Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10058936February 25, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT W6 2.8L CAR WILL NOT START OR FAILS TO RUN PROPERLY DUE TO IGNITION MISFIRE OR EXCESSIVE FUEL FLOODING ENGINE. VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT REPAIR. CAR HAS BEEN SEVICED WITH THE BEST SYNTHETIC LUBRICANTS AND HAS HAD EXTREMELY GOOD CARE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THE REASON THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN WAS BECAUSE THE OIL NEEDED CHANGING DUE TO IT BEING LOADED WITH GASOLINE. THE OIL HAD BEEN CHECKED 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENTS AND WAS AT SATISFACTORY LEVELS AND CLEAN. THE CAR HAD 6700 MILES ON THE SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE AND WAS NOT DUE FOR A 3RD OIL CHANGE. THE CAR HAS 11813 MILES ON IT. THE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE INTERVAL BY THE DEALER WAS 10000 MILES ON THE SYNTHETIC OIL. IF THE CAR IS FAILING TO RUN AND HAS ALLOWS SEVERE GASOLINE CONTAMINATION OF THE OIL THERE ARE MAJOR PROBLEMS. THERE SEEMS TO BE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE RELIABILITY OF THESE CARS AVAILABLE THROUGH OTHER WEB SITES. THE ENGINE FAILING TO MAINTAIN OPERATION OR MISFIRING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY OR IF IT FAILS TO OPERATE IN AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT PROVES THIS VEHICLE TO BE A FAILURE IN ENGINEERING, AND RELIABILITY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10059790February 25, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH BRAKES OPERATED POORLY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058844February 24, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER SEALS LEAKING AND VW WILL NOT HONOR THEIR REPLACEMENTS UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056038February 24, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
VEHICLE FAILED TO START BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. THIS OCCURRED 4 TIMES. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. DEALERSHIP DID NOT KNOW WHAT ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE DRAINING THE BATTERY.*AK *MR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058768February 23, 2004
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
DRIVING MY 2003 PASSAT FOR 1-2 MINUTES, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WAS GETTING EXTREMELY WARM. I CHECKED THE SEAT HEATER SETTING, IT WAS ON 1 (OF 5). I TURNED THE SWITCH OFF, BUT CONTINUED TO SMELL THE BURNING SMELL AND FEEL THE HEAT. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED A HOLE IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE HEAT HAD BURNED A HOLE THROUGH MY PANTS AS WELL. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND PARTS WERE ORDERED TO REPLACE THE ELEMENT AND SEAT COVER. I ALSO REPORTED THE FAILURE TO VWOA.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058770February 23, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I OBSERVED SMOKE BILLOWING IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. I PULLED OFF HIGHWAY AND FOUND A FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH I EXTINGUSHED USING AN EXTINGUSHER. THE FIRE WAS CAUSED WHEN A PLUG AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE FELL OUT CAUSING THE ENGINE OIL TO EMPTY ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE. THE TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME WAS WELL BELOW ZERO. I WAS TOLD THE PLUG IN THE ALUMINUM BLOCK ENGINE WAS MADE OF STEEL WHICH HEATS AND COOLS AT DIFFERENT RATES AND APPEARS TO HAVE CAUSED THE PLUG TO FALL OUT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS PER MY INSURANCE AND VOLKSWAGEN. THE CAR IS A 2003 VW PASSAT WAGON GLX 4-MOTION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058557February 20, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY 2002 VW PASSAT SUFFERED ANOTHER COILPACK FAILURE INCLUDING A LOSS OF POWER ON A BUSY CITY STREET. THE FAILED COILS HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED UNDER VW'S COILPACK RECALL. LOOKS LIKE THE NEW COILS DO NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058569February 20, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR SHUT OFF TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH. I WAS TOLD BY A VOKSWAGEN WARRANTY SPOKESPERSON THAT IT DOES NOT FALL UNDER A SAFTEY ISSUE. I DIAGREE. I LOST ALL BRAKING AND TURNING POWER AND WAS GLAD THAT I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. I AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR IT TO BE FIXED. I HAVE BEEN FOUR DAYS NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE. THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR A LOANER CAR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058454February 19, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, INTERIOR LIGHTING
