Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10075001June 8, 2004
TIRES
I HAVE HAD 2 TIRES SEPARATE IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. PRIOR TO THIS RECENT EVENT I HAD ANOTHER TIRE SEPARATION AND WAS GIVEN REPLACEMENT TIRES INSTEAD OF A REFUND. THE LAS EVENT HAS LEFT SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I HAVE BOTH OF THE OLD TIRES AND PICTURES OF MY CAR DAMAGE. I HAVE CONTACTED A LAWYER AN*AKD HE IS THE ONE THAT INSTRUCTED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOU. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075922June 8, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THERE WAS EXCESSIVE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WELL. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED FROM OILS FROM THE ENGINE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074928June 7, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
BUSHING HAS DRIED OUT ON LOWER CONTROL ARM ON ONE SIDE RESULTING IN FREQUENT LOUD CREEKING / SQUEEKING NOISES. WHEN MAKING APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER I ASKED IF IT WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND SHOULD I RUSH THE CAR IN. THEY SAID "NO, IT'S PROBABLY JUST A DRY BUSHING" AND SCHEDULED ME FOR 10 DAYS LATER. WHEN I LEARNED OF THE $1200 REPAIR COST AND THE NEED TO KEEP THE CAR OVERNIGHT, I HAD TO RESCHEDULE THE APPOINTMENT. AGAIN, ANOTHER 12 DAYS WAIT (YET TO COME). IF THIS IS TRUELY NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, THEN FINE, BUT INFO ON THIS SITE IS TO THE CONTRARY. BESIDES, WHY DO SUPPOSE THEY CALL THEM "CONTROL ARMS?" IF THEY MAL FUNCTION COULD THAT MEAN LOSS OF CONTROL? HMMM. 85K MILES ON THIS CAR, BUT IN RETROSPECT, THE NOISE STARTED A LONG TIME AGO AND THE DEALER ATTRIBUTED IT TO LACK OF STEERING FLUID. THE NOISE RETURNED AND CAME BACK. THIS CAR HAS A LOT OF HIGHWAY MILES. I'LL BET THE FAILURE IS TIME BASED RATHER THAN MILAGE BASED. THESE RUBBER BUSING CAN ONLY TAKE SO MUCH EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS. VW - CHANGE THE MATERIAL FOR YOUR BUSHINGS, RIGHT!!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074963June 7, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING ALONG WITH BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH, TOOK IT IN TO VOLKSWA GEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THEY TOLD ME "THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND PUMP FAILED. THERE IS NO SIGNAL BETWEEN THE CONTROL MODULE & PUMP WITH THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR. THE MODULE IS SUPPOSED TO SEND BACK A SIGNAL SAYING EVERYTHING IS FINE OR TELLING WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, BUT IN MY CASE, THERE IS NO COMMUNICATION AT ALL. THE ONLY THING THAT CAN BE DONE IS TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND THAT SHOULD 'MOST LIKELY' SOLVE THE PROBLEM." AND THE ESTIMATE - $1885 - ABOUT $1500 FOR THE PART AND ABOUT $300 FOR THE LABOR - PLUS TAX. VWOA REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH COSTS, EVEN THOUGH I ONLY HAVE 67, 000 MILES ON THE CAR, AND THIS PROBLEM IS RAMPANT AND THERE ARE TONS OF PEOPLE IN THE SAME SITUATION. NOT SURE WHAT JUSTIFIES A RECALL, BUT IF THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, WHO HAVE PAID FOR A CAR WITH ABS BRAKES, WHY SHOUDL WE HAVE TO COUGH UP THAT KIND OF MONEY TO REPLACE SOMETHING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY FAULTY JUST TO GET OUR ABS WORKING AGAIN?*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074888June 6, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM
CONTROL ARM'S OF '1998-'2000 PASSATS ARE FAILURE PRONE MUCH EARLIER THEN THE NORM FOR PASSANEGER AUTOMOBILES. (A FACT THEY RECOGNIZED BY A REDESIGN OF THE CONTROL ARMS ON '2001 AND UP PASSAT'S. I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 7/99. I DRIVE 70 MILES A DAY, MOSTLY FREEWAY, WHICH AS ALL KNOW IS ACTUALLY VERY EASY ON AN AUTOMOBILE. YET WITH-IN 2 YEARS (40K) MY FRONT SUSPENSION WAS SHOWING SIGNS OF PREMATURE WEAR. I GET MANY "CREAKS" AND "CLUNKS" THAT ARE EASY TO HEAR AT LOW SPEEDS. AFTER RESEARCHING IN POPULAR INTERNET FORUMS FOR THE CAR,(WWW.CLUBB5.COM , WWW.VWVORTEX.COM) I FOUND OUT THIS FAILURE IS VERY COMMON FOR THIS AUTOMOBILE. VMOA (VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA) HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL YET (EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE RECEIVED THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS) AS OF THIS LATE DATE. (6/04) THE RESPONSE FROM VWOA AND YOUR DEALER NETWORK HAS BEEN INCONSISTENT, TO SAY THE LEAST. SOME DEALERS WILL NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR, SOME