Volkswagen Passat Complaints (1999)

664 consumer complaints on file.

#10010747March 19, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
THE CAR IS ON IT'S SECOND TRANSMISSION WITH ONLY 47000 MILES, AND HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT. DOESN'T WANT TO SHIFT INTO HIGHER GEAR AND CLUNKS SOMETIMES. HEADLIGHTS DID NOT WORK FOR FIRST 4 MONTHS WE OWNED THE CAR. DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. SUNROOF OPENS AND CLOSES BY ITSELF. DEALERSHIPS HAVE NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM. MAP LIGHT HAS STARTED TO DO THE SAME. INDICATOR LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. DEALER SAYS HE HAS NEVER HEARD OF A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING ON THESE CARS AND THAT IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10010287March 11, 2003
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
POWER WINDOW MOTOR (RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER) FAILED.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10009532March 10, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
A PLASTIC SHIELD WHICH WAS MOUNTED UNDER THE ENGINE BECAME PARTIALLY LOOSE WHILE ACCELERATING. *DT *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10010097March 7, 2003
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
I WAS HEADING HOME AND BARELY ON THE TURNPIKE, WHEN I HEARD A BIG BANG AND I COULD NOT SHIFT GEARS ANYMORE. I HAD SOME TROUBLE TO GET MY CAR THROUGH THE TRAFFIC FROM THE HIGH-SPEED LEFT LANE TO A SAFE SPOT AND CALLED THE TOWING SERVICE. I WAS ABOUT 140 MILES AWAY FROM HOME AND THE COST, AFTER THE ROADSIDE INSURANCE PAID ITS PART, WAS $400. AS IT TURNS OUT, THE PRESSURE PLATE OF THE CLUTCH BROKE INTO 3 PIECES. I WAS VERY LUCKY, AND SO WERE THE DRIVERS AROUND ME, THAT THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED SINCE THE BROKEN PIECES COULD HAVE EASILY TURNED INTO MISSILES, NOT TO MENTION THE INABILITY TO CONTROL THE CAR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, SINCE THE MILEAGE IS STILL VERY LOW, I BELIEVE THAT THE DEFECT IS SO UNUSUAL AND THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF SUCH A FAILURE ARE SO DANGEROUS THAT MANUFACTURER DOES BEAR A CONTINUED RESPONSIBILITY. ON 2/18/03 I INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER THAT I EXPECTED THEM TO CONFIRM REIMBURSING ME FULLY FOR THE $400 TOWING COST AND TO BEAR AT LEAST HALF OF THE COST OF $912 FOR REPLACING THE CLUTCH, $456. I ALSO OFFERED TO SEND COPIES OF THE RECEIPTS. THE BROKEN PARTS CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED IF YOU WHISH AT MY RESIDENCE OR AT A CONVENIENTLY LOCATED PLACE OF YOUR CHOICE. SINCE I DID NOT HEAR FROM THE MANUFACTURER SINCE THEY ACKNOWLEDGED ON 2/19/03 RECEIPT OF MY EMAIL AND PROMISED ACTION WITHIN 48 HRS., THEY DO NOT SEEM TO BE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. THEREFORE, I WILL HAVE TO CONCLUDE THAT THIS PROBLEM, RATHER THAN BEING A FREAK EXCEPTION, IS RATHER A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE AND THEREFORE I FEEL THAT IT IS MY OBLIGATION TO GO PUBLIC WITH THE CASE, SO THAT AS MANY CONSUMERS AS POSSIBLE CAN BE PROTECTED FROM A SIMILAR DANGEROUS EVENT WHILE DRIVING A VOLKSWAGEN.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051969February 26, 2003
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
DURING A SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE CHECK, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TIE RODS WERE LOOSE AND MUST BE REPLACED. *NM A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR SOME 1999 AND 2000 MODELS, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10009459February 26, 2003
SEAT BELTS
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT TENSIONER FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT BELT NOT TO LOCK, CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES.*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10009159February 24, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10007098February 12, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10005409February 6, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
