Volkswagen Passat Complaints (1999)

664 consumer complaints on file.

#10026227June 27, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT A RECALL WHICH WAS FOUND ON THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE HE OWNS CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM FILLER NECK. *MR PH *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023898June 27, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
CAR ONLY HAS ONLY 31,000 MILES YET RADIATOR WAS LEAKING CAUSING TEMP. LIGHT TO COME ON. NO VISIBLE EXTERIOR DAMAGE TO RADIATOR. COST TO REPLACE WAS OVER $700.00. VW OF AMERICA REFUSES TO HELP PAY, EVEN THOUGH RADIATOR WAS DEFECTIVE. WORSE YET CONSUMER HELPLINE REFUSED TO LET ME SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR OR GIVE ME NUMBER FOR CORPORATE OFFICE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10022563June 26, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION COIL. *AK *TT *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023011June 13, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
STARTED TO FEEL AND HEAR A THUMPING, AND CREAKING FROM MY SUSPENSION. TOOK VEHICLE TO A VW DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE BOTH UPPER CONTROL ARMS REPLACED ON THE LEFT FRONT OF MY PASSAT. I CALLED VWOA AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO HELP PAY FOR IT B/C IT IS CONSIDERED A WEAR ITEM. A 99 PASSAT W/ LESS THAN 50K MILES! AND THEY CONSIDER THAT WEAR?!? FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED, I AM FAR FROM THE ONLY PERSON THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO. NOW I HAVE TO DISH OUT $500 EASY TO GET IT FIXED. BUY ANOTHER VW? NOT ON YOUR LIFE. VW HAS BEEN HEARING THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SITUATION FOR YEARS NOW AND STILL WILL NOT HELP. I WOULD HATE TO SEE SOMETHING TRAGIC TO SOMEONE JUST FOR THEM TO FESS UP. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10022857June 11, 2003
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
DIRECTIONAL HEAD LAMP FELL OFF INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10022118June 3, 2003
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH SUDDENLY VEHICLE START SHAKING/ LOST POWER, NEVER WENT OVER 40MPH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10020879June 2, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 43000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. VOLKSWAGEN WENT BY RECOMMENDATION OF DEALER NOT TO HELP WITH THE COST OF REPAIR. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10020648May 28, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, INTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
I HAD SHUT OFF MY CAR AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN IT BACK ON I HAD NO LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, DOME LIGHT, HORN, CLIMAT CONTROL OR RADIO. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME IT HAPPENS ON BEETLES AND GOLFS ALL THE TIME AND THAT IT WAS THE IGNISION SWITCH. THEY SHOWED ME THE SWITCH WHEN THEY PULLED IT OUT. IT HAD GOTTEN SO HOT IT MELTED RIGHT THROUGH THE WIRES. THERE IS NO SAFETY RECALL ON THIS BUT IF IT GETS HOT ENOUGH TO MELT METAL IT COULD START THE CAR ON FIRE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10020036May 16, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
WATER ACCUMULATED IN THE BRAKE POWER BOOSTER. THE CONSUMER REMOVED ABOUT 5 CUPS OF WATER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10019754May 13, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND CAUSED OIL TO LEAK. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10018560May 12, 2003
STEERING:LINKAGES
APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO, OUR 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DEVELOPED A DISTINCT CREAK. THE CREAK HAS BECOME VERY PRONOUNCED. OUR DEALER HAS ADVISED US THAT IT IS A DEFECT IN THE CAR'S CONTROL ARM, AND THAT THE DEFECT IS PREVALENT IN 1999 PASSATS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DEFECT CAN LEAD TO A LOSS OF STEERING CAPACITY. THIS WILL COST US APPROXIMATELY $1,000 TO FIX. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10019689May 12, 2003
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT LENS FELL OFF. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10016637April 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
1999 VW PASSAT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS AT 64.8K MILES. SYMPTOMS REPORTED INITIALLY AT 3 YEARS/49K MILES. APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO SERVICE BULLETIN 400101. PROBLEM WELL KNOWN AMONG PASSAT/AUDI OWNERS. DEALER ASKING $1200 FOR REPAIR. VWOA DECLINES TO HELP, STATING THAT SUSPENSION IS "2 YEAR 24K MILE COMPONENT". MILEAGE, EXISTENCE OF SERVICE BULLETIN, AND WIDESPREAD EXPERIENCE WITH THIS PROBLEM SUGGEST THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT AND SHOULD BE AT LEAST PARTIALLY COVERED BY VWOA. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10016597April 27, 2003
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOES NOT MOVE FROM "0". *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10016233April 20, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
