Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10145951December 22, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
PURCHASED A 99 VW PASSAT WAGON FROM A VIRGINIA DEALER IN NOV 2004 MILEAGE 47.5K . THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT/MODULE HAS NOW COMPLETELY FAILED. THIS EXPENSIVE ($1300) CIRCUIT BOARD IS LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. IT IS IN A NON-DRAINING WELL IN THE FLOOR PAN UNDER THE CARPETING AND PADDING. IT IS IN NO WAY SEALED OR WATERPROOFED TO PREVENT CORROSION FROM CONDENSATION OR FAILURE FROM WATER BUILDUP IN THE AREA. NORMAL USE IN INCLEMENT WEATHER ALLOWS DROPS OF WATER TO ACCUMULATE IN THIS AREA . ONCE THE WATER GETS TO THE AREA WHERE THE TCU IS LOCATED IT REMAINS THERE. WHATEVER EVAPORATION THAT DOES OCCUR JUST INCREASES THE HUMIDITY AROUND THE TCU, IT THEN CONDENSES ON THE COLD METAL FLOOR PAN OR THE TCU AND DRAINS BACK INTO THE WELL THE TCU IS IN. SINCE IT IS UNDER THE CARPET AND THE PADDING ONE CANNOT SEE OR EASILY DETECT THAT WATER OR EVEN JUST A DAMPNESS EXISTS HERE. THE TCU CORRODES UNTIL IT FAILS, WHEN IT FAILS THE VEHICLE IS UNDRIVEABLE AND MUST THEN BE TOWED TO A VW DEALER. THERE IS NO DIAGNOSTIC DATA AVAILABLE THAT WOULD ALLOW A REGULAR GARAGE TO REPAIR IT. EVEN GC VOLKSWAGEN REQUESTED 3 HRS OF DIAGNOSTIC TIME. THEIR FINAL CHARGE WAS 3.5 HRS TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND REPLACE THE TCU. A 12 MONTH/12000 MILE WARRANTY WAS GIVEN EXCEPT FOR FAILURE DUE TO OUTSIDE INFLUENCE. AS I UNDERSTAND IT THIS MEANS ANY USE OF THE VEHICLE OUTSIDE OF A TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY CONTROLLED ENCLOSURE. I WAS ASSURED THAT IT WILL FAIL AGAIN AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO TO PREVENT IT. BY THE TIME ONE DISCOVERS WATER IN THE AREA THE DAMAGE IS ALREADY DONE. VW WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIRS OR ISSUE A SOLUTION TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE TCU. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AS IT EFFECTS EVERY 1.8T W/ TIPTRONIC AUTO TRANSMISSION. VW IS ENDANGERING PEOPLES LIVES AND COSTING PEOPLE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS DUE TO THE POOR PLACEMENT OF THIS COMPONENT. OUTSIDE INFLUENCE IS A SCAM TO DENY PAYMENT. I WOULD NOT BUY A CAR I COULDN'T DRIVE OUTSIDE- WOULD YOU? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145823December 21, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
INSTANT FUEL PUMP FAILURE. LATE SATURDAY NIGHT WITH 9 WEEK OLD CHILD IN THE CAR. CAR SIMPLY STOPS RUNNING ON THE HIGHWAY. DOES NOT RESTART. DID MANAGE TO GET BABY INTO WARM VEHICLE AND HOME. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145850December 21, 2005
STRUCTURE
BATTERY DRAIN WAS DESIGNED TOO SMALL, SO IT'S CLOGGED. THERE IS A WATER LEAK ENTERING FROM POLLEN FILTER THROUGH THE HOUSING DOWN TO TCM WHICH CAUSED A DAMAGE TO TCM(TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE). ALTHOUGH THIS IS A DESIGN ISSUE I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE SO IT DOESN'T COVER UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS DRIVING OUT OF PARKING LOT AND THE GEAR WON'T SHIFT OUT OF SECOND. SO I RESTARTED THE CAR THEN EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. BUT SHORTLY AFTER IT WENT BACK TO THE SAME. AND WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, GEAR SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITHOUT HAVING TO PUT YOUR FOOT ON BRAKE. VERY DANGEROUS. NOTHING HAS DONE FROM DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY YET NOR THERE ISN'T ANY RECALL . I'M STILL WAITING FOR A CALL BACK FROM VOLKSWAGEN. BUT THE DEALER WANTS ME TO REPAIR IT AT MY COST FOR $2000 EVEN THOUGH IT IS POWER TRAIN COMPONENT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145872December 21, 2005
STRUCTURE
WHEN IT RAINS, WATER LEAKS INTO AND FLOODS THE FOOT WELL ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145571December 19, 2005
STRUCTURE
