Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2008)

174 consumer complaints on file.

#10547634October 11, 2013
ENGINE
CAR WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALER AT 90K MILES. WHILE DRIVING LOCALLY ONE MONTH AFTER THE SERVICE, THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO START, IDLED ROUGH, SPUTTERED WHILE TRAVELING, AND BUCKED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BREAK. THE TIMING CHAIN IS NOT SUGGESTED TO BE REPLACED UNTIL 110,000 MILES. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THERE IS A FAULTY ENGINE COMPONENT (TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER) THAT VW IS AWARE OF, BUT REFUSES TO LET CUSTOMERS KNOW ABOUT. PLEASE GOOGLE TSB 15 12 01, DATED JULY 23, 2012 WHICH IS A SERVICE BULLETIN RELEASED BY VW DETAILING THE FAULTY COMPONENT. THIS FAULTY COMPONENT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A MAJOR ROAD HAZARD DUE TO AN UNCONTROLLABLE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10545220September 24, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WOULD NOT START EVEN AFTER A CHECK OF THE BATTERY. THE CAR HAD NO POWER WHATSOEVER AND COULD NOT BE PLACED INTO NEUTRAL TO TOW. AFTER 4 DAYS IN THE SHOP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM HAD BURNED OUT AND FRIED THE IGNITION AS WELL. HOW THIS HAPPENED IS A COMPLETE MYSTERY AS THERE HAD NEVER BEEN EVEN THE SLIGHTEST INDICATION THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG BEFORE THIS INCIDENT.THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE PULLED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE SEEN MANY, MANY REPORTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THIS CAR ON THE INTERNET AS I DID SOME RESEARCH AFTER THIS HAPPENED. THE PRICE TO REPAIR THE CAR WAS $895.00,,,WHICH SEEMS RIDICULOUS TO ME GIVEN THAT THE CAR ONLY HAS 45K MILES. I TRIED TO GET SOME HELP FROM VW CUSTOMER CARE GIVEN THAT THIS SEEMS LIKE A DESIGN FLAW...IT REALLY IS UPSETTING TO HAVE TO PAY SO MUCH FOR A CAR SO LIGHTLY USED...AND COULD IT JUST HAPPEN AGAIN? VW WAS COMPLETELY UNWILLING TO WORK WITH ME IN ANY WAY. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10521641June 25, 2013
SEAT BELTS
THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR BROKE AND WILL NOT RETRACT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501148March 4, 2013
SEAT BELTS
THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTING MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONS AND THE BELT TIGHTENS AGAINST THE SEAT ITSELF. PASSENGERS USING THE CENTER BELT FIND IT DIFFICULT TO RELEASE THE BELT WHEN FASTENED. AFTER THE BELT RETRACTS FULLY, THE SEAT BELT CAN NO LONGER BE USED. IF THE REAR SEAT BACK IS SUBSEQUENTLY "FOLDED" DOWN TO ALLOW FOR TRUNK ACCESS FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, THE FOLDED SEAT BACK WILL BE STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION DUE TO THE CENTER SEAT BELT RETRACTING WITHOUT RELEASE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10481336October 22, 2012
TIRES
I PURCHASED TIRES FOR MY 2008 VW PASSAT TURBO 4 DOOR SEDAN. I SELECTED FOUR COOPER CS4 TOURING TIRES. I BOUGHT THEM ABOUT A MONTH AGO, SEPTEMBER 17, 2012. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE INSTALLATION OF THE COOPER TIRES, I NOTICED A PULSATING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT; THE NOISE FREQUENCY IS A FUNCTION OF SPEED. SO, TWO DAYS LATER, I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER. A MECHANIC CHECKED THE TIRES, WHEELS, AND MOUNTING; HE COULD FIND NOTHING OBVIOUSLY WRONG. SO, I TOOK THE MECHANIC FOR A RIDE. HE HEARD THE NOISE, AND TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD DISAPPEAR AFTER THE TIRES WERE BROKEN IN OR WORN IN. THE NOISE HAS SEEMED TO INCREASE OF LATE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE TIRES MAY BE DEFECTIVE. WHAT DO YOU THINK? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473624September 3, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
COMING HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE MY WIFE NOTICED A FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE BACK SEAT. I REMOVED THE BACK SEAT TO SEE A ACCESS PANEL TO THE FUEL TANK. I REMOVED THE RUBBER CAP AND SAW THE TOP HOUSING OF THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH IS PLASTIC, HAD A CRACK AND FUEL WAS SPRAYING OUT OF THE CRACK. CALLED DEALERSHIPS IN AZ AND THEY ALL SAID THE SAME THING, NO FUEL PUMPS AVAILABLE IN THE UNITED STATES. THEY HAVE DISCONTINUED THE PART # 3C0919051AG AND REPLACED IT WITH 3C0919051AM. WHY DID THEY HAVE ALL DEALERSHIPS RETURN THAT PART AND NO RECALL WAS ISSUED? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10460693June 5, 2012
ENGINE
WHILE PARKED IN THE LOT, THE ENGINE AREA CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT IT OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446903February 6, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES PRIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445005January 24, 2012
