Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10225754April 25, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CAR PARKED FRONT FACING WEST APPEARS TO HAVE CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO FOG OVER ON THE INSIDE. DEALER SOLD ME A KIT FOR APPROXIMATELY $15 AND I WAS TOLD TO APPLY TO THE OUTSIDE. THAT WAS WHEN I REALIZED IT WAS ON THE INSIDE AND NOT THE OUTSIDE. I AM RETIRED AND ON A FIXED INCOME AND NOW THE DEALER WANTS $250 PER HEADLIGHT PLUS LABOR TO REPLACE THEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225202April 21, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
LIT ABS WARNING LIGHT AND FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT. ON A 2000 GLS PASSAT AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY ABS MODULE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225226April 21, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, NOTICED SMELL OF GASOLINE. AFTER FILLING CAR UP, GASOLINE BEGAN LEAKING FROM RIGHT REAR OF CAR FROM THE GAS TANK. LEFT CAR AT DEALER FOR SERVICE, WHEN CAR WAS LEFT, GASOLINE WAS STILL LEAKING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224606April 15, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS, STRUCTURE
1. FRONT AND REAR BRAKES INADEQUATE FOR VEHICLE--HAD TO HAVE BRAKE WORK AT ~20,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT JUST UNDER 42,000 MILES (THIS HAS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER CAR). BRAKES REPAIRED/PARTS REPLACED TWICE. CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED BY MANUFACTURER FOR BRAKES 2. SUNROOF +/- WINDSHIELD DRAIN(S) BECAME BLOCKED AND LEAKED AND FLOODED PASSENGER FOOTWELLS, WITH RISK OF DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED ON THE WEB. VW NEEDS TO RECALL CARS FOR THE PROBLEM WITH BLOCKED DRAINS/LEAKAGE AND DAMAGE TO VEHICLES. COST TO VACUUM WATER OUT OF FOOTWELLS BELOW THE CARPET > $600 WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT PROBLEM WILL NOT RECUR 3. VW PASSAT HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SLUDGE BUILD UP IN ENGINE AND CONSEQUENT ENGINE FAILURE--I HAVE NOT (?YET) HAD THE PROBLEM BUT FEEL THAT VW GUARANTEE TO REPAIR PROBLEM ONLY IF OWNER CAN PROVE OIL CHANGES EVERY 3000 MILES IN AN UNREASONABLE ABNEGATION OF DUTY. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND THE COMPANY SHOULD HAVE TO RECALL ALL CARS WITH THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR AT NO CHARGE WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT BLAME TO CONSUMER. NOW HAVING TO USE EXPENSIVE SYNTHETIC OIL FOR OIL CHANGES ON A VERY FREQUENT BASIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224646April 15, 2008
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
MY AIR CONDITION HAS BEEN ON THE FRITZ SO TO SPEAK FOR THE LAST YEAR, I THOUGHT IT WAS MY IMAGINATION. THIS PASSED WEEK WHEN I TURNED IT ON FULL BLAST ALL THAT WAS COMING OUT IS WARM AIR. I TOOK THE CAR INTO VW DEALERSHIP THEY REPAIRED TWO LEAKS THEY SAID, WHEN TRYING IT OUT A FEW DAYS LATER THE AIR WAS BLASTING WARM AIR ONCE AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THE EVAPORATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED COSTING ME $1,700.00. HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN TO A CAR THAT IS NOT EVEN 5 YEARS OLD YET. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224463April 14, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2002 PASSAT 4 MOTION V6 LEAKING GAS THEN FILLED UP OVER HALF A TANK? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224464April 14, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0T SHORTLY AFTER ACQUIRING THE VEHICLE I EXPERIENCED THAT AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD SEVERELY DECELERATE SHORTLY AFTER PROCEEDING FROM A STOP, FOLLOWED BY A RAPID ACCELERATION. THANKFULLY DRIVERS BEHIND ME AVOIDED REAR END COLLISIONS. ON ONE OCCASION A BROAD SIDE COLLISION WAS NARROWLY AVERTED. SUBSEQUENT TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONDITION . NO DIAGNOSTIC FAULT CODES WERE REGISTERED AND SERVICE PERSONNEL MENTIONED THE POSSIBILITY OF "TURBO LAG". AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW MONTHS I INADVERTENTLY DUPLICATED THE CONDITION WHILE CREEPING THROUGH A CAR WASH WITH MY LEFT FOOT LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE WHILE I ACCELERATED WITH THE RIGHT FOOT. I FOUND THAT I COULD EASILY REPLICATE THE CONDITION IF I TOUCHED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH MY LEFT FOOT AS I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT. I DEMONSTRATED THIS TO A DEALERSHIP TECH AS HE ACCOMPANIED ME WITH AN ANALYZER CONNECTED . NO FAULT CODES REGISTERED WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD "DIE AND THEN ACCELERATE". THE TECH HAD SUBSEQUENT DIALOG WITH A REGIONAL VW REP WITH THE END RESULT BEING ----- "DON'T LEFT FOOT BRAKE" APPARENTLY THIS IS A VW COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE ISSUE INHERENT TO THIS MODEL VW. I BELIEVE IT TO BE A SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS CONDITION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224247April 11, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
