Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10258773February 16, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1. MY 2000 VW PASSAT 1.8T AUTOMATIC REACHED 130K MILES. 2. THERE IS A FAILURE IN WHATEVER COMPONENT STABILIZES THE STEERING WHEEL AT IDLE WHEN THE CAR IS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE PROBLEM DOES NOT IN OCCUR WHEN AT IDLE IN NEUTRAL. THE EXACT SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM ARE A VERY STRONG VIBRATION THAT CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ENTIRE CABIN. THE ONLY FIX HAS BEEN TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHEN AT THE STOP SIGN/LIGHT. 3. CORRECTIVE ACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN SO FAR ARE NEW ENGINE MOUNTS, NEW TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, NEW TRANSMISSION STABILIZER BAR, AND VERIFYING THE DRIVE BELT IS TIGHT ENOUGH. VW IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT OCCURS IN B5 & B5.5 MODEL AUTOMATIC PASSATS. THERE ARE SOME REPORTS OF PASSATS WITH LOW MILEAGE THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE VW CORPORATION DOES NOT HAVE A SOLUTION. PEOPLE HAVE LITERALLY TRADED IN THEIR PASSATS, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. MY STAND IS THAT THERE IS NO WAY THAT A CAR COMPANY THIS SIZE DOESN'T HAVE A CLUE AS TO WHAT CAUSES THIS PROBLEM AND HOW TO FIX IT. I REFUSE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE NOTION THAT I HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER CAR WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258654February 14, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I CURRENTLY LEASE A 2005 VW PASSAT. WARRANTY OFFERED: 5 YR/ 50,000 MILE. APPROX. NOV 7, 2008 VEHICLE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO REGISTER "STOP OIL PRESS LOW". IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO CLOSEST GAS STATION AND PURCHASED A SYNTHETIC OIL FOR VW THINKING THIS WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. ON NOV 17, 2008 DASHBOARD LIT UP AGAIN WITH SAME MESSAGE AND IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT VEHICLE INTO VISTA VW, POMPANO BCH, FLORIDA. WAS INSTRUCTED THAT ISSUE WAS POSSIBLY DUE TO FAULTY OIL PRESSURE DIP STICK CYLINDER AND NEED OF OIL CHANGE. (CYLINDER REPLACED AND OIL CHANGE COMPLETED) PRIOR OIL CHANGE WAS COMPLETED AT VISTA VW POMPANO BEACH. VW MECHANIC PLACED A CLEAR OIL CHANGE MAINT. STICKER WITH INCORRECT MILEAGE DUE AT NEXT OIL CHANGE. OIL CHANGE SHOULD HAVE OCCURRED AT 38,000 MILES VS. 45,000. VISTA VW STATED I WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO BE COMPLETED (APPROX $166.00) AS WELL AS AN HOURLY CHARGE FOR LABOR (APPROX. $110 P/HR) NOT INCLUDING ANY AND ALL REPAIR TO BE PAID FOR UPON COMPLETION. THIS DUE TO WARRANTY EXPIRED. BROUGHT VEHICLE IN AT 792 MILES OVER 50,000. DUE TO THE EXPENSE THAT I WOULD HAVE INCURRED IT WAS NOT FEASIBLE FOR ME TO GO AHEAD AND PERFORM THIS DIAGNOSTIC TEST HENCE CAUSING ME TO LEAVE NO FURTHER CHOICE BUT TO DECLINE SERVICE. I ATTEMPTED TO TRADE MY PASSAT IN EARLY AND RELEASE A NEW VEHICLE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN DOING SO. APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH LATER I WAS AT GUNTHER VW COCONUT CREEK AND INFORMED FINANCE MGR THAT I NOW HAVE AN ENGINE LIGHT ON. I WAS TOLD TO TRY AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK HOME AND SEE IF THE LIGHT GOES OUT. THAT MAYBE IT'S A FAULTY SENSOR. UPON ARRIVAL AT MY RESIDENCE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND ENGINE FAILED. THE FOLLOWING DAY I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THE APPROX. COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE ANYWHERE BETWEEN $8,000 - $10,000. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN RESEARCH AND FOUND THERE IS A LAWSUIT FROM THE CONSUMERS OF VW PASSATS IN REGARD TO THIS EXACT SAME MECHANICAL ISSUE & VW WILL NOT COMPLY WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258660February 14, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
CAR WENT IN FOR BRAKE JOB AT 39,000 MILES. MECHANIC FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT CV JOINTS WERE CRACKED AND FRONT AXLES AND CV BOOTS WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT. THIS WAS CLOSE TO A $1,000.00 REPAIR JOB ON A CAR WITH UNDER 40,000 MILES. APPARENTLY THIS IS A NOT UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH 5TH GENERATION PASSAT VEHICLES. I FEEL VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258600February 13, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
