Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10056641February 6, 2004
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
WHILE DRIVING AT ROUGHLY 25 MPH, HEATER CORE FAILED. INTERIOR OF VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN FILLING WITH FOUL SMELLING DENSE SMOKE, AND WINDOWS BECAME COATED WITH A FILM. DRIVER QUICKLY PULLED OFF THE ROAD, WHICH FORTUNATELY WAS EASY AS WE WERE IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS BELIEVED THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE, AS THE TRUE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY KNOWN. WE QUICKLY EVACUATED ALL 4 PASSENGERS, INCLUDING A 5 YEAR OLD CHILD WHO WAS STRAPPED IN A CAR SEAT. THIS WAS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. WE HAD EXITED A BUSY FREEWAY LESS THAN 1 MINUTE BEFORE. IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED WHILE WE WERE STILL ON THE FREEWAY, WE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD SAFELY PRIOR TO THE DRIVER'S VISION BEING COMPLETELY IMPAIRED. THIS COULD HAVE PROVED DISASTROUS. AFTER THE ISSUE WAS IDENTIFIED, AND WE BEGAN TO DO SOME RESEARCH, WE WERE VERY UPSET TO FIND THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH OUR VEHICLE. WE WERE ALSO STUNNED TO READ THE COMPLAINT SUMMARIES ON THE NHTSA SITE WHICH NOTED THAT SOME DRIVERS/PASSENGERS WERE INJURED BY HOT STEAM/COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IT IS AMAZING THAT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OR RECALL HAS NOT YET BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. AS OF THE TIME THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING FILED, WE ARE ALSO DRAFTING A LETTER TO VOLKSWAGEN TO URGE THEM TO ADDRESS THIS FAILURE. A FAILURE THAT CAN CAUSE TOTAL LOSS OF VISIBILITY IN A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME, AND THEREFORE LOSS OF CONTROL OF A VEHICLE, SHOULD BE CONSIDERED EXTREMELY SERIOUS. WE STRONGLY URGE THE NHTSA TO TAKE APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT THIS FAILURE IS ADDRESSED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056665February 6, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY, EQUIPMENT
MOLDING ON THE CAR IS DEFECTIVE!!! THE DEALER NOR THE WARRANTY WANTS TO HELP ME OUT. I WILL NOT PAY FOR THE DEFECTIVE OF THE MOLDING AND I WAS HOPING THAT THERE IS SOMEONE OUT THERE THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME!!!! AM I NOW NOT SUPPOSE TO OPEN THE CAR DOOR TO PREVENT THE MOLDING BEING RIPPED OFF AS THE DOOR OPENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????????????? *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056687February 6, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
BOSCH ABS CONTROL MODULE FAULT CAUSES ABS, BRAKE, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS TO COME ON DESPITE THERE BEING NO ACTUAL ABS FAULT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10057549February 4, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED FRONT END WOBBLED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056477February 3, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2001.5 NEW PASSAT 1.8 TURBO I PURCHASED IN MAY OF 04 WITH 26 K MILES REPLACED THE OIL PUMP AT 35000 AND I PICKED THE CAR UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY AND DROVE A BLOCK NOTICED A NEW NOISE WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAY IT NEEDS A NEW TURBO UNIT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056484February 3, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LURCHED ON DOWNSHIFT WHEN COMING TO A STOP. DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE...PROBLEM HAS NOT YET BEEN DUPLICATED AGAIN, BUT IT HAS ONLY BEEN A DAY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056342February 2, 2004
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
