Page 2 of 14 · complaints 51–100 of 664

1999 Volkswagen Passat complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1999 record →

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Nov 13, 200885,000 milesIN

1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 1.8T. FAILURE OF ABS CONTROL MODULE. DEALER DEMANDED $2,500.00 TO REPAIR WHAT IS APPARENTLY A FAULTY DESIGN. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE REPORTS OF ABS MODULE FAILURES ON THESE VEHICLES. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 21, 200885,423 milesPR

THE ABS MODULE ON MY 1999 PASSAT HAS BROKEN AND THE CAR IS CONSTANTLY WARNING ME OF THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE DASH ARE LIGHTING UP. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 2, 2008LA

MY 1999 VW PASSAT 1.8T BEGAN EXHIBITING A FLASHING/BEEPING RED LIGHT TO INDICATE A FAILURE IN THE ABS SYSTEM. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE, IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS FAILURE IS FAIRLY COMMON ON 1998-2001 PASSATS, BUT NO ACTION HAS EVER BEEN TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER. I HAD THE ABS MODULE REBUILT AND DID THE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION WORK MYSELF; THE RESULT WAS $220 OUT OF POCKET. HOWEVER, MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOUGHT DEALERSHIP SERVICE WORK FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM HAVE SPENT WELL IN EXCESS OF $1,000. GIVEN THE APPARENT FAILURE RATE OF THIS MODULE AND THE FACT THAT IT IS A CORE SAFETY FEATURE OF THE CAR, IT IS MY OPINION THAT IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR RECALL (INCLUDING COMPENSATION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY MADE THE REPAIR). THANK YOU. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 23, 2008150 milesIN

THIS COMPLAINT IS FOR MY ABS MODULE IN MY 1999 VW PASSAT WAGON. IT WENT OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON, WITH LIGHTS INDICATING SUCH. IT IS CONSTANTLY BROKEN NOW. IT WILL COST 1,200 FOR THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE BROKEN MODULE, WITH OUT IT I AM WITHOUT ABS. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 22, 2008PA

1999 VW PASSAT,ABS LIGHT ON/BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, VERY ANNOYING AND SCARY, READ ON INTERNET DISCUSSION FORUMS , POSSIBLY VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX, DO NOT HAVE 1500 DOLLARS TO FIX AND IT POSSIBLY MAY NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM..WE NEED ANSWERS ... *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Sep 19, 2008106,000 milesNJ

ABS LIGHT INDICATOR 1999 VW PASSAT V6 ENGINE. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 15, 200867,000 milesNY

ABS MODULE FAILURE AT ~67000 MILES. ABS LIGHT ON WITH FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT AND 3 SHORT PEEPS. WATER INTRUSION FROM UNDER BATTERY DRAINS DUE TO DESIGN FLAWS. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Crash
Filed Sep 14, 2008180,000 milesMD

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES A HOUR BY MY HOUSE WHILE I WAS DRIVING A BIG CLICK NOISE SOUNDED ON MY FRONT RIGHT WHEEL THE CAR SWERVED AND FELL IN A DITCH THE POLICE CAME AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS YOUR TIE ROD AND AXLE BROKEN I HAD TO CHANGE THEM. PLUS MY ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING AND IT NEEDS A NEW MODULE AND IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY PASSAT OUT THERE HAVE NO PROBLEM AND THE DEALER WONT HELP OR VW HOTLINE PLUS MY TWO FRONT WINDOWS JUST FELL AND THE WINDOWS NEED A WHOLE NEW ACTUATORS AND ON THE INTERNET ALOT OF THE PASSAT HAVE THAT PROBLEM AND THE DEALER WONT HELP THERE IS FIVE RECALLS ON PASSAT AND THE DEALER DON'T WANT TO DO BUT 1 OF THEM SO PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Filed Sep 14, 200815,000 milesCT

THE ABS CONTROL MODULE IS DEAD ON MT 1999 VW PASSAT. THIS RENDERS THE ABS USELESS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE PASSATS. I JUST HOPE THEY HAVE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS BIG DOLLAR REPAIR. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 13, 2008120,000 milesSD

ABS LIGHT STATED TO BLINK... CAN'T "TALK" TO ABS IN CAR WITH COMPUTER... ABS MODULE IS OUT :( *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Sep 9, 2008IL

ABS MODULE HAS FAILED. *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Sep 4, 2008120,000 milesNJ

ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILURE ON MY 1999 VW PASSAT. *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Aug 30, 2008MA

