Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10232854June 26, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH COOLANT SYSTEM AND HEATED SEAT RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE COOLANT SYSTEM WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE HEATED SEATS WERE REPAIRED BUT NOW DON'T WORK AT ALL. SHE ALSO STATES THAT THE GAS HAS BEEN BURNING OUT VERY FAST. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS SMELLING FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232270June 25, 2008
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A FIRE OCCURRED IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4MOTION WAGON. THE FIRE OCCURRED WHILE I WAS TRAVELING EAST ON US 80 NEAR AUBURN. MY LIFE WAS SAVED BECAUSE A COUNTY SHERIFF WAS TRAVELING BEHIND ME AND SUMMONED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE AS I HURRIED TO EXIT CA 49 AT AUBURN, CALIFORNIA. FLAMES AND SMOKE FILLED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, WHICH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FLOODED. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED. I HAVE INSTRUCTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY, AAA, NOT TO DESTROY THE CAR FOR PARTS IN LIGHT OF THE VW SAFETY RECALL 26E5/RF (1999-2002 MODEL YEAR VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT AND PASSAT WAGON.) I INCURRED CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE (CAR RENTALS OVER THE SIX MONTHS THAT AAA INSURANCE TOOK TO SETTLE THE CLAIM). I HAVE ALSO HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE AT A COST TO ME OF MORE THAT $25,000 OVER THE PAID CLAIM. I WOULD LIKE TO BE MADE WHOLE, FOLLOWING THIS COSTLY AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND AAA DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT BEGAN IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BEHIND THE DASHBOARD IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. MARY COADY *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232291June 25, 2008
VISIBILITY
SEVERE DISTORTION IN WINDSHIELD. VW REPLACED ORIGINAL WITH TWO MORE. THAN SAFELIGHT REPLACED TWO MORE WINDSHIELDS AND LAST WAS REPLACED BE BLUE RIDGE AUTO GLASS. DRIVING WITH THIS DISTORTION CAUSES HEADACHES AND NAUSEA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232296June 25, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
THE ABS CONTROL MODULE, IN MY 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS MALFUNCTIONED WHICH IS MAJOR ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN/HEARD OF A LOT OF EARLY MODEL PASSATS (1998-2001) HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. IT IS PLACED DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE ENGINE BLOCK, WHICH GETS EXTREMELY HOT OVER TIME. THE HEAT CAUSES THIS MALFUNCTION WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED BY VOLKSWAGEN. WHEN THIS UNIT MALFUNCTIONS IT CAUSES THE ABS BREAKING SYSTEM TO FAIL. ALSO, IT FLASHES MULTIPLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD THAT ARE EXTREMELY DISTRACTING. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICAN DOES NOT HAVE THIS UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. DEALERSHIPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE CHARGING $1,200 TO REPLACE THIS UNIT THAT TAKES 20 MINUTES TO CHANGE OUT. THE HARD PART IS TRYING TO REBUILD THE MODULE. I BELIEVE THIS A HUGE SAFETY FACTOR THAT SHOULD BE SERIOUSLY LOOKED INTO BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATIONS. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO RESOLVE THIS YET. I PLAN ON SENDING IN THE PART FOR REPAIR AND THAN PLACING IT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE ONCE IT IS FIXED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232311June 25, 2008
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE AND FELT A TINGLING FEELING ON HER BACK. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMALL HOLES AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT SENT THE RECEIPT FOR HER DAMAGED FUR COAT AND BLUE JEANS TO THE MANUFACTURER, BUT SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY REIMBURSEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,949.