I HAVE HAD EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR IN 2 YEARS VERSUS ACTUAL DRIVEN MILEAGE FOR MY MICHELIN ENERGY MXV4 +, 205/55HR16 TIRES. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO LIVE UP TO THE 50,,000 MILE WARRANTY. DRIVING THESE TIRES WITH ANY MOISTURE ON THE ROAD HAS CAUSED MANY NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS. THEY ARE DANGEROUS FOR THE CONSUMER TO HAVE ON THEIR CAR AND A GOVERNMENT INQUIRY SHOULD BE PERFORMED TO JUDGE WHETHER THEY ARE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056261February 1, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER ON FREEWAY TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. WOULD NOT TURN OVER. LINKAGE TO TIMING BELT MALFUNCTIONED @ 100,710 MILES. FOUND OUT THAT BOTH TIMING BELT AND LINKAGE ARE NOT DUE TO BE CHANGED UNTIL 105,000. FAULTY PRIOR TO VW'S SPECIFICATIONS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055170January 29, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
HEADLIGHT FAILURES. PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED 5 TIMES IN 18 MONTHS. (SERVICE DATES: 11/23/02, 1/28/03, 8/1/03, 10/7/03, 1/27/04) DEALERSHIP INSISTS THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION BECAUSE HEADLIGHTS ARE CONSTANLY ON. WIRING HARNESS CHECKED ON 8/1/03. NO PROBLEM FOUND. WIRING HARNESS AND HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY CHECKED AND FAILED ON 1/27/04 CHECKED BY "MASTER TECHNICIAN". HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACED. THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS CONTINUALLY REFER TO THE 'DUAL ELEMENT' OF THE HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THE FAILURES. I SUSPECT EITHER A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE HEADLIGHTS OR AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055178January 29, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY
WATER LEAK DUE TO VEHICLE DESIGN FLAW. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055179January 29, 2004
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
I HAVE A 2003 PASSAT SEDAN. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG AND DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE CAR SLID TO A STOP WHILE TURNING IN AN ICY PARKING LOT. THERE WAS A SLIGHT IMPACT AT ABOUT 5 MPH WHEN THE THE CAR HIT A SNOW COVERED CONCRETE PARKING BLOCK AT ABOUT THE JACK POINT NEAR THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE WHEEL. NOBODY WAS INJURED WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE DONE TO THE CAR - EXCEPT TO THE INTERIOR AS A RESULT OF THE AIRBAGS BEING DEPLOYED. IT WILL COST $3600 TO RE-INSTALL THE TWO AIRBAGS AND A LOT OF OTHER PARTS. THAT IS RIDICULOUS FOR A 5 MPH IMPACT THAT CAUSED NO DAMAGE! I AM HOPING THIS WILL BE SEEN AS A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG DEPOLYMENT AND COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. IF NOT, VW NEEDS TO IMPROVE THEIR AIRBAG ENGINEERING BEFORE I'D CONSIDER BUYING ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055950January 28, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE BRAKING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON . VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD BEFORE STOPPING. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE OIL PUMP AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055966January 28, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE AT A STOP VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055003January 27, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
THE CONTROL ARMS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED AND THE CAR COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE REPAIRS ARE COSTLY. THE DEALERSHIP AND VOLKSWAGEN ARE NOT RECEPTIVE TO PAYING THE REPAIRS OR A DISCOUNT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055823January 26, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLES BRAKE LOCKED UP. THE MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054942January 26, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
