Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10203058September 15, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
A COUPLE MINUTES AFTER TURNING ON MY HEATED DRIVER'S SEAT, I FELT SOMETHING STINGING MY LEFT LEG. SHORTLY AFTER, I BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING SMELL, AND SMOKE ENTERED THE CABIN. I COULD NOT PULL OVER AS I WAS ON A BUSY STREET. I PUT MY HAND DOWN THERE AND FELT A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND THE HEAT OF THE WIRE. I TURNED THE HEATED SEATS OFF, AND PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE SEAT. WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON I COULD SEE THE LIGHT OF A WIRE BURNING IN THERE THROUGH A DIME-SIZED BURN HOLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10202969September 14, 2007
STRUCTURE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 PASSAT BEGAN THUMPING AND LURCHING WHILE IN MOTION AND WHILE IDLING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ACCELERATION WAS ABNORMALLY SLOW. THREE INCHES OF STANDING WATER APPEARED IN RIGHT REAR FOOTWELL. DEALER INFORMED ME ACCELERATION PROBLEM WAS DUE TO WATER IN TCM. TCM SHORT CIRCUITED AND THEN POWERTRAIN DROPPED. WATER DAMAGE WAS DUE TO LEAKING POLLEN FILTER SEAL, WHICH WAS SUBJECT TO P9 RECALL. CAR WAS PAST WARRANTY ON TIME, BUT NOT MILES. THEY FIXED POLLEN FILTER SEAL AND TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE $4,000-$5000 DAMAGE FROM THE LEAKING WATER. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. MY CAR IS PARKED OUTSIDE. WE HAD SEVERAL RAINY DAYS IN THE WEEK BEFORE THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED I MUST HAVE LEFT THE WINDOW OPEN. I CONTACTED VW CORP AND THEY SUGGESTED I TAKE IT TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR AT MY OWN EXPENSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203012September 14, 2007
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START HIS VEHICLE ON A COLD MORNING, THE DEFROST FEATURE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE HEATER CORE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER CORE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,700 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203755September 13, 2007
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, TIRES, SUSPENSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2005 PASSAT AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE, BLOWS COLD AIR INTERMITTENTLY. CUSTOMER STATES THAT IT BLOWS COLD AIR INTERMITTENTLY THEN WILL STOP FOR NO REASON AND BLOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AIR. **NAR**KB THE DEALER REPLACED VARIOUS PARTS WITHIN THE AC UNIT, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE AC FAILURE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OR THE WIRING HARNESS. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED HE REPLACED TWO TIRES DUE TO EXTREME CUPPING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202729September 12, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
SUN VISOR W/HOMELINK CAUSES #5 FUSE TO BLOW. WIRES ARE SHORTING OUT INSIDE THE VISOR CAUSING SMOKE. WHEN FUSE BLOWS YOU LOOSE CLIMATRONIC AC, CRUISE CONTROL, AUTO DIMMING MIRRORS, AND STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202541September 11, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
NO REAL WARNING--MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR PASSAT AND THE ENGINE STALLED. ATTEMPTS AT RESTARTING THE VEHICLE FAILED. I AM THANKFUL THAT MY WIFE WAS IN A PARKING LOT INSTEAD OF A BUSY HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS AT FAULT. I HAD TO PAY OVER $500.00 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PUMP. WHAT'S MORE FRUSTRATING IS THAT A RECALL WAS APPARENTLY ORDERED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM ON 2003 MODEL YEAR PASSATS (SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V375000). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202574September 11, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
01/20/07 PASSAT 3.6 HAD CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING HOME. WARNING LIGHT CAME ON DISPLAY ADVISE LOW OIL PRESSURE AND TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE CAR. MILEAGE ON VEHICLE AT TIME OF FAILURE 13,357. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THEN LATER STATED THAT REPAIR COULD BE DONE. PARTIAL LIST OF REPAIRS IS AS FOLLOWS: REMOVE AND REPLACE TIMING BELT, TENSIONER AND SHEARED BOLT THAT CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE. CHECK MAIN BEARINGS AND REPLACE REMOVE AND EXTRACT BROKEN.......? CANNOT MAKE OUT NOTES ON SERVICE TICKET. FLUSH ENGINE BLOCK VEHICLE RETURNED TO US WITHIN 1 WEEK AND HAS NEVER BEEN RIGHT. CONSTANT ISSUES WITH SHIFTING AND CONTINUED NOISE IN ENGINE. 