1998 Volkswagen Passat complaints

THE SUNROOF OPENS AND CLOSES BY IT SELF, OPENS AND DOESN'T CLOSE BY IT SELF WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT. IT FIRST OPENED/CLOSED BY IT SELF IN JANUARY, 2005. IT SCARED ME AND WAS/IS UNBELIEVEABLE. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL A MONTH LATER, THE SUNROOF WOULD SLIDE BACK 3/4 OF THE WAY AND THEN CLOSE BY ITSELF. I TOOK THE CAR INTO ROYAL VOLKSWAGON IN FL ON 02/28/05 AND IN ADDITION TO REGULAR SERVICE I ASKED TO CHECK THE SUNROOF. I WAS TOLD THEY WERE "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE CUSTOMER CONCERNS. NO REPAIRS RECOMMENDED AT THIS TIME."

I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF A PASSAT THAT HAD BEEN DRIVEN 72000 MILES. AT THAT TIME THE FOLLOWING DEFECTS WERE NOTED AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED: 1. OUTER TIE ROD AND CV BOOT. 2. COOLING SYSTEM: ALL COOLING HOSES, OIL COOLER, WATER PUMP, RADIATOR, & ASSOCIATED ITEMS. VW OF AMERICA REFUSED TO REIMBURSE FOR THE COST OF THESE UNTIMELY REPAIRS THAT WERE DUE IN PART TO FAULTY INFORMATION IN THE OWNERS MANUAL, THAT STATES THAT THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS SEALED AND DID NOT NEED ANY MAINTENANCE. THESE ENORMOUS AND COSTLY REPAIRS AT A MILEAGE WHEN COMPARABLE CARS OF OTHER MANUFACTURERS NEED LITTLE OR NO REPAIRS UP TO AND WAY PAST 100,000 MILES, ARE EXCESSIVE IN MY OPINION. (THE FIRST OWNER GETS A WARRANTY OF 100,000 MILES AND 10 YEARS, SOMETHING THAT FOR THE SECOND OWNER IS REDUCED TO 50,000 MILES/5 YEARS. I WONDER IF THE CAR IS SUDDENLY NOT AS GOOD ANYMORE WHEN SOMEBODY BUYS IT FROM A PREVIOUS OWNER?) CONSUMER REPORTS MAGAZINE LISTS REPAIR RECORDS FOR ENGINES AND SUSPENSION SYSTEMS OF THAT YEAR AND MODEL AS BEING "WORSE THAN AVERAGE," AND I CAN SEE WHY. I WOULD WELCOME TO JOIN OTHERS WITH SIMILAR EXPERIENCES FOR A POSSIBLE CLASS ACTION AGAINST VW. *NM

MORRISON AUTO GROUP REPAIRED REAR BRAKES AS THEY WERE STUCK. AFTER THIS REPAIR THE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT CAME ON BLINKING. THE TACHOMETER ALSO ZERO'S OUT. A WARNING NOISE ALSO OCCURS. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE THIS WARNING LIGHT IS ON THE ABS SYSTEM IS DISABLED. BRAKING WORKS BUT NO ABS AVAILABLE. I LIVE IN ALASKA AND CAN'T HAVE MY CAR WITHOUT ABS ESP DURING CRITICAL TIMES OF BRAKING. I HAVE READ ON TECH FORUMS FOR THIS TYPE OF CAR THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD (MORE THAN A HANDFUL OF CARS). THE EXORBIRANT COST OF THIS REPAIR (AS STATED BY OTHERS) FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT BE FAILING WITHIN ITS LIFETIME.

ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED. $2200 FOR PART NO LABOR, SEARCH ONLINE SHOWS MASSIVE FAILURES OR BOSCH 5.3 AND 5.3I UNIT USED IN PASSAT AND A4.

BOTH BLINKERS ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL. *JB

WHILE DRIVING ON I95 (MD) SOUTHBOUND FROM ELKTON, MD TO ABERDEEN PROVING GROUNDS, MD, THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED. OBVIOUSLY, WITHOUT ENGINE POWER, THE STEERING AND BRAKES WERE DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. TRAFFIC WAS HOWEVER AVOIDED DUE TO AID OF A HIGHWAY PATROL RIGHT BEHIND ME. THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP AND TOWED WITHIN A COUPLE OF HOURS AND TAKEN TO A LOCAL GARAGE. CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS FAILED TIMING BELT. CAR HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES AND IT'S ONNLY 7 YEARS OLD. HOWEVER, VW REFUSE TO HONOR THE 100,000 MILES/10YEAR POWER TRAIN WARRANTY.

