Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10181651February 2, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
2002 VW PASSAT WITH TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE CUSTOMER IS REQUESTING COMPENSATION FOR REPAIR WORK TO CAR AND HOUSE**NAR**CC IT WAS DISCOVERED THE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE VACUUM-SEALED HAD 1 QUART OF WATER IN IT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT DUE TO THE COLD NIGHT, THE ASSEMBLY FROZE UP, AND WHEN THE CONSUMERS WIFE STARTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE INTO THE GARAGE TO WARM IT UP, THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181296February 1, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY GARAGE THIS MORNING, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I EXITED MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED MY FRONT HEATED SEAT BURNED THROUGH THE FABRIC AND CAUGHT FIRE (SMALL FLAME). I HAD TO PUT IT OUT WITH MY HAND. AFTERWARDS, I NOTICED THE SEAT SPARKING. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN FOR REVIEW BY THE SERVICE MANAGER. IT WAS ON THE 2ND SETTING AND ALSO BURNED ON MY JACKET. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181187January 31, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
1999 VW PASSAT 1.8T SUFFERED SUDDEN TIMING BELT FAILURE AT ONLY 54,000 MILES. INCIDENT OCCURRED AT NIGHT ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE (I-70) IN THE COLORADO MOUNTAINS, LEAVING ME BARELY ABLE TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE TO COAST UPHILL TO A NARROW SNOWY SHOULDER, WHERE WE WERE FORCED TO CALL 911 AND WAIT FOR ALMOST 45 MINUTES IN A COLD VEHICLE, IN CONSTANT DANGER OF BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY SEMI/TRACTOR TRAILERS. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS OCCURRED AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE AND ENDANGERED MY FAMILY, AND IF IT WERE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT I WOULD NOT BE PURSUING THIS ISSUE AS I DID MISS THE 40,000 MILE SERVICE WHEN A BELT INSPECTION WAS SCHEDULED TO BE PERFORMED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE BASED UPON MY DISCUSSIONS WITH INDEPENDENT VW/AUDI SERVICE TECHNICIANS AND THE INTERNET, AND LED TO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OF AUDI AND NOW (ONGOING) VW. IN THE MEANTIME, VW APPEARS TO BE DENYING THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE, AND REFUSES TO HONOR ITS EXTENDED POWERTRAIN WARRANTY UNLESS IT HAS BEEN VERY STRICTLY FOLLOWED. DUE TO THE SYSTEMATIC FAILURE WITH THIS CRITICAL ENGINE PART, USUALLY OCCURRING WELL BEFORE VW'S OWN RECOMMENDED BELT CHANGE INTERVAL OF 105,000 MILES, I BELIEVE THAT VW SHOULD BE REPAIRING/RECALLING THESE VEHICLES FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE BELTS AND TENSIONERS. SUDDEN AND TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL; IN MY CASE THE REAL DANGER WAS THE LOCATION AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FAILURE. IT APPEARS VW IS FOLLOWING THE SAME AGGRESSIVE STANCE/DENIALS OF WARRANTY CLAIMS WITH ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THESE ENGINES, THE OIL "SLUDGING" PROBLEM WHICH IS ALSO WELL-DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181198January 31, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
VOLKSWAGEN 2002 PASSAT 1.8L TURBO. ENGINE STALLED COMPLETELY GOING 60 MPH ON FREEWAY. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. WAS ABLE TO RESTART. VERY DANGEROUS. ISSUE SOUNDS IDENTICAL TO FUEL PUMP ISSUE WITH 2003 PASSAT WHICH CAUSES DANGEROUS STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181194January 31, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC
I WAS DRIVING CAR ON A COLD MORNING AND COMING TO A STOP ON A HILL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN. I LITERALLY HAD TO STAND ON THE PEDAL TO GET CAR TO STOP. THIS HAD HAPPENED TO MY WIFE TWO PREVIOUS TIMES AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM AS NO CODES INDICATED ANYTHING WRONG. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD SERVICE WRITER GET IN CAR AND EXPERIENCE WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING. IT WAS DETERMINED AFTER DIAGNOSIS THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. APPARENTLY WATER HAD ENTERED IN COWL AREA WHICH HAD BEEN CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181006January 29, 2007
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS INCIDENT. THE HEATER CORE BROKE ON MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED WHITE SMOKE WAS EMITTING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING A FILM ON THE WINDSHIELD. THIS CAUSED A FOG ON THE WINDOWS REDUCING MY VISIBILITY SEVERELY CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO PULL OVER QUICKLY. THE SMOKE HAS AN ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE AND IN FACT THAT IS WHAT IT WAS. WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED THE ANTIFREEZE AND IT HAD DROPPED TO HALF OF WHAT IT WAS. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AT VOLKSWAGEN WHOSE ONLY RECOURSE IS THAT I SHOULD HAVE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE WORST PART ABOUT THIS ENTIRE EXPERIENCE IS THAT AFTER NEARLY CRASHING MY CAR I HAVE TO PAY $1200.00 TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10180917January 28, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
