Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10150275February 14, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY TOGETHER WITH 3 BEEPS. SOME DAYS ARE WORSE THEN OTHERS, BUT I WOULD SAY THE PROBLEM OCCURS ABOUT 60-80% OF THE TIME. WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON, THE ABS IS NOT FUNCTIONING AND REAR WHEELS TEND TO BREAK OUT EASILY ON ICY ROADS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150150February 13, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
THE DASH MODULE BEGINS TO SMOKE AND BLOWS OUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. ALTHOUGH THE FIRE IS INSIDE THE DASH, IT CAUSES A SERIOUS DRIVING DISABILITY. IT HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR, AND VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO ASSIST. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ALSO REFUSES, THEY JUST KEEP REPLACING THE PART. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150012February 11, 2006
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, SUSPENSION
MY 2000 VW PASSAT WITH 60,000 MILES HAS 2 SERIOUS AND EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS FIRST ONE WAS WHEN I NOTICED A LOUD POPPING NOISE ON BUMPS AND STEERING WAS VERY UNSTABLE ON BUMPS. TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE CONTROL ARMS AND TIE ROD ENDS AND THAT BOTH WERE DEALER ITEMS. SO UPON GOING TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THEY NEEDED $90 DOLLARS BEFORE THEY COULD EVEN LOOK @ IT. SO I SAID NO BUT HOW MUCH ARE THE PARTS AND TURNS OUT THERE MORE THAN $500 DOLLARS. THREE WEEKS LATER MY ABS LIGHT AND ASR LIGHT COMES ON AND IT READS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH TO STOP! BRAKE FAULT SO READING THIS WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR I IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER FIND OUT WHERE THE NEAREST VW DEALER IS AND ASK THEM TO INSPECT THE PROBLEM. WELL THAT WAS EASIER SAID THAN DONE FIRST THEY WANTED THE $90 DOLLARS AGAIN BEFORE THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND SINCE I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO! NOTHING THEY CAN DO!! THAT'S CRAZY!! AFTER ARGUING WITH THEM ON WHY THEY DON'T WANT TO LOOK AT IT BUT IT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT THEY SAID THERE'S NO IMMEDIATE PROBLEM ITS OK TO DRIVE BUT IT COULD BE THE ABS MODULE OR THE DASH CLUSTER ITS SELF. SO I ASKED THE PRICE ABS $1200 DOLLARS NEW DASH OVER $700 AND THAT'S NOT INCLUDING LABOR.. SO SORRY TO SAY BUT VW LOST A CUSTOMER WITH ME AND MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS. THE CAR IS JUST TO NEW FOR THIS TYPE OF STUFF TO HAPPEN THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE I KNOW IM NOT THE ONLY ONE. AND JUST TO ADD, MY OLD CAR WHICH I HAVE TO DRIVE NOW SINCE I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VW IS A HONDA PRELUDE WITH 185,000 MILES AND STILL NO PROBLEMS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149869February 9, 2006
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
MY SIDE WINDOW BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON MOSTLY RURAL STRETCH OF HIGHWAY 94, DRIVING EASTBOUND NEAR WAUKESHA, WI. I WAS IN THE LEFTMOST LANE WITH NO VEHICLES WITHIN 50 YARDS TO THE FRONT OR BACK OF MY CAR. I DON'T BELIEVE ANYTHING STRUCK THE WINDOW AND I DIDN'T SEE ANY CRACKS IN THE GLASS BEFORE I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS ABOUT 30 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND WE HAD OUR HEATER ON FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES INSIDE THE CAR. I DRIVE A 2003 VW PASSAT. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES TO MYSELF OR MY PASSENGER RESULTED FROM THE WINDOW EXPLOSION. I DIDN'T REPORT ANYTHING TO THE POLICE OR SHERIFF BECAUSE I HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THE WINDOW WAS DELIBERATELY SMASHED BY A PERSON WITH A WEAPON OR THROWN OBJECT. THE WINDOW WAS REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I HAVE TWO PHOTOS OF THE WNDOW TAKEN BEFORE THE REMAINING SHATTERED GLASS WAS REMOVED. HOW COMMON IS THIS FOR SIDE WINDOWS? COULD IT BE A DEFECT IN THE GLASS? A SPONTANEOUS FAILURE OF THE GLASS? COULD A PROJECTILE THAT I DIDN'T SEE OR HEAR STRIKE THE SIDE GLASS WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO SHATTER THE WINDOW? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149613February 7, 2006
SEATS
