR Z100 TIRES, TIRE SIZE P225/40/18(NA). THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT AND EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CRACKING. THE TIRE WAS CHANGED AND REPLACED WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE OTHER THREE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED SEVERE CRACKS. THE FOUR DEFECTIVE TIRES WERE PURCHASED FOUR MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAS PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. THERE WERE CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISKS INVOLVED. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10284689September 21, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1. DURING MY WIFE'S MORNING COMMUTE THE OIL LIGHT STOP ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN OUR 2001.5 VW PASSAT. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS IN A RURAL AREA AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY AND COASTED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. 2. THE FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF SEVERE OIL COKING WITH THE 1.8T ENGINE. VW ISSUED A NOTIFICATION LETTER DATED AUGUST 2004 ADVISING OF THE ?OIL SLUDGE? PROBLEM. THE LETTER STATES ?ENGINE OIL SLUDGE OCCURS WHEN OLD, DIRTY ENGINE OIL THICKENS AND CANNOT CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE ENGINE LUBRICATION.? THE LETTER IMPLIES THE ISSUE IS DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE. IN REALITY THE FAILURE IS DUE TO A LATENT DESIGN DEFECT OF IMPROPER HEAT REJECTION ATTRIBUTE OF THE ENGINE SUMP. BASICALLY NOT ENOUGH OIL QUANTITY AND OIL COOLING CAPACITY. THE OIL THEN COKES OVER TIME IN A SIMILAR MANNER AS IS ENCOUNTERED ON GAS TURBINE ENGINES UNDER EXTREME TEMPERATURES. EVENTUALLY THE COKED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE AND PLUGS THE SUMP SCREEN. THE OIL PUMP THEN RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND ENGINE FAILURE. THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AT A CRITICAL TIME IS A SAFETY CONCERN. 3. FORTUNATELY AS OUR CAR WAS NOT RUN WITHOUT OIL PRESSURE I WAS ABLE TO SAVE THE ENGINE. VW WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY DESPITE PROVIDING A LOG BOOK FROM ALL THE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED FROM NEW. THEY REQUIRED ALL RECEIPTS OF OIL CHANGES. I PERFORM ALL MY OWN MAINTENANCE. VW CLEARLY HAS GAMED THE WARRANTY AND MISREPRESENTED THE PROBLEM AS POOR MAINTENANCE AND SLUDGE. I HAVE ALWAYS CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 5K MILES. THIS COST ME NEARLY $2K IN PARTS NOT INCLUDING MY LABOR. THIS IS A MAJOR REPAIR. THE OIL PUMP, SUMP SCREEN, ALL CRANK CASE VENTILATION LINES, TURBO LINES, ETC. HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS COFFEE GROUNDS (COKED OIL) THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. WHAT A MESS. I HOLD A BS IN AERO ENGR TECH AND FAA A&P LICENSE. I RUN THE AFTERMARKET FOR A LARGE GAS TURBINE ENGINE MFG. I KNOW ENGINE DESIGN AND WARRANTY GAMING WHEN I SEE IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10284380September 17, 2009
STEERING
MY DASH KEEPS TELLING ME STEERING COLUMN LOCK IS DEFECTIVE. MY CAR WON'T START HALF THE TIME. I HAVE TO LEAVE MY CAR RUNNING IF I PLAN ON GETTING RIGHT BACK IN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10284348September 16, 2009
POWER TRAIN
2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE WHILE ON A CAR DOLLY BEING PULLED BY A 2006 NISSAN X-TERRA. *KB ACCORDING TO THE FIRE DEPT AND TOW TRUCK OPERATOR THE FIRE WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED LEAKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE 3 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0747-91.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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