Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2003)
637 consumer complaints on file.
- #10330358May 13, 2010STRUCTURE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED AN 03 VW PASSAT FROM A VW DEALER AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE BACK IN 2/07. WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF PURCHASE I HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS WERE FOLLOWED BY VALVE COVER LEAKS, ENGINE LEAKS, AUTO WINDOW PROBLEMS, BATTERY PROBLEMS, RECALL ISSUES, WATER INTRUSION ISSUES, IGNITION COIL RECALL AND THE LIST GOES ON. AFTER A WATER INTRUSION JUST DAYS AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY IGNITION COILS I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE NOTIFYING THEM OF THE PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURE HAD HELD THEIR FOOT TO THE GROUND THAT MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY (THAT I WAS TOLD AT TIME OF SALE I DID NOT HAVE) AND SO THEY ARE ABLE TO DO NOTHING ABOUT ANY OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER AS IT STANDS I HAVE NEARLY $3000 IN REPAIRS NEEDED TO THIS VEHICLE. NOT TO MENTION THE WATER LEAK/DAMAGE FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND MAY ACTUALLY MEAN MY VEHICLE IS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS AT THIS POINT. I HAVE EXPRESSED TO THE MANUFACTURE THAT I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF BUT MY SMALL CHILDREN AS WELL EVER TIME WE ARE IN THIS VEHICLE. AMONG THE SEVERAL THINGS THAT ARE POTENTIAL TO OCCUR WHILE I AM DRIVING I ALSO WORRY ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR MOLD EXPOSURE FROM THE WATER DAMAGE. DUE TO COST I AM UNABLE TO GET ANY OF THIS CORRECTED AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO GO THRU MY INSURANCE ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURE ISSUE AND SO I AM STUCK. I FEEL THAT AT THIS POINT I AM DRIVING AROUND IN A SAFETY HAZARD AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. EVERY TIME I RECEIVE A REPLAY FROM ANYONE I JUST END UP BACK AT THE SAME PLACE....CONTACT THE BBB, ETC. I AM GETTING NO WHERE AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO THEREFORE AM LOOKING INTO ANY AND ALL RESOURCES SO ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE USEFUL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10330380May 13, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY VW PASSAT 2003 WITH ONLY 60 K MILES CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND AS A RESULT OF THAT THE THERMOSTAT AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR MECHANIC WAS IS AN INDEPENDENT VW MECHANIC AND HE WAS OF THE OPINION THAT AT SUCH MILEAGE SUCH MALFUNCTIONS SHOULD NOT OCCUR IN THIS CAR. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10327020April 22, 2010ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON APRIL 20, 2010 MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT AROUND 4:45 PM. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE PLACE WHO DOES ALL MY REPAIR WORK, AND WAS TOLD I COULD DROP OFF THE CAR THAT NIGHT, AND THEY WOULD CHECK IT OUT THE FOLLOWING MORNING. I ARRIVED AT THE LOCATION AROUND 5:10, PARKED THE CAR AND WENT TO PLACE MY KEY IN THE NIGHT DROP BOX. WHEN I WALKED BACK TO THE CAR I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I RAISED THE HOOD AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM WHAT LOOKED LIKE UNDER THE BACK OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THEN I NOTICED THAT THERE WERE FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD INSIDE THE CAR. I CALLED 911 AND RAN TO A NEARBY GAS STATION TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE CAR THERE WERE FLAMES VISIBLE INSIDE THE CAR. I USED THE ENTIRE FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND IT DID NOT EVEN PHASE THE FIRE. WITHIN 1 MINUTE THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED WITHIN 6 MINUTES AND THE CAR WAS GONE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10324334April 7, 2010SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 2003, VW, PASSAT: A.)TIE ROD AND B.)BRAKE VACUUM VIN: [XXX] 2006 VW RECALLS 06V472000 & 05V540000 ARE SUSPICIOUSLY THE SAME PROBLEM AS MY 2003 PASSAT. LAST TRIP TO SERVICE DEPT REVEALED BOTH PROBLEMS. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY TO DATE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10313156April 1, 2010FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, SUSPENSION