I DRIVE A 1999 VW PASSAT SEDAN TURBO. OUT OF NO WHERE ONE DAY MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, THEY ARE ALWAYS ON NOW EVERYTIME I DRIVE AND DO NOT GO OFF. I AM WORRIED SOMETHING MAY BE WRONG WITH MY BRAKE SYSTEM BUT DO NOT HAVE ANY MORE MONEY TO PUT INTO MY CAR AT THE MOMENT SINCE I HAVE PUT THOUSANDS IN SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224123April 10, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
EVERY 5,000-7,000 MILES AN IGNITION COIL FAILS ON MY CAR. THIS RESULTS IN MY CAR INSTANTLY STARTING TO SHUTTER AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY. LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED, DRIVING ONLY A MILE RESULTED IN A SEVERE VEHICLE FIRE PUTTING MYSELF AND OTHER IN DANGER. *TR THIS TIME, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER BEFORE SERIOUS INCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223841April 9, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OVER TIME LEAVES COLLECTED IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT OF MY '99 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. THIS LED TO RAIN WATER LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CORRODING THE ECU UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE ALARM AND LOCKS STARTED WORKING ON THEIR OWN, SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER START. THE INITIAL REACTION FROM VOLKSWAGEN WAS TO "CHEAPLY FIX" AND THE SELL THE CAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE LIFELONG PROBLEMS WITHOUT A "PROPER FIX" WHICH WOULD COST MORE THAN THE CAR WAS WORTH (~$6-$8K). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223549April 7, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I OWN A 2001 VW PASSAT AND I NOTICED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED IN TEMPERATURES OF 17 DEGREES. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE ALEXANDRIA VW DEALERSHIP (ALEXANDRIA, VA) TWICE AND THEY KEPT IT FOR A FEW DAYS BUT FOUND NOTHING. AFTER READING THROUGH THE OTHER REPORTS ONLINE, I FEEL THAT VW CORPORATION OF AMERICA SHOULD REPLACE ALL ASSOCIATED PARTS THAT COULD CAUSE THIS AND AVOID POTENTIAL VEHICLE EXPLOSIONS AND LOSS OF LIFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223581April 7, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
I HAVE HAD MY 2001 VW PASSAT FOR 7 YEARS NOW AND HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP MULTIPLE ISSUES INCLUDING WARPED ROTORS (FRONT AND BACK), CRACKED CHASSE, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND VARIOUS OTHER PROBLEMS. BEFORE HAVING THIS CAR, I HAD A TOYOTA FOR 8 YEARS AND IN THE 8 YEARS I HAD THE TOYOTA, I ONLY HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THIS CAR IS DISAPPOINTING AND EVERYONE I TALK TO WHO HAS A SIMILAR MODEL/YEAR SAYS THE SAME THING. I THINK THE 2001 VW PASSAT IS A LEMON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223588April 7, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
I OWN A VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, 2003, 1.8 LITER TURBO. FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A HESITATION ON TAKE OFF. SOMETIMES WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE THE CAR HESITATES REALLY BAD. THE IS MY WIFE'F CAR AND I AM AFRAID THE SOMEDAY IT MAY STALL OUT AT A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION, CAUSING A CRASH. I HAVE CONTACTED A VOLKSWAGEN DEARLER AND HE ADVISED THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE VIN NUMBERS OF THE RECALL, VOLKSWAGON ALREADY HAS IN PLACE. I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT WE HAVE ALREADY HAD OUT OIL PRESSURE PUMP REPLACED AND I WAS WONDERING IF THERE HAS BEEN OTHER COPLAINTS OF THE OIL PRESSURE PUMP FAILING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223615April 7, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I HAVE SUFFERED THE SAME ISSUES AS OTHERS CONCERNING THE HEADLIGHTS FOR MY 2001.5 