ABS MODULE WARNING LIGHT & ALARM INDICATE FAILURE OF ABS

1) ON EARLY MODEL VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS WITH THE 4CYL. 1.8 LITRE TURBO MOTORS, THE IGNITION CONTROL UNIT WILL FAIL WITH NO WARNINGS AT ALL. 2)THE CAR DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY. THE OWNER IS LEFT WITH CONSTANT MISFIRING, AND IF DRIVEN CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS EMISSION TROUBLES DOWN THE ROAD. SINCE THE FAILURE IS COMPLETELY RANDOM AND SHOWS NO SIGNS OF A PROBLEM, THIS CAN AND USUALLY WILL LEAVE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS STRANDED. 3)THE UNIT MUST BE REPLACED OR THE CAR WILL NOT RUN PROPERLY. I PURCHASED A UNIT OF THE BRAND HUCO, BECAUSE THE OEM UNIT (BOSCH) LISTS FOR NEARLY $400.

1) NORMAL DRIVING, HIGHWAY SPEED. 2)ABS WARNING LIGHT, ABS FAILURE UPON TESTING, ANNOYING BRAKE/ABS LIGHTS AND WARNING TONE 3) REPAIRED ABS CONTROL MODULE THROUGH REPAIR SERVICE. NOT THROUGH DEALER

ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE CAR AND IT STAYS ON WHILE I DRIVE MY CAR. THE BRAKE LIGHT BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY AND IN BAD WEATHER YOU CAN FEEL THAT ABS IS NOT WORKING. FROM VW PASSAT FORMS I UNDERSTOOD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 98+ PASSAT MODELS. I TALKED TO SOME LOCAL SHOPS AND THEY TOLD THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM AND I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE VW DEALER. I TALKED TO A DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS $150 TO CHECK THE PROBLEM AND IF THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO ABS CIRCUIT OR SOMETHING THEN IT IS GOING TO COST ME AROUND $2000+. THAT IS AROUND 25% OF MY CARS CURRENT VALUE AND FROM MY UNDERSTANDING LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FACING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED ABOUT VW'S RELIABILITY.

DT: CALLER SAYS WITHOUT WARNING THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN CALLER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER THEY TOLD HIM HE HAD SOME RECALLS ON HIS CAR. HE WANTED TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC DONE AT THE SAME TIME ON THE AIR BAG PROBLEM AS ON THE RECALLS. MANUFACTURER SAID TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY WOULD PAY FOR IT. MANUFACTURER SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS A SENSOR PROBLEM, AND THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC BECAUSE IT SHOED IT WAS A LOW BATTERY SIGNAL. DEALER SAID MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY FOR IT, BUT WHEN CALLER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BACK THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE DIAGNOSTIC BACK TO MAKE THAT DECISION . CALLER WAS CONFUSED BY WHAT DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE SAYING TO HIM. CALLER DID NOT KNOW FOR SURE IF RECALL WORK WAS DONE BECAUSE OF NO FEEDBACK FROM DEALER.*AK

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY LIGHT UP AND SOUND AN EMERGENCY. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO TWO GARAGES, AND NEITHER PLACE CAN DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES I CANI FEEL MY ABS SYSTEM LOCK UP IF I AM TURNING (NOT IN ANY WET CONDITIONS); AND IN THOSE OCCASIONS, I WAS FORTUNATE THAT NO CARS HAD BEEN COMING TOWARD ME B/C I WAS UNABLE TO GAIN CONTROL. NEITHER MECHANIC SAW ANY FAULT IN MY BRAKES, BRAKE PADS, SHOES, ETC., SO THERE IS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL TO BLAME; AND THIS IS A COMPLAINT HEARD OFTEN WITH 1998-1999 VW PASSATS. EITHER WAY, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, ONLY 300.00 IN DIAGNOSTICS.

