Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2001)

432 consumer complaints on file.

#10211253December 9, 2007
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HEATER CORE FAILED. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE CAR SERVICED REGULAR ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER SPECS. THE COST IS $1000.00 TO REPLACE THE PART. IT FAILED ON A VERY COLD NIGHT TRAVELING THROUGH A WINTER STORM. TRY DRIVING A CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE WITH NO HEAT TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS. WRECKED DUE TO THE INABILITY TO SEE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10210944December 5, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
FLASHER SWITCH IS FAILING. TURN SIGNALS BLINK ONCE OR TWICE AND THEN STOP. SAME WITH HAZARD LIGHTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209867November 25, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM
ALL 4 UPPER CONTROL ARMS FAILED AT 62,500 MILES. OEM CONTROL ARMS ARE UNFIT FOR PURPOSE AS DESIGNED AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY VWOA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209303November 19, 2007
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
I AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER VW PASSAT OWNERS WISH FOR VW OF NORTH AMERICA TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THE TIE RODS, CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINTS, ETC. (THE WHOLE FRONT SUSPENSION OF PASSATS) DUE TO THE OBVIOUS FAILURE OF THESE SYSTEMS. I PERSONALLY KNOW OF A MECHANIC IN STOUGHTON, WI WHO HAS REPLACED THIS SYSTEM ON 3 PASSATS THIS MONTH ALONE AND MY CAR IS NEXT. WE'RE TALKING TO THE TUNE OF $1800.00-$2000.00 FOR PARTS ALONE. THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND ONE IS COMPLETELY HANDCUFFED BECAUSE ONE'S CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IF THIS ISSUE IS NEGLECTED. FURTHER, WHEN ONE CONTACTS A LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP (ZIMBRICK VW OF MADISON, WI) AND INQUIRES ABOUT THIS KIT TO REBUILD THE FRONT END, THE PARTS MANAGER ADMITS THAT THEY KEEP MANY OF THESE KITS IN STOCK BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. SO, WHY IS VW OF NORTH AMERICAN IGNORING THE OBVIOUS? COULD IT BE THAT THEY WOULD BE OUT A HANDSOME AMOUNT OF MONEY? BETTER TO LET THE CONSUMER TAKE THE BRUNT OF THIS ISSUE AND HOPE IT EVENTUALLY GOES AWAY? PLEASE HELP!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208680November 12, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2001 PASSAT 1.8L TURBO. CAR'S ENGINE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DWIGHT HARRISON VOLKSWAGEN. THEY CHECKED THE OIL PRESSURE AND SAID IT WAS FINE. THEY CHANGED THE OIL AND SAID THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR MIGHT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY NOT USING A VW OIL FILTER. NOT ONE MENTION OF THE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN PREVALENT WITH THIS ENGINE. DROVE THE CAR FOR AROUND 5000 MILES WITHOUT ANY MORE PROBLEMS. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME BACK ON INTERMITTENTLY. I TOWED THE CAR INTO HERITAGE VW WHO SAID IT COULD BE AN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM BUT THAT I'LL HAVE TO AUTHORIZE 5 HOURS OF LABOR TO TELL FOR SURE (ABOUT $500). I CANNOT FIND ALL OF MY OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS AND VW WON'T ADVISE IF THEY WILL COVER ANY OF THE REPAIR UNTIL I SPEND THE $500. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO AFTER THEY'VE TAKEN MY CAR APART AND I'LL ALREADY SPENT $500 GETTING A DIAGNOSIS? I NEVER RECEIVED THE LETTER VW SAID THEY SENT ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN 2004. I'VE HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT VW DEALERSHIPS AFTER THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM IN 2004 YET THE DEALERSHIP NEVER ONCE ASKED IF I'D LIKE TO PUT IN SYNTHETIC OIL. DON'T THEY HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY DESIGN OF THE TURBO ENGINE? DON'T THE DEALERS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO TELL YOU OF THE PROBLEM WHEN YOU ARE GETTING THE OIL CHANGED? THIS IS TYPICAL OF VW DEALERSHIPS - THEY WANT YOU TO SPEND MONEY WHILE THEY HAVE A GUESSING GAME ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY DID THIS WITH A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I HAD, THE COOLING SYSTEM AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209397November 9, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CHECK ENGINE AND OIL PRESSURE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND ENGINE MADE A WHINING NOISE. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205724October 15, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 67 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRASTICALLY DECELERATE AND THEN COASTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRESENT. TEN SECONDS LATER, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM DELIVERY PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED FOR FREE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205337October 10, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
DASHBOARD LIGHTS - FLICKER - TURN OFF AND TURN ON WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204355September 28, 2007
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 2 MPH, SCALDING HOT RADIATOR FLUID SUDDENLY SPEWED FROM THE VENTS AND ONTO THE CONTACT'S FEET. SHE IS PREGNANT AND STATED THAT SHE HAD NOT BEEN TO A DOCTOR TO CHECK IF THE RADIATOR FUMES HARMED THE UNBORN CHILD. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPLETELY FAILED AS WELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEATER CORE FAILED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VIN AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 124,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10201386August 23, 2007
