1999 Volkswagen Passat complaints

WHILE TRAVLING NOTICED HOT STEAM COMING FROM ENGINE. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDERS AND NOTICED COOLING SYSTEM HOSE WAS CUT BY ENGINE COVER WHEN VIBRATING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, DEALER HAS REPLACED AIRBAG SENSOR 5 TIMES. DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. VOLKSWAGEN REP HAD DEALER REWIRE ENTIRE VEHICLE. AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN AT THIS TIME. PLEASE ADD FURTHER COMMENTS. *AK

BRAKES STICKING TO DRUMS AND NO BRAKE LIGHT WARNING OF PENDING STOP. PROBLEM NEVER ADDRESSED BY VW, THE DEALERSHIP OR CORPORATE. THE PROBLEM CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND PREMATURELY CAUSED WEAR ON ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES TWICE IN 40,000 MILES. THE MOST RECENT AT 12,000 MILES USAGE. VW SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. *AK

CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO STEERING/SUSPENSION ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS, THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED RECALL SERVICE WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORIZATION WHICH COST THE CONSUMER ADDITIONAL MONEY AND REPAIR WORK, CONSUMER IS VERY UNSATISFIED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DEALERSHIP WHILE REPAIRING VEHICLE AND REQUEST ASSISTANCE. *MJS

AFTER PURCHASE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR OF THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT SIGNAL OR SYSTEM, REPAIR COMPLETED ON THE SPIRAL RING ASSEMBLY, HOWEVER THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CONTINUED TO INDICATE PROBLEMS, SEVERAL OTHER REPAIRS UNTIL THE FINAL REPAIR OF THE WHOLE SYSTEM FOR REMEDY DUE TO NEGLIGENCE AND REPAIR ISSUES. *MJS

SRS INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT REMAINS ON. CAR WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. CAR OWNED LESS THAN 24 MONTHS BUT SRS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY SIMPLY DUE TO MILEAGE BEING OVER 24,000. IF SRS IS SAFETY RELATED WHY DOESN'T THE GOVERNMENT HOLD MANUFACTURERS MORE RESPONSIBLE AS WITH EMISSIONS? THERE SHOULD BE A SEPARATE GOVERNMENT STANDARD, AS WITH EMISSIONS. HOLDING MANUFACTURERS MORE ACCOUNTANTABLE FOR SRS WITH STRICTER REQUIREMENTS, AS WITH EMISSIONS, WILL HELP ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY. I TOOK THIS VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL REPAIR (STEERING TIE-RODS) AND NO SOONER THAN A WEEK LATER, THE SRS LIGHT WENT ON AND NOW I MUST PAY TO DETERMINE WHAT EXACTLY IS WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM. THIS SEEMS RATHER UNFAIR FOR A NEW CAR LESS THAN 24 MONTHS OLD. AND SINCE THE WORK PERFORMED WAS IN THAT QUADRANT OF THE CAR WHERE THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE, I AM WONDER IF THIS IS SOMEHOW RELATED.*AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 5-10-MPH, JUST MOVING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND CLUTCH WENT OUT. THERE WAS NO WARNING AT ALL. DEALER DETERMINED THAT CLUTCH WAS BAD, BUT WILL NOT COVER IT. *AK *JB

CONSUMER HAD A FLAT TIRE WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. , EITHER TIRE OR ROAD HAZARD DAMAGED FUEL TANK, AND CAUSED IT TO CRACK. FUEL TANK WAS MADE OF PLASTIC. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 85 MPH. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES. IT TOOK 1-2 MILES FOR VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN, AND ENGINE TO STOP REVVING. VEHICLE STILL AT DEALER. *AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING A 25 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING OPPOSITE DIRECTION LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE/ FISHTAILED, HITTING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE TWICE. DUAL FRONTAL AND SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

SEAT BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTER FAILS TO MOVE OR SUDDENLY RELEASES DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. *AK

DRIVING IN DOWNPOUR, FROM STOPPED POSITION AT STOPLIGHT, TURNED ONTO STREET FREE OF ANY OBSTACLES, STEERING JERKED HARD, RIGHT TIRE RIPPED, WHEEL RIM BENT, DEALER SAYS NOT COVERED BY RECALL (?) 3 WEEKS, DEALER CAN NOT FIX CAR.

