Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#741567February 26, 2001
STEERING:RACK AND PINION, STEERING:LINKAGES, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
STEERING RACK SEAL FAILED AT 15K MI, CAUSING LOSS OF FLUID AND DAMAGE TO RACK. DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. DRIVER SIDE, PASSENGER WINDOW (LEFT REAR) DISCONNECTED FROM ELECTRIC MOTOR (WOULD NOT GO UP AND DOWN) AT 45K MI. HARDLY USE WINDOW (NO KIDS OR PASSENGERS). DEALER REPLACED "PIN" AND CHARGED 1HR LABOR FOR PULLING DOOR PANEL - NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. STEERING BEGAN TO "CREAK" WHEN WHEEL TURNED SLOWLY AT STOP OR NEAR STOP AT 52K MI. DEALER INVESTIGATED AND COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. STATED NO SAFETY PROBLEMS. DRIVER SIDE, PASSENGER WINDOW (LEFT, REAR) DISCONNECTED FROM POWER MOTOR AGAIN AT ABOUT 75K MI. DID NOT CONTACT DEALER AGAIN AS EXPECTED TO PAY $60 AGAIN SO WAITED FOR A SCHEDULED SERVICE. DRIVER WINDOW POWER MOTOR FAILED AT 83K MI - SOUNDED LIKE METAL GRINDING. HAD TO MANUALLY PUSH WINDOW CLOSED. TOOK AUTO TO DIFFERENT DEALER (MIDWESTERN AUTO GROUP, DUBLIN OH, 614-889-2571) TO EXAMINE DRIVER WINDOW, DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW AND STEERING "CREAK". NEW DEALER STATED DRIVER WINDOW UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN, DRIVER-SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW NOT COVERED AND MISSING "PIN" TOTALLY, AND STEERING "CREAK" IS IN ANY OR ALL OF THE CONTROL ARM/LINKAGE BUSHINGS. QUOTED $2000 TO REPLACE STEERING FRONT END - SUGGESTED I JUST LIVE WITH NOISE. NO MENTION OF TIE-ROD RECALL ON 1999 PASSATS. I HAVE NO INFORMATION ON IF MY CAR QUALIFIES FOR THE RECALL, BUT MY INVESTIGATIION ONLINE SUGGESTS I DO. HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTICES, BUT HAVE MOVED SINCE ORIGINAL PURCHASE AND COULD HAVE "LOST MAIL" PROBLEM. SUGGEST POWER WINDOW DESIGN IS BAD - AS I DRIVE ON HWYS A LOT FOR BUSINESS IN OH WHERE SUMMER REQUIRES AC, WINTER REQUIRES HEAT, I HAVE NO KIDS OR PASSENGERS IN BACK SEATS, ETC.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#881405February 26, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
VEHICLE HAD A RECALL ON BEARINGS WICH WOULD CAUSE ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. ALSO,WOULD CAUSE TIRE PROBLEMS. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#741360February 23, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WITH ALL OF THE GLOWING REPORTS FROM THE CONSUMER REPORTS MAG ABOUT THE VW PASSAT I HAD TO WRITE TO GRIPE ABOUT ABOUT MY DEALINGS WITH VW OF AMERICA.I TOOK MY 99 PASSAT TO THE DEALER ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER 15000 MILE SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE FOR A NOISE IN THE FRONT WHEELS MY DEALER TELLS ME THAT I NEED PADS AND ROTORS AT 18,000 MILES AT A COST $400.00.MY ROTORS ARE WORN BEYOND TURNING WITH 15% PADS LEFT .APPARENTLY THE PADS ARE HARDER THAN THE ROTORS?AFTER A HEATED DISCUSSION ABOUT WEATHER ROTORS WERE CONCIDERD CONSUMABLES OR NOT I LEFT IN DISCUST TO CALL VW OF AMERICA TO EXPLAIN MY VIEW THAT THERE IS NO WAY A TWO YEAR OLD PASSAT WITH 18000 NORMAL MILES SOULD NEED NEW ROTORS.FIVE CALLS LATER AND THE TOTAL RUN-A-ROUND A "CUSTOMER SERVICE" REP TELLS ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT VW OF AMERICA IS WILLING TO DO TO HELP ME.APPARENTLY THEY THINK IT IS NORMAL TO REPLACE ROTOR EVERY 15000 TO 18000 MILES AT A COST OF $400.00 SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD DEAL TO ME, FOR THE DEALERS!I WONDER IF I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM, EVERY NEW VW I SEE HAS A LOT OF BRAKE DUST ON THE FRONT WHEELS.HMM. THANK FOR LETTING ME VENT. KEEP THE CONSUMERS INFORMED!! P.S.I STILL THINK I'M GETTING SCREWED!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#741389February 23, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKES REQUIRE NEW ROTORS ALTHOUGH PADS HAVE NOT WORN THROUGH. GIVEN THE MILEAGE, THIS SEEMS LIKE A DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS DECLINED TO ASSIST AS THE VEHICLE IN NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#559826February 21, 2001
STEERING:RACK AND PINION, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