2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FIRE*CW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING A LIGHT BLINKED ON THE DASHBOARD. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, IT WAS A LIGHT FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED TO THE DEALER, THE LIGHT WENT OUT, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE LIGHT RETURNED SHORTLY THEREAFTER AND STAYED ON. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE LIGHT. THE BALL JOINTS FAILED, BUT THEY WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SOON, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AGAIN, THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED BY THE DEALER EARLIER IN THE YEAR. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED DRIVING, WHEN SUDDENLY ANOTHER MOTORIST INFORMED HER THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONSUMER'S INSURANCE AGENT CONTACTED HER AND ADVISED HER VOLKSWAGEN WAS COVERING ALL THE COST RELATED TO THE INCIDENT, BECAUSE THE FIRE WAS A RESULT OF A RECALL THAT HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BY THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10318922March 11, 2010SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE FROM VOLKSWAGEN IN 2/07'. WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE LAUNDRY LIST, STARTING WITH THE BRAKES, INCLUDES A LEAK IN THE TRUNK, ENTIRE BRAKE REPLACEMENT WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR, SEVERAL RECALLS, BATTERY REPLACEMENT, CRACKED VALVE COVER, PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE COOLANT TEMP SENSOR, FAULTY IGNITION COILS CAUSING SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS AS A RESULT OF THE VEHICLE 'SHAKING' WHILE ON & POTENTIAL TO STALL AT ANY GIVEN TIME, A RECENT MASSIVE WATER LEAK INSIDE INTERIOR OF VEHICLE CAUSING INTERIOR WATER DAMAGE AS WELL AS A BUILD UP OF MILDEW AND POSSIBLY MOLD AS WELL AS NOW CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO FOG UP CONSTANTLY DUE TO MOISTURE UNDER FLOOR MATS, PROBLEMS WITH LEFT BLINKER, TROUBLE STARTING, SEVERAL CURRENT ENGINE LEAKS TO THE EXTENT OF A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS, AUTOMATIC WINDOW PROBLEMS, WORN CV BOOTS CURRENTLY MAKING A CLICKING NOISE; THIS BEING THE MAJOR THINGS THAT HAVE OCCURRED TO DATE. IN GOOD FAITH, AFTER A VERY SCARY RIDE THIS LAST JANUARY, I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA IN AN ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY THEM OF THE SITUATION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT BECAUSE I WAS OUT OF A WARRANTY THAT I WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD (DURING TIME OF SALE) I DID NOT HAVE ANYWAY. IN ADDITION, HOWEVER, IT WAS STATED TO ME LATER BY THEIR REPRESENTATIVE THAT NONE OF THE ITEMS WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED ANYWAY. I AM A SINGLE MOM IN NO FINANCIAL POSITION TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY OR EVEN PAY FOR THE COST THIS VEHICLE HAS INCURRED AND WHILE THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION I HAVE NO OTHER OPTION THEN TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT. WITH THAT SAID HOWEVER I STRONGLY FEEL THAT GIVEN THE CURRENT CONDITION OF THIS VEHICLE AND THE POTENTIAL OF ANYONE OF THESE ITEMS TO FAIL THIS VEHICLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND GIVEN THAT I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ONLY 3 YEARS AGO THIS IS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS FOR IT TO HAVE. I STRONGLY FEEL AT THIS TIME THAT VW SOLD ME A LEMON. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10317108March 5, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE NOISES WHILE DRIVING 40MPH. HE STATED THAT THE OIL FUNCTION LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE AND SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE HE DIDN'T HAVE ALL HIS RECORDS FOR THE OIL CHANGES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 96,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10316596March 4, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2003 ENGINE WAS RUINED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH 26,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS TOLD BY MY PURCHASE DEALER THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF REPLACEMENT AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY REPLIED THE SAME. MY INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING A RAINY DAY IN MIDDLEBURY, IN. THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING WHEN I WAS ON A BRIDGE AND IN A 2" PUDDLE. BOTH VW AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THEY DO NOT COVER ANYTHING RELATED TO WATER DAMAGE. AN ENGINE SHOULD NOT BE RUINED IN A 2" PUDDLE. I WROTE TO "CLICK AND CLACK" EVENTUALLY ABOUT THE DAMAGE. THEY TOLD ME OTHER VS PASSAT OWNERS HAD THEIR ENGINES DAMAGED AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED BUT IT WAS BY OTHER EVENTS. THE LOSS OF THE ENGINE HAPPENED IN THE PASSAT BECAUSE THE AIR INTAKE WAS THE LOWEST PART OF THE ENGINE AND WAS AFFECTED BY ANYTHING NEAR THE INTAKE. THIS HAPPENED IN 2004 IN MY CAR AND MY REPLACEMENT WAS OVER $11,000 AND HAD TO BE PAID PERSONALLY BY ME. I DID NOT KNOW THAT I COULD COMPLAIN TO THE GOVERNMENT AT THAT TIME. I WOULD STILL LIKE TO FILE THE COMPLAINT AND ASK FOR INVESTIGATION INTO THE NUMBER OF CARS INVOLVED WITH THE LOSS OF THE ENGINE. MINE IS THE VS PASSAT GLX, 4 MOTION. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10313641February 24, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I PURCHASED A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FROM FLOW MOTORS OF GREENSBORO, NC. THE VEHICLE WAS CERTIFIED BY VOLKSWAGEN WITH A TWO YEAR 24,000 WARRANT. THE ENGINE BLEW WHEN IS WAS 260 MILES OVER OR OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY. THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE BLOWING WAS DUE TO OIL PRESSURE AND THE LACK OF OIL PRESSURE IN THE ENGINE. MY WIFE AND THREE YEAR OLD WERE DRIVING BACK FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. TO GREENSBORO AND BROKE DOWN IN LYNCHBURG, V.A. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT TERRY'S VOLKSWAGEN IN LYNCHBURG TOWED THE VEHICLE IN TO THEIR SHOP AND LOOKED AT THE ENGINE. THEY REPORTED THAT A CAM BOLT SNAPPED IN THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE OIL PRESSURE TO CEASE AND IN RETURN CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BLOW. THEY TOLD ME THAT A CAM BOLT SHOULD NEVER SNAP AND THIS WAS A PRODUCT FAILURE. FLOW MOTORS RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE AND DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PRODUCT FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED I PUT A NEW ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE AT THE COST OF 6,500. I REPLACED THE ENGINE AND A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER HAD TO REPLACE A COOLING FLANGE AT 300.00 AND AFTER THAT A VACUUM HOSE AT 300.00. BEFORE REPLACING THE VACUUM HOSE THERE WAS A LEAK IN MY BACK FLOORBOARD AND HAD THE VEHICLE IN AT FLOW MOTORS ON TWO OCCASION BUT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE LEAK BUT STILL CHARGED ME 50.00 TO LOOK FOR THE LEAK. I'VE HAD TO CUT THE CARPET OUT OF THE BACK FLOORBOARD BECAUSE OF MOLD. VOLKSWAGEN BROKE MY HOOD SUPPORT BAR AND ALSO REFUSED TO COVER THE EXPENSES TO PAY FOR THAT. WHEN THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE BLEW MY WIFE CALLED ME IMMEDIATELY TO TELL ME THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I TOLD HER TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND SHE DID. WHEN SHE CAME TO A STOP THE ENGINE CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP. THE ENGINE HAD JUST OVER 91,000 AND CAN'T ACCEPT HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WHEN ALL THE MAINTENANCE WAS KEPT UP. TERRY VOLKSWAGEN SAYS THE CAM BOLT SNAPPED AND STATED THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 91,000. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO VOLKSWAGEN, THE BBB, AND CURRENTLY AM SPEAKING WITH AN ATTORNEY. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10305187February 4, 2010FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RECALLED VW COIL FAILURE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10304571February 3, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2003 VW PASSAT SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED IN THE GARAGE OF OUR HOME. THERE ARE NO EVENTS OF CONCERN LEADING UP TO THE FIRE. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE SINCE 5:00 PM ON JANUARY 9, 2010 AND THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED AT ABOUT 3:00 AM ON JANUARY 10, 2010. A NOISE FROM THE CAR ALERTED US AND UPON LOOKING IN THE GARAGE THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE UNDER THE CAR. THE FIRE TOTALED THE CAR AND CAUSED OVER $100,000. DAMAGES TO THE STRUCTURE OF OUR HOME. THE COST TO REPLACE AND REPAIR CONTENTS IS NOT YET KNOWN. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10303623February 1, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT
CAR MISSING A GETTING BAD MILAGE ...SAME CAR DOES NOT RUN WELL AND CAUGHT FIRE BY TURBO 2003 PASSAT VW 1.8 LITER TURBO. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10303740February 1, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DRIVING AT 65MPH AND OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON -TAKES US 15 MINUTES TO FIND A SAFE SPOT TO PULL OVER- GET CAR TO DEALER -'SLUDGE " IN THE ENGINE- REGULARLY SERVICED CAR FOR 7 YEARS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10300240January 19, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2003 PASSAT HAS 104,000 MILES AND IS CURRENTLY BEING FIXED DUE TO OIL SLUDGE IN MY ENGINE. 2 YEARS AGO MY MECHANIC WARNED ME OF THIS ISSUE; HOWEVER, A FAITHFUL VOLKSWAGEN OWNER I DECIDED TO KEEP MY CAR AND FAITHFULLY CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES WHILE THE OWNER'S MANUAL SAY EVERY 5,000 MILES. FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2010 I FOUND MYSELF STRANDED OFF THE HIGHWAY, ON A TRIP, DUE TO OIL SLUDGE. I AM FIRM BELIEVER IN TAKING CARE OF YOUR CAR AND FEEL AS THOUGH THIS IS A VOLKSWAGEN ISSUE. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE ARE SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THIS AND VOLKSWAGEN AND WOULD LIKE FOR AN ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10299947January 16, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HAD MY IGNITION COILS IN MY VW 2003 PASSAT GO OUT. WENT TO AUTO REPAIR HAD REPAIRS DONE AT 340.00. 