Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10198195August 1, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
MY 2003 PASSAT WITH 46,000 MILES AND REGULAR 5,000 MILES SERVICE VISITS RECENTLY HAD TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS. THE ALTERNATOR WENT BAD AND WAS PRODUCING NEARLY TWICE THE VOLTAGE. THERE WERE NO SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS ON THIS ITEM AND WAS FIXED AT A SIGNIFICANT COST TO ME. NEXT WAS THE FUEL TANK. I FIRST EXPERIENCED AN ODOR WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A LEAK IN THE GAS TANK. I AM WORKING WITH AN EXCELLENT VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE BUSINESS WHICH IS NOT A DEALERSHIP. VW AMERICA WILL ONLY TAKE THE WORD OF A LICENSED DEALER. THE DEFECTIVE TANK IS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED AT A VERY SIGNIFICANT COST TO ME. THERE ARE NO SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS ON MY VIN. I UNDERSTAND THAT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS HAD TO REPLACE A FEW OF THESE. THIS IS A VERY NICE CAR DEVELOPING A BAD REPUTATION. I HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THIS CAR AND WONDER WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198220August 1, 2007
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WE PURCHASED A USED 2002 PASSAT AND DURING A STORM, THE PASSENGER FLOOR BECAME FILLED WITH WATER, COMING THROUGH THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE ENTRY OF WATER FROM HOSE AT DEALERSHIP SO WE CHANGED TO ANOTHER 2002. ON JULY 21, DURING A STORM, THE PASSENGER SIDE FILLED WITH RAIN ON THE FLOOR BUT NOT THROUGH THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. ON JULY 30, THE DRIVER FLOOR WAS FILLED WITH WATER FROM A STORM. BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS DRY. SINCE THIS CAR IS ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD, IS THIS A DEFECT? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197930July 31, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEAKS AT THE END OF THE HOSE AND HE SMELLED GAS. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RUN AS EFFECTIVELY WHEN THE FUEL BEGAN LEAKING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197784July 30, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
I OWN A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGEN AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE DUE SLUDGE AND VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME BECAUSE I WAS MISSING ONE OIL CHANGE RECEIPT THE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON IN THE CAR TELLING ME I HAVE ENGINE PROBLEMS ONCE AGAIN, AND I BRING IT IN FOR REGULAR REPAIRS AND CHECK UPS. CURRENTLY THE SUSPENSION PART OF THE CAR HAS GONE AND THAT WILL COST ANOTHER $2000 ON TOP OF THE $7000 I ALREADY PUT INTO IT. THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE NEW TIRES AND OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE GONE WRONG WITH THIS IDIOT CAR. VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT STAND BY ITS CUSTOMERS AT ALL AND I WILL NEVER EVER BUY FROM THEM AGAIN AND WILL TELL PEOPLE I KNOW THE CAR IS A PIECE OF CRAP. THE PLACE I BRING IN MY CAR TO FOR REPAIR ALREADY KNOWS THAT. DO NOT BRING IT INTO A VOLKSWAGEN REPAIR PLACE TO HAVE IT FIXED> THEY ARE THE BIGGEST RIPP OFFS AND SO TOTALLY DISHONEST!!!! I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM JACK DANIELS IN FAIRLAWN, NJ AND HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED AT TREND MOTORS, IN DENVILLE, NJ *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197870July 30, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH OR ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO MALFUNCTION AND THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAS BEEN CHARGED FOR EACH REPLACEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,006 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197871July 30, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE SQUEAKING AND CREAKING OF THE FRONT END OF MY VW PASSAT 2001 IS HORRENDOUS. MY LOCAL VW AND THE VW OF A HAVE DONE NOTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION AND, REGARDLESS OF THE INCREASING NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND INCREASING PROBLEMS IN CONTROLLING THE CAR, ARE ASKING FOR APPROXIMATELY $1500 TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197737July 28, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I OWN A 2003 VW PASSAT V6 AWD THAT CURRENTLY HAS ~37000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THIS CAR USES AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2003. THE LAST ESTIMATE OF OIL CONSUMPTION (JULY 25, 2007), WAS ~0.75 QUART PER 600 MILES, WHICH IS WHAT THE DEALER AND VW HAVE SAID IS WITHIN THE FACTORY SPECIFICATION OF 1 QUART PER 1000 MILES. HOWEVER, NEITHER THE DEALER NOR VW WILL PROVIDE ME WITH WRITTEN EVIDENCE OR BULLETINS DESCRIBING THESE SPECIFICATIONS. