Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10143111November 18, 2005
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
ON THE MORNING OF NOV. 18, 2005, I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THOUGH MY NEIGHBORHOOD. IT WAS A COLD MORNING, SO I HAD THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT WARMER ACTIVATED AT LEVEL 4 (HIGHEST SETTING IS 5). AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, I NOTICED THE SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. AT FIRST I DISCOUNTED IT AS MERELY THE SMELL OF THE CAR'S HEATER OR SOMETHING EXTERNAL. BUT I SOON FELT EXCESSIVE HEAT ON MY BUTTOCKS AND STOPPED THE CAR, LEAVING IT RUNNING. WHEN I GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE SEAT, THERE WAS A SMOLDERING HOLE ABOUT ONE-QUARTER OF AN INCH IN DIAMETER ON THE BACK-LEFT SURFACE OF THE LEATHER SEAT. THE SEAT WARMER UNIT HAD BURNED A HOLE THOUGH THE SEAT SURFACE AND, WERE IT NOT FOR MY WOOL PANTS, COULD HAVE BURNED MY SKIN. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF MY LOCAL DEALER, GOSSETT VOLKSWAGEN. THE SERVICE ASSISTANT TOLD ME THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT UNCOMMON AND THAT IT THE HEATING ELEMENT AND SEAT WOULD BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE. HOWEVER, BECAUSE SOME OF THE NECESSARY PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED, I WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AT A LATER DATE. THE SERVICE ASSISTANT INSTRUCTED ME NOT TO USE THE SEAT WARMER FEATURE IN THE INTERIM. WHILE I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE OBVIOUS EQUIPMENT FAILURE, I AM MORE CONCERNED THAT SUCH AN EVENT COULD IGNITE THE SEAT COVER, THE DRIVER'S CLOTHING OR OTHER COMBUSTIBLE ITEMS, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND/OR BODILY HARM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143004November 17, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
THE VEHICLE IS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON PERIODICALLY WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY AND NO APPARENT CAUSE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PASSATS AND AUDI A4S. I FOUND AROUND 40 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE AND THE FREQUENCY OF THE PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED ELSEWHERE ON THE INTERNET. THE PROBLEM IS REPORTED TO RESULT IN LACK OF ABS AND INACTIVATION OF THE NORMAL BRAKING DISTRIBUTION MECHANISM. THE LACK OF ABS, WHILE SERIOUS, ONLY REDUCES BRAKING TO THAT OF MANY OTHER VEHICLES. THE ALLEGED EFFECT ON DISTRIBUTION OF BRAKING POWER IS A POTENTIALLY MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM, AS IT COULD RESULT IN POOR PERFORMANCE OF EVEN THE CONVENTIONAL BRAKING SYSTEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143049November 17, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PURCHASED THE VEHCILE (SECOND-HAND) FROM THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP ON VETERANS DRIVE IN METAIRIE,LA BACK IN MARCH 2004. HERE IS MY COMPLAINT: MY FAMILY EVACUATED FOR HURRICANE 'KATRINA' AND WE LEFT THE VW BEHIND AT THE HOUSE. WELL, IT SAT FOR ABOUT A MONTH. ONCE WE GOT BACK TO THE VEHICLE, WE NOTICED IT WAS NOT RUNNING GOOD AT ALL. VERY ROUGH. VERY DIFFERENT THAN BEFORE THE STORM. I CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND FOUND OUT IT WAS VERY LOW ON OIL. YET, WE HAVE NO OIL LEAKS. I COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHERE THE OIL HAD GONE. AND THE OIL IN THE CASE OF THE VEHICLE LOOKED "GRAINY" AND "SLUDGEY". WE THOUGHT IT WAS STORM RELATED AND FILED A CLAIM WITH STATE FARM. WE THEN TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL VW DEALER NEAR MY OFFICE TO HAVE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE VW SERVICE GUY SAID, YES, VOLKSWAGEN HAS IDENTIFIED A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH OUR MODEL VEHICLE WHERE THE TURBO CAN NOT HANDLE CONVENTIONAL MOTOR OIL. THEY WOULD FIX THAT FREE OF CHARGE....HOWEVER, THEY NEED THE LAST 12 MONTH HISTORY OF OUR OIL CHANGES. WELL, AT FIRST I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE NO PROBLEM. WE HAVE ALWAYS GOTTEN OUR REGULAR OILL CHANGES SO THE RECEIPTS SHOULD BE HANDY. WELL, I DIDN'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR NEW ORLEANS HOME BY HURRICANE KATRINA. OUR HOUSE WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND SO WERE THOSE RECEIPTS. I THINK WE MANAGED TO GET OUR HANDS ON TWO OF THEM. WELL, THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR VW. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THEY WON'T EVEN TAKE HAND-WRITTEN RECEIPTS FROM THE OIL CHANGE PLACES. I AM EXTREMELY ANGRY THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX AN EXISTING PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLE WITHOUT THIS INFORMATION. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT IT'S THE VEHICLE MECHANISMS BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT WITHOUT COPIES OF RECEIPTS I CAN NEVER PRODUCE. ALL OF NEW ORLEANS WAS DESTROYED. NOW, MY WIFE, WHO HAS TO COMMUTE 50 MILES EACH WAY TO WORK, HAS TO DRIVE HER UNSAFE VEHICLE AND ENDANGER HER LIFE BECAUSE VW REFUSES TO FIX A PROBLEM THEY ADMIT THEIR CAR HAS. WE HAVE NO RECOURSE BUT TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142775November 15, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
