Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10138134September 29, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BOUGHT NEW A VW PASSAT, GLX,V6 IN MAY 2003. IT HAS 18500 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD THREE SETS OF REAR ROTORS REPLACED BECAUSE THEY HAVE WARPED. THE LAST SET WERE REPLACED IN MARCH 2005, AND I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM TODAY, AND HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AGAIN. THE ROTORS WARP BADLEY, THE CAR, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SHUDDERS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND DOES NOT STOP ADEQUATELY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138154September 29, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
I OWN 2001 VW PASSAT WITH 43200 MILES. THIS PAST YEAR I NOTICED FAILURES OF OUTER CV JOINT BOOT BOTH SIDES AND RUBBER DUST BOOTS ON ALL BALL JOINTS WHICH CAUSES A DIRT AND WATER TO DESTROY BALL JOINTS. I CHANGED OUTER CV JOIN BOOT BOTH SIDES AND ONE UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT AND OTHERS WILL FAIL SOON. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133168September 29, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER WANTED THE RECEIPTS FROM THE OIL CHANGES. THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER SAID THAT WAS THE CONSUMERS PROBLEM, AND IT WAS THE CONSUMER THAT COULD NOT PRODUCE THE RECEIPTS, THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR IT. THE OWNER DID NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD BE VOID IF THEY DID NOT HAVE THE RECEIPTS SHOWING THAT THE OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 5,000 MILES. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138852September 28, 2005
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING FAULTY WINDOW REGULATORS. *TS THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDOW REGULATORS TWICE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138063September 28, 2005
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, STRUCTURE
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WHEN MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. I WAS IN NEW YORK AT THE TIME SO I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP, WHICH WAS ROMANO VW IN FAYETVILLE, NY. I HAD DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE VW HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE POLLEN HOUSING FILTER. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER OMAR TO CHECK THE FILTER, WHICH IN RETURN HE STATED IT WAS FINE. THE PROBLEM WAS THE OIL PUMP, AND THE COMPUTER. I EVENTUALLY FOUND OUT THAT THE COMPUTER FAILED DO TO A WATER LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR, WHICH IS WHERE THE COMPUTER IS LOCATED. ROMANO VW SAID THERE WAS A WATER LEAK BUT IT WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE FILTER. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY KEEP DENYING MY CLAIM. I EVENTUALLY HAD MY CAR FIXED AND PICKED THE CAR UP AND DROVE HOME. ONCE I GOT HOME THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO PRESTIGE VW IN TURNERSVILLE, NJ AND THEY STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSE FROM THE POLLEN HOUSING FILTER. VW CUSTOMER CARE HAS STILL DENIED MY CLAIM. AFTER DOING MORE RESEARCH IT TURNS OUT THE POLLEN HOUSING FILTER IS A MAJOR ISSUE IN THE VOLKSWAGEN, BUT VW THEMSELVES DO NOT AGREE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137604September 26, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
1. NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS; CITY AS WELL AS HIGHWAY DRIVING. 2. RANDOM, INTERMITTENT WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR ON DASHBOARD. LIGHTS ARE: ABS - SOLID YELLOW. BRAKE - FLASHING RED. 3. NOTHING HAS BE DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AS THE DEALER WANTS BETWEEN $1,500 -$2,000 TO FIX THE ABS MODULE. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: VISITED VARIOUS VOLKSWAGON MESSAGE FORUMS. MANY VOLKSWAGON OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM SINCE EARLY 2004. HERE IS A LINK TO ONE SUCH SITE: HTTP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA?THREADID=6316&START=0&TSTART=0. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137490September 24, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY VW PASSAT IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE ALREADY REPLACE MY EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS/TAILIGHTS REPLACED 9 TIMES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THE DEALER ALONG WITH THE VW CUSTOMER CARE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. BASICALLY, I HAVE TO KEEP PAYING TO GET NEW HEADLIGHTS THAT ONLY LAST ABOUT A YEAR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137477September 23, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