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2001 VW PASSAT WITH MANY PROBLEMS**CC THE CONSUMER STATE A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING HER VEHICLE SHE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER SHOULD SUPPLY RENTAL CARS WHILE REPAIRS ARE BEING DONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200519August 22, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE FOR SERVICE ON AUGUST 4, 2007, AT VW DEALERSHIP FAIRFAX IMPORTS, IN FAIRFAX, VA. AT THIS TIME I INFORMED MR. DAVID DELOATCHE, SERVICE ADVISOR, THAT MY COOLANT LIGHT (STOP RED LIGHT FLASHING) HAD COME ON AND THERE SEEMED TO BE A LEAK AS THE FLUID WAS NOT SUSTAINING AND RATHER SPILLING OUT. ON AUGUST 4, 2007, I WAS CHARGED $776.99 FOR MANIFOLD OF SERVICES INCLUDING AN INJECTOR FLUSH, POWER STEERING FLUSH, BRAKE FLUID FLUSH, AND COOLANT FLUSH. THE COOLANT BOTTLE WAS REPLACED AND I WAS ASSURED THAT THERE WAS NO ENGINE FLUSH NEEDED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WASN'T ENOUGH TIME TO FIX THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND THE CAR WAS SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE. AS I LEFT THE PARKING LOT ON AUGUST 4, 2007, AFTER MY SERVICE AT FAIRFAX IMPORTS, THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR ROSE TO 260 DEGREES. I CALLED DAVID DELOATCHE IMMEDIATELY TO INQUIRE ON THE SAFETY OF MY CAR. I WAS ASSURED ONCE AGAIN TO IGNORE THE COOLANT LIGHT AND THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR, AND THAT IT IS SAFE FOR ME TO TURN ON AND USE THE AIR CONDITIONING AND THAT THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE. MY EMPLOYER, IBM SENT ME FOR TRAINING TO PALISADES, NY FROM AUGUST 5 TO 12, 2007. ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2007, I WAS ENROUTE TO IBM OFFICE IN BETHESDA, MD FROM FAIRFAX, VA. MY ENGINE BLEW OUT ON HIGHWAY 270 AND I WAS PLACED IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. MY SAFETY WAS DISREGARDED AS MY VEHICLE WASN'T PROPERLY FIXED, AND I WAS ABANDONED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200108August 20, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE UNIT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199931August 17, 2007
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 148,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198891August 8, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. SHE STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD MAKE THE REPAIR; HOWEVER, THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198903August 8, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. HE STATED THAT THE MAIN FUEL LINE RUPTURED, WHICH CAUSED GAS TO COVER THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE RUPTURED AND THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE FAILURE, HOWEVER, THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197784July 30, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
I OWN A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGEN AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE DUE SLUDGE AND VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME BECAUSE I WAS MISSING ONE OIL CHANGE RECEIPT THE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON IN THE CAR TELLING ME I HAVE ENGINE PROBLEMS ONCE AGAIN, AND I BRING IT IN FOR REGULAR REPAIRS AND CHECK UPS. CURRENTLY THE SUSPENSION PART OF THE CAR HAS GONE AND THAT WILL COST ANOTHER $2000 ON TOP OF THE $7000 I ALREADY PUT INTO IT. THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE NEW TIRES AND OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE GONE WRONG WITH THIS IDIOT CAR. VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT STAND BY ITS CUSTOMERS AT ALL AND I WILL NEVER EVER BUY FROM THEM AGAIN AND WILL TELL PEOPLE I KNOW THE CAR IS A PIECE OF CRAP. THE PLACE I BRING IN MY CAR TO FOR REPAIR ALREADY KNOWS THAT. DO NOT BRING IT INTO A VOLKSWAGEN REPAIR PLACE TO HAVE IT FIXED> THEY ARE THE BIGGEST RIPP OFFS AND SO TOTALLY DISHONEST!!!! I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM JACK DANIELS IN FAIRLAWN, NJ AND HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED AT TREND MOTORS, IN DENVILLE, NJ *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197871July 30, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE SQUEAKING AND CREAKING OF THE FRONT END OF MY VW PASSAT 2001 IS HORRENDOUS. MY LOCAL VW AND THE VW OF A HAVE DONE NOTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION AND, REGARDLESS OF THE INCREASING NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND INCREASING PROBLEMS IN CONTROLLING THE CAR, ARE ASKING FOR APPROXIMATELY $1500 TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197318July 24, 2007
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HEATER CORE FAILED, CAUSING SUDDEN AND SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF VISIBILITY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. INTERIORS OF ALL WINDOWS WERE SEVERELY FOGGED WITH COOLANT MIST. I WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. AWARE THAT VW HAS FREQUENTLY REPLACED THIS KNOWN DEFICIENT COMPONENT OUT OF WARRANTY, I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA THREE TIMES. I WAS CONSISTENTLY TOLD THAT I WOULD RECEIVE NO HELP. COST OF HEATER CORE REPLACEMENT AT DEALERSHIP WAS $1600. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191671May 24, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL LINE ON FIREWALL CRACKED AND SPRAYING FUEL OVER ENGINE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191133May 17, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CONNECTOR AND WIRING HARNESS PROVIDING POWER TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHTS ON THE 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS MELTED AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. IF I DID NOT TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION THE ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THESE CONNECTORS MAY HAVE TRIGGERED A FIRE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SOCKET/WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED IN OCTOBER OF 2004. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SOCKET/WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2007. WHILE AT THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE PASSENGER SIDE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED I OBSERVED ANOTHER PASSAT OWNER COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET RESULTED IN FINDING MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAD THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS WELL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen Passat