Volkswagen Passat Complaints (1999)

664 consumer complaints on file.

#10153983March 29, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS, BRAKE AND OIL LAMPS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ABS MODULE NEEDS REPLACED ALTHOUGH THE REPAIR WAS NOT MADE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152334March 9, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED IN OUR 1999 PASSAT WAGON WITH ONLY 70K MILES. IT FAILED WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS ALSO EXTREME. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151700March 3, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
FAILURE OF ABS MODULE ON 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. MY ABS LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AT AROUND 60,000 MILES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED ABS MODULE. THE COST TO FIX THE PROBLEM WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $1,500. FOR THE PART ALONE!!! THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY FAIL ALL THE TIME AND THAT MANY PEOPLE DO NOT FIX THEM. I DID NOT WANT TO MAKE A FURTHER INVESTMENT IN THE CAR SO I LET IT GO. THE CAR WAS SUBSEQUENTLY INSPECTED BY THE DEALER IN STATE INSPECTION AND PASSED. NOW, A COUPLE OF YEARS LATER, I AM TOLD THAT THEY WILL NOT PASS CARS WITH ABS LIGHTS. I AM AWARE OF WEBSITES (MYVWLEMON; BENTLEY; AND PASSATWORLD FORUM) THAT CHRONICLE MANY ISSUES WITH THE ABS MODULE ON PASSATS. IT SEEMS TO BE COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT THE ABS MODULE MANUFACTURED BY BOSCH IS DEFECTIVE AND A COTTAGE INDUSTRY HAS ARISEN OF MANUFACTURERS OF THESE PARTS. SOME EVEN REBUILD THEM AS THE DEFECT IS KNOWN. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151757March 3, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
THE ABS AND THE BRAKE LIGHT IS GOING ON. DEALER TOLD ME THE PROBLEM IS THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. THE COST IS >$1700. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#10151514March 1, 2006
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC FOUND THE RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD AND CONTROL ARM NEEDED REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 99V248000, CONCERNING THE STEERING RODS AND RELAYS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150275February 14, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY TOGETHER WITH 3 BEEPS. SOME DAYS ARE WORSE THEN OTHERS, BUT I WOULD SAY THE PROBLEM OCCURS ABOUT 60-80% OF THE TIME. WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON, THE ABS IS NOT FUNCTIONING AND REAR WHEELS TEND TO BREAK OUT EASILY ON ICY ROADS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149530February 6, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ON AND/OR BLINKING INCLUDING ABS, BRAKE LIGHT, AND OIL LIGHT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149107January 31, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAD A FLASHING ABS LIGHT IN MY GAUGE CLUSTER THAT WOULDN'T STOP. WENT TO DEALER TO CHECK FAULT CODE FOR LIGHT. TOLD THAT MY ABS CONTROL UNIT IS BAD AND NEEDS REPLACING....SHOULDN'T DRIVE CAR WITHOUT REPLACING UNIT. COST FOR UNIT AND R & R $1.000. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149056January 30, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS WARNING LIGHT FLASHES CONSTANTLY WITH CHIME SOUNDING EACH TIME THE CAR STARTS. PROBABLY BEEN ONGOING FOR THE LAST 6-8 MONTHS. WAS TOLD BY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THE PROBLEM WAS JUST ELECTRICAL, BUT NOW READING NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS I BELIEVE IT TO BE THE ABS MODULE FAILING IN SO MANY OTHER CARS. SEEMS LIKE VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148502January 24, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
IN MY 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THERE IS A CONTROL MODULE KNOWN AS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. I BELONG TO A NATIONWIDE PASSAT GROUP KNOWN AS WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS AND THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE. IT SEEMS IN EARLY MODEL PASSATS (1998-2001) THE ABS CONTROL MODULE GETS EXTREMELY HOT OVER TIME SINCE IT IS PLACED DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS CAUSES THE UNIT TO MALFUNCTION. WHEN THIS UNIT MALFUNCTIONS IT CAUSES THE ABS BREAKING SYSTEM TO FAIL. ALSO, IT FLASHES MULTIPLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD THAT ARE EXTREMELY DISTRACTING. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA DOES NOT HAVE THIS UNDER WARRANTY, OR RECALL. DEALERSHIPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE CHARGING 1,200$ TO REPLACE THIS UNIT THAT TAKES 20 MINUTES TO CHANGE OUT. THE HARD PART IS TRYING TO RE-BUILD THE MODULE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY FACTOR THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. ON OUR WEBSITE WE HAVE A LIST OF PEOPLE WHO'S ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED, ALONG WITH THE DATE AND MILEAGE ON THEIR VEHICLE WHEN IT HAPPENED. IF YOU WOULD LIKE THIS INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT ME.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148314January 22, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L TURBO ENGINE WITH 71,000 MILES STOPPED SUDDENLY; THEN CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT CAME & CAR WOULD NOT RE-START. CHECK-OIL LIGHT HAD BEEN INTERMITTENTLY ON FOR 2-3 MILES PRIOR, BUT OIL WAS CHECKED AND IT WAS ACTUALLY OVERFULL. 803 MILES PRIOR, VW SERVICE DEPT HAD SERVICED CAR FOR CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT, AND REPLACED TURBO RECIRCULATION VALVE AND HOSE. OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED USED, WITH 30,000 MILES, IN FEB. '04. VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY ENGINE BECOMING OIL-STARVED DUE TO SLUDGE IN OIL TAKE-UP TUBE. SLUDGE CAUSED BY NOT USING SYNTHETIC OIL, ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT REQUIRED. CAM GEAR WAS DAMAGED, LEAVING METAL PIECES THROUGHOUT ENGINE. ENTIRE ENGINE, TURBO AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. VW DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY. PARTS MAY STILL BE W/MECHANIC, I CERTAINLY DO NOT HAVE FACILITIES OR DESIRE TO STORE AN ENTIRE RUINED ENGINE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148281January 21, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND CONTINUING TO PRESENT, USE THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS CONTROLLER, WHICH IS PRONE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, OSTENSIBLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THIS MODULE CONTROLS MULTIPLE BRAKE-RELATED FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE ABS WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR WINTER DRIVING, BUT THE MOST CRITICAL FUNCTION OF THIS MODULE IS PROBABLY THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION, OR EBD. THESE VEHICLES ARE DESIGNED SUCH THAT IF THE EBD IS INOPERATIVE, THE PROPORTION OF HYDRAULIC FORCE APPLIED TO THE REAR BRAKES DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING IS AS GREAT AS IT IS DURING MODERATE BRAKING EFFORT WHEN THERE IS MINIMAL TRANSFER OF VEHICLE WEIGHT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. THE EBD IS SUPPOSED TO ADJUST THE FRONT/REAR BRAKING DISTRIBUTION DYNAMICALLY ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF THE DECELERATION, SO THAT THE REAR WHEELS WILL NOT LOCK UP DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING. IF THIS MODULE SHOULD FAIL DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT, THE REAR WHEELS COULD LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD EASILY INCLUDE FATALITIES. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR OWNERS, COSTING ROUGHLY $2000, AND MANY OWNERS HAVE PROBABLY PUT OFF THE REPAIR INDEFINITELY. EVIDENCE WHICH CAN BE FOUND THROUGH A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH, SUGGESTS THAT THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD, AND THAT IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY LED TO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS, IT IS ONLY A QUESTION OF TIME. THIS PROBLEM IS GENUINE, AND VW/AUDI SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147179January 8, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE ABS WARNING LIGHT AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT FLASH. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146390December 29, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
VW PASSAT 1999 - FAILING ABS MODULE (ABS,OIL,BRAKE LIGHTS ON). INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWED HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. SEE HTTP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA?THREADID=2447&START=30&TSTART=0 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146118December 27, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO OVER 100 MPH. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS REPLACED. A MONTH LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS TO THE CABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER A THIRD TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. CURRENTLY THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE MADE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145951December 22, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