FAULTY BOSCH ABS MODULE IN 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. THE WIRE GAUGE IS TOO SMALL, CAUSING OVERHEATING AND COMPONENT FAILURE. ABS MODULE UNIT REBUILT TO CORRECT STANDARDS. AFTER RESEARCHING, FOUND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL THOUSAND COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE. HOPING TO GET VW TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258613February 13, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT, STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A NEW PAIR OF RARE BRAKES FAILED ON HER VEHICLE AFTER 14,952 MILES. SHE USUALLY GETS OVER 36,000 MILES ON A PAIR OF BRAKES. SHE STATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ROTORS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE PADS ARE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER THAN 14,000 MILES. SHE ALSO FEELS THAT THE DEALER SHOULD COVER THE COST OF THE NEW PADS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95,100. UPDATED 04/21/09. *LJ THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS CRACKED, THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW, THE VC BOOT AND HOOD STRUT WAS REPLACED.. UPDATED 04/21/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258370February 11, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WAS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND THE ENGINE REVVED EXCESSIVELY HIGH AND UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AND WAS DRIVEN WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 3/19/09 *CN UPDATED 03/23/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258047February 9, 2009
SEATS
2007 VW PASSAT PASSENGER SEAT WARMER CAUGHT THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258094February 9, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
VEHICLE PASSAT 2004. 1.8 WAGON. WITH 62000 MILES ON IT, PROBLEM AS FOLLOW , STEAM CAME OFF VENTILATIONS WHEN HEATERS IS ACTIVATED,FOGGING WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS, THE SMELL IS SO STRONG ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE FILLING THE WHOLE CABIN AND CAUSING NAUSEA AND HEADACHES TO WHOEVER IS IN THE CAR WHEN CAR IS BEEN DRIVING, ACCORDING TO THE DEALERS REPAIR PERSON THE HEATER CORE IS LEAKING AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AT THE DEALER ONLY AT COST OF $1600.00 THEE PART IS NOT A MOVING PART THAT IS EASY ACCESSIBLE AND THAT NEEDS REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THIS IS A PART THAT CAME DEFECTIVE FROM FACTORY AND VW DOES NOT WANT TO REPAIR NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS PART CAME DEFECTIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURE. AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY THEM ,THAT IS A PROBLEM THAT IS A HAZARD TO THE DRIVER, AND PASSENGER HEALTH DUE TO THE TOXIC FUMES THAT EMANATED THROUGHOUT THE VENTS FROM THE HEATER CORE LEAKAGE AND ENTERING THE INSIDE OF THE CABIN, IT SHOULD BE RECALLED TO FIX THIS VERY PROBLEM THAT MAY CAUSE PEOPLE DEVELOP ANY TYPE OF LUNG CANCER INHALING THIS FUMES. ON TOP OF THE DESCRIBED PROBLEM THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN REPAIR FOR BAD WATER PUMP,BAD HEATING SENSOR,BAD THERMOSTAT,BROKEN CV BOOTS AT 50200 MILES,BAD BATTERY, WARNING SENSOR LIGHTS. THIS CAR IS A LEMON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257957February 8, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
AT RANDOM INTERVALS WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, AND ASR LIGHT FLASH WITH ACCOMPANYING WARNING BEEPS AND THE TACHOMETER GOES TO ZERO. THESE WARNING EVENTUALLY GO AWAY ON THEIR OWN. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL INTERMITTENTLY PRESENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257982February 8, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
COPY (EXCERPT) OF LETTER SENT TO VW OF AMERICA: CAR HISTORY THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AT DANBURY,CT VW 2002, PUT IN SERVICE ON 03-19-2002 AND IS STILL OWNED BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER (FLORIAN KAHLERT). THE CAR IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED AT VW RECOMMENDED INTERVALS BY FOREIGN CAR MOTORS INC. AND HAS ALSO BEEN SERVICED BY RIVERBANK VW IN STAMFORD, CT. ALL VW SERVICE ACTIONS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY VW DEALERSHIPS (EXCEPT THE MOST RECENT CAMPAIGN R5 26E5 WHICH IS STILL OUTSTANDING). THE CAR IS ACCIDENT FREE AND NO AFTER MARKET PARTS ARE INSTALLED. THE OVERALL CONDITION OF THE CAR IS 9 OUT OF 10 FOR A CAR ITS AGE. RIVERBANK VW IN STAMFORD PERFORMED THE P9 SERVICE ACTION ON 10/10/2007AT 40957 MILES. BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE IN COLD WEATHER IN DECEMBER 2008 (AT APPROXIMATELY 51000 MILES) OWNER EXPERIENCED REPEATED BRAKE PROBLEMS IN COLD WEATHER, WHICH WERE EVENTUALLY DIAGNOSED AS A BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE. UPON INSPECTION, EXTENSIVE WATER AND RUST WAS FOUND IN THE BOOSTER AS WELL AS THE CONNECTING VACUUM LINES AND ONE-WAY VALVES REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BOOSTER AND OTHER PARTS. FOREIGN CAR MOTORS REPLACED THE BOOSTER WITH A NEW ORIGINAL VW PART 8E0612107E. DURING REPLACEMENT FOREIGN CAR MOTORS ALSO FOUND THAT THE DRAIN BELOW THE BOOSTER WAS CLOGGED WITH HEAVY DEBRIS, INDICATING THAT THE DRAINS HAD BEEN CLOGGED FOR A LONG TIME. ENCLOSED EXPERT OPINION BY FOREIGN CAR MOTORS STATES THAT THE ONLY REASONABLE CAUSE AND EXPLANATION FOR THE PRESENCE OF WATER AND RUST IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER IS THAT THE P9 SERVICE ACTION DID EITHER NOT REMEDY THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM OR THAT THE DAMAGE STARTED BEFORE THE P9 ACTION WAS PERFORMED AND THE DAMAGE ONLY BECAME APPARENT IN DECEMBER 2008/JANUARY 2009. IN EITHER CASE, THE REASON FOR THE BOOSTER FAILURE IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE UNDERLYING CAUSE THAT TRIGGERED THE P9 SERVICE ACTION. BASED ON THIS ASSESSMENT I KINDLY REQUEST THE REIMBURSEMENT OF INCURRED REPAIR EXPENSES: *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257535February 5, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY) AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE REMEDY; HOWEVER, IF THE HEAT SHIELDS AND ANOTHER COMPONENT BECAME DAMAGED DURING THE INSTALLATION, HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257650February 5, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS. FIRST OCCURRENCE 7/12/08., MILEAGE 18,185. OIL PUMP SOCKET BROKE RESULTING IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE WAS REPLACED. SECOND OCCURRENCE 1/27/09. COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257528February 5, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE NOT HAD FAILURE YET, BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS WHO OWN THE SAME EXACT CAR I OWN, A 2005 VW PASSAT TDI. THERE IS AN ONGOING CONCERN AT SEVERAL NEWS GROUPS INCLUDING WWW.TDICLUB.COM AND OTHER DIESEL ENTHUSIAST NEWSGROUPS ABOUT THE OIL PUMP CHAIN UNIT THAT IS IN THE VW BHW 2.0 TURBODIESEL ENGINE. MANY OF THESE CARS WHEN THEY GET OUT OF WARRANTY AT 60K WILL START TO HAVE ENGINE NOISE WHICH IS INDICATIVE OF THE OIL PUMP CHAIN UNIT CHAIN WEAKENING. THIS CONDITION LEADS TO COMPLETE FAILURE WITHOUT GENERAL WARNING. THIS IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. VW IN EUROPE HAS DEVELOPED A FIX FOR THIS ENGINE THAT INVOLVES INSTALLING A GEAR SYSTEM INSTEAD OF THE CHAIN AND TENSIONER SYSTEM FOR THE ENGINE BALANCING SYSTEM. THERE ARE SEVERAL EPISODES OF PEOPLE HAVING THE ENGINES FAIL WHILE ON THE ROAD. I AM CONCERNED AS AN OWNER OF THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE VW PASSAT. THERE WERE ABOUT 12 THOUSAND OF THESE IMPORTED INTO THE USA. I KNOW OF AT LEAST FOUR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE HAD THIS SITUATION HAPPEN TO THEM AND THEIR PASSAT. THE REPAIRS ARE NOT CHEAP IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $3000 AT A BARE MINIMUM WITH UP TO 9 THOUSAND FOR A NEW MOTOR, EVEN DESPITE OWNERS USING THE PROPER SPECIFIED MOTOR OIL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257848February 3, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
LTR FROM SENATOR MURKOWSKI ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT WHO HAS CONCERNS RE THE SAFETY OF THE 2005 VW PASSAT TDI STATION WAGON. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A DESIGN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED VW USED AN UNUSUAL COMBINATION OF A CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP (NORMALLY GEAR DRIVE) AND ASSOCIATED WITH THAT A COUNTER BALANCER TO REDUCE VIBRATION IN THE DIESEL ENGINE. THE OIL CHAIN IS PRONE TO FAILURE, AND THE BALANCER SHAFT IS NOT A TIGHT ENOUGH FIT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIR IS COSTLY AND THERE IS NO REAL FIX FOR THE ISSUE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257151February 2, 2009
AIR BAGS
