Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10249355November 19, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS FAILURE. ABS UNIT STOPPED WORKING, MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE IN THIS CAR. NEW UNIT COSTS $900 JUST FOR THE PART. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249357November 19, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHEN A $2 O RING IN OIL FILTER HOUSING FAILS, OIL IS QUICKLY PUMPED FROM THE ENGINE. . MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 1.8 LITER TURBO. DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WHEN THE OIL LIGHT FINALLY CAME ON. IN LESS THAT 5 MILES ENGINE DAMAGE STARTED. CAM SHAFT IS SCORED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249185November 18, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST HEADLIGHTS, THE PLASTIC GEARS BREAK EASILY RENDERING THE HEADLIGHTS NON-ADJUSTABLE. THE HEADLIGHT LENS ALSO DISCOLORS EASILY REDUCING TRANSMITTED LIGHT LEVEL. THE ELECTRICAL SUPPLY ALSO APPEARS INFERIOR AS BULBS BLOW VERY QUICKLY. THE BULBS LAST LESS TIME THAN ANY OTHER VEHICLE KNOWN IN 30 YEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249016November 17, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE TRUNK OF MY VEHICLE WILL NOT REMAIN CLOSED. IT APPEARS TO BE CLOSED AND THEN THE TRUNK OPENS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE FREEWAY. THE VEHICLE IS NEARLY THREE YEARS OLD AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248658November 13, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 1.8T. FAILURE OF ABS CONTROL MODULE. DEALER DEMANDED $2,500.00 TO REPAIR WHAT IS APPARENTLY A FAULTY DESIGN. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE REPORTS OF ABS MODULE FAILURES ON THESE VEHICLES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248679November 13, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS AT THE TRYING TO FIND A PARKING SPOT WHEN SUDDENLY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED BLINKING. I LOST ALOT OF POWER AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE. I THEN HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOME BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID OF CAUSING ANY FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. THEY THEN INFORMED ME THAT MANY OF THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE PROARISING FROM A FAULTY IGNITION COIL OR COIL PACK AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE COST TO REPAIR IT WOULD BE BETWEEN $350-$500 TO REMOVE AND REPLACE FAULTY IGNITION COILS (4). AFTER FURTHER LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM THROUGH NUMEROUS WEBSITES I NOTICED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM HAPPENING CONSISTENTLY TO MANY OWNERS OF SUCH VEHICLES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248687November 13, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
THE ABS MODULE HAS FAILED, THIS ON SEARCHING THE INTERNET IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW'S. THERE HAS BEEN NO EFFORT TO FIX THIS ISSUE BY VW. ON DRIVING THERE ARE 3 BEEPS ON THE DRIVER CONSOLE AND A MESSAGE SAYING BRAKE FAULT APPEARS ON THE SCREEN. ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE IS WORKING AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248423November 11, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
MY 2000 VW PASSAT 1.8T BEGAN EXHIBITING A FLASHING/BEEPING RED LIGHT TO INDICATE A FAILURE IN THE ABS SYSTEM. THE LIGHT ACTIVATES 99% OF THE TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONAL IN THIS STATE, WHICH MEANS THE CAR IS DRIVABLE, BUT SIGNIFICANTLY LESS SAFE UNDER PANIC STOP OR REDUCED TRACTION CONDITIONS. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS FAILURE IS COMMON ON 1998-2001 PASSATS (AND AUDI A4S) WITH THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS MODULE. THE DEALERSHIP ACTED AS IF THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH AN INDEPENDENT SHOP SAID THEY HAD REPLACED SEVERAL AT THEIR SHOP. HOWEVER, NO ACTION HAS EVER BEEN TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER. I DID OPT TO HAVE THE ABS MODULE REBUILT BY A THIRD PARTY. THE RESULT WAS A $400.00 INSTEAD OF $1000.00 AT THE DEALER. OUTRAGEOUSLY, MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOUGHT VWOA DEALERSHIP SERVICE WORK FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $1,000. THE APPARENT FAILURE RATE OF THIS MODULE, AND THE FACT THAT IT DEGRADES THE OPERATION OF THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL SAFETY FEATURE OF A CAR (THE BRAKES), MAKE IT MY OPINION THAT IT SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RECALL. RECALL ACTION SHOULD INCLUDE COMPENSATION FOR OWNERS WHO HAVE UNDERTAKEN REPAIRS, AND REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY MODULE. THANK YOU. DK *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248471November 11, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I HAVE A FAULTY ABS CONTROL UNIT ON MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY VOLKSWAGEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248291November 10, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE FAILED A ROUTINE INSPECTION BECAUSE THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE INSPECTOR ADVISED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL ON HER VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,004. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS EVERY TIME SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. UPDATED 02/24/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248350November 10, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