VIBRATION FROM STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING AND UNEVEN STOPPING. DEALER FOUND WARPED FRONT ROTORS. I FOUND THIS PROBLEM RATHER UNUSUAL AS WE DRIVE THE CAR TO AND FROM THE STATION DAILY AND WE ONLY HAVE 29,000 MILES. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE PADS AND BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. VW REFUSED TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY. I FEEL THE CAR IS NOT SAFE DUE TO THESE CONSTANT BRAKE PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD OTHER BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, THE DEALER HAS REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND THEN REAR PADS AND ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137320September 22, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NO ABNORMAL EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE, JUST A NORMAL COMMUTE ON RESIDENTIAL ROAD AT ABOUT 30 MPH. THE FAILURE WAS INDICATED BY THREE LOUD ELECTRONIC BEEPS AND THE APPEARANCE OF THE "ABS" LIGHT (STEADY) AND "BRAKES" LIGHT (BLINKING) ON THE INSTRUMENTAL CLUSTER. CONSEQUENCE OF FAILURE IS LOSS OF ABS OPERATION. NO REPAIR EFFECTED AS YET, DIAGNOSIS SHOWS FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC ABS MODULE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137176September 21, 2005
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
THE HEATED DRIVERS SEAT IN MY 2004 VW PASSAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THROUGH MY WIFE'S JEANS. THIS OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING ONLY 1/4 MILE. SHE FELT SOMETHING ON HER LEG AND WHEN SHE LOOKED DOWN THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE SEAT. SHE STOPPED AND GOT THE FIRE OUT, BUT IT HAD BURNED HER(LEFT A RED MARKON HER LEG),HER JEANS AND PUT A HOLE IN THE SEAT. THE LOCAL VW DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY ARE REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PARTS ON THE DRIVER SEAT. HOWEVER, WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT THE PASSENGER SEAT BEING DEFECTIVE, IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT THEY HAVE ONLY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SEAT. I WOULD THINK THAT THEY USED THE SAME MATERIALS IN BOTH SEATS AND THAT THE REASON THERE HAS NOT BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT IS DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT IT IS NOT USED AS MUCH. THE POTENTIAL DANGER IF THIS IS NOT CORRECTED COULD BE SIGNIFICANT. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH VW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY ARE GOING TO BE CONTACTING ME BACK. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137202September 21, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
FOLLOWING A 90,000 MILE SERVICE AND ENGINE VALVE SEAL REPLACEMENT MY ABS WARNING INDICATOR ACTIVATED INTERMITTENTLY INDICATING A FAILURE IN THE ABS SYSTEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT TWO DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME THIS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137258September 21, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS COMPUTER UNIT FAILED. WENT OUT INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST, THEN STOPPED FUNCTIONING ALTOGETHER. ABS NO LONGER WORKS. ODB-II COMMUNICATION FAILURE, PROHIBITS SMOG CHECK HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137076September 20, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
I OWN A '99 VW PASSAT GLS AND HAVE ALSO HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. I GET A SOLID DASHBOARD ABS WARNING LIGHT AND BLINKING DASHBOARD BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WHEN I START THE CAR. BOTH LIGHTS STAY ON AND THE BLINKING LIGHT CAUSED MY CAR TO FAIL INSPECTION. I'VE DONE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF SUCH COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THIS IS A $1500 - $4000 REPAIR, ACCORDING TO THE VARIOUS DEALER ESTIMATES I'VE READ. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND WELL-DOCUMENTED MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. MY VW SERVICE CENTER ACKNOWLEDGED THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM AND HOW MUCH TO CHARGE FOR IT (~$2400), BUT BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE I HAVE NOT REPAIRED IT YET. PLEASE TAKE ACTION! BOTH THE ABS SYSTEM AND IGNITION SYSTEM USE BOSCH PARTS, WHICH HAVE DOCUMENTED FAILURES. THIS SHOULD BE A NHTSA RECALL ITEM!!! MORE INFO CAN BE FOUND NOT JUST AT BENTLEY, BUT ALSO THIS SITE: HTTP://WWW.MYCARSTATS.COM/CONSOLE.ASP. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137107September 20, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS INVOLVED IN A AUTOMOBILE CRASH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN MY CAR AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. I WAS TRAVELING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT AND THE OTHER DRIVER RECEIVED A CITATION AND WAS AT FAULT. I WAS DRIVING A 2003 VW PASSAT. THE CAR HAD EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE MOSTLY TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE CAR WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL INSURANCE LOSS BY THE OTHER DRIVES INSURANCE COMPANY. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT. SINCE THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS EXTENSIVE BOTH AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES BECAUSE OF THE CRASH, BUT IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED MY INJURIES MAY HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10136944September 19, 2005