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232126June 24, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED, RESULTING IN WARNING BEEPS AND FLASHING LIGHTS. BRAKES WILL OPERATE (?) HOWEVER ABS IS NOW DISABLED RESULTING IN A DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION. THIS PROBLEM IS ABSOLUTELY VERY COMMON ACROSS ALL YEARS PASSATS AND IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. VW DOES NOTHING AND MAKES MONEY FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232127June 24, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SUDDEN LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION DUE TO ABS MODULE FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232132June 24, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE. IT TOOK GREAT EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HE EXITED THE FREEWAY AND THE FAILURE RECURRED AT THE VERY NEXT STOP. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE DEALER AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, IT DID NOT RECUR ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL HE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V235000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) ON JUNE 23, 2008. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232165June 24, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DRIVING ALONG ON A CLEAR DAY, OPEN ROAD, NO BAD WEATHER. THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHT ON MY CAR CAME ON WITH A WARNING BEEP. INTERMITTENTLY THE TACHOMETER AND OIL PRESSURE LIGHT WOULD FAIL TO WORK ADDITIONAL CREATING WARNING BEEPS . HAVING THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY A GARAGE, THE ABS ELECTRONIC MODULE HAD FAILED REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232184June 24, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS MODULE FAILED AT APPROX 80K MILES. REPAIRED BY DEALER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232186June 24, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS BRAIN FAILURE, 1999 VW PASSAT 1.8T. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN DASH LIGHTS LIT NOTING ABS FAILURE OCCURRED. CAR HAD 54,000 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE. HAD TO SEND OUT UNIT FOR REPAIRS, LED TO DRIVING FOR 2 WEEKS WITHOUT ABS BRAKES, AND COST $200 FOR REBUILD (NEW AT DEALER WOULD HAVE BEEN >$1000).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232057June 23, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE CONSUMERS HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE. HE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AND HEARD A POP SOUND. THE CONTACT LOOKED OUT HER WINDOW AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE WHEEL WELL ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE AND HER HUSBAND EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND BEGAN RESEARCHING AVAILABLE RECALLS. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000. UPDATED 07/15/08 *BF UPDATED
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231920June 21, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
2000 PASSAT AUTO TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO CATCH ON FIRE NEAR ENGINE AND WHERE EXHAUST MEET. MY SON AND A FRIEND BOTH 20YRS OLD WERE DRIVING LATE AT NIGHT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I THANK GOD IT DID NOT END TRAGICALLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231697June 20, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND EPC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A THUMPING SOUND. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER, AND THE ENGINE IS BEING REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 21,670.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231628June 19, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1. UNKNOWN 2. VISIBLE GAS LEAK, INTERMITTENT. RECURRED APPROX. 1 YEAR AFTER INITIAL VISIBLE LEAK TO AN EXTENT I WAS ABLE TO TRACE. 3. REPLACE CRACKED RUBBER HOSE CONNECTED TO FUEL FILTER. (PART IS NOT AVAILABLE BUT I HAVE PHOTOS). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231653June 19, 2008
VISIBILITY
PASSENGER POWER WINDOW REGULATOR DESIGNED WITH PLASTIC CLIPS CAUSING WINDOW TO FALL IN THE DOOR. CLIPS NOT AVAILABLE AT DEALER. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BUY THE ENTIRE WINDOW REGULATOR @ $120.00... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231397June 17, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