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT APPROACHED A TRAFFIC STOP AND DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THERE WERE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED WITH EXTREME FORCE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE MALFUNCTION AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10433144October 28, 2011
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH AND HEARD A SCRAPING SOUND WHENEVER HE SHIFTED GEARS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS MANUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERNS OVER A POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE FUTURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424444September 9, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. SHE WAS ABLE TO MANUALLY SHIFT THE GEAR IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE MAIN ROADWAY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A FAULTY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND ADVISED HAVING IT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE DEALER HAD BEEN WAITING FOR THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIRS FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10392410March 21, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY STARTING IN MARCH 2010 WITH A LOW FUEL PRESSURE FAULT. CAR RUNS FINE MOST OF THE TIME, BUT SPUTTERS WHEN THE FAULT OCCURS AND FUEL ECONOMY SUFFERS. AFTER RECEIVING THIS FAULT MULTIPLE TIMES, REPAIR SHOP SUGGESTS WE TRY A NEW FUEL FILTER TO SEE IF THAT CLEARS IT, BUT IT WILL LIKELY NEED A NEW FUEL PUMP. NEW FUEL FILTER HELPS FOR 3 WEEKS, BUT FAULT STARTS OCCURRING AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER SHOP FOR A SECOND OPINION AND THEY AGREED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL PUMP SENSOR, WHICH I HAD DONE IN NOV 2010 AFTER THE FUEL GAUGE STOPS REPORTING ACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. THIS CLEARS BOTH ISSUES UNTIL FEBRUARY 2011, WHEN LOW FUEL PRESSURE FAULT STARTS FIRING AGAIN INTERMITTENTLY EVERY 2-3 WEEKS AS IT HAD BEFORE AND FUEL GAUGE IS NOT REPORTING ACCURATE FUEL LEVELS AGAIN. NOW VW STATES THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THE PROBLEM (A $1K REPAIR!) AND IS RECOMMENDING A NEW HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND CAM SHAFT - A $2,300 REPAIR! TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY MY CAR NOW SMELLS LIKE FUEL AFTER DRIVING IT. VW REFUSES TO PROVIDE ANY SORT OF WARRANTY FOR ANY OF THIS WORK, INCLUDING THE FIRST TWO REPAIRS THAT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. I CANNOT AFFORD TO MAKE THESE REPAIRS AT THIS TIME AND I AM CONSIDERING ASKING VW CREDIT TO TAKE BACK THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386052March 1, 2011
VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PSSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR DOORS HOUSED PIVOTING TABS FOR A SHADE TO KEEP THE SUN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DESIGN WAS POORLY MANUFACTURED BECAUSE THE CHILD OCCUPANT IN THE BACK SEAT COULD PULL THE TABS UP AND DOWN AND COULD POTENTIALLY CATCH HIS FINGERS IN THE TAB. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367107November 22, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I GOT HOME AFTER WORK SATURDAY NIGHT AROUND 7PM AND PARK MY 2008 VW PASSAT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE AND TWO MINUTES AFTER SMOKE START COMING OUT THROUGH FRONT GRILLE I OPEN THE HOOD AND IT SMALL LIKE BURNED PLASTIC. I SOW COIL AND WIRE WHERE IS CONNECTED ALL MELTED. I WAS LUCKY THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10366505November 17, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
AFTER GOING GROCERY SHOPPING, AFTER LEAVING THE PARKING LOT, I ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 2500 RPMS AND THEN ENGINE CUT OUT AND STALLED. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AND EVERY TIME I TRY TO PUT IT INTO GEAR, THE ENGINE CUT OUT AND STALLED. I MANAGED TO GET IT INTO A BANK PARKING LOT NEXT DOOR. FORTUNATELY, ALL THIS HAPPENED SUNDAY NIGHT, WHICH VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. THERE WAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH THE FOLLOWING CODES: 001056 - CATALYST SYSTEM; BANK 1: EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD P0420 - 002 - LOWER LIMIT EXCEEDED - INTERMITTENT 012555 - LOW PRESSURE FUEL REGULATION: FUEL PRESSURE OUTSIDE SPECIFICATION P310B - 008 - IMPLAUSIBLE SIGNAL - MIL ON 004767 - LOW-PRESSURE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATION: PRESSURE TOO HIGH P129F - 001 - UPPER LIMIT EXCEEDED - MIL ON 000135 - FUEL RAIL/SYSTEM PRESSURE: TOO LOW P0087 - 002 - LOWER LIMIT EXCEEDED - INTERMITTENT 000135 - FUEL RAIL/SYSTEM PRESSURE: TOO LOW P0087 - 008 - IMPLAUSIBLE SIGNAL THIS IS ON A 2008 VW PASSAT 2.0T (WITH THE BPY ENGINE). THE DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) SENSOR. APPARENTLY, THERE HAS BEEN AN UPDATE TO THE SENSOR, WHICH MY CAR LACKED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351400August 23, 2010
VISIBILITY
