Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#8022071November 1, 2002
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AS CONSUMER ENTERED THE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATED, CONSUMER HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED THROUGH SOME LARGE BOULDERS AND INTO A DITCH, THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, HOWEVER THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT, CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES. MR *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#769192November 1, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE OCCASSIONALLY STALLS WHEN SHIFTING FROM A GEAR INTO NEUTRAL (FOR THE PURPOSE OF BRAKING). TODAY IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES STOPPING AT STOP LIGHTS, AND 2 TIMES IN PARKING LOTS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING, OFTEN, ALL WEEK (ONCE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, SLOWING FOR AN EXIT RAMP - ENGINE STALLS, POWER STEERING AND BRAKING GOES OUT, NOT GOOD). THIS PROBLEM WAS 'FIXED' AT AROUND 40K MILES WHEN A 'WASTE SOLENOID GATE' AND A 'TURBO VALVE' WERE REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP OVER 3 SEPARATE VISITS. THE STALLING WAS GONE FOR ABOUT 6000 MILES, BUT NOW IT HAS RETURNED. THIS MAY BE CONNECTED WITH THE 'CHECK ENGINE LIGHT' WHICH WAS ON AT THAT TIME, AND HAS FLASHED ON RECENTLY. I'M PLANNING ON TAKING IT TO A LOCAL VW SHOP SOON TO GET THIER OPINION. DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#769101October 30, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN IN PROGRESS FOR PASSAT IGNITION SWITCH WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V256000. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS CAMPAIGN EXTENDED TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE AS I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME SAFETY DEFECT THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF THE CURRENT CAMPAIGN. DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8021931October 30, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NHTSA# 15255-02-V-256-000 IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE HEAD LIGHT, WIDSHIELD AND WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON SIMILAR MAKES AND MODELS, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDE TO VIN# DEALER NOTIFIED TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#769060October 29, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE SHORTLY AFTER BEING DRIVEN. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHEN THE FIRE STARTED. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE REST OF THE HOUSE. THE FIRE WAS WITNESSED TO ORIGINATE ON THE RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER) OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT UNDER THE HOOD. DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#769063October 29, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE BELLY PAN BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE AS I ACCELERATED ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY. WHEN I STOPPED FOR ASSISTANCE AT THE NEAREST GAS STATION. THE TWO MECHANICS ON DUTY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD SEEN EIGHT SIMILAR INSTANCES THAT WEEK, ALL INVOLVING VOLKSWAGENS. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, I HADN'T RAN INTO ANY CURBS OR BELGIAN BLOCKS WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR RECENTLY. I BELIEVE THAT ALL THE SCREWS/BOLTS THAT HAD HELD UP THE PAN HAD FALLLEN OUT OVER TIME. THREE DAYS LATER, I TOOK THE CAR TO A VW DEALER, BECAUSE ONLY A DEALER HAD THE RIGHT FASTENERS TO SECURE THE PAN. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PAN WAS SCRAPED IN THE FRONT, THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING FOR THE PAN TO FALL OFF. I DISAGREE I THINK THE SCREWS FELL OUT OVER TIME. THE MECHANICS HAD THE OPINION THAT THE DESIGN OF THE SCREWS/BOLTS IS FLAWED, SINCE THEY HAD SEEN THIS SITUATION HAPPEN ON SO MANY RECENT MODEL VWS. I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A TREND OF VW BELLY PANS COMING LOOSE OVER TIME. I WAS TOLD THAT THE BELLY PAN SERVES TO DEADEN ROAD NOISE. ISN'T IT PURPOSE ALSO TO PROTECT THE UINDERCARRIAGE? IF SO, IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND SCRAPING UP AGAINST CURBS OR SURVIVNG ASSAULT FROM OTHER REGULAR ROAD DEBRIS. THE FACT THAT THE BELLY PAN MAY FALL OFF WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY TIME IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#567791October 28, 2002
TIRES
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THREE FLAT TIRES. THE CONUMER FEELS THAT UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, HE DESERVES SOME SORT OF COMPENSATION FOR THESE TIRES (MICHELIN MXV4PLUS 205/55R16). *SCC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8021737October 28, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATES THAT WATER GOT INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AS A RESULT OF THE MANUFACTURER FAILING TO SEAL THE FRESH AIR FILTER AT TIME OFF VEHICLE BEING MANFACTURE. WHICH CAUSE SMOKE TO COME FROM THE INTERIOR VENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ALMOST CAUSING A FIRE. TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#768943October 26, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I BOUGHT MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FROM GEORGIA AUTO SQUARE IN ATHENS, GA. IT WAS BRAND NEW WITH NO MILES. I HAVE HAD ALL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS & RECOMMENDATIONS DONE AT THIS DEALER. MY CAR HESITATES & LOSES POWER WHEN TRYING TO PASS OTHER CARS ON TWO LANE ROADS, ACCELERATING ONTO THE EXPRESSWAY OR ACCELERATING WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER ONE HOUR AWAY SIX TO SEVEN TIMES OVER A YEAR (NOT INCLUDING THE TIMES IT WAS IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE). THEY HAVE KEPT MY CAR OVER 50 DAYS TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM, WHICH THEY CLAIM, IS A WET AIR FILTER. THEY TOLD ONCE THAT THEY HAD TO REMOVE THE SNOW GUARD, WHICH WORKED WITH OTHER CARS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM (OBVIOUSLY I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE). THIS SEEMS BIZARRE SINCE IT DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE WEATHER RELATED. HOW DOES WATER GET INTO AN AIR FILTER (IF THAT IN FACT IS THE PROBLEM) AND WHY AFTER ALL THIS TIME HAVEN'T THEY BEEN ABLE REMEDY IT? I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS INVOLVING MY FAMILY & OTHER DRIVERS UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE NEAR ME DURING THESE POWER FAILURES. BEING IN SEVERAL LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS AFTER BEING ASSURED THAT MY CAR WAS FIXED, THEIR SERVICE MANAGER APOLOGIZED FOR "MY INCONVENIENCE". THREE WEEKS AGO WHILE DRIVING TO A FUNERAL, MY CAR STALLED WHILE MERGING AT I-985 & I-85. AFTER SUDDENLY LOSING POWER & TERRIFYING ME AND THE DRIVER BEHIND ME, WHO SAW THAT I EXPERIENCING TROUBLE, THE CAR FINALLY STARTED JERKING, LET OUT A BILLOW OF SMOKE & FINALLY (AND THANKFULLY) CAUGHT & DROVE ON. I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO DRIVE A NISSAN WITH 240,000 MILES ON IT WHILE I PAY FOR A VOLKSWAGEN WITH A LITTLE OVER 40,000 MILES, WHICH ONCE AGAIN SITS AT THE DEALER'S. THIS TIME HE HAS HAD IT FOR OVER A WEEK (TEST DRIVING, YET AGAIN) THE CAR I AM PAYING FOR. HE HAS ADMITTED PREVIOUS TIMES EXPERIENCING THE EXACT PROBLEMS I REPORTED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. YET, THE DEALER AND THE VOLKSWAGEN REP CONTINUE TO EXERCISE RECKLESS DISREGARD FOR MY LIFE, MY FAMILY'S LIVES, AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#768889October 25, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE WITH FAILURE OF WINDSHIELD WIPER, HEADLIGHTS, TURNING SIGNALS AND AC/HEAT FAN. ALL EXCEPT FOR THE LETTER I CONSIDERED A SAFETY CONCERN. NHTSA POSTED A RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL BUT VWOA DO NOT HAVE RECORDS OF SUCH RECALL AND CHARGE FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR OF REPLACEMENT. DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8021577October 25, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING ALL VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS FAIL W/O WARNING. TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#768806October 24, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH CUTS OUT INTERMITTENTENTLY. ENGINE STILL RUNS BUT NO LIGHTS, WIPERS, ABS BRAKING, AND OTHER SAFETY FEATURES OPERATE. DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8021547October 24, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENLY NOT START. DLR DETERMINED THE IGNITION SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE. TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8021409October 23, 2002
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN WIPERS ARE IN MOTION THE WIPER ARM IS CAUSING A CRACK TO APPEAR ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. MR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8021381October 22, 2002
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CONSUMER STATES OF THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS KEEP ON BURNING OUT. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. MR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8021303October 21, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CONSUMER NOTICED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION SWITCH SYSTEM, CAUSING STALLING ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE THE ODI# AND FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#768674October 21, 2002
SUSPENSION:FRONT
BUSHING FAILURE ON ALL 4 FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THESE BUSHINGS GRADUALLY BECAME LOOSE AND BEGAN SQUEAKING, ACCOMPANIED BY CLUNKING OVER LOW-SPEED BUMPS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS. VW HAS REFUSED TO OFFICIALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECT AND DO A RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE PAYING FOR PART OF THE COSTS FOR SOME PEOPLE'S REPAIRS AND THEY HAVE REDESIGNED THE BUSHINGS IN QUESTION. FURTHERMORE, THE RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE BUSHINGS CAN BE REPLACED WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE CONTROL ARM, BUT DEALERSHIPS REFUSE TO DO THAT, INSTEAD TO FORCE MOST CUSTOMERS TO PAY FOR THE MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY. THESE BUSHING FAILURES POSE A DANGER IF THEY FAIL SEVERELY ENOUGH. THE ONLY REASON THEY AREN'T CAUSING WRECKS IS THAT THE FAILURE IS GRADUAL AND MOST OWNERS REPLACE THEM BEFORE THE BUSHINGS GET TOO BAD. BUT THIS IS STILL A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE REPAIR IS HARDLY OPTIONAL. DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#768644October 20, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY. DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#768472October 15, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CALLED VW - NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 02V256000 DESCRIBING RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY CAR?! RIDICULOUS! I HAD THIS EXACT THING HAPPEN TO ME, IN SNOWY WEATHER. I DROVE 60 MILES WITH MY HAND ON THE KEY SWITCH TWISTING IT SO LIGHTS AND WIPERS WOULD STAY ON! THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED! MR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8020780October 15, 2002
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, TIRES
ORIGINAL TIRES CONTINENTAL 195/65R15 91HCH95 DOT LMPCPXBU2300. CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD FLAPPING NOISE, PULL OVER LOOKED ALL AROUND CAR AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO DRIVE NOISE RETURNED WITH A SMALL POP, THEN IT WAS QUIET AGAIN, THEN THREE MINUTES LATER NOISE RETURNED EVEN LOUDER. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD COMPLETELY COME OFF OF RIM, THE TIRE BLOWOUT DAMAGED THE FENDER LINING AND DAMAGED THE FUEL TANK, THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY OR EXTENDED WARRANTY DESPITE THE FACT THAT VW PASSAT'S FOR YEAR 1997-2000 HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM, RECALL CAMPAIGN ID # 02V-026. *NLM *DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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