DT: THE ABS MODULE FAILED. FIRST NOTICED ON 5/1/05 WHEN DRIVING AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS (EXTERIOR) STARTED FLASHING. THEN A BEEPING NOISE CAME TO WARN ALONG WITH LIGHT. WHEN EMERGENCY BRAKING THE BRAKES LOCK. HAPPENS AT ANY WEATHER CONDITIONS/UP AND DOWN HILL OR ANY TYPE OF ROAD. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN LOOKED AT BY DEALER, BUT HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY MECHANIC, THE ABS MODULE IS THE PART THAT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. *AK.

DT: WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED AND THEN DISAPPEARED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CHIP FAILED.*AK

DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY 1998 VW PASSAT FAILED SEVEN TIMES SO FAR. IN MOST OF THE CASES, THEY JUST COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE WHILE THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE WORKED. IN ALL CASES, THE VW SERVICE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM (A CABLE HAD SLIPPED OFF THE TRACK) AND WERE EITHER ABLE TO REPAIR IT WITHIN A FEW MINUTES BY USE OF A LONG SCREW DRIVER GOING THROUGH A HOLE IN THE FRONT DOORS. IN CASE OF THE REAR DOORS, THE DOOR PANELS HAD TO BE REMOVED FOR THE REPAIR. THE LAST REPAIR WAS NECESSARY WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF THE PREVIOUS REPAIR AND IT SET ME BACK $100.00. WHEN COMPLAININT TO VW THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I HAD TO LAUGH ABOUT IT SINCE EVERY TIME I HAVE BEEN AT THE SERVICE THERE WERE FELLOW CUSTOMERS WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEMS. VW DID NOT OFFER ME ANY HELP FOR THIS PROBLEM, JUST STATED THAT MY CAR IS AN "OLD" CAR BY NOW AND REPAIRS SEEM TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN.

98 VW PASSAT HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ONE PROBLEM AFTER THE OTHER WITH THIS VEHICLE. JUST HAD TO REPLACE MY OIL PUMP NOW MY TIMING BELT WENT AND DESTROYED MY ENGINE. AFTER I SEE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL OTHERS I BELIEVE VW SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS EXPENSE. I HAVE HAD TO GO THROUGH THE EXPENSE OF THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS, SPEED SENSOR ETC. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE MORE THAN I HAVE DROVE IT. PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION

1998 PASSAT 1.8T B5 BODYSTYLE. BOUGH CAR AT 88,000 MILES USED FROM A DEALERSHIP WHO INSPECTED IT. ABS ABD BRAKE LIGHT GO ON AND STAY ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME. PASSATWORLD WEBSITE SHOWS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WIHT THIS SAME PROBLEM VW NEEDS TO DO A RECALL. PART ARE TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ME TO FIX.

THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AND THE SEAT FLIPPED BACKWARDS CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR.

I OWN A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 1.8T, AND I HAVE HAD THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAIL. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS TURNED ON AND STARTED TO BLINK. THIS WOULD HAPPEN EVERYTIME I WOULD START MY CAR. I HAD DIAGNOSTICS RUN ON THE CAR, AND FOUND THAT THE CONTROL MODULE COULD NOT COMMUNICATE WITH THE CARS ECU. I HAD MY LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER REPLACE THE ABS MODULE. THIS COST ME $850 FOR THE CONTROL MODULE, $360 FOR LABOR, THEN TAX. I HAD TO PAY $1270 FOR EVERYTHING TO BE FIXED. I FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS, AND I DO NOT THINK THAT THE OWNERS SHOULD PAY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS IF IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM.

