Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10161809July 7, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED RAIN WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE CONCERNS EXPRESSED OF CABLES UNDER THE DASH BECOMING WET, THEREFORE CREATING AN ELECTRICAL HAZARD. THE RAIN WATER USUALLY ACCUMULATED IN THE DOORS, AND WHEN THE DOORS WAS OPENED THE WATER TRAVELED TO THE DASH BOARD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161847July 7, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TWICE THE FLOOR BOARD IN THE RIGHT BACK SEAT FLOODED DUE TO AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED POLLEN FILTER. THE SECOND FLOODING CAUSED MY AUTO TRANSMISSION MODULE TO SHORT AND PUT THE CAR IN LIMP MODE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161626July 6, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WATER LEAKAGE IN 2002 PASSAT 1.8T GLS. AFTER RAIN, WATER SEEPED IN THROUGH FAULTY POLLEN FILTER HOUSING. FRIED ENGINE CLUSTER. AFTER BEING RETURNED, WATER CONTINUED TO SEEP IN. IT CORRODED ELECTRICAL WIRES AND CAUSED MANY PROBLEMS. AFTER 5+ DEALER VISITS, NO ONE WAS ABLE TO FIX IT UNTIL I PERSONALLY STRIPPED ALL CARPETING AND FOUND THE FAULTY WIRE. DEALER HAD TOLD ME FILTER HOUSING WAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER LEAKAGE, AND YET HE DID NO FIX IT... *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161700July 6, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS COASTED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. UPON INSPECTION, A FUEL PUMP FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V017000, REGARDING THE GASOLINE FUEL SYSTEM; FUEL PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161722July 6, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
MY 2001.5 VW PASSAT ABRUPTLY STOPPED RECOGNIZING ITS KEYS. THESE KEYS HAVE SOME KIND OF MAGIC NUMBER THAT IS USED TO VALIDATE THEIR AUTHENTICITY. HOWEVER, THE CAR STOPPED RECOGNIZING ITS THREE KEYS YESTERDAY. THE VW DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HAVE A SENSE FOR WHAT MIGHT BE WRONG. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY FOR 5 MINUTES YESTERDAY AND THE CAR STARTED RECOGNIZING THE KEY AFTER THAT. HOWEVER, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN TODAY, AND LOOKS LIKE ITS GOING TO KEEP HAPPENING UNLESS I FIGURE OUT WHAT THE ROOT CAUSE IS. AS OF NOW, THE ENGINE DOES NOT START, CENTRAL LOCKING DOES NOT LET ME LOCK THE CAR. THE TRUNK DOESN'T POP. THE ONLY THING THAT WORKS IS THE UNLOCKING OF THE CAR, AND THE LOCKING OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR (ONLY). *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161456July 5, 2006
AIR BAGS
PREMATURE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILURE. I HAVE RECEIVED AN AIR BAG FAULT' WARNING CODE. FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS HAVE INDICATED THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG IS NECESSARY. THIS ON A 6-YEAR-OLD VEHICLE. CONSIDERING THAT THERE ARE VEHICLES 3 TIMES AS OLD THAT ARE STILL ON THEIR ORIGINAL AIR BAGS, I WOULD CONSIDER THIS FAILURE UNACCEPTABLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161486July 5, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
2003 VW PASSAT 4-DOOR WITH 1.8T MOTOR. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHICH CAUSES A VEHICLE TO DIE WITHOUT WARNING ON A CALIFORNIA FREEWAY TO NOT BE A DEFECT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PART, BUT IT JUST SO HAPPENS MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH UP. JUST BECAUSE THE VIN # DOES NOT MATCH UP, DOES NOT MEAN THERE STILL IS NOT A DEFECT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW I COULD RESEARCH THIS FURTHER, SO THAT I DON'T GET STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY AGAIN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161541July 5, 2006
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
STEERING TIE RODS AND FRONT SUSPENSION ARE WORN OUT ON VW PASSAT MAKING STEERING VERY INACCURATE AND IN A STATE OF CONSTANT STEERING INPUT TO MAINTAIN STRAIGHT DIRECTION OF VEHICLE. AFRAID THIS WILL LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. CAR HAS ONLY 82,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER HEARD OF SUCH COMPLETE IMPENDING FAILURE OF A FRONT SUSPENSION. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS COMMON IN PASSATS. IT SEEMS TO ME THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161411July 4, 2006
STRUCTURE
1 - HEAVY RAINS - CAR PARKED OUTSIDE IN DRIVEWAY - NO FLOODING. WATER LEAKED INTO 2002 VW PASSAT PASSENGER SIDE REAR FOOT WELL, VIA VENT/AIR FILTER - 3 INCHES OF STANDING WATER ON THE FLOOR. 2 - CARPETING SATURATED - DUE TO INSULATION UNDERNEATH, UNABLE TO DRY WITHOUT REMOVING. VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEMS UNDER SAME SIDE CARPETING ALL DAMAGED - IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT - DEALERSHIP ESTIMATES REPAIRS AT OVER $2000. 3 - CALLED VW CUSTOMER CARE CENTER - THEY SAID THAT BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WILL GIVE NO CONSIDERATION TO HELPING WITH REPAIR COSTS. WILL CONTACT INSURANCE COMPANY AND/OR LAWYER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161228July 2, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I BOUGHT A 2002 PASSAT WAGON GLX CERTIFIED USED AT LINDSAY VW IN STERLING VA. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 10 MONTHS. I HAD MY CAR WASHED THE WEEK BEFORE JUNE 27TH, MY CAR IS GARAGE KEPT DAY AND NIGHT. WE HAD BAD RAIN STORMS IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA WHICH I DID NOT DRIVE IN THE FIRST DAY... THE SECOND DAY I DID GET CAUGHT IN A RAIN STORM BUT IT WAS NOT UNUSUALLY HARD AND I DID NOT GO THROUGH AND LARGE PUDDLES. WHEN I GOT HOME I NOTICED A TON OF WATER HAD COLLECTED ON THE FLOOR OF THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR. THE LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER AND GO ON AND OFF... THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING... SO I CALLED THE DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THIS WAS THE CASE WITH A LOT OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND COULD BE A BACKED UP DRAIN FROM THE SUNROOF. HE SAID TO HAVE TO CAR TOWED IN ... WHICH I DID. I THEN HEARD FROM THE DEALER TWO DAYS LATER WHO SAID THERE WERE SOME LEAVES IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CATCH AND THAT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE WATER TO POOL INTO THE CAR... IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ESSENTIALLY MY FAULT AND THE REPAIR CONSISTED OF GUTTING THE INTERIOR REPLACEMENT OF CARPET AND ELECTRICAL BOXES UNDER DRIVERS SIDE ETC. THAT IS WOULD BE EXPENSIVE.. PARTS ALONE ESTIMATED OVER 1K. I WAS SHAKEN... HE SAID HE HAD TO BREAK THE NEWS TO A LOT OF CUSTOMERS... I HAVE CHECKED MESSAGE BOARDS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON AND COSTLY PROBLEM FOR A LOT OF PASSAT VW OWNERS. THIS SEEMS THAT IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM THERE MUST BE A DESIGN FLAW. I AM STILL TRYING TO APPEAL THE FACT I HAVE TO PAY WITH THE DEALER.. HAVE NOT YET HEARD FROM THEM IN 3 DAYS. VW NEEDS TO PAY OR RECALL AND FIX THESE PROBLEMS. THANK YOUR FOR YOUR HELP. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161240July 2, 2006
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT VIN #[XXX], WHICH HAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE TIE ROD ENDS. THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER(S) HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE FRONT TIE RODS DO NEED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE SAFETY RECALL. THE REASON IS THAT THERE IS NO RECORD OF FACTORY RECOMMENDED SERVICE CHECKS. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS BY A COUPLE OF INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, HOWEVER, I CANNOT PRODUCE THE PAPER WORK FOR THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE CHECKS BETWEEN 35,000 MILES AND 60,000. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN HEADQUARTERS AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT ALTHOUGH IT IS A SAFETY RECALL, THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE REPAIR UNLESS I CAN PROVIDE PROOF OF COMPLIANCE. THE SYMPTOMS HAVE PRESENTED THEMSELVES FOR 3/4 YEARS ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING MY CURRENT INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161187July 1, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ON JUNE 6TH 2006 MY 2003 VW PASSAT CAR CAUGHT FIRE. MY CERTIFIED VW MECHANIC STATED THE CARS AFTER RUN WATER PUMP OVER HEATED, MELTING WIRING AND THE FIRE RESULTED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY APPEARS TO BE DENING THE CLAIM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161192July 1, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
STARTED CAR AND ASRS LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. SOON THE MIL LIT UP, FOLLOWED BY THE AIR BAG SYSTEM LIGHT FLICKERING AND A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE CAR. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT CHECK CAR THE NEXT MORNING B/C FULLY BOOKED SO HAD ALTERNATE MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT. MECHANIC REALIZED IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY RUNNING LOW (BATTERY CHARGE CHECKED). THE NEXT MORNING ALTERNATOR CHECKED (ALTERNATOR REPLACE AND TESTED AND SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED). THE MECHANIC FINDS A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT SAME MORNING WHICH WAS NOT THERE DAY BEFORE. HE STATES CAR HAD BEEN PARKED AT SLIGHT INCLINE OVERNIGHT WITH FRONT OF CAR HIGHER THAN TRUNK. MECHANIC RECOMMENDED TOWING CAR TO DEALERSHIP. CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161197July 1, 2006
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
WATER ISSUE - LEAKING DUE TO DESIGN FLAWS - LEAKING SUNROOF. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161159June 30, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN MY 2003 VW PASSAT LOST POWER AND STOPPED. I HAD IT TOWED TO A VW DEALERSHIP IN TOWN. THEY SAID THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACING. I FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER, VW REFUSES TO COVER THE COST. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161000June 28, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THERE IS AN UNSAFE PROLONGED HESITATION WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6 LITER 4 MOTION. WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL YOU'VE DEPRESSED THE PEDAL APPROX. 3/4 TO AN INCH OF PEDAL TRAVEL, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR LURCHES AND ACCELERATES AT WHAT FEELS LIKE HALF TO FULL THROTTLE. IT IS A RANDOM HESITATION, YET OCCURS AT PROBABLY 30% OF THE TIME. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP, YET WILL HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY, IF ACCELERATING TO PASS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION. IF THIS ABRUPT ACCELERATION OCCURS IN SNOWY OR ICY CONDITIONS, IT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES, WHEN I EXPECTED MY CAR TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, ONLY TO HAVE IT HESITATE AND NEARLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS CAR HAS A DRIVE BY WIRE ACCELERATOR, WHICH I BELIEVE IS A FAIRLY RECENT DESIGN CHANGE. WE HAVE ANOTHER CAR WITH THE SAME TYPE OF SYSTEM WHICH DOES NOT DO THIS. I HAVE READ 2 NEW CAR REVIEWS THAT HAVE MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. AFTER TAKING DELIVERY, I CALLED TO TELL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THIS PROBLEM. AFTER TRYING TO CONVINCE ME THAT THIS WAS "NORMAL", THEY TOOK MY CAR IN TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT WAS THERE FOR 10 DAYS, DURING WHICH TIME 2 ENGINEERS CAME OUT FROM VOLKSWAGEN TO LOOK AT THE CAR. THEY AGREED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING AMISS, AND FELT THAT THEY NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE INSTALLED. THERE WAS NOT ONE AVAILABLE, AND I WAS TOLD ON MARCH 30TH THAT IT WOULD BE READY WITHIN 30 DAYS. IT HAS NOW BEEN 3 MONTHS SINCE THEN, AND MULTIPLE PHONE CALLS LATER, A FIX IS STILL NOT READY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS READY, BUT WAITING GOVERNMENT APPROVAL, AND THEN TOLD THAT NOTHING IS READY. NO ONE AT VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS BEEN ABLE TO GIVE ME AN ESTIMATED TIME WHEN MY CAR CAN BE REPAIRED. THERE IS REALLY NO "INCIDENT" TO REPORT, OTHER THAN AN UNSAFE MALFUNCTION WHICH NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160859June 27, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V017000, REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160870June 27, 2006
STRUCTURE
WATER LEAK - PASSAT 2003. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160728June 26, 2006
STRUCTURE
1) INTERIOR OF CAR FLOODS (3RD INCIDENT IN 4 YEARS)-FIRST INCIDENT 11/2003 2) DON'T KNOW WHAT IMPACT THE POOLING WATER HAS ON INTEGRITY OF VEHICLE 3) DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE REPAIRED PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160750June 26, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1999 VW PASSAT OIL CONSUMPTION - 1 QT. EVERY 750 MILES. DEALER HAS REPLACED SEALS, TESTS AND IS NOW PLANNING FURTHER SEAL REPLACEMENT. I KNOW THIS WON'T GET FIXED; THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW WHERE MANY OTHER CONSUMERS ARE ALSO "SUFFERING". WILL THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DEMAND A RECALL???????*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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