ANALOG GAS GAUGE AND DIGITAL FEEDS FROM GAS TANK INACCURATE MOST OF TIME - SOMETIMES HALF A TANK OFF. TOOK MULTIPLE TIMES AND 5 WEEKS FOR DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR (GAVE UP ONCE - THEN TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP). GAUGE ALSO SEEMS TO HAVE STICKING POINTS. SOMETIMES MOVES WHILE BEING WATCHED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247930November 7, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
THE ABS LIGHT AND A BRAKE LIGHT ARE ON ON MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FOR THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING AND LOOKS LIKE THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247871November 6, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
THE "BRAKE FAULT" AND "STOP" WORDS APPEAR ON THE DASH AND THEN A VERY LOUD AND ANNOYING BEEP COMES ON FOR 3 BEEPS. I SPOKE TO A TECHNICIAN AT THE VW DEALERSHIP AND HE SAID THAT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IN 00,01 AND 02 MODELS. THE MODULE JUST "CRAPS-OUT" AS HE PUT IT AND WARNED ME THAT IS USUALLY COSTS ABOUT $1,000 TO FIX, BUT WOULD NEED $120 JUST TO DIAGNOSE AND MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS INDEED THE PROBLEM. I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD "NO". THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM BASED ON THE OVER 200 POSTINGS I SAW IN REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM IN A MERE 20 MIN. OF LOOKING ONLINE. I AM SAD THAT THE CAR I FEEL IN LOVE WITH HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A PAIN (WHICH IS WHAT I WAS TOLD BY MANY PEOPLE IT WOULD BE). I WORK FOR MERCEDES BENZ AND THEY MANUFACTURE THEIR VEHICLES IN GERMANY AS WELL, WITH MUCH FEWER PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE THIS MUST BE A RECALL SINCE IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AND COSTING PEOPLE WAY TOO MUCH MONEY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247653November 4, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY APARTMENTS WHEN MY CAR LOST ALL HORSE POWER AND PRETTY MUCH SPUTTERED THEN DIED; I WAS LEFT EXPOSED TO TRAFFIC ON A BUSY ROAD. THEN, I WAS TOWED TO THE VW DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT MY IGNITION COILS FAILED AND THAT IN TURN RUINED MY OXYGEN SENSOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ALL THESE HAD TO BE REPLACED BY VW AT MY COST. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME WHEN I WAS BEING TOWED THERE HE ALREADY KNEW WHAT IT WAS BECAUSE THEY GO OUT ALL THE TIME. DOING FURTHER RESEARCH IT SEEMS MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247501November 3, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2003 VOLKWAGEN PASSAT WAGON W8 (4MOTION/ALL-WHEEL DRIVE) FUEL TANK LEAK AT/OR NEAR ROLLOVER VALVE AT FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK HAS NO APPARENT DAMAGE OR ABRASIONS AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD IS ORIGINAL UNDAMAGED CONDITION, VEHICLE HAS NO DAMAGE OR CRASH HISTORY. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH W-8 4.0 L W/ AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND HAS 62,215 MILES. AFTER REFILL OF FUEL ,STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AND/OR VAPOR. INSPECTION FOUND FUEL TANK LEAKING FROM ROLLOVER VALVE AND FROM FUEL PUMP COVER IN TOP OF TANK. IMMEDIATE ACTION WAS TAKEN AND VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO DEALER FOR REMEDY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247483November 2, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
ABS LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND BEEPING. SCAN TOOL SHOWS "UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH ABS CONTROL MODULE." THIS ABS BLINKING AND BEEPING HAPPENS EVERYTIME I START MY CAR NOW. WHEN I ATTEMPT A PANIC BRAKE STOP, THERE IS NO PULSATING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH INDICATES THE ABS IS NOT FUNCTIONING. MY 2000 PASSAT GLX HAS 45,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247218October 30, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IDLING, THE ENGINE MAKES A CHAIN RATTLING NOISE. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247247October 30, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT'S FRIEND OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND DOES NOT DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246822October 27, 2008
CHILD SEAT:LATCH CONNECTOR/CLIP, CHILD SEAT
WEBBING INSTALLED INCORRECTLY THROUGH ADJUSTOR ON LATCH ON BOTH SIDES, WEBBING INSTALLED TWISTED MAKING ADJUSTMENT OF LATCH DIFFICULT (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2004, MAKE=VOLKSWAGEN, MODEL=PASSAT). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246538October 23, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS MODULE FAILURE. WAS DRIVING SHORTLY AFTER HAVING FRONT END WORK DONE AND LIGHT WHEN ON. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. BRAKING IS AFFECTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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