Volkswagen Passat Complaints (1998)

331 consumer complaints on file.

#10079971June 25, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. ALSO, VEHICLE LOST POWER. SIMULTANEOUSLY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. A MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WAS APPARENT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079877June 23, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
PROBLEMS GETTING RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT.*MR CUSTOMER CARE INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN COULD NOT BE PERFORMED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE PARTS AND REPAIR TECHNICIANS WERE NOT OBTAINABLE BY ANY DEALERSHIPS OUTSIDE THE U.S. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075375June 14, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
OUR 1998 PASSAT HAS ONLY 50,000 MILES ON IT, AND YET ALL OF THE EXPENSIVE FRONT CONTROL ARMS ARE STARTING TO GO BAD. THEY ARE GETTING PLAY IN THE BALL JOINTS, WHICH ARE ONLY REPLACEABLE BY REPLACING THE WHOLE CONTROL ARMS. SINCE THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 8 CONTROL ARMS, THE COST OF REPAIR IS POTENTIALLY VERY HIGH. AND IF THEY ARE NOT REPLACED, THE POTENTIAL FOR HAZARD AND INJURY BECOMES VERY GREAT IF THE JOINTS GET SO SLOPPY THAT THEY AFFECT THE HANDLING OF THE CAR AND EVENTUALLY COME APART. VW SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH BUILDING SUCH AN UNDER-ENGINEERED SUSPENSION SYSTEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075001June 8, 2004
TIRES
I HAVE HAD 2 TIRES SEPARATE IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. PRIOR TO THIS RECENT EVENT I HAD ANOTHER TIRE SEPARATION AND WAS GIVEN REPLACEMENT TIRES INSTEAD OF A REFUND. THE LAS EVENT HAS LEFT SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I HAVE BOTH OF THE OLD TIRES AND PICTURES OF MY CAR DAMAGE. I HAVE CONTACTED A LAWYER AN*AKD HE IS THE ONE THAT INSTRUCTED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOU. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074963June 7, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING ALONG WITH BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH, TOOK IT IN TO VOLKSWA GEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THEY TOLD ME "THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND PUMP FAILED. THERE IS NO SIGNAL BETWEEN THE CONTROL MODULE & PUMP WITH THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR. THE MODULE IS SUPPOSED TO SEND BACK A SIGNAL SAYING EVERYTHING IS FINE OR TELLING WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, BUT IN MY CASE, THERE IS NO COMMUNICATION AT ALL. THE ONLY THING THAT CAN BE DONE IS TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND THAT SHOULD 'MOST LIKELY' SOLVE THE PROBLEM." AND THE ESTIMATE - $1885 - ABOUT $1500 FOR THE PART AND ABOUT $300 FOR THE LABOR - PLUS TAX. VWOA REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH COSTS, EVEN THOUGH I ONLY HAVE 67, 000 MILES ON THE CAR, AND THIS PROBLEM IS RAMPANT AND THERE ARE TONS OF PEOPLE IN THE SAME SITUATION. NOT SURE WHAT JUSTIFIES A RECALL, BUT IF THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, WHO HAVE PAID FOR A CAR WITH ABS BRAKES, WHY SHOUDL WE HAVE TO COUGH UP THAT KIND OF MONEY TO REPLACE SOMETHING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY FAULTY JUST TO GET OUR ABS WORKING AGAIN?*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074235May 25, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
THE OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE#99V 248 000/TIE RODS FROM THE MFR. IN SEPTEMBER,1999. THE WORK WAS DONE IN DECEMBER 1999. LESS THAN 30,000 LATER THE TIE RODS FAILED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED HE MFR. WHO INDICATED THAT THEY HAVE FULFILLED THERE COMMITMENT AND THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY WILL DO. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074041May 24, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND COULD BE REPAIRED FOR 1400.00 PLUS LABOR *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073845May 18, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. THE TIE RODS WERE GOING BAD AND THE MFR WAS CALLING FOR A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE OWNER WAS TOLD THAT THE VIN# WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072685May 16, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