FAILURE OF COIL PACK WITHIN EPA EMISSIONS WARRANTY PERIOD NOT COVERED BY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. AT 3.5 YEARS/78402 MILES AFTER PURCHASE, ONE OF THE 4 COIL PACKS ON MY 1999 VW PASSAT FAILED, LEAVING THE VEHICLE RUNNING ON 3 CYLINDERS TO TRANSPORT ME TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT. THE COST WAS $174.25, BUT FORTUNATELY THERE WAS A REPLACEMENT COIL IN STOCK, SO THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE BUT FOR 1 DAY. I HAVE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT VW IS PAYING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART ON 2001 AND 2002 PASSATS, BUT WHY NOT MY 1999?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10005413February 6, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
CREAKING NOISE EMINATING FROM PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING OVER LOW SPEED BUMPS. CAN BE REPRODUCED BY MANUALLY COMPRESSING FRONT SUSPENSION WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED. DEALER SAYS VW DOESN'T CONSIDER FAILURE OF FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10005440February 6, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
I HAD SMELLED HOT ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR ABOUT A WEEK PRYOR TO LOOSING MY LIGHTS, HORN, TURN SIGNALS, TAIL LIGHTS, HEATER FAN, AND WIPERS. IT ENDED UP BEING THE IGNSION SWITCH ONCE REPACED THE SURGE OF ELECTRICITY CAUSED A SHORT UNDER MY DASH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10006023January 30, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 2002 SUDDENLY INTERMITTENTLY ENGINE LIGHT AND HEAVY VIBRATION FORCE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. DUE TO A FAULTY ENGINE COIL PACK. DEALER CHANGE THE FAULTY COIL PACK. DEALER REFUSE TO CHANGE THE OTHER THREE COIL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10003592January 28, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
CREAKING/SQUEAKING NOISE FROM FRONT-RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE OF FRONT CONTROL ARMS. DEALER INDICATED NEED OF REPLACING CONTROL ARMS FOR WEAR. VEHICLE MANUFACTURED IN 99 WITH 92414 MILES, MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES, DOES NOT GIVE A REASON FOR THESE TO FAIL AS MOST CARS HAVE CONTROL ARMS TO LAST A LIFETIME OF A VEHICLE HENCE FAILING AT THE CAR'S CURRENT CONDITION SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10002948January 19, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
I PURCHASED A 1999 VOLKSWAGAN PASSAT IN APRIL OF 2002 WITH 49,000 MILES ON IT THE TIMING BELT BROKE ON IT AT 58,000 MILES IN SEPTEMBER OF THAT SAME YEAR. AS PER VOLKSWAGON, THE BELT IS NOT DUE TO BE CHANGED UNTIL 105,000 MILES. IT RUINED THE TOP END OF MY ENGINE, COST TO REPAIR IS 3,000-4,000 DOLLARS. VOLKSWAGAN WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY OF THE COST, I FIND THIS TO BE UNFAIR THAT I SHOULD GET ONLY 6 MONTHS USE OUT OF A CAR THAT I STILL OWE 17,000 DOLLARS ON.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10004175January 17, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON THEN ENGINE WOULD FAIL. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10003897January 15, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT BROKE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FREEZE UP. TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10003694January 13, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AT 25MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TOTAL BRAKE LOSS. CAUSING A FIRE TO THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND WILL COST $2,8000 TO REPLACE THE ABS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10000750January 6, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
COILPACK FAILURE IN VOLKSWAGEN 2.8 LITER V6 AND 1.8 LITER INLINE FOUR CYLINDER ENGINES
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10000481January 2, 2003
TIRES
THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE IS NOT POSTED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL OR ON THE VEHICLE, AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 110.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#770258November 30, 2002
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT END KNOCKING STARTED AT 35,000 WORSE WHEN TURNING. BROUGHT TO DEALER FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED NOT CERTAIN OF SAFTEY RISK IF PROBLEM LEFT UNFIXED. DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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