Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10159552June 11, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES - WAS TOLD ABS UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON DETERMINED THAT ABS AND THE PROPORTIONING SYSTEM OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATING AND FEEL THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. DEALER WANTS CRAZY AMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR REPAIR WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD. I FOUND OUT ONLINE THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS I DO AND WE ALL STRONGLY FEEL THAT THIS DEFINITELY DESERVES TO BE A RECALL BY VW OF AMERICA. THEY KNOW THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159290June 8, 2006
SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2006 VW PASSAT 3.6 TWO WEEKS AGO A NOISE APPEARED QUITE SUDDENLY. ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD A BAD MUFFLER. NOISE COMING FROM FRONT, RIGHT OF CAR. ALMOST SOUNDED LIKE A BASEBALL CARD IN YOUR BIKE SPOKES BUT LOUDER AND DEEPER. STARTS AT AROUND 50 MPH. TONE AND SPEED OF SOUND DECREASES AS SPEED OF CAR DECREASES BUT OTHERWISE STAYS CONSTANT. DISAPPEARS WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF GAS. TOOK IT TO CARTER VW. THEY HEARD SOUND. TOLD ME THAT AIR PRESSURE IN FRONT, RIGHT TIRE WAS AT MAX AND SO THEY LET SOME AIR OUT AND THAT "FIXED" THE PROBLEM. IT DID NOT. SINCE I HAD NOT HAD THE TIRE PRESSURE CHANGED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN NOV - I FOUND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT WOULD FIX THAT PROBLEM AND TOLD THEM THAT. WILL TAKE IT TO CHAPLINS VW, WHICH IS MUCH CLOSER TO HOME. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159316June 8, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH UPHILL, THERE WAS POPPING NOISE FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF ALL POWER. AFTER THE INITIAL ENGINE STALL, THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED, BUT STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS A FAILED CONNECTION OF THE INTER-COOLER HOSE AND PRESSURIZED HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE TURBO CHARGER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HOSE FITTINGS ON THE TURBO CHARGER. UPDATED 6/27/2006 - THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE HOSE CONNECTION MECHANISM WASN'T SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT THE HIGH PRESSURE CREATED BY THE TURBO. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159212June 7, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE FOGGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE LENSES NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FOGGING OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 08/03/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159087June 6, 2006
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD FLOODED. THEN WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH, NUMEROUS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE SUNROOF DRAINS HAD CLOGGED, CAUSING THE FLOODING AND A SHORT IN A MODULE IN THE WIRING SYSTEM. THE DEBRIS IN THE DRAINS WAS BLOWN OUT. UPDATED 6/19/2006 - THIS HAS CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159100June 6, 2006
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
FRONT SEAT BELTS FAIL TO POWER, MUST USE EMERGENCY BELTS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159146June 6, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
THIS IS A 2003 PASSAT V6. I HAVE 115,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY A CERTIFIED VW TECHNICIAN SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. THIS IS MY SECOND PASSAT, THE FIRST WAS A 2001.5 "NEW PASSAT". I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THAT CAR AND LITTLE TO KNOW PROBLEMS WITH MY CURRENT 2003. HOWEVER, AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF, IT ALWAYS SOUNDED AS THOUGH A FAN MOTOR WOULD CONTINUOUSLY RUN FOR WELL OVER 15 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR APPROX. 6 MONTHS. ON THE DATE OF INCIDENT, I HAD DRIVEN HOME FROM WORK, PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE. THANKFULLY, THE LAWN WAS LONG, SO I IMMEDIATELY WENT OUT TO CUT THE LAWN AFTER CHANGING MY CLOTHES. JUST IN THAT TIME, MAYBE 5-10 MINUTES THE MOST, I CAME OUT AND NOTICED THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I POPPED THE HOOD AND LOOKED INTO THE ENGINE BAY TO SEE FLAMES ON THE LOWER BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. IT WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE IF YOU WERE LOOKING INTO THE ENGINE BAY AND TOWARD THE FRONT. IT SMELLED OF BURNING PLASTIC AND METAL. THERE WAS ACTUALLY FLAMES, WHICH I PULLED OUT MYSELF WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND A LAWN HOSE. I DID GET A POLICE REPORT OF THE INCIDENT AND CONTINUED TO SEARCH ONLINE FOR OTHER ISSUES OF THE SAME SORT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, AND IN SOME EVENTS, THEY EVEN MENTION THE ONGOING FAN SOUND. I FEEL THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO BE LOOKED INTO. I WAS LUCKY, THANKS TO A LONG LAWN, BUT I COULD HAVE LOST MY CAR, AND MY HOME, BECAUSE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE BY LESS THEN TWO FEET. ANY CONSIDERATION TAKEN IN THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. IT IS UNCLEAR AS TO HOW THIS IS GOING TO BE RESOLVED, WHETHER WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY, OR WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS GOING TO BE A HUGE FINANCIAL LOSS, BECAUSE THERE IS STILL A LIEN ON THE AUTOMOBILE. THANKS, THEODORE HARDGROVE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159155June 6, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