OUR 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 4 CYLINDER SEDAN (80K MILES) HAD INTERMITTENT WARNING LIGHTS GO ON FOR THE ABS SYSTEM AND THE BRAKES. THE MANUAL STATES THAT WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS GO ON THE ABS SYSTEM IS DISABLED AND THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY. THERE WAS NO REGULAR PATTERN TO THE LIGHTS COMING ON, BUT ONCE IT STARTED IT HAPPENED VIRTUALLY EVERY TRIP AT DIFFERENT TIMES. I DROVE FOR ABOUT A WEEK WITH THE LIGHT ON WITH NO APPARENT LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. I DID EXPERIENCE A FAILURE OF THE ABS SYSTEM WHILE THE LIGHT WAS ON (ON A HILL ON A RAINY DAY) AND SO DETERMINED IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED. WE TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON. WE CAME BACK WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS ON AND THEY TOLD US WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AT A COST OF $2600. WE WENT AHEAD AND DID THE REPAIR. WE DID NOT KEEP THE PREVIOUS PART. WE ARE DISTRESSED THAT A SINGLE PART FROM A SAFETY SYSTEM IS SO EXPENSIVE AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD IN AUDIS AND VWS. VISIT ANY ONLINE CAR FORUM AND IT IS FILLED WITH STORIES OF THIS REPAIR. BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE I FEEL VOLKSWAGEN BE ALERTED TO THIS ISSUE AND A FORMAL COMPLAINT SHOULD BE REGISTERED ABOUT THIS SAFETY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.

THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON MY 1998 VW PASSAT ARE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. VW REFUSES TO REPLACE THEM EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THESE PARTS. THE REASONING IS THAT: - I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL AT THEIR DEALER IN FEBRUARY 2005 AND AT THE TIME THE PARTS SEEMED OK. - AT THIS TIME, THEIR DEALER HAS REINSPECTED THE CAR. THE VW DEALER THINKS THAT BOTH LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARMS ON THE CAR NEED REPLACEMENT. HOWEVER THE PARTS ARE NOT ABOUT TO FAIL AND THE CAR IS STILL DRIVEABLE AND THUS VW WILL NOT PAY FOR THEIR REPLACEMENT. MY MECHANIC STATES THAT THE CAR NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. PLEASE ADVISE WHETHER VW IS RESPONSIBLE UNDER THE "REVISED-VM (40G3) - DECEMBER 2004" RECALL CAMPAIGN TO FIX THESE. THANKS.

NO ACCIDENTS EVER, SEVERE CREAKING IN FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT SUSPENSION. LEFT CONTROL ARM REPLACED (AT MY COST ALTHOUGH UNDER WARRANTY), CREAKING STOPPED FROM LEFT SIDE, BUT RIGHT SIDE STILL CREAKS SEVERELY.

DAILY DRIVING CONDITIONS THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON WITH AUDIBLE WARNING AND THE BRAKE LIGHT BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY. ROOT PROBLEM IS THE ABS ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT IS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AS MUCH WEB RESEARCH HAS BEEN CONDUCTED THROUGH ONLINE PASSAT FORUMS.

I DRIVE A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS OF ANNOYING WARNINGS THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY ABS SYSTEM I TOOK THE CARTO MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. HE HOOKED A SCANNER UP TO IT AND CHECKED THE BRAKE SYSTEM ALL DAY, AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS OVERFILLED. HE FIXED THAT MINOR PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT FIX THE ORIGINAL ISSUE. AFTER ANOTHER WEEK, I FINALLY BROKE DOWN AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER - HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN ON REISTERSTOWN ROAD IN OWINGS MILLS, MD. THEY HOOKED A SCANNER UP TO IT AS WELL, AND FOUND THAT I NEEDES A NEW ABS CONTROL UNIT. THIS WAS A PART THAT, THEY SAID, WOULD COST $3,000 JUST FOR THE PART! AFTER DOING MY OWN RESEARCH, IT SEEMED THIS WAS ONE OF MANY VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS THAT EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM, BUT EVERY ONE WAS BEING CHARGED $1,500 FOR THE PART. THIS OUGHT TO BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, AND HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN OUGHT TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR OVERCHARGING THEIR CUSTOMERS.*AK

ABS FAILURE. *AK

MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT BECAME ILLUMLINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAD THE TROUBLE LIGHTS DIAGNOSED AT THE 70K SERVICE AND THE DEALER NOTED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1,800. THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO WORK, HOWEVER THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS NOT OPERABLE DUE TO THE FAILED CONTROL MODULE. VOLKSWAGON WAS UNWILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND I HAVE SENT THE MODULE TO AN OUTSIDE VENDOR FOR A COMPLETE REBUILD OF THE UNIT.*AK

