Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2000)

507 consumer complaints on file.

#10121715May 20, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND CONTINUING TO PRESENT, USE THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS CONTROLLER, WHICH IS PRONE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, OSTENSIBLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THIS MODULE CONTROLS MULTIPLE BRAKE-RELATED FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE ABS WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR WINTER DRIVING, BUT THE MOST CRITICAL FUNCTION OF THIS MODULE IS PROBABLY THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION, OR EBD. THESE VEHICLES ARE DESIGNED SUCH THAT IF THE EBD IS INOPERATIVE, THE PROPORTION OF HYDRAULIC FORCE APPLIED TO THE REAR BRAKES DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING IS AS GREAT AS IT IS DURING MODERATE BRAKING EFFORT WHEN THERE IS MINIMAL TRANSFER OF VEHICLE WEIGHT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. THE EBD IS SUPPOSED TO ADJUST THE FRONT/REAR BRAKING DISTRIBUTION DYNAMICALLY ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF THE DECELERATION, SO THAT THE REAR WHEELS WILL NOT LOCK UP DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING. IF THIS MODULE SHOULD FAIL DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT, THE REAR WHEELS COULD LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD EASILY INCLUDE FATALITIES. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR OWNERS, COSTING ROUGHLY $2000, AND MANY OWNERS HAVE PROBABLY PUT OFF THE REPAIR INDEFINITELY. EVIDENCE WHICH CAN BE FOUND THROUGH A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH, SUGGESTS THAT THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD, AND THAT IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY LED TO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS, IT IS ONLY A QUESTION OF TIME. THIS PROBLEM IS GENUINE, AND VW/AUDI SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121735May 20, 2005
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THIS IS THE THIRD POWER WINDOW TO FAIL AND FALL INTO THE DOOR. THE DEALER WON'T PAY FOR IT SINCE VW DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT AS A DEFECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121131May 17, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
FUEL SENDER UNIT FAILS TO RECORD PROPER LEVEL OF FUEL IN TANK. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES DESPITE A RECALL ON SAME VEHICLE WITH DIFFERENT 'TRIM' LEVEL. FUEL GUAGE WILL READ FULL FOR 250 OF APPROXIMATELY 300 TOTAL MILES THEN ROCKET DOWN TO EMPTY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121048May 16, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
(1) NO DISERNABLE EVENTS PRIOR (2) ABS MODULE FAILURE (3) NONE MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND CONTINUING TO PRESENT, USE THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS CONTROLLER, WHICH IS PRONE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, OSTENSIBLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THIS MODULE CONTROLS MULTIPLE BRAKE-RELATED FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE ABS WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR WINTER DRIVING, BUT THE MOST CRITICAL FUNCTION OF THIS MODULE IS PROBABLY THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION, OR EBD. THESE VEHICLES ARE DESIGNED SUCH THAT IF THE EBD IS INOPERATIVE, THE PROPORTION OF HYDRAULIC FORCE APPLIED TO THE REAR BRAKES DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING IS AS GREAT AS IT IS DURING MODERATE BRAKING EFFORT WHEN THERE IS MINIMAL TRANSFER OF VEHICLE WEIGHT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. THE EBD IS SUPPOSED TO ADJUST THE FRONT/REAR BRAKING DISTRIBUTION DYNAMICALLY ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF THE DECELERATION, SO THAT THE REAR WHEELS WILL NOT LOCK UP DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING. IF THIS MODULE SHOULD FAIL DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT, THE REAR WHEELS COULD LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD EASILY INCLUDE FATALITIES. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR OWNERS, COSTING ROUGHLY $2000, AND MANY OWNERS HAVE PROBABLY PUT OFF THE REPAIR INDEFINITELY. EVIDENCE WHICH CAN BE FOUND THROUGH A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH, SUGGESTS THAT THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD, AND THAT IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY LED TO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS, IT IS ONLY A QUESTION OF TIME. THIS PROBLEM IS GENUINE, AND VW/AUDI SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION."
