Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10093757October 7, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKE PADS AND DISKS WORN OUT AFTER 19000 MILES. THE FRONT BRAKES ARE WITHIN SPEC. DEALER STATES IT'S NORMAL FOR PASSAT, I DON'T THINK IT'S TRUE. THE FRONT BRAKES ARE USUALLY THE FIRST TO ENGAGE, IF NEEDS A HARDER BRAKING - THEN THE REAR BRAKES BECOME ACTIVE! DID THE VW RE-INVENT THE WHEEL??? OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I'VE HAD JAPANESE AND AMERICAN CARS BEFORE - USUALLY YOU HAVE TO SERVICE THE REAR BRAKES AROUND 50K MILES! AS FOR THE DEALER - THE SERVICE MANAGER IN THIS CASE - HE CONVEYED SOME KIND OF NONSENSE JUST TO GET RID OF ME. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093727October 6, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON AT 55000 MILES. ABS NOT OPERATIONAL. DEALER TO CHARGE $1200 FOR NEW ABS MODULE. RIDICULOUS. THIS IS NOT A WEAR COMPONENT!!! THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10092210October 6, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LURCHED ON DOWN SHIFT WHEN COMING TO A STOP. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED MOMENTARY HESITATION PARTICULARLY IN AN INTERSECTION. THE DEALERSHIP HAS INSPECTED ON SEVERAL TIMES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB DEALERSHIP CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE AND CONSUMER WISHED TO RESCIND REPORT FROM COMPLAINT DATABASE. *MJJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093650October 5, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
I,M SENDING THIS COMPLAIN ON BEHALF OF MY BROTHER-IN-LAW WHO WILL NOT PURSUE THIS MATTER.HOWEVER, I'M ADIMANT AS TO THE NATURE OF THIS COMPLAINT.HE HAS A 2001 VW PASSAT.AFTER HITTING A BUMP AT NORMAL SPEEDS, TWO OF HIS AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VW SAID THIS IS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE AS THE SENSOR DECIDED IT WAS THE THING TO DO. HE'S LUCKY HE DIDN'T LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. OBVIOUSLY IF THIS WERE A COMMON MALADY IN VEHICLES TODAY, I DARE SAY MANY ACCIDENTS WOULD OCCUR. VW WILL HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT SINCE HE'S OUT OF WARRANTY. SIMPLY SPEAKING, THIS AIN'T RIGHT!! DON BROWN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093585October 4, 2004
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I PURCHASED A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT VR6 AT CHECKERED FLAG BMW IN JUNE 2004, AND SINCE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS HORRIBLE. FIRST, THE AIR CONDITIONER( A/C) QUIT WORKING, THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE AC STARTED WORKING FOR A DAY, THEN BLEW A CHEMICAL CLOUD INTO THE VEHICLE, WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. MY EYES WERE BURNING (AS WELL AS MY FACE) FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. FINALLY, I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, AND THERE'S A SLOW COOLANT LEAK. MAY I SUGGEST THAT WE REMOVE ALL VW'S FROM AMERICA'S STREETS? THEY ARE A TOTAL MENACE TO ANYONE WHO OWNS THEM! I WENT TO CHECKERED FLAG VW, TO HAVE IT SERVICED, AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE 89 DOLLARS A PROBLEM, JUST TO LOOK, THEN THEY SAID I COULD TRADE IT FOR A NEW ONE. WHY WOULD I WANT A NEW ONE? I DON'T NEED TO TRADE AN OLD PROBLEM FOR A NEW, MORE EXPENSIVE ONE, I JUST WANT A RELIABLE WORK VEHICLE, AND I WISH I HAD STUCK TO MY GUNS AND BOUGHT ANOTHER PRELUDE. THIS THING WILL SEE THE CRUSHER WHEN I'M DONE PAYING IT OFF! FOUR PROBLEMS IN NOT SO MANY MONTHS. ONLY ANOTHER VW OWNER WOULD KNOW THAT KIND OF FRUSTRATION!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093520October 3, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FOLLOWING HEAVY RAINS ON 29 SEPT 2004 VEHICLE WINDOWS/LOCKS WERE INOPERABLE. FUSE BLOWN. REPLACED FUSE, HORN WOULD NOT STOP AND WINDOWS STILL INOPERABLE. UNABLE TO TURN OFF VEHICLE LIGHTS. NEW FUSE BLOWN. TOWED PASSAT VIA VW ROADSIDE TO DEALER. TOLD FRI 1 OCT 2004 THAT THERE WAS STANDING WATER IN CAR AND COMFORT MODULE WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT. DUE TO WATER, THE CARPET & MODULE WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. EST 1500.00 IN PARTS PRE-LABOR. AS THE WINDOWS WERE NOT OPERABLE, WE DO NOT KNOW HOW THIS WATER DAMAGE OCCURRED. VW CLAIMS TO DUE DEBRIS IN SUNROOF, DRAINS CLOGGED AND FLOODED FLOOR. UNACCEPTABLE AS CAR WAS DETAILED 2.5 WKS PRIOR AND IS WASHED EVERY WEEK. ASKED TO SEE DEBRIS, THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ANYTHING. WE FEEL THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE WINDOW SURROUND TRIM THAT CONTINUALLY CAME LOOSE/FELL OFF OR PRIOR CONCEALED DAMAGE (CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE). NOTE THAT SEATS/HEADLINER WERE COMPLETELY DRY. WE DID NOT NOTICE WET CARPETS AS ONLY THE REAR WAS WET. CAR SMELLED AWFUL @ VW ON FRIDAY 1 OCT AS IT IS TURNING INTO A MOLD PIT. FILED GEICO INSURANCE CLAIM-WAITING ON ADJUSTER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093530October 3, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM
FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ON 2001 (B5) PASSAT MODEL ARE DEFECTIVE AND FAIL PREMATURELY AT 30,000-50,000 MILES. FAILURE IS SYSTEMIC AND WIDESPREAD. FAILURE OF FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS CAN LEAD TO THE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, INJURY, AND POSSIBLY DEATH. INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET HAS SHOWN THIS PROBLEM TO BE WIDESPREAD BOTH IN EUROPE AND THE US, YET VW HAS NOT TAKEN ANY OWNERSHIP OF THIS SERIOUS PRODUCT DEFECT. CORRECTIVE ACTION BEING TAKEN IS TO INSTALL AFTERMARKET COMPONENTS THAT HAVE BEEN STRENGTHENED TO ELIMINATE THE DEFECT AND ARE MANUFACTURED BY MEYLE OF GERMANY. AS THIS MODEL AGES, THE DEFECT PROBLEM WILL INCREASE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093457October 2, 2004
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
I WANTED TO NOTE THAT ON OCTOBER 1ST, MY HEATED SEAT ON MY 2003 VOLKSWAGENW PASSAT MALFUNCTIONED. IT ACTUALLY BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT, FILLED MY CAR WITH SMOKE, AND LEFT ME WITH A SMALL BURN ON MY THIGH. LUCKILY, I AM FINE. BUT, THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED, AND I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10093467October 2, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2001 NEW PASSAT GLX AWD SEDAN WITH 23,000 MILES. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS, AT LEAST TWO WITH SAFETY RAMIFICATIONS: (1) FROM A STANDSTILL START, THE TRANSMISSION WILL OFTEN PRODUCE A SEVERAL SECOND LAG BEFORE SYNCHRONIZING WITH THE ENGINE - THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE AT A RATE OF SPEED THE DRIVER COULD NORMALLY EXPECT AND MAY LEAVE THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS EXPOSED TO COLLISION FROM ON-COMING CARS AT DIFFICULT TRAFFIC INTERSECTIONS AND MERGES; (2) AT LOW SPEEDS, 15 MPH AND LOWER, THE TRANSMISSION OFTEN CLUNKS INTO GEAR CAUSING A FORWARD SURGE OF THE VEHICLE, CREATING THE RISK OF THE VW REAR ENDING A VEHICLE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. VW HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093422October 1, 2004
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGON, VIN NO. [XXX]; HILE DRIVING IN GREENSBORO NC NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF ELM, MCGEE AND GORRELL STREETS I MISJUDGED A CURVE AND SCRAPED THE RIGHT SIDE WHEELS AGAINST A CURB. BOTH TIRES SUSTAINED SIDEWALL DAMAGE. THERE WAS NO CONTACT WITH THE BODY OR UNDERCARRAIGE OF THE CAR. THE TWO RIGHT SIDE WHEELS SUSTAINED MINOR COSMETIC DAMAGE ONLY AND THE IMPACT WAS INSUFFICIENT TO AFFECT THE ALIGNMENT OF THE AUTOMOBILE. THE AUTOMOBILE CONTINUED FORWARD THROUGH THE CURVE AND THERE WAS NO LOSS OF CONTROL FROM THE IMPACT. HOWEVER, UPON CONTACT WITH THE CURB THE RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AND SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS FIRED UNNECESSARILY. BUT FOR THE FIRING OF THE AIRBAGS THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A MINOR EVENT WITH ONLY TIRE DAMAGE TO BE REPAIRED. FORTUNATELY, THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED OR THE OCCUPANT COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE TIRES AND WHEELS. I BELIEVE THE AUTMOBILE CONTAINS A SIGNIFICANT DEFECT CAUSING THE SIDE AIRBAG SYSTEM TO DEPLOY WHEN NOT NEEDED FOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION (IE - IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY CONTACT WITH THE STRUCTURE OF THE CAR), AND IN CIRCUMSTANCES PART OF ORDINARY DRIVING - THE IMPACT WITH THE CURB WAS LESS THAN THAT EXPERIENCED WITH SOME POTHOLES. THUS FAR, VW HAS REFUSED TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR CORRECTION OF THIS DEFECT.*AK THE AUTOMOBILE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIED, AND PRESUMABLY, EVENT DATA IS STILL STORED IN THE CONTROL MODULE. UPDATED 07/24/2012 *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
#10093306September 29, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