MY LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARMES ARE VERY SQUIKY AND BOLT JOINT BOOTS ARE RIPPER. I WAS ABOUT TO REPLACE THE MYSELF BUT JUST BEFORE I CALLED VW AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL ON FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS.*AK AFTER 5 HOURS WITH MY CAR THEY TOLD ME TO COME AND PICK IT UP. I DISCOVERED THAT ONLY VACUUM LINE WAS REPLACED AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO MY CONTROL ARMS. I WENT OVER WATER AND THE SQUIK WAS GONE AT THE TIME THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALER. SO THEY DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING. BUT THE RUBBER BOOTS ARE STILL TURNED APPART!!! THE MANAGER AND THE GUY WHO WORKED ON IT TOLD ME THAT WE DIDN'T SEE ANY PROBLEM WITH YOUR CONTROL ARMS. AND THE RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED. THE SQUIK CAME BACK THE NEXT DAY, AND I KNOW THAT RUBER BOOTS ARE STILL RIPPED ON THE CONTROL ARMS. CALLED VWOA AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT THEY TRUST THE DIAGNOSTIC MADE BY THEIR AUTHORISED DEALER. BECAUSE THE DEALIER DIDN'T SEE ANY PROBLEMS WITH CONTROL ARMS THE RECALL IS CLOSED NOW. THEY WOULDN'T REIMBERSE THE COST OF REPLACEMENT OF CONTROL ARMS EVEN IF I GO TO THE DIFFERENT DEALER.

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1998 VW PASSAT, 4-CYLINDER, 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AUTOMOBILE. THE ABS BRAKES WARNING LIGHT CAME ON (FEBRUARY 27, 2005). I CONSULTED WITH MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE ABS BRAKES WERE NECESSARY IN WET OR ICY WEATHER IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THE PROBLEM DID NOT RESULT IN ANY ACCIDENT OR INJURY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON MARCH 21, 2005. THE DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOSIS AND DETERMINED THE ABS PUMP NEEDED REPLACING. THE DEALER (NEW CENTURY VOLKSWAGEN IN GLENDALE, CA) QUOTED A PRICE OF $3125, PARTS AND LABOR, TO FIX. I AM UNABLE TO REPAIR THE CAR AT THIS TIME DUE TO THE EXPENSE. RESEARCH ONLINE AND IN DISCUSSING WITH INDEPENDENT VW MECHANICS REVEALS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VW. I CHECKED WITH AN INDEPENDENT VW MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM THAT THE PRICE OF ABS USED PARTS IS RAPIDLY RISING. IN INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM PLEASE REFER TO THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE FOR A REMARKABLE NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS: HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=173334&PAGE=1&PP=30&HIGHLIGHT=ABS+MODULE . *AK

I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION ON 3/11 WHERE A WOMAN CUT ME OFF BY MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AS SHE WAS HEADED TOWARD ME. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR STUCK THE SIDE OF HER CAR. THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR WAS SMASHED IN BUT NO AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH AND HAVE NOT IDEA HOW FAST THE OTHER DRIVER WAS GOING. MY CAR HAS BEEN DECLARED TOTALED. MY PASSENGER SUFFERD A BRUISED CHEST FROM HER SEAT BELT. SHOULD EITHER OF THE AIRBAGS IN MY CAR HAVE DEPLOYED? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.*AK

BRAKE WARNING BELLS SOUNDED FOLLOWED BY BLINKING RED BRAKE, AND SOLID AMBER ABS LIGHT IN DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. TOOK AUTOMOBILE TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. ABS MODULE WAS DETERMINED TO BE DEFECTIVE, AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT FOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM TO WORK AGAIN.*AK *NM

'RECALL CAMPAIGN' FOR VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS. *BF THIS PROBLEM HAD CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. *SC

' RECALL CAMPAIGN' ISSUED TO INSTALL PROTECTIVE SHIELD IN RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING. *BF THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO AUTHORIZED DEALERS IN THE AREA. *SC *JB

THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SMOKE HAD AN ODOR OF BURNING OIL AND SMOKE COMBINED. THE APPEARANCE WAS WHITE. THIS STARTED ONE YEAR AGO AND WENT AWAY, AND NOW THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK TOOK CAR TO DEALER IN RAPID CITY SD. THEY SAID THERE WAS AN EXCESS OF GREASE ON CERTAIN PARTS UNDER THE STERING WHEEL / IN THE STERING WHEEL. THIS BUILD UP OF DUST WOULD CAUSE SMOKE AND SMELL. *EH