INTER.,BRAKE ABS LIGHT W/STOP DO NOT DRIVE MESSAGE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142790November 15, 2005
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
PREMATURE TIE ROD FAILURE. LEFT AND RIGHT TIE ROD ENDS ARE PREMATURELY WORN RESULTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD IN BREAKING, PARTS NEED TO REPAIR DAMAGE, LEFT AND RIGHT TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, BALL JOINTS, 1/2 SHAFTS. ESTIMATED REPAIR COST $1678. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143224November 15, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER 2003 PASSAT BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE DIED. *TS THE DEALER DID A PRESSURE TEST AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142555November 14, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
2000 PASSAT ABS COMPUTER MODULE IS FAILING. SEVERAL POSTINGS HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED - SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142564November 14, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
AFTER HEAVY RAIN, POWER BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED COMPLETELY IN 2002 VW PASSAT. THIS WAS ATTRIBUTED TO CLOGGED COWL DRAIN. WATER WAS DIVERTED INTO ENGINE CYLINDERS AND POWER BRAKING SYSTEM THUS LEADING TO FAILURE. ALTHOUGH NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED I BELIEVE THAT THIS REPRESENTS SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK AND THAT THIS RISK IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT LED TO $1600.00 IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142669November 14, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE TRAVELING ON MERRITT PARKWAY IN WILTON, CT. THE PUMP FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE PARKWAY, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND DIED, AND I MANAGED TO HAVE ENOUGH FORWARD MOMENTUM TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE. NO WARNINGS AT ALL. THE FUEL TANK WAS ABOUT 1/4 FULL. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. I DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE PART BY THE NEXT DAY. I DISASSEMBLED THE OLD PUMP AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BRUSHES IN THE MOTOR HAD WORN EXCESSIVELY- THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 58200 MILES. I AN KEEPING THE OLD PART IN MY CUSTODY. THE NEW FUEL PUMP PART NO. IS 8E0906087D. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON INTERNET DISCUSSION FORUMS ON VW ENTHUSIAST WEB SITES REVEALS THAT THE FAILURES APPEAR ON A HIGHER-THAN-NORMAL RATE ON '03 MODEL YEAR VW PASSATS. DISCUSSIONS HERE: HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=188629 HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=1982739&POSTID=22264430#22264430 AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, HAVING THE FUEL PUMP FAIL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAN HAVE CATASTROPHIC RESULTS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142423November 10, 2005
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
I RECENTLY WAS NOTIFIED OF VOLKSWAGEN'S CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN M2 CONCERNING SEAT HEATERS FOR 2002-2003 VW PASSATS. I HAVE HAD LESS THAN AN ADEQUATE RESPONSE FROM BOTH THE DEALER AND THE VW CUSTOMER CARE CENTER. YOU CAN DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL LETTER FROM VW FROM MY FTP SERVER USING THE FOLLOWING LINK: <FTP://PUBLIC:[email protected]/VW%20M2/VW%20M2%20LETTER.PDF> YOU CAN DOWNLOAD A COPY OF MY RESPONSE TO VW USING THE FOLLOWING LINK: <FTP://PUBLIC:[email protected]/VW%20M2/CAMPAIGN%20M2%20RESPONSE%20--%2020051110.PDF> IF YOU CANNOT ACCESS EITHER FILE, PLEASE CONTACT ME SO THAT I CAN DETERMINE AN ALTERNATE METHOD TO SEND THE INFORMATION TO NHTSA -- THIS FORM LIMITED SIZE TO 2,000 CHARACTERS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142227November 9, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS 92,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE AN ERROR INDICATING THAT THE COMPUTER CAN NO LONGER COMMUNICATE WITH THE ABS CONTROLLER. ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE VW CHAT GROUPS, THE REPLACEMENT PUMPS COST APPROXIMATELY $2000. I THINK THE CAR IS TOO NEW TO HAVE AN ABS FAILURE AND THE COST IS EXCESSIVE.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142286November 9, 2005
