Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10243282September 24, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY VEHICLE HAD 19K ON IT AND FROM A COLD START SOUNDED LIKE A DIESEL. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DAY OF THAT APPOINTMENT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOW HAD MY CAR FOR 9 DAYS AND HAVE STILL NOT DIAGNOSED IT. APPARENTLY THERE IS A MAJOR DEFECT WITH CERTAIN YEAR PASSAT ENGINES. THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE OIL PUMP IN PLACE BACKS OUT AND SHEARS OFF, THUS REQUIRING AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH VW SERVICE AND UNHAPPY THAT MY VEHICLE HAD SUCH A FATAL PROBLEM SO EARLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243286September 24, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. MY ABS MODULE HAS FAILED AND I NO LONGER HAVE MY ABS OR ANTI-SLIP REGULATION (TRACTION CONTROL). THERE ARE NO INDICATIONS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE. UPON STARTING MY CAR, WARNING LIGHTS FLASH, THREE BEEPS ARE HEARD, AND A "BRAKE FAULT" MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE IS DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN FROM THE MANUFACTURER THAT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA IS FULLY AWARE OF AND REFUSES TO RECALL. TO GET THE PART REPLACED BY THE DEALER COSTS OVER $1000 AND IS REPLACED BY THE SAME BADLY DESIGNED PART THAT WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL AGAIN. I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD TO BUY THE NEW PART FROM THE DEALER AT THIS TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243345September 24, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON MY 1998 VW PASSAT ARE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. VW REFUSES TO REPLACE THEM EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THESE PARTS. THE REASONING IS THAT: - I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL AT THEIR DEALER IN 2005 AND AT THE TIME THE PARTS SEEMED OK. - AT THIS TIME, THEIR DEALER HAS REINSPECTED THE CAR. THE VW DEALER THINKS THAT BOTH LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARMS ON THE CAR NEED REPLACEMENT. HOWEVER THE PARTS ARE NOT ABOUT TO FAIL AND THE CAR IS STILL DRIVABLE AND THUS VW WILL NOT PAY FOR THEIR REPLACEMENT. MY MECHANIC STATES THAT THE CAR NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. PLEASE ADVISE WHETHER VW IS RESPONSIBLE UNDER THE "REVISED-VM (40G3) - DECEMBER 2004" RECALL CAMPAIGN TO FIX THESE. THANKS *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243219September 23, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THIS COMPLAINT IS FOR MY ABS MODULE IN MY 1999 VW PASSAT WAGON. IT WENT OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON, WITH LIGHTS INDICATING SUCH. IT IS CONSTANTLY BROKEN NOW. IT WILL COST 1,200 FOR THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE BROKEN MODULE, WITH OUT IT I AM WITHOUT ABS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243209September 23, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS MODULE FAILURE. CODE IS 18057 P1649 DATA BUS POWERTRAIN: MISSING MESSAGE FROM ABS ECU. I OWN A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, WITH 59,100 MILES ON IT. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON EVERYDAY PERIODICALLY. THE PART HAS A HIGH PRICE. I BELIEVE THE PART SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT OCCUR. DUE TO THIS FAILURE, I DO NOT TRUST MY BRAKES IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243246September 23, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
AS AN OEM SAFETY FEATURE, NOW I BELIEVE REQUIRED, THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ON MY 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, HAS FAILED, LEAVING THIS FEATURE INOPERATIVE. LUCKILY FOR MY SELF THIS HAS NOT BECOME A BURDEN OR CAUSED INJURY, BUT I'M SURE THAT OTHERS ARE NOT AS LUCKY AS I HAVE BEEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243034September 22, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1999 VW PASSAT,ABS LIGHT ON/BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, VERY ANNOYING AND SCARY, READ ON INTERNET DISCUSSION FORUMS , POSSIBLY VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX, DO NOT HAVE 1500 DOLLARS TO FIX AND IT POSSIBLY MAY NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM..WE NEED ANSWERS ... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243059September 22, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
2000 PASSAT WAGON 1.8 CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED - ITS WAS NOT RUNNING AND WAS PARKED FOR 20 MIN THEN FIRE STARTED UNDER THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243130September 22, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