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10120735May 12, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS MODULE (P/N #8E0 614 111 AH) FAILURE IN 5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH ONLY 70,181 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS AN ISSUE DESPITE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR POSTS I HAVE FOUND WITH A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH FOR VW PASSATS (1999 - 2005) AND AUDI A4S (1997-2001) THAT HAVE THE SAME CONTROL MODULE. VW WILL NOT COOPERATE ON REPLACEMENT OF THIS $1,600 MODULE DESPITE THE OBVIOUS SAFETY RISK OF FAILED ABS SYSTEMS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118665April 29, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS UNIT; ) FLASHING ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT IN CAR; 2)ABS WILL NOT WORK 3) I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE UNIT, THROUGH THE DEALER THE UNIT NEW COSTS APPROX $1200.00. 2000 VOLKSWAGON, PASSAT 2.8L. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118551April 27, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
I OWN A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND THE CONTROL ARM ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CRACKED CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE CONTROL ARM IS BEING REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE UNDER DIFFERENT DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118225April 21, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT READING WRONG CAUSING FUEL TO RUN OUT CAUSING A HAZARDOUS SITUATION ON THE ROAD. THIS IS IDENTIFIED IN 01V157000. MY CAR IS VW PASSAT GLX 2000 LISTED ON THE CAMPAIGN, BUT MANUFACTURER AND DEALER SAY NOT INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. I NEED TO COVER THE REPAIR MYSELF WHICH IS A SHAME. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118227April 21, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILING - USUALLY IN WARM WEATHER AFTER 15-20 MIN OF DRIVING THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON ON THE DASH AND A MESSAGE SAYING STOP/BRAKE FAULT IS DISPLAYED. THE FAULT MAY GO AWAY AFTER SOME TIME OR STAY. MY GUESS IS ABS IS DISABLED WHEN THIS HAPPENS. DEALER SUGGESTS REPLACING THE ABS UNIT AT A COST OF $1300. THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR OCCURRENCES OF THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN NEWS GROUPS ON THE WEB. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116348April 4, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
OWNER OF A 2000 PASSAT 1.8T. IKE HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE I HAVE A PROBLEM ON THE BOARD APPEARS THE MESSAGE: STOP/BREAK FAULT/SERVICE MANUAL.. ABS AND BREAK LIGHTS FLASHED ON. HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY WHEN I GO TO THE DEALER AND THEY SUGGEST TO REPLACE SOME PARTS BUT AT THE END THE ISSUE STAYS AND NOT EVEN THE DEALER CAN GIVE ME EXPLANATIONS OR HINTS OF HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS MODULE WHICH COSTS AROUND $1500 THIS PROBLEM IS SO COMMON THAT VW SHOULD MAKE THIS A RECALL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116030March 29, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
UPPER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS (4 UPPER CONTROL ARMS, 2 PER SIDE) ARE TORN AND SUSPENSION HAS PLAY COUPLED WITH LOOSE STEERING RESULTING IN NOISE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114799March 26, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MY 2000 PASSAT 1.8T HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. I HAVE AN APPT ON MONDAY TO TAKE IT IN, BUT I STUMBLED ACROSS A WEB FORUM (HTTP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA?THREADID=2447&START=30&TSTART=0), AND NOW I PRETTY MUCH KNOW THE ANSWER I WILL GET, AND I SEE THERE ARE TONS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM: THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHER MY INFO CENTER SAYS "BRAKE FAULT" AND THEN SAYS "STOP" ACCORDING TO THE FORUM, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURER RECALL BECAUSE TO FIX IT TYPICALLY COSTS AROUND $2000 FOR A PART THAT FAILS (NOT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR OR USE)*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114733March 25, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS CONTROL MODULE ON A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IS OUT, WE ALSO HAD A2001.5 PASSAT THAT HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM, WE TRADED IT IN. SO WHEN OUR SECOND CAR CAME UP WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL V.W, REPAIR SHOP AND THE MAN THERE SAID HIS PERSONAL CAR HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AND V.W. REPLACED IT AT NO CHARGE. IN CALLED V. W. AND THEY SAID THEY KNOW NOTHING OF THE SORTS. I STARTED RESEARCHING THIS AND IT SEEMS ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. BOTTOM LINE IS THAT IT MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE, CAUSING THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP UNDER HEAVY BRAKING SITUATIONS. V. W DOES WANT TO REPLACE IT TIO THE TUNE OF $1400.00 AND WITH A DIFFERENT MODEL NUMBER WHICH TELLS ME THAT THE FIRST MODEL # IS DEFFECTIVE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114643March 24, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
I AM ADDING MY VOICE TO THE LIST OF VW OWNERS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THEIR ABS MODULES. THE ELECTRONIC ABS SENSER HAD FAILED AND CAUSED THE DASH LIGHTS TO STAY ON CONSISTENTLY FOR TWO WEEKS NOW AND WILL REQUIRE A REPLACEMENT TO FIX. MEANWHILE I AM LEFT WITHOUT ABS AND FACE THE POTENTIAL OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF I HAVE TO HARD BRAKE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I FIND THIS PROBELM ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE AND VW OF NORTH AMERICAN NEEDS TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. E.G. REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114660March 24, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS CONTOL MODULE FAILURE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114337March 19, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
2000 4-CYL VW PASSAT, 64000 MILES: 2 EMISSIONS FAILURES WITHIN 48 HRS: 1.) REPLACED DEFECTIVE EVAPORATOR CHECK VALVE AND HOSE, REPLACED FUEL REG TO MANIFOLD LINE AND N249 VALVE LINE TO MANIFOLD, REPLACED VACUUM LINES ($331); 2.) CLEANED CARBONATED THROTTLE BODY, REPLACED JET VALVE, REPALCED AIR FILTER. REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW METER (UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY) ($236). AT 50,000 MILES: REPLACED 2ND PUMP, N112 VALVE, COBI VALVE, CRACKED PIPE, FUSE SET CODES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115352March 17, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT FLASHED AND A STOP CAR MESSAGES APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114074March 14, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT WARNING MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD READSSTOP SERVICE MANUAL BRAKE FAULT. CAR TAKEN TO MECHANIC, COMPUTER CHECK REVEALED CODE 18057 DATABUS MISSING MESSAGE FROM ABS CONTROL MODULE. EXPENSE TO REPLACE ESTIMATED AT OVER 1500DOLLARS. CAR HAS 62000 MILES, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DURING THIS FAILURE TRACTION CONTROL IS DISENGAGED ALONG WITH ABS SYSTEM, COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. AUTO MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THERE ARE 13 MODULES IN THE VEHICLE AND HE CANNOT REPLACE, VEHICLE MUST BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR. THIS OCCURRED WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER CAR WAS AT DEALER FOR 60000 MILE SERVICE BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRATION AND FOR A FRONT STEERING LINKAGE RECALL. DEALER STATED AT THAT VISIT THAT PASSAT NEEDED NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS, THE "SECOND OPINION" MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE IS ZERO WEAR ON FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS. MECHANIC SUGGESTED I CHECK RECALLS BECAUSE THIS IS THE 4TH VEHICLE HAS HAS HAD WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH SIMILAR MILEAGE. MECHANIC STATES THAT THIS BRAKE MODULE FAILURE IS COMMON.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114031March 13, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
EMISSIONS WORKSHOP LIGHT IS ON. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112712March 8, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
THE ENGINE CHECK-EMISSION LIGHT HAS COME ON FIVE TIMES. EACH TIME THE DEALER MADE A DIFFERENT REPAIR. 1) SECONDARY AIR PUMP 2) CHECK VALVE 3) MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR 4) INLET HOSE FOR BOOSTER VALVE 5)COMBI VALVE AND SECONDARY AIR PUMP. THE FIRST TIME THE SECONDARY AIR PUMP WAS REPLACED WAS AT 58000 MILES. THE SECOND TIME AT 72000 MILES, ONLY 14000 MILES LATER. THE DEALER SAID THE EMISSION SYSTEM IS POORLY DESIGNED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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