1999 Volkswagen Passat complaints

ABS FAILURE. *NM

I OWN A 1999 VW PASSAT V6. IT CURRENTLY HAS APPROX 67,975 MILES. FROM THE FIRST YEAR OF PURCHASE TO THIS CURRENT DATE, I'VE EXPERIENCED THE SUNROOF OPENING ON IT'S OWN DURING WINTER MONTHS. THIS SUNROOF HAS A MANUAL DIAL CONTROL, AND THEREFORE IT MYSTIFIES ME THAT THIS CAN OCCUR. MY RATE OF SPEED HAS NO IMPACT ON THE OCCURANCE, SINCE I COULD BE MERELY TRAVELLING AT 45 50 MPH WHEN IT HAPPENS. I'VE REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO THE DEALER,BUT OF COURSE IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT REPLICATED WHEN THEY TEST DRIVE THE CAR, IT IS CONSIDERED NON-EXISTENT (IN THEIR OPINION). I AM TIRED OF THE MULTIPLE PREMATURE COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE AND AT THIS POINT, I'M CONSIDERING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS IS WHAT MY TIME LINE LOOKS LIKE: 48,824 MILES REPLACED ALL UPPER LINKS REPLACE V BELT 49,576 MILES REPLACED WATER PUMP AND BATTERY 53,629 MILES REPLACED CV BOOT JOINTS AND BOTH FRONT AXELS 57,512 MILES REPLACED UPPER LINKS AGAIN 61,972 MILES, BEING TOLD THAT ALL GASKET SEALS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I'M CURRENTLY DRIVING WITH THE FOLLING CONDITIONS: NO HEAT AT MY FEET IF MY HEAT SETTING IS FOR BOTH BODY AND FEET. MY KEY KEEPS COMING APART AND GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. MY SUNROOF OPENS ON ITS OWN WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE. MY LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK WOULDN'T LOCK WHEN I LOCK THE CAR. THE TRUNK LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IT FEELS LIKE. I HAVE TO FILL UP ON COOLANT EVERY 700 MILES OR SO. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE TOXIC FUMES IN VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TURBO, BUT THIS DID NOT HELP TO ELIMINATE THE FUME PROBLEM. CURRENTLY, THEY INSISTED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REMOVED AND ALL OF THE SEALS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SAFE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. *AK

ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE ON VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1999 1.8T GLS. *NM

I OWN A 1999 VW PASSAT AND HAD TO HAVE MY ABS CONTROL MODULE REPLACED IN JULY OF 2005 AT A COST OF $1,300. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH MANY OTHER VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT OWNERS WHO HAVE ALSO HAD THEIR ABS CONTROL MODULE GO BAD AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IT. SINCE THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM I FEEL THAT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS PART AND FINANCIALLY REIMBURSE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE ALREADY PAID OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE THE ABS. IT IS A VERY COSTLY EXPENSE AND WAS SURPRISING TO ME THAT IT NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT ONLY 75,000 MILES, IN MY CAR'S CASE. THANK YOU. *JB

TIMING BELT BROKE WITH NO WARNING BEFORE THE 90,000 MILE SUGGESTED CHECK WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 2000 AND 4000 TO REPAIR. *JB

ABS CONTROLLER ON MY VW PASSAT 1999 FAILED. *JB

THE VEHICLE IS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON PERIODICALLY WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY AND NO APPARENT CAUSE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PASSATS AND AUDI A4S. I FOUND AROUND 40 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE AND THE FREQUENCY OF THE PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED ELSEWHERE ON THE INTERNET. THE PROBLEM IS REPORTED TO RESULT IN LACK OF ABS AND INACTIVATION OF THE NORMAL BRAKING DISTRIBUTION MECHANISM. THE LACK OF ABS, WHILE SERIOUS, ONLY REDUCES BRAKING TO THAT OF MANY OTHER VEHICLES. THE ALLEGED EFFECT ON DISTRIBUTION OF BRAKING POWER IS A POTENTIALLY MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM, AS IT COULD RESULT IN POOR PERFORMANCE OF EVEN THE CONVENTIONAL BRAKING SYSTEM. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. UPON INSPECTION THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE STEERING ASSEMBLY CAME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BOTH TIE RODS. ALSO, THE DEALERSHIP ALSO FOUND THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK AND THE ABS WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THE STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY WAS LOOSE TO THE POINT IT COULD HAVE FALLEN OF FROM THE FRAME. UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB

1 - NORMAL USE - ONLY 55,000 MILES 2 - FAILURE OF LOWER CONTROL ARMS - MUST REPLACE 3 - REQUIRED TO REPLACE AT COST OF $400.00

1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T ABS MODULE FAILURE. APPEARS MANY OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS EXPENSE SAFETY DEVICE FAILURE. VW IS IGNORING THE ISSUE STATING THERE IS NO HISTORY OF FAILURES OR SERVICE BULLETIN 0517. DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $1750 TO REPAIR.

I OWN A 99 VW PASSAT WHICH HAS A FAILED ABS SYSTEM. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR PROBLEM, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON MALFUNCTION WITH VW AND AUDI OWNERS. APPARENTLY, VW OFFERED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOT INCLUDE PRE-2001 VEHICLES. A DEFINITE INDICATOR OF THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO MAINTAIN THE SAFETY OF THEIR VEHICLES. WHEN THIS SYSTEM FAILS, THE INDICATOR LIGHTS UP, HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN DURING 100% OF MY DRIVE TIME. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND WILL LIKELY CAUSE A DANGEROUS ACCIDENT, SINCE WHEN LIT I HAVE NO ABS. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN MY COMPLAINT AND HOLD VW LIABLE FOR THEIR FAULTY CRAFTSMANSHIP WITH THIS ABS SYSTEM. THE COSTS OF