Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10177870January 5, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OWNER PARKED THE VEHICLE AT A DOCTOR'S OFFICE. SHORTLY AFTER HE WENT INTO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE BURNED THROUGHOUT ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CAUSED SEVERE SCORCHING TO THE FRONT OF THE FLOOR PAN. EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD MELTED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177861January 5, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
OWNER DROVE VEHICLE TO WORK AND NOTICED IT STARTED SMOKING. DROVE BACK HOME AND WENT INSIDE TO CALL AND HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. HE DID NOT GO BACK OUT TO THE VEHICLE UNTIL LATER IN THE EVENING, WHEN HE FOUND THE WINDOWS GRAY FROM SMOKE AND THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS PARTIALLY MELTED BECAUSE IT CAUGHT FIRE. CATALYTIC CONVERTER LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. FIRE DAMAGE LIMITED TO FLOOR BELOW CENTER FRONT OF DASH, ABOVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND EXHAUST SYSTEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177873January 5, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
OWNER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, PARKED IT, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND WENT INSIDE A RESTAURANT TO PICK UP A PIZZA. WHILE OWNER WAS INSIDE, THE VOLKSWAGEN CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE BURNED CARPET IN FRONT CENTER OF PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, PLASTICS IN FRONT CENTER OF DASH. ALL DAMAGE ABOVE LOCATION OF EXHAUST AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER UNDERNEATH THE FLOOR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177917January 5, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
OVER TIME LEAVES COLLECTED IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT OF MY '99 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THIS LED TO RAIN WATER LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CORRODING THE ECU UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE ALARM AND LOCKS STARTED WORKING ON THEIR OWN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER START. THE INITIAL REACTION FROM VOLKSWAGEN WAS TO "CHEAPLY FIX" AND THE SELL THE CAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE LIFELONG PROBLEMS WITHOUT A "PROPER FIX" WHICH WOULD COST MORE THAN THE CAR WAS WORTH (~$6-$8K). *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177930January 5, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, STRUCTURE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IT STALLED IN A TURN. HE HAD BEEN DRIVING ALONG STEADILY FOR 2 HOURS WITH OUT INCIDENT PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE LOSING POWER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS INOPERABLE, THE WORK WAS COMPLETED, HOWEVER 2 HOURS LATER THE HEADLIGHT FAILED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS A ONE TO THREE SECOND LAG IN THE ACCELERATOR, MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN THE CONSUMER IS TRUING TO ACCELERATOR. THERE WAS A RATTLE COMING FROM THE HEADLINER/SUNROOF ASSEMBLY. THERE WAS A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR VIEW MIRROR TRIM PIECES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE FOG LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 01/31/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177733January 4, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
AM I FILING THIS REPORT IN THE CORRECT PLACE? I HAVE A 2000 VW PASSAT. THREE OF THE 4 WINDOWS HAVE DROPPED INTO THE DOOR. OPTIONS: COSTS $350 EACH TO FIX OR $60 TO HAVE MECHANIC FREEZE WINDOW IN PLACE, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. MANY MAY GO THIS ROUTE AS THEIR ONLY OPTION. CONSIDERING IT MYSELF. THE REGULATOR IS THE SAME ONE USED IN THE VW JETTA AND THESE HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE WINDOW REGULATORS IN THE PASSAT NEED TO BE RECALLED ALSO. CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY TEENAGE DRIVERS WHO MAY NEED TO LOWER THE WINDOW (FRONT PASSENGER) IN TIMES OF POOR VISIBILITY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177580January 2, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