FRONT CONTROL ARM FAILURE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10014220April 10, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
1999 VW PASSAT. FRONT SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. REFER TO TSB 4001-01. I BROUGHT MY 1999 PASSAT TO THE DEALER REGARDING A NOISY FRONT SUSPENSION PROBLEM AND INFORMED THEM OF A TSB ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED THAT VW PROVIDES A REPAIR KIT FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY. WHICH INCLUDES THE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS (BOTH SIDES). THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT VW WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR AND THAT THE COST TO ME WOULD BE $875.00. SPOKE WITH VW REPRESENTATIVES ON APRIL 2 AND WAS GIVEN A DECISION ON 4/9 THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE COST IN ANY WAY SINCE "THIS COULD ALSO BE CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". THIS ASSERTION, IN MY OPINION IS BOGUS SINCE A. VW KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM, HENCE THE TSB. PROVIDE A "KIT" TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. THE CASE NUMBER IS 30164333. SUSPENSIONS SHOULD NOT BE FALLING APART ON A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT. AND THE COST ($875) IS QUITE EXCESSIVE. THE NOISE STARTED SHOWING UP IN EARLY JANUARY OF 2003. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10015438April 8, 2003
AIR BAGS
WHEN MAINTENANCE WAS BEING PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *JB *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10013883April 3, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
I HAVE A 1999 VW PASSAT, 1.8L TURBOCHARGED, MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE 40,500 MILES ON THE CLOCK. ONE OF THE 4 IGNITION COILS JUST FAILED. THIS IS COSTING ME ABOUT $550. I KNOW THERE ARE ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEMS WITH THE COILS ON LATER MODELS, WHICH VW IS 'RECALLING', BUT WANTED TO REGISTER MY PROBLEM FOR THE RECORD. ALSO THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE 40,000 MILE SERVICE AND STATE INSPECTION, WHICH I FIND 'IRONIC'?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10013655March 29, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
I AM EXPERIENCING A CREAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. FROM THE NHTSA SITE, I HAVE NOW LEARNED THAT FAILED LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BUSHINGS ARE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE PASSAT. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST PURCHASED "CERTIFIED" USED FROM VW FOUR MONTHS AGO WITH 34,000 MILES. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER, WHO SAID THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE "JUST DRY FROM ROAD SALT", AND PROCEEDED TO HOSE THE BUSHINGS DOWN WITH AN AEROSOL CAN OF LUBRICANT. HE SAID THAT IF THIS DID NOT ELIMINATE THE NOISE (IT DIDN'T) THEN I MIGHT WISH TO RETURN IN A WEEK OR SO FOR THEM TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER. IT IS OBVIOUS FROM THE OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. IF THIS VEHICLE'S LOWER CONTROL ARMS FAIL AS FREQUENTLY AS OTHER OWNERS ON THIS SITE HAVE INDICATED, WITH THE ONLY WARNING BEING A DULL CREAKING NOISE, IT IS CONCEIVABLE THAT MOST ORDINARY DRIVERS WOULD NEVER HAVE THE PROBLEM INVESTIGATED. THOSE THAT DO WOULD FIND THAT THE REPAIR IS EXTENSIVE AND EXPENSIVE. IT IS LIKELY THAT SOME OF THESE MAY CHOOSE TO DELAY OR NEGLECT THE SITUATION. BOTH SCENARIOS POSE A UNIQUE AND SERIOUS SAFETY THREAT TO THE OPERATORS AND OCCUPANTS OF THE VW PASSAT. THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD, AND ALL APPARENTLY SHARE IN WHAT IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT CREEPS UP EVERY 25 TO 40 THOUSAND MILES IN SPITE OF VERY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT. FAILURE OF A LOWER CONTROL ARM COULD EASILY CAUSE A CRASH. VW SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING BY ACKNOWLEDGING THIS ENGINEERING FAILURE AND VOLUNTARILY RECALL THESE VEHICLES IMMEDIATELY FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF ITS CUSTOMERS. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10011001March 25, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM (FRONT SUSPENSION) BUSHING/LINK HAS WORN OUT AT ONLY 62K MILES, A COMMON PROBLEM ON VW PASSAT AND AUDI A4 W/QUADRALINK FRONT SUSPENSION, UNHEARD OF ON OTHER VEHICLES. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. THERE OUGHT TO BE A RECALL. THIS CAR HAS 8 CONTROL ARMS IN TOTAL. THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THESE PARTS IS BY NOW WELL KNOWN, QUITE EXPENSIVE, AND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS, NOT TO MENTION INCONVENIENT TO VW CUSTOMERS. VW HAS DONE VERY LITTLE TO ADDRESS THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. THE ONLY RECOURSE IS TO PAY EXORBITANT SUMS, REPEATEDLY, OVER TIME TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS WITH EQUALLY DEFECTIVE PARTS WHICH ALSO FAIL PREMATURELY; THERE IS NO PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OR AT THE VERY LEAST VW SHOULD BE FIXING THESE CARS FOR FREE EACH TIME, NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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