Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#706860May 25, 1999
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE VACUUM HOSE BROKE AT 55000 MILES, WAS REPAIRED AND FAILED AGAIN AT 60000. SINCE A DEALER WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME IT WAS REPAIRED WITH DUCT TAPE. (THE DUCT TAPE PROVED TO BE MORE RELIABLE). THE HOSE WAS THEN REPAIRED AT 70000 MILES AND FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME AT 72500 MILES. IT IS CURRENTLY REPAIRED WITH DUCT TAPE. THIS PROBLEM IS FURTHER AGREVATED BY THE FACT THAT NONE OF THE THREE DEALERS I HAVE CONTACTED HAVE HAD THE PART. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED IN RAPID CITY, SD. THE DEALER THERE DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND THE NATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR DID NOT HAVE THE PART. ONE WAS FINALLY LOCATED IN TEXAS AND FED-EXED TO RAPID CITY. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED IN NORTHERN CALIF. THE DEALER IN PALM SPRINGS DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND THE NATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND HE COULD NOT LOCATE A DEALER THAT HAD ONE. I DROVE BACK TO FL WITH THE DUCT TAPE REPAIR. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER IN TALLAHASSEE, FL HE DID NOT HAVE THE PART BUT HE ORDERED ONE FROM JACKSONVILLE. I RETURNED TO THE TALLAHASSEE DEALER AFTER THE THIRD FAILURE ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON. HE DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND COULD NOT GET ONE UNTIL THE NEXT TUESDAY. I HAVE NOT RETURNED! I ACTUALLY FEEL SAFER WITH THE DUCT TAPE THAN I WOULD WITH THEIR REPAIR PART. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#706754May 22, 1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ON THIS MODEL VW--I.E., DIESEL, FAILURE OF IGNITION SWITCH RESULTS IN PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER BRAKING, HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTION--THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. PROBLEM WAS CALLED TO MANUFACTURER'S ATTENTION VIA LETTER AND VIA BRINGING INTO A VW DEALER FOR REPAIR. DEALER WAS NOT SELLING DEALER MENTIONED ABOVE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#706736May 21, 1999
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
IGNITION : FOR THE LAST 9 MONTHS, INTERMITTENTLY, CAR WILL CONTINUE TO RUN AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND KEY IS REMOVED... BEEN TO 3 VW DEALERSHIPS 5 TIMES TOTAL. ABS BRAKES NEVER WORKED SINCE NEW, WOULDN'T STOP ON SNOW OR ICE LIKE OTHER ABS BRAKE SYSTEMS .. AFTER MANY COMPLAINTS FOR 4 YEARS VW FIXED SOME OF THE ABS PROBLEMS BUT ABS WARNING LIGHT STILL COMES ON SOMETIMES. ALSO, PEDAL INTERMITTENTLY WILL GO TO FLOOR, AND SNOW AND ICE PERFORMANCE IS MUCH WORSE THAN OUR OTHER ABS PASSATS . SEAT BELTS: LAP BELT BUCKLE SEEMS LIKELY TO CAUSE INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT . AIR CONDITIONER : $150 SWITCH IN DASH HAS FAILED 3 TIMES (COMMON ON 1993-94 PASSATS). SUNROOF: SMALL PART BREAKS ON TRACK REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE EXPENSIVE SUNROOF MECHANISM ... (SEEMS TO HAPPEN MANY 1993-94 PASSATS). FOG LIGHTS: CORRADO AND PASSAT LENSES FOG UP OR FILL UP WITH WATER AND THEN CRACK FROM HEAT. VW AND HELLA REDESIGNED LENS ON CORRADO MODEL BUT NOT ON PASSAT $26 TO $50 PER LENS, 11 LENSES SO FAR. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#706687May 20, 1999
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
51 HOURS AFTER PURCHASING MY NEW VW PASSAT GLS V6, THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED, CAUSING VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE CAR, STIFFENING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL IMPAIRING MY BRAKING ABILITY AND THICK HEAVY SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I WAS INFORMED THE NEXT DAY BY THE DEALE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#706346May 9, 1999