UPPER CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH SIDES ARE WORN OUT. TIE RODS ARE WORN OUT ON BOTH SIDES. CATALYTIC CONVERTERS NEEDED REPLACED. I PAID FOR THE TIE RODS, WARRANTY COVERED CONVERTERS, AND I HAVE NOT HAD THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS REPLACED. OIL LEAKS ON ENGINE. INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT ACTIVATE WHEN DRIVERS DOOR IS OPENED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10059344February 19, 2004
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS, POWER TRAIN
WHILE TURNING A CORNER, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. ALSO WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT A BOLT SHEARED OFF INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR ANY OF THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048646February 19, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND 45 MINUTES LATER SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER TOOK OUT THE BATTERY TO STOP VEHICLE FROM CATCHING FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THE SMOKE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. *NLM THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPAIRED IN DEC. 2002 BUT WAS FAULTY. ONE WEEK LATER THE ELECTRICAL BURNED. A LETTER WAS RECEIVED FROM THE DEALER IN RE TO EXTENDING THE IGNITION SWITCH WARRANTY. SMOKE CONTINUED TO POUR OUT OF THE IGNITION AREA AND FROM IN BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND AN ELECTRICAL PART OF THE IGNITION SWITCH BURNT(#15 WIRE). THE ABS LIGHT STAYED ON DUE TO A FAILED ABS PUMP. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT IN RE TO THE IGNITION PROBLEM. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058151February 14, 2004
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT SMELT LIKE IT WAS BURNING AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKEOR HAZE APPEARED IN THE CAR. TURNED SEAT OFF AND IT DISSIPATED. IS THIS A MAJOR PORBLEM? ALSO ON INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES A CHEAP REPAINT PEELS OFF AFTER LESS THAN TWO YEARS. I SEE THIS PROBLEM IN ALL VWS, SO I LOOK AT THIS AS A MAJOR PROBLEM . WHEN I APPROACHED VW AMERICA, THEY OFFERED TO PAY HALF THE COST AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, HMMM. THANK YOU. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058114February 13, 2004
INTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
POLLEN FILTER SEAL FAILURE. THIS PROBLEM IS DOCUMENTED IN MANY INTERNATIONAL PASSAT OWNER GROUPS. THE SEAL AROUND THE POLLEN FILTER FAILS. THE CAR'S INTERIOR BECOMES FLOODED IN RAIN. ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT GET WET FAIL OVER TIME AT ACCELERATED AND UNPREDICTABLE RATE. SAFETY CONCERN: IT IS DIFFICULT TO OPERATE AUXILLIARY COMPONENTS (DEFROSTER, RADIO, ETC WHEN INTERIOR LIGHTS FAIL) EMERGENCY FLASHER AND ASR BREAKERS ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO MOISTURE-RELATED ACCELERATED DECLINE AS A RESULT OF POLLEN FILTER LEAKAGE. OUR VW DEALER AND VWOA STATED THAT POLLEN FILTER SEAL FAILURE AND ASSOCIATED FLOODING DAMAGE AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE WERE PART OF "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". VW SERVICE ADVISORS IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA HAVE SAID THEY SEE "SEVERAL OF THESE EACH WEEK" IN RAINY SEASONS. THE FILTER DESIGNED TO REDUCE ALLERGENS IN THE AIR HAS THE PERVERSE CONSEQUENCE OF ACCELERATING THE GROWTH OF MOLD INSIDE THE CAR BECAUSE IT SEAL FAILS, CREATES (IN OUR CASE 2" OF STANDING WATER) MOISTURE IN THE CAR THAT PROMOTES UNPLEASANT, UNHEALTHY, EXPENSIVE-TO-REMIDIATE MOLD GROWTH IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058127February 13, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION COILS FAIL ON MY 1999 PASSAT V6 2.8L ...VW CONSUMER OFFICE CLAIMS THAT ONLY 2001 AND 2002 VEHICLES WERE PART OF A RECALL CAMPAIGN...BUT THOUSANDS OF OTHER VW'S OUTSIDE OF THESE YEARS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM...PROBLEM: POWER FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD...I REPORTED TO VW AND HAD THEM NOTE IT IN MY CASE FILE FOR MY VEHICLE...COMPLAINT IS THAT VW SHOULD COVER THE CHARGE OF IGNITION COIL REPLACEMENT FOR CARS EXPERIENCING THESE TYPE OF POWER FAILURES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10057055February 12, 2004