2000 VW PASSAT WITH ~72000 MILES. ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED. VW SAYS IT WILL COSTS ~$1400 TO REPAIR. INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHICH MANY VW OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. LONG PAST TIME TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER A RECALL IS WARRANTED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177303December 29, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 VW PASSAT WITH 65,000 MILES. I HAVE OWNED APPROX 6 - 7 CARS IN MY LIFETIME AND HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THEM THE SAME. NEVER HAVE I EXPERIENCED THIS WITH A DEALER WHO REQUIRES ALL RECEIPTS. I WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE 2 RECEIPTS AND THEREFORE WAS GIVEN THE VERDICT OF A $9000 BILL TO REPLACE THE 1.8 TURBO ENGINE. I AM SERIOUSLY APPALLED. MY FEELING THAT THAT THE DEALERS ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM NEED TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBLITY RATHER THAN POUR THIS IN THE LAP OF THE OWNER. I WOULD EVEN THINK THAT THEY WOULD CONSIDER 50 TO 70% OF THE BILL. I HAD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR THEREBY HAVE TWO CAR PAYMENTS BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD $9000 AND NEEDED TO GET TO WORK AND CHILD TO SCHOOL, ETC. I WILL NEVER SUGGEST THIS CAR TO ANYONE!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177511December 29, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
99 VW PASSAT'S OIL PUMP FAILED. **CC THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THREE OIL PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT VW IS AWARE OF PROBLEM WITH OIL SLUDGE IN VW'S BUT REFUSES TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS 105000 MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177220December 28, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
STARTED CAR, HEATED SEAT SETTING WAS ON 1 (LOWEST SETTING). ONE OF THE HEATERS MUST OF SHORTED, I FELT SOMETHING ON THE SIDE OF MY THIGH RIGHT AWAY BUT DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. WITHIN ONE MINUTE, NOTICED BURNING SMELL, SMOKING. LOOKED DOWN, SAW SMOKE AND SMALL FLAME. IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF SEAT HEATER, JUMPED OUT OF CAR. SEAT HAD BURN HOLE SIZE OF SILVER DOLLAR AND WAS HOT IN THAT AREA ONLY. SINCE IT WAS CHRISTMAS, I COULDN'T TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. WHEN I GOT INTO CAR LATER, EVEN THOUGH SEAT HEATER WAS OFF, I GOT A SMALL SHOCK WHEN I STARTED CAR. CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL AND WAS QUITE CONCERNED, BUT CAN'T REPLACE PARTS RIGHT AWAY (PARTS HAD TO BE BACK ORDERED FROM GERMANY). THEY DISCONNECTED THE HEATERS FOR ME BECAUSE I PREFER DRIVING MY CAR AROUND INSTEAD OF THE RENTAL THEY OFFERED. BUT WILL NOT BE REPLACING PASSENGER HEATING ELEMENT FOR ME. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177061December 27, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
THE CAR STALLS WHEN STOPPING AT INTERSECTIONS, AND SOMETIMES WHEN JUST RELEASING FOOT OFF OF ACCELERATOR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177101December 27, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
DRIVER SEAT HEATER SHORTED OUT AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER OF THE CAR SEAT. MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPLACE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177136December 27, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND EALRY '00S, USE THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS CONTROLLER, WHICH IS PRONE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, OSTENSIBLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THIS MODULE CONTROLS MULTIPLE BRAKE-RELATED FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE ABS WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR WINTER DRIVING, BUT THE MOST CRITICAL FUNCTION OF THIS MODULE IS PROBABLY THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION, OR EBD. THESE VEHICLES ARE DESIGNED SUCH THAT IF THE EBD IS INOPERATIVE, THE PROPORTION OF HYDRAULIC FORCE APPLIED TO THE REAR BRAKES DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING IS AS GREAT AS IT IS DURING MODERATE BRAKING EFFORT WHEN THERE IS MINIMAL TRANSFER OF VEHICLE WEIGHT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. THE EBD IS SUPPOSED TO ADJUST THE FRONT/REAR BRAKING DISTRIBUTION DYNAMICALLY ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF THE DECELERATION, SO THAT THE REAR WHEELS WILL NOT LOCK UP DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING. IF THIS MODULE SHOULD FAIL DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT, THE REAR WHEELS COULD LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD EASILY INCLUDE FATALITIES. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR OWNERS, COSTING ROUGHLY $2000, AND MANY OWNERS HAVE PROBABLY PUT OFF THE REPAIR INDEFINITELY. EVIDENCE WHICH CAN BE FOUND THROUGH A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH, SUGGESTS THAT THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD, AND THAT IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY LED TO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS, IT IS ONLY A QUESTION OF TIME. THIS PROBLEM IS GENUINE, AND VW/AUDI SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176933December 26, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
