Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10019689May 12, 2003
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT LENS FELL OFF. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10019569May 9, 2003
TIRES
THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE ON THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. MICHELIN MXV4 PLUS 195/65R15. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10018331May 7, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: POWER WINDOWS, IGNITION SWITCH, PASSENGER SIDE PASSIVE SEAT BELT, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR (TURN KEY OF AND ON TO RESET TRANSMISSION). FINALLY, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE APPEARS TO BE ELECTRICAL CAUSING WIDE-RANGING DAMAGE TO HOOD AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10018332May 7, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: POWER WINDOWS, IGNITION SWITCH, PASSENGER SIDE PASSIVE SEAT BELT, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR (TURN KEY OF AND ON TO RESET TRANSMISSION). FINALLY, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE APPEARS TO BE ELECTRICAL CAUSING WIDE-RANGING DAMAGE TO HOOD AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10017047May 5, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TIE ROD AND CONTROL ARMS ARE PRONE TO FAILURE, I.E. BUSHINGS BECOME WORN AND WILL TEAR AFTER TIME. THE BUSHINGS ON MY VEHICLE FOR BOTH UPPER CONTROL ARMS (CURRENTLY @ 48000 MILES) ON BOTH SIDES AND TIE RODS HAVE STARTED TO CRACK AND TEAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10016924May 2, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEADLIGHT BUILD CONNECTOR SHORTED AGAINST ADJACENT METAL DUE TO EXPOSED WIRE. CHARRING AND MELTED HARNESS CONNECTOR RESULTED. POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THIS TO CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE WITH POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. HEADLIGHT IS INOPERABLE UNTIL WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN BE REPLACED. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10016778April 30, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
I PURCHASED A NEW 2000 PASSAT IN FEB. OF 2000. ON NOV. 5, 2001 THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE DASH DISPLAYED EMISSION WORKSHOP.THE SYSMPTOMS WERE A JOLTING WHEN PLACING THE CAR INTO ANY GEAR AND THE CAR LOSING POWER FOR SEVERAL SECONDS WHILE DRIVING.I TOOK IT IN AND FOUND OUT THE "ENGINE CONTROL MODULE" NEEDED REPLACMENT & THE "MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR" NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WAS FIXED AT NO CHARGE. THEN, ON DEC. 23, 2002 I HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND TOOK IT IN AND HAD TOPAY $161.00 TO REPLACE THE "VACCUM LINE TO MANIFOLD". NOW YESTERDAY APRIL 28,2003 I HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND FOUND OUT THE "MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR" NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SEONCD TIME AND THE DEALER WILL ONLY PAY 50% AND THEY WILL STAND BEHIND THEIR DECISION BECAUSE THEY FEEL IT'S MORE THEN FAIR. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT IT IS VERY RARE FOR THIS PROBLEM TO HAPPEN. WELL IT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE 3 YEARS I HAVE OWNED IT AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO GIVE ME AN ANSWER TO WHY THIS HAPPENS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MAY COMPLAINTS YOU HAVE RECEIVED ON CASE NUMBER:748685. I FEEL LIKE I PURCHASED A LEMON AND WILL BE DEALING WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM OVER AND OVER. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE OR RECOMMEND A VOLKSWAGEN TO ANYONE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10017819April 29, 2003
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
ONE OF THE VEHICLES HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT SOON AFTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED IT WITH A DIFFERENT KIND BUT NOW THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH TWO DIFFERENT HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A CITATION FROM THE POLICE BECAUSE IT APPEARED THAT ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS WERE OUT, BUT IT WAS NOT. THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT SHINE THE SAME, ONE WAS DULL AND ONE WAS BRIGHT. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10017333April 28, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CONSUMER WAS DISSATISFIED WITH NHTSA'S RESPONSE TO SENATOR LARRY CRAIG IN REFERENCE TO THE DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS IN THIS VEHICLE, AND QUESTIONED WHY THE DEFECT WAS NOT A MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE, ES03-001397/S/BRENNER. MR SCC *JB....*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10016637April 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
1999 VW PASSAT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS AT 64.8K MILES. SYMPTOMS REPORTED INITIALLY AT 3 YEARS/49K MILES. APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO SERVICE BULLETIN 400101. PROBLEM WELL KNOWN AMONG PASSAT/AUDI OWNERS. DEALER ASKING $1200 FOR REPAIR. VWOA DECLINES TO HELP, STATING THAT SUSPENSION IS "2 YEAR 24K MILE COMPONENT". MILEAGE, EXISTENCE OF SERVICE BULLETIN, AND WIDESPREAD EXPERIENCE WITH THIS PROBLEM SUGGEST THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT AND SHOULD BE AT LEAST PARTIALLY COVERED BY VWOA. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10016597April 27, 2003
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOES NOT MOVE FROM "0". *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10016454April 24, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
