Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10215848January 24, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY AND SMOKE BEGAN EMANATING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. SHE PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EMISSION COILER, AND OXYGEN SENSORS FAILED. ALL OF THE REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215897January 24, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
I OWN A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH A 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINE AND 85,000 MILES. MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT TO THE VW DEALER RIGHT AWAY. THE DEALER CLAIMS MY MOTOR IS "SLUDGED". EVEN THOUGH VW HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR 8 YEARS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IT WILL NOT COVER MY VEHICLE REPAIRS OF OVER $2,000 AND GROWING. I HAVE KEPT EXCELLENT TRACK OF OIL CHANGES IN MY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE BOOK AND EVEN CHANGED EVERY 3,000 WHEN THE SERVICE CALLS FOR ONLY 5,000. I HAVE USE A GOOD QUALITY SAE VALVOLINE 5W-30 MOTOR OIL WHICH MY OWNERS MANUAL SAYS IS FINE. VW WILL NOT COVER MY REPAIRS SIMPLY BECAUSE I DID NOT KEEP EVERY SINGLE PURCHASE RECEIPT FOR MY OIL CHANGES. THEY CLAIM, WITHOUT RECEIPTS THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT I PUT IN APPROPRIATE OIL. MY RESPONSE IS, YOU SPEND $30,000 FOR A VEHICLE, I HAVE PROVEN I CHANGED OIL EVERY 3,000, WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD I PUT IN AN OIL THAT DID NOT CONFORM TO MY OWNERS MANUAL. THIS IS THE LAST VW MY FAMILY WILL PURCHASE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215564January 21, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DOOR OPENED UNEXPECTEDLY THREE TIMES WHILE VEHICLE UNDER WAY. WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS WITH TEMPERATURE SWINGS. TWICE HAD UNRELATED FAILURE TO LATCH, BUT THOSE CASES WERE OBVIOUS. IN THESE THREE CASES, THE DOOR CLOSED AND LATCHED, BUT WOULD NOT LOCK MANUALLY OR BY ELECTRIC CONTROLS OR BY AUTOMATIC SPEED-RELATED LOCKING PROGRAM. THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING FEATURE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LOCK THE CAR REPEATEDLY. THE DOOR WAS CLOSED SECURELY AND TESTED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE DURING EPISODES TWO AND THREE. DURING TURNS, THE DOOR POPPED OPEN FULLY, WITH FORCE, WITHOUT WARNING. NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215481January 20, 2008
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 VW PASSAT, MY HEATED DRIVER'S SEAT BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED MY LEG, THOUGH NO PERSONAL INJURY OCCURRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215355January 18, 2008
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I LEASED A 2006 VW 2.0 ON JAN 4, 2006, AND IT HAS BEEN A CHOIR. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER 3 MONTHS, THE CAR BUCKS AS IF I AM RIDING A DONKEY, LUNGING VERY UNSAFE TO THE POINT OF ALMOST CAUSING WHIPLASH - WITH NO RHYME OR REASON. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER IN BRAINTREE, MA SEVERAL TIMES - UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. ON JAN 4 , 2007 A YEAR LATER I TOOK THE CAR IN TO BE SERVICE - I WAS TOLD THAT IT WENT OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE - AGAIN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM - AS SOON AS I HIT THE HIGHWAY THE CAR STARTED JERKING (SO MUCH FOR THE TEST DRIVE) 2ND VW WITH THROTTLE PROBLEMS I WILL NEVER PURCHASE OR RECOMMEND VW TO ANYONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215229January 17, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY
AFTER HEAVY RAINFALL, WATER FILLED THE PASSENGER FLOOR WELL. I VACUUMED OUT THE WATER AND MOVED VEHICLE ON A SURFACE THAT IS SLOPED AND ANOTHER 3 GALLONS OF WATER CAME THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER KICK PANEL WHERE THERE ARE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. IN TOTAL, THERE WAS 7 GALLONS OF WATER. NOW ALL THE SERVICE LIGHTS COMES AND REMAINS ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215289January 17, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
