Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2001)

432 consumer complaints on file.

#10092980September 21, 2004
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
I WAS TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEED OUTSIDE OF PENDELTON OREGON WHEN THE WIND BLEW MY SUN ROOF OFF OF MY CAR. THE SUN ROOF WAS CLOSED, AND THE CAR JUST ERUPTED AND THE ROOF WAS LITERALLY PEELED OFF THE TOP OF MY CAR. I HAVE TAKEN PHOTOS OF THE PROBLEM, AND IT SEEMS VOLKSWAGEN IS USING A PLASTIC CALIPER SYSTEM TO CONNECT THE SUNROOF GLASS ASSEMBLY TO THE DRIVE MECHANICS ON THE MOTOR DRIVEN CARRAIGE. THE PLASTIC FATIGUED BECAUSE OF USE AND VOLKSWAGEN COULD CARE LESS. THE NEW ASSEMBLAGE IS $2200 AND THERE IS NO SECOND CHOICE, PURCHASE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY OR GO WITHOUT A SUNROOF..... AFTER CALLING VOLKSWAGEN AND GETTING NOWHERE I AM PROCEEDING TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT IN OREGON FOR PURSIUT OF MY MONEY BACK.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10091255September 19, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY
LOWER RIGHT SIDE NEAR THE VENT CONTROL OF DASHBOARD RATTLES AND MAKES A CLICKING NOISE WHEN ON UNEVEN ROADS. HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I BOUGHT IT, BUT IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE WITH TIME. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON IT. TOOK IT TO THE VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE WAS JUST THE LEATHER RUBBING; HOWEVER, WHEN THEY APPLIED FELT TAPE TO THE AREA, THE NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT. ASKED IF IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH HOW THE DASHBOARD WAS MOUNTED, POSSIBLY A FAULTY CLIP, AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS QUITE RUDE SAYING THERE WAS NO PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH HE HEARD THE NOISE DURING TEST DRIVE. I READ ON SOME VW MESSAGE BOARDS THAT THERE IS AN UPDATED CLIP KIT FOR THE PASSAT BECAUSE SO MANY VW/PASSAT DRIVERS HAVE HAD THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS. IS THIS TRUE? *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10090663September 8, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
POWER BRAKE BOOST FAILED; BRAKE APPLICATION REQUIRED INCREASED PEDAL FORCE AND DISTANCE TO STOP. PROBLEM ABATED AFTER 30 SECONDS, THEN RECURRED AT NEXT VEHICLE START- ALSO SUBSIDED AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME. *AK TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT 2 SUPPLY LINES TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER HAD FAILED AND CRACKED. WAS TOLD THAT REPAIR WOULD COST $150, BUT COULD NOT BE FIXED THAT DAY. OLD PARTS AVAILABLE (INCLUDING IMAGES PRIOR TO REMOVAL).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10090453September 5, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
IN JULY 2003 MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW PASSAT 1.8L TURBO HAD SYMPTOMS RELATED TO OIL PRESSURE PROBLEMS. AS I WAS TRAVELING ON VACATION THE CAR GAVE WARNING OF THIS SITUATION AND THE SYSTEM ADVISED THAT THE CAR BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. I STOPPED THE CAR AND BEGAN PURSUING OPTIONS TO GET THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS OIL SLUDGE. THE REPAIR WAS AS SIMPLE AS CLEANING THE OIL PUMP STRAINER AND OIL PAN. THE REPAIR COST APPROXIMATELY $500.00. NOW, SOME 20K MILES LATER MY CAR HAD ANOTHER OIL RELATED ISSUE. THIS TIME THE OIL COOLER MALFUNCTIONED AND RUPTURED CAUSING $8,000 - $10,000 IN REPAIR COST. OF COURSE THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND RECENT ACTIONS BY VOLKSWAGEN TO EXTEND WARRANTIES FOR OIL SLUDGE DO NOT INCLUDE THE OIL COOLER. THE OIL SLUDGE ISSUE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A MAJOR CONCERN OF VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICAN BY THEIR ACTIONS TOWARD THE WARRANTY EXTENSION, BUT THEY ARE AVOIDING PARTS AND THE MECHANICAL OPERATIONS THAT COULD LEAD TO THE PROBLEM BEING CORRECTED. OBVIOUSLY OIL THAT IS NOT PROPERLY COOLED WILL BREAK DOWN QUICKER THAN OIL RUNNING AT MORE ACCEPTABLE TEMPERATURES. CURRENTLY, VOLKSWAGEN CAN MAKE NO CONCLUSIVE ANALYSIS AS TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AN OIL COOLER MALFUNCTION AND OIL SLUDGE. THIS WOULD BE KEY IN DETERMINING THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CAR REPAIRS. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA'S CUSTOMER CARE ADVOCATES HAVE REFERRED ME TO MY DEALERSHIP ON TWO OCCASIONS AND MY DEALERSHIP SEEMS TO BE UNABLE TO MAKE 100% CONCLUSIVE DECISIONS. I BELIEVE IT IS VOLKSWAGENS RESPONSIBILITY TO GUARANTEE THEIR PRODUCTS. THEY ARE IN NO POSITION TO AVOID RESPONSIBILITY ESPECIALLY AFTER ALLOWING THE OIL SLUDGE ISSUE TO CONTINUE FROM 1998 MODELS CARS TO CURRENT 2004 MODELS WITHOUT OFFERING CONSUMER ASSISTANCE. SIX YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO HAVE POTENTIALLY SERIOUS MECHANICAL ISSUES UNADDRESSED. THANK YOU. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10089069September 3, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT - OIL SLUDGE - MY CAR HAD A STOP LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW OIL PUMP FOR $900. VOLKSWAGEN WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR, SO I DID. 10,000 MILES LATER MY ENGINE FAILED AND I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE FOR $11,000. AGAIN VW WOULD NOT COVER THIS FIALURE.. VOLKSWAGEN IS TRYING TO LOOK LIKE THE NICE GUY WITH THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE BIG CATCH--MUST HAVE EVERY RECEIPT FOR EVERY OIL CHANGE TO PROVE THEY WERE DONE EVERY 5,000 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN IS NOT STANDING BY THEIR CAR. HORRIBLE TO DEAL WITH. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH MANY PASSAT OWNERS AFFECTED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10089034September 2, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT - OIL SLUDGE - MY CAR HAD A STOP LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT. I PULLED OVER, CHECKED OIL AND OIL PRESSURE WAS NOT LOW. PROCEEDED AND CAR LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS PULLING OVER.*AK VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT PAY FOR THE $6000 REPAIR. ENGINE SEIZED. VOLKSWAGEN IS TRYING TO LOOK LIKE THE NICE GUY WITH THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE BIG CATCH--MUST HAVE EVERY RECEIPT FOR EVERY OIL CHANGE TO PROVE THEY WERE DONE EVERY 5,000 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN IS NOT STANDING BY THEIR CAR. HORRIBLE TO DEAL WITH. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH MANY PASSAT OWNERS AFFECTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10089900August 27, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER HAD TO PUT HER SHOE UNDER THE PEDAL AN PULL IT UP. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10086377August 7, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
SHIELDING ON EXHAUST SYSTEM SEPARATED AND MADE CONTACT WITH MANIFOLD, CAUSING A FIRE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079998July 30, 2004
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH VEHICLE STALLED, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE BROKE IN TWO PARTS. THE PART WAS REPLACED AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $1055. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082830July 28, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CRUISE CONTROL KICKS ON BY ITSELF. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE MAXIMUM SPEED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL IS SET, BUT I LET THE VEHICLE GET UP TO OVER 85 MPH YESTERDAY BEFORE I 'CANCELED' THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE 'CANCEL' BUTTON ONLY TEMPORARILY SOLVES THE PROBLEM - A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE CRUISE CONTROL KICKS ON AGAIN. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I'M ON A HIGHWAY OR A RESIDENTIAL STREET - THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY KICK IN AND INCREASE SPEED. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO A DEALER YET.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082773July 27, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
CONTROL ARMS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT SUBSTATIAL COST.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083450July 21, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. PLACED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE CONTINUE TO ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UP, AND DOWN SHIFTED IN ORDER TO STOP. THIS CAUSED TREAD SEPARATION ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083316July 20, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10081066July 14, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