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, WHICH REFLECTS AN UNDERLYING DEFECT IN THE DESIGN/FUNCTION OF VW ENGINES. APPARENTLY, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS COMPLAINT AS SEVERAL OF THE BULLETIN BOARDS AND INTERNET DISCUSSION GROUPS HAVE SIMILAR POSTINGS. THIS OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM MAY ALSO BE RELATED TO THE ACCUMULATION OF "ENGINE SLUDGE," WHICH APPARENTLY LED VW TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON CERTAIN MODELS. I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM FALLS WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE NHSTA, BUT I AM FILING THIS AS A COMPLAINT AND REQUESTING FURTHER INVESTIGATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197563July 26, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
I WAS DRIVING EAST ON ATLANTIC AVENUE IN DELRAY BEACH, FL., I MADE A LEFT TURN ONTO N.E. 4TH AVENUE AND WITHIN A FEW YARDS THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT TOO FAR FROM THE FOUNTAIN SQUARE PARKING LOT SO I PUSHED THE CAR INTO THE PARKING LOT TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197318July 24, 2007
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HEATER CORE FAILED, CAUSING SUDDEN AND SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF VISIBILITY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. INTERIORS OF ALL WINDOWS WERE SEVERELY FOGGED WITH COOLANT MIST. I WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. AWARE THAT VW HAS FREQUENTLY REPLACED THIS KNOWN DEFICIENT COMPONENT OUT OF WARRANTY, I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA THREE TIMES. I WAS CONSISTENTLY TOLD THAT I WOULD RECEIVE NO HELP. COST OF HEATER CORE REPLACEMENT AT DEALERSHIP WAS $1600. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197273July 23, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
I JUST BOUGHT MY DAUGHTER A NEW "USED" VEHICLE. BECAUSE IT IS OVER 5 YEARS OLD, THE VEHICLE IS SOLD "AS IS" - NO WARRANTY. SINCE GETTING THE CAR HOME, IN THE FIRST 120 MILES I DROVE, NOT 1, BUT 2 WINDOW REGULATORS BROKE CREATING A LOAD CRASHING NOISE AND A SAFETY CONCERN. THE NOISE CAUSED ME TO BRAKE SUDDENLY SINCE I DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE NOISE CAME FROM. FORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLES BEHIND WERE ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT CRASHING, BUT IT WAS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION. THE CAR IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP RIGHT NOW AND THE ESTIMATED REPAIR IS COST $501.75. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 35 YEARS AND IN MY LIFETIME, I HAVE NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE HAVE 2 WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURES WITHIN A ONE HOUR TIME SPAN, ALSO WITHIN A 20 MILE DRIVING SPAN. IT SEEM TO ME THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY VOLKSWAGON. ALL THIS AFTER I JUST SPENT $7000.00 FOR THIS VEHICLE. IN DOING RESEARCH, I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR VOLKSWAGON. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197101July 21, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DRIVER WAS ON DAILY COMMUTE TO WORK, STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD BY THE DRIVER AND WHEN THE DRIVER EXITED THE CAR TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED, A BYSTANDER IMMEDIATELY YELLED TOWARD THE DRIVER TO WARN THEM THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT OUT OF CAR SAFELY, WITH MINOR INJURIES INCURRED AS A RESULT OF TRYING TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE ITSELF WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, HOWEVER AS A RESULT THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT WERE DESTROYED AND THE CAR WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS BY INSURANCE. SINCE THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT(S) AND SURROUNDING AREA INVOLVED IN THE DEFECT WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED, THERE WAS NO PARTS TO REPAIR OR REPLACE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10197113July 21, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
TWICE, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ON UNCONTROLLABLY - INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST, THEN PERMANENTLY. THIS FAILURE WAS TROUBLE-SHOT AND REPAIRED BY THE DEALER BOTH TIMES. IN EACH CASE, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAD FAILED. FROM STUDYING THE SWITCH PART NUMBERS, IT APPEARS THE SUFFIX HAS ALSO TWICE CHANGED TO A LATER VERSION - ALTHOUGH I DON'T BELIEVE THEY WERE INSTALLED IN THAT ORDER IN MY CAR (SEE PN'S BELOW). I BELIEVE I HAVE THE LATEST VERSION CURRENTLY INSTALLED. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE FAILURE MODE, AS IT NOT ONLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE (DRIVING AROUND WITH BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY ON, BUT IF LEFT ON FOR PROLONGED PERIOD, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB SOCKETS GET EXTREMELY HOT AND IN MY OPINION HAVE A GOOD CHANCE TO MELT THE PLASTIC SOCKET/REFLECTORS AND POSSIBLY CATCH FIRE. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE ABS AND CRUISE CONTROL BECOME INOP, THE THROTTLE BODY ALIGNMENT IS DISTURBED CAUSING THE CAR TO BEHAVE TERRIBLY ON ACCELERATION AND MANY CEL-TYPE LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. FAILURES OCCURRED: 1ST TIME: @ 34540MI, 4/7/2005. 2ND TIME: @ 49,746MI, 5/24/2006. ORIG S/W PN 3B094551A (FROM FACTORY). 2ND S/W/1ST REPLACEMENT PN 3B0945511_ (ASSUME BASIC PN), 3RD S/W/2ND REPLACEMENT PN 3B0945511B). I HAVE NEVER HAD TO CHANGE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON MY 1984 VW SCIROCCO - I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAD DRIVEN IT OVER 174K MILES! A FAILED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THIS PASSAT HAS MUCH GREATER IMPACT (LIGHTS, ABS, THROTTLE, CRUISE CONTROL) WHEN IT FAILS THAN IT WOULD ON THE SCIROCCO (JUST LIGHTS), AND IT WAS THE PASSAT BRAKE LIGHT S/W THAT FAILED TWICE - DUE TO POOR DESIGN/RELIABILITY. AMAZING AND UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197128July 21, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
HARD SHIFT IN 6 SPEED VW PASSAT2006 WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP FROM HIGH SPEED 50-60)MPH. IT FEELS LIKE SLEDGE HAMMER HITS THE CAR. VW SAYS THEY DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR IT AND THEY ARE WORKING ON IT. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197072July 20, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
BOUGHT USED 2000 PASSAT. ABS BRAKE FAULT LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN 30 DAYS OF PURCHASING VEHICLE. MECHANIC HAS TRIED REPLACING ABS SENSOR, ABS CONTROL MODULE AND HYDRAULIC BOOSTER, CHANGED WIRE HARNESS, AND INSTALLED INSTRUMENT PANEL TWICE. LIGHT STILL COMES ON. MECHANIC ASSURES ME BRAKES ARE WORKING AND ABS IS WORKING. HOPE I DON'T PROVE HIM WRONG. VERY FRUSTRATED. HAVE GOTTEN NO HELP FROM VW SERVICE. THEY SEEM AT A LOSS OF WHAT TO DO ALSO. RECALL THIS VEHICLE PLEASE!! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196893July 19, 2007
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A WATER LEAK IN EITHER THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE TUBES OR POLLEN FILTER CAUSED 2" OF WATER TO FILL THE PASSENGER FRONT/REAR OF MY 2003 VW PASSAT. THERE IS CURRENTLY A TERRIBLE SMELL OF MOLD/MILDER IN THE VEHICLE. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, IT WAS FOUND THAT NUMEROUS VW OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196684July 18, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS LIGHTS ON, OIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT ON. DIAGNOSED AS FAILURE OF ABS CONTROL MODULE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196692July 18, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
2000 VW PASSAT. ABS MODULE WENT OUT CAUSING LOSS OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REDUCED SAFETY OF CAR. REPLACEMENT WILL BE $1200-$1500. MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THIS WA SCOMMON TO VOLKSWAGEN CARS BETWEEN 50-100K MILES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196567July 17, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
WAS TOLD BY VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA THAT THE PASSAT 2003 DID NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRICATED IN GETTING THIS COVERED. ESULTS : | ALL RECORDS DISPLAYED AKE : VOLKSWAGEN MODEL : PASSAT YEAR : 2003 MANUFACTURER : VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 07V063000 MFR'S REPORT DATE : FEB 15, 2007 COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED : 1002000 . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196639July 17, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP. STOP ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IMMEDIATELY TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND LEARNED THAT IT WAS AN OIL PRESSURE ISSUE TO SLUDGE. VOLKSWAGEN HAD ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THEY REQUIREED COMPLETE RECORDS WHICH MOST PEOPLE DID NOT KEEP. THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH REGARD TO THIS ISSUE. WONDERING WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN IMPOSED GIVEN THE EXPENSE TO CONSUMER'S FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. CONSUMER PROTECTION SHOULD BE FIRST PRIORITY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196353July 14, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT GO ON AND OFF WITH NO RHYME. DEALER HAS QUOTED ME $1500 TO REPLACE. IT SEEMS THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL WITH SO MANY HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WILL SEND TO HAVE IT REBUILT THEN QUICKLY SELL CAR AND NOT PURCHASE VW AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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