2 MONTHS LATER GOT LETTER OF RECALL FOR EXACT PROBLEM, LETTER SAID TO SEND IN RECEIPTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT. SENT FORMS, FOLLOWED UP WITH CALL AND GOT CHECK THIS WEEK...FOR 78.00. CALLED # ON FORM AND THEY SAID THEY REFUND WHAT THE US AVERAGE COST WOULD BE AND IN THIS CASE THAT WAS IT. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER TO ASK THEM AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE DONE THE REPAIRS FOR 320.00 AND THAT I WAS BEING RIPPED OFF. AFTER TALKING WITH THE RECALL AGENCY AND BEING PUT ON HOLD 4 TIMES THEY SAID THAT WAS IT AND ALL I WOULD RECEIVE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10299097January 12, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2003 VW PASSAT 1.8T HAS THE WELL DOCUMENTED SLUDGE ISSUE THAT THOUSANDS OF VW/AUDI OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. INITIALLY I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED B/C A GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL INTO THE SPARK PLUGS, AND MY ENGINE COIL PACK WAS BAD. I PAID $700 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE THE PARTS. 80 MILES AFTER LEAVING THE MECHANIC SHOP, THE OIL LIGHT AND STOP ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. TOWED THE CAR AGAIN; NO OIL PRESSURE. COLLECTED ALL OF MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS AND TOOK THEM TO VW TO GET APPROVAL OF THE WARRANTY ISSUE BEFORE LETTING THEM "CONFIRM" ENGINE SLUDGE ($500 DIAGNOSIS FEE FOR DROPPING THE OIL PAN). IF THE ISSUE IS ENGINE SLUDGE, THE ENGINE IS A LOST CAUSE BECAUSE THE LOW OIL PRESSURE STARVED THE ENGINE HEAD FOR OIL. THE VW DEALERSHIP IS WAITING FOR MY MONEY BEFORE THEY'LL DIAGNOSE THE ENGINE SLUDGE- WHICH YOU CAN SEE IN THE ENGINE HEAD WITH YOUR EYES. VWOA HAS ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, UNLIMITED MILEAGE, 8 YEARS FROM SALE DATE, TO OWNERS WITH ALL OF THEIR OIL CHANGE/MAINTENANCE RECEIPTS. YET, DESPITE THE "EFFORT" BY VW, THEY DENY ALL THE CLAIMS I'VE RESEARCHED- SAYING EVERYONE WAS IRRESPONSIBLE WITH THEIR MAINTENANCE- NO ONE TOOK CARE OF THEIR ENGINE. LOOPHOLES LEFT AND RIGHT TO BLAME THE CONSUMER, WHILE WE SIT POWERLESS TO GET OUR CARS BACK ON THE ROAD. YET, THIS ISSUE LEAVES ME WITH NO CAR. ALL OF US "SLUDGE" OWNERS ARE LEFT WITH CARS DEAD ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, ALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND VW TURNING THEIR HEADS THE OTHER WAY. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10298990January 11, 2010ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP LIGHT WAS ON AND MY CAR WAS SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY HAD TOLD ME TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED IN. AS I DID, THE PROBLEM WAS THE IGNITION COILS, THEY DID MENTION THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 4 CYLINDERS AND THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE COME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM AFTER THE ARTIC BLAST CAME THROUGH LAST WEEK. THE REASON WHY I'M WRITING IS BECAUSE I THINK ITS KIND OF WEIRD AFTER THIS RECALL CAME OUT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM RECENTLY AND JUST WONDERING WHY THIS PARTICULAR PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL FOR A V6. TO ME IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE WHY NOT, MY PROBLEM IS OCCURRING EXACTLY WHEN ALL THESE OTHER CARS ARE BEING RECALLED FOR THE SAME THING. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10298558January 7, 2010SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE BUTTONS USED TO ADJUST THE HEATED SEATS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED AND FEEL AS IF THEY ARE SHOCKING THE DRIVER WHEN THEY ARE ENGAGED. THE LEATHER AROUND THE COILS HAS MELTED A HOLE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. ALTHOUGH, THE CONTACT HAS NOT TURNED THE HEATED SEATS ON THE COIL CONTINUED TO SMOKE AND BECOME HEATED WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79200.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10298636January 7, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THE "OIL PRESSURE" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO OIL SLUDGE. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10297765January 1, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING, AN ENGINE WARNING LIGHT APPEARS TELLING THE DRIVER TO STOP IMMEDIATELY DUE TO NO OIL PRESSURE. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO A KNOWN ISSUE BY VW OF OIL SLUDGE BUILDUP. THE CONSEQUENCE IS THE ENGINE WILL SEIZE UP AND NEED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH BUT NOT ALWAYS INCLUDING THE TURBOCHARGER. VW HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 8 YEARS UNLIMITED MILES FOR THOSE ENGINES, BUT UNREASONABLY REQUIRES PRODUCTION OF ALL OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS FOR THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE CAR. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0