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
I HAVE A 2001 VW PASSAT. I TURNED THE SEAT HEATER O ONTHE DIRVERS SIDE AND IN ABOUT 5 MINUTES THEIR WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE SEAT AND THE HEATING COIL HAD BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10057073February 12, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
REAR DOOR LATCH IS MALFUNCTIONING. LATCH RELEASES WHEN DRIVING
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10057092February 12, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
RECURRENT BRAKE FAILURES. AT 10,000 MILES, BRAKE LIFE WAS MEASURED AT 12 MM FRONT AND 8 MM REAR, BUT THEN AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES, DEALER DETERMINED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED BRAKE PADS ALL AROUND AND REAR DISCS. AT 40,000, REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. THIS TIME DEALER FOUND THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE CALIPHER HAD STUCK, CAUSING THE BRAKE PAD TO WEAR DOWN TO METAL ON THAT ONE SIDE. A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS HIGHWAY MILES, AND DRIVER DOES NOT RIDE THE BRAKES. OWNER BELIEVES VW TRIED TO HIDE AN INHERENT BRAKE DESIGN PROBLEM BY REPLACING ALL 4 BRAKE PADS AT 20,000 MILES. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER ONE TIME DUE TO BRAKE FAULT & BRAKE FLUID WARNING LIGHTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056918February 10, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS IS THE LETTER I SENT TO VW. THEY ARE MAINTAINING "THE VEHICLE NOW OPERATES ACCORIND TO MAUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS" AND ARE REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING. HELP!!WHAT DO I DO NOW???*AK VW CUSTOMER CARE 3499 W. HAMLIN ROAD ROCHESTER HILLS, MICHIGAN 48309 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO OUR 2001 VW PASSAT, . IF YOU REVIEW THE FILE, YOU WILL FIND THAT THIS CAR HAS NOW FAILED THREE TIMES. THE FAILURES ARE SUCH THAT ALL POWER CUTS OUT AND CREATES A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS DRIVING SITUATION. WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE IN THAT SO FAR IT HAS NOT HAPPENED WHEN TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. WE FEEL THAT THERE IS AN INHERENT DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE. IDEALLY, WE WOULD EXPECT REPLACEMENT OF THE VEHICLE OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM AND WIRE HARNESS. IF YOUR COMPANY IS UNWILLING TO COMPLY, WE WOULD LIKE A LETTER ACKNOWLEDGING THE PAST FAILURES AND OUR CONCERN THAT WE HAVE A VEHICLE WE FEEL IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. FURTHERMORE, WE WOULD LIKE WRITTEN CONFIRMATION OF OUR INFORMING YOU THAT WE HOLD YOUR CORPORATION LIABLE IF THE VEHICLE FAILS AND THE END RESULT IS AN ACCIDENT. FRANKLY, THIS IS A NIGHTMARE. WE ONLY WISH THAT WHEN WE HAD THE CHOICE OF TOYOTA, VOLVO OR VW, THAT WE HAD NOT CHOSEN VW. STEPHEN MCCHRYSTAL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056941February 10, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
MY 1998 VW PASSAT HAS 85,000 MILES ON IT AND A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON STEADILY AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES WITH AN AUDIBLE FOUR-CHIME TONE. THE VW DEALER TESTED AND CONFIRMED THAT I NEED A NEW ABS PUMP/CONTROL. THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR IS $2,100. SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT FROM REPLACING THE TURBO CHARGER TO A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT-END SUSPENSION TO NAME A FEW. VW OF AMERICA DECLINED TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE. I USED TO OWN A TOYOTA WITH 250,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I SOLD IT AND NEVER HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT LIKE I HAVE WITH THIS CAR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056759February 8, 2004
STEERING
THE CV BOOT COVER HAS FAILED ON BOTH CV JOINTS. THIS ALLOWED GREASE FROM THE CV JOINTS TO SLING ONTO THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO OPERATE WITH MUCH LESS STOPPING POWER. THE CV JOINTS ARE NOW DAMAGED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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