THE FRONT OF MY CAR CONSTANTLY GROANS WHEN I MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL (WHILE DRIVING OR NOT) AND IF I APPLY PRESSURE TO THE FRONT END. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC (NOT VW) WHO SAID THAT THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THE STRUTS, TIE RODS, OR SOMETHING IN THAT AREA. HE RECOMMENDED I TALK TO VW TO SEE IF THE ITEM IS RECALLED OR COVERED BY WARRANTY IN ANY WAY. I CALLED VW GAVE MY VIN AND IT IS NOT PART OF THE CURRENT RECALL REGARDING TIE RODS. I BOUGHT ONE OF THE FIRST 1998 VW PASSATS OF THE B5 SERIES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072602May 14, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES
MY 1998 VW PASSAT HAS A LOUD GRINDING, RUMBLING SOUND AND VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION, SOUNDS LIKE THE WHEELS ARE GOING TO FALL OFF. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CROSS LINK ARMS AT A COST OF APPROX $300. I ALSO HAD THE TIE RODS REPLACED UNDER RECALL. BUT NOISE/VIBRATION STILL THERE. NOW THE DEALER TELLS ME IT MIGHT BE BUSHINGS ON EITHER THE UPPER CONTROL ARM OR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, EACH COSTING ABOUT $1300 TO REPLACE. I ASKED THE DEALER IF THIS WAS A NORMAL REPAIR ITEM, THEY SAID "SURE", YOUR CAR HAS 90K MILES ON IT. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A WELL BUILT, SAFE CAR WOULD HAVE THIS TYPE OF EXPENSIVE REPAIR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10066045April 13, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS LIGHT IN MY 1998 PASSAT GLX WILL COME ON INTERMITTANTLY ALONG WITH THE BRAKE AND LOW OIL LIGHTS. WROTE PRESIDENT OF VW OF AMERICA AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT HELP. THEY WANT TO REPLACE ABS MODULE AT $2200. THE WEB IS FULL OF FOLKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PART MUST BE DEFECTIVE...THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10066787April 8, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER INFORMED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10066887April 1, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VOLKSWAGEN HAD NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION TO PERFORM THREE RECALLS ON 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. LETTER ANSWERED BY MR. ALBERTO JIMENEZ VIA EMAIL. *PH *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064629March 22, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A SQUEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO FOUND THAT THE RIGHT OUTER AND INNER TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10060112March 1, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
MECHANIC IS TELLING ME ALL FOUR TIE ROD ASSEMLBIES AND CONTROL ARMS NEED REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN HEARIN A LOUD CRUNCHING NOICE EVERYTIME I GO OVER A SMALL BUMP OR TURN A CORNER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10060019February 29, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
MY 1998 VW PASSAT HAS 57,000 MILES ON IT AND A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON STEADILY AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES WITH AN AUDIBLE FOUR-CHIME TONE. THE VW DEALER TESTED AND CONFIRMED THAT I NEED A NEW ABS CONTROL MODULE. THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR IS $1900. . VW OF AMERICA DECLINED TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056941February 10, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
MY 1998 VW PASSAT HAS 85,000 MILES ON IT AND A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON STEADILY AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES WITH AN AUDIBLE FOUR-CHIME TONE. THE VW DEALER TESTED AND CONFIRMED THAT I NEED A NEW ABS PUMP/CONTROL. THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR IS $2,100. SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT FROM REPLACING THE TURBO CHARGER TO A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT-END SUSPENSION TO NAME A FEW. VW OF AMERICA DECLINED TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE. I USED TO OWN A TOYOTA WITH 250,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I SOLD IT AND NEVER HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT LIKE I HAVE WITH THIS CAR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056261February 1, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER ON FREEWAY TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. WOULD NOT TURN OVER. LINKAGE TO TIMING BELT MALFUNCTIONED @ 100,710 MILES. FOUND OUT THAT BOTH TIMING BELT AND LINKAGE ARE NOT DUE TO BE CHANGED UNTIL 105,000. FAULTY PRIOR TO VW'S SPECIFICATIONS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054942January 26, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