MY ABS COMPUTER FAILED ON MY 1998 V6 PASSAT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS DEFECTIVE PART. IT IS DANGEROUS AND CAUSES IRREGULAR BRAKING AND FLASHING DASHBOARD LIGHTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242938September 19, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL SLUDGE DEVELOPED IN THE ENGINE OF MY 2004 VW PASSAT WAGON 1.8T, CAUSING EXCESS ENGINE WEAR AND $2800 SERVICE CHARGE TO DESLUDGE THE ENGINE. THE SLUDGE WAS CAUSED BY A PROBLEM KNOWN TO VW BUT NOT MADE KNOWN TO VEHICLE OWNERS. I WOULD LIKE VW TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF THIS SERVICE. AT A MINIMUM, I WOULD LIKE VW TO NOTIFY ALL CUSTOMERS OF THIS DEFECT (INCLUDING WARRANTY COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS) AND PROVIDE PERIODIC SLUDGE CHECKS, EVERY ONE TO TWO YEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242950September 19, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
ABS LIGHT INDICATOR 1999 VW PASSAT V6 ENGINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242804September 18, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHT LENS WERE COVERED WITH A FOGGY MATERIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,332. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/20/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242855September 18, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE CV BOOT ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHEELS WERE CRACKED. THE TECHNICIAN STRONGLY ADVISED THAT THE FAILURES BE REPAIRED TO AVOID FURTHER DAMAGES WITHIN THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $700. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242691September 17, 2008
SUSPENSION
NOISE FROM LEFT SIDE CONTROL ARM OF A 1998 VW PASSAT 1.8T. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242471September 16, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR BEGAN HESITATING AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. UPON PULLING OVER AND OPENING THE HOOD, THE TOP-REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE WAS GLOWING RED AND WITHIN 30 SECONDS OR SO BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY AN OFF-DUTY VOLUNTEER FIREMAN WHO ARRIVED PRIOR TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. SUBSEQUENT REVIEW BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOUND THE IGNITION COIL WAS THE ORIGIN AND CAUSE OF THE FIRE. PERHAPS THIS IS SIMILAR TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA07014, HOWEVER THAT ACTION ONLY COVERED 1999-2005 PASSATS; THIS IS A 2006 PASSAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242216September 15, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS MODULE FAILURE AT ~67000 MILES. ABS LIGHT ON WITH FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT AND 3 SHORT PEEPS. WATER INTRUSION FROM UNDER BATTERY DRAINS DUE TO DESIGN FLAWS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242249September 15, 2008
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
2000 PASSAT ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE SUMMER 07. NO UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES... ABS LIGHT JUST CAME ON WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. CONFIRMED "LACK OF COMMS WITH ECM FOR $80 AT VW DEALER IN AUGUST 07. VW WANTS $1300 TO REPAIR. I PLAN TO ORDER REPAIR THROUGH BBS FOR $250. STILL HAVE GOOD BRAKING JUST NO ABS ASR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242285September 15, 2008
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE CONTROL ARMS IN MY 2000 VW PASSAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT. CONTROL ARMS SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER ONLY 116,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242133September 14, 2008
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES A HOUR BY MY HOUSE WHILE I WAS DRIVING A BIG CLICK NOISE SOUNDED ON MY FRONT RIGHT WHEEL THE CAR SWERVED AND FELL IN A DITCH THE POLICE CAME AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS YOUR TIE ROD AND AXLE BROKEN I HAD TO CHANGE THEM. PLUS MY ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING AND IT NEEDS A NEW MODULE AND IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY PASSAT OUT THERE HAVE NO PROBLEM AND THE DEALER WONT HELP OR VW HOTLINE PLUS MY TWO FRONT WINDOWS JUST FELL AND THE WINDOWS NEED A WHOLE NEW ACTUATORS AND ON THE INTERNET ALOT OF THE PASSAT HAVE THAT PROBLEM AND THE DEALER WONT HELP THERE IS FIVE RECALLS ON PASSAT AND THE DEALER DON'T WANT TO DO BUT 1 OF THEM SO PLEASE HELP ME. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242136September 14, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A POP FROM UNDER THE CAR. SHE PULLED OVER RIGHT AWAY AND SAW FLUIDS AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WITHIN FIVE MINUTES THE ENGINE AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENTS WERE FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED. VOLKSWAGEN IS BLAMING IT ON AN AFTER MARKET STEREO POWER CABLE AND AN INVESTIGATOR WITH 23 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE SAID OIL LINES RUPTURED AND THE FIRE INITIALLY IGNITED LOW IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT -- NOT ON TOP BY THE STEREO POWER LEAD. PHOTOS AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE INCIDENT IS POSTED AT THE FOLLOWING LINK: HTTP://WWW.DSLREPORTS.COM/FORUM/R21108730-RANT-OUR-2002-VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT-GLX-DEATH-TRAP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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