Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2001)

432 consumer complaints on file.

#10285518September 28, 2009
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH THE HEATED SEATS ON, SHE BEGAN TO FEEL EXTREMELY HOT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED A HOLE IN THE DRIVER SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $500.00 - $600.00 TO REPLACE THE SEAT . NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285523September 28, 2009
AIR BAGS
WE HIT A DEER HEAD-ON AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. WE WERE TRAVELLING ABOUT 60 MPH AND DID NOT BRAKE. THE CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE TO REPAIR. THIS SEEMS UNUSUAL BECAUSE AIR BAGS ARE DESIGNED TO GO OFF AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10284689September 21, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1. DURING MY WIFE'S MORNING COMMUTE THE OIL LIGHT STOP ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN OUR 2001.5 VW PASSAT. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS IN A RURAL AREA AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY AND COASTED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. 2. THE FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF SEVERE OIL COKING WITH THE 1.8T ENGINE. VW ISSUED A NOTIFICATION LETTER DATED AUGUST 2004 ADVISING OF THE ?OIL SLUDGE? PROBLEM. THE LETTER STATES ?ENGINE OIL SLUDGE OCCURS WHEN OLD, DIRTY ENGINE OIL THICKENS AND CANNOT CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE ENGINE LUBRICATION.? THE LETTER IMPLIES THE ISSUE IS DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE. IN REALITY THE FAILURE IS DUE TO A LATENT DESIGN DEFECT OF IMPROPER HEAT REJECTION ATTRIBUTE OF THE ENGINE SUMP. BASICALLY NOT ENOUGH OIL QUANTITY AND OIL COOLING CAPACITY. THE OIL THEN COKES OVER TIME IN A SIMILAR MANNER AS IS ENCOUNTERED ON GAS TURBINE ENGINES UNDER EXTREME TEMPERATURES. EVENTUALLY THE COKED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE AND PLUGS THE SUMP SCREEN. THE OIL PUMP THEN RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND ENGINE FAILURE. THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AT A CRITICAL TIME IS A SAFETY CONCERN. 3. FORTUNATELY AS OUR CAR WAS NOT RUN WITHOUT OIL PRESSURE I WAS ABLE TO SAVE THE ENGINE. VW WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY DESPITE PROVIDING A LOG BOOK FROM ALL THE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED FROM NEW. THEY REQUIRED ALL RECEIPTS OF OIL CHANGES. I PERFORM ALL MY OWN MAINTENANCE. VW CLEARLY HAS GAMED THE WARRANTY AND MISREPRESENTED THE PROBLEM AS POOR MAINTENANCE AND SLUDGE. I HAVE ALWAYS CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 5K MILES. THIS COST ME NEARLY $2K IN PARTS NOT INCLUDING MY LABOR. THIS IS A MAJOR REPAIR. THE OIL PUMP, SUMP SCREEN, ALL CRANK CASE VENTILATION LINES, TURBO LINES, ETC. HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS COFFEE GROUNDS (COKED OIL) THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. WHAT A MESS. I HOLD A BS IN AERO ENGR TECH AND FAA A&P LICENSE. I RUN THE AFTERMARKET FOR A LARGE GAS TURBINE ENGINE MFG. I KNOW ENGINE DESIGN AND WARRANTY GAMING WHEN I SEE IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10281298August 21, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY FOSTER SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2001 VW PASSAT WHEN HE NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT AND THERE WERE FLAMES ENGULFING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. FIRE AND POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE. IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND A MECHANIC THAT LOOKED AT THE CAR LATER THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE COMPUTER LOCATED IN THE DASH AREA OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS WITH THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT MELTED BEYOND REPAIR. WE HAVE A FIRE REPORT AND PICTURES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10281149August 20, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAULTY WIRING FOR TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHT, TURN LIGHTS. REPLACED FUSE, REPLACED BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHT BULBS EIGHT TIMES, THIS CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR ONE DAY. BOUGHT NEW KIT TO REPLACE OLD BRAKE ,TAIL LIGHT , TURNING LIGHT. THIS WORKED FOR APPROX. TWO MONTHS NOW NOTHING WORKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10280415August 14, 2009
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2001.5- 2.8 DOHC VW PASSAT WITH JUST OVER 106K MILES.AT AROUND 98K MILES I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF POWER IN THE ENGINE AND GOT MULTIPLE MISFIRES ON THE SCAN OF THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, ALTHOUGH MOSTLY WHEN I START THE CAR AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY, REGARDLESS OF TEMPERATURE. FAST FORWARD 6 MONTHS, AFTER ALREADY REPLACING THE COIL PACK TWICE, I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME OVER $600 DOLLARS TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT "MIGHT" BE THE PROBLEM. THEY'RE STILL NOT SURE. IF ANYONE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU'VE FIGURED OUT WHAT IT IS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279383August 4, 2009
VISIBILITY
I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THE FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC DIMMING REAR VIEW MIRROR ON MY 2001 VW PASSAT. IT IS A DONNELLY MIRROR, PART 3BO857511E (ALSO HAS THE NUMBER 4231909 ON IT). THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FLUID SUDDENLY CREATED A BUBBLE AND LEAKED WHEN I HAD IT REPLACED. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THESE MIRRORS WERE USED IN A WIDE VARIETY OF CARS AND HAVE ROUTINELY FAILED AND MAY CONTAIN MERCURY AND OTHER VERY TOXIC SUBSTANCES. THIS PRESENTS A DEFINITIVE SAFETY HAZARD AS ONE DOES NOT EXPECT THEIR REAR VIEW MIRROR TO FAIL, ABSENT BEING STRUCK AND BROKEN, AND TO POSSIBLY LEAK TOXIC PARTICLES/FLUID INTO THE CAR OR THE AIR OF THE CAR. ALSO, ONE CAN'T SAFELY DRIVE WITHOUT THE MIRROR AND THEY OFTEN COST HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE (MINE WAS $227.30) AND MUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY IF THE HEALTH HAZARDS ARE TO BE MINIMIZED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272942June 5, 2009
STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, WATER ENTERS THE FLOOR ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WATER ENTERED THROUGH THE DUCTS THAT DISTRIBUTE HEAT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268194May 8, 2009
STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FLOOR CARPET BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BECAME DAMP DURING RAINY CONDITIONS. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER RECALL ISSUE AND THEY REPAIRED THE WATER LEAKAGE FOR FREE. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED AND THE DEALER CHARGED $196 FOR THE SECOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,210 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,647.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266083April 20, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2001 1/2 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGON, MANUAL, 1.8T PERSISTENT ISSUES WITH IGNITION COILS, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OVER 8 YEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263858April 1, 2009
SEAT BELTS
THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT ON THE CAR GOT STUCK (OR LOCKED). NO ACCIDENT OR MISUSE OF THE EQUIPMENT HAPPENED. IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS REINSTALLING MY CHILD SEAT. NOW, I AM UNABLE TO INSTALL THE CHILD SEAT. IT IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE AND I RECOMMEND THE GOVERNMENT HAVE THE MANUFACTURER FIX IT. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS INCIDENT THAT I COULD FIND WHEN SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET. NOT SURE IF THEY HAVE OFFICIALLY BEEN REPORTED TO THE GOVERNMENT. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH ME IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263713March 31, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR A ROUTINE TUNE-UP AND A HONDA DEALER WROTE ON THE INVOICE THAT THE CONTROL VALVE JOINTS AND BOOTS WERE TORN, IN ADDITION TO THE SHAFT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE RELATED TO SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,511. UPDATED 05/08/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE CV JOINTS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/08/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262264March 18, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE IN MY 2001 VW PASSAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261782March 13, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FRONT BALL JOINT FAILURE AT APPROX. 35,000 MILES. THEN A LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE AT 95,000 MILES. OLD CONTROL ARM IS AVAILABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261619March 12, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE R5 RECALL CAMPAIGN. SHE WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER ONLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FLEX PIPE MUST BE DISENGAGED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. IF ANY DAMAGES OCCUR DURING THE DETACHMENT OF THE COMPONENT, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THAT THE RECALL REMEDY COULD POSSIBLY BE EXPENSIVE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 101,803. UPDATED 04/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 04/27/09.8JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260996March 6, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
DRIVE THE CAR FOR LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND THE OUTSIDE START SMELL LIKE OIL IT BE SMOKING. THE EMISSION WORKSHOP LIGHT IS ON AND SMELL LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE HEAT AND AIR BE OFF AND DRIVE THE CAR FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME HEAT START COMING OUT. ALSO WHEN DRIVE ALONG TIME THE NUMBERS IN FRONT BROAD START LOOKING LIKE IT GOING WAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259576February 22, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW PASSAT. THE HEADLIGHT LENSES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR HAVE CLOUDED SO MUCH THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BARELY ILLUMINATE THE ROAD. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER PASSAT OWNERS FROM THE SIMILAR YEARS AND THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. I BELIEVE VW SHOULD BE FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHT LENSES, AND OFFER TO REPLACE THEM FOR FREE. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT SEEING THE ROAD WELL AT NIGHT. THE DATE BELOW REFLECTS WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE CLOUDING IN THE LENSES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259190February 18, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE ALARM LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME AND FLASHING ABS LIGHT AS WELL AS STOP. BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND ARE FINE. DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS A REPLACEMENT ABS CONTROL MODULE - $1800. HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM AND MANY OWNERS OF VW'S AND AUDIS IN MY YEAR RANGE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258600February 13, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
FAULTY BOSCH ABS MODULE IN 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. THE WIRE GAUGE IS TOO SMALL, CAUSING OVERHEATING AND COMPONENT FAILURE. ABS MODULE UNIT REBUILT TO CORRECT STANDARDS. AFTER RESEARCHING, FOUND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL THOUSAND COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE. HOPING TO GET VW TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257073February 1, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
ABS CONTROLLER FAILED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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