1998 VW PASSAT 20V GLS SEDAN VIN: [XXX] ABS FAULT INDICATED BY ABS AND BRAKE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS FLASHING AND INSTRUMENT ALARM SOUNDING. 1 FAULTS FOUND: 01203 - ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN ABS AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 03-10 - NO SIGNAL - INTERMITTENT DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY ABS CONTROL MODULE. SAFETY ISSUE - ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL: "IF ABS WARNING LIGHT AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT LIT UP TOGETHER, IT IS POSSIBLE REAR WHEELS WILL LOCK-UP EARLY UNDER HARD BRAKING. THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND MAY BE DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION NOT FUNCTIONING. HAVE YOUR VEHICLE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY BY AN AUTHORIZED VOLKSWAGEN DEALER OR A QUALIFIED INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP" MODULE IN CAR: [XXX] CURRENT VW REPLACEMENT MODULE: [XXX] I HAVE CALLED AROUND TO AT LEAST 6 DEALERS, "LIST" PRICE RANGES FROM $1500 - $1900 FOR THE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE "Q" MODULE. MY LOCAL DEALER TOLD ME THEY HAD STOCK AND LIST PRICE WAS $1000, BUT WHEN THE PART WAS DELIVERED THAT PRICE HAD CHANGED TO $1600 LIST. I SURELY WOULD NOT HAVE ORDERED THE PART IF IT I HAD BEEN QUOTED THAT PRICE! PART WAS REFUSED, HOWEVER ACCORDING TO THE PARTS DRIVER I TALKED TO A YEAR AGO (AND AS RECENTLY AS THIS FALL) THE PART WAS $1000 LIST, AND LATELY THEY HAVE BEEN DELIVERING 4 - 5 OF THEM A WEEK TO INDEPENDENT SHOPS DOING THESE REPAIRS. FROM VARIOUS FORUMS (VWVORTEX, CLUB B5 PASSAT, AUDI WORLD, BENTLEY TECHNICAL WEB, VAG COM TECH FORUM) I HAVE LEARNED THE FAILURE RATES FOR THE 97 - 2000 MODEL YEAR B5 PLATFORM CARS (AUDI A4, VW PASSAT) THAT SHARE THE SAME [XXX] (B OR P) MODULES HAVE BEEN FAILING AT AN ALARMING RATE. IN MY OPINION VWOA NEEDS TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL TO ADDRESS THE PREMATURE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURES IN THESE VEHICLES. *LA UPDATED 07/27/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054573January 21, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE. FINALLY AFTER TRYING AGAIN IT DID AND BROUGHT TO MECHANIC. PROBABLY A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TOWED TO DEALER. FROM THEN ON ITS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. TWO WEEKS LATER AND THEY STILL HAVE MY CAR. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (COVERED UNDER POWERTRAIN), JUST ABOUT EVERY DAY GET A CALL THAT SOMETHING ELSE NEEDS REPLACING. WAS TOLD THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW CENSOR NEEDED REPLACING AND WAS COVERED. GAVE APPROVAL. WEEK LATER GOT CALL THAT ITS NOT COVERED (ANY OTHER STORE WOULD HAVE TO HONOR THE INCORRECT PRICE TAG AND EAT THAT COST-NO-NOT THE DEALER!). ALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. ERROR CODE FLAGGED 10 PROBLEMS WHEN ORIGINALLY BROUGHT IN. OUTER CV BOOTS WORN, HARNESS (SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL WIRING GOING TO CENSOR), COOLANT HOSE, 2ND AIR HOSE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THAT CAR HAS BEEN INFERIOR SINCE DAY ONE. HOSES AND PARTS REPLACED WITHIN FIRST MONTH OF OWNING NEW CAR. INFERIOR ON VW AND AWFUL RESPONSE FROM VW. HAD RECALL ON FILTER LEADING TO AIR FLOW CENSOR. SEEMS TO ME THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW CENSOR IS ALSO PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE UNDER RECALL. HAVE READ PRIOR COMPLAINTS ON THIS YEAR/MODEL AND SEEMS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ITSELF IS MAJOR PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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