THE VEHILE EXPERIENCED STEERING PROBLEMS CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, THEY TIGHTENED A LOOSE CLAMP, THE PROBLEM RESURFACED 6 MONTHS LATER AND NOW THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, THE CONSUMERS TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#880636February 15, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE MAKING A 180% TURN LEFT VEHICLE SUDDENLY DROPPED. CONSUMER GOT OUT, AND WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY OFF DUE TO TRANSAXLE BREAKING. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND MANUFACTURER TRIED TO TELL CONSUMER THAT IT WAS HER FAULT. CONSUMER HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND MANUFACTURER DID NOT WANT TO USE WARRANTY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#559684February 14, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IN WHICH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DROPPED OUT OF GEAR RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER TRANSMISSION TO THE DRIVE WHEELS, UPON DEPRESSION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE RPM'S WOULD INCREASE BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#740609February 8, 2001
SUSPENSION:FRONT
HEARD SUSPENSION TYPE NOISE WHEN EXITING VEHICLE AND PUSHING ON FRONT END. DEALER ONLY CHARGED ME 50% ON PARTS SINCE IT SHOULDN'T HAVE FAILED SO SOON. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#740611February 8, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BEARING FAILED IN WATER PUMP CAUSED TIMING CHAIN TO LOOSEN. THIS RESULTED IN A VALVE BENDING WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO ENGINE HALTING WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. DEALER ENDED UP REPLACING ENGINE AT NO COST.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#740615February 8, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS DASH WARNING LITE FIRST INDICATED IN APR 2000. OWNERS MANUAL CALLS FOR SERVICE AT AUTHORIZED VW SERVICE. INITIALLY NOTIFIED VW CONSUMER AFFAIRS AS LOCAL GERMAN CAR SHOP REPAIR ALERTED ME TO POSSIBLE RECALLS. VW CONSUMER AFFAIRS (800) 822-8987 INDICATED NO OPEN RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. GERMAN CAR EXPERT REPAIR, LASLO'S AUTO REPAIR-WOODBRIDGE, VA ATTEMPTED TO TROUBLE SHOOT VIA ONBOARD COMPUTER BUT NO DEFECT CODES WERE DISPLAYED. LASLO'S CLEANED ALL ABS WHEEL SENSORS AND DID FRONT BRAKE JOB TO TRY TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. ABS LITE REMAINED ON. AGAIN CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA TO REPORT CONCERN, THEY REFERRED ME TO KAREN RADLEY VW, WOODBRIDGE, VA. RADLEY SERVICE ADVISOR HAD TECHNICIAN CHECK FOR ON-BOARD COMPUTER SYSTEM FAULT CODES RELATIVE TO THE ABS BUT NONE WERE FOUND. RADLEY TECH RESET COMPUTER BUT ABS WARNING LITE AGAIN ILLUMINATED ON DASH. FAST FORWARD TO DECEMBER 2000. AS ABS LITE HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED, I AGAIN REQUESTED VW OF AMERICA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE. STILL NO WORD ON OPEN SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS AFFECTING THE ABS SYSTEM. THROUGH THE CONTINUED EFFORTS OF THE KAREN RADLEY DEALERSHIP SERVICE REP, MR MATT BUCKLEY, VW REGIONAL SENIOR TECHNICAL SPECIALIST (OTS IN VW-SPEAK)CALLED IN FOR ASSISTANCE. I LEFT VEHICLE @ RADLEY FOR ONE DAY--4JAN01, HOWEVER, VW REGIONAL OTS WAS A "NO SHOW". I RESCHEDULED THRU MR BUCKLEY AT RADLEY FOR JAN 29, 2001. OTS CHECKED ALONG W/ RADLEY TECH BUT COULD FIND NO FAULT. EVENTUALLY, AFTER THREE MORE DAYS OF TROUBLE SHOOTING ALL POSSIBLE PROBLEMS, THE TECH NOTES THAT ONE OF THE ABS SYSTEM VALVE IN INOPERATIVE AND THE ABS MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. AS THAT MODULE WAS REPLACED THE ABS DASH BOARD LITE IN NOW OFF. MY CONCERN IS THE LACK OF ASSISTANCE FROM VW OF AMERICA, AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL. IT SHOULD BE APPARENT THAT THE ABS SYSTEM, BEING A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE CAR'S OVERALL SAFETY SYSTEMS, SHOULD BE A HIGH PRIORITY MATTER. VW NEVER ONCE INITIATED CONTACT WITH ME, ALL COMMUNICATI.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#559528February 7, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, STEERING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE MAKING NOISE, THE DEALER SAID THE BRAKES WERE OK, AT 22K MILES CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#879866February 6, 2001
