Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10135625August 30, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SW DEVELOPED PROBLEMS REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED 8,493 MILES LATER THE BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAK. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE DAMAGED AGAIN. THE HEAD LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134688August 30, 2005
STEERING:LINKAGES
REGARDING A CAMPAIGN NUMBER 00V414000 FOR THE STEERING LINKAGES ON THE 99 VW PASSAT. I REQUESTED THE DEALER TO CHECK MY VEHICLE FOR THE RECALL DUE TO THE FACT IT HAS DAMAGED TIE RODS. THE MANUFACTURE CLAIMS MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE CAMPAIGN BUT THE DEALER HAS INSTRUCTED ME TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL BUT THE MANUFACTURE REFUSES TO ASSIST. WHAT CAN I DO ? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134625August 29, 2005
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
ON A COOL NIGHT ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I TURNED ON THE HEATING ELEMENT IN MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 1.8T (DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT). AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS I FELT A SHARP BURNING SENSATION IN MY LEFT THIGH, AND SMELLED A BURNING SMELL. I STOPPED THE CAR, SHUT OFF THE SEAT HEATER, AND WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I NOTICED A SMALL BURNED HOLE IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BASE. THE HEATING ELEMENT BURNED THROUGH, DAMAGING THE SEAT (AND BURNING MY THIGH). THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY VW BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT! I AM MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED (INCLUDING A FULL SEAT REPLACEMENT TO FIX THE DAMAGED !). *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10134674August 29, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BELT TIME DAMAGE, CONSEQUENCES ENGINE REPAIR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134278August 26, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS LEMON. * 500 MILES CRUISE CONTROL FAILS, HAS TO BE REPLACED. * 16,000 MILES IGNITION COIL FAILS, REPLACED COIL AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. * 28,000 MILES FAN IN DASH DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. PARTS ORDERED, NEVER INSTALLED. * 40,000 MILES OIL PUMP AND OIL HOSES ARE REPLACED DUE TO OIL PRESSURE FAILURES. CAR BROKE DOWN ON ROAD. * 44,159 MILES OIL PRESSURE SWITCH REPLACED DUE TO OIL PRESSURE FAILURES. * 46,000 MILES FUEL PUMP FAILURE, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR BROKE DOWN ON ROAD. VOLKSWAGEN HAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND "OIL SLUDGE". VW REFUSES TO FIX MY CAR UNDER WARRANTY. LAST WORD WAS "WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY WARRANY CLAIM, REGARDLESS OF DOCUMENTATION OF OIL CHANGES." I'VE TALKED TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND IT'S A #1 PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS COMMING IN FOR RUINED ENGINES AND OIL SLUDGE. VW IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR FIXING THE PROBLEMS IN MOST CASES. I'VE GOT ALL DOCUMENTATION, ORIGINAL PAPERWORK WHEN PURCHASED, ETC. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134290August 26, 2005
TIRES:SIDEWALL
CONTINENTAL ECOPLUS 195/65 R15 RADIAL TIRES WERE 2 YRS OLD WITH APPROX. 25,000 MILES ON THEM. MY MECHANIC NOTICED TWO TIRES HAD BUBBLES IN SIDEWALLS (DRIVER SIDE FRONT & REAR) AND WERE ON THE VERGE OF BLOWOUTS. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGE OR CRASH. NOW WITH 4 NEW TIRES (SAME MODEL) THAT ARE 2 WEEKS OLD, YESTERDAY I DISCOVERED THAT ONE TIRE HAD 12.5 PSI (FRONT PASSENGER SIDE) WHILE OTHER 3 WERE AT 30 PSI. FAULTY AGAIN? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134157August 25, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
I RECENTLY HAD AN EXPERIENCE THAT I BELIEVE WOULD BE OF INTEREST TO YOUR ORGANIZATION. IN JULY OF 2000 MY WIFE AND I RESEARCHED FOR AN FINALLY PURCHASED A VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT [XXX]. WE WERE VERY PLEASED WITH OUR PURCHASE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, UNTIL WHAT WERE DESCRIBED TO US AS "NORMAL" REPAIRS BECAME NECESSARY. SOME OF THE MORE MEMORABLE NORMAL REPAIRS INCLUDED REAR BRAKES AT 40,000 MILES (FRONT BRAKES WERE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION) FOR APPROX. $700.00, AND THE OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR ADJUSTOR FOR $400.00. WE BEGAN TO SUSPECT THE PRICING STRUCTURE OF VW PARTS AND LABOR WAS SKEWED TOWARD THE EXPENSIVE. A BIG PART OF OF OUR DECISION TO BUY VW WAS THEIR REPUTATION FOR SOLID TRANSPORTATION OVER A LONG TIME. THE CAR WAS EVEN LISTED AS A RECOMMENDED PURCHASE ON A NUMBER OF CONSUMER MAGAZINES! THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS EXAMPLE OF THIS SITUATION OCCURED IN JULY 1ST 2005, WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE RESULT OF THE CHECK WAS THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS (2 OF THEM) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AT A TOTAL COST OF $3,400.00! SINCE OUR STATE HAS VEHICLE TESTING, THIS IS A REQUIRED REPAIR TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 5 YEARS AND HAVE 108,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. CONTACTING VW GAVE NO RELIEF, AS THEIR STATED WARRANTY WAS FOR 5 YEARS, BUT ONLY FOR 80,000 MILES. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A VOLKSWAGEN PRODUCT AGAIN, AND WOULD LIKE TO INFORM POTENTIAL PURCHASERS OF THIS TYPE OF UNEXPECTED COST. UPDATED 07/19/2012 *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
#10134122August 24, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
MORRISON AUTO GROUP REPAIRED REAR BRAKES AS THEY WERE STUCK. AFTER THIS REPAIR THE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT CAME ON BLINKING. THE TACHOMETER ALSO ZERO'S OUT. A WARNING NOISE ALSO OCCURS. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE THIS WARNING LIGHT IS ON THE ABS SYSTEM IS DISABLED. BRAKING WORKS BUT NO ABS AVAILABLE. I LIVE IN ALASKA AND CAN'T HAVE MY CAR WITHOUT ABS ESP DURING CRITICAL TIMES OF BRAKING. I HAVE READ ON TECH FORUMS FOR THIS TYPE OF CAR THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD (MORE THAN A HANDFUL OF CARS). THE EXORBIRANT COST OF THIS REPAIR (AS STATED BY OTHERS) FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT BE FAILING WITHIN ITS LIFETIME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134538August 24, 2005
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
1996 CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY FAILED ON THE 1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PART WAS POORLY DESIGNED.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133807August 22, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS UNIT FAILURE ON 199 VW PASSAT 1.8 LITRE TURBO WAGON
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133672August 21, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
VW PASSAT (2000 SEDAN): ABS BRAKE FAILURE INDICATOR COMES ON, TYPICALLY IN WARM WEATHER OR WHEN ENGINE IS WARM, ALONG WITH INDICATOR BELL. "STOP" INDICATOR ALSO COMES ON AT THIS TIME. FAILURE OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME THE CAR IS OPERATED UNDER THESE CONDITIONS AND CONTINUES UNTIL IGNITION IS SHUT OFF. DEALER HAS CONFIRMED NO FAILURE OF ABS AND NOTES THAT THIS IS COMPUTER MODULE/ECM PROBLEM THAT WILL COST BETWEEN $1,500 AND $2,000 TO REPAIR. OTHER COMPLAINTS AT THIS SITE AND ON OTHER SITES DOCUMENT A VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM AT SIMILAR MILEAGE (~75,000).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133673August 21, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED. $2200 FOR PART NO LABOR, SEARCH ONLINE SHOWS MASSIVE FAILURES OR BOSCH 5.3 AND 5.3I UNIT USED IN PASSAT AND A4.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133678August 21, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS MODULE FAILURE LEADS TO REDUCYTION OF BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133615August 20, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
1) ABS/BRAKE LIGHT WARNING CAME ON WHILE DRIVING 20 TO 30 MPH 2) ABS FAILURE 3) REPLACE THE ABS MODULE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133552August 19, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ON AUGUST 12, 2005 I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 PASSAT TO WORK WHEN MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALER WHEN THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR HAD OIL SLUDGE DUE TO MANUFACTURER ERROR. THE CAR HAS 50,100 MILES AND IS COMPLETELY RUINED. VW WILL NOT REPLACE WITHOUT ALL OIL RECEIPTS. I AM MISSING 2 RECEIPTS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A CAR WITH 50000 MILES ON IT CAN RUIN SO EASILY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127306August 19, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: THE CONSUMERT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT. THE ABS MODULE FAILED PREMATURELY. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS.*AK *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133266August 18, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE BACKING UP OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IN JULY OF 2004, I BEGAN TO SMELL GAS VERY STRONGLY IN THE CABIN OF MY 2000 V6 PASSAT AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE SMELL. FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, THE CAR WAS RANDOMLY AND VISIBLY LEAKING GASOLINE ONTO THE GROUND JUST IN FRONT OF THE FUEL FILTER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT LEAKED GASOLINE IN PUDDLES AND THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING 'LEAN' ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, WITH SIGNIFICANT VALVE CLATTER. DUE TO THE SERIOUS SAFETY RISK POSED BY THE PROFUSE GASOLINE LEAK, I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED TO A REPUTABLE VW DEALER IN A NEARBY TOWN. UPON INSPECTION AT THE DEALER, THE FUEL LINE HAD CLEARLY SPLIT ON THE TOP SIDE JUST IN FRONT OF THE FUEL FILTER....FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT AND A REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA RE. THIS ISSUE, DUE TO THE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK AND REPAIR COST CREATED BY THE FUEL LEAK. UNFORTUNATELY, VW ULTIMATELY REFUSED TO STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT CITING THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE CAR. AT THE TIME, THE CAR WAS 3 YEARS OLD AND HAD JUST OVER 55K MILES. I PAID OVER $700 TO HAVE THE LINE REPLACED, PLUS TOWING FEES, AND VW PROVIDED EXACTLY $0 IN REIMBURSEMENT. THIS EPISODE IS ON RECORD WITH VWOA AND WITH MARTENS VW IN BETHESDA, MD. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME OR VW DIRECTLY FOR MORE DETAILS.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133294August 18, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS A JERKING OF THE CAR AS IF THE TIRE WAS FLAT. PULLED OVER , INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR A FLAT AND NONE WAS FOUND. CONSUMER GOT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE MALFUNCTION ENGINE LIGHT WAS BLINKING. AT THIS POINT CONSUMER CONTINUED TO DRIVE DOWN THE SERVICE ROAD OF THE HIGHWAY OF ABOUT 15 MPH. THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING, NO SMOKE WAS SEEN. THIS SMELL WAS LIKE BURNED RUBBER. CONSUMER CALLED VOLKSWAGEN, AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT IF THE MALFUNCTION ENGINE"LIGHT WAS BLINKING TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY. AFTER PULLING OVER, CONSUMER CALLED TOW TRUCK. TOW TRUCK ARRIVED , INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS FIRE FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE ITSELF. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TRIED TO EXTINGUISH FIRE WITH WATER AND LATER A FIRE EXTINGUISHER-THIS DID NOT PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO BE CALLED.,IN THE MEANTIME THE FIRE GREW LARGER. AT THAT TIME, FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT FIRE OUT. FIRE CREW NOTED THIS WAS MOST LIKELY AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, PERHAPS DUE TO THE INTENSITY OF THE HEAT FROM SUMMER AND A MIX OF ELECTRICAL WIRING STARTED THE FIRE. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY LOT FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. CURRENTLY, THE CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW WHY THIS H HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 60,500 MILES. THE WAS THE FIRST PROBLEM EXPERIENCED WITH THIS VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133362August 18, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
LACK OF POWER WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC. THIS WAS DUE TO WATER LEAK IN POLLEN FILTER BOX (CRACKED) WHICH AFFECTED THE SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID, AFFECTING THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133191August 17, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS BRAKE CONTROL UNIT OF MY 1999 PASSAT HAS FAILED. DEALER QUOTES COST IN EXCESS OF $1000. TO REPLACE A PART THAT COSTS LESS THAN $100 TO MANUFACTURE. I FOUND A CAR FORUM WHERE MANY, MANY PEOPLE TALK OF THIS BOSH PART AS FAILING IN THEIR PASSATS AND AUDIS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen Passat