1) ABS WARNING LIGHT/SOUNDER CAME ON, TOLD BY DEALER THAT ABS SYSTEM WAS OUT, WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR $1800 BEFORE ANY OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS COULD BE DIAGNOSED BY COMPUTER. 2) DID NOT FIX THIS, WHICH LED TO THEIR EXCUSE THAT THEY COULD NOT ACCURATELY DIAGNOSE OTHER ISSUES, BUT "DID THEIR BEST" TO FIX ACCELERATION PROBLEMS (REPLACED HOSES AND PLUGS) 3) CURRENT ACCELERATION PROBLEM MIRACULOUSLY DIAGNOSED AS SOME SORT OF POWER REGULATOR DEVICE W/O MENTION OF FIXING THE ABS SYSTEM SO THAT COMPUTER "COULD GET PAST IT" 4)ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING MOON ROOF OPENING AND CLOSING AT WILL, DOOR LOCKS OPENING AND CLOSING AT WILL, INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT SHUTTING OFF AND ALARM GOING OFF ALL BY ITSELF (UNABLE TO LOCK DOORS B/C IT SETS THE ALARM) 5) NOW DEALER SAYS THAT IT'S A BATTERY PROBLEM AND RESETTING EVERYTHING SHOULD FIX IT ALL, INCLUDING THE ABS LIGHT PROBLEM. CAN YOU SAY RIP-OFF?*AK

1998 PASSAT BOTH FRONT CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO DEFECTIVE. *BF *SC

CONSUMER DISAPPOINTED WITH DENIAL FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF REPAIRS ON 2004 VW-PASSAT CONTROL ARM. *BF RECALL CAMPAIGN; NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 99V248000. THE CONSUMER MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE FOR A DEFECTIVE STEERING AND CONTROL MECHANISMS. *TC THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE SHE DID NOT PROVIDE PROOF OF THE 40,000 MILE MAINTENANCE.

GROANING AND MOANING NOISE EMANATING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR WHEN TURNING. *JB

BOTH FRONT CONTROL ARMS DEFECTIVE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FAIL INSPECTION. *BF THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNTIL SHE PROVIDED THEM WITH MAINTENANCE RECORDS. *NM

1. EVENTS: ABS LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. NOW THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND THE BRAKE LIGHT NOW FLASHES WITH 3 BEEPS AND STAYS ON. 2. FAILURES: I HAVE NO WORKING ABS IN THE CAR. 3. CORRECTION: HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY AN INDEPENDENT VW REPAIR SHOP THAT THE ABS MODULE IS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER AND MUST BE REPLACED. THIS MODULE IS A DEALER-ONLY PART ($2,038). NOTE THAT THIS COST IS FOR THE PART ONLY AND DOES NOT INCLUDE LABOR. I'VE CONTACTED 3 OTHER INDEPENDENT VOLKSWAGEN/AUDI REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY'VE ADVISED THAT THEY'VE REPAIRED AN IN ORDINATE NUMBER OF THESE ABS SYSTEMS IN VOLKSWAGENS. ONE SHOP INDICATED HE REPAIRS/REPLACES VW ABS AT LEAST 4 TIMES A MONTH, WHICH WOULD MEAN THAT VW DEALERS ARE LIKELY DOING A LOT MORE OF THESE REPAIRS, YET THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY RECALL EFFORT ON VW'S PART. I'VE NOTIFIED VW AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO ABSORB THE COST OF FIXING IT SINCE A RECALL NOTICE HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. MY CAR IS SCHEDULED FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE ABS MODULE ON 1/27/05. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TOTAL COST TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $2500. *JB *SC

FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL UNIT LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF THE ABS SYSTEM. THE PART WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $2,000.00. *NM

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL."THE ABS LIGHT STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. WHENEVER THE LIGHT IS ON, THE ABS DO NOT FUNCTION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO FAIL INSPECTION. THE ABS LIGHT NOW STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD ABS CONTROL MODULE (IT WOULD NOT COMMUNICATE WITH THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER) AND STATED THAT THE ABS PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE QUOTED COST OF A NEW ABS PUMP WAS $2250." *JB