I DRIVE A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T AND WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE ABS LIGHT WOULD TURN ON. A COUPLE MONTHS LATER THE BRAKE LIGHT BEGAN APPEARING WITH IT AND MAKING A BEEPING SOUND. I TOOK IT TO A VOLKSWAGEN SPECIALIST AND GOT THEY REPLACE THE ABS MODULE. SINCE THEN THE ABS LIGHT HAS NOT COME ON. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 26, 2008139,000 milesNY

THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MODULE ON MY 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS FAILED LEAVING ME WITH NO FUNCTIONING ABS SYSTEM. THE FAILURE OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD APPEAR TELLING ME THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED, THE ONLY CONSEQUENCE SO FAR IS A FAILED ABS SYSTEM, AS OF RIGHT NOW NO CORRECTIVE ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BECAUSE A BRAND NEW MODULE IS ~$800 DOLLARS, AND TO HAVE THE MODULE REBUILT REQUIRES REMOVING IT FROM THE CAR AND MAILING IT TO A MODULE REBUILDING COMPANY(WWW.MODULEMASTERS.COM) AND COSTS $200+ AND AT THIS TIME I CAN'T AFFORD EITHER OF THE COSTS EASILY. THE CAR AND BRAKES FUNCTION FINE, BUT THERE IS NO SAFETY OF THE ABS SYSTEM INCASE OF EMERGENCY AN EMERGENCY STOP OF A 4000LB CAR. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Filed Aug 26, 2008105,000 milesMD

ABS MODULE IS FAULTY, RESULTING IN NO ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Aug 26, 2008139,000 milesOH

1. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT LIGHTS UP DASH, WHILE BLARING A LOUD BEEP. ABS BECOMES INOPERATIVE, WHICH RESULTS IN LONGER STOPS. 2. EACH TIME CAR IS STARTED 3. CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 25, 2008143,000 milesMA

ABS MODULE FAILED IN MY 1999 VW PASSAT. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 25, 2008105,556 milesOK

I GOT IN MY CAR ONE MORNING AND STARTED THE ABS LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND HAS PRETTY MUCH BEEN ON SINCE AND I HAVE NOTICED WITHOUT ABS MY CAR DOESN'T STOP NEAR AS FAST AS IT USED TO THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE ABS COMPUTER FAILED AND THE MANUFACTURE WOULD HAVE TO SEND ME ANEW ONE BUT THAT IT WAS REALLY PRICY TO FIX AND A GROUP THAT I AM WITH ALSO DRIVE THE SAME CARS A LARGE NUMBER OF THEM AND THERE'S HAS FAILED JUST LIKE MINE DID. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 19, 200885,000 milesMO

ABS MODULE FAILURE. HAPPENS EVERYTIME I START MY CAR. REPLACEMENT OF ABS MODULE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 13, 2008103,000 milesTN

MY 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (V6, GLX MODEL) HAS A FAULTY ABS CONTROL MODULE. AT AROUND 103,000 MILES, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING ON MY CAR AND BEGAN FLASHING A BRAKE WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH NUMEROUS OTHER VW PASSAT OWNERS WHO TELL ME THIS SAME INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED TO THEM. IT SEEMS TO BE A TREND AMONG 1998-2001 PASSATS, AND SINCE THE ABS SYSTEM NO LONGER WORKS, IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 12, 200870,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). THE DEALER STATED THAT IN ORDER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR TO BE PERFORMED, THEY WOULD NEED TO PERFORM $800 WORTH OF REPAIRS FIRST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NOTICE DOES NOT CLEARLY STATE THAT, WHICH IT SHOULD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND EXPLAINED THAT THE ADDITIONAL CHARGES MAY APPLY IF THE RECALL REPAIR NEEDS TO BE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT SHOULD BE CLEARLY STATED IN THE NOTICE THAT ADDITIONAL CHARGES MAY ACCRUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Steering
Filed Aug 4, 200887,000 milesCO

ON MY VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM IS FAILING AT THE BALL JOINT. THERE ARE LOUD SCREECHES AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN PASSING OVER BUMPS COMING FROM THE BALL JOINT EVIDENCING THE INAPPROPRIATE WEAR. THIS WAS ADDRESSED AND REPLACED ACCORDING TO SERVICE BULLETIN "VM" WITH VOLKSWAGEN IN EARLY 2005, BUT THE PART IS WEARING IMPROPERLY AGAIN. FAILURE OF THIS PART COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING AND COULD BE FATAL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 17, 200847,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THERE WAS PLASTIC COVERING THE REFLECTOR BOARD. AFTER A FEW MONTHS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT LOCATE THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HE WAS INFORMED THAT IF HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TOO HARD, IT COULD LOCK HIS WHEEL AND RESULT IN A CRASH OR HE COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 09/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/18/08. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning Light
Filed Jul 8, 200848,000 milesWA