09/10/07 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINS ON. LOW OIL PRESSURE MESSAGE AND STOP CAR IMMEDIATELY DISPLAYED ON READOUT. LOUD CLUNKING AND GRINDING NOISE IN ENGINE AGAIN. APPEARS THAT SAME FAILURE AS BEFORE HAS OPCCURED AGAIN. MILEAGE IS 22,161 DROPPED VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP ON 09/11/07 AND DEALER IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT SENT WRONG AND WHY. I AM INSISTING ON NEW ENGINE REPLACEMENT OR VWOA TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. *TR UPDATED 10/03/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202417September 10, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, MY 1999 VW PASSAT'S ABS LIGHT LIT UP AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOLLOW BY 3 LOUD BEEPS. I LATER BRING IT TO AN AUTO MECHANIC SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY ABS MODULE DOES NOT WORK ANY MORE. THE MECHANIC FURTHER STATED THAT THIS IS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE WITH VW ABS SYSTEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202080September 6, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 VW PASSAT WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON WHEN I NOTICED THE UNDERSIDE OF MY THIGH WAS VERY WARM. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT, GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT MY SEAT AND THERE WAS A BURN HOLE ON THE UPHOLSTERED SEAT. I HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVING WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES - ON LEVEL 3 (OR 4 MAX). I HAVE NOT TURNED ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER SINCE AND HAVE NOT ALLOWED A PASSENGER TO TURN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HEATER. LUCKILY, I INCURRED NO INJURY AND MY CLOTHING WAS NOT BURNED, BUT I AM CONCERNED WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF SOMEONE HAD NOT BEEN PAYING ATTENTION, HAD NOT BEEN WEARING THIN CLOTHING AT THE TIME, OR IF A CHILD HAD BEEN SITTING ON A MALFUNCTIONING SEAT. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER WHO SAID BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HEATERS NEED TO BE REPLACED (THEY SAID THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ALSO ON ITS WAY TO BURNING- ALTHOUGH IT HAD NOT COME THROUGH THE CLOTH YET). I HAVE NOT YET REACHED ANY RESOLUTION WITH VOLKWAGEN, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202106September 6, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ON AUGUST 25, 2007, I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX WITH WIFE AND DAUGHTER ON THE MIDDLE LANE ON HWY 101. THE CAR WAS STALLED SUDDENLY AND NO SIGN OF ANYTHING WRONG. I FELT NO POWER ON THE PEDAL. I TURNED ON THE EMERGENCY LIGHT AND SLOWLY PULLED IT OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE. THE HWY TRAFFIC WAS PASSING WITH LIFE THREATENING NOISE. I STOPPED THE CAR AT THE RIGHT LANE AND BLOCK THE TRAFFIC. FINALLY A POLICE CAR PASSED BY AND CALLED FOR HELP. SEVERAL POLICE CARS CAME AND BLOCKED THE WHOLE TRAFFIC ON HWY101 AND ONE OF THEM PUSHED MY OFF THE NEXT EXIT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN SHOP AND FOUND THE FUEL PUMP WAS GONE. I CALLED THE VOLKSWAGEN USA AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR FUEL PUMP BUT MY VIN WAS NOT IN THE RANGE. THIS WAS A LIFE THREADING EVENT I WOULD REMEMBER IT WAS BY VOLKSWAGEN. I WAS A ROYAL CUSTOMER FOR VOLKSWAGEN AND AFTER THIS EVENT I COULD NOT BELIEVE I WOULD BE ONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201992September 5, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
MY ABS LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON FOLLOWED BY THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING> UPON RESEARCHING THIS ON SEVERAL VARIOUS FORUMS ON THE NET. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMONLY DEFECTIVE PART ON SEVERAL MODEL YEARS FROM 98-01. THE OLDEST POSTING I FOUND WAS DONE IN 2000 AND THE VEHICLE WAS A 99. FROM RESEARCHING THIS IT APPEARS EVEN VW DEALERS ARE UNABLE TO GET CORRECT PROBLEM CODES ON THIS ISSUE. I SAW POSTINGS FROM MANY OWNERS STATING THEY WERE TOLD EVERYTHING FROM ABS MODULES NEEDING REPLACED TO INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS TO WIRING ISSUES. IT APPEARS NO ONE IS ABSOLUTELY SURE WHAT THE ISSUE IS AS SOME OWNERS AFTER THE DEALER RECOMMEND REPLACEMENTS DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. IN THE SHORT TIME I LOOKED INTO THIS I FEEL THAT VW SHOULD BE WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAVE TAKEN STEPS TO RESOLVE IT. I SAW LITERALLY YEARS WORTH OF POSTINGS A ON THIS ISSUE ON BENTLEY PUBLISHERS WEBSITE. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW MANY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THINGS THAT DID NOT DO ANY RESEARCH ON IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201766September 4, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. THE REAR BUMPER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,700 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202604September 4, 2007
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
FAX FROM CONGRESSMAN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH HER VW PASSAT. *KB IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. SHE WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED, HOWEVER THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 8-10 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201865September 4, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