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR FAILS TO OPEN FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE DUE TO LATCH FAILURE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#740500February 6, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING DECREASED BRAKE PERFORMANCE (SUBSTANTIAL) WHENEVER THE STREETS ARE SALTY AND WET. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND MY EXPERIENCE NOT UNCOMMON AMONG VW PASSAT OWNERS, AND APPARENTLY THE SUBJECT OF AN AUDI INVESTIGATION WHICH USES THE SAME BRAKE COMPONENTS. IT DOES NOT AFFECT PERFORMANCE WHEN DRY OR SIMPLY WET, BUT DOES WHEN 'SALTY' AND WET. IT TAKES SEVERAL BRAKING TO RESTORE ANY MEASURABLE FUNCTION IN THE BRAKES WHEN IT OCCURS. IT IS SCHEDULED TO BE SEEN BY A VW DEALER ON 2/13 FOR EVALUATION OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#879776February 5, 2001
TIRES
EA-00-028 WHEN DRIVING, RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT PUNCTURING GAS TANK, CAUSING A FUEL LEAKAGE, CONSUMER WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR ESTIMATE WHICH SHE COULDN'T AFFORD, SO HER HUSBAND PATHCED TANK WHICH DID NOT FIX THE LEAK. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#740391February 3, 2001
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE DOORS DO NOT LATCH PROPERLY. YOU MUST SLAM THEM AT TIMES TO MAKE THEM CLOSE, THEN THEY WILL WORK OK AT OTHER TIMES. THE TRUNK LOCK DOES NOT WORK WITH OR WITHOUT THE KEY. IT MUST BE OPENED FROM INSIDE WITH THE RELEASE BUTTON. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#740392February 3, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
THE CAR BLOWS SMOKE SO BAD I CANNOT KEEP THE WINDOWS OPEN. I HAVE THE DEALER GET THE CAR PAST EMISSIONS BECAUSE IT FAILS EVERY TIME. THIS NOT ONLY EFFECTS MYSELF BUT EVERY PERSON IN THE AREA THAT I HAPPEN TO BE PASSING THROUGH. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR EVEN A DIESEL. THIS IS A HEALTH PROBLEM. A RAW FUEL SMELL IS ALSO PRESENT, THERE ARE NO VISIBLE LEAKS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#740289February 1, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES FADE TERRIBLY IN WET WEATHER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#740317February 1, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKING POWER GREATLY REDUCED IN THE RAIN. TAKES A COUPLE OF SECONDS FOR THE BRAKES TO WORK AFTER APPLYING BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPS QUITE FAR BEFORE YOU CAN FEEL THE BRAKES START TO WORK. THIS IS NOT A MATTER OF REDUCED TIRE GRIP. SEE THE FOLLOWING LINKS: HTTP://WWW.CLUBB5.COM/DISCUSSIONFORUMS/INDEX.HTM AND HTTP://WWW.AUDIWORLD.COM/FORUM/M/A4/MSGS/233090.PHTML. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE PASSAT AND A4 HAVE THE SAME OR SIMILAR BRAKING SYSTEMS. THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS IN THE RAIN AND DID NOT OCCUR WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW. BEING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA I DO NOT DRIVE IN THE RAIN VERY OFTEN BUT IT IS STILL ALARMING THAT I AM HAVING THIS TROUBLE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 16 YEARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#879619February 1, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WAS DROPPING OUT OF GEAR AT 2036 MILES. HAD IT REPAIRED. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE BACK IN REPAIR SHOP FOR SAME PROBLEM.*AK THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN FAILING EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER KEPT PUTING IN NEW ONE. *YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#879433January 31, 2001
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
PREMATURE WEAR OF TIE ROD: INNER. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. DEALER WILL REPAIR VEHICLE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK MANUFACTURER AGREED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, ALSO THE RECALL HAS BEEN UPDATED AND HAS NOW INCLUDED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE VIN NUMBER. *YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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