Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2001)

432 consumer complaints on file.

#10056477February 3, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2001.5 NEW PASSAT 1.8 TURBO I PURCHASED IN MAY OF 04 WITH 26 K MILES REPLACED THE OIL PUMP AT 35000 AND I PICKED THE CAR UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY AND DROVE A BLOCK NOTICED A NEW NOISE WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAY IT NEEDS A NEW TURBO UNIT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055178January 29, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY
WATER LEAK DUE TO VEHICLE DESIGN FLAW. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055966January 28, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE AT A STOP VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051136December 26, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
I LEASED A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T IN FEB. 2001, WHICH I AM CURRENTLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH. THE VEHICLE JUMPS WHEN DRIVING AND/OR WHEN STOPPED. IT ALSO JUMPS FORWARD WHEN STOPPED. THIS IS A ACCIDENT HAZARD SINCE I HAVE HAD INSTANCES WHEN STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT/STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE JUMPS FORWARD THEREBY CAUSING IT TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AFTER THE STOP SIGN AND/OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR FLOW SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, BUT AT MY EXPENSE. UNFORUNATELY, MY CAR'S WARRANTY EXPIRED, BUT MY CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILES. I LATER FOUND OUT FROM THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS A BULLETIN OUT FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY ONLY ON THE 2002 PASSAT 1.8T, SINCE THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MY VEHICLE. MY QUESTION TO YOU IS THAT HOW COME THE 2001 AND 2002 PASSAT 1.8T VEHICLES ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR, BUT ONLY THE 2002 PASSAT HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT. I FIND THIS VERY UPSETTING, SINCE I NOW HAVE TO PERSONALLY PAY FOR THE SERVICE, BUT YET OWNERS OF THE 2002 PASSATS DO NOT. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME LEASING A VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLE, AND IT WILL BE MY LAST. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES FOR DIFFERENT REPAIRS AND ALSO HAD 3 RECALLS. I WILL BE TURNING IN MY VEHICLE IN 5 MONTHS AND AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO IT, SINCE I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THE VEHICLE NOR VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050842December 20, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
THE GAS GAUGE IS FLUCTUATING THE READING. USUALLY IT STATES THERE IS MORE GAS IN THE TANK THEN THERE REALLY IS. I HAVE READ THAT SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE VW RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO AM NOT IN THE RECALL BECAUSE I HAVE THE 2 WHEEL DRIVE MODEL. I THINK VW NEEDS TO KNOW THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING IN MORE VEHICLES THEN JUST THE 4 MOTION MODEL. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050646December 17, 2003
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
VEHICLE WAS PURCHUSED IN JULY 2001. SINCE THEN, A HEADLIGHT HAS BURNED OUT 4 TIMES ON THE VEHICLE, WITH THE LAST HEADLIGHT GOING DEC 2003, FOR AN AVERAGE HEADLIGHT LIFETIME OF 15 MONTHS. THE PROBLEM IS NOT ON ONE SIDE; THE HEADLIGHT ON EACH SIDE HAS BEEN LOST AT LEAST ONCE. THE PREVIOUS HEADLIGHT LOSS (THE 3RD), I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC AT THE DEALER (CASEY VW, IN NEWPORT NEWS, VA) THAT THEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM, BUT THEY WERE NOT AUTHORIZED TO FIX IT. THE ARGUMENT (WHICH I DID NOT UNDERSTAND AND CANNOT REPLICATE HERE) WAS SOMETHING LIKE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRENTY, THEY COULDN'T USE THEIR NON-STANDARD FIX. I WAS NOT CHARGED FOR THE FIRST THREE HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENTS, WHICH GOES AT LEAST PART OF THE WAY TO MAKING UP FOR THE FACT THAT NONE WAS ACCOMPLISHED IN LESS THAN ONE HOUR. ON MY MOST RECENT TRIP TO THE DEALER TO HAVE MY HEADLIGHT REPAIRED, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RATE OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE WAS "NORMAL". THERE WAS NO OFFER TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACEMENT. THE CAR IS NOW OFF THE COMPREHENSIVE STANDARD WARRENTY, BUT COVERED THROUGH THE VW OPTIONAL EXTENDED WARRENTY PROGRAM. THIS WARRENTY DOESN'T DO A LOT OF GOOD IF VW CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM FOR THEM TO FIX (BEYOND A BURNED-OUT BULB).*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049529December 10, 2003
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 PASSAT WHEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT STARTED MOVING AND MOVED TO THE BACKMOST POSITION. I WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE GAS OR BRAKE PEDAL WITH THE SEAT IN THAT POSITION. I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF OF AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I WAS ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I COULD NOT READJUST THE SEAT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE SEEN THE SEAT MOVE, BUT DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED AS THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT MOVING IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049807December 1, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE'S DRAINAGE HOLE WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, CAUSING A BLOCKAGE. ALSO, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048396November 20, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER NOTICED ENGINE CONSUMED AND LEAKED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, DEALER HAD INSPECTED SEVERAL TIMES BUT COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NOW IT'S OUT WARRANTY AND THEY HAVE A KIT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *PH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10047990November 14, 2003