PURCHASED A 99 VW PASSAT WAGON FROM A VIRGINIA DEALER IN NOV 2004 MILEAGE 47.5K . THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT/MODULE HAS NOW COMPLETELY FAILED. THIS EXPENSIVE ($1300) CIRCUIT BOARD IS LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. IT IS IN A NON-DRAINING WELL IN THE FLOOR PAN UNDER THE CARPETING AND PADDING. IT IS IN NO WAY SEALED OR WATERPROOFED TO PREVENT CORROSION FROM CONDENSATION OR FAILURE FROM WATER BUILDUP IN THE AREA. NORMAL USE IN INCLEMENT WEATHER ALLOWS DROPS OF WATER TO ACCUMULATE IN THIS AREA . ONCE THE WATER GETS TO THE AREA WHERE THE TCU IS LOCATED IT REMAINS THERE. WHATEVER EVAPORATION THAT DOES OCCUR JUST INCREASES THE HUMIDITY AROUND THE TCU, IT THEN CONDENSES ON THE COLD METAL FLOOR PAN OR THE TCU AND DRAINS BACK INTO THE WELL THE TCU IS IN. SINCE IT IS UNDER THE CARPET AND THE PADDING ONE CANNOT SEE OR EASILY DETECT THAT WATER OR EVEN JUST A DAMPNESS EXISTS HERE. THE TCU CORRODES UNTIL IT FAILS, WHEN IT FAILS THE VEHICLE IS UNDRIVEABLE AND MUST THEN BE TOWED TO A VW DEALER. THERE IS NO DIAGNOSTIC DATA AVAILABLE THAT WOULD ALLOW A REGULAR GARAGE TO REPAIR IT. EVEN GC VOLKSWAGEN REQUESTED 3 HRS OF DIAGNOSTIC TIME. THEIR FINAL CHARGE WAS 3.5 HRS TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND REPLACE THE TCU. A 12 MONTH/12000 MILE WARRANTY WAS GIVEN EXCEPT FOR FAILURE DUE TO OUTSIDE INFLUENCE. AS I UNDERSTAND IT THIS MEANS ANY USE OF THE VEHICLE OUTSIDE OF A TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY CONTROLLED ENCLOSURE. I WAS ASSURED THAT IT WILL FAIL AGAIN AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO TO PREVENT IT. BY THE TIME ONE DISCOVERS WATER IN THE AREA THE DAMAGE IS ALREADY DONE. VW WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIRS OR ISSUE A SOLUTION TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE TCU. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AS IT EFFECTS EVERY 1.8T W/ TIPTRONIC AUTO TRANSMISSION. VW IS ENDANGERING PEOPLES LIVES AND COSTING PEOPLE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS DUE TO THE POOR PLACEMENT OF THIS COMPONENT. OUTSIDE INFLUENCE IS A SCAM TO DENY PAYMENT. I WOULD NOT BUY A CAR I COULDN'T DRIVE OUTSIDE- WOULD YOU? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145608December 19, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ,WHO STATED, THE CONTROL MODULE WAS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE COMPUTER, WHICH WAS A SIGN THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED." THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE EXPENSE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145510December 17, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
AT 52K MILES, HAD INTERMITTENT EPISODES OF ABS LIGHT REMAINING LIT AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING. OVER THE COURSE OF A COUPLE WEEKS, HAD >100 SUCH INCIDENTS. ALSO OF NOTE, VIBRATION WAS FELT UPON BRAKING AT LOW SPEED. SERVICE MECHANIC AT DEALER REPORTED FAULTY ABS CONTROL MODULE, WHICH WAS REPLACED AT EXUBERANT COST. APPARENTLY, HUNDREDS OF SUCH COMPLAINTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPORTED ON THIS PROBLEM, AND VWOA HAVE TAKEN NO EFFORT TO RECALL SUCH PREVALENTLY FAULTY PARTS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145474December 16, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OWNERS, AS REPORTED ON VARIOUS ONLINE FORUMS (VWVORTEX, ETC). THE FAILURE IS WELL KNOWN AND FREQUENT ENOUGH THAT THERE ARE BUSINESSES THAT SELL REBUILT/REMANUFACTURED PART. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145476December 16, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
LOOSE AIRBAG IGNITER CONNECTION UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM TO DEACTIVATE ITSELF. THIS INCIDENT IS FREQUENT AS REPORTED BY MANY OWNERS ON VARIOUS ONLINE FORUMS (AUDIWORLD, VWVORTEX, USENET NEWSGROUPS, ETC). AN INTERNET SEARCH ON "AIRBAG IGNITER: DRIVER SIDE RESISTANCE TOO HIGH" ON GOOGLE RETURNED NUMEROUS REPORTING ON THIS ISSUE. IN MY PARTICULAR INSTANCE, THIS HAS HAPPENED ON BOTH A 1999 VW PASSAT 1.8T/20V AND A 2000 VW GOLF 1.9L TDI. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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