THIS COMPLAINT PERTAINS TO MY 1999 VW PASSAT 1.8 TURBO. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE CAR AND A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 8, 200880,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE DEALER WAS REPAIRING THE EXHAUST SYSTEM THEY OBSERVED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE WAS MILEAGE 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 3, 200875,000 milesCA

NORMAL USAGE ON THE CAR. AT ~75K MILES, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT BLINK AND THE DASHBOARD BEEPS ANY TIME THE CAR DROPS BELOW 15 MILES PER HOUR. ABS MODULE IS FAULTY, DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN. WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE ON PASSATS OF THIS ERA. *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Jun 25, 2008175,000 milesMI

THE ABS CONTROL MODULE, IN MY 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS MALFUNCTIONED WHICH IS MAJOR ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN/HEARD OF A LOT OF EARLY MODEL PASSATS (1998-2001) HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. IT IS PLACED DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE ENGINE BLOCK, WHICH GETS EXTREMELY HOT OVER TIME. THE HEAT CAUSES THIS MALFUNCTION WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED BY VOLKSWAGEN. 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 AMERICAN 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 REBUILD THE MODULE. I BELIEVE THIS A HUGE SAFETY FACTOR THAT SHOULD BE SERIOUSLY LOOKED INTO BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATIONS. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO RESOLVE THIS YET. I PLAN ON SENDING IN THE PART FOR REPAIR AND THAN PLACING IT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE ONCE IT IS FIXED. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 24, 2008112,000 milesMI

SUDDEN LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION DUE TO ABS MODULE FAILURE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 24, 2008138,800 milesNC

DRIVING ALONG ON A CLEAR DAY, OPEN ROAD, NO BAD WEATHER. THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHT ON MY CAR CAME ON WITH A WARNING BEEP. INTERMITTENTLY THE TACHOMETER AND OIL PRESSURE LIGHT WOULD FAIL TO WORK ADDITIONAL CREATING WARNING BEEPS . HAVING THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY A GARAGE, THE ABS ELECTRONIC MODULE HAD FAILED REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 24, 200854,000 milesCO

ABS BRAIN FAILURE, 1999 VW PASSAT 1.8T. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN DASH LIGHTS LIT NOTING ABS FAILURE OCCURRED. CAR HAD 54,000 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE. HAD TO SEND OUT UNIT FOR REPAIRS, LED TO DRIVING FOR 2 WEEKS WITHOUT ABS BRAKES, AND COST $200 FOR REBUILD (NEW AT DEALER WOULD HAVE BEEN >$1000).

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 19, 200895,000 milesAZ

1. UNKNOWN 2. VISIBLE GAS LEAK, INTERMITTENT. RECURRED APPROX. 1 YEAR AFTER INITIAL VISIBLE LEAK TO AN EXTENT I WAS ABLE TO TRACE. 3. REPLACE CRACKED RUBBER HOSE CONNECTED TO FUEL FILTER. (PART IS NOT AVAILABLE BUT I HAVE PHOTOS). *TR

Visibility
Filed Jun 19, 2008102,000 milesPA

PASSENGER POWER WINDOW REGULATOR DESIGNED WITH PLASTIC CLIPS CAUSING WINDOW TO FALL IN THE DOOR. CLIPS NOT AVAILABLE AT DEALER. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BUY THE ENTIRE WINDOW REGULATOR @ $120.00... *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 1, 200898,000 milesIL

1999 PASSAT 4 CYL HAS A FLASHING BRAKE AND A CONSTANT ABS ALARM LIGHT ON ALMOST ALL THE TIME. *TR

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed May 16, 200839,466 milesMD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. SHE DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO HEARING THE SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THE TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V414000 (STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,829 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,466.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm
Filed May 8, 2008228,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE LOWERED TO THE GROUND WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER STATED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE. AS OF MAY 8, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED SERVICE ACTION BULLETIN FOR THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM IN NOVEMBER OF 2004. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER; THEY DID NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THEY HE WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 228, 000. UPDATED 05/22/08 *BF UPDATED 05/22/08. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed May 2, 200887,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FALL OFF THE VEHICLE PERIODICALLY. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST EIGHT YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Apr 27, 200896,000 milesMA