WAS USING THE HEATED DRIVERS SEAT AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN COLD WEATHER. THE SEAT BEGAN TO OVERHEAT, CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNED A HOLE IN MY PANTS, AND BURNED THROUGH THE PADDING AND SEAT FABRIC IN MY 2003 VW PASSAT. I QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE SEAT AND PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND PUT OUT THE SMOLDERING SEAT. THE SEAT, PADDING, HEATING ELEMENTS, AND MY PANTS ARE COMPLETELY RUINED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10176956December 26, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHEN DRIVING MY NEW 06 PASSAT 2.0T AT 35 MPH+, W/ PASSENGERS (AVG. WEIGHTS - APPROX 140 EA.) THE CAR BOTTOMS OUT, RUBBING THE ROAD SURFACE, OVER EVEN MODERATE BUMPS & 'SWOOPING' HUMPS IN THE ROAD. IT OCCURS W/ MORE SEVERITY WHEN ENCOUNTERING BUMPS DURING CORNERING. IT STARTED WITHOUT WARNING, AND WAS 'MODERATE' AT FIRST, THEN BEGAN TO GET WORSE AS TIME WENT ON. I CAN ALSO HEAR A 'CLICKING' SOUND WHEN THE DRIVER WINDOW IS DOWN, & GOING OVER EVEN SMALL, SLOW SPEED BUMPS (<5MPH) AFTER SEVERAL OF INCIDENCES I TOOK IT THE LOCAL VW DEALER IN VANCOUVER, WA,. AFTER 3+ VISITS, NO SOLUTION. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FINE, THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE EITHER THE CLICKING OR BOTTOMING OUT. I CONTACTED VW USA & FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THAT DICK HANNAH DEALERSHIP. I WAS QUICKLY CONTACTED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO OFFERED TO TAKE A RIDE W/ ME, DURING WHICH WE EASILY REPRODUCED BOTH CONCERNS, AT SLOW SPEEDS, WITHIN MINUTES OF LEAVING THERE LOT - SHE WAS SHOCKED, & SAID SHE'D LOOK INTO IT - WHICH SHE DID. THE SOLUTION? "THE FACTORY INSTALLED FRONT MUD FLAPS WERE 'TOO LONG' & DRAGGIED WHEN ENCOUNTERING BUMPS" ! NEEDLESS TO SAY, & EVEN W/O BEING A 'MECHANIC', THIS ANSWER WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT THE REASON FOR A SUSPENSION THAT 'CLICKS' LOUDLY OVER BUMPS & BOTTOMS OUT DURING NORMAL DRIVING. I ACCEPTED THIS ANSWER W/ THE IDEA I'D DO SOME ADDITIONAL RESEARCH. THE CAR CONTINUES TO BOTTOM OUT, IS GETTING WORSE & IRONICALLY ONLY HAPPENS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE - REGARDLESS OF WHETHER I AM DRIVING (AT 180LBS) OR MY FIANCE' IS DRIVING (AT 115LBS) NOW EVEN W/O PASSENGERS! THERE'S DEFINITELY AN ISSUE W/ AT LEAST THE FRONT STRUT UNIT - WHICH WOULD ALSO EXPLAIN THE CLICKING COMING FROM THAT UNIT. ALTHOUGH I HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, THEY STAND BY THERE DIAGNOSIS - THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN BOTH THERE SERVICE AND LEVEL OF EXPERTISE/KNOWLEDGE - EVERY SUSPENSION MECHANIC I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SAYS THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE A FAULTY OR LEAKING STRUT UNIT - AN EASY FIX. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176671December 20, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L FUEL PUMP DIED WITHOUT WARNING DURING RUSH HOUR IN A VERY BUSY PART OF TOWN. IT CAUSED A HUGE TRAFFIC JAM, AND I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE BY AAA. I HAD MY MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT AND HER VERIFIED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD DIED. THE CAR HAS ONLY 55K MILES ON IT, WHICH IS VERY PREMATURE FOR A FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THIS IS A RECALL ITEM ON 2003 PASSATS BUILT UP UNTIL 3/03. MY CAR WAS BUILT ON 4/03 AND VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO COVER THE REPAIR, NOR FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE MY CAR IS OVER THE WARRANTY MILEAGE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177477December 15, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VISIBILITY, AIR BAGS
1999 PASSAT ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO A OIL PUMP FAILURE. *TS THE CONSUMER HAD THE OIL LEAK REPAIRED ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SUCH AS A FAULTY DRIVE SHAFT, RIGHT CV JOINT, THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT LATCH, THE CONTROL KNOB FOR THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS, THE HEATER CONTROL UNIT, ENGINE CONTROL UNIT, WATER PUMP SEAL RINGS, A POWER STEERING LEAK WHICH WAS HAD TO BE FIXED TWICE, THE COOLANT PUMP, O-RINGS AND THE OIL PUMP AND PUMP ROD BEARINGS. THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL, OIL IS LEAKING FROM THE VALVE COVERS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176255December 15, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ODOR ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHEN THE RECIRCULATION BUTTON FOR THE A/C IS TURNED OFF. THE LOCAL DEALER ATTEMPTED, WITH OUR SUCCESS, 5 TIMES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ODOR WILL HAVE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176258December 15, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE ABS MODULE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176265December 15, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
SOLID ABS LIGHT/FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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