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
REAR LIGHTS SIMULTANEOUSLY GO OUT, THEY INCLUDE TAIL/BRAKE/ REVERSE, AND STOP LIGHTS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS UNDETERMINED, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED 9 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046937November 14, 2003
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HEATER CORE FAILED 2.5 YEARS OLD. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10047917November 13, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPH THE STOP ENGINE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, TECHNICIAN INSPECTED VEHICLE AND DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEN, CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE AND IT STALLED. DEALER INDICATED ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10045755November 8, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACE AT 25,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 50,000 MILES. I FEEL THAT BRAKE PADS (ESPECIALLY ROTORS) SHOULD LAST MORE THAN EVERY 25,000 MILES. I'M APPROACHING 75,000 MILES AND AM ANTICIPATING WHETHER OR NOT I WILL BE REPLACING PADS AND ROTORS ONCE AGAIN!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046236November 3, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
THE SULFUR IN THE FUEL INTERACTS WITH CERTAIN ADDITIVES FOUND WIDELY. SULPHER BECOMES DEPOSITED ON CONTACT POINTS OF THREE FUEL SENDING UNITS MOUNTED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THIS RESULTS IN THE FUEL GAUGE'S ABILITY TO READ FULL WHILE THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10038780October 31, 2003
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE RIGHT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY HAS DEFECTIVE WIRING ACCORDING TO THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME THE SAME HEADLIGHT HAS GONE OUT SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED UN JULY 2001. THE DEALER INDICATES THAT THE LAST TIME IT WENT OUT IN JUNE 2003 THEY REPAIRED SOME EXPOSED WIRING IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. NOW THE WIRING CANNOT BE REPAIRED ANY FURTHER. IT WILL COST OVER $300 TO REPLACE THE UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED TWICE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN A HEADLAMP GOES OUT YOU LOOSE THE ILLUMINATION ON THE ROADWAY THAT IT SERVES. NOT HAVING THE PROPER ILLUMINATION AT NIGHT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALSO IT HELPS MOTORISTS COMING IN THE OTHER DIRECTION SEE YOUR CAR. THE OTHER OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IS THE FIRE THAT BE CAUSED BY EXPOSED WIRING (SEE ODI ID # 10016924). *PH *CB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043507October 24, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSAT EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM THAT IS WELL DOCUMENTED IN THE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT USER COMMUNITY AS FREQUENTLY OCCURRING AND CONFIRMED BY VW SERVICE TECHNICIANS AS A PROBLEM SEEN OFTEN. MY SERVICE TECHNICIAN REPORTED SEEING THIS PROBLEM ABOUT 4 TIMES A MONTH. THE CAR CONTAINS A POLLEN FILTER. THE SEAL AROUND THE POLLEN FILTER FAILED. WHEN THE SEAL FAILS, WATER COMES INTO THE CAR AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE FOOTWELL, FLOODING BOTH THE FROM AND REAR OF THE CAR, AND, IN OUR CASE REQUIRING ABOUT $600 WORTH OF REPAIR. REPORTED CONSEQUENCES OF WATER COMING INTO THE CAR, INCLUDE (1) SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTING N THE CENTER CONSOLE, MAKING THE AUDIO, VENTILATION, ANTI-SLIP OVERRIDE AND EMERGENCY FLASHERS MORE DIFFICULT TO ACCESS AT NIGHT; (2) FAILURE OF EITHER THE AIRBAG TRIGGERING MECHANISM OR THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT, OWNER CANNOT DISTINGUISH; (3) AND FAILURE OF THE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM (DOORS AND TRUNK -- LOCKED DOORS CANNOT BE UNLOCKED FROM OUTSIDE.) THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE CAR GETS WET -- FOR EXAMPLE WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN -- AND RESULTS IN FAILURE OF SYSTEMS RELATED TO INTERIOR LIGHTS, ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, AIRBAGS, AND LOCKS -- ALL CRITICAL FOR SAFETY IN EITHER NORMAL OR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. VOLKSWAGEN HAS DENIED MY REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL RELIEF FROM THE REPAIR COSTS I INCURRED FIXING THE FAILURE OF THE POLLEN FILTER SEAL IN MY 2001 PASSAT. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10044420October 21, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT FROM THIRD GEAR TO FOURTH GEAR AND THROTTLE STUCK. CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY PUT THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL TO RELEASE THE THROTTLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10044421October 21, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
REAR LEFT DOOR HAS A QUARTER OF AN INCH GAP BETWEEN THE FRAME AND THE DOOR. THIS ALLOWS AIR AND SOMETIMES WATER TO ENTER INTO COMPARTMENT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043030October 16, 2003
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK
TRUNK DOES NOT LATCH "BOOTLID OPEN." MESSAGE ON DASH AND WARNING BEEP AFTER HITTING BUMPS IN ROAD. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10037823October 1, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
FUEL GAUGE WAS INDICATING INCORRECT AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE IN THE TANK. THE FUEL GAUGE ALWAYS INDICATED A FULL TANK OF GAS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. A RECALL (01V157000) WAS ISSUED FOR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT BUT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE VEHICLES EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED MOST OF THE COST. *AK *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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