ENGINE OIL PRESSURE FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215128January 16, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2003 PASSAT V6 IN WHICH THERE IS A LEAK THROUGH THE POLLEN FILTER BECAUSE OF FAULTY DESIGN. EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR SNOWS IN THE NORTHEAST WATER GETS THROUGH THE FAULTY SEAL AND IS ACCUMULATING IN THE PASSENGER REAR AND FRONT SEAT. THE WATER ACCUMULATION HAS CAUSED THE TCM TO WORK IMPROPERLY AND MAY MALFUNCTION. WITH OUT THE USE OF A TCM THAT WORKS PROPERLY THE CAR MAY SHUTDOWN OR MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS A PROBLEM VW KNOWS ABOUT AND HAS IN FACT ISSUED A RECALL ON THE 2002 MODEL. THIS IS AN ISSUE ON ALL B5 PASSAT MODELS. PLEASE HELP ISSUE A RECALL TO CORRECT THIS MATTER. THANKS STEVE *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214736January 14, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. FIRST THE FUEL TANK DOOR SWITCH BECAME INOPERABLE FORCING ME TO REMOVE THE OPENING MECHANISM WHICH ALLOWED ME TO OPEN IT MANUALLY. TWO DAYS LATER THE ALARM BEGAN TO SOUND ON IT'S OWN, AND DID SO FOR AT LEAST 8 HOURS OR MORE. BY THE END OF THE NIGHT THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND ALL THE FUNCTIONS IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AS WELL AS THE ALARM, CEASED TO OPERATE APART FROM THE LOCKS. I HAD TO REMOVE THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT AND CARPET TO ACCESS THE CONVENIENCE CONTROL MODULE AND SUBSEQUENT WIRING, WHILE UNDERNEATH THE CARPET I TRIED TO SUCTION UP AS MUCH MOISTURE AS I COULD OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOOR AND OUT OF THE PADDING. AS OF KNOW I AM QUOTED TO PURCHASE A NEW CONVENIENCE CONTROL MODULE TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214679January 13, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
ABS BRAKES HAVE BEEN PUMPING WITHOUT INCLEMENT WEATHER. IT PUMPS RANDOMLY AT ANY SPEED AND ANY WEATHER. NOTHING HAS BEEN RESOLVED FROM THE DEALER. THE BRAKES ALSO MAKE EXCESSIVE NOISE, GRINDING OR METAL TO METAL TYPE OF SOUNDS OR CONTACT. IN ADDITION, MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL OR MALFUNCTIONS WITHIN THE YEAR I HAVE OWNED THE CAR- ONLY 9491 MILES. A. AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND STAYED ON UNTIL I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER. B. THE DRIVER SUN VISOR SHORTED AND WAS INOPERATIVE. C. IGNITION WAS WEAK AND WOULD NOT START AFTER SEVERAL TIMES. CAR WOULD DIE. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER, NO RESOLVE. THE COMPUTER COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. FINALLY AS I AM DRIVING THE OTHER DAY, A MALFUNCITON LIGHT APPEARS AND THE CAR DIES. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. D. AFTER 5,000 MILES CHECK UP, THE SERVICE LIGHT APPEARED AND STAYED ON UNTIL I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER TO TURN OFF. E. AT THIS TIME, THE CAR IS IN THE DEALER. THEY FOUND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAULTY AND WILL BE REPLACING IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214390January 10, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS /BRAKE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AT ABOUT 112,000 MILES. FIRST THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT NOW IT IS CONSTANT. THE ABS PUMP SEEMS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENT KNOWN AS THE EBCM. I REALIZE THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, OTHERWISE VW WOULD HAVE BEEN PRESSURED TO ISSUE A RECALL. HOWEVER, THE STATE OF NJ WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO PASS INSPECTION WITH THE LIGHTS ON BECAUSE THEY CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH IN REALITY IT'S JUST LIKE DRIVING IN THE PRE-ABS DAYS. SO, THE CONSUMER IS FORCED TO PAY $1500-$2000 TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. OF COURSE VW AND BOSCH, WHO MADE THE FAULTY COMPONENT, GET OFF THE HOOK AND IN FACT PROFIT THIS EXTREMELY COMMON FAILURE. WHO IS LOOKING OUT FOR THE CONSUMER? PLEASE HELP! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214432January 10, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING MY 2004 VW PASSAT (REPLACING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH). I HAD MY REPAIRS COMPLETED AT AN AUTHORIZED VW SERVICE CENTER IN OCTOBER 2007 AND SENT MY FORM TO VW FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I RECEIVED A CALL ON 1/10/08 INFORMING ME THAT THE DEADLINE FOR THE REPAIR WAS 9/23/07. THE RECALL LETTER I RECEIVED WAS DATED SEPTEMBER 2007 AND DID NOT INDICATE THAT THERE WAS A DEADLINE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VW CUSTOMER CARE CENTER IS SAYING THAT THEY WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THIS REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214213January 8, 2008
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
(1) TURNED ON DRIVERS-SIDE SEAT HEATER WHILE DRIVING (2) SMOKE BEGAN FILLING THE VEHICLE, AND (3) I TURNED OFF THE HEATER, BUT A HOLE WAS BURNED THROUGH THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THROUGH MY LEFT REAR PANT POCKET AS WELL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213985January 6, 2008