WHEN COMING DOWN A HILL OR STOPPING HARD SOUNDS LIKE FRONT OF CAR IS GOING TO COLLAPSE.*AK

STEERING WHEEL HAS A LOT OF PLAY INSIDE OF VEHICLE, AND BALL JOINTS ARE MAKING LOUND AND POPPY NOISES.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND FROM FRONT. DEALER FOUND LINKS THAT HOLD SWAYBAR IN PLACE HAD WORN OUT. *AK

BRAKES WERE SQEAKING. DEALER FOUND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

VEHICLE WAS MAKING A FUNNY NOISE, AND CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. THEY SAID THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WOULD NEED REPLACING. CONSUMER FELT BALL JOINTS WERE WEARING OUT TOO FAST AND FEARED THAT A WHEEL MAY FALL OFF AS A RESULT OF CONTROL ARM.*AK

CONSUMER HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. RECEIVED RECALL 00V414000 FOR TIE RODS. VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND MAKE NOISES AT TIMES. ALSO, SUPENSION WAS SQUEAKING ENOUGH TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER. LOWER AND UPPER CONTROL ARMS AND TIE RODS HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER HAD A FOREIGN AUTOMOBILE SHOP TO VERIFY PROBLEM. IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE THAT A 2 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WOULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR $1400.00 TO REPAIR IT. DEALER HAS NO EXPLANATION WHY IT WAS LIKE THIS.*AK

THE BRAKES SQUEAK. NLM

DEALER STATES WIRING FOR FUEL GUAGE RUBBED THROUGH CAUSING SHORT. *AK

VEHICLE HAD A RECALL ON BEARINGS WICH WOULD CAUSE ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. ALSO,WOULD CAUSE TIRE PROBLEMS. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET. *AK

STEERING RACK SEAL FAILED AT 15K MI, CAUSING LOSS OF FLUID AND DAMAGE TO RACK. DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. DRIVER SIDE, PASSENGER WINDOW (LEFT REAR) DISCONNECTED FROM ELECTRIC MOTOR (WOULD NOT GO UP AND DOWN) AT 45K MI. HARDLY USE WINDOW (NO KIDS OR PASSENGERS). DEALER REPLACED "PIN" AND CHARGED 1HR LABOR FOR PULLING DOOR PANEL - NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. STEERING BEGAN TO "CREAK" WHEN WHEEL TURNED SLOWLY AT STOP OR NEAR STOP AT 52K MI. DEALER INVESTIGATED AND COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. STATED NO SAFETY PROBLEMS. DRIVER SIDE, PASSENGER WINDOW (LEFT, REAR) DISCONNECTED FROM POWER MOTOR AGAIN AT ABOUT 75K MI. DID NOT CONTACT DEALER AGAIN AS EXPECTED TO PAY $60 AGAIN SO WAITED FOR A SCHEDULED SERVICE. DRIVER WINDOW POWER MOTOR FAILED AT 83K MI - SOUNDED LIKE METAL GRINDING. HAD TO MANUALLY PUSH WINDOW CLOSED. TOOK AUTO TO DIFFERENT DEALER (MIDWESTERN AUTO GROUP, DUBLIN OH, 614-889-2571) TO EXAMINE DRIVER WINDOW, DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW AND STEERING "CREAK". NEW DEALER STATED DRIVER WINDOW UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN, DRIVER-SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW NOT COVERED AND MISSING "PIN" TOTALLY, AND STEERING "CREAK" IS IN ANY OR ALL OF THE CONTROL ARM/LINKAGE BUSHINGS. QUOTED $2000 TO REPLACE STEERING FRONT END - SUGGESTED I JUST LIVE WITH NOISE. NO MENTION OF TIE-ROD RECALL ON 1999 PASSATS. I HAVE NO INFORMATION ON IF MY CAR QUALIFIES FOR THE RECALL, BUT MY INVESTIGATIION ONLINE SUGGESTS I DO. HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTICES, BUT HAVE MOVED SINCE ORIGINAL PURCHASE AND COULD

WITH ALL OF THE GLOWING REPORTS FROM THE CONSUMER REPORTS MAG ABOUT THE VW PASSAT I HAD TO WRITE TO GRIPE ABOUT ABOUT MY DEALINGS WITH VW OF AMERICA.I TOOK MY 99 PASSAT TO THE DEALER ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER 15000 MILE SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE FOR A NOISE IN THE FRONT WHEELS MY DEALER TELLS ME THAT I NEED PADS AND ROTORS AT 18,000 MILES AT A COST $400.00.MY ROTORS ARE WORN BEYOND TURNING WITH 15% PADS LEFT .APPARENTLY THE PADS ARE HARDER THAN THE ROTORS?AFTER A HEATED DISCUSSION ABOUT WEATHER ROTORS WERE CONCIDERD CONSUMABLES OR NOT I LEFT IN DISCUST TO CALL VW OF AMERICA TO EXPLAIN MY VIEW THAT THERE IS NO WAY A TWO YEAR OLD PASSAT WITH 18000 NORMAL MILES SOULD NEED NEW ROTORS.FIVE CALLS LATER AND THE TOTAL RUN-A-ROUND A "CUSTOMER SERVICE" REP TELLS ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT VW OF AMERICA IS WILLING TO DO TO HELP ME.APPARENTLY THEY THINK IT IS NORMAL TO REPLACE ROTOR EVERY 15000 TO 18000 MILES AT A COST OF $400.00 SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD DEAL TO ME, FOR THE DEALERS!I WONDER IF I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM, EVERY NEW VW I SEE HAS A LOT OF BRAKE DUST ON THE FRONT WHEELS.HMM. THANK FOR LETTING ME VENT. KEEP THE CONSUMERS INFORMED!! P.S.I STILL THINK I'M GETTING SCREWED!*AK