FOLLOWING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OF MY VEHICLE, (TUNE-UP, INCLUDING REPLACEMENT OF SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION HARNESSES) MY REPAIR SHOP MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. HE SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN IT OFF. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FACTORY-AUTHORIZED VW DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY LOW VOLTAGE TO THE AIRBAG UNIT, THAT THE BATTERY TESTED LOW AT 12.04 VOLTS AND THEY COULD NOT RESET THE CODE WITHOUT REPLACING THE BATTERY. I APPROVED NEW BATTERY PURCHASE, BUT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO MAKE WARNING LIGHT GO OUT, DESPITE RECODING THE CONTROLLER . DEALER CLAIMED FURTHER TESTING REVEALED AIRBAG UNIT CONTROLLER HAD FAILED AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT AT PARTS COST OF $798.00. I DECLINED TO PAY THAT AMOUNT. IN REPLY TO MY QUESTION, SERVICE REP SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM THAT AIRBAG(S) WOULD DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. SINCE THEY I HAVE DRIVEN VEHICLE FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH, AND EACH TIME I START VEHICLE A WARNING SOUNDS, THE "AIRBAG FAILURE" NOTICE COMES UP ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE AIRBAG WARNING SIGNAL STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. I TELEPHONED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE TO COMPLAIN AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND THAT SINCE VEHICLE WAS NEARLY 6 YEARS OLD AND OUT OF WARRANTY I WOULD NEED TO ASSUME COST OF REPAIR/UNIT REPLACEMENT. I SAID I THOUGHT THIS WAS A SAFETY FAILURE WITH VEHICLE BECOMING OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS THROUGH NO FAULT OR MALPRACTICE OF THE OWNER (MYSELF) AND THAT VW SHOULD ASSUME COST OF REPAIRS. CUSTOMER SERVICE REP SAID THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND REPLY. SO FAR NO RESPONSE. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO DISPLAY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257234February 2, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL MODEL OR FUEL PUMP FAILED AT LEAST THREE TIMES ON HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS INFORMED HER TO STOP BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT COULD NOT MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO PUSH IT OUT OF THE LANE AND ONTO THE SHOULDER. THERE IS NEVER ANY WARNING BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257073February 1, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
ABS CONTROLLER FAILED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257118February 1, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SLUDGE BUILDUP CAUSE BY VW DESIGN FLAW LED TO ENGINE LOCKING ... VW REFUSING TO COVER ENGINE REPLACEMENT EVEN THOUGH COVERED BY POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257041January 31, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, HAD TO APPLY BRAKES FOR EMERGENCY STOP, LEFT FRONT FLEXIBLE BRAKE HOSE SUDDENLY RUPTURED CAUSING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STOPPED USING EMERGENCY HAND BRAKES. UNDER INSPECTION, RIGHT FRONT FLEXIBLE BRAKE HOSE ALSO SHOWS SIGNS OF ADVANCED DETERIORATION. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN A CRASH, HOSES WERE ORIGINAL PARTS. CAR IS 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 18.T AUTOMATIC WITH 150,000 MILES ON THE CLOCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256836January 29, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE NOT HAD FAILURE YET, BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS WHO OWN THE SAME EXACT CAR I OWN, A 2005 VW PASSAT TDI. THERE IS AN ONGOING CONCERN AT SEVERAL NEWS GROUPS INCLUDING WWW.TDICLUB.COM AND OTHER DIESEL ENTHUSIAST NEWSGROUPS ABOUT THE OIL PUMP CHAIN UNIT THAT IS IN THE VW BHW 2.0 TURBODIESEL ENGINE. MANY OF THESE CARS WHEN THEY GET OUT OF WARRANTY AT 60K WILL START TO HAVE ENGINE NOISE WHICH IS INDICATIVE OF THE OIL PUMP CHAIN UNIT CHAIN WEAKENING. THIS CONDITION LEADS TO COMPLETE FAILURE WITHOUT GENERAL WARNING. THIS IS A DISASTER AWAITING TO HAPPEN. VW IN EUROPE HAS DEVELOPED A FIX FOR THIS ENGINE THAT INVOLVES INSTALLING A GEAR SYSTEM INSTEAD OF THE CHAIN AND TENSIONER SYSTEM FOR THE ENGINE BALANCING SYSTEM. THERE ARE SEVERAL EPISODES OF PEOPLE HAVING THE ENGINES FAIL WHILE ON THE ROAD. I AM CONCERNED AS AN OWNER OF THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE VW PASSAT. THERE WERE ABOUT 12 THOUSAND OF THESE IMPORTED INTO THE USA. I KNOW OF AT LEAST FOUR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE HAD THIS SITUATION HAPPEN TO THEM AND THEIR PASSAT. THE REPAIRS ARE NOT CHEAP IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $3000 AT A BARE MINIMUM WITH UP TO 9 THOUSAND FOR A NEW MOTOR, EVEN DESPITE OWNERS USING THE PROPER SPECIFIED MOTOR OIL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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