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
SIDE CURTAINS AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR A NON-CRASH IMPACT WHILE DRIVING ON A ROAD AT CITY SPEED AFTER A SNOWSTORM. THERE WAS NO COLLISION. THERE IS EVIDENCE OF VERY MINOR UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE TO FRONT RIM OF LESS THAN $225. CONSEQUENCE IS OVER $2800 IN DAMAGE TO INTERIOR OF CAR FROM AIRBAG, AND SURCHARGE FROM INSURANCE TOTAL COST TO US WITH AIRBAG DAMAGE, SURCHARGES, AND CAR RENTAL WILL BE OVER $5000. THE CRASH SENSING ALGORITHM SEEMS TO BE TOO SENSITIVE AND MAY RECOGNIZE CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS (WHEEL, TIRE AND UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS) AS DEPLOYABLE EVENTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213657January 4, 2008
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HEATERCORE FAILED FOGED UP ALL MY WINDOWS,SOAKED CARPET AND FILLED CABIN WITH TOXIC ANTIFREEZE VAPOR ON MY WAY HOME FROM MY UNCLES FUNERAL. *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213760January 4, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE:1999 VW PASSAT 4 CYLINDER 1.8TURBO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE 2005. DEALER WOULD NOT CONSIDER IT PART OF THE WARRANTY AND TOOK 2 YEARS BEFORE THE PROBLEM WAS RECTIFIED. BUT TILL TODAY, STILL GET THE LIGHT AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO RECTIFY IT. ON 2 OCCASSIONS THE VEHICLE STALLED AT MAJOR INTERSECTION, AND WAS A POTENTIAL HAZARD TO OTHER VEHICLES. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE VW DEALER. I MET AN OWNER OF A VW GOLF 1999 AT THE DEALER (YESTERDAY JAN 3RD, 2008) AND HE GAVE ME TO UNDERSTAND THAT HE WAS TOLD HIS CHECK ENGLINE LIGHT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE SEARCHED THE WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/RECALLS SITE AND THERE ARE NONE RECALLS REPORTED AND YET HIS CAR WAS BEING FIXED. LISTED BELOW ARE THE COST TOTAL $727 6/29/2005 REPLACED SECONDARY STAGE LIGHT $415 8/08/2005 CONSIDER SPORADIC AND RESET BUT DETERMINED CAMSHAFT $0 8/16/2006FAULTY MASS AIR FLOW$232 8/18/2006REPLACE ELBOW$80 THOUGH I HAVE DONE THE ABOVE, I STILL GET THE LIGHT AND SINCE THEY CANNOT TRACK THE SYMPTONS, THEY JUST RESET THE LIGHT. THIS IS A HAZARD AND COULD ENDANGER LIVES OF OTHER DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. 'THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT WOULD ENDANGER OTHER LIVES 'I REQUEST THIS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND SUBSEQUENTLY DOCUMENTED 'I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COSTS THAT I HAVE INCURRED. I WOULD LIKE VW TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AND MAKE DO WHAT THEIR CUSTOMERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED. *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212951December 27, 2007
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THERE IS A FIRE REPORT BUT THE CONTACT DOES NOT HAVE A COPY. THERE WERE NO DEATHS, INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES ARE 40000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212703December 26, 2007
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
DRIVING HOME WITH IN FREEZING WEATHER AFTER A SNOW STORM, EVERY FEW MINUTES CLEANING THE WINDSHIELD WITH WASHER FLUID, WHERE AFTER STOPPING THE CAR FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE WIPERS REFUSED TO FUNCTION WHILE DRIVING (ATTEMPTING TO CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE ROAD SALT). HAD TO CAREFULLY PULL OVER, CHECKED THE FUSES, AND CLEARED ALL ICE FROM THE WINDSHIELD COWL AND WIPER BLADE ARMS, THEN IT WORKED. NONE OF MY OLDER CARS HAD THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212711December 26, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR MAKES JUMP WHEN SLOWING DOWN LOOKS LIKE TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER FOUR TIMES I TOOK THE CAR FOR CHECK UP IN NORTHEAST WV OUTLET IN PHILADELPHIA,PA PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY, IGNITION COILS RESET COMPUTER AND SO AND SO BUT LOOKS LIKE THEY CAN'T SOLVE THAT PROBLEM. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR ,AND THIS SCARES HER, SHE GETS NERVOUS AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212271December 18, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES SLIP AND GRIP RAPIDLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND BELOW. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR THE THIRD TIME AND IS TAKING LONGER TO REPAIR THAN USUAL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 15,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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