Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2003)

637 consumer complaints on file.

#10198151August 1, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD CONSTANTLY SHINE ON AND OFF AT RANDOM. THE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD DIM WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED RECALL NUMBER 07V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,085. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198195August 1, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
MY 2003 PASSAT WITH 46,000 MILES AND REGULAR 5,000 MILES SERVICE VISITS RECENTLY HAD TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS. THE ALTERNATOR WENT BAD AND WAS PRODUCING NEARLY TWICE THE VOLTAGE. THERE WERE NO SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS ON THIS ITEM AND WAS FIXED AT A SIGNIFICANT COST TO ME. NEXT WAS THE FUEL TANK. I FIRST EXPERIENCED AN ODOR WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A LEAK IN THE GAS TANK. I AM WORKING WITH AN EXCELLENT VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE BUSINESS WHICH IS NOT A DEALERSHIP. VW AMERICA WILL ONLY TAKE THE WORD OF A LICENSED DEALER. THE DEFECTIVE TANK IS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED AT A VERY SIGNIFICANT COST TO ME. THERE ARE NO SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS ON MY VIN. I UNDERSTAND THAT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS HAD TO REPLACE A FEW OF THESE. THIS IS A VERY NICE CAR DEVELOPING A BAD REPUTATION. I HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THIS CAR AND WONDER WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197870July 30, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH OR ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO MALFUNCTION AND THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAS BEEN CHARGED FOR EACH REPLACEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,006 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197737July 28, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I OWN A 2003 VW PASSAT V6 AWD THAT CURRENTLY HAS ~37000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THIS CAR USES AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2003. THE LAST ESTIMATE OF OIL CONSUMPTION (JULY 25, 2007), WAS ~0.75 QUART PER 600 MILES, WHICH IS WHAT THE DEALER AND VW HAVE SAID IS WITHIN THE FACTORY SPECIFICATION OF 1 QUART PER 1000 MILES. HOWEVER, NEITHER THE DEALER NOR VW WILL PROVIDE ME WITH WRITTEN EVIDENCE OR BULLETINS DESCRIBING THESE SPECIFICATIONS. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, WHICH REFLECTS AN UNDERLYING DEFECT IN THE DESIGN/FUNCTION OF VW ENGINES. APPARENTLY, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS COMPLAINT AS SEVERAL OF THE BULLETIN BOARDS AND INTERNET DISCUSSION GROUPS HAVE SIMILAR POSTINGS. THIS OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM MAY ALSO BE RELATED TO THE ACCUMULATION OF "ENGINE SLUDGE," WHICH APPARENTLY LED VW TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON CERTAIN MODELS. I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM FALLS WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE NHSTA, BUT I AM FILING THIS AS A COMPLAINT AND REQUESTING FURTHER INVESTIGATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197563July 26, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
I WAS DRIVING EAST ON ATLANTIC AVENUE IN DELRAY BEACH, FL., I MADE A LEFT TURN ONTO N.E. 4TH AVENUE AND WITHIN A FEW YARDS THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT TOO FAR FROM THE FOUNTAIN SQUARE PARKING LOT SO I PUSHED THE CAR INTO THE PARKING LOT TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197101July 21, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DRIVER WAS ON DAILY COMMUTE TO WORK, STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD BY THE DRIVER AND WHEN THE DRIVER EXITED THE CAR TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED, A BYSTANDER IMMEDIATELY YELLED TOWARD THE DRIVER TO WARN THEM THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT OUT OF CAR SAFELY, WITH MINOR INJURIES INCURRED AS A RESULT OF TRYING TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE ITSELF WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, HOWEVER AS A RESULT THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT WERE DESTROYED AND THE CAR WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS BY INSURANCE. SINCE THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT(S) AND SURROUNDING AREA INVOLVED IN THE DEFECT WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED, THERE WAS NO PARTS TO REPAIR OR REPLACE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10197113July 21, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
