Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10072730May 17, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I DROVE DIRECTLY TO THE VW DEALER SERVICE DEPT. I FOUND THAT MY POWER OUTPUT STAGE HAS FAILED AND TIE ROD ENDS ARE BLOWN OUT ON 1999 VW PASSAT AT 39,990 MILES. NOT TO MENTION THAT MY POLLEN FILTER HOUSING IS LEAKING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072731May 17, 2004
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
IT WAS CHILLY THE EVENING OF MAY 15, 2004. I STARTED THE CAR, TURNED THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL FROM 0 TO 5, AND DROVE ABOUT 5 MINUTES FROM MY BROTHER'S HOUSE TO A HOTEL. WHEN I TURNED OFF THE CAR I FORGOT TO TURN DOWN THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL. IT REMAINED AT 5. THE NEXT DAY (MAY 16), I MADE A SERIES OF 4 SHORT TRIPS WITH THE CAR. EACH TRIP WAS ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. ON THE 5TH TRIP, I STARTED THE CAR. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 1 BLOCK, I NOTICED AN ODD SMELL. AFTER DRIVING 1 MORE BLOCK, I DEFINITELY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, AND I FELT LIKE I WAS SITTING ON A HOT COAL. WHEN I LOOKED DOWN I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE SAME AREA -- MY PANTS WERE SMOLDERING! I STOPPED THE CAR AND GOT OUT. THERE WAS A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THE AREA WAS STILL SMOKING. MY JEANS WERE SCORCHED. I TURNED THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL FROM 5 TO 0 AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR AWHILE TO MAKE SURE THE CAR DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. ON MAY 17, I CALLED THE DEALER. I EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED AND MADE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE APPOINTMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 22. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072733May 17, 2004
STRUCTURE
1- NOT KNOWN. 2- THE VEHICLE'S FRONT PLASTIC UNDERCARRIAGE ENGINE COVER BROKE WITHOUT APPARENT WARNING. THIS LED TO EXPOSURE OF PART OF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR WHILE A LARGE PART OF THE COVER DRAGGED ON THE PAVEMENT WHILE DRIVING. *AK 3- SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073704May 17, 2004
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING SOUND. FOLLOWING THAT STEERING FAILED. DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE ON MAY 12, 2004, AND NOTICED THAT POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE STEERING WAS REPAIRED THE FOLLOWING DAY ,AND WAS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP MAY 14, 2004. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072781May 17, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING AUTOMOBILE ACCELERATED TO 7000RPM AND TO 50 MPH FROM 35 MPH. FOOT WAS NOT ON ACCELERATOR. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PLACED THE AUTO INTO PARK. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE ENGINE AGAIN RACED TO 7000 RPM WIITHOUT HAVING ME PLACE MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072685May 16, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
THE FRONT OF MY CAR CONSTANTLY GROANS WHEN I MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL (WHILE DRIVING OR NOT) AND IF I APPLY PRESSURE TO THE FRONT END. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC (NOT VW) WHO SAID THAT THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THE STRUTS, TIE RODS, OR SOMETHING IN THAT AREA. HE RECOMMENDED I TALK TO VW TO SEE IF THE ITEM IS RECALLED OR COVERED BY WARRANTY IN ANY WAY. I CALLED VW GAVE MY VIN AND IT IS NOT PART OF THE CURRENT RECALL REGARDING TIE RODS. I BOUGHT ONE OF THE FIRST 1998 VW PASSATS OF THE B5 SERIES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072602May 14, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES
MY 1998 VW PASSAT HAS A LOUD GRINDING, RUMBLING SOUND AND VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION, SOUNDS LIKE THE WHEELS ARE GOING TO FALL OFF. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CROSS LINK ARMS AT A COST OF APPROX $300. I ALSO HAD THE TIE RODS REPLACED UNDER RECALL. BUT NOISE/VIBRATION STILL THERE. NOW THE DEALER TELLS ME IT MIGHT BE BUSHINGS ON EITHER THE UPPER CONTROL ARM OR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, EACH COSTING ABOUT $1300 TO REPLACE. I ASKED THE DEALER IF THIS WAS A NORMAL REPAIR ITEM, THEY SAID "SURE", YOUR CAR HAS 90K MILES ON IT. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A WELL BUILT, SAFE CAR WOULD HAVE THIS TYPE OF EXPENSIVE REPAIR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072637May 14, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
FAULTY OUTER TIE ROD END SEAL FOR VW PASSAT 1.8T. CAR WITH ONLY 46000 MILES ALREADY NEEDS NEW OUTERS TIE ROD END DUE TO PREMATURE/FAULTY BRAKAGE OF SEAL.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072566May 13, 2004
