Volkswagen Passat Complaints
7,897 consumer complaints on file.
- #10260032February 26, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CHAIN ON THE OIL PUMP, BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY FAILED AT 96,000 MILES. IT WAS DETECTED BY A MECHANIC BEFORE THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE ENTIRE OIL PUMP AND BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. HAD THE PROBLEM NOT BEEN DETECTED, AND THE CHAIN BROKE, THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE BEEN STARVED OF LUBRICATION AND FAILED. THIS IS THE DIESEL PASSAT WITH THE BHW ENGINE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10260049February 26, 2009ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4 DR SEDAN ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE FAILED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10260163February 26, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE BALANCE SHAFTS IN THIS ENGINE ARE DRIVEN BY A HEX SHAFT OFF THE CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP. THIS UNFORTUNATE DESIGN SUBJECTS THE CHAIN TO STRESSES IT CANNOT WITHSTAND. MY OWN PASSAT HAD THE OIL PUMP AND BALANCE SHAFT REPLACED 2/16/09 WITH LESS THAN 65,000 MILES. THANKFULLY, A GOOD MECHANIC DETECTED THE PROBLEM BEFORE I HAD A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. A $3,500 REPAIR IS NEVER WELCOME, BUT IT WAS BETTER THAN REPLACING THE ENGINE LIKE THE VW DEALER RECOMMENDED. I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND INQUIRED AT SEVERAL VW DEALERSHIPS AND CHOSE THE MOST EXPERIENCED MAN TO DO THE JOB. RECENTLY, VOLKSWAGEN 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. THE REPAIR IS QUITE EXPENSIVE. PARTS WILL COST IN EXCESS OF $1,400 AND LABOR WILL BE IN EXCESS OF $1,200 AT MOST SHOPS. I BELIEVE IT IS NOW OBVIOUS THAT ALL THE BHW ENGINES WILL FAIL UNLESS THE GEAR DRIVEN OIL PUMP MODIFICATION IS UNDERTAKEN. IT IS UNFAIR TO EXPECT OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED WITH A FLAWED DESIGN. THIS IS NOT A SMALL PROBLEM, AS THIS DESIGN FLAW WILL LEAD TO TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. MY WIFE NORMALLY DRIVES THE CAR AND SHE SHOULD NOT BE PUT THROUGH THIS. IF THE FAILURE OF THE CHAIN CAUSES ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY, OR PASSING ON THE HIGHWAY, THIS CONDITION COULD EASILY CAUSE DANGER TO ALL CITIZENS NEARBY, POSSIBLY LEADING TO DEATH. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT STEPS VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA IS TAKING TO INFORM 2004 AND 2005 PASSAT TDI OWNERS OF THIS PROBLEM. GOOD CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP WOULD RECOGNIZE A PROBLEM OF THIS SEVERITY AND SHOULD BE COMMUNICATED TO THE OWNERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THESE ENGINE FAILURES COULD LEAVE MOTORISTS STRANDED UNDER DIRE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THEIR SAFETY IS AT RISK. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10259990February 26, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE NOISE, RATTLE, OIL LIGHT. ENGINE (TURBO DIESEL // PASSAT) DOES NOT SEEM NORMAL AND MUCH NOISIER THAN USUAL. OTHER FIENDS WITH TDI'S HAVE HAD MAJOR CONCERNS WITH THEIR CARS (SAME CIRCUMSTANCES). *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10259892February 25, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND THE ENGINE OIL PUMP SYSTEM DRIVE WILL FAIL. FAILURE OF BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND THE ENGINE OIL PUMP SYSTEM DRIVE CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WITH LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE, BROKEN OIL PAN, BROKEN FRONT ENGINE SEAL FLANGE, AND DAMAGED CRANKSHAFT. THIS CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE EXTENT THAT THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN TRAFFIC, IT CAN LEAD TO A COLLISION WITH INJURIES OR DEATHS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10259933February 25, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
IMMINENT FAILURE OF MAJOR ENGINE COMPONENT DUE TO POOR VW DESIGN. THIS INVOLVES THE OIL PUMP DRIVE CHAIN MECHANISM THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH VWS NEW GEAR DRIVE VIA A RECALL. BROKEN CHAIN DRIVES ARE PILING UP YET VW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE POTENTIAL HARM AND DAMAGE THAT COULD OCCUR. VISIT HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=233651 FOR DETAILS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10259950February 25, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
