Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2005)
148 consumer complaints on file.
- #10449443February 27, 2012ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLATTERING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE CHAIN DRIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE OIL PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,500.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10447985February 14, 2012VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS TURNING ONTO A LOCAL BUSY STREET WHEN MY ACCELERATOR STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND QUICKLY SHOT UP NEAR 50MPH. I HAD TO QUICKLY WEAVE THROUGH TRAFFIC TO NOT HIT ANYONE WHILE IT STAYED IN A HIGH SPEED. WHEN I'D PRESS THE BRAKES, THE CAR WOULD SLOW DOWN BUT STILL BE GOING. WHEN I LET OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT QUICKLY SHOT BACK UP TO 50MPH. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO TURN ONTO A SIDE STREET MAYBE 1 MINUTE LATER AND AVOIDED HITTING ANYONE ELSE. I AM BEYOND SURPRISED THAT I WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING ANYONE WITH THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC. THE PEDAL ONLY CAME UP WHEN I PUT MY FOOT UNDER IT (GOING SLOWER/BRAKING ON THE SIDE STREET). IT WAS NORMAL AFTER THAT. EXTREMELY SCARY EXPERIENCE WITH AN OTHERWISE FLAWLESS VEHICLE THAT I HAVE OWNED FOR GOING ON 4 YEARS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10441520December 28, 2011ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE STARTUP, A NOISE WAS HEARD FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE OIL PUMP CHAIN WAS LOOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000. KMJ
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10440205December 16, 2011POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE OIL HAD LEAKED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CHAIN DRIVE OF THE OIL PUMP AND TENSIONER WAS WORN, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CRANKCASE. AS A RESULT, THE CHAIN ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH A GEAR ASSEMBLY. ALSO, THE LOWER HOUSING, OIL PAN AND TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10439375December 12, 2011STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER LEAKING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 01/24/12*LJ
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10432321October 21, 2011SEATS
ON 10/20/11, I STARTED MY CAR AND TURNED ON THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER TO 2, TO WARM THE SEAT. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE TO A 9 AM APPOINTMENT WITHIN 2 MILES FROM MY HOME. AFTER DRIVING JUST A COUPLE BLOCKS, I SMELLED A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL, BUT THOUGHT IT NORMAL SINCE I HAD NOT USED THE SEAT HEATER IN QUITE SOME TIME; IT WAS JUST LIKE TURNING THE HEAT ON IN A HOME AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF NON-USE. WITHIN A FEW SHORT BLOCKS, I FELT A STING IN MY LEFT LEG AND THOUGHT IT COULD HAVE BEEN A PINE NEEDLE, SO I SHIFTED MY BODY POSITION TO ALLEVIATE THE ISSUE. AFTER A COUPLE MORE SHORT BLOCKS, ANOTHER STINGING SENSATION. AT THE NEXT STOP SIGN, I REACHED DOWN WITH MY HAND TO FEEL WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THE STINGING OF MY LEG. I FELT A HOT SPOT IN THE LEFT SIDE OF MY SEAT AND TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER SINCE MY SEAT HAD WARMED ENOUGH TO BE COMFORTABLE, BUT I DID NOT THINK MY SEAT WAS BURNING, SO I CONTINUED ON TO MY APPOINTMENT. I WENT IN TO MY APPOINTMENT AND CAME OUT TO MY CAR AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER. I NOTICED WHAT LOOKED LIKE A SMALL CIGARETTE BURN IN THE SEAT AND A HORRIBLE SMELL IN THE CAR. I RETURNED HOME AND TOLD MY BOYFRIEND ABOUT THE INCIDENT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10430115October 13, 2011FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMELL OF PLASTIC BURNING AND A FUEL LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL PREVIOUSLY AND ANY FURTHER REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE FREE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10418352August 10, 2011ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I'VE HAD TO GET MY 2005 PASSAT FIXED 3 TIMES FOR ENGINE SLUDGE ISSUES AND IT'S HAPPENING TO IT AGAIN. IT HAS COST ME NEARLY $4000 AND COUNTING. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10417757August 6, 2011FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WOKE UP AT 4 AM WITH STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE FUMES IN MY HOME. WENT TO THE GARAGE AND MY PASSAT HAD A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE BELOW IT ON THE FLOOR. MOVED THE CAR OUT OF GARAGE AND AIRED OUT THE GARAGE/HOUSE. GAS WATER HEATER WAS ALSO IN THE GARAGE. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER. SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE FUEL TANK WAS SPLITING AT THE SEAMS. HE SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN SIX OF THESE IN BOISE, ID THIS YEAR. HE SAID THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS FUEL TANK. HE SAID IT WILL COST ME $2,500.00 TO HAVE THIS FUEL TANK REPLACED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10403297May 24, 2011FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER STATES GAS SPRAYING OUT OF THE FUEL LINE AND DRIPPING ON THE HOT EXHAUST *TGW THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL AND HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER STATED THE HEAT SHIELD DID NOT CAUSE THE FRACTURE. THE DEALER PULLED THE RECALL UP AND STATED IT LOOKED AS THOUGH THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. *JB UPDATED 06/28/11
