Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10172800November 6, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SEATS
DRIVING NORTH IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE ON GALLATIN PK IN NASHVILLE, TN, ANOTHER DRIVER IN THE SOUTH BOUND TURNING LANE TURNED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING. MY VIEW WAS OBSCURED BY THE LINE OF TRAFFIC IN THE LEFT HAND NORTH LANES. THE CAR I WAS DRIVING (2002 VW PASSAT) HIT THE CAR THAT TURNED IN TO MY LANE IN A DIRECT, CLASSIC T-BONE HIT. I NEVER SAW THE CAR AND HIT THE CAR AT APPROX. 32 MPH WITHOUT BRAKING. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG ON MY CAR FAILED TO DEPLOY ALTHOUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID DEPLOY. I WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT THE CAR SEAT ALSO SLID FORWARD AND I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE BACK SEATS CAME UNLATCHED AND EVERYTHING FLEW FORWARD THROUGH THE CAR AT IMPACT. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10172610November 4, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM HAS FAILED IN MY 2000 VW PASSAT. IT GIVES WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES THAT IT'S NOT WORKING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173277November 3, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2000 PASSAT OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP CAUSED ENGINE TO FAIL. *TS WHILE DRIVING THE OIL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO EXPLAINED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE WAS LOW, BUT CLOSE TO MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS. THE OIL PUMP, PVC SYSTEM, AND TURBO TUBES WERE REPLACED. LESS THAN THREE MONTHS LATER THE CONSUME STARTED HEARING A RUMBLING NOISE WHICH SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE ID WAS DETERMINED THAT HE NOISE WAS PROBABLY ROD KNOCK AND THE REMEDY WAS TO REPLACED THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT VW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLY FRO REPLACING THE ENGINE BECAUSE THEY WERE AWARE THAT THE OIL FILTER WAS TOO SMALL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172519November 3, 2006
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A LEAK FROM THE SUNROOF THAT WENT UNDER THE FLOOR MAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AFFECTING THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLLED THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED A NEW COMPUTER WAS NEEDED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172570November 3, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
AT THE RED LIGHT, ENGINE STARTED TO VIBRATE. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN, MY WIFE DECIDED TO PULL OVER TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. SHE REALIZED THAT THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. FROM 20 MPH IT TOOK A WHOLE BLOCK TO STOP. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF HER. CAR WAS TOWED AWAY TO THE DEALER. AS PER SERVICE: VACUUM HOSE BROKE OFF FROM THE ENGINE AND WE LOST POWER BRAKING. ENGINE VIBRATION IS THE SYMPTOM. ONLY 9500 MILES ON THE CAR. DEALER TOLD ME ITS A COMMON PROBLEM ON NEW PASSATS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172361November 1, 2006
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
94 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, 110K MILES, EXPERIENCED HEATER CORE FAILURE, LEAKING 200 DEGREE FLUID ONTO FLOOR OF PASSENGER COMPARTMENT NEAR GAS/BRAKE PEDAL AND FOGGING OVER INTERIOR OF WINDSHIELD WITH STICKY ANTI-FREEZE RESIDUE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172261October 31, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG INFLATER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 10/31/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172133October 30, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ABS, OIL, AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THEN FLASHED. THERE WAS A BEEPING NOISE AS A WARNING SIGNAL PRIOR TO THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ABS, OIL AND BRAKE LIGHTS. THE TACHOMETER ALSO FAILED. THIS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND WORSEN OVER A TWO WEEK PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO INDICATED THERE WERE NO CODES AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THEY RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO THE AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. WHILE LOOKING THROUGH THE OWNER MANUAL, THE CONTACT OBSERVED A WARNING STATEMENT THAT THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COULD RESULT IN THE LOCKING UP OF THE REAR BRAKES UNDER HARD BRAKING. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO HARD BRAKING WHEN THIS OCCURRED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172131October 30, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER 15 MINUTES WITH THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER ON, THE SEAT BEGAN TO SMOKE AND THEN SMOLDERED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND WAS TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10172205October 30, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