CLOGGED DRAIN,FOR SUN ROOF,CAUSES WATER BUILD UP ON RT. SIDE FLOOR OF CAR,ELECTRONIC MODULE($800.00),NOT WATER PROOF,CREATES MIXED SIGNALS-AIRBAG FAULT HAVE SERVICED-ENGINE LUBRICATION FAULT "STOP ENGINE"--THERE DEFECT,THEY DON'T PAY DUE TO "WATER EXCLUSION"-CARPETING $1,400.00-"WATER EXCLUSION!!!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159037June 5, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VW PASSAT 2003 62,000 MILES WITH OIL PRESSURE "STOP DRIVING" LIGHT AT 70 MPH. CAR STOPPED AND TOWED TO DEALER. TOLD BY DEALER THAT THIS WAS AN ENGINE SLUDGE ISSUE WHICH WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. STILL AWAITING ENGINE ANALYSIS. WAS TOLD ENGINE COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY SEIZED IF I DID NOT STOP DRIVING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159058June 5, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND NOISY FAN MOTOR SHAFT. FOUND TWO RECALLS REFERRING TO THESE TWO PROBLEMS. NEVER RECEIVED RECALL LETTERS FROM MANUFACTURER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158856June 2, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT AND ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO MONTESI VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IN HAMDEN, CONNECTICUT. THEY CHARGED ME $85 TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. AND THEN THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE, BUT THE SOFTWARE WHICH CONTROLS THIS LIGHT MUST BE UPDATED AND THAT COSTS ABOUT $235. I TOLD THEM THAT IT IS NOT MY FAULT THAT THE EXISTING SOFTWARE ON THE CAR IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, AND YOU MUST INSTALL THE SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. BUT THEY DIDN'T ACCEPT IT. I THINK THIS NOT RIGHT, AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE IF THE ORIGINAL SOFTWARE THAT THEY INSTALLED IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159456June 1, 2006
TIRES:SIDEWALL
1995 PASSAT SIDEWALL BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. *TS THE TECHNICIAN WHO PERFORMED THE INSPECTION POINTED TO CRACKS WHICH WERE NEAR THE RIM LINE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158663May 31, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ALL BOLTS HOLDING COMPRESSOR IN PLACE BROKE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158572May 30, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
PURCHASE 2006 PASSAT WITH 4 WHEEL MOTION IN FEB 2006. APPROXIMATELY 6 WEEKS LATER ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOOK OUT THE GAS TANK TO REPAIR VACUUM PROBLEM. THEN THERE WAS GROANING WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED BRAKE PARTS. IT IS NOW THREE WEEKS LATER AND I STILL HAVE BRAKE PROBLEM. THE CAR NOW GROANS WHEN EVER I TURN RIGHT, LEFT OR STRAIGHT. ESPECIALLY LOUD IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I FEAR THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS UNSAFE. DEALERSHIP SHOWING NO CONCERN. I AM ON MY SECOND ATTEMPT TO FIX THE BRAKE. I WILL CONTACT A LEMON LAW LAWYER IF THIS FAILS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158504May 29, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
I OWN A 1999 VW PASSAT GLX WITH 72,000 MILES. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO, THE ABS LIGHT, THE BRAKE LIGHT, THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR, AND THE TACHOMETER BEGAN TO BEHAVE ERRATICALLY. TWO WEEKS AGO, THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER STUCK IN THE EXTENDED POSITION, STARTING A WHEEL FIRE AT THE ROTOR. I REPLACED THE CALIPER, ROTOR, AND PADS. A NON-VW SERVICE CENTER REPLACED THE REMAINING ROTORS AND PADS, REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, AND FLUSHED/BLED THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS AND ALARMS PERSISTS. THE LIGHTS AND ALARMS ARE USUALLY ABSENT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY COLD, THEN USUALLY APPEAR AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF DRIVING. THE LIGHTS AND ALARMS CAN DISAPPEAR WHILE DRIVING, THEN REAPPEAR DURING LATER DRIVING. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED VW DIRECTLY, BECAUSE I'M CONCERNED WHAT THE ESTIMATE MIGHT BE TO ATTEMPT REPAIR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158468May 28, 2006
STRUCTURE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I RECENTLY HAD MY 40K MILE SERVICE DONE AND WAS PREPARING TO GO ON VACATION. THE CAR MADE IT THERE WITHOUT INCIDENT HOWEVER THE SECOND DAY INTO OUT VACATION THE ASR LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE PRND432 ALL STAYED LIT. IT HAD BEEN BEAUTIFUL WEATHER FOR SEVERAL DAYS HOWEVER THERE WAS EASILY TWO INCHES OF WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT STOPPED AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE SHOP WAITING REPAIR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158355May 26, 2006
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HOT COOLANT SUDDENLY STARTED COMING OUT OF THE VENTS AND CAUSED ALL THE WINDOWS TO FOG OVER. HAD TO PULL OF FREEWAY AND GET A TOW. NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. PROBLEM TURNS OUT TO BE A BAD HEATER CORE. HAD HEATER CORE BYPASSED BECAUSE OF THE COST OF THE REPAIR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158146May 24, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE ON 2000 VW PASSAT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158190May 24, 2006
PARKING BRAKE
EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION. BY PUSHING THE BUTTON FOR THE PARKING BRAKE, YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO RELEASE IT WHEN YOU PRESS YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT APPEARS LOCKED AND UNABLE TO RELEASE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158194May 24, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, IT FEELS AS THOUGH THERE IS SOMETHING FALLING OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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