THROTTLE CABLE MELTS THEN IT JAMS, USUALLY IN A HIGH REVVING POSITION. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 NEW THROTTLE CABLES, EACH TIME THEY MELT AND STICK. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201235August 30, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
AS I DROVE HOME FROM WORK, THE VEHICLE'S TEMPERATURE GAUGE SUDDENLY SHOT INTO THE RED AND WARNINGS FLASHED ON THE DASH TO STOP THE CAR IMMEDIATELY. I PULLED OVER AT THE FIRST HIGHWAY EXIT AND PARKED AT A VOLKSWAGEN REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANICS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BROKEN WATER PUMP IMPELLAR, ESSENTIALLY A SMALL FAN-LIKE DEVICE THAT KEEPS COOLANT MOVING THROUGH THE ENGINE. THE MECHANICS EXPLAINED THAT THIS MODEL VW USED A PLASTIC IMPELLAR INSTEAD OF THE METAL ONES COMMONLY USED IN MOST CARS. APPARENTLY, VW HAS RECOGNIZED THAT THIS PLASTIC PART IS FAILURE PRONE, AND NOW MAKES ALUMINUM REPLACEMENT IMPELLARS. BUT THE MECHANICS SAID I WASN'T ENTITLED TO ANY RECALL OR WARRANTY. THE REPAIR COST ME $879, PLUS THE COSTS OF RENTING A REPLACEMENT CAR. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201105August 29, 2007
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I OWN A 2000 V6 PASSAT WITH 80500 MILES. MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER BANKS 1 AND 2 HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED AS NOT EFFECTIVE ENOUGH NECESSITATING A CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT. VW USA REFUSED TO OFFER ME ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS CATALYTIC CONVERTER, POINTING OUT THAT THE WARRANTY FOR THIS ITEM EXPIRED 500 MILES AGO. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE AND HOPE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ALLOW THIS CAR MANUFACTURER TO SHIRK ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO ITS CONSUMERS AND TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201130August 29, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ON AUG. 26. STARTER CRANKED BUT ENGINE FAILED TO TURN OVER AND START. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS FUEL PUMP FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000 MILES. WE WERE INFORMED MANUFACTURER VW HAS RECALLED FUEL PUMPS FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR (2003) BUT NOT THIS PARTICULAR VIN. WE ALSO UNDERSTAND VW ORIGINALLY LIMITED RECALL TO AN EVEN SMALLER BATCH OF VINS. WE BELIEVE THE FUEL PUMP DEFECT IS MORE EXTENSIVE THAN VW IS WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE. THE REPAIR IS CURRENTLY NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WILL COST OUR FAMILY APPROXIMATELY $655 TO REPAIR, PLUS TOWING AND CAR RENTAL COSTS. WE ARE LUCKY THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING A COLD START AND NOT ON THE ROAD, WHERE WE COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN A DESERT, A STORM, OR THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. AFTER DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED PROBLEM ON AUG. 29,2007, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND IT AGAIN FAILED TO START, OR EVEN CRANK. DEALER HAS TOWED IT BACK AND IS REVIEWING. *TR UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECOND FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED BATTERY. UPDATED *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201032August 28, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE AN '03 VW PASSAT . ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED IT HAD STARTED HESITATING WHEN TRYING TO BACK UPHILL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY PUT TRANSMISSION FLUID IN IT. IT WAS OK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND IT STARTED AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK. THEY SCANNED IT AND SAID THERE WERE NO LEAKS BUT THEY PUT IN MORE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THAT LASTED 1 1/2 WEEKS. THEY ARE NOW ORDERING A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE SLIPPING DID IT WHEN THE SERVICE PEOPLE DROVE IT. THEY HAD NOT TEST DRIVEN IT THE PREVIOUS TIMES UNTIL AFTER THEY PUT IN FLUID. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200885August 27, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE NOISE AND THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200799August 26, 2007
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
OVER 2 YEARS SINCE NEW, CAR HESITATES WITH SOFT THROTTLE ACCELERATION LIKELY BETWEEN 1 AND 2 GEAR, NO THROTTLE RESPONSE FOR UP TO 5 SECONDS, VERY DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS ACROSS TRAFFIC OR JOINING TRAFFIC FROM A STOP. 2005 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT TDI MOST RECENT DATE GIVEN, HUNDREDS OF INCIDENTS OF SAME. VW DEALER SAYS NORMAL, HE EXPERIENCES IN MOVING CARS AROUND HIS LOT. I SAY NEEDS FIXING AND VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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