1998 VW PASSAT 20V GLS SEDAN VIN: [XXX] ABS FAULT INDICATED BY ABS AND BRAKE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS FLASHING AND INSTRUMENT ALARM SOUNDING. 1 FAULTS FOUND: 01203 - ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN ABS AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 03-10 - NO SIGNAL - INTERMITTENT DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY ABS CONTROL MODULE. SAFETY ISSUE - ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL: "IF ABS WARNING LIGHT AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT LIT UP TOGETHER, IT IS POSSIBLE REAR WHEELS WILL LOCK-UP EARLY UNDER HARD BRAKING. THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND MAY BE DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION NOT FUNCTIONING. HAVE YOUR VEHICLE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY BY AN AUTHORIZED VOLKSWAGEN DEALER OR A QUALIFIED INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP" MODULE IN CAR: [XXX] CURRENT VW REPLACEMENT MODULE: [XXX] I HAVE CALLED AROUND TO AT LEAST 6 DEALERS, "LIST" PRICE RANGES FROM $1500 - $1900 FOR THE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE "Q" MODULE. MY LOCAL DEALER TOLD ME THEY HAD STOCK AND LIST PRICE WAS $1000, BUT WHEN THE PART WAS DELIVERED THAT PRICE HAD CHANGED TO $1600 LIST. I SURELY WOULD NOT HAVE ORDERED THE PART IF IT I HAD BEEN QUOTED THAT PRICE! PART WAS REFUSED, HOWEVER ACCORDING TO THE PARTS DRIVER I TALKED TO A YEAR AGO (AND AS RECENTLY AS THIS FALL) THE PART WAS $1000 LIST, AND LATELY THEY HAVE BEEN DELIVERING 4 - 5 OF THEM A WEEK TO INDEPENDENT SHOPS DOING THESE REPAIRS. FROM VARIOUS FORUMS (VWVORTEX, CLUB B5 PASSAT, AUDI WORLD, BENTLEY TECHNICAL WEB, VAG COM TECH FORUM) I HAVE LEARNED THE FAILURE RATES FOR THE 97 - 2000 MODEL YEAR B5 PLATFORM CARS (AUDI A4, VW PASSAT) THAT SHARE THE SAME [XXX] (B OR P) MODULES HAVE BEEN FAILING AT AN ALARMING RATE. IN MY OPINION VWOA NEEDS TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL TO ADDRESS THE PREMATURE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURES IN THESE VEHICLES. *LA UPDATED 07/27/2012 *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
#10054573January 21, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE. FINALLY AFTER TRYING AGAIN IT DID AND BROUGHT TO MECHANIC. PROBABLY A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TOWED TO DEALER. FROM THEN ON ITS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. TWO WEEKS LATER AND THEY STILL HAVE MY CAR. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (COVERED UNDER POWERTRAIN), JUST ABOUT EVERY DAY GET A CALL THAT SOMETHING ELSE NEEDS REPLACING. WAS TOLD THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW CENSOR NEEDED REPLACING AND WAS COVERED. GAVE APPROVAL. WEEK LATER GOT CALL THAT ITS NOT COVERED (ANY OTHER STORE WOULD HAVE TO HONOR THE INCORRECT PRICE TAG AND EAT THAT COST-NO-NOT THE DEALER!). ALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. ERROR CODE FLAGGED 10 PROBLEMS WHEN ORIGINALLY BROUGHT IN. OUTER CV BOOTS WORN, HARNESS (SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL WIRING GOING TO CENSOR), COOLANT HOSE, 2ND AIR HOSE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THAT CAR HAS BEEN INFERIOR SINCE DAY ONE. HOSES AND PARTS REPLACED WITHIN FIRST MONTH OF OWNING NEW CAR. INFERIOR ON VW AND AWFUL RESPONSE FROM VW. HAD RECALL ON FILTER LEADING TO AIR FLOW CENSOR. SEEMS TO ME THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW CENSOR IS ALSO PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE UNDER RECALL. HAVE READ PRIOR COMPLAINTS ON THIS YEAR/MODEL AND SEEMS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ITSELF IS MAJOR PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055343January 20, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD THE VERY SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 02V256000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. ALSO, THE ELECTRICAL PART OF THE SWITCH SHORTED OUT THE LIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND RADIO. TOOK VEHICLE DEALER, AND CONSUMER WAS GRANTED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055417January 20, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AFTER MAKING A STOP AND RETURNING TO NORMAL TRAVELING 55 MPH OR AT HIGHER SPEED VEHICLE STARTED JERKING. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054441January 19, 2004
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
AUTOMOBILE REQUIRES SPECIAL WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHICH ARE ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH DEALERS. THESE ARE CURRENTLY ON "NATIONAL BACKORDER" WITH NO TIME TO FULFILL. WIPERS ARE GENERALLY OF POOR QUALITY ANYWAY AND THUS THE NEED TO REPLACE TO MAINTAIN VISIBILITY IS IMPERATIVE. *CB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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