Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#892354July 10, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED HOT STEAM COMING FROM ENGINE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, OPENED HOOD, AND NOTICED COOLING HOSE WAS CUT BY ENGINE COVER FROM VIBRATION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#892356July 10, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
WHILE TRAVLING NOTICED HOT STEAM COMING FROM ENGINE. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDERS AND NOTICED COOLING SYSTEM HOSE WAS CUT BY ENGINE COVER WHEN VIBRATING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#561907July 6, 2001
POWER TRAIN
ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, CONSUMER DOES NOT OWN THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#891667June 29, 2001
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, DEALER HAS REPLACED AIRBAG SENSOR 5 TIMES. DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. VOLKSWAGEN REP HAD DEALER REWIRE ENTIRE VEHICLE. AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN AT THIS TIME. PLEASE ADD FURTHER COMMENTS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#747393June 26, 2001
SUSPENSION:FRONT
QUADRA-LINK SUSPENSION PRODUCES METALIC RUBBING NOISE WITH VEHICLE MOTION. DEALER HAS DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS QUADRA-LINK SUSPENSION FAILURE BASED ON INSPECTION AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE. DEALER HAS INDICATED THAT LEFT SIDE IS ALSO LIKELY TO FAIL AND THAT ANY REPAIR DOES NOT GUARANTEE A RECURENT FUTURE FAILURE. VW CORPORATION HAS REFUSED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRING PROBLEM. NHTSA LISTS NUMEROUS CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. CUSTOMERS POSITION IS THAT A PART AS BASIC AS THIS SHOULD NEVER FAIL AND THIS REPRESENTS A FAULTY ORIGINAL DESIGN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#747357June 25, 2001
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
SEE ODI 746847: CONNECT ERROR ON FOLLOWING. MY NEW 2001.5 PASSAT WAGON HAS A PERCEPTIBLE DISTORTION, OR RIPPLING EFFECT, IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD; E.G., WHEN SEEING POLES, TREES, OR BUILDING SIDINGS WHILE MAKING A TURN, OR WHEN VIEWING PARKWAY EXIT SIGNS WHILE PASSING THEM. THERE'S AN ACCORDION EFFECT; VERTICAL OBJECTS INCHWORM; LETTERS EXPAND AND CONTRACT. JUST MOVING MY HEAD FROM SIDE TO SIDE BY A FEW INCHES CAN PRODUCE THIS EFFECT. I CAN'T SAY YET THAT IT'S HAZARDOUS BUT IT'S CERTAINLY DISTRACTING. MEANWHILE, I CAN'T GET THE DEALER TO EVEN SIT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND TELL ME IT'S MY IMAGINATION. WHEN POSTED TO PASSAT USERS GROUP FOLLOWING MESSAGES RESULTED: (1) I'VE SEEN SEVERAL REPORTS OF THIS. TIME TO GET A NEW DEALER. YOU SHOULD GET NEW GLASS UNDER WARRANTY. (2) MY '99 WAS 5000 MILES NEW WHEN I REALIZED THE WINDSHIELD HAD A DISTORTION AND RIPPLE EFFECT. THEY REPLACED IT NO CHARGE, BUT THE SECOND ONE IS AS BAD AS THE FIRST ONE. (3) HAS ANYONE WITH A '99 B5 NOTICED DISTORTIONS IN THE FRONT AND REAR GLASS? I'VE HAD MY WINDSHIELD AND REAR GLASS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE NEW GLASS IS ALSO DISTORTED - ALTHOUGH NOT QUITE AS BAD AS THE ORIGINAL. (4) WHEN I RECENTLY HAD A GENUINE NEW VW WINDSCREEN INSTALLED AFTER DAMAGE I NOTICED AN OPTICAL DISTORTION RIGHT OF MY STRAIGHT AHEAD VISION. THIS IS DISGRACEFUL QUALITY CONTROL FROM A MAJOR MOTOR MANUFACTURER AND THEIR AUTHORIZED REPAIR DEALER. (5) THERE APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. A WAVY, VERTICAL LINE. THE SERVICE MANAGER LOOKED AT MINE AND FOUND IT RIGHT AWAY, HE ALSO TOLD ME IT WAS NOTED ON SEVERAL NEW 2000'S ON THE LOT, AND THAT ANOTHER CUSTOMER HAS A REALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH IT. CHECK THE WINDSHIELD BY LOOKING OUT AT A STRAIGHT LINE, THE SIDE OF A BUILDING OR A POLE, AND MOVING YOUR EYES UP AND DOWN AS WELL AS RIGHT AND