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS. I HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVERS SIDE LIGHT ON 3 OCCASIONS. I HAVE REPLACED IT MYSELF ON ALL OCCASIONS. THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS COMPLETELY MELTED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE BULB IS REPLACED, IT USUALLY LASTS A WEEK BEFORE GOING OUT AGAIN. MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT LAST NIGHT. WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE THE BULB, I AGAIN FOUND A MELTED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THIS ONE IS NOT AS SEVERE AS THE DRIVER SIDE BUT ALSO POSES A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS WILL RESULT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $1,000 IN REPAIRS. VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO STEP UP AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223620April 7, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, SUSPENSION:FRONT
FAILURE OF MULTIPLE FRONT CONTROL ARMS IN 2001 VW PASSAT. WAS GIVEN QUOTE OF NEARLY $2100 TO REPAIR CONTROL ARMS. WAS TOLD THIS IS A "WIDE SPREAD" PROBLEM WITH VW PASSATS AND NOTHING HAS BEEN RECALLED AS OF YET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223352April 4, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD LIABILITY COVERAGE; THEREFORE, THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WILL GIVE THE MANUFACTURER A REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223235April 3, 2008
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY OVER 90 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING MAXIMUM PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FLOORMATS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FLOORMATS. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE ORIGINAL RUBBER FLOORMATS. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000. UPDATED 4/25/08 *CN THE FLOOR MAT BECAME LODGE UNDER THE GAS PEDAL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223037April 1, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I FINISHED PUTTING IN A SMALL AMOUNT OF GAS AND WHILE TAKING OFF HAD AN ENGINE PROBLEM. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK, MY CAR STARTED TO CHUG AND I HAD A SEVERE LOSS OF POWER. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY LOCAL VW SERVICE CENTER, AND UPON INVESTIGATION THEY SMELLED A BURNING UNDER MY HOOD AND FOUND THE IGNITION COIL MELTED OR SOMETHING OF THE SORTS. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL AND THE CAR WORKS FINE, FOR NOW UNTIL THE COIL MELTS AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223082April 1, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR QUITE RUNNING. 1.8 LITER TURBO IN O3 VW PASSAT. DEALER CALLS AND TELLS US OUR VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. TO CALL VW OF NORTH AMERICA AND THEY SHOULD COVER IT. I TALK TO A WOMEN TELL HER THE SAME THING AS ABOVE AND SHE ASK ME TO HOLD WHILE SHE SUBMITS THE CLAIM. SHE COMES BACK ON THE LINE AFTER 45 SECONDS OR SO AND SAYS THAT THEY WON'T COVER IT. THE VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I ASK TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR. I AM TOLD THERE IS NO ONE ELSE I CAN SPEAK TO AND THIS IS THE FINALLY DECISION OF VW OF NORTH AMERICA. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST FAILURE FOR THIS CAR. TEMPERATURE SENSOR REPLACED, BRAKE MODULE REPLACED TWICE, THE HEATER CORE REPLACE, THE TRIP TRONIC SHIFT REPLACED, INSTRUMENT PANEL REPLACED, THE ENGINE FLUSHED FOR SLUDGE. CV BOOTS REPLACED. THEY'RE CRACKED AGAIN AFTER 3 MONTHS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222644March 29, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
MY CAR JUST STOPPED. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT HAD I NOT GOTTEN OFF THE ROAD IN TIME. I WAS ON ROUTE 68, A 4 LINE HIGHWAY. COME TO FIND OUT THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING TENSIONER BROKE, WHICH THE MANUFACTURE KNEW WOULD HAPPEN BECAUSE ALL THE REPAIR BOOKS SAY TO HAVE IT CHANGED AT ABOUT 65,000 TO 75,000 MILES. NOBODY TOLD ME THAT. IF MY CHILDREN WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME NEEDLESS TO SAY IF MY WIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING INSTEAD OF ME WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. IT IS COSTING ME OVER $2,300.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. NEEDLESS TO SAY HAD I BEEN WARNED I WOULD HAVE HAD IT REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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