TIRES:SIDEWALL, TIRES:BEAD
[XXX] THIS IS FILED ON BEHALF OF MY FIANCEE [XXX] (SAME ADDRESS,EVENING PHONE) OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. WE NOTICED A BUBBLE ON THE SIDE OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE A P205/55R16 CONTINENTAL TOURING CONTACT CH95 TIRE ON HER 2004 VW PASSAT (WHICH HAD ONLY 3,087 MILES ON IT) ON THE EVENING OF 7-10-5 . I BROUGHT IT TO THREE COUNTY VOLKSWAGEN, LYNDHURST, NJ ON THE MORNING OF 7-11-05 AT APPROX. 9:50 AM. THEY REPLACED THE TIRE AT A COST TO ME OF $126.28 SAYING IT WAS NOT COVERED BY VW AND THAT THE MATTER HAD TO BE TAKEN UP WITH CONTINENTAL TIRE. THEY SENT THE TIRE TO CONTINENTAL THE NEXT DAY FOR TESTING. AFTER REPEATED CALLS TO CONTINENTAL, I FINALLY RECEIVED THEIR RESPONSE ON 9-1-05 CLAIMING THE BUBBLE WAS DUE TO A ROAD HAZARD. [XXX] THIS CAR & TIRE WERE DRIVEN PREDOMINANTLY LOCAL! I SIMPLY DO NOT BELIEVE THEIR EXPLANATION ESPECIALLY SINCE MY COUSIN, THREE COUNTY'S FORMER SALES MANAGER,(WHO BY THE WAY HAS BEEN IN THE BUSINESS FOR DECADES) DIDN'T BUY IT EITHER! IF THE BUBBLE WAS NOT DETECTED, IT COULD HAVE BURST WHILE DRIVING CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO ONE OR BOTH OF US! *NM UPDATED 07/18/2012 *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
#10136970September 19, 2005
SEATS
WHEN GETTING IN TO MY 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THE SEAT BASE CAME LOOSE AND TIPPED ME AND THE SEAT BACK AGAINST THE BACK SEAT. THERE HAD BEEN NO PREVIOUS WARNING WITH THE SEAT SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING OR ANY CREAKING NOISES. LUCKILY I WASN'T DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE I COULD HAVE EASILY CRASHED WITH THE SEVERE RECLINE OF THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP WHO LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM AND ASKED IF I'D EVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BREAKAGE. "NO" WAS MY RESPONSE. THEIR BILL FOR A REPLACEMENT WAS FOR OVER $800 SO I CALLED VWOA AND SPOKE WITH ONE OF THEIR CUSTOMER CARE PERSONNEL ABOUT THE HIGH PRICE AND IF THEY'D HELP WITH ANY OF THE COST EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEIR RESPONSE WAS "NO". THE CAR WAS REPAIRED OUT OF MY OWN POCKET AND A NEWER MODEL SEAT BASE WAS INSTALLED THAT WAS OF AN OBVIOUS REDESIGN. (I GUESS THEY THOUGHT THE OLD ONE WAS INFERIOR BUT DIDN'T FEEL LIKE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE TO LET ANYONE KNOW ABOUT.) *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137022September 19, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
AT APPROX. 74,300 MI. OUR 2001 VW PASSAT GLS V6 AUTOMATIC HAD AN ABS FAILURE. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM A VW DEALER IN 2001 AND HAVE IT SERVICED BY VW DEALERS. OTHER VW OWNERS I HAVE SPOKEN TO (SOME WHILE IN THE SERVICE AREA OF THE DEALERSHIP!) HAVE ALSO HAD ABS FAILURE. THE ABS UNIT IS BACK-ORDERED AND WAIT LISTED BECAUSE SO MANY HAVE FAILED AND BEEN REQUESTED. I AM ON MY 4TH WEEK OF WAITING FOR THE PART, AFTER HAVING TO PAY FOR IT IN FULL UP FRONT. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PART: REBUILD KIT IS $650 WHILE THE UNIT ITSELF IS APPROX. $1,100. I BELIEVE THIS PART SUFFER CHRONIC FAILURE AMONG VW'S AND AUDI'S. I ALSO BELIEVE THE IGNITION COILS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS MINE ARE FAILING AND SO MANY OTHERS ARE FAILING.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136848September 17, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
APPARENT DEFECT IN THE ABS CONTROL SYSTEM OR DISPLAY. INTERMITTENTLY FLASHES WARNING MESSAGE STOP BRAKE FAILURE OWNERS MANUAL. BULLETIN BOARDS INFORM ME THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE FOR MANY VW OWNERS. NO REPAIRS YET ATTEMPTED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138808September 16, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH STALLING.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER, THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136806September 16, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
I HAVE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX V6. WITH 35310 MILES ON THE DASH & DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD IN NJ GOING 4O MILES A HOUR MY CAR JUST LOSS POWER & CUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO TURN MY WHEEL HARD & PULLED OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY. MY FUEL PUMP FAILED & WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, I AM NOT SURE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT & WOULD HATE THIS HAPPEN TO OTHERS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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