LOUD NOISE IN THE LOWER HALF OF ENGINE PROMPTED EVALUATION BY MECHANIC. PROBLEM WAS FROM FAILURE OF CHAIN DRIVEN BALANCE MODULE. THIS FAILURE WAS DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN THAT VW HAS ADMITTED TO BY VIRTUE OF NO LONGER MANUFACTURING THIS UNIT AND REPLACING IT WITH A TOTALLY RE-ENGINEERED BALANCE SHAFT MODULE THAT IS GEAR DRIVEN. COMPLETE FAILURE OF THIS UNIT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN A COLLISION THAT POTENTIALLY COULD BE FATAL. VW REFUSES TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND ADMIT THEIR ERROR IN DESIGN TO THE PUBLIC, HOPING TO AVOID A COSTLY RECALL CAMPAIGN. IN THE MEANTIME VW OWNERS ARE HAVING TO PAY $2500 TO $3000 FOR THIS REPAIR. AT THE SAME TIME THIS IS A RECOGNIZED PROBLEM WITH THE SAME ENGINES IN EUROPE AND VW HAS RE-ENGINEERED THE PARTS FOR NORTH AMERICA FOR REPLACEMENT. VW NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DESIGN FAILURE AND THE AFFECTED ENGINES IN NORTH AMERICA NEED TO BE REPAIRED AT VW'S EXPENSE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10259733February 24, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DESIGN FLAW OF 2004-2005 PASSAT TDI VEHICLES SOLD IN USA AND CANADA INVOLVING THE BALANCE SHAFT MODULE AND ITS CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP DESIGN. THE CHAIN HAS BEEN REPORTED TO FAIL WITH NO WARNING. VW HAS ISSUED NEW DESIGN TO REPLACE THE OLD BUT HAS NOT COMMENCED AND RECALL AS OF YET. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10259732February 24, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2005 VW PASSAT TDI HAD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE LIKE MARBLES IN A BLENDER. THE CAR ALSO SHOOK VIOLENTLY. IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME UNTIL IT WAS UNBEARABLE. THE NOISE AND VIBRATIONS WERE CONSTANT - WHENEVER THE CAR WAS RUNNING. I FINALLY TOOK THE CAR INTO THE SHOP AND IT TURNS OUT THE TIMING CHAIN THAT DRIVES THE OIL PUMP AND BALANCE MODULE WAS BAD. THE SHOP HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE OIL PUMP AND BALANCE MODULE DUE TO A REDESIGN FROM VW. THE NEW DESIGN IS NOW GEAR DRIVEN. THE OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SHOP THAT DID THE REPLACEMENT. IT LOOKS LIKE VW DID UPGRADE THE PARTS BACK IN THE EARLY PART OF 2008 BUT THEY HAVE NOT NOTIFIED THEIR CUSTOMER BASE NOR HAVE THEY ISSUED ANY RECALL. IF THE CHAIN WERE TO BREAK THERE WOULD BE OIL STARVATION TO THE ENGINE BECAUSE THE CHAIN DRIVES THE OIL PUMP. THIS COULD LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE AND ALSO LIFE THREATENING INJURIES IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I'M VERY LUCKY THAT I REPAIRED MY CAR WHEN I DID. TOTAL COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS AROUND $2400.00. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10259750February 24, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE RECENTLY COME TO THE NEED OF HAVING TO REPLACE A CRITICAL PART OF THE ENGINE OIL SYSTEM IN MY 2005 PASSAT TDI. FOR VARIOUS REASONS, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS AN INFERIOR DESIGN, THE BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY ON THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE (2004-2005 MODEL YEARS) WILL CAUSE OIL FLOW TO THE ENGINE TO CEASE, DISRUPTING SAFE TRAVEL OF THE CAR IMMEDIATELY, REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED OF TRAVEL. THIS FAILURE IS EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 70+ MPH. IF THIS FAILURE WERE TO OCCUR AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE DRIVER WOULD NOTICE A SUDDEN DECELERATION AND A NEED TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER ABRUPTLY. NOT ONLY WOULD THIS ENDANGER THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS OF SAID VEHICLE, BUT OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROADWAY AS WELL. VOLKSWAGEN HAS YET TO ISSUE A STATEMENT, RECALL OR WARNING TO OWNERS OF THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, NOR IS IT MENTIONED ANYWHERE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL AS PART OF A VEHICLE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10259772February 24, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THROUGH THE B5 FORUMS AT WWW.TDICLUB.COM THAT ALL 2004-2005 VW PASSAT TDI ENGINES HAVE BEEN OUTFITTED WITH A FAULTY CHAIN DRIVEN OIL-PUMP (AKA BALANCE SHAFT) ASSEMBLY THAT HAS AN EXTREMELY HIGH RATE OF FAILURE. FAILURE OF THE OIL-PUMP ASSEMBLY HAS PROVEN TO CAUSE MULTI-THOUSAND DOLLAR REPAIR BILLS FOR OWNERS THAT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. A BULK OF THE FAILURES HAVE BEEN OCCURRING ON 04-05 PASSAT TDI'S WELL BEFORE THE CARS REACH 100,000 MILES. THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS TO OIL PUMP FAILURE OTHER THAN LOUDER THAN NORMAL ENGINE NOISES. VW HAS SINCE REDESIGNED THE OIL-PUMP ASSEMBLY TO INCORPORATE A GEAR-DRIVEN MECHANISM THAT ISN'T PRONE TO FAILURE. UNFORTUNATELY VW HAS NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION THE THOUSANDS OF PASSAT TDI OWNERS THAT ARE BEING FORCED TO UPGRADE THEIR CARS ON THEIR OWN DIME. THE UPGRADE COSTS ~$2,500 (PARTS & LABOR). IT IS OF MY OPINION (AND THE THOUSANDS OF FELLOW PASSAT TDI OWNERS) THAT THIS FAULTY DESIGN SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY AS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN OIL-PUMP FAILURE CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE AND/OR DEATH IS EMINENT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10259795February 24, 2009SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIR AND WAS INFORMED THAT OTHER REPAIRS WERE ALSO NEEDED. PRIOR TO THE RECALL BEING ISSUED, THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS STATED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER TO HAVE THE MOTOR MOUNT AND CV BOOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A RUBBER COMPONENT THAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY SHE BEGAN EXPERIENCING SO MANY ISSUES WITH HER VEHICLE AT 15,000 MILES. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10259806February 24, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE BALANCE SHAFT CHAIN DRIVE IN THE BOTTOM END OF OUR 2004 PASSAT STARTED TO MAKE NOISE. THEY WILL ALL FAIL. I AM A MECHANIC SPECIALIZING IN THESE CARS, AND HAVE CURRENTLY HAD TO REPAIR 27 OF THESE, INCLUDING MY OWN. MANY BREAK APART COMPLETELY, AND CAUSE THE OIL PUMP TO QUIT TURNING AND THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP SUDDENLY. I HAVE ONE SUCH CAR HERE RIGHT NOW. VW HAS COME UP WITH A FIX FOR THIS, TO RETROFIT A GEAR DRIVEN UNIT, BUT AS OF YET HAS NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT MORE TIMES THAN NOT MANIFESTS ITSELF IN THE 60 TO 80K MILE RANGE. THE COST TO REPAIR PROACTIVELY IS ABOUT $2500, BUT OF THE ENGINE IS DAMAGED, THE COST IS ABOUT $9000. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SUDDENLY SEIZE WHILE UNDERWAY! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10259818February 24, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I AM AN OWNER OF A 2005 PASSAT TDI GLS WAGON WITH 58,000 MILES ON IT. I AM WRITING TO SEEK HELP IN GETTING VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA TO RECOGNIZE THERE IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE'S BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY. I AM A TDICLUB.COM FORUM MEMBER, WHICH HAS PARTICIPANTS THAT ARE CAREER MECHANICS WHO WORK ON TDIS SPECIFICALLY. THROUGH THEIR EXPERIENCE THEY NOTED THIS PROBLEM WILL SOONER OR LATER AFFECT THE SOME 20,000 2004-2005 PASSAT TDI'S WITH THE BHW ENGINE CODE. THE BALANCE SHAFTS IN THIS ENGINE ARE DRIVEN BY A HEX SHAFT OFF THE CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP. THIS UNFORTUNATE DESIGN SUBJECTS THE CHAIN TO STRESSES IT CANNOT WITHSTAND. ON VARIOUS VOLKSWAGEN (VW) FORUMS, ESPECIALLY TDICLUB.COM, THERE ARE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF CHAIN FAILURES BEING REPORTED. OF COURSE, WHEN THE CHAIN DRIVING THE OIL PUMP FAILS, THE ENGINE IS STARVED OF ESSENTIAL LUBRICATION. RECENTLY, VOLKSWAGEN 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. HERE IN THE STATES, YOU CAN NO LONGER ORDER THE ORIGINAL CHAIN PIECES AS A REPLACEMENT. THE REPAIR IS QUITE EXPENSIVE. PARTS WILL COST IN EXCESS OF $1,400 AND LABOR WILL BE IN EXCESS OF $1,500. I BELIEVE IT IS NOW OBVIOUS THAT ALL THE BHW ENGINES WILL FAIL UNLESS THE GEAR DRIVEN OIL PUMP/BALANCE SHAFT MODIFICATION IS UNDERTAKEN. OUR OWN PASSAT HAS BEEN GETTING A BIT LOUDER THIS PAST YEAR WHICH IS THE FIRST SIGN OF THIS IMMINENT FAILURE. IT IS UNFAIR TO EXPECT OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED WITH A FLAWED DESIGN WHICH WILL LEAD TO TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. THIS COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF THE FAILURE HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS ON THE ROAD. THE NHTSA CANNOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO AMERICAN OWNERS. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA HAS TO RECOGNIZE AND INFORM THE PASSAT TDI OWNERS OF THIS PROBLEM, AND HELP TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION TO THE SATISFACTION OF THEIR LOYAL OWNERS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10259671February 23, 2009FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 VW PASSAT DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 35 MILES PER HOUR, THE ENGINE SIMPLY CEASED OPERATING. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC AND GLIDE INTO A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE TOWED, AND THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. THE PASSAT HAD ONLY 51,764 MILES WHEN THIS BREAKDOWN OCCURRED. WHILE SEARCHING THROUGH THE INTERNET, I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME MAKE MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE WITH A FUEL PUMP FAILURE. VW HAS ONLY RECALLED CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS FOR THIS FUEL PUMP. MY PASSAT DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE RECALL VINS AND VW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A GLOBAL PROBLEM WITH THESE FUEL PUMPS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10259576February 22, 2009EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW PASSAT. THE HEADLIGHT LENSES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR HAVE CLOUDED SO MUCH THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BARELY ILLUMINATE THE ROAD. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER PASSAT OWNERS FROM THE SIMILAR YEARS AND THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. I BELIEVE VW SHOULD BE FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHT LENSES, AND OFFER TO REPLACE THEM FOR FREE. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT SEEING THE ROAD WELL AT NIGHT. THE DATE BELOW REFLECTS WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE CLOUDING IN THE LENSES. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10259190February 18, 2009SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE ALARM LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME AND FLASHING ABS LIGHT AS WELL AS STOP. BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND ARE FINE. DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS A REPLACEMENT ABS CONTROL MODULE - $1800. HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM AND MANY OWNERS OF VW'S AND AUDIS IN MY YEAR RANGE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10259212February 18, 2009STEERING
2006 VW PASSAT "STEERING WHEEL LOCK DEFECTIVE". CAR WILL NOT START CONSISTENCY. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10258901February 17, 2009SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
WHEN CAR IS STARTED THE ABS LIGHT GOES ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES. THE CAR DRIVES BUT ITS ALWAYS FLASHING THE BRAKE LIGHT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10259168February 17, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
EVENTUAL FAILURE OF CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP AND BALANCE SHAFTS, RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE, LEADING TO A POTENTIAL LIFE/SAFETY SITUATION IN THIS 2005 PASSAT TDI. THIS METHOD OF DRIVING THE OIL PUMP AND BALANCE SHAFTS IS A VOLKSWAGEN ACKNOWLEDGED ENGINEERING FLAW AS NOTED IN TECHNICAL PRODUCT INFORMATION BULLETIN 2016429/2. NOT WISHING TO REPLACE AN ENGINE THAT AS A RESULT OF SAID FAILURE, MIGHT POTENTIALLY PLACE MYSELF AND PASSENGERS IN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION, I HAVE PROACTIVELY CHANGED OUT THE CHAIN-DRIVEN OIL PUMP/BALANCE SHAFT MODULE FOR A GEAR DRIVEN ASSEMBLY AT A COST TO MYSELF OF $3000. I BELIEVE VW NEEDS TO STEP UP AND ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS MODEL. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0