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME ARE A SAFETY HAZARD, NOT A SAFETY SOLUTION! THIS IS YOUR FAULT, NOT THE CAR MANUFACTURERS. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO DRIVE AROUND FOR A WHILE WITH ONLY THEIR HEADLIGHTS ON, NOT REALIZING THEY HAVE FAILED TO TURN ON THE FULL LIGHTS SYSTEM IS INFINITELY GREATER THAN THOSE WHO ARE SAVED FROM ANYTHING BY HAVING THE STUPID HEADLIGHTS-ALWAYS-ON FEATURE. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO PROOF THAT THE HEADLIGHTS STAYING ON EVER PREVENTED ANYTHING EXCEPT LONG BULB LIFE. IT IS UNDENIABLE THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAIL SOONER BECAUSE OF IT. AND MOST SEVERELY THAT MANY MANY PEOPLE WILL DRIVE AROUND WITH NO TAIL LIGHTS FOR A WHILE UNTIL THEY REALIZE THEY HAVEN'T TURNED THE FULL LIGHT SYSTEM ON. NOTE THAT THIS WILL MOST OFTEN OCCUR JUST AFTER DUSK WHEN THEY ARE PULLING OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WONDERFUL TIME NOT TO HAVE ANY TAIL LIGHTS ON !!! IN DUSK LIGHTING THEY ARE MORE LIKELY THAN ANY OTHER TIME NOT TO NOTICE THE DASH LIGHTS AREN'T ON YET WHICH IS THE ONLY CLUE THEY FAILED TO TURN ON THE REST OF THE LIGHTS. "THE HIGHLIGHTS ARE PERFECTLY FINE" IS THE MENTAL MESSAGE. YOU HAVE DONE A MAJOR DISSERVICE TO HIGHWAY SAFETY BY FORCING THE HEADLIGHTS-ON FEATURE. IT IS IN FACT AN OBVIOUS HAZARD ! I HAVE INADVERTANTLY DRIVEN A WHILE WITHOUT FULL LIGHTS BECAUSE OF THIS DUMB FEATURE MORE THAN ONCE, AND IT DOESN'T TAKE GENIUS TO KNOW THAT ANYONE WITH A NEWER VEHICLE SADDLED WITH THIS NUMB NUT FEATURE HAS DONE THE SAME THING. ADMIT YOU SCREWED UP AND REPEAL THE FEATURE ! IF YOU WEREN'T SO BLASTED BENT ON PROTECTING US FROM OURSELVES YOU WOULDN'T BE INVENTING THESE STUPID MESSES. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL (THE LARGEST IN HISTORY) TO REVERSE THE HAZARDOUS FEATURE! *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#706210May 3, 1999
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
ANY TIME THE HEATER IS USED THERE IS A BURNT CARAMEL ODOR. I SUSPECT THIS IS A COOLANT /HEATER CORE LEAK CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#705950April 24, 1999
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THE RACK AND PINION CAP FELL OUT/WAS MISSING, LEAVING NO FLUID IN POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. THERE WAS A SMALL POP AND SMOKE FROM UNDER THE CAR. MY WIFE HAD A HARD TIME STEERING THE CAR AND MANEUVERING IT OFF THE ROAD. HAD THERE BEEN TRAFFIC SHE MAY WELL HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AS SHE SLOWED AND TRIED TO MUSCLE THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. STEERING WAS VERY TIGHT, SO TIGHT SHE COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL. CAR HAD JUST BEEN PICKED UP FROM THE DEALER AND HAD ONLY 250 MILES ON IT. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT FIORE VOLKSWAGEN IN HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA BEING REPAIRED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#705840April 21, 1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ON TUESDAY, OWNER NOTICED THAT THE DRL WERE NOT WORKING AS WELL AS THE INTERIOR A/C FAN. DRIVER HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED BY DEALER TO 'JIGGLE' SWITCH IN ORDER TO GET BOTH WORKING. INSTRUCTIONS DID NOT MAKE EITHER TO WORK. DRIVER SWITCHED OFF ENGINE WHILE MOVING, TRYING TO GET EITHER TO WORK. AFTER TRYING THIS SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO LUCK, ONE INCIDENT CAUSED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO 'SET'. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL EITHER BY SWITCH, BRAKE PEDAL OR CLUTCH PEDAL. DRIVER ENDED UP TURNING OFF CAR IN ORDER TO CANCEL THE CRUISE CONTROL. AFTER LETTING CAR SIT FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, BOTH ITEMS WORKED AGAIN, BUT AFTER THE CAR SAT OVERNIGHT, BOTH ITEMS DID NOT WORK AGAIN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#545069April 19, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, INTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
ENGINE EXPERIENCES HESITATION, REPAIR ATTEMPT FAILED, CONTINUES TO HESITATE. MJS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#705746April 18, 1999
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HEATER CORE FAILURE WAS SEVERE SCOLDING COOLANT BLEW THROUGH DASH VENTS OVER HANDS AND FLOODED CAR WITH COOLANT AND TOXIC FUMES
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#836576April 7, 1999
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
HAD SMELLED GAS FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE. DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS LEAKING ONTO THE AIR CONDITIONER CLUTCH, WHICH WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE REGULATOR BODY (PLASTIC) HAD DELAMINATED FROM THE BRASS CORE AND WA SLEAKING HEAVILY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#705378April 7, 1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MILES:1,519- DOESN'T TURN OVER - REPLACED BATTERY: 8602- CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON- REPL BAD HOUSING CONNECTION:11,672-CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON-RPL CAM POSITION SENSOR&ECM&AC CONTROLS:22,013-RATTLING WHINING NOISE-REPL FROZEN RADIATOR FAN