TIE ROD FAILURE (EXCESSIVE WEAR), LEADING TO "LOOSE" STEERING ON A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. SOME PASSAT'S OF THIS MODEL YEAR HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY RECALLED FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM; VW INFORMS ME THAT MY CAR IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. *NM

DEC 2004, THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM SNAPPED IN TWO, SENDING THE FRONT END OF MY CAR TO THE GROUND. LUCKILY, I WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY AS MANY ARE TELLING ME (EVEN THE DEALER) THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. 2 YEARS PRIOR I HAD EEKING/MOANING/GROANING IN FRONT SUSPENSION. DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG, AS I PAID TO HAVE THE SOUND CHECKED OUT. I'VE SEEN MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE SOUNDS BEING RELATED TO LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE, ALTHOUGH I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYONE W/ ONE THAT ACTUALLY BROKE LIKE MINE! VERY SCAREY... AFTER SOME FIGHTING (MY CAR AS 103K MILES) WITH THE DEALER AND VWOA, THEY ENDED UP REPLACING LOWER CONTROL ARMS AT NO COST TO ME. HOWEVER, I DID END UP WITH A $1250 BILL FOR OTHER SUSPENSION PARTS IN THE FRONT (TIE ROD, SWAY BARS, LINK ARMS). DAMAGE WAS ALSO DONE TO UNDER SIDE OF MY CAR FROM SLAMMING TO THE CONCRETE.*AK

1. EARLY ON BRAKING (INTERMITTENT) AND NOW ALWAYS AT ENGINE STARTUP 2. THE ABS BRAKE COMES ON SOLID, THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES, AND THREE BEEPS ON ENGINE STARTUP. THIS INDICATES THAT THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM HAS FAILED. AND INDEED I CURRENTLY HAVE NO ABS, ALTHOUGH THE BRAKES WORK, AND THE CAR CANNOT PASS DC INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE WARINING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. 3. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BY RUNNING THE VAG-COM DIAGNOSTICS ON IT. VAG-COM CANNOT COMMUNICATE WITH THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WHICH INDICATES THE ABS CONTROL MODULE MUST BE REPLACED. I AM CURRENTLY IN PURSUIT OF A USED REPLACEMENT PART OR A REBUILD OF THE CURRENT MODULE DUE TO THE HIGH PRICE OF THIS PART FROM VW AND THE FACT THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. I HAVE ALSO SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TO VW OF AMERICA.*AK

I WAS JUST TOLD BY THE VW DEALER THAT MY 1998 VW PASSAT WITH 1.8T ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF SLUDGE PROBLEMS. I CHANGE THE OIL MORE FREQUENTLY THAN THE REQUIRED 5000 MILES (USUALLY BETWEEN 3000 AND 3500), BUT DON'T HAVE EVERY RECEIPT, AND DON'T HAVE THE OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER, SO THEY WON'T HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. THEY WANT ME TO PAY $8000 WHEN IT IS THEIR RECOGNIZED DESIGN FLAW. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT YET. *NM

VW PASSAT 1998 HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE ABS LIGHT STAYS SOLID AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES. THIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS TAKEN NO MEASURES TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE SHIFTED RESPONSIBILITY ON THE CONSUMER TO PAY THEM EXTRA $ 2000.00 TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM. *JB

ANTI LOCK BRAKE CONTROL UNIT. *AK

WATER LEAKS INTO DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR, RELAY FAILURE AND RESULTANT DEFROSTER FAILURE. MILDEW, RESPIRATORY DISTRESS, UNCONTROLABLE SNEEZING, AND RESULTANT DIFFICULTY WITH VEHICLE CONTROL. ENTIRE CARPET REPLACEMENT. COST OVER $1000 WITH LABOR.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE ABS MODULE PUMP.*AK

ABS LIGHT BLINKING CONSTANTLY ON MY 98 VW PASSAT FOR PAST 19 MONTHS. DEALER INDICATES NO FAULT CODE ANUNNCIATED WITH COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS. QUOTES $1300. CONTROL UNIT NEEDED. ABS SYSTEM NOT FUNCTIONAL.*AK