CAR HAS TWICE, SPONTANEOUSLY AND FORCEFULLY (JULY10 AND JULY 12), ACCELERATED AS I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR TO PREPARE FOR A STOP. DEALERSHIP SERVICE CANNOT EVALUATE THE PROBLEM UNTIL JULY 22. SERVICE REP CAN'T TELL ME WHETHER IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR, BECAUSE SHE HAS NO IDEA WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE SEVERAL INCIDENT REPORTS ON THIS WEBSITE, DESCRIBING EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM, AND IN ONE CASE THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT-RELATED INJURY. I'D LIKE TO SEE AN EVALUATION OF THIS PROBLEM IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL (VW 2001 PASSAT V), JUST TO SEE HOW COMMON IT IS, AND TO DETERMINE IF A SERVICE RECALL IS IN ORDER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079096June 30, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE TRUNK LATCH BROKE WHEN CLOSING THE TRUNK NORMALLY AND WOULD NOT LATCH. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE AND THE DEALER SAID THE INSIDE COMPONENTS WERE SHATTERED. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE DEDUCTIBLE BECAUSE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED THE ITEM. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER PASSAT OWNERS. IS THIS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT?*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079097June 30, 2004
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SUNROOF AREA RATTLES / KLUNKS OCCASIONALLY OVER BUMPS. PAYED $69.95 FEE AND DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079098June 30, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES VIBRATE NOTICEABLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING AT VARIABLE SPEEDS. DEALER REPLACED REAR BRAKE DISCS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079100June 30, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, POWER TRAIN
CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING ON 55 MPH ROAD. STARTER WORKED AND ENGINE WOULD TURN, BUT WOULD NOT RUN. DEALER FOUND NO CODES IN COMPUTER. ENGINE AND HORN FUSES BLOWN AND DEALER REPLACED HORN RELAY. I ASKED THE DEALER WHY THERE WERE NO CODES IN THE COMPUTER AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW THE ANSWER. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE COMPUTER. CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 7 DAYS. INCIDENT HAPPENED OVER 100 MILES FROM HOME AND DEALER FINALLY AUTHORIZED LOANER AFTER 2 DAYS. DEALER WAS VERY RUDE DURING THE WHOLE INCIDENT AND CONSTRUCTION MADE IT DIFFICULT TO COMMUNICATE. PHONE LINES WERE DISCONNECTED PART OF THE TIME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079101June 30, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
FAN BEHIND GLOVE BOX AREA SQUEAKS (CHIRPS) WHEN FAN IS BLOWING AND HEAT IS ON. EVERY WINTER THIS OCCURS AND THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT IT, BUT COULD NOT OFFER A SOLUTION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079102June 30, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING ON 45 MPH ROAD. STARTER AND ENGINE TURN, BUT WOULD NOT RUN. ADVISED DEALER THAT THIS HAPPENED 1 YEAR AGO AND ENGINE FUSE AND HORN FUSE HAD TO BE REPLACED. NO CODES WERE IN THE COMPUTER. DEALER REPLACED FUSE S232 AND CAR STARTED. DURING ROAD TEST, CAR DIED AGAIN. FUSE S232 BLEW AGAIN AND DEALER FOUND ECM AND HARNESS MELTED AND WAS SMOKING. DEALER REPLACED ECM, HARNESS AND FUSE AND CAR RAN. WHEN CUSTOMER RECEIVED THE CAR, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND DASH LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. DEALER REPROGRAMMED CRUISE AND FIXED WIRING OF DASH LIGHTS UNDER WARRANTY AFTER MUCH ARGUMENT. DEALER DID NOT KNOW CAUSE OF MISHAP. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THE CAR HAS DIED WHILE TRAVELLING ON BUSY ROADS. I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED TWICE AS I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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