LEFT. VW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. IM NOT HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED, ESPECIALLY AFTER THEIR MESS MADE ON A SIMPLE OIL CHANGE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#747366June 25, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES STICKING TO DRUMS AND NO BRAKE LIGHT WARNING OF PENDING STOP. PROBLEM NEVER ADDRESSED BY VW, THE DEALERSHIP OR CORPORATE. THE PROBLEM CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND PREMATURELY CAUSED WEAR ON ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES TWICE IN 40,000 MILES. THE MOST RECENT AT 12,000 MILES USAGE. VW SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#747106June 20, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE PROBLEM RESULTED IN ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. TECHNICIANS WORKED FOR NEARLY TWO WEEKS - PROBLEM NOT RESOLVED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#890675June 19, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT, BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO MOVE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO TRAVEL INTO INTERSECTION. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT VACUUM LINE COMING OFF OF BOOSTER IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM RUPTURED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT VEHICLE CUTS OFF DUE TO THE FUEL SUPPLY RELAY BEING DEFECTIVE.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#746986June 18, 2001
TIRES
MY REAR RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT AND COMPLETELY SHREDDED ON THE FREEWAY FOR NO REASON. IT APPEARED OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME SITUATION. IS THIS VEHICLE WITH THESE TIRES SAFE?*AK (DOT NUMBER: HDTACXYX48 TIRESIZE: 19565R1591)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#561645June 15, 2001
SUSPENSION:FRONT
CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO STEERING/SUSPENSION ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS, THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED RECALL SERVICE WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORIZATION WHICH COST THE CONSUMER ADDITIONAL MONEY AND REPAIR WORK, CONSUMER IS VERY UNSATISFIED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DEALERSHIP WHILE REPAIRING VEHICLE AND REQUEST ASSISTANCE. *MJS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#746845June 14, 2001
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
AFTER I POSTED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE TO THE PASSAT USERS GROUP: MY NEW 2001.5 PASSAT WAGON HAS A PERCEPTIBLE DISTORTION, OR RIPPLING EFFECT, IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN SEEING POLES, TREES, OR BUILDING SIDINGS WHILE MAKING A TURN, OR WHEN VIEWING HIGHWAY EXIT SIGNS WHILE PASSING THEM ON THE PARKWAY. THERE'S AN ACCORDION EFFECT; VERTICAL OBJECTS INCHWORM; LETTERS EXPAND AND CONTRACT. JUST MOVING MY HEAD FROM SIDE TO SIDE BY A FEW INCHES CAN PRODUCE THIS EFFECT. I CAN'T SAY YET THAT IT'S HAZARDOUS BUT IT'S CERTAINLY DISTRACTING. MEANWHILE, I CAN'T GET THE DEALER TO EVEN SIT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND TELL ME IT'S MY IMAGINATION. I WAS REFERRED TO THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES: (1) I'VE SEEN SEVERAL REPORTS OF THIS. TIME TO GET A NEW DEALER. YOU SHOULD GET NEW GLASS UNDER WARRANTY. (2) MY '99 WAS 5000 MILES NEW WHEN I REALIZED THE WINDSHIELD HAD A DISTORTION AND RIPPLE EFFECT. THEY REPLACED IT NO CHARGE, BUT THE SECOND ONE IS AS BAD AS THE FIRST ONE. (3) HAS ANYONE WITH A '99 B5 NOTICED DISTORTIONS IN THE FRONT AND REAR GLASS? I'VE HAD MY WINDSHIELD AND REAR GLASS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE NEW GLASS IS ALSO DISTORTED - ALTHOUGH NOT QUITE AS BAD AS THE ORIGINAL. (4) WHEN I RECENTLY HAD A GENUINE NEW VW WINDSCREEN INSTALLED AFTER DAMAGE I NOTICED AN OPTICAL DISTORTION RIGHT OF MY STRAIGHT AHEAD