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FAULTY IGNITION COIL TWO TIMES AND THE SECOND TIME, THEY REPLACED ALL THE COILS. HERE IN TEXAS, WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOES DOWN BELOW 28 F ( WHICH IS VERY RARE) I AM AFRAID.I CAN BE STUCK IN THE ROAD. HOPE THE COIL PROBLEM WONT HAPPEN AGAIN. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. ITS MAKING CREAKING SOUNDS WITH THE PARKING BRAKE / HAND BRAKE. THE TECHNITION TOLD ME THAT ITS NATURAL..I CANT BELEIVE THAT. I GUES I HAVE TO SPEND LOT OF MONEY IN NEAR FUTURE TO REPLACE ALL THOSE BRAKE PARTS. ALSO THE METAL BEEDING ON THE ROOF IS COMING UP. IT IS NOT CAUSING ANY PROBLEM, BUT I HAVE TO PUSH IT HARD ALMOST EVERYDAY. I GUESS VW NEVER TESTED THE CAR FOR LONG TIME. SO FAR I FOUND SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT PASSAT. HOPE THEY WILL IMPROVE IT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072469May 12, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, AND 90% HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE VEHICLE'S FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS BECAME SEVERELY WORN OUT IN APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES OF DRIVING. AFTER THE FIRST ALL 4 BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED, IN ANOTHER 10,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE'S RIGHT REAR BRAKE PAD FELL OFF THE VEHICLE DURING STREET DRIVING. ALL 4 ROTORS, 4 BRAKE PADS, AND 2 REAR CALIPERS BECAME SEVERELY DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. VWOA MADE AN EXCEPTION, AND PAID FOR THE REAR BRAKES, ROTORS, AND CALIPERS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072487May 12, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS/BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF ABS MODULE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072445May 11, 2004
TIRES
ONE CONTINENTAL CONTITOURING CONTACT TIRE (205 55R16) ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WITH APPROXIMATELY 23,300 MILES FAILED UNEXPECTANTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED (APPROX 65 MPH). TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM SIDEWALL AND DAMAGED BRAKE LINE AND WHEELWELL LINER. WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHICH IS A PASSAT GLX WITH THE 4 MOTION ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. HAD ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED WHEN TIRE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND ANY CAUSE OF TIRE FAILURE (E.G. PUNCTURES, HOT SPOTS, TIRE NOT ROUND). KEPT OLD TIRE AND SIDEWALL PARTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072385May 11, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
CREAKING AND GROANING NOISES WERE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE (1999 PASSAT STATION WAGON WITH 43,000 MILES) WHILE SLOWING AND TURNING AT LOW SPEED. DEALER CONFIRMED LOOSE SWAY BARS/CONTROL ARMS AND ATTEMPTED TO CLEAN UP, BUT NOISE PERSISTED FOLLOWING SERVICE. AT THE NEXT SERVICE THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS (CONVERSION KIT) AND LINKS. VW CUSTOMER CARE (?) CENTER REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DEFECTIVE DESIGN OR PARTS, CLAIMING THAT THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND IS BEYOND WARRANTY COVERAGE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072406May 11, 2004
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
FOR THE THIRD TIME IN 6.5 MONTHS, THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW ON MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON HAS SHATTERED. THE PREVIOUS TWO OCCURRENCES WERE REPORTED EARLIER. THIS TIME THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK AND THE WINDOW WAS OPEN A FEW INCHES. UPON RETURNING TO MY CAR AFTER WORK AROUND NOON, I FOUND THE WINDOW SHATTERED AGAIN AND SHARDS OF GLASS ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER THE PREVIOUS INCIDENT, THE VOLKSWAGEN REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NOT A DEFECT IN THE CAR. HE FELT THAT OUTSIDE INFLUENCES CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THAT IS DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE AFTER THE THIRD OCCURRENCE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072425May 11, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
(1.) NO EVENTS INDICATING APPROACHING FAILURE. (2.) ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED THEREFORE I WAS UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE WITH THE KEY, I HAD TO POP START IT. (3.) REPLACED CONTROL MODULE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073359May 10, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AIR CONDITIONER AND HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER STAED THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDS REPLACING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073403May 10, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. . PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072313May 9, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
FAILURE OF ALL BRAKE LIGHTS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068442May 7, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS MAKING GRINDING NOISE DEALER SUGGESTED REPLACING ALL UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068406May 6, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
I HAVE A 2000 VW PASSAT AND HAVE CARBON BUILD UP ON THE VALVES DUE FROM PREMIUM GAS USE AS REQUIRED IN MANUAL. 2 SEPERATE OCCASIONS I HAD TO PAY HUNDREDS TO REPAIR THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAYS THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT FUEL I SHOULD USE. VW HEADQUARTERS FIRST SAID A YEAR AGO TO STRICTLY USE PREMIUM. NOW THEY TELL ME TO USE REGULAR BUT THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME. I HAD TO REPLACE A RE CIRCULATION VALVE AND VACUUMS. I BELEIVE THERE IS A CONSUMER ISSUE HERE THAT SOMEONE HAS TO ADDRESS BECAUSE I CANNOT GET ANYBODY TO AGREE WHICH FUEL TO USE. THEY SHOULD REPAIR MY PROBLEM FOR FREE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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