THE VEHILE EXPERIENCED STEERING PROBLEMS CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, THEY TIGHTENED A LOOSE CLAMP, THE PROBLEM RESURFACED 6 MONTHS LATER AND NOW THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, THE CONSUMERS TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION. NLM

WHILE MAKING A 180% TURN LEFT VEHICLE SUDDENLY DROPPED. CONSUMER GOT OUT, AND WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY OFF DUE TO TRANSAXLE BREAKING. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND MANUFACTURER TRIED TO TELL CONSUMER THAT IT WAS HER FAULT. CONSUMER HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND MANUFACTURER DID NOT WANT TO USE WARRANTY. *AK

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING DECREASED BRAKE PERFORMANCE (SUBSTANTIAL) WHENEVER THE STREETS ARE SALTY AND WET. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND MY EXPERIENCE NOT UNCOMMON AMONG VW PASSAT OWNERS, AND APPARENTLY THE SUBJECT OF AN AUDI INVESTIGATION WHICH USES THE SAME BRAKE COMPONENTS. IT DOES NOT AFFECT PERFORMANCE WHEN DRY OR SIMPLY WET, BUT DOES WHEN 'SALTY' AND WET. IT TAKES SEVERAL BRAKING TO RESTORE ANY MEASURABLE FUNCTION IN THE BRAKES WHEN IT OCCURS. IT IS SCHEDULED TO BE SEEN BY A VW DEALER ON 2/13 FOR EVALUATION OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK

EA-00-028 WHEN DRIVING, RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT PUNCTURING GAS TANK, CAUSING A FUEL LEAKAGE, CONSUMER WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR ESTIMATE WHICH SHE COULDN'T AFFORD, SO HER HUSBAND PATHCED TANK WHICH DID NOT FIX THE LEAK. *SLC

PREMATURE WEAR OF TIE ROD: INNER. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. DEALER WILL REPAIR VEHICLE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK MANUFACTURER AGREED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, ALSO THE RECALL HAS BEEN UPDATED AND HAS NOW INCLUDED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE VIN NUMBER. *YH

FUEL PUMP REPLACED, NOW CONTINUAL GAS SMELL, 1 FUEL INJ. REPLACED STILL GAS SMELL, DEALER HAS CHECKED 4 MORE TIMES SINCE, NO REMEDY, ALSO NO NOTIFICATION FROM VW ON ANY OF THE RECALLS IN PLACE, 3 THAT YOU HAVE LISTED. *AK

I SEND AN E-MAIL PREVIOUSLY AS I'M ITALIAN AND I WANT TO SIGNAL AN ILLUMINATION PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. DRIVER HAD TO PLACE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

THE POSITION OF THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO NUDGE THE GAS PEDAL WHILE BRAKING. THIS HAS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ME ON OTHER CARS IN CLOSE TO FIFTY YEARS OF DRIVING. I,M REPORTING THIS ON THE CHANCE THAT YOU MIGHT FIND A PATTERN OF LIKE OCCURANCES.*AK

GAS GAUGE SENDING UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE. MALFUNCTIONING AGAIN. SHOWS FULL TANK WHEN MORE THAN HALF EMPTY. BRAKES HAVE NEVER WORKED ADEQUATELY. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND SAYS THEY ARE "NORMAL". AFTER INSPECTION, WORKED BETTER FOR A BRIEF PERIOD. *AK

RECALL 99V248000/TIE RODS: VEHICLE EXPERIENCING A TORN SEAL ON RIGHT TIE ROD DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

SEALS IN FRONT TIE ROD ENDS ARE BROKEN ON BOTH SIDES. DUST CAN GET IN AND AFFECT STEERING OF VEHICLE.THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL # 99V248000 FOR TIE RODS.*AK

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKES SQUEALING WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS. REPAIRS WERE MADE ON THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM, AND PROBLEM STILLOCCURRING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY OR WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN VEHICLE DEACCELERATED AND CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER HAS YET TO REPLACE PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

ROTORS ARE PREMATURLY WARPED AND THE FRONT END VIBRATES WHILE BRAKING AT SPEED OVER 45 MILES AN HOUR. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO REPLACE THEM UNDER WARRENTY AND THE DEALER FAILED TO TEST DRIVE AND INSPECT THE ROTORS WHEN THEY HAD THE CAR IN FOR THE 12,000 MILE CHECK UP IN JUNE 2000. ALSO, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE SWEDISH DISTRIBUTOR RECALLED THE BRAKES FOR PREMATURE FAILURE DUE TO RUST AND ROAD SALT.

WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, BOTH AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A WHILE AND WHEN THE ENGINE IS STILL WARM, THE ENGINE REVS UP TO ABOUT 2000 RPM AND THEN AFTER A FEW SECONDS DROPS BACK TO NORMAL IDLE SPEED. THEN, ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE RPM DROPS BACK TO NORMAL IDLE SPEED, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING INTERMITANTLY OVER THE PAST 2 MONTHS. THE DEALER HAS CHECKED THE VEHICLE TWICE AND CANNOT STOP IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN AT A LATER DATE. I DON'T THINK THEY REALLY KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT.

FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY. IT WOULD NOT REGISTER A FULL TANK OF GAS EVEN WHEN THE TANK WAS FULL. DEALER REPLACED FUEL SENDING UNIT FROM THE TANK TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT ON 2 OCCASIONS

SPEEDOMETER AND TACOMETER WILL PERIODICALLY NOT LIGHT UP. THEY START TO FLICKER AND GO OUT. SPEEDOMETER AND TACOMETER WILL NOT LIGHT UP UNTIL ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. DEALER HAS NOT PROVIDED A REMEDY, AND HAS ADVISED CONSUMER THAT A REMEDY WILL NOT BE ISSUED UNTIL MATTER WAS CONSTANT.*AK

AFTER FOLDING REAR SEAT FORWARD THEN RETURNING TO UPRIGHT, REAR CENTER SEATBELT LOCKS IN RETRACTED POSITION; SEATBELT ASSY. REPLACED ONCE BY DEALER, REPAIRED BY DEALER FOLLOWING RECURRENCE APPROX. 1 MONTH LATER. SVC. ADVISOR AT DEALER SAID THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH LATE MODEL PASSAT WAGONS, DUE TO APPARENT DESIGN FLAW.

AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON 5 TIMES. IT SEEMS THAT ALL 5 TIMES HAVE HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY WHIE DRIVING OVER 55 MPH. FIRST TIME, THE DEALER RESET THE AIRBAG SENSORS. SECOND, THIRD, AND FOURTH TIME, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER INVOICE, THE AIRBAG/SRS CONTROL MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED. I HAVE WRITTEN TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA INFORMING THEM THAT I BELIEVE MY CAR TO BE A LEMON AND AM DEMANDING RELIEF UNDER THE LEMON LAW OF MY STATE (MA).

WHILE DRIVING, THE MICHELIN MXV4 TIRE (P205 65 R15) FAILED, WITH ONLY 5600 MILES ON THE TIRE. *MJS

WHILE DRIVING, RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE WELL LINING BETWEEN THE TIRE AND THE FUEL TANK FOR CUSION PURPOSE WAS OBSERVED TO BE BENDED AROUND THE TOP PORTION OF THE TIRE. PIECES OF TIRE HIT FUEL TANK AND CAUSED A FUEL LEAK WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A FIRE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: M3TA CXYX TIRE SIZE: 15 )

THE LOWER RIGHT ARM OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS FAILED. THIS IS AFTER ONLY 25,000 MILES. THE BUSHING HAS APPARENTLY COME LOOSE FROM THE ARM. IF ALLOWED TO PROGRESS FAR ENOUGH, THIS COULD LEAD TO UNSAFE HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

OIL LINE BROKE WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, ABS/MASTER CYLINDER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE ENTIRE ABS SYSTEM TO BE REPLACED.VEHICLE WAS NOT BRAKING PROPERLY WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IN ADDITION, HAD PADS REPLACED TWICE/NEEDED A NEW BOOSTER INSTALLED, AND SUN ROOF WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT LEAKED AND MADE A SQUEALING NOISE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY SPEED THEN PARKING, TURNING OFF ENGINE, AND THEN TRYING TO START THE ENGINE, IT WON'T RESTART. *AK WITH SPARK PLUGS AND THERMOSTAT INSTALLED AT FACTOURY, THE VEHICLE RUNS AT 165 DEGREE. WHEN NEW SPARK PLUGS AND THERMOSTAT WERE INSTALLED, THE VEHICLE RUN AT 190 DEGREE. THE OWNER SAYS THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN ON RECALL. *YH

THERE WAS A CATOSTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH WITH NO SIGN OF PROBLEMS PRIOR TO FAILURE.NOTE CAR HAD ROUTINE SERVICE FIVE DAYS PRIOR TO FAILURE. *AK