VISION. THIS IS DISGRACEFUL QUALITY CONTROL FROM A MAJOR MOTOR MANUFACTURER AND THEIR AUTHORIZED REPAIR DEALER. (5) THERE APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. A WAVY, VERTICAL LINE. THE SERVICE MANAGER LOOKED AT MINE AND FOUND IT RIGHT AWAY, HE ALSO TOLD ME IT WAS NOTED ON SEVERAL NEW 2000'S ON THE LOT, AND THAT ANOTHER CUSTOMER HAS A REALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH IT. CHECK THE WINDSHIELD BY LOOKING OUT AT A STRAIGHT LINE, THE SIDE OF A BUILDING OR A POLE, AND MOVING YOUR EYES UP AND DOWN AS WELL AS RIGHT AND LEFT. VW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. I AM NOT HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE MESS THEY MADE ON A
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#746847June 14, 2001
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE LOWER WORM SHAFT IN THE STEERING. *JG
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#561608June 13, 2001
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOUD AND SCRAPING SOUND CAUSED BY THE PLASTIC ENGINE NOISE SHIELD WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND BECAUSE IT HAD LOST THE FASTENERS, THE DEALER INSTALLED NEW INNER FENDERS AND LOWER COVER. *YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#561603June 13, 2001
AIR BAGS
AFTER PURCHASE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR OF THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT SIGNAL OR SYSTEM, REPAIR COMPLETED ON THE SPIRAL RING ASSEMBLY, HOWEVER THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CONTINUED TO INDICATE PROBLEMS, SEVERAL OTHER REPAIRS UNTIL THE FINAL REPAIR OF THE WHOLE SYSTEM FOR REMEDY DUE TO NEGLIGENCE AND REPAIR ISSUES. *MJS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#746807June 13, 2001
SUSPENSION:FRONT
SQUEAKING NOISE FROM FRONT END. OUT-OF TOWN VW DEALER SAID "BALL JOINTS" $800 TO REPAIR. "DANGEROUS TO DRIVE". CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY SAID IT MUST BE CHECKED BY DEALER USED FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THAT DEALER SAID "LOWER CONTROL ARMS NEED REPLACING" "SAFE TO DRIVE" $1200 TO REPAIR. TOOK TO 3RD MECHANIC, WHO SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG, "JUST NOISY". IT CONTINUES TO GET WORSE, AND I AM CONCERNED WITH SAFETY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#890138June 11, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS TO GRAB/PROPERLY ENGAGE WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD. DEALERSHIP HAS YET TO EXAMINE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#890139June 11, 2001
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THERE IS A BIZARRE ACCELERATION LAG IN VEHICLE WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES PRESSURE TO GAS PEDAL. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE, BUT WOULD NOT INFORM HIM WHAT PROBLEM WAS. WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTIVE INFORMATION OF THE PROBLEM OR ATTACHMENTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#890143June 11, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WOULD BE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT OR DRIVEWAY WHEN VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 OTHER TIMES. CONTACTED DEALER AND INFORMED USE DIFFERENT FUEL WHICH DID NOT WORK. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#889976June 7, 2001
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ON 9 MAY, REPLACED CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ON 16 MAY, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM. AIRBAG LIGHT ON AGAIN ON 23 MAY, DEALER REPLACED 1 AIRBAG AND CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY.AIRBAG LIGHT ON AGAIN ON 3 JUNE, AND DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH AIRBAGS. VEHICLE STILL AT DEALER AT THIS TIME. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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