Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10128041June 29, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
PASSAT STATION WAGON ENGINE STOPPED AND FAILED TO RESTART.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED FUEL PUMP. *JB *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126865June 28, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR LOCK EQUIPMENT.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE PROBLEM FIRST EXHIBITED TO THE CONSUMER WHEN THE DOOR AJAR ALARM WOULD GO OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED. IN ORDER TO OPERATE THE CAR AND PREVENT THE ALARM FROM GOING OFF THE CONSUMER HAD TO REMOVE TWO FUSES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS FAULTY DOOR LOCKS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126782June 27, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE CAR AND IT STAYS ON WHILE I DRIVE MY CAR. THE BRAKE LIGHT BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY AND IN BAD WEATHER YOU CAN FEEL THAT ABS IS NOT WORKING. FROM VW PASSAT FORMS I UNDERSTOOD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 98+ PASSAT MODELS. I TALKED TO SOME LOCAL SHOPS AND THEY TOLD THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM AND I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE VW DEALER. I TALKED TO A DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS $150 TO CHECK THE PROBLEM AND IF THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO ABS CIRCUIT OR SOMETHING THEN IT IS GOING TO COST ME AROUND $2000+. THAT IS AROUND 25% OF MY CARS CURRENT VALUE AND FROM MY UNDERSTANDING LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FACING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED ABOUT VW'S RELIABILITY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126434June 24, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
A/C SLOWLY STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR, FUMES OR SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE VENTS. COOLANT LEAKED ALL OVER THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD WHICH IS NOW RUINED. DEALER SAID THE HEATER CORE NEEDED REPLACED WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. TOTAL REPAIR COST WAS $1700, ALL THIS AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 35,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. EYES HAVE BEEN BURNING LATELY FROM THE SMOKE THAT WAS BEING BLOWN THROUGH THE VENTS. DEALER REPLACED HEATER CORE AND THERE IS STILL A BIT OF SMOKE BEING BLOWN OUT. VERY DISPLEASED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126463June 24, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT: CALLER SAYS WITHOUT WARNING THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN CALLER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER THEY TOLD HIM HE HAD SOME RECALLS ON HIS CAR. HE WANTED TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC DONE AT THE SAME TIME ON THE AIR BAG PROBLEM AS ON THE RECALLS. MANUFACTURER SAID TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY WOULD PAY FOR IT. MANUFACTURER SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS A SENSOR PROBLEM, AND THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC BECAUSE IT SHOED IT WAS A LOW BATTERY SIGNAL. DEALER SAID MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY FOR IT, BUT WHEN CALLER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BACK THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE DIAGNOSTIC BACK TO MAKE THAT DECISION . CALLER WAS CONFUSED BY WHAT DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE SAYING TO HIM. CALLER DID NOT KNOW FOR SURE IF RECALL WORK WAS DONE BECAUSE OF NO FEEDBACK FROM DEALER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126476June 24, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
I HAD TO HAVE MY ENGINE REPLACED BY VW AND MY CAR STILL ISN'T RIGHT. I BOUGHT MY CAR IN GERMANY NOT THE US. BUT IT IS REGISTERED WITH VWOA I FEEL LIKE THEY SOLD ME A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. THEY WOULD NOT EVEN CONSIDER LISTENING TO MY COMPLAINTS ON THE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. THIS COST ME $7000.00 TO REPLACE MY WHOLE ENGINE AND TIME MISSED FROM WORK. (LOST INCOME) WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126508June 24, 2005
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DT: CALLER CAN NOT OPEN DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. SHE HAS TO USE THE HANDLE ON THE INSIDE OF ALL THE DOORS EXCEPT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. DEALER SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP HER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126279June 22, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE VEHICLE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR ONE YEAR THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. BUT IT STILL TRANSMISSION NOT WORK PROPERLY. . IT JUMPED INTO GEAR. ALSO, THE ENGINE AIR BAG, AND THERMOSTAT LIGHTS KEPT COMING ON. ONE WEEK AGO, THE CAR WOULDN'T START. REPLACED THE BATTERY, AND A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. CURRENTLY, THE DEALER INSISTED IT NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR, AND F WARRANTY EXPIRED. IN ORDER TO GET TO THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM, IT WOULD COST $1100.00.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125865June 20, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS MODULE FAILED AT 80,000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED. FRONT AND REAR UPPER CONTROL ARMS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT SAME TIME. CURRENTLY, REAR WINDOW IS FALLING INTO DOOR (83,000 MILES). THIS IS A PRE-OWNED AUTOMOBILE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125910June 20, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
I OWN A 1999 VW PASSAT (1.8). AT APPROX 75K MILES, THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED. I HAVE REVIEWED THE VW FORUM ON EDMUNDS.COM AND FIND THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE - WE DESERVE TO HAVE THE PART FIXED NO MATTER WHAT MILEAGE WE HAVE ON THE CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125669June 17, 2005
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
1. NORMAL DRIVING ON A SURBURBAN ROAD AT ABOUT 45MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN, SMOKE/STEAM FROM THE VENTS, A COMPLETELY FOGGED WINDSHIELD, A SWEET SMELL, AND SCALDING HOT COOLANT ONTO MY FEET, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HIT A PEDESTRIAN WALKING ALONGSIDE THE ROAD. 2. IT WAS THE HEATER CORE. A VERY COMMON PROBLEM TO 80'S AND 90'S VW PASSENGER CARS. SO NOW I HAVE NO WORKING HEATER (LUCKILY ITS SUMMER) AND MY CAR WONT REACH ITS MAX COOLING CAPACITY. THUS, CAR RUNS HOT. 3. BECAUSE I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND CANNOT AFFORD A $1200USD FIX, I HAVE BYPASSED IT WITH A COPPER U-PIPE. THE PART IS AVALIBLE, AND VWOA HAVE DONE A MASSIVE NUMBER OF 'GOOD-WILL' FIXES. I'M STILL TALKING WITH THEM TO COME OF WITH A RESOLUTION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10125701June 17, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY LIGHT UP AND SOUND AN EMERGENCY. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO TWO GARAGES, AND NEITHER PLACE CAN DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES I CANI FEEL MY ABS SYSTEM LOCK UP IF I AM TURNING (NOT IN ANY WET CONDITIONS); AND IN THOSE OCCASIONS, I WAS FORTUNATE THAT NO CARS HAD BEEN COMING TOWARD ME B/C I WAS UNABLE TO GAIN CONTROL. NEITHER MECHANIC SAW ANY FAULT IN MY BRAKES, BRAKE PADS, SHOES, ETC., SO THERE IS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL TO BLAME; AND THIS IS A COMPLAINT HEARD OFTEN WITH 1998-1999 VW PASSATS. EITHER WAY, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, ONLY 300.00 IN DIAGNOSTICS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125852June 16, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
CONCERNS REGARDING ENGINE FAILURE ON THE PASSAT STATION WAGON.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED AND DID NOT RESTART. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE INFORMED OF THE NUMBER OF THESE FAILURES THAT HAVE OCCURRED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126868June 16, 2005
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER REQUESTED INCLUSION IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V248000 FOR THE 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR THE TIE RODS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENEGER SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WERE A PROBLEM. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125526June 16, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
DT: CONSUMER RAN OUT OF GAS ON A TWO LANE STREET GOING OVER A [XXX], THERE WAS NO PLACE TO PULL TO THE SIDE WHEN VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF LOW GAS FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT, NO WARNING TONE, OR WARNING OF ANY KIND. GAUGE DID NOT SHOW EMPTY OR SHOW THE CORRECT GAS LEVEL. THIS HAPPENED IN THE MORNING ON WEDNESDAY WITH TWO KIDS IN THE VEHICLE.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).* TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125218June 14, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
DETAILS: (1) NO DISERNABLE EVENTS PRIOR (2) ABS MODULE FAILURE (3) NONE MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND CONTINUING TO PRESENT, USE THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS CONTROLLER, WHICH IS PRONE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, OSTENSIBLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THIS MODULE CONTROLS MULTIPLE BRAKE-RELATED FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE ABS WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR WINTER DRIVING, BUT THE MOST CRITICAL FUNCTION OF THIS MODULE IS PROBABLY THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION, OR EBD. THESE VEHICLES ARE DESIGNED SUCH THAT IF THE EBD IS INOPERATIVE, THE PROPORTION OF HYDRAULIC FORCE APPLIED TO THE REAR BRAKES DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING IS AS GREAT AS IT IS DURING MODERATE BRAKING EFFORT WHEN THERE IS MINIMAL TRANSFER OF VEHICLE WEIGHT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. THE EBD IS SUPPOSED TO ADJUST THE FRONT/REAR BRAKING DISTRIBUTION DYNAMICALLY ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF THE DECELERATION, SO THAT THE REAR WHEELS WILL NOT LOCK UP DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING. IF THIS MODULE SHOULD FAIL DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT, THE REAR WHEELS COULD LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD EASILY INCLUDE FATALITIES. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR OWNERS, COSTING ROUGHLY $2000, AND MANY OWNERS HAVE PROBABLY PUT OFF THE REPAIR INDEFINITELY. EVIDENCE WHICH CAN BE FOUND THROUGH A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH, SUGGESTS THAT THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD, AND THAT IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY LED TO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS, IT IS ONLY A QUESTION OF TIME. THIS PROBLEM IS GENUINE, AND VW/AUDI SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION."
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125069June 13, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILS, FAILURE OF UPPER CONTROL ARMS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125093June 13, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: THE ABS MODULE FAILED. FIRST NOTICED ON 5/1/05 WHEN DRIVING AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS (EXTERIOR) STARTED FLASHING. THEN A BEEPING NOISE CAME TO WARN ALONG WITH LIGHT. WHEN EMERGENCY BRAKING THE BRAKES LOCK. HAPPENS AT ANY WEATHER CONDITIONS/UP AND DOWN HILL OR ANY TYPE OF ROAD. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN LOOKED AT BY DEALER, BUT HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY MECHANIC, THE ABS MODULE IS THE PART THAT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. *AK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125169June 13, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT FUEL IN THE TANK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125057June 12, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
ABS COMPUTER FAILURE. NO EVENTS LEADING TO ITS FAILURE IT JUST SHUT DOWN ONE DAY AND THE ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE. FAILURE = NO ABS, DEALER WANTS OVER $1000 TO REPLACE ENTIRE SETUP HOWEVER THE PUMP IS OK THE COMPUTER IS GONE. CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A CHEAPER FIX OR POSSIBLE RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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