WILL LOOK AT IT AND SAY NOTHING IS WRONG, AND SOME WILL SAY THAT IT IS THE CONTROL ARMS, BUT WILL NOT HELP OUT THE OWNER WHEN THE TIME COMES TO CONTACT THE CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AT VWOA . VWOA IS NOT MUCH MORE HELP, PROMISING TO GET ON THE PROBLEM AND TELLING YOU THEY WILL CALLBACK, ONLY THEY DONT. OR IF THEY DO ,IT IS, SORRY WE CANNOT HELP YOU.. SO WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT MANY OF THE OWNERS THAT ARE OUT OF WARRANTY, MUST PAY FOR A COSTLY REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. A REPAIR THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED. (I HAVE NEVER HAD CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAILURE IN MY PREVIOUS 13 AUTOMOBILES!) REPAIR COSTS RUN OVER $700 FOR PARTS, AND THE SAME AMOUNT IN LABOR. I AM PURCHASING MY CAR FROM THE BANK SOON. OVERALL IT IS A GREAT CAR. I MUST REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS VERY SOON. I DONT LOOK FORWARD TO THAT AND THE HIGH COST IT WILL RUN ME. I WISH FOR VMOA TO TREAT ITS CUSTOMERS LIKE A MODERN CUSTOMER FOCUSED COMPANY. BAD DESIGNS HAPPEN. THEY OWE IT TO THEIR CUSTOMERS TO MAKE IT RIGHT. THANK YOU. JOHN E. TAMI. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075847June 4, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
PROBLEMS WITH FRONT SUSPENSION ARMS ON 1999 PASSAT. *MR THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 23500 MILES AND THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THERE WERE EARLIER PROBLEMS BEFORE THE CURRENT OWNERS. THE SUSPENSION PART WERE DESIGN DEFECTIVE. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075821June 4, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING BELT ON VEHICLE BROKE RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE VALVES. *MR THE NEWER EDITIONS OF THE PASSAT HAVE REDESIGNED TENSION SYSTEMS FOR THE TIMING BELT. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074719June 3, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, WHEELS:HUB
WE PURCHASED A NEW VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGON FROM LIVONIA VOLKSWAGEN AUTOPLEX (NOW THAYER AUTOMOTIVE LIVONIA, INC.) IN JULY, 2003. AT 18,500 MILES, THE CAR DEVELOPED A RATTLE IN THE UNDER CARRIAGE AND THE BRAKES WERE SQUEAKY. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE CAR HAS AFTERMARKET BRAKES THAT FIT DIFFERENTLY FROM VW BRAKES, HENCE THE RATTLE. HOWEVER, THESE ARE THE BRAKES THAT WERE ON THE CAR WHEN THEY SOLD IT TO US. WE HAVE CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE ON THREE OCCASIONS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THEY CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPT. THAT THE BRAKE PADS APPEARED "TOO NEW" TO HAVE 18,500 MILES ON THEM (IMPLYING THAT WE HAVE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED). BASED ON THIS, VW OF AMERICA STATES THEY WILL NOT AUTHORIZE VW BRAKES TO BE PUT ON THE CAR. WE HAVE NOT HAD THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR REPLACED OR SERVICED IN ANY WAY, AND HAVE NEVER HAD THE CAR SERVICED ANYWHERE BUT THIS DEALERSHIP. INCIDENTALLY, THE DAY AFTER THE 10,000 MILE SERVICE, THE WINDSHIELD FLUID RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY, AND THE DAY AFTER THE BRAKE INSPECTION A HUBCAP FLEW OFF. THIS MAY SPEAK TO THE SKILL AND INTEGRITY OF THIS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF REGULATORY SERVICES WHO STATE THAT THIS MATTER WAS NOT IN THEIR JURISDICTION BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP IS NO LONGER LICENSED BY THE STATE, AND SUGGESTED WE CONTACT YOU. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR IN GOOD FAITH, ASSUMING, OF COURSE, THAT IT WAS MADE OF ALL VW PARTS. APPARENTLY IT IS NOT. CURRENTLY, OUR NEW CAR HAS SQUEAKY BRAKES, AN INCREASINGLY LOUD RATTLE IN THE UNDERCARRIAGE, AND A MISSING HUBCAP. VW OF AMERICA WILL NOT HELP US. THE SALES MANAGER AND OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP DO NOT RETURN OUR CALLS. WE WOULD LIKE VW BRAKES ON OUR VW CAR, ASSURANCE THAT EVERYTHING ELSE ON THE CAR IS, IN FACT, A VW PRODUCT, AND A HUBCAP REPLACED. A FAMILY WHO BUYS A NEW CAR ABOUT ONCE EVERY TWELVE YEARS WOULD APPRECIATE HELP. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074678June 2, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS LIGHT TURNED ON. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074587June 1, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2002 PASSAT WAGON HAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE REAR RUNNING LIGHTS NOT COMING ON WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED ON. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER TWO TIMES BY LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I FEAR THAT I WILL BE KILLED OR A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY WILL BE KILLED IN A REAR END COLLISION AT NIGHT.(AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074612June 1, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