I HAD JUST BEGAN LEAVING A SUPERMARKET PARKING LOT WHEN I FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON MY LEFT UPPER THIGH. I REACHED DOWN TO DETERMINE WHY AND THEN SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. LOOKING DOWN, I SAW A BURN HOLE IN THE DRIVER SEAT, LEFT SIDE, TOWARD THE BACK OF THE SEAT. IT LOOKED LIKE A CIGARETTE BURN. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF, WHICH WAS ON 3, PULLED OVER AND EXTINGUISHED THE SMOLDERING WITH MY HAND. THE DEALERS INITIAL RESPONSE WAS THAT MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THEY WOULD SEE IF IT COULD STILL BE COVERED AT NO CHARGE. I'M WAITING ON A RESPONSE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RELATIVELY COMMON FAILURE BASED ON THE COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED AND IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171999October 27, 2006
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HEATER CORE FAILURE. VENTING OF NOXIOUS FUMES INTO PASSANGER COMPARTMENT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171869October 26, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING CONTINUOUSLY. DEALER CLAIMS ABS MODULE($1600). AFTER RESEARCHING, FOUND HUNDREDS OF VW PASSAT OWNERS WITH SAME PROBLEM VW DOES NOT WANT TO ASSIST OR PERFORM RECALL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171924October 26, 2006
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, WHITE STEAM ERUPTED FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD, AND DETERMINED THE COOLANT WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, WHO DETERMINED THE HEATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171854October 25, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT'S HEATER ELEMENT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND CAUGHT THE CONTACTS CLOTHES ON FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE LEGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. UPDATED 12/01/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10171802October 25, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP FALIIURE ON 2003 VW PASSAT CAR STALLED ON I-95 IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC FAMILY WAS STRANDED ON I-95 AT 1:00AM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171806October 25, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
10/24/06 MY 2001 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT HAS A STOP WARNING LIGHT COME ON STATING LOW OIL PRESSURE. COME TO FIND OUT THE 1.8 LITRE TURBO ENGINE WHICH MY CAR HAS IS NON TO HAVE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEMS AND THAT VW IS AWARE OF THIS. I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THEM STATING THIS OR THE FACT THAT I SHOULD USE SYNTHETIC OIL. CALLED THE HUNTSVILLE, AL VW DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT UNLESS I HAVE PRISTEEN SERVE RECORDS THEY WILL NOT PAY TO FIX IT AT A COST TO ME OF OVER $1800. MY HUSBAND CHANGES THE OIL IN MY CAR SO OF COURSE I DO NOT HAVE THE SERVICE RECORDS VW IS REQUIRING. I HEAR THE NO LONGER MAKE THE 1.8 LITER TURBO BUT ARE NOT WILLING TO HONOR FIXING A PROBLEM WE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171699October 24, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
2003 VW PASSAT HEATED SEAT BURNT THROUGH THE LEATHER. I HAD BURNT SENSATIONS WHILE DRIVING AND SMELLED BURNING..VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. GOOD THING I WAS QUICK THINKING AND TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEAT IMMEDIATELY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171731October 24, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
THE HEATED DRIVERS LEATHER SEAT ELEMENT BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER AND BURNED A HOLE IN MY PANTS. I FELT THE BURN AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR, AND TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WAITING FOR THE WINDOWS TO DEFROST. THE CAR IS A 2003 VW PASSAT 1.8T. I CALLED A VW DEALER, AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN FOR INSPECTION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171745October 24, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
(1) NORMAL DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES (2) ABS MODULE FAILURE, NO ABS OR TRACTION CONTROL FUNCTIONALITY (3) REPLACED ABS MODULE, PROBLEM FIXED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171622October 23, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH KEEPS FAILING. IT CAUSES THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL TO BE DISABLED AND KEEPS THE STOP LIGHTS ON, EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED. I'VE HAD THE BRAKE LIKE SWITCH REPLACED 6 TIMES NOW OVER THE PAST 2.5 YEARS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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