LEAKAGE OF HOT ENGINE COOLANT FROM THE HEAT EXCHANGER LOCATED IN THE VEHICLES PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSED MINOR BURNS TO DRIVER'S LOWER LEG AREA. ADDITIONALLY, STEAM FROM THIS EVENT FILLED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE THE VEHICLE. THIS EVENT REQUIRED THE DRIVER TO EXECUTE EMERGENCY ACTIONS TO AVOID A COLLISION AND SAFETY STOP THE VEHICLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICAN, INC. IMPLEMENTED A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE 1992-1994 VR6 CORRADO WHICH EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR FAILURE (NHTSA INVESTIGATION/ACTION NO. EA98-012). *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10016233April 20, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
FRONT CONTROL ARM FAILURE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10016147April 18, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SEVERAL TIMES NOW, I RAN OUT OF GAS WHEN DRIVING MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW PASSAT V6 GLX. THE LAST TIME IT WAS ABSOLUTELY IRRITATING BECAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE STILL SHOWED A QUARTER TANK AVAILABLE AND DID NOT GIVE ANY INDICATION OR WARNING OF LOW FUEL. WORSE, THE CAR STOPPED AT THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. WORST, WHEN CONTACTING THE DEALER, THEY OFFERED TO HAVE A LOOK AT THE GAS TANK, BUT THEY DID NOT NOTIFY ME AT THAT TIME, THAT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THEY DID NOT EVEN CONTACT ME AND INFORM ME THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RELATED PROBLEM AND A RECALL ON THAT VEHICLE!!! PLEASE CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND MAKE SURE THAT ALL VOLKSWAGEN NEW PASSAT OWNERS GET INFORMED OF THE SAFETY RELATED RECALL!!!! IF I WOULD NOT HAVE FOUND YOUR WEBSITE PER PURE INCIDENT, I WOULD NEVER HAVE KNOWN OF THIS ACTUAL PROBLEM KNOWN TO VOLKSWAGEN. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10017172April 18, 2003
PARKING BRAKE
THE BRAKE PADS MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE MAY HAVE BEEN ENGAGED. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10016144April 17, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
CONTROL ARM FAILURE LEADING TO SUSPENSION BREAKDOWN. SECOND OCCURRENCE IN 60000 MILES. FIRST OWNER. NOT HAPPY ABOUT VW'S INABILITY TO CLAIM FAULT FOR PROBLEM. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10014263April 11, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAN'T GET ANY PARTS OF CAR WARRANTED SINCE I HAD FILED A COMPLAINT WITH BBB. INCLUDING NO HORN, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITH IN 4 DAYS OF EACH OTHER, THE ENGINE HAS ERRATIC SHIFT POINTS ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. THE PROBLEM IS VW SAYS NOT TO LET THE ENGINE WARM UP BUT MY ENGINE OIL HEATER IS BROKEN. TAKES ABOUT 10 MINUTES AT FREEWAY SPEED TO WARM UP. AND THE SUPPOSED ABS ARE NOT REALLY ABS BRAKES WHEN EMERGENCY BRAKING FROM 75 MPH. AND MANY LITTLE INTERIOR MECHANICAL ISSUES.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10014220April 10, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
1999 VW PASSAT. FRONT SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. REFER TO TSB 4001-01. I BROUGHT MY 1999 PASSAT TO THE DEALER REGARDING A NOISY FRONT SUSPENSION PROBLEM AND INFORMED THEM OF A TSB ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED THAT VW PROVIDES A REPAIR KIT FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY. WHICH INCLUDES THE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS (BOTH SIDES). THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT VW WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR AND THAT THE COST TO ME WOULD BE $875.00. SPOKE WITH VW REPRESENTATIVES ON APRIL 2 AND WAS GIVEN A DECISION ON 4/9 THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE COST IN ANY WAY SINCE "THIS COULD ALSO BE CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". THIS ASSERTION, IN MY OPINION IS BOGUS SINCE A. VW KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM, HENCE THE TSB. PROVIDE A "KIT" TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. THE CASE NUMBER IS 30164333. SUSPENSIONS SHOULD NOT BE FALLING APART ON A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT. AND THE COST ($875) IS QUITE EXCESSIVE. THE NOISE STARTED SHOWING UP IN EARLY JANUARY OF 2003. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10014234April 10, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
SAME AS OTHER COMPLAINT LISTED: "DANGEROUS SITUATION. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE DOES 1 OF 3 THINGS: 1)GASPS FOR GAS AND GOES NOWHERE (DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS) OR 2) TRIES TO MOVE AHEAD LIKE A CARBURETED CARE WITH VAPOR LOCK OR 3) PERFORMS NORMALLY." PROBLEMS ARE MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS HOT. I LIVE IN NEVADA. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO VW AND DEALERSHIP BASICALLY SAID THAT VW KNOWS ABOUT IT BUT THERE'S NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. MANY ON VW FORUMS HAVE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I'M SURPRISED NO ONE HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10014539April 8, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
WHILE DRIVING SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED OVER, OPENED HOOD AND SAW VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. VEHICLE SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. ALSO, THROTTLE BODY AND CV JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE STALLES, MISFIRED, AND IDLE FLUCTUATED FROM LOW TO HIGH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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