MY CAR STARTED MAKING HORRIBLE NOISES IN THE ENGINE SO I STOPPED DRIVING IT AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE VW DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT MY TURBO WOULD NEED REPLACING AT A COST OF $5600. THE DEALERSHIP WOULDN'T HONOR MY WARRANTY BECAUSE I COULDN'T PRODUCE EVERY RECEIPT FROM MY OIL CHANGES-I HAD LIVED IN 3 STATES SINCE I GOT THE CAR. HOWEVER, I COMPLAINED ENOUGH THAT THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD ONLY CHARGE ME $3200 TO FIX THE CAR AND WOULD GIVE ME A GOOD TRADE IN ON ANOTHER VW. I HAVE DECIDED ONE VW IS ENOUGH OF A PROBLEM AND I DIDN'T NEED ANOTHER CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS AND LACK OF SERVICE FROM THE COMPANY. I FELT VW LEFT ME WITHOUT ANY CHOICE OTHER THAN TO PAY THE MONEY SO I COULD HAVE A CAR AND THEY DEFINITELY DIDN'T STAND BY THERE PRODUCT. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10180879January 27, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
MY SEAT WARMER ON MY 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8 TURBO WAS TURNED TO A SETTING OF "2". AFTER JUST TWO MINUTES I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON MY LEG. I LOOKED DOWN AND THE SEAT WARMER HAD BURNT A TWO INCH WHOLE THROUGH MY CLOTH SEATS, AND BURNT MY JEANS AS WELL. IT ALSO LEFT A SMALL BURN ON MY LEG, LIKE SOMEONE HAD BUMPED ME WITH A CIGARETTE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10180776January 26, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON THE EVENING OF JANUARY 25, 2007 I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN WHEN I RELEASED PRESSURE FROM THE GAS PEDAL. IT THEN BECAME APPARENT TO ME THAT THE CAR WAS STILL ACCELERATING DESPITE THE FACT THAT MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. I SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND THE TACHOMETER SHOWED THAT THE ENGINE WAS REVVING IN THE 5,000 RPM RANGE WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR OFF OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF WHILE THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL, THEN SHIFTED TO PARK. I ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART THE CAR, BUT EACH TIME THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY REVVED UP TO THE 5,000 RPM RANGE AS IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS FLOORED. AFTER ABOUT 4 ATTEMPTS OF SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE FINALLY IDLED AS IS SHOULD UPON START UP AND I WAS ABLE TO FINISH MY DRIVE HOME WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10180859January 26, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AT 40K MILES THE LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, AT DEALERSHIP THE TECHNICIAN "COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONCERN." AT 42K MILES THE CAR STOPPED WORKING WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. ONCE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE TECH TRIED TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. AGAIN, IN THE INVOICE WAS NOTED THAT HE REMOVED THE OIL CAP AND NOTED "A LOT OF BURNED OIL ON UNDER-SIDE OF CAP AND ON OIL DEFLECTOR TRAY." YET, THAT WAS NOT PURSUED AS THE TECHNICIAN NOTES ON THE FOLLOWING LINE THAT "CHECKED FURTHER AND FOUND NO FUEL DELIVERY." OIL CHANGE WAS ALSO DONE ON THE CAR W/ A NEW OIL FILTER AND CAR WAS RETURNED. AT 50K MILES LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON. STATED IN INVOICE THAT "DID NOT PERFORM DIAGNOSTIC." TECHNICIAN NOTES IN INVOICE, BASED ON A VISUAL INSPECTION THROUGH OIL CAP YET, THERE APPEARS TO BE OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP. NO DIAGNOSTICS WERE RAN AND NO MENTION OF OIL SLUDGE BEING A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 1.8L TURBO ENGINE IN THE 2003 PASSAT. AT 52K MILES, THE LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT YET AGAIN CAME ON, THIS TIME CAR WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT SHOP. THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS ON OIL PUMP, BASED ON LOW PRESSURE RESULTS, PUMP WAS REPLACED. 16K MILES LATER, LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, OIL PUMP IDENTIFIED AS PROBLEM AND REPLACED UNDER PART WARRANTY AT NO COST. ANOTHER 16K MILES LATER, THIS OIL PUMP ALSO FAILED. GARAGE REMOVED VALVE COVER REVEALING EXTENSIVE AMOUNTS OF BURNT OIL CARBON DEPOSITS THAT AS PER THEIR MECHANICS ARE ONLY POSSIBLE FROM A PETROLEUM BASED OIL. I SEEKED A SECOND OPINION ON THE ENGINE AND SECOND GARAGE CONFIRMED THAT DAMAGE SEEN WAS ONLY POSSIBLE FROM THE USE OF A PETROLEUM BASED OIL. VOLKSWAGEN CHANGED THEIR ENGINE OIL SPECIFICATIONS IN AUGUST OF 2004. WHEN I RECEIVED MY CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2002 AND ALL OIL CHANGES PERFORMED ON THE CAR BY THE VW DEALERSHIP UNTIL AUGUST OF 2004 WERE DONE SO WITH PETROLEUM BASED OIL. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS CREATED FROM NOVEMBER 2002-AUGUST 2004, ALTHOUGH I WAS NOT AWARE OF IT UNTIL 1/5/2007. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10180686January 25, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WITH JUST ABOUT 70000 MILES ON THE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, THE ENGINE STARTED LEAKING OIL FROM 4 AREAS: CAM SEALS, VALVE GASKETS AND SOME LEAKS ON TOP OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE OILS LEAKED ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING TOXIC FUMES. THE PROBLEM RECURS CONSISTENTLY EVEN AFTER FIXING IT. THE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2001 MODEL IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WITH SUCH RUDIMENTARY ENGINE PROBLEMS AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE DEATH. THERE IS NO CLEAR DOCUMENTATION ON WHAT PARTS ARE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AVAILABLE TO THE CUSTOMER. WITH THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP 30 MILES AWAY, IT BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER EVERYTIME THIS HAPPENS JUST TO CHECK IF THE PARTS WILL BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND IT COSTS NEARLY $3000 TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10180688January 25, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VW PASSAT 2004 PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER IN JAN. OF 2005. WE DID OUR OWN OIL CHANGES FOLLOWING THE MANUAL RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE AND OIL SPECIFICATIONS (EVERY 5,000 MILES 5W-30 OR 5W-40 REGULAR OR SYNTHETIC OIL). WE NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM VW NOR THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE KNOWN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM NOR ANY NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR OIL CHANGES. MOST OF THE OIL CHANGES WERE DONE AT HOME AND RECORDED IN THE MANUAL; TWO WERE DONE OUTSIDE AND HAVE RECEIPTS. OIL PRESSURE LIGHT WENT ON AT ABOUT 45,000 MILES, CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY RECOMMENDED A NEW MOTOR. DEALERSHIP CONTENDS THAT WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER IT BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE SYNTHETIC OIL ONLY AND FOR OIL TO BE CHANGED AT THE DEALERSHIP. VW WARRANTY DENIED WARRANTY SERVICE. CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10180725January 25, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
LAST SUMMER THE FUEL PUMP FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT VIN #[XXX]. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO VW AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. DURING A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR RECALLS I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP ON THE CAR. WHEN I LOOKED DEEPER INTO THE RECALL I FOUND THAT MY CAR IS BARELY OUT OF THE VIN # RECALL RANGE. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT THIS IS A LARGE PROBLEM WITH OTHER PEOPLE BEING BARELY OUT OF RECALL RANGE. I THINK THAT THE VIN # RECALL RANGE IS OBVIOUSLY SHORT OF WHAT IT SHOULD BE SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE.. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. VWOA WAS NOT WILLING TO HELP IN THIS MATTER AND I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT IT...*NM UPDATED 07/11/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10180732January 25, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
SEAT HEATER ON DRIVER'S SEAT GOT EXTREMELY HOT. BURNED DRIVER'S SKIN BUT NOT THROUGH THE LEATHER. SMELLED OF SMOKE. DEALERSHIP STATED MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH SEAT HEATERS CATCHING FIRE, YET NO RECALL. DEALER WILL BE HAPPY TO REPLACE SEAT/HEATER AT MY EXPENSE SINCE OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10180594January 24, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED AFTER DRIVING THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN AND ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT BOTH THE FOOT LIGHTS AND THE INTERIOR HOOD LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT THEY COULD NOT PIN POINT. THE CONTACT FELT UNSAFE, WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181625January 23, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
2006 WW PASSAT CUSTOMER WANTS TO KNOW IS HIS VEHICLE AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL (RECALL 06V472000 P7-VACUUM BOOSTER)**CC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10179335January 22, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS HAVING A BAD FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED THE PART. THE REPAIR SHOP ADVISED THE CONTACT THERE WAS A RECENT RECALL ON FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK UPDATED 2/22/2007- *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10179382January 22, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT BURNED A WHOLE THROUGH FABRIC.. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10179154January 19, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OWNER WAS DRIVING VOLKSWAGEN WHEN IT STARTED TO HESITATE AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE BURNED MOST SEVERELY IN CENTER REAR AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE COMPARTMENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10179205January 19, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WATER PUMP FAILED ON FREEWAY, UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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