AT ABOUT 68,000 MILES THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, IN MY 1999 VW PASSAT 1.8T. THEY HAVE REMAINED ON, EXCEPT FOR BRIEF OCCASSION. THE WARNING SIGNAL GOES OFF AS WELL. LYNCH IMPORTS, DAYTONA BEACH, WAS UNABLE TO ACCESS INFORMATION THROUGH DIAGNOISTIC TESTING. I HAVE NO ABS AND THEY ANTICIPATE A HIGH COST TO EVEN FIND THE PROBLEM, ($78 PER HOUR TO MANUALLY GO THROUGH SYSTEMS) LET ALONE REPAIR IT. I UNDERSTAND NOW THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074518May 31, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2003 PASSAT WITH 1.8T ENGINE. DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN ON NIEGHBORHOOD STREETS, CAME TO STANDING WATER (APPROX 2 INCHES DEEP), WITNESSED OTHER PASSENGER CARS PASSING THROUGH WATER AND PROCEEDED AT APPROX 2-3 MPH, CAR STALLS AND WILL NOT START, CAR TOWED TO DEALER WHERE PURCHASED, TOLD A ROD WAS THROWN THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK DUE TO WATER (APPROX 3 GAL.) IN THE ENGINE BLOCK, WAS TOLD WATER GAINED ENTRY VIA AIR INTAKE VENTS AT THE BOTTOM (FENDER LEVEL) OF THE ENGINE, WAS TOLD TO FILE CLAIM WITH INSURANCE COMPANY. PRESENTLY WAITING FOR APPRAISER'S REPORT. VEHICLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE DRIVING CONDITIONS MENTIONED. APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW IN THAT THE AIR COOLING INTAKE IS IN SUCH A POSITION AS TO ALLOW THE INTAKE OF WATER INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073283May 28, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
PURCHASED 12/03. WITHIN 2 WEEKS BEGAN TO SHIFT ABNORMALLY SLAMMING IN/OUT OF 1-2ND GEARS. DROVE TECHNICIANS 3 TIMES BEFORE THEY WOULD ADMIT SOMETHING WRONG. UNPLUGGED TRANSMISSION MODULE - NO FIX, REPLACED MODULE - NO FIX, THEN ADMITTED THEY HAVE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING PROBLEM AND ENGINEERS ARE WORKING ON IT - NO FIX RIGHT NOW. HAS BEEN 6 MOS OF POOR SHIFTING, NOW LIKELY TRANSMISSION DAMAGED, STILL NO FIX AVAILABLE. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073233May 27, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION LURCHES FORWARD WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP. VEHICLE PURCHASED ON 12/9/03. PROBLEM OCCURRED ON 3/3/04.DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED ON 5/20/04. DEALER STATES THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ARE AWAITING "SOFTWARE UPDATE" FROM VOLKSWAGEN. THEY HAVE NO ANTICIPATED DATE FROM VOLKSWAGEN ON THE CORRECTION.*MR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074235May 25, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
THE OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE#99V 248 000/TIE RODS FROM THE MFR. IN SEPTEMBER,1999. THE WORK WAS DONE IN DECEMBER 1999. LESS THAN 30,000 LATER THE TIE RODS FAILED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED HE MFR. WHO INDICATED THAT THEY HAVE FULFILLED THERE COMMITMENT AND THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY WILL DO. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074041May 24, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND COULD BE REPAIRED FOR 1400.00 PLUS LABOR *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073989May 20, 2004
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED. AS RESULT STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. HOWEVER TCONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072811May 18, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
NUMEROUS OCASSIONS MY PASSAT WILL "SHUT DOWN" WHILE DRIVING. LOSE ALL POWER, A/C, HEADLIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND NUMEROUS OTHER POWER RELATED ITEMS. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER BEFORE BEING HIT, OR HITTING SOMEONE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073823May 18, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
ONCE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, A TAPPING/RATTLING SOUND COULD BE HEARD. THE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE TIE ROD RECALL 00V414000, BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073845May 18, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. THE TIE RODS WERE GOING BAD AND THE MFR WAS CALLING FOR A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE OWNER WAS TOLD THAT THE VIN# WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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