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAS PARKED, LOCKED AND SEALED FOR PERIOD OF ONE WEEK. DURING THIS PERIOD, HEAVY RAINS FELL AND INTERIOR OF CAR WAS FLOODED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS ON 10/21. VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH DEFECTIVE SUNROOF FRAME AS SOURCE OF LEAK CAUSING DAMAGE TO "TRANSMISSION COMPUTER AND AIRBAG MODULE." MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP DO NOT WANT TO ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECT AND I AM CONCERNED THAT THEY ARE AVOIDING AND OR CONCEALING INFORMATION ABOUT MORE THAN JUST MONETARY DAMAGES AND VEHICLE'S DEFECT. OF PARTICULAR CONCERN IS AIRBAG MODULE DAMAGE AND ANY OTHER COMPONENTS OF THIS SYSTEM THAT COULD BE DAMAGED OR DEFECTIVE ALSO. PLEASE ADVISE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142340November 9, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
2000 VW PASSAT 1.8 L TURBO 4 CYL. ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. SAFETY ISSUE. VW WANTS $1,800 TO REPAIR PART. FLASHING LIGHTS APPEAR IN RANDOM PATTERN WARNING ABOUT MALFUNCTION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141895November 7, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL PUMP FAILURE: THE WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON "STOP, OIL PRESSURE LOW" CONTACTED VW AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR AN INSPECTION. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE OIL WHICH CAUSED THE OIL PUMP TO FAIL. RECENTLY VW HAS ISSUED A NEW WARRANTY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE OIL PUMP DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, ONLY IF YOU HAVE YOUR OIL RECEIPTS FROM DAY ONE. I WISH TO KEEP MY VW FOR A LONG TIME AND YES OIL WAS CHANGED ON A REGULAR BASIS, HOWEVER RECEIPTS ARE DIFFICULT TO FIND FROM DAY ONE. FROM MY FINDINGS AND WHAT MAKES SENSE IS THAT THE TURBO IS OVER HEATING THE OIL AND BUILDING UP A SLUDGE IN THE OIL. AS OF TODAY MY PUMP WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE CAM. THE DEALERSHIP DID THE NECESSARY WORK BUT HAS NOT REALLY INFORMED ME AS TO ANY FUTURE PROBLEMS THAT WILL ARISE. WHERE AS OTHER OIL REPAIR SHOPS KNOW OF VW WITH TURBO THAT HAVE FAILED AT 20,000 MILES AND THEN AGAIN AT 40,000 MILES. AS OF TODAY I QUESTION IF THE TURBO WAS INSPECTED FOR SLUDGE OR WAS AN OIL FLUSH DONE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141996November 7, 2005
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. UPON INSPECTION THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE STEERING ASSEMBLY CAME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BOTH TIE RODS. ALSO, THE DEALERSHIP ALSO FOUND THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK AND THE ABS WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THE STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY WAS LOOSE TO THE POINT IT COULD HAVE FALLEN OF FROM THE FRAME. UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141752November 4, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON AFTER DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, OR WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL, OR WILL STAY ON ALL THE TIME. DEALERSHIP HAS QUOTED REPAIR ESTIMATE OF $1700 TO REPLACE MODULE. THEY ADVISED THAT THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS THEY ARE SEEING MORE OF THESE COME IN WITH ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE, JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. TECHNICAL BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS REPAIR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141774November 4, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT: THE CONTACT STATED 10 DAYS AGO THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMELL OF OIL. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, BUT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED, THE SMELL WAS STILL THERE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THIS TIME THE DEALER SAID A GASKET WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE GASKET, AND IT SEEMED TO HAVE REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141621November 3, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE TRAVELING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY DOING 65 MPH. CAR JUST STARTED SLOWING DOWN, LUCKILY I WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND ABLE TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER. DANGEROUS PROBLEM. TOWED TO VW DEALERSHIP AND FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. CAR HAD 53000 MILES ON IT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141489November 2, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS CONTROL MODULE ON 2000 VW PASSAT FAILED IN OCTOBER 2005. REPLACEMENT COSTS APPROXIMATELY $1000. ACCORDING TO SEVERAL INTERNET FORUMS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT VW IS REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE. A RECALL IS NEEDED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141379November 1, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
1 - NORMAL USE - ONLY 55,000 MILES 2 - FAILURE OF LOWER CONTROL ARMS - MUST REPLACE 3 - REQUIRED TO REPLACE AT COST OF $400.00
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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