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10397390April 25, 2011SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WARMER IGNITED A FIRE AND BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACT WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD DISCUSS THE REPAIRS WITH THE DEALER AND GIVE HIM A RETURN CALL ON THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,500.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10390527March 17, 2011FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS TDI. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RATTLE VIOLENTLY IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE MARBLES ROLLING AROUND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE NOISE WAS LOUDER DURING START UP AND WHILE DRIVING LOWER SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE WHO REPLACED THE GLOW PLUGS AND FUEL FILTERS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH A REDESIGNED BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10386280March 3, 2011ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 VW PASSAT STATION WAGON FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED. AS I WAS PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE ENGINE, AS WELL AS A BROWN BURN CIRCLE. I GOT MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND CALLED 911. WITHIN 2-3 MINUTES, THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIREMEN INFORMED ME THAT THEY BELIEVE IT STARTED WITH/NEAR THE BATTERY. IT WAS CONSIDERED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN ACTING UP, NOR HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEEN COMING ON IN RECENT WEEKS OR MONTHS. THE CAR IS A COMPLETE LOSS. THE VW PASSAT WAS ONLY 6 YRS OLD, WITH LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON IT. REGULAR TUNE-UPS AND MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE. IT WAS SHOCKING HOW QUICKLY IT WENT UP IN FLAMES. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10383006February 16, 2011ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OIL PUMP FAILURE LEADING TO ENGINE FALUE. REQUIRING ENGINE REPLACEMENT.*TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10379727January 31, 2011ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 VW PASSAT AND NEEDED TO HAVE TWO OF THE IGNITION COILS REPLACED. IN BOTH SITUATIONS, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. IN ADDITION TO LOSING POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTING FLASHING AND I NEEDED TO EXIT THE ROADWAY. I DISPOSED OF THAT VEHICLE AND PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2005 VW PASSAT 4 MOTION. I HAVE NOW HAD TO HAVE ONE OF THE IGNITION COILS REPLACED. AGAIN I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STARTED RUNNING VERY ROUGH. THIS TIME I WAS IN AN AREA WITH VERY LITTLE POPULATION AND A SEVERE SNOW STORM WITHOUT CELL SERVICE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10376435January 12, 2011POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING AT A VERY LOW SPEED; SHE ALSO COULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE FRONT AND REAR AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,015 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 06/17/11*LJ UPDATED 06/21/11
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10372009December 21, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
EXCESSIVE AND INCREASED RATTLING NOISE NOTICED ON MY 2005 PASSAT TDI. EVALUATION REVEALED THAT THE CHAIN AND TENSIONER DRIVING THE BALANCE SHAFTS AND OIL PUMP WAS FAILING AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND VW HAS ISSUED A GEAR DRIVE TO REPLACE THE CHAIN, HOWEVER THERE IS NO RECALL OR TSB THEREFORE THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS THE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY. OVER $2000 TO REPAIR. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10368304November 30, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE COULD HEAR A CHAIN NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. AFTER A YEAR, THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BALANCE CHAIN WOULD BREAK SOON. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000. UPDATED 01/24/11 *BF UPDATED 04/14/11
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10365378November 11, 2010POWER TRAIN
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT PASSENGER VEHICLE MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 WITH 2.0L DIESEL TDI ENGINE. BALANCE SHAFT AND OIL PUMP ARE DRIVEN WITH A CHAIN MECHANISM WHICH HAS A HISTORY OF FAILURE WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES USAGE. THIS PROMPTED A DESIGN CHANGE AND A RECALL OF AFFECTED VEHICLES IN EUROPE. NO RECALL IN NORTH AMERICA. RECALLED VEHICLES IN OTHER AREAS OF THE WORLD WERE RETROFIT WITH A GEAR DRIVE MECHANISM THAT IS RELIABLE. FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING AND WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND RAPID ENGINE DAMAGE INCLUDING POSSIBLY ENGINE SEIZURE. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT WOULD BE A CLEAR SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10364986November 8, 2010STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ARRIVING TO HIS RESIDENCE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE GRILL OF THE VEHICLE WAS MISSING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND SENT HIM A REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT INSTALLED A REPLACEMENT GRILL AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE GRILL FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE GRILL STAYING ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0