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WITH 4 BEEPS. SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY AND SOMETIMES IT JUST STAY THERE DURING THE ENTIRE DRIVE. ABS SEEMS TO HAVE STOPPED WORKING. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning Light
Filed Apr 11, 2008108,000 milesPA

I DRIVE A 1999 VW PASSAT SEDAN TURBO. OUT OF NO WHERE ONE DAY MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, THEY ARE ALWAYS ON NOW EVERYTIME I DRIVE AND DO NOT GO OFF. I AM WORRIED SOMETHING MAY BE WRONG WITH MY BRAKE SYSTEM BUT DO NOT HAVE ANY MORE MONEY TO PUT INTO MY CAR AT THE MOMENT SINCE I HAVE PUT THOUSANDS IN SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 9, 2008105,435 milesOR

OVER TIME LEAVES COLLECTED IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT OF MY '99 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. THIS LED TO RAIN WATER LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CORRODING THE ECU UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE ALARM AND LOCKS STARTED WORKING ON THEIR OWN, SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER START. THE INITIAL REACTION FROM VOLKSWAGEN WAS TO "CHEAPLY FIX" AND THE SELL THE CAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE LIFELONG PROBLEMS WITHOUT A "PROPER FIX" WHICH WOULD COST MORE THAN THE CAR WAS WORTH (~$6-$8K). *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 3, 2008150,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY OVER 90 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING MAXIMUM PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FLOORMATS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FLOORMATS. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE ORIGINAL RUBBER FLOORMATS. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000. UPDATED 4/25/08 *CN THE FLOOR MAT BECAME LODGE UNDER THE GAS PEDAL.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Mar 21, 200854,000 milesNJ

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW FELL DOWN INTO THE DOOR. THE IS THE SECOND TIME FOR THIS WINDOW AND THE FOURTH TIME OVERALL. EVERYTIME ITS BEEN THE WINDOW REGULATOR. THIS COST ME $392 EVERYTIME. I DRIVE MY CAR ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED FOUR TIMES WHEN I HAVE LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON MY CAR. I KNOW MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT WHO DO WE COMPLAIN TO? AND WHEN WE DO IT FALLS ON DEAF EARS. I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE. ALSO MY CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK AND THEY WANT ME TO SPEND ANOTHER $300+ TO PUT A NEW TURN SIGNAL IN. ALSO, MY PASSENGER SIDE, SIDE AIRBAG HARNESS AND AIRBAG ITSELF ARE BAD. THEY WANT AT LEAST $600 TO FIX IT. I HAVE A 1999 PASSAT WITH 55,000 MILES AND IT'S A MONEY PIT ! PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Filed Feb 7, 200880,566 milesMD

VW PASSAT 1999 - FAILING ABS MODULE (ABS,OIL,BRAKE LIGHTS ON). INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWED HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. VW SHOULD AT LEAST FIX THIS FOR ORIGINAL OWNERS. MY LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR OVER A YEAR. I WAS QUOTED $1400 TO REPAIR YET IT IS A BAD SOLDER JOINT ON THE ABS CIRCUIT BOARD. VW NEEDS TO REPLACE THE MODULE. SO MUSH FOR VW SAFETY. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 6, 2008NC

OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM WITH MY 1.8T ENGINE IN A 1999 VW PASSAT AFTER GETTING OIL CHANGES WITH SYNTHETIC OIL NOW I'M WITH OUT A VEHICLE AND MY JOB REQUIRES ME TO DRIVE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 4, 2008100,210 miles00

VEHICLE:1999 VW PASSAT 4 CYLINDER 1.8TURBO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE 2005. DEALER WOULD NOT CONSIDER IT PART OF THE WARRANTY AND TOOK 2 YEARS BEFORE THE PROBLEM WAS RECTIFIED. BUT TILL TODAY, STILL GET THE LIGHT AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO RECTIFY IT. ON 2 OCCASSIONS THE VEHICLE STALLED AT MAJOR INTERSECTION, AND WAS A POTENTIAL HAZARD TO OTHER VEHICLES. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE VW DEALER. I MET AN OWNER OF A VW GOLF 1999 AT THE DEALER (YESTERDAY JAN 3RD, 2008) AND HE GAVE ME TO UNDERSTAND THAT HE WAS TOLD HIS CHECK ENGLINE LIGHT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE SEARCHED THE WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/RECALLS SITE AND THERE ARE NONE RECALLS REPORTED AND YET HIS CAR WAS BEING FIXED. LISTED BELOW ARE THE COST TOTAL $727 6/29/2005 REPLACED SECONDARY STAGE LIGHT $415 8/08/2005 CONSIDER SPORADIC AND RESET BUT DETERMINED CAMSHAFT $0 8/16/2006FAULTY MASS AIR FLOW$232 8/18/2006REPLACE ELBOW$80 THOUGH I HAVE DONE THE ABOVE, I STILL GET THE LIGHT AND SINCE THEY CANNOT TRACK THE SYMPTONS, THEY JUST RESET THE LIGHT. THIS IS A HAZARD AND COULD ENDANGER LIVES OF OTHER DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. 'THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT WOULD ENDANGER OTHER LIVES 'I REQUEST THIS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND SUBSEQUENTLY DOCUMENTED 'I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COSTS THAT I HAVE INCURRED. I WOULD LIKE VW TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AND MAKE DO WHAT THEIR CUSTOMERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED. *CN

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning Light
Filed Dec 16, 2007MO

MY ABS LIGHT ON MY 1999 PASSAT 1.8T COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND STAYS ON. WHEN IT DOES, THE BRAKE LIGHT ALSO FLASHES. I CAN PARK MY CAR OVERNIGHT. WHEN I RESTART IT, IT IS OFF. AFTER DRIVING A SHORT WAYS, IT WILL COME ON AGAIN. *TR

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed Dec 15, 200760,023 milesNY

TIE ROD ENDS EXCESSIVE WEAR. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF NYS INSPECTION @60K IN 07. TIE RODS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER RECALL IN 2001@ 19K. DIFFERENT RECALL IN 05 @ 50K FOR INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT OF CONTROL ARMS RESULTED IN INSPECTION ONLY. DEALER DID NOT FIND EXCESSIVE WEAR OF CONTROL ARMS OR TIE ROD ENDS. I DOUBT DEALERS INTEGRITY OR THAT THE SERVICE TECH WAS AWARE OF PREVIOUS TIE ROD REPLACEMENT. OBVIOUSLY THE ACCEPTABLE WEAR WOULD BE GREATER HAD THE PARTS BEEN IN SERVICE LONGER. DEFECTIVE CONTROL ARMS LEAD TO EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE STEERING LINKAGES AND BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE FOR ITS AGE AND HAS BEEN USED LESS THAN 6K A YEAR SINCE PURCHASE IN 05. COST FOR THE REPLACEMENT WAS $150 PARTS (MOOG TIE ROD ENDS), $90 LABOR, $75 FOR THE REQUIRED ALIGNMENT AND NYS TAX = ~$330. THIS IS SAFETY CONCERN AND EXCESSIVE WEAR FOR A PART THAT SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST A 60K LIFE EXPECTANCY. IT WOULD BE NORMAL FOR A VEHICLE TO TRAVEL 20K BETWEEN INSPECTIONS. FOR THE DEALER TO OK AT 50K AND AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTION FACILITY TO CONDEMN AT 60K IS SUSPICIOUS. THE PARTS WERE VISIBLY WORN AND DEFECTIVE BY PERSONAL INSPECTION. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Dec 6, 200789,000 milesMN

TL*THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S SON HEARD METAL RUBBING NEAR THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER LINKS. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,490 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning Light
Filed Dec 4, 2007115,000 milesCA

ABS MODULE HAS FAILED. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR ($1400 FOR THE PART (!) PLUS LABOR) FOR A SAFETY-RELATED FEATURE. IN CHECKING AROUND THE INTERNET I AM FINDING OUT THAT THIS IS APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE (VW PASSAT, LATE 1990S MODELS). *TR

Suspension › Front › Control Arm
Filed Nov 28, 200788,010 milesOK

CONTROL ARMS MAKING NOISE.. NEEDS REPLACEMENT..WV MANUFACTURING DEFECT... MOST SUCH VEHICLE HAS THE PROBLEM AND ITS A SAFETY ISSUE. WV NEED TO DO A RECALL IN THIS. *TR

Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting
Filed Oct 25, 2007CA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V414000 (STEERING: LINKAGES: ROD: RELAY: CONNECTING). SHE FELT THAT HER VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,740.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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