AFTER RECENT RAIN, A POOL OF WATER COLLECTED ON THE RIGHT REAR FLOOR. ELECTRONICS ARE STARTING TO MALFUNCTION. APPRENTLY IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT HASNT BEEN RESOLVED. HTTP://WWW.THEAUTOBAHN.COM/FORUM/ARCHIVE/INDEX.PHP/T-12789.HTML. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145594December 19, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE STOP ENGINE NOW- LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD FOR INSPECTION. SHE CHECKED THE DIP STICK FOR AN OIL READING. THE READING INDICATED THE VEHICLE CONTAINED NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. SHE ADDED OIL TO THE ENGINE BEFORE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS HAVING SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NO HOWEVER, REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145608December 19, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ,WHO STATED, THE CONTROL MODULE WAS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE COMPUTER, WHICH WAS A SIGN THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED." THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE EXPENSE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145510December 17, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
AT 52K MILES, HAD INTERMITTENT EPISODES OF ABS LIGHT REMAINING LIT AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING. OVER THE COURSE OF A COUPLE WEEKS, HAD >100 SUCH INCIDENTS. ALSO OF NOTE, VIBRATION WAS FELT UPON BRAKING AT LOW SPEED. SERVICE MECHANIC AT DEALER REPORTED FAULTY ABS CONTROL MODULE, WHICH WAS REPLACED AT EXUBERANT COST. APPARENTLY, HUNDREDS OF SUCH COMPLAINTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPORTED ON THIS PROBLEM, AND VWOA HAVE TAKEN NO EFFORT TO RECALL SUCH PREVALENTLY FAULTY PARTS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145447December 16, 2005
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HEATER CORE FAILURE. INITIALLY I ONLY SMELL THE RADIATOR FLUID. THEN IT QUICKLY CHANGES OVER TO STEAM ACTUALLY COMING OUT OF YOUR VENTS. THIS CAUSES YOUR WINDOWS TO FOG UP. RADIATOR FLUID CAME SHOOTING OUT OF THE DASH BUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS PROBABLY WOULD HAVE SCALDED SOMEONE IF THEY WERE SITTING THERE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145454December 16, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I OWN A 2002 VW PASSAT V6 GLX WITH 42,700 MILES. WITHIN THE PAST 2 MONTHS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM STARTED WITH VERY STRONG GASOLINE FUMES COMING FROM THE CAR AFTER THE TANK IS FILLED AND THE CAR IS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. THE GAS TANK IS FILLED UNTIL THE FIRST CLICK OFF OF THE GAS NOZZLE ( AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS). THE GASOLINE FUMES ARE VERY STRONG, REQUIRING THAT THE GARAGE DOORS BE LEFT PARTIALLY OPEN TO REDUCE THE FUMES TO A TOLERABLE LEVEL. NO FUEL DRIPS FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FUMES SEEM TO BE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF THE CAR. FUMES CAN SOMETIMES BE SMELLED BRIEFLY OUTDOORS WHEN THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK IS FULL. THE FUMES STOP AFTER THE TANK LEVEL IS DOWN TO ABOUT 3/4 TANK. THE PROBLEM RECURS CONSISTENTLY NOW FOR ME EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS REFUELED. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL VW DEALER ON 11/5/05. THEY PRESSURED TESTED THE VEHICLE'S FUEL SYSTEM WITH ARGON AND REPORTED THAT THEY CAN FIND NO FUEL LEAK OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS. THE SERVICE MANAGER CONTACTED VW TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN ON 12/15/05 WITH A HALF TANK OF FUEL AS REQUESTED. THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS, AS RECOMMENDED BY VW TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, REMOVED THE GAS TANK AND WEIGHED THE CHARCOAL CANISTER TO DETERMINE IF ADEQUATE CHARCOAL WAS PRESENT. THE CHARCOAL CANISTER WAS WITHIN FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS REINSTALLED THE SAME PARTS AND THEN FILLED THE GAS TANK. THEY THEN PRESSURE TESTED THE VEHICLE'S FUEL SYSTEM WITH ARGON OVERNIGHT, LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN THE SERVICE BAY. THEY COULD NOT DETECT ANY FUEL LEAKS OR REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. VW TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORTEDLY TOLD THE TECH'S THAT THEY HAD DONE ALL THAT WAS POSSIBLE AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE TO DO. THE SERVICE MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEIR SERVICE BAY IS QUITE LARGE AND VENTILATED SO THAT THE CONDITIONS DO NOT DUPLICATE HAVING THE VEHICLE IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. A FIRE RISK AND FUME EXPOSURE REMAIN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145474December 16, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OWNERS, AS REPORTED ON VARIOUS ONLINE FORUMS (VWVORTEX, ETC). THE FAILURE IS WELL KNOWN AND FREQUENT ENOUGH THAT THERE ARE BUSINESSES THAT SELL REBUILT/REMANUFACTURED PART. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145476December 16, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
LOOSE AIRBAG IGNITER CONNECTION UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM TO DEACTIVATE ITSELF. THIS INCIDENT IS FREQUENT AS REPORTED BY MANY OWNERS ON VARIOUS ONLINE FORUMS (AUDIWORLD, VWVORTEX, USENET NEWSGROUPS, ETC). AN INTERNET SEARCH ON "AIRBAG IGNITER: DRIVER SIDE RESISTANCE TOO HIGH" ON GOOGLE RETURNED NUMEROUS REPORTING ON THIS ISSUE. IN MY PARTICULAR INSTANCE, THIS HAS HAPPENED ON BOTH A 1999 VW PASSAT 1.8T/20V AND A 2000 VW GOLF 1.9L TDI. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145479December 16, 2005
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HI I PURCHASED A 1990 VW PASSAT THE VIN # IS [XXX] .... THE HEATER CORE BLEW ON THIS VEHICLE, I BY PASSED THE HOSES 2 STOP THE HEATER CORE FROM LEAKING, IT SMELLED LIKE SYRUP AND VISIBILITY WAS BAD IF I HAD TO USE THE WINDSHIELD DEFOGGER , I HAVE RECENTLY HEARD OF THIS RECALL AND CHECKED YOUR SITE AND SAW THAT THIS RECALL I HEARD ABOUT WAS TRUE. SO NEXT I WENT TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER(JACK DANIELS, LOCATED IN FAIR LAWN NJ). I GAVE HIM THE VIN # AND HE SAID THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I DO NEXT SO IF YOU CAN HELP ME OUT THANKS. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145505December 16, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS FAILURE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145152December 14, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
98 PASSAT, ABS PUMP IS NOT WORKING ANYMORE AT 106000 MILES. I WANTED TO REPLACE THE PART BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME I HAVE TO PAY $1200.00 JUST FOR THE PART. IS VW USA CONSIDERING A RECALL BECAUSE IN MY OPINION A $1200.00 PART SHOULD NOT FAIL TO WORK SO FAST. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145053December 13, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
AT APPROX. 70,000 MILES MY 2001 VW PASSAT 4 CYL AUTOMATIC HAS AN ABS FAILURE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE CERTIFIED USED IN 2002 FROM A VW DEALER AND HAVE HAD IT REGULARLY SERVICED. OTHER VW OWNERS THAT I KNOW HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. IN ACT IT IS APPARENTLY WELL KNOWN IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY THAT VW`ABS UNITS ARE SUB-STANDARD AND PRONE TO DEFECTIVENESS. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY LOCAL VW DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THE UNIT COST $1300. THE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP ALSO MADE A COMMENT THE REFLECTED ON THE SUB-STANDARD QUALITY OF PASSAT ABS MODULES. I HAVE SEEN INTERNET POSTINGS DETAILING THE NUMEROUS FAILURES OF VW PASSAT ABS UNITS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144901December 10, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