MOTOR, BURNT FAN CONN/REPRODUCED WRING, O/RING, DEFECTIVE CAM POSITION, SENSOR;25,763 REPLACE BATTERY;34,677-SERPENTINE BELT REPL;36,800-REPL HALL/TCI CONTROL UNIT;50,610- REPL BATTERY, ALTERNATOR HARNESS;51,070 REPL AUXILIARY WATER PUMP;CONNECTOR,HOSES;53,190-AC CONTROL WITH OPEN CONNECTION & WIRING OVERHEATED,REPL CONTROLS & REPAIRED WIRING, HEATERCONTROL, CONNECTOR:60,523-REPL HEATER CORE, SEALS, THERMOSTATE, HOUSING, SEAL RING, 3 O-RINGS, SERPINTINE BELT; 63,782-REPL BATTERY, CRUISE CONTROL & SUNROOF NO LONGER WORK TOO COSTLY TO REPAIR, 66,035- REPL POWER SUPPLY RELAY, FUEL PUMP;71,000 TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DEALER INDICATES FULL REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION. PURCHASED '88 JETTA. IN '97 DECIDED TO UPGRADE TO PASSAT GLX. WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE BUY A VOLKSWAGEN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#705293April 5, 1999
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE REGULATOR MOUNTED ON FUEL DISTRIBUTOR STRUCTURALLY FAILED. COMPOSITE BODY DELAMINATED FROM BRASS CORE, CAUSING STEADY FUEL LEAK WHENEVER IGNITION KEY IS ON AND ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP IS POWERED. LEAKING GASOLINE DROPS DIRECTLY ON THE ELECTRIC CLUTCH ON THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. THIS IS A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD, ESPECIALLY IF THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS TURNED ON. AN ELECTRIC SPARK OR THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE ELECTRIC COMPRESSOR CLUTCH COULD IGNITE THE LEAKING GASOLINE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#705274April 4, 1999
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY INCLUDED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#704779March 23, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE INTERMITTENT STALLING. OCCURS DURING ACCELERATION & STEADY SPEED. HOT OR COLD. NO IDENTIFIABLE PATTERN. IF CAR DIES, IT WILL START RIGHT UP (MOST TIMES IT JUST SURGES & DOES NOT ACTUALLY DIE). THE SURGING MOTION CAN LAST BETWEEN 15 & 45 SECS. HAS OCCURED 4 PREVIOUS TIMES (THATS PROMPTED THIS COMPLAINT). PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES: 8/19/97 8,658 MI; 6/19/98 18,413 MI; 7/31/98 19,841 MI; 9/14/98 21,402. COMPLETELY FRUSTRATED AND CONCERNED DEALER WILL BILL ME WHEN I TAKE THE CAR IN THE 5TH TIME TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#704762March 22, 1999
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
I READ ON 3/19/99 SOME REVIEWS BY OWNERS OF PASSATS ON THE INTERNET (WHILE I WAS SEARCHING FOR COMMENTS BY OWNERS OF THE HONDA ODESSEY MIN-VAN). UNFORTUNATELY I CANNOT FIND THE WEBSITE AGAIN. HOWEVER, WHILE THERE, TWO PEOPLE HAD ASKED QUESTIONS RELATING TO WINDSHIELD CRACKING DURING A TEST DRIVE BY A WELL KNOWN MAGAZINE (I THINK IT WAS CAR & DRIVER) FOR THE AUDI A4, BASICALLY THE SAME CAR AS THE PASSAT. THE QUESTION WAS HAD ANYONE EXPERIENCED SUCH CRACKING. I WAS SHOCKED ON 3/20/99 TO GET INTO THE CAR AND SEE THE 10-INCH CRACK WHICH WAS NOT THERE THE DAY BEFORE. SO I'VE BEEN SEARCHING THE WWW WITHOUT SUCCESS TO FIND THE COMMENTS FROM THE MESSAGE BOARDS I READ LAST FRIDAY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#835778March 12, 1999
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
LOCKING MECHANISMS ON VEHICLE IS BAD. ALL FOUR DOORS GET STUCK. CONSUMER HAS HAD TO GET A MECHANIC TO GET THE DOORS OPEN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#835666March 10, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE COOLING FAN. CONSUMER BROUGHT VEHICLE INTO THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS. AFTER REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED NOTICED THERE WAS A HOLE WITHIN THE RADIATOR. CONSUMER THINKS RADIATOR BECAME DEFECTIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#835534March 8, 1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING A MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, CAUSING THE SPEED OR FUEL NOT TO REGISTER, AND OTHER FUNCTIONS BECAME INOPERABLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#835428March 2, 1999
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
AUTOMOBILE STALLS OUT BECAUSE THE FUEL PUMP GOES BAD AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER STATES HAS HAD THIS DONE FIVE TIMES. BOTH DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED, NEITHER WANTS TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VEHICLE'S DEFECTS. *AK *ML
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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