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THE 2008 VW PASSAT SELF-ADJUST THEIR SPEED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT THE DRIVER TOUCHING THEM. ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2010, I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 AND DROVE INTO AN AREA UNDER A TORNADO WARNING. IT WAS RAINING IN TORRENTS AND TRAFFIC CAME TO A STOP. MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ON REGULAR SPEED, AND WHILE STOPPED THEY SUDDENLY CHANGED TO INTERMITTENT WITHOUT ME TOUCHING THE CONTROLS. THIS HAPPENED FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES! I WAS TRYING TO WATCH THE SKY FOR SWIRLING CLOUDS AND WATCH THE ROAD FOR FLASH FLOODING AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS KEPT SLOWING TO INTERMITTENT! I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AT 7:30 A.M. MONDAY MORNING AND LEARNED THAT THE WIPERS ARE OPERATING AS DESIGNED. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE ENGINEERS AND LEADERS AT VW COULD POSSIBLY THINK THAT THE CAR HAS A BETTER SENSE OF THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY NEEDS THAN THE DRIVER! THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE AND OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD! THE DRIVER KNOWS THE CONDITIONS THEY ARE IN! HOW COULD THE CAR SELF-ADJUST SOMETHING AS CRITICAL AS THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY? PLEASE FORCE VW TO CHANGE THIS "FEATURE" IN THE PASSAT AND ANY OTHER MODELS WHERE IT IS PRESENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10346933August 2, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT CAUSES ENGINE TO WANT TO CONTINUE WORKING INSTEAD OF IDLE WHILE FOOT ON BRAKE AND GEAR IN DRIVE. RPMS BETWEEN 8-10K. APPEARS TO HAPPEN IN HOT AFTERNOONS WHEN AIR IS ON FULL BLAST. WHEN BRAKE IS ENGAGED THERE IS ENORMOUS PRESSURE BACK ON THE FOOT AND THE CAR WANTS TO GO. FIRST TAKEN IN TO VW DEALER AND THEY HAD ANOTHER CAR OF SAME YEAR AND MODEL AND COLOR WHICH WAS DOING SAME THING. THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE CABLE. AS I PULLED AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED BACK AND LET THE SERVICE GUY KNOW THE FIX DIDN'T WORK. ON 8/1 I TOOK IT BACK AND THE PROBLEM WAS HAPPENING WHILE I WAS IN THEIR GARAGE. THE OTHER CAR WAS BACK AGAIN WITH SAME ISSUE. VW HAD A TECH BULLETIN ABOUT A LOOSE GROUND WIRE. THE SERVICE TECH PUT A JUMPER CABLE SOMEWHERE AND TOLD ME TO TRY THAT OUT. WITHIN A MILE I EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10345874July 28, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING GARAGE AFTER BEING DRIVEN AT LUNCH AND WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 15-30 MINUTES OF OWNER HAVING TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE THE GARAGE ATTENDANT REPORTED SMELLING SMOKE. ACCORDING TO AN EYEWITNESS, THERE WAS SMOLDERING SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND WITHIN A MINUTE OR SO OF DISCOVERING THE SMOKE AN EXPLOSION TOOK PLACE UNDER THE HOOD AND THE ENTIRE FRONT HOOD COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341430July 5, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OWNED THE CAR FOR 9 MONTHS, AND HAVE HAD DOCUMENTED PROBLEMS FOR 8 MONTHS INCLUDING A COMPLETE FAILURE THAT REQUIRED TOWING. THE PRIMARY PROBLEMS ARE: 1. STEERING COLUMN WARNING LIGHT ON - THE COMFORT MODULE AND STEERING ELECTRONICS WERE REPLACED 7 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR 2. ONGOING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS STARTING THE CAR. THE CAR DIED ON 6/15/10, WAS TOWED, AND THE IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED. CURRENT: CAR DID NOT START ON FIRST ATTEMPT ON 7/4/10, WHICH IS LESS THAN 3 WEEKS LATER! 3. CAR BURNS EXCESSIVE OIL. NEED TO ADD OIL BETWEEN SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES. IN APRIL 2010, OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER ADDED 2 QTS OF OIL AND TANK WAS STILL NOT FULL. STILL HAD 1,000 MILES TO GO BEFORE NEXT SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE. HAVE HAD OIL ADDED ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. 4. CAR IS SLUGGISH, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING UP HILLS. NO RESPONSE OR RESOLUTION FOR THIS, BUT THE CAR HAS A TURBO ENGINE NOTE: THIS CAR HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED BY VW DEALERSHIPS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331175May 19, 2010
STEERING
I HAVE A 08 PASSAT AND FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW I HAVE HAD A 'STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE' PROBLEM. I WOULD HAVE WROTE THIS LETTER A LONG TIME AGO BUT WHEN IT STARTED HAPPENING MY WARRANTY WAS ALREADY EXPIRED AND IT WAS NOT AS SEVERE, NOW IT CAN TAKE ME ANYWHERE FROM 5-15 MINUTES JUST TO START MY CAR AND WHEN I DO GET IT STARTED MY CAR SOMETIMES COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING. I STARTED DOING RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND THERE ARE A LOT OF UPSET VW OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IF YOU GOOGLE 'PASSAT STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE PROBLEM' YOU WILL SEE MULTIPLE WEBSITES AND FORUMS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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