TWICE, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ON UNCONTROLLABLY - INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST, THEN PERMANENTLY. THIS FAILURE WAS TROUBLE-SHOT AND REPAIRED BY THE DEALER BOTH TIMES. IN EACH CASE, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAD FAILED. FROM STUDYING THE SWITCH PART NUMBERS, IT APPEARS THE SUFFIX HAS ALSO TWICE CHANGED TO A LATER VERSION - ALTHOUGH I DON'T BELIEVE THEY WERE INSTALLED IN THAT ORDER IN MY CAR (SEE PN'S BELOW). I BELIEVE I HAVE THE LATEST VERSION CURRENTLY INSTALLED. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE FAILURE MODE, AS IT NOT ONLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE (DRIVING AROUND WITH BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY ON, BUT IF LEFT ON FOR PROLONGED PERIOD, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB SOCKETS GET EXTREMELY HOT AND IN MY OPINION HAVE A GOOD CHANCE TO MELT THE PLASTIC SOCKET/REFLECTORS AND POSSIBLY CATCH FIRE. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE ABS AND CRUISE CONTROL BECOME INOP, THE THROTTLE BODY ALIGNMENT IS DISTURBED CAUSING THE CAR TO BEHAVE TERRIBLY ON ACCELERATION AND MANY CEL-TYPE LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. FAILURES OCCURRED: 1ST TIME: @ 34540MI, 4/7/2005. 2ND TIME: @ 49,746MI, 5/24/2006. ORIG S/W PN 3B094551A (FROM FACTORY). 2ND S/W/1ST REPLACEMENT PN 3B0945511_ (ASSUME BASIC PN), 3RD S/W/2ND REPLACEMENT PN 3B0945511B). I HAVE NEVER HAD TO CHANGE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON MY 1984 VW SCIROCCO - I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAD DRIVEN IT OVER 174K MILES! A FAILED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THIS PASSAT HAS MUCH GREATER IMPACT (LIGHTS, ABS, THROTTLE, CRUISE CONTROL) WHEN IT FAILS THAN IT WOULD ON THE SCIROCCO (JUST LIGHTS), AND IT WAS THE PASSAT BRAKE LIGHT S/W THAT FAILED TWICE - DUE TO POOR DESIGN/RELIABILITY. AMAZING AND UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196893July 19, 2007
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A WATER LEAK IN EITHER THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE TUBES OR POLLEN FILTER CAUSED 2" OF WATER TO FILL THE PASSENGER FRONT/REAR OF MY 2003 VW PASSAT. THERE IS CURRENTLY A TERRIBLE SMELL OF MOLD/MILDER IN THE VEHICLE. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, IT WAS FOUND THAT NUMEROUS VW OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196567July 17, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
WAS TOLD BY VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA THAT THE PASSAT 2003 DID NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRICATED IN GETTING THIS COVERED. ESULTS : | ALL RECORDS DISPLAYED AKE : VOLKSWAGEN MODEL : PASSAT YEAR : 2003 MANUFACTURER : VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 07V063000 MFR'S REPORT DATE : FEB 15, 2007 COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED : 1002000 . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196639July 17, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP. STOP ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IMMEDIATELY TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND LEARNED THAT IT WAS AN OIL PRESSURE ISSUE TO SLUDGE. VOLKSWAGEN HAD ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THEY REQUIREED COMPLETE RECORDS WHICH MOST PEOPLE DID NOT KEEP. THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH REGARD TO THIS ISSUE. WONDERING WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN IMPOSED GIVEN THE EXPENSE TO CONSUMER'S FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. CONSUMER PROTECTION SHOULD BE FIRST PRIORITY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196157July 12, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
BREAK LIGHT SWITCH STOPPED WORKING UNKNOWINGLY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10195958July 10, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE LIGHTS FAILED TO DIM. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL # 07V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 35,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10195032June 30, 2007
STRUCTURE
I HAVE A 2003 VW PASSAT AND AM ORIGINAL OWNER. I'VE HAD THREE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT RIGHT FLOORBOARD IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS FROM EITHER A SUNROOF DRAIN LINE OR A AIR CONDITIONER, DEPENDING ON THE REPAIR PERSON YOU TALK TO. THE LEAKS HAVE OCCASIONALLY PRODUCED SO MUCH WATER THAT IT HAS GONE TO RIGHT BACK FLOORBOARD. MY TRUNK HINGES ARE BROKEN. MY HOOD LIDS ARE BROKEN. THE PLASTIC ON THE INTERIOR IS WORN OFF. THE ASHTRAY IN BACK FELL APART. THEY CAN'T SEEM TO GET THE ALIGNMENT RIGHT SO I KEEP GOING THROUGH TIRES AND THE TIRES I DO HAVE SOUND UNEVEN WHEN I ROTATE THEM, MAKING ME THINK THERE'S A PROBLEM. NOW MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT. IT'S NOT A FUSE BUT APPARENTLY A SWITCH. BUT MY CAR ISN'T COVERED BY A RECALL THAT VW HAS ON A BUNCH OF OTHER MODELS. THERE'S A DEFECT INVESTIGATION INTO FIRES IN THE ENGINE AND A RECALL ON SLUDGE. THIS CAR IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND IT'S VERY POORLY ENGINEERED. ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER AND VW NATIONAL IS NO HELP. I'M ABANDONING THE CAR TODAY, TRADING IT IN FOR SOMETHING ELSE. WILL NEVER BUY A VW AGAIN. NO CAR SHOULD HAVE THIS MANY ISSUES AT 4 YEARS OLD. AND THE ISSUES STARTED AT 3 YEARS OLD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10194815June 27, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE PULLING THE DIPSTICK OUT OF THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO CHECK THE OIL, THE PULL RING/HANDLE BROKE OFF. I CONTACTED MY DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT AS THE CAR IS STILL UNDER A BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT BECAUSE I PULLED THE DIPSTICK OUT OF THE ENGINE RATHER THAN A DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THE WARRANT IS NOT APPLICABLE. IN EFFECT, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY MUST DO ALL OF THE OIL LEVEL CHECKS, OTHERWISE I DO NOT HAVE A WARRANTY ON THE COMPONENTS AFFECTED. I APPEALED TO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY CONFIRMED THE DEALER'S DECISION. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE FAILURE IS THAT THE OIL LEVEL, NECESSARY TO ENSURE SAFE OPERATION OF THE CAR, CAN NOT BE CHECKED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10194220June 26, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH
REGARDING RECALL 07V063000. I OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THAT HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON ALL DAY. I HAD NO IDEA THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I PARKED THE CAR, AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON ALL NIGHT AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL, STAYING VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. I HAD TO PAY THE REPAIR COSTS OUT OF POCKET AND VOLKSWAGEN CORPORATE REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10194116June 25, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A GASEOUS ODOR. THE WINDOWS WERE ROLLED UP AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A CRACKED FUEL LINE HOSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10194191June 25, 2007
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT HAS HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, HOWEVER, SEVERAL FAILURES CONTINUE TO RECUR. THE FAILURES INCLUDE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS, CRUISE CONTROL, HEATED SEATS, THE REGULATOR PIN IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW, THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT, AND THE HEAD LIGHTS. THE FAILURES WERE NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 109,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10193032June 12, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
THE BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN AFTER I SHUT OFF THE CAR, GET OUT, AND LOCK THE DOOR. THERE HAS BEEN A JETTA RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT WHEN I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO ASK ABOUT THE ISSUE IN REGARD TO PASSATS, I WAS ASKED FOR MY VIN, THEN TOLD THAT THERE WAS "NO CAMPAIGN" (I.E. NO RECALL) FOR MY CAR AT THIS TIME. FURTHER, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW OF THIS BEING AN ISSUE FOR PASSATS. YET I JUST RAN A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THE PROBLEM AND SAW BULLETIN BOARD POSTINGS FROM OTHER PASSAT OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. IF IT'S DANGEROUS FOR JETTAS, IT'S ALSO DANGEROUS FOR PASSATS. VW DID THIS BEFORE WITH ANOTHER SAFETY RECALL--SAME KIND OF CORPORATE IRRESPONSIBILITY, WAITING UNTIL THE NHTSA GOT INVOLVED. THIS IS UNCONSCIONABLE! AGAIN, IF THE SITUATION IS DANGEROUS FOR JETTA OWNERS, THEN IT'S DANGEROUS FOR PASSAT OWNERS WHO ARE CLEARLY HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10192883June 11, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS BRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AND FAIL TO DIM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 66,346 FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10192541June 6, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT CONDUCTED RESEARCH ON HIS VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE FUEL PUMP FOR THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE RECALLS APPLIED TO VEHICLE'S MADE BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2002 THROUGH MARCH 2003. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS MADE IN APRIL, THEREFORE EXCLUDING IT FROM THE RECALL. HE BELIEVES THAT HIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 52,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,00 UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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