I WENT TO TURN ON 2002 PASSAT VOLKSWAGEN A COUPLE DAYS AGO AND A FLASHING "STOP" CAME ON. I CALLED MY DEALER AFTER CHECKING THE MANUAL AND THEY SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A PROBLEM WITH THE OIL PICK UP TUBE AND FOR ME NOT TO TURN MY CAR BACK ON BECAUSE IT COULD RUIN THE ENGINE. SO I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT IS ONLY UNDER WARRANTY IF I CAN SUPPLY THEM WITH EVERY RECEIPT FROM OWNING THE CAR. I HAVE MISPLACED TWO SO NOW THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS AND IS COSTING ME AROUND $950.00 TO GET THIS FIXED. I HAVE ALWAYS CHANGED MY OIL ON TIME. THIS SEEMS TO BE THERE WAY OF SCREWING THERE SO CALLED VALUED CUSTOMERS. I WAS ON A WEB SITE (MYVWLEMON.COM) AND FOUND NUMEROUS OF PASSAT OWNERS WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM AND OUT COME. WHY IS THE CONSUMER RESPONSIBLE FOR A POORLY DESIGNED ENGINE? THE HEAT OF THE 1.8L TURBO IS BREAKING THE OIL DOWN CREATING SLUDGE. THEY OBVIOUSLY KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION. HOWEVER, VW OF AMERICA WILL ONLY COVER THE WARRANTY IF THE OWNER CAN PROVIDE EVERY SINGLE RECEIPT, SOMETHING THEY KNOW THAT VERY FEW PEOPLE CAN DO ESPECIALLY IF SOME CHANGE THEIR OWN OIL. THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE DEALT WITH SINCE I BOUGHT BY PASSAT BRAND NEW. CHECKING THE WEBSITE ALSO TELLS ME THIS MAY NOT BE THE LAST OF MY PROBLEMS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144907December 10, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
FAILURE AT 8100 MILES ON 2003 VW PASSAT GLX V6. FAILURE REPORTED BY COMPUTER: BRAKE FAULT, STOP, READ SERVICE MANUAL. DEALER REPORTS THIS IS AN ABS MODULE FAILURE. WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM FORUMS REPORT THIS AS A COMMON FAILURE AMONG PASSATS. PLEASE HOLD VW'S FEET TO THE FIRE ON THIS PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144844December 9, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN A 1999 VW PASSAT V6. IT CURRENTLY HAS APPROX 67,975 MILES. FROM THE FIRST YEAR OF PURCHASE TO THIS CURRENT DATE, I'VE EXPERIENCED THE SUNROOF OPENING ON IT'S OWN DURING WINTER MONTHS. THIS SUNROOF HAS A MANUAL DIAL CONTROL, AND THEREFORE IT MYSTIFIES ME THAT THIS CAN OCCUR. MY RATE OF SPEED HAS NO IMPACT ON THE OCCURANCE, SINCE I COULD BE MERELY TRAVELLING AT 45 50 MPH WHEN IT HAPPENS. I'VE REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO THE DEALER,BUT OF COURSE IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT REPLICATED WHEN THEY TEST DRIVE THE CAR, IT IS CONSIDERED NON-EXISTENT (IN THEIR OPINION). I AM TIRED OF THE MULTIPLE PREMATURE COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE AND AT THIS POINT, I'M CONSIDERING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS IS WHAT MY TIME LINE LOOKS LIKE: 48,824 MILES REPLACED ALL UPPER LINKS REPLACE V BELT 49,576 MILES REPLACED WATER PUMP AND BATTERY 53,629 MILES REPLACED CV BOOT JOINTS AND BOTH FRONT AXELS 57,512 MILES REPLACED UPPER LINKS AGAIN 61,972 MILES, BEING TOLD THAT ALL GASKET SEALS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I'M CURRENTLY DRIVING WITH THE FOLLING CONDITIONS: NO HEAT AT MY FEET IF MY HEAT SETTING IS FOR BOTH BODY AND FEET. MY KEY KEEPS COMING APART AND GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. MY SUNROOF OPENS ON ITS OWN WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE. MY LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK WOULDN'T LOCK WHEN I LOCK THE CAR. THE TRUNK LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IT FEELS LIKE. I HAVE TO FILL UP ON COOLANT EVERY 700 MILES OR SO. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144801December 8, 2005
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HEATER CORE IS LEAKING, AND MAKES DRIVING IMPOSSIBLE DUE TO DECREASED VISIBILITY, AND THE FUMES COMING OFF THE HEATER CORE CAUSE ME TO COUGH FOR A FEW DAYS IF I ACTUALLY DRIVE MY CAR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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