I OWN A 2006 VW PASSAT, AND I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE PARKING LOT, AT 5 MILES/HOUR. MY PASSAT WOULD NOT STOP IN THE PARKING SPOT, IT WENT SLOWLY FORWARD, HIT THE LIGHT POLL ON THE LEFT SIDE, THEN IT WENT HEAD ON TO THE CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF THE SPOT I CHOSE TO PARK. IT HIT THIS CAR AND IT PUSHED THE CAR FOR 8 FEET BEFORE MY PASSAT STOPPED. IT ALL HAPPENED AT VERY LOW SPEED SO I COULD HAVE THE TIME TO SEE MY FOOT BEING ON THE RIGHT PEDAL, ON THE BRAKE, AND I KEPT PUMPING THE BRAKE, BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. AND ALL THIS WAS CAUSED BY A FAILED FUEL PUMP. SO IT SEEMS THAT VW DID NOT FIX IT'S OLDER PROBLEM, THEY HAD A RECALL FOR THE 2003 PASSAT. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS IN THE NEWER MODELS, TOO. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231408June 17, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
HIGH IDLE DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. IDLE IS RAISED TO 1000-1050RPMS DURING TEMPERATURES ABOVE 90F. THIS CAUSES LOADING OF THE TRANSMISSION AND ADDITIONAL BRAKE PRESSURE IS NEEDED TO KEEP THE CAR AT A STOP. THIS CAN OCCUR SUDDENLY AND RANDOMLY PRESENTING A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE ALMOST RAN INTO SEVERAL CARS AT VARIOUS TIMES WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR IN TRAFFIC. IT HAS HAPPENED COUNTLESS TIMES DURING THE HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231177June 16, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (FLASHING), I WAS ADVISED ENGINE WAS MISSING ON A CYLINDER AND COULD DRIVE 'SLOWLY' TO THE MECHANIC. ON WAY TO DEALERSHIP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON (STOP - NO ENGINE OIL). MECHANIC CHANGED VACUUM HOSE AND RESET COMPUTER, ENGINE NOT LOOSING OIL. WEEK LATER - WARNING LIGHT (STOP - NO ENGINE OIL). MECHANIC CONFIRMED ENGINE WAS NOT LOOSING OIL. TOOK TO VW DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP ADVISED VACUUM HOSES WERE 'BAD'. ORIGINAL MECHANIC CHANGED VACUUM HOSES. WEEK LATER - WARNING LIGHT (STOP - NO ENGINE OIL). TOOK TO VW DEALERSHIP - DEALERSHIP ADVISED "AFTER MARKET PARTS" (VACUUM HOSES) CAUSING ISSUE. - CHANGED HOSE. DAY LATER - WARNING LIGHT (STOP- NO ENGINE OIL) - TOOK BACK TO VW DEALERSHIP - DEALERSHIP ADVISED HOSES ARE 'BAD' - REPLACED 3 OTHER HOSES. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER - ENGINE RUNNING POORLY, DELAY WHEN PULLING OUT FROM STOPS, TOOK TO VW DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP TOOK APART ENGINE. ADVISED THAT THEY 'SCRAPED CARBON DEPOSITS' FROM THE FILTER LEADING TO THE OIL PUMP. (COST $500+) CAR RAN WELL FOR APPROX 2 WEEKS. SPOKE TO ORIGINAL MECHANIC ABOUT 'CARBON DEPOSITS'. MECHANIC ADVISED 'CARBON DEPOSITS' ARE 'ENGINE SLUDGE' - VW WILL NOT REPLACE ENGINE UNDER 'SLUDGE' RECALL BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE ALL OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231050June 15, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DRIVING ON I-87 UPSTATE NY AROUND ALBANY IN THE FAST LANE ABOUT 80 MILES AN HOUR THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER. WE PULLED OVER QUICKLY TO THE GRASSY AREA BETWEEN THE HIGHWAYS. WE HEARD A SOUND BUT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN FROM THE ROAD WHEN WE PULLED OFF OR A BACKFIRE? THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. WE CALLED 911 AND A SHERIFF ARRIVED SOON AND TOLD US HOW DIFFICULT IT WOULD BE TO GET BACK ON THE HIGHWAY WITH TRAFFIC GOING 90-95 MILES AN HOUR. WE HAD TO GET INTO THE FAST LANE. WE DROVE A LITTLE ON THE GRASSY AREA TO SEE IF THE CAR WOULD WORK. WITH GREAT DIFFICULT AND TREMENDOUS FEAR WE MANAGED TO GET ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WE WERE THEN ABLE TO DRIVE TO NYC WITHOUT PROBLEMS IN THE SLOWER LANES. NO LIGHTS OR SOUNDS CAME ON TO WARN US OF THE LOSS OF POWER. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO AS WE WERE APPROACHING THE WILLIAMSBURG BRIDGE IN MANHATTAN BUT GOING AT A MUCH SLOWER SPEED. WE PULLED OVER AND HAD TO RESTART THE CAR. WE HAVE HAD THE RECALLS FROM VW BUT NOT A RECENT ONE THAT MAY HAVE COME OUT IN MAY. IT SEEMS LIKE IT COULD BE A FUEL TANK ISSUE. I WILL BE TAKING IT BACK TO VW IN BROOKLYN IN TWO WEEKS TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT SINCE I DID COME IN AND GET ALL THE RECALLS THAT IT COULD NOT BE THAT. I AM AFRAID OF THIS CAR AND ONLY HAVE ABOUT 27,000 MILES AFTER 5 YEARS. IT IS A 2003 PASSAT TURBO WAGON. IT WAS A HOT DAY ON JUNE 8TH AND WHEN WE TURNED ON THE CAR THE TEMP OUT SIDE LIGHT SAID 101 DEGREES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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