CUSTOMER NOTICES A METAL ON METAL SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEATS. NOTICEABLE WHEN THERE IS ANY WEIGHT SHIFT OF THE OCCUPANT IN THE SEAT SUCH AS DURING ACCELERATION, BUMPS, CORNERS, ETC. CUSTOMER UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE METAL ON METAL NOISE IS FROM SEAT BACK, SEAT SPRINGS OR SEAT MOUNTING. CUSTOMER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL LEAD TO A WEAKENING OF THE METAL COMPONENTS AND THE SEAT WILL FAIL DURING AN ACCIDENT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149514February 6, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE IT IS FILLED WITH SLUDGE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ON MY OWN I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 1.8T ENGINE. VW ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THAT ENGINE PROVIDED THE CONSUMER CAN PRODUCE OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS SHOWING THE CAR WAS MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL. I SENT THEM THE PROPER RECEIPTS SHOWING MY CAR WAS MAINTAINED PROPERLY AND THEY STILL DENIED ME. MY CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 43,000 MILES ON IT AND I JUST BOUGHT IT 10 MONTHS AGO. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149530February 6, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ON AND/OR BLINKING INCLUDING ABS, BRAKE LIGHT, AND OIL LIGHT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149488February 5, 2006
STRUCTURE
2002 VW PASSAT: WATER LEAKAGE INTO THE CAR ACCUMULATING IN THE FLOOR WELLS WHEN IT RAINS. NO IMMEDIATE CAUSE DETERMINED. WINDOWS ALL CLOSED. DRAINS FOR SUNROOF OPEN AND CLEAR. HAPPENS REPEATEDLY WHEN RAINING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149288February 2, 2006
SEATS
THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IN MATERIAL FOR THE LEATHER SEATS AND HEADREST. VOLKSWAGEN IS NOT WILLING TO HONOR THE WARRANTY FOR THE LIMITED NEW VEHICLE. I WANTED TO A INDEPENDENT AUTO INTERIOR SPECIALIST, WHO SAID IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. YET, VOLKSWAGEN SAID IT'S NORMAL AND SAID THE OTHER VEHICLES ARE THE SAME. HOWEVER, WHEN ASKED TO SEE THE OTHER VEHICLES THERE WAS NONE AVAILABLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149107January 31, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAD A FLASHING ABS LIGHT IN MY GAUGE CLUSTER THAT WOULDN'T STOP. WENT TO DEALER TO CHECK FAULT CODE FOR LIGHT. TOLD THAT MY ABS CONTROL UNIT IS BAD AND NEEDS REPLACING....SHOULDN'T DRIVE CAR WITHOUT REPLACING UNIT. COST FOR UNIT AND R & R $1.000. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148967January 30, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR OVER AN HOUR, WHEN THE HEAT SHIELD ON THE TOP OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BEGAN TO SMOLDER. NO INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE PROBLEM. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND CAME, ALTHOUGH NO FLAMES ERUPTED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE SMOKE. HOWEVER, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE CAUSE OF THE SMOKE WAS THE HEAT SHIELD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148973January 30, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE FOR 2000 1.8T PASSAT WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE FIXED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149001January 30, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE JUST DIED WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED BEING RESPONSIVE TO THE GAS PUMP. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO CRUISE THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT AND/OR INJURY CONSIDERING I HAD CARS IN FRONT OF ME, BEHIND ME, AND ON THE SIDE OF ME, ALL MOVING AT SPEEDS 50-60 MPH. IN OVER 27 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH A SERIOUS PROBLEM OCCURRING WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON, OR FUNNY SOUNDS BY THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAS 47,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149056January 30, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS WARNING LIGHT FLASHES CONSTANTLY WITH CHIME SOUNDING EACH TIME THE CAR STARTS. PROBABLY BEEN ONGOING FOR THE LAST 6-8 MONTHS. WAS TOLD BY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THE PROBLEM WAS JUST ELECTRICAL, BUT NOW READING NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS I BELIEVE IT TO BE THE ABS MODULE FAILING IN SO MANY OTHER CARS. SEEMS LIKE VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148867January 27, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE I65 FROM BIRMINGHAM, AL TO HUNTSVILLE, AL MID MORNING ON THE 27 JANUARY 2006. NEARING THE END OF JOURNEY TO THE HUNTSVILLE TURNED OFF ON I65 AND VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSAT 2003 LOST COMPLETE POWER. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO THE CAR, AND WAS FRANTICALLY TRYING TO FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WHILE TRYING TO CONTROL THE CAR TO A STOP AND GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. UPON CALLING ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP, LOCATED IN HUNTSVILLE, AL. DURING INITIAL INVESTIGATION LED THEM TO BELIEVE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AND REPLACED IT AT A COST OF $200. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THEY SAID MY FUEL PUMP WAS DEAD AND NEEDED REPLACING, THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP AS NO PETROL COULD BE PUMPED INTO THE ENGINE. I DID NOT KNOW WHY I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE BATTERY AS I HAD POWER IN THE CAR. CURRENTLY, CAR WILL NOT BE FIXED UNTIL NEXT TUESDAY AT A COST OF $600 TO ME. I READ ONLINE AT PASSATWORLD.COM FORUM THAT THEIR HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER VW OWNERS EXPERIENCING FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS. THEY EXPECT THIS PROBLEM TO BE DOCUMENTED A LOT MORE IN THE NEAR FUTURE AS OUR 2003 YEAR VW PASSAT COME OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE SUSPECTED YEAR WITH THE FAULTY FUEL PUMP. I DO NOT SEE HOW THIS FUEL PUMP COULD FAIL UPON ANY DOING OF MY OWN AS I HAVE ALWAYS RUN THE CAR WITH A FULL TANK AND ON 93 OCTANE. VW NEED TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS PART AS THERE IS AN UNUSUALLY HIGH NUMBER OF VW OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. THIS PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, CAUSING A CAR TO LOSE POWER ON A HIGHWAY IMMEDIATELY IS LIFE THREATENING AND WILL CAUSE AN OLDER AGE DRIVER TO NOT KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE CAR AND CRASH. CAR IS VW PASSAT GLS 2003, 60,000 MILES ON IT, I BOUGHT IT NEW.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148746January 26, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAD A TIMING BELT FAILURE DUE TO AN INTERNAL COMPONENT THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO JUST TURN OFF. THIS BELT DID NOT FAIL, BUT THE COMPONENT DID WHICH CAUSED IT TO FAIL. HERE IS THE CONCERN: JUST THINK IF YOU ARE TRAVELING IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC AND THIS PART FAILS, YOU ARE ALL DONE. YOU LOSE THE CAR, NOTHING IS AVAILABLE TO GET YOU OVER TO A SAFE SPOT. ITS JUST A MATTER OF TIME WHEN SOMEONE IS TRAVELING AND THIS HAPPENS. NOTE - VOLKSWAGEN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND OFFERS A UPGRADE KIT TO REPLACE THIS PART. ALSO, NO WHERE IN THEIR SERVICE GUIDE LINES WILL YOU BE ABLE TO DETECT THIS PART THROUGH THE TECHS. I'M HOPING BY SUBMITTING THIS WE MAKE THEM ACCOUNTABLE AND TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. I DO HAVE THE BELT WHICH SHOWS THAT IT DID NOT FAIL AS THEY PITCHED IT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148534January 25, 2006
STRUCTURE
THIS FAILURE IS DOCUMENTED WELL BY DOZENS OF CONSUMERS: HTTP://WWW.THEAUTOBAHN.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=12789&PAGE=1. AK THIS COMPLAINT IS AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN FOR PASSAT YEAR GLS 2001.5 (1) HEAVY RAIN (2) GALLONS OF WATER COLLECTED IN REAR PASSENGER FOOTWELL (3) POLLEN FILTER REPLACED (TWICE SO FAR)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148545January 25, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS MODULE FAILED CAUSING THE ABS BRAKING TO STOP FUNCTIONING. BECAUSE THE MODULE WOULD ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY IT WAS HARD TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE ABS MODULE WAS WORKING SO EXTREME CAUTION HAD TO BE TAKEN WITH BRAKING. ABS MODULE WAS REMOVED BY MYSELF AND SENT TO A REFURBISHER TO BE REPAIRED AND THEN REINSTALLED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148578January 25, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL SLUDGE AT 62,600 MILES. . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148595January 25, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
2001 PASSAT WAGON GLX WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. PASSENGER'S SEAT FULLY RECLINED UPON IMPACT, COMING TO REST ON AN INFANT CAR SEAT THAT WAS PROPERLY INSTALLED IN THE BACK SEAT. PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR NECK AND BACK INJURIES. INFANT WAS UNHARMED. SINCE INCIDENT THE PASSENGER'S SEAT HAS SPONTANEOUSLY FULLY RECLINED ON THREE OTHER OCCASIONS.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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