Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10171678October 23, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WOULD LIKE TO LODGE A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE EXCESSIVE FAILURE OF VACUUM HOSES CAUSING THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO COME ON REPEATEDLY ON THE 2002 VW PASSAT WAGON. ON AUGUST 2, 2006, THE VACUUM HOSE FAILED (REPLACED WITH P/N 06B-133-783 BC). THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $271.63. ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2006, THE VACUUM HOSE WAS REPLACED AS PER VEHICLE RECALL (REPLACED WITH P/N 06B-103-221P). AND ON OCTOBER 18, 2006, THE VACUUM HOSE FAILED (REPLACED WITH P/N 1N-020-353-5). THE COST OF THIS REPAIR WAS $137.93. ALSO TO BE CONSIDERED IS THE INCONVENIENCE OF TAKING THE CAR TO A REPAIR FACILITY TIME AFTER TIME. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171537October 22, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 AWD PASSAT WAGON WITH MYSELF AND TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR, THE DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. AT THE TIME IT CAUGHT FIRE, THE HEATED SEAT WAS ON SETTING 3 FOR NO MORE THAN 5 MINUTES. LUCKILY, MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, EXIT THE VEHICLE, AND TURN OFF THE HEATED SEAT BEFORE HE WAS BURNED AND/OR A LARGE FIRE ERUPTED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10171465October 20, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
PURCHASED 2001 PASSAT IN MAY, 2005. HAD SAME 'NON-COVERED' OIL PUMP PROBLEM AS MANY ON THE LIST HAVE. LAST MONTH, NOTICED A POOL OF OIL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR AFTER BACKING IT OUT. LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, NOTICED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE OVERFLOW LOOKED LIKE A CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE. OIL COOLER AND OIL COOLER SEALS HAD TO BE REPLACED. 76000 MILES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171160October 18, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE AIRBAG AND HARNESS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171239October 18, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VARIOUS ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING--WINDSHIELD WIPERS, LIGHTS, DEFROST MOTOR--ON A VERY DARK, RAINY MORNING, CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND A NEAR-ACCIDENT. MANUFACTURER PREVIOUSLY WARNED OF 'IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE', BUT WOULD ONLY REPAIR AFTER FAILURE AND BEFORE 10 YRS OR 100,000 MILES. MY CAR HAS 100,600 MILES. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO BEAR THE REPAIR COST FOR THIS KNOWN DEFECT THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170977October 16, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
I GOT INTO MY CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT DAY - AROUND 11:00 AM. I STARTED THE CAR, ADJUSTED THE HEAT AND PUT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER. AFTER ABOUT 15 SECONDS, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, BUT WAS UNAWARE OF WHAT IT WAS. AT THE SAME TIME I FELT SOMETHING CUTTING IN TO MY LEG. I PUT MY HAND UNDER MY LEG TO SEE WHAT WAS POKING INTO ME BUT COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. THE SMELL WAS GETTING WORSE AND THE STABBING PAIN IN MY LEG WAS STILL THERE. AFTER ABOUT 60 SECONDS THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM MY SEAT AND I REALIZED THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM INSIDE MY CAR AND THE SEAT WARMER WAS BURNING. I PULLED OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF AND JUMPED OUT OF MY CAR. I PRESSED MY HANDS TO THE SEAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE BURNING AND SMOKE. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND WHEN I WAS CONVINCED THE BURNING HAD STOPPED, JUMPED IN MY CAR AND HEADED BACK TO THE HOTEL I HAD BEEN AT. I REMOVED THE FUSE FOR THE SEAT WARMERS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170827October 14, 2006
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
2004 VW PASSAT. I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON THE FREEWAY AT 75 MPH WHEN I HEARD A SUDDEN LOUD CRASH AND BREAKING GLASS, SOME OF WHICH FELL INTO THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND IDENTIFIED THAT THE SUNROOF HAD JUST SHATTERED. GLASS FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE SUNROOF WAS IN LITTLE PIECES ON TOP OF THE HEADLINER. THE REMAINING RIM OF GLASS IS PRESENT, BOWED SLIGHTLY UPWARD BUT ALSO FULL OF LITTLE CRACKS. WAS IN A REMOTE AREA OF HIGHWAY, NO HOMES, BUSINESSES, OVERPASSES PRESENT. NO TRUCK TRAFFIC ALTHOUGH THERE WAS ONE CAR 300 FEET IN FRONT OF ME. I SAW NOTHING IN THE ROADWAY OR IN THE AIR. WHEN I GOT HOME I CAREFULLY EXAMINED THE ROOF (FINE LAYER OF DUST) AND THERE WERE ABSOLUTELY NO MARKS. THE PLASTIC SURFACE OF THE TOP OF THE HEADLINER PANEL ALSO HAS ABSOLUTELY NO MARKS ON IT. THIS APPEARS TO HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED AND DOES POSE A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AS GLASS FRAGMENTS FELL INTO THE CAR EVEN WITH THE HEADLINER CLOSED. THE DEAL HAS ADVISED I WILL NEED TO BRING THE CAR BACK ON MONDAY FOR THE MANAGER TO EXAMINE ALONG WITH POSSIBLY A REPRESENTATIVE. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING AGAIN. IN BUSIER TRAFFIC OR IF HEADLINER HAD BEEN OPEN THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT OR PASSENGER INJURY DUE TO FLYING GLASS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170708October 12, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE
MY PASSAT HAD TWO PREVIOUS INSTANCES OF WATER LEAKAGE IN THE FLOOR OF THE BACK SEAT, WHERE THE COMPUTER IS HOUSED. THIS RESULTED IN A SHORT-CIRCUIT IN THE CARS COMPUTER IN THE FALL OF 2005, CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW IN TRAFFIC AND ULTIMATELY STOP WHEN I REACHED DEALERSHIP. MAROONE VOLKSWAGEN OF DELRAY BEACH ADDRESSED THESE TWO INSTANCES UNDER WARRANTY BY FOCUSING ON THE POLLEN FILTER AND POLLEN FILTER CAGING. ON THE THIRD OCCASION, I AGAIN TOOK IT TO MAROONE VOLKSWAGEN ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2006 SINCE THIS SEEMED TO BE ANOTHER RECURRENCE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER WOULD NOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY. SERVICE ADVISOR SAID COWL HAD A HAIRLINE FRACTURE, WHICH WAS ALLOWING WATER UNDER MY HOOD AND INTO THE CAR. HOWEVER, COWL WAS INTACT ON PREVIOUS VISITS FOR SAME PROBLEM. CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA WHO ACCEPTED DEALERS DIAGNOSIS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TROUBLING GIVEN THERE IS A WEALTH OF INFORMATION ONLINE POSTED BY PASSAT OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME LEAKAGE PROBLEM THAT I DESCRIBE ABOVE, AND IT IS NOT DUE TO COWL. PLEASE REFER TO AUTOBAHN.COM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170610October 12, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
MY ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING FOR MONTHS .....I AM TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS AN ABS SENSOR....BRAKES NOT REALLY AFFECTED....HOWEVER I HIT THE BRAKES AT 10MPH WHILE TAKING A SLIGHT TURN...BRAKES FAILED, THEN LOCKED; HIT CURBAND BRUSHED TREE.VW NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS.....BRAKES CHECKED AND LOOKED FINE...NO EXPLANATION FOR THE BEHAVIOR OF THE BRAKES. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10170559October 11, 2006
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE IN RAINY WEATHER, WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WEATHER STRIPPING ALONG THE SUNROOF AND LEAKED ONTO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHO DETERMINED THE DRAIN LINE ALONG THE SUNROOF WAS CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS AND NEEDED TO BE CLEANED OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170460October 10, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
AFTER TURNING ON THE HEATED SEAT OPTION OF MY CAR I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE I FELT SOMETHING STING THE LEFT SIDE OF MY BUTTOCKS TOWARDS THE SIDE. WITH IN SECONDS I REALIZED THAT IT WAS MY SEAT BURNING MY BOTTOM. NOT ONLY MY BOTTOM, BUT A WHOLE RIGHT THROUGH THE SEAT AND MY JOGGING PANTS. I QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE HEAT TO MY SEAT. LOOKS LIKE A CIGARETTE BURN. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE AFRAID TO LEAVE THE CAR IN THE GARAGE IN CASE IT WAS STILL SMOLDERING AND POTENTIALLY START A FIRE. I CALLED OUR DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. PAST MILEAGE. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER WHICH I HAVE NOT DONE QUITE YET. I AM AFRAID TO TURN IT ON AGAIN OF COURSE! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10170318October 9, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
2000 VW PASSAT STATIONWAGON V6; 82,000 MILES- LAST WEEK, THE ASR, ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, THE MULTI-FUNCTION INDICATOR DISPLAYED THE "STOP", "BRAKE" AND "SERVICE MANUAL" LIGHTS, ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD BEEPS. ALL OF THE WARNINGS ARE INCONSISTENT-AS ANOTHER PERSON SAID, "[THE LIGHTS] WILL COME ON AFTER DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, OR WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL, OR WILL STAY ON ALL THE TIME" (THE LIGHTS AREN'T NECESSARILY ON AT THE SAME TIME EITHER). I READ THE MANUAL AND PROMPTLY MADE AN APPT. W/DEALERSHIP, COULDN'T KEEP THE DATE AND HAVE SINCE RECEIVED ONLINE NOTIFICATION THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT IS EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I DO NOT HAVE A GRAND BURNING A HOLE IN MY POCKET SO, DESPITE THE MANUAL'S DIRE WARNINGS, I CANNOT FIX MY CAR. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A COMMON AND WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT THE MANUFACTURERS SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR! UNLESS THERE IS A RECALL VERY SOON, I'LL BE BUYING A NEW CAR THAT I CAN FEEL SAFE ABOUT DRIVING (I HAVE CHILDREN).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170204October 7, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
I TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEATS WHEN I FELT THEM HOTTER THAN USUAL, SECONDS LATER I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND THEN I SAW SMOKE COMING UP FROM THE LEFT SIDE BY MY SEAT. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND FOUND FLAMES VISIBLE COMING FROM INSIDE THE SEAT. I PUT THE FIRE OUT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO FIX IT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170047October 6, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
I OWN A PASSAT 2000 V6. AT 82,000 MILES MY ABS MODULE HAS FAILED. MY CAR HAS STILL NOT BEEN FIXED BECAUSE I CAN NOT AFFORD THE RIDICULOUS AMOUNT THAT I WAS TOLD BY A LOCAL SHOP. $3,000 TO FIX THIS? I DON'T THINK SO! THERE ARE HUNDREDS, MAYBE THOUSANDS, OF VEHICLES MADE BY VOLKSWAGON BETWEEN 1998-2001 WITH FAILING ABS UNITS. I DEMAND A RECALL! HOW DARE THEY CHARGE US SO MUCH FOR OUR CARS, WHEN THEY CAN NOT GUARENTEE THAT THEY WILL EVEN LAST?! *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170052October 6, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE ENGINE SPUTTERS AND APPEARS TO MISFIRE AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING OR DRIVEN IN THE RAIN. PRECEDING AND AFTER THIS EVENT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THIS HAPPENED TWICE DURING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2006. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND SAID THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT SUGGESTED WE GET A TUNE UP, INCLUDING GETTING THE SPARK PLUGS CHANGED (THE CAR DIDN'T NEED IT!). ON A RAINY OCTOBER 6 AT 5:00 A.M., THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A 2-LANE STATE ROAD. WHEN WE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR, IT SPUTTERED A BIT AND THEN DIED. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. WE ARE GOING TO ASK THE DEALERSHIP TO INSPECT THE IGNITION COIL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170072October 6, 2006
STRUCTURE
FOLLOWING A HEAVY RAIN, ENTIRE FLOORBOARD WET WITH NO EVIDENCE OF OVERHEAD OR SIDE PANEL WETNESS. WATER DRAINED DIRECTLY INTO CAR BUT NOT THROUGH DOOR SEALS OR WINDOWS. DRAIN PLUGS IN UNDERCARRIAGE REMOVED AND WATER STREAMED OUT FOR APPROX. 10 MINUTES. INITIAL ASSESSMENT BY DEALER INDICATES WATER DAMAGED COMFORT MODULE (CONTROLLING ALL POWERED COMPONENTS LIKE WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS, SUNROOF, CRUISE, SEATS, ETC.) AND TRANSMISSION MODULE AND CONNECTORS. OVER $4500 ESTIMATE (NOT FINISHED TO DATE). SOURCE OF LEAK NOT YET FOUND BY DEALER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170082October 6, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2000 1.8L PASSAT, BRAKE FAULT ON SCREEN, STOP ON SCREEN WITH BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING AND ABS WARNING LIGHT ON. BRAKES SOMETIMES VERY DIFFICULT TO PRESS WITH NO STOPPING POWER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170178October 6, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
FAILED ABS UNIT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170016October 5, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
THE ABS MODULE HAS FAILED IN MY 2001 PASSAT, WHICH ONLY HAS 79000 MILES ON IT... THEY ARE CHARGING ALMOST $1000 TO GET THIS FIXED, IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AND COVERED BY VOLKSWAGEN... I HAVE READ A LOT OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PART AND THE NEED TO REPLACE IT PREMATURELY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10169832October 3, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
(1) ABS WARNING/BRAKE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING INTERMITTENTLY. SINCE THEN, BRAKING BECAME UNRELIABLE (LONG BRAKING DISTANCE. THE CAR WOBBLES ON A HARD BRAKING). (2) THE ABS CONTROLLER MODULE (PART #: 8E0 614 111 P) FOUND TO BE FAULTY, RESULTING IN NO ABS. (3) THE ABS CONTROLLER IS TO BE SENT FOR A REBUILD SERVICE.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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