CONTROL ARMS/BALL JOINT FAILED, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT UNDER 50K MILES. PURCHASED CAR NEW . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093236September 28, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT TRAFFIC LIGHT CAR HESITATED AND THEN JERKED FOWARD, AS IF I HAD BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. IT WAS ENOUGH TO MAKE MY BACK AND NECK SORE. I TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO GIVE THE CAR SOME GAS AND THE ENGINE FREELY REVVED, EVEN THOUGHT THE TRANSMISSION INDICATED IT WAS IN 'DRIVE'. THE CAR HAS DEVELOPED A HESITATION TO ACCELRATE BEFORE THE INCIDENT, AND AFTER. THE CAR HAS ALSO BEEN SHOWING SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10093260September 28, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
(1) WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND WOULD NOT TURN OVER AGAIN. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT DELIVERED TO MY MECHANICS GARAGE. (2) MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE TIMING BELT THAT WENT, AND THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAD REMANUFACTUERED THE TENSIONER AND PULLEY FOR WHAT EVER REASON. AFTER BUYING NEW PARTS AND REBUILDING THE HEAD BECAUSE THE VALVES WERE DESTROYED UPON CONTACT WITH THE PISTONS( NATURALLY). AFTER PUTTING THE ENGINE BACK TOGETHER WITH THE NEW PARTS AND REBUILT HEAD, THE CAM SEIZED UP AND BLEW THE MOTOR. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10094408September 27, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH TIMING BELT FAILED. VEHICLE LOST POWER AND IT VEHICLE WAS TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10094249September 24, 2004
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. AS A RESULT, AIR BAGS BECAME INOPERATIVE, AND WOULDN'T DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHYICLE AT LEAST 10 TIMES, AND LATELY DEALER CHARGED TO THE CONSUMER EVERY TIME VEHICLE HAD A PROBLEM.*AK *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10092944September 21, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN CONSUMER CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL IT WAS DOWN A QUART OF A QUART OF OIL. A QUART OF OIL WAS ADDED. OIL LIGHT COME BACK ON AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHIN SECONDS OF RESTARTING AND DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE HEAD SHUT AND WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF FUEL PUMP FAILURE. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT AT 58, 510 MILES THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED, BUT NO FAILURE WERE FOUND. THE DEALERSHIP COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM, BUT CHANGED THE OIL.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10092971September 21, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE ON 1998 VW PASSAT. WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS ABS UNIT FAILURE AND SAID REPAIR WOULD COST $2500. SEARCH OF INTERNET MESSAGE BOARDS INDICATES THAT THIS AN INCREASINGLY COMMON PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10092980September 21, 2004
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
I WAS TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEED OUTSIDE OF PENDELTON OREGON WHEN THE WIND BLEW MY SUN ROOF OFF OF MY CAR. THE SUN ROOF WAS CLOSED, AND THE CAR JUST ERUPTED AND THE ROOF WAS LITERALLY PEELED OFF THE TOP OF MY CAR. I HAVE TAKEN PHOTOS OF THE PROBLEM, AND IT SEEMS VOLKSWAGEN IS USING A PLASTIC CALIPER SYSTEM TO CONNECT THE SUNROOF GLASS ASSEMBLY TO THE DRIVE MECHANICS ON THE MOTOR DRIVEN CARRAIGE. THE PLASTIC FATIGUED BECAUSE OF USE AND VOLKSWAGEN COULD CARE LESS. THE NEW ASSEMBLAGE IS $2200 AND THERE IS NO SECOND CHOICE, PURCHASE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY OR GO WITHOUT A SUNROOF..... AFTER CALLING VOLKSWAGEN AND GETTING NOWHERE I AM PROCEEDING TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT IN OREGON FOR PURSIUT OF MY MONEY BACK.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10091311September 20, 2004
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH HEATED LEATHER SEATS. I TURNED THE SEAT HEATERS ON THIS MORNING WHEN I WAS GOING TO WORK AND THEY STARTED TO BURN MY BACK SIDE. THEY BURNT THROUIGH THE LEATHER. THEY DID TURN OFF BUT IF THEY DIDN'T I WOULD HAVE HAD A CAR FIRE. I CALLED HOBART'S VOLKSWAGEN IN WARRINGTON, PA AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THESE SEATS. THEY ARE TAKING THE CAR IN THIS AFTERNOON AND WILL REPAIR IT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM IF IT IS WIDESPREAD! SINCERELY, MIKE AND MARTA GROTHMAN NEWTOWN, PA. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10092792September 20, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS STATED IN NHTSA RECALL 02V256000. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ELECTRICAL PORTION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL, CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. DEARSHIP INDICATED TO CONSUMER SORRY THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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