Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10263975April 2, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FLOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY AN INCH TO 1.5 INCHES OF WATER. SHE NOTICED THE ISSUE APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES WITHIN ONE MONTH, ESPECIALLY IN RAINY CONDITIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE CAUSED BY THE SUNROOF, ALTHOUGH THE SUNROOF WAS NEVER WET AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A DEFINITE DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELEVANT TO THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ABS INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. SHE WAS UNSURE IF THIS FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE WATER ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,320 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,115.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263858April 1, 2009
SEAT BELTS
THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT ON THE CAR GOT STUCK (OR LOCKED). NO ACCIDENT OR MISUSE OF THE EQUIPMENT HAPPENED. IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS REINSTALLING MY CHILD SEAT. NOW, I AM UNABLE TO INSTALL THE CHILD SEAT. IT IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE AND I RECOMMEND THE GOVERNMENT HAVE THE MANUFACTURER FIX IT. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS INCIDENT THAT I COULD FIND WHEN SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET. NOT SURE IF THEY HAVE OFFICIALLY BEEN REPORTED TO THE GOVERNMENT. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH ME IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263713March 31, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR A ROUTINE TUNE-UP AND A HONDA DEALER WROTE ON THE INVOICE THAT THE CONTROL VALVE JOINTS AND BOOTS WERE TORN, IN ADDITION TO THE SHAFT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE RELATED TO SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,511. UPDATED 05/08/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE CV JOINTS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/08/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263610March 30, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
WHILE OPENING MY TRUNK LID, THE PASSENGER SIDE HINGE BROKE. THE LID, DROPPED, DOWN AND I CAUGHT IT, WITH OUT HARM. BUT IT COULD HAVE EASILY HURT MY HAND OR HEAD. I CALLED THE DEALER TO ORDER A REPLACEMENT PART, HE INDICATED IT WAS VERY POPULAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263688March 30, 2009
SEATS
VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVERS SEAT SLID ALL THE WAY FORWARD IN ITS TRACKS AND THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED ALL THE WAY FLAT. SEAT INTEGRITY SHOULD BE MAINTAINED IN THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10263558March 29, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
PURCHASE CAR IN FL, NOW LIVE IN IOWA DUE TO JOB TRANSFER. A/C UNIT CONTINUES TO NOT BLOW COLD AIR IN A DEPENDABLE METHOD. HAVE TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND RESTART TO SOMETIMES GET IT STARTED AGAIN. NOW TORQUE CONVERTER LIGHT CAME ON JUST AFTER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRED 1 MONTH OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. GOT IN CONTACT WITH VW OF AMERICA. WOULD NOT ASIST, BUT INSTEAD SENT $2,000 GOOD FAITH VOUCHER TOWARDS TO PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO HELP ME WITH THE PROBLEMS. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263560March 29, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON I SHUT ENGINE OFF ONE IGNITION COIL STARTS TO SMOKE AND START ON FIRE ALONG WITH COIL ELECTRICAL LEAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263307March 28, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY VW PASSAT WAGON GLS TDI (DIESEL) ENGINE HAS BEEN MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND VIBRATION AT STOP OVER THE LAST YEAR AND WORSENED UNTIL I HAD IT REPAIRED. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP AND TENSIONERS WERE MAKING THE NOISE. THE BRILLIANT MECHANIC REPLACED THE PARTS WITH A GEAR DRIVEN OIL PUMP AND THE VIBRATIONS AND NOISE STOPPED. I THINK THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY VW. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE OIL PUMP CHAIN TENSIONERS WERE CLOSE TO BREAKING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263521March 28, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE AFFECTED IS A 2004-2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L DIESEL ENGINE. CODEDBHW. THE OIL PUMP BALANCE SHAFT MODULE AND CHAIN ARE WEEK IN DESIGN AND ARE FAILING WITHOUT ANY WARNING TO THE DRIVER. WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCUR THE ENGINE IS STARVED OF OIL AND INTERNAL FAILURE IS IMMINENT. SAFETY OF OPERATION BECOMES COMPROMISED AT THIS POINT SINCE AN ENGINE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS REMOVES ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKING FEATURES AND THE DRIVER IS ALONG FOR THE RIDE UNTIL GETTING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP BY USE OF E-BRAKE OR OTHER SPEED REDUCING MANEUVERS AND HOPEFULLY AVOIDING A COLLISION. THIS FAILURE IS BEING REPORTED AT A BROAD RANGE OF MILEAGE STARTING WITH 45,000 AND UP. ITS MAIN SIGN IS A LOUD CHAIN RATTLE OR ABNORMAL VIBRATION WHILE AT IDLE. VOLKSWAGEN HAS ISSUED AN UPGRADED PART BUT NO FURTHER GUIDANCE WAS ISSUED. THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTY REPAIRS AS OF RIGHT NOW. ALL OWNERS ARE UPGRADING THERE VEHICLES WITH A GEAR DRIVEN ASSEMBLY AT A PRICE TAG FOR THE REPAIR OF $3000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263256March 27, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A 2004 VW PASSAT TDI (DIESEL) WITH 64, 500 MILES ON IT. I DID NOT HAVE A FAILURE BUT I WAS SO CONCERNED ABOUT IT, THAT I HAD IT PRE- FIXED. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE BALANCE SHAFTS IN THIS ENGINE ARE DRIVEN BY A CHAIN OFF THE MOTOR WHICH ALSO DRIVES THE OLL PUMP. THIS UNFORTUNATE DESIGN SUBJECTS THE CHAIN TO STRESSES IT CAN'T WITHSTAND. ON VARIOUS TDI FORUMS, ESPECIALLY TDICLUB.COM, THERE HAVE BEEN A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF CHAIN FAILURES REPORTED. WHEN THE CHAIN DRIVING THE OIL PUMP FAILS,THE ENGINE IS STARVED OF ESSENTIAL LUBRICATION AND IF IT FAILS IT CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE UP WHICH WOULD BE LIFE-THREATENING. RECENTLY, VW IN EUROPE RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AND DESIGNED A REPAIR, WHICH CHANGES THE CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP TO A GEAR DRIVEN OIL PUMP. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PERMANENT FIX TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN DEFECT. SINCE, UNLIKE VW OF AMERICA, I AM UNWILLING TO PUT MY AND MY CHILD'S LIFE AT RISK, I RECENTLY PAID ALMOST $3000 TO HAVE THE BALANCE SHAFT MODULE REPLACED WITH THE GEAR DRIVEN ONE. MOST OF THE PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM ARE EXPERIENCING IT AFTER THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND VW DONE NOTHING TO NOTIFY THE NEARLY 12, 000 OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. MOST OF THE PEOPLE DRIVING THESE VEHICLES HAVE NO IDEA THAT THEIR CAR IS A POTENTIAL TIME BOMB. IT IS NOT A MATTER OF IF, BUT WHEN, BECAUSE OF THE POOR DESIGN, THEY ALL WILL FAIL. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE; THERE HAS BEEN A SHORTAGE AND PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL WEEKS JUST FOR THE PARTS TO COME IN. IF THE PART FAILS AND DESTROYS THE ENGINE, THE COST FOR THAT REPAIR IS $8-10,000. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY VW OF AMERICA AND WE NEED YOUR HELP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE MODULE AND CHAIN DRIVE HAD NOT FAILED, BUT THEY WERE SHOWING SIGNS OF FATIGUE. UPDATED 04/15/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263034March 25, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2005 VW PASSAT TDI HEATER CORE FAILURE, A COMMON VW RECALL PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262985March 24, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
APPARENT ENGINE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON WITH A WARNING TO STOP THE ENGINE. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AWAITING EVALUATION OF THE EXTENT DAMAGE. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED AND HAVE NO RECORD OF THE PREVIOUS OWNERS MAINTENANCE. I MAINTAIN MY OWN VEHICLE THEREFORE DO NOT HAVE RECEIPTS TO PROVE EACH OIL CHANGE ACCORDING TO THE SCHEDULE. VW RECOMMENDS CHANGES EVERY 5,000 MILES; I CHANGED IT EVERY 3,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262734March 23, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
ABS BRAKE MODULE DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262691March 22, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I HAD PERSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE LATCH ON THE TRUNK OF MY 2006 PASSAT. FINALLY, THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT PIECES OF THE PLASTIC COATING OF THE LATCH MECHANISM WERE CHIPPING OFF AND FOULING THE LATCH. THE LATCH WAS REPLACED WITH A BARE METAL PIECE AND THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. THIS WAS NOT RESOLVED, HOWEVER, UNTIL AFTER SOME ANONYMOUS DO-GOODER DENTED MY TRUNK TRYING TO SHUT IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262699March 22, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
POWER BRAKE ASSIST FAILURE IN LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (WI WINTERS). OCCURS WHENEVER TEMPERATURES ARE IN THE 30'S OR LOWER. VACUUM HOSE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. APPARENTLY CONDENSATION IS BUILDING INSIDE THE HOSE (REPORTED BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT.) *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262591March 20, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
WE HAVE A 2002 1.8L PASSAT THAT WAS AFFECTED BY THE DEFECTIVE COILS IN THE 2003/2004 RECALL. NOW LESS THAN 5 YEARS LATER, 2 COILS FAILED AT ONCE WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND ALL 4 NEED TO BE REPLACED. LUCKILY WE WERE DRIVING WERE WE COULD SAFELY GET OUT OF TRAFFIC BUT IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I WONDER IF THE REPLACEMENT COILS WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262438March 19, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
DEALER REFUSES TO FIX RECALL UNLESS I ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE TO AFTERMARKET PARTS OCCURRING WHILE REPLACING HEAT SHIELD ON EXHAUST SYSTEM. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FIRE IF ORIGINAL HEAT SHIELD IS NOT REPLACED. RECALL R5, CRITERIA 1. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262264March 18, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE IN MY 2001 VW PASSAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262200March 17, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NVS-216 MEC AND REF. # IS 10257848 VW 2005 PASSAT TDI BALANCE SHAFT REPLACEMENT THIS WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR($3200)OT AVOID A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENGINE AT ANY SPEED THAT COULD RESULT IN TOTAL LOSE OF CONTROL. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW BY VW AND SHOULD BE REPLACE AT THEIR COST! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262020March 16, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS CONTROL MODULE: THIS COMPLAINT PERTAINS TO MY 1999 VW PASSAT TURBO. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE CAR AND A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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