Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10204126September 26, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 2006 PASSAT 3.6 HAS HAD PROBLEMS SHIFTING IN SPORTS MODE.. TRANSMISSION WILL GET STUCK IN 1ST GEAR AND NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND.. THE REV LIMITER WILL KEEP IN BECAUSE RPM'S JUMP OVER 7,000.. NOT ONLY IS THIS GOING TO CAUSE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BUT IT WILL ALSO CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE SINCE RPM'S ARE ABOVE NORMAL AND HIT THE RED AREA(NOT SAFE).. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204123September 26, 2007
SUSPENSION
MY 2006 PASSAT 3.6 HAS LOUD NOISE COMING FROM RIGHT FRONT CORNER.. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 OR 5 TIMES NOW.. SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS HITTING FIREWALL.. NOTICED PROBLEM WHEN GIVING CAR GAS YOU CAN HEAR LOUD CLUNKING NOISE.. DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME BUT SOUNDS BAD.. DOESN'T SOUND SAFE AT ALL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204124September 26, 2007
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
MY 2006 PASSAT 3.6 HAS RADIO ISSUES.. WHEN TURNING VOLUME UP PAST THE HALF WAY POINT IT SEEMS TO GET LOWER IN VOLUME.. IT SEEMS TO HAVE PROBLEM WITH AMP OR HEAD UNIT.. THE RADIO IS LOUDER WHEN 1/4 WAY UP THEN WHEN ALL THE WAY UP. *JB *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204165September 26, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE A 2000 VW PASSAT WAGON AWD V6 WHICH HAS A FAULTY ABS MODULE, CAUSING THE ABS LIGHT TO COME ON ALONG WITH A BLINKING AND BEEPING BRAKE LIGHT. I GET A STOP! BRAKE FAULT; SERVICE MANUAL MESSAGE WHICH MANY, MANY OTHERS ARE ALSO GETTING. VW SHOULD ABSOLUTELY ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS AS MANY VW DEALERS ARE SEEING THIS EXACT ISSUE (WHICH HAPPENS TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND DIAGNOSE). *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204196September 26, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
IF FUEL TANK IS FILLED MORE THAN APPROX. 3/4 FULL, THE ODOR OF GAS IS APPARENT VERY SOON AFTER. IT PERMEATED MY GARAGE OVERNIGHT AND OVERWHELMED ME WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME A VENT TUBE ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS SEEN A NUMBER OF THESE, AS HAS THE DEALERS MECHANIC. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO REPLACE THE TANK. I PERSONALLY HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, AND HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR. MY LOCAL VW DEALER WILL BE REPLACING THIS FOR FREE BASED ON THE APPROVAL OF A REGIONAL VW MANAGER, BUT I CALLED VW OF AMERICA AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS ISSUE WAS NEWS TO THEM, AND NO SUCH RECALLS OR EXTENDED WARRANTIES APPLIED. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE, AND I WAS ONLY SAVED THE ~$3,000 IN REPAIR EXPENSE BECAUSE ONE SPECIFIC DEALERS ADVISER HAPPENED TO BE AWARE OF A "SOFT RECALL," AS HE PUT IT. HE TOLD ME A NUMBER OF THESE TANKS ARE FAILING ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE, AND HAVE ORDERED EXTRA FUEL TANKS TO ACCOMMODATE CUSTOMERS. VW SHOULD BE NOTIFYING CUSTOMERS OR AT THE VERY LEAST HAVE INFORMATION ON IT THROUGH THEIR NATIONAL CUSTOMER CARE CENTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204206September 26, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL, EQUIPMENT, CHILD SEAT:HARNESS:STRAP/WEBBING, CHILD SEAT:TETHER: STRAP/WEBBING, CHILD SEAT
BOUGHT A VW PASSAT USED FROM PRIVATE DEALER~I OWNED THE CAR FOR EXACTLY 1 YEAR, TURBO FAILED ~ CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE OWNING VEHICLE. CAR HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH OIL SLUDGE ISSUES FROM PREVIOUS OWNERS. JUST PAID FOR TURBO AND TWO OIL LINES TO BE REPLACED. VW OF AMERICA STATED THEY WOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY ~ NEVER HEARD FROM THEM, I KEEP CALLING ~ CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE DAY ONE ~ NO ONE WANTS TO HELP ME ON THIS QUEST TO SEEK ACTION. I OWE 11,000.00 MORE ON THE VEHICLE CAR WAS SMOKING SEVERELY ~THOUGHT IT WAS AN UNDERCARRIAGE~BUT IT IS NEAR THE TURBO LINE SO IT COULD BE MISTAKEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204101September 25, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE STALLING CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND WAS NOT DISTRIBUTING THE FUEL. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED IN 2005 UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 101,300. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB UPDATED*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204897September 25, 2007
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
2003 VW PASSAT WITH A SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT IN THE TRANSMISSION. CUSTOMER STATES THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THROUGH A LEAK IN THE SUNROOF. DEALER ALSO STATED HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *KB THE DEALER STATED THAT A CLOGGED SUNROOF DRAIN HAD CAUSED WATER TO OVERFLOW DOWN THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDSHIELD. A PILLAR CAUSING CORROSION IN THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HARNESS WHICH WAS LOCATED AT THE PASSENGER SIDE FOOTWELL. THE DEALER STATED THE LEAK WAS CONSIDERED AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE AND THAT'S WHY IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER APPROVED THE REPAIRS, HOWEVER AS HE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DEALERS LOT, THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE CONSUMER AND INFORMED HIM, THIS TIME THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND THAT THE REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN WITH THE TCM THE ENTIRE TIME.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204046September 25, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T. WITH 76,000 MILES ON THE CAR BASED ON THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE DEALER TODAY I WILL HAVE INVESTED OVER $1000 ON VARIOUS FAILURES OF THE FUEL EVAP SYSTEM. FIRST IT WAS VACUUM HOSES AND NOW IT IS THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AND PURGE VALVE. THERE HAS BEEN ONE RECALL ON ONE PART OF THE SYSTEM WHICH OF COURSE WAS NOT WHAT WAS WRONG AT ANY POINT WITH MY VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FUEL EVAP SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND VW KNOWS IT AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT. IT IS A GREAT MONEYMAKER FOR THEM AS ONLY THEY HAVE THE ACCESS TO THE ELECTRONIC CODES AND PARTS TO REPAIR THE SYSTEM AND TREMENDOUSLY OVER INFLATED PRICES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204095September 25, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE AND NOTICED A LEAK COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FLOAT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT A NEW FUEL TANK WAS NEEDED AND WOULD COST $1,700. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE METAL FLANGE SEAL AND TANK WERE CONNECTED AND WOULD NOT BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER INVESTIGATED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203898September 23, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
AFTER FILLING UP MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4-MOTION, V6 WITH FUEL, I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. AFTER INSPECTING UNDER THE CAR, I FOUND A FUEL LEAK ON THE GAS TANK. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN VOLKSWAGENS SINCE I AM 140 MILES FROM THE NEAREST DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT. THEY DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE 90 DEGREE CONNECTORS FOR THE VAPOR LINE ON TOP OF THE TANK HAD CRACKED. THE WHOLE TANK HAS TO BE REPLACED AS YOU CAN'T JUST REPLACE THE CONNECTOR. THE TANK IS PLASTIC AND THE CONNECTOR HAS A STEEL SLEEVE IN IT TO MAKE IT MORE RIGID. ON INSPECTION OF THE OLD TANK, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THREE (3) SLEEVES ON THE 3 VENT CONNECTORS HAD WORKED THERE WAY OUT OF THE CONNECTORS SO THEY JUST SIT THERE AND FLEX UNTIL THEY FAIL. THIS TYPE OF BAD DESIGN CVOULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN EXPLOSION AND SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF OR MY FAMILY. ON CONTACTING VW CONSUMER LINE THEY WERE CONCERNED BUT NOT ENOUGH TO ADMIT A PROBLEM OR HELP PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT AS MY MILEAGE WAS TOO HIGH. MILEAGE SHOULD NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THOSE VENT CONNECTORS FAILING. I KNOW THIS IS NOT A UNIQUE OCCURRENCE SINCE ANOTHER VW PASSAT CAME IN TWO DAYS LATER TO THE SAME REPAIR SHOP WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203527September 20, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
COMPLAINT INVOLVES AN ENGINE FAILURE I HAD ON MY 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 3.6L. THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM A FAULTY "OIL PUMP BOLT/CAM BOLT" . THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CITED WITH NUMEROUS 3.6L VW OWNERS AND MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE VW SPONSORED VWVORTEX WEBSITE. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE OR PERSONAL INJURY. VW NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE FAULTY BOLT BEFORE OWNERS WARRANTIES EXPIRE RESULTING IN COSTLY REPAIRS (TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REMOVED). HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=3193697 HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=3448589 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203603September 20, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
WHILE BACKING UP OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE CAR LURCHED INTO REVERSE AND THEN WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR CAUSING DRASTICALLY SLOW SPEEDS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. ANY SPEED ABOVE 15 MPH WOULD REDLINE THE TAC AND THE ENGINE. THE VW DEALERSHIP DETERMINED IT WAS A BAD COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203445September 19, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
NORMAL OPERATION OF AUTOMOBILE, DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER PLACED ON SETTING LEVEL 2. FIRE BEGAN WITHIN THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT AND BURNT A QUARTER SIZE HOLE THROUGH THE FABRIC OF THE SEAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10203471September 19, 2007
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN MAKING A TURN FROM A STOP POSITION, THE CAR STALLS. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN GOING FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *JB THE MECHANIC WENT ON A TEST DRIVE WITH THE CONSUMER AND HE NOTICED THAT SHE DROVE WITH BOTH FEET, THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE SHOULD SSTOP OR GO FORWARD WHEN TURNING, AND THEREFORE IT STALLED. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS MADE AN EFFORT TO USE ONLY ONE FOOT AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE RESOLVED. UPDATED 10/31/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203326September 18, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2003 VOLKSWAGON PASSET CAUGHT FIRE WENT FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE INSTRUMENT-PANEL AREA AND ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CARS NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203348September 18, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE. A WARNING IS DISPAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT THERE IS A BRAKE FAULT AND THE ABS SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY BUT WITH GREATER FREQUENCY WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 60 DEG F. BELOW 60F THE WARNING ONLY APPEARS AFTER THE VEHICLE WARMS UP. ABOVE 75F THE WARNING DISPLAYS AS THE VEHICLE IS STARTED FROM COLD. BETWEEN 60F & 75F THE OCCURRENCE IS MORE RANDOM. THE ABS SYSTEM WORKS BEFORE THE WARNING IS DISPLAYED BUT DOES NOT WORK AFTER THE WARNING IS DISPLAYED. ONCE DISPLAYED THE WARNING REMAINS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE JOURNEY AND UNTIL THE VEHICLE COOLS DOWN. ESTIMATES TO REPLACE THE ABS UNIT ARE APPROX $1500 PLUS FITTING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203183September 17, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED BLUE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. HE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THE DEFECT NUTS FROM THE OIL PUMP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE ENGINE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203187September 17, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
VEHICLE VOLKSWAGEN 1997 PASSAT GLX - V6 ENGINE. FULL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, DIGITAL CLOCK... EVERYTHING ON IT, DOES NOT OPERATE WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 50 DEGREES. CAR MUST BE DRIVEN FOR 10MIN., OR ABOUT 8-12 MILES, BEFORE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER RETURNS TO NORMAL FUCTION. CAR IS BEING DRIVEN WITHOUT FUNCTIONING SPEEDOMETER, AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE MY SPEED AND DOES NOT FEEL SAFE. THERE WERE NO SIGNIFICANT EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, EXCEPT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD MAKE A BUZZING NOISE WHEN CAR STARTED AND TRIP MILEAGE WOULD RESET. THIS STARTED A FEW MONTHS BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE BEGAN. THIS PROBLEM GETS WORSE AS TIME PASSES, AS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PROBLEM OCCURS IN WARMER WEATHER NOW. PROBLEM USED TO OCCUR WHEN TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 35 DEGREES. NOW HAPPENS AT 50 DEGREES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203250September 17, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
THE FUEL TANK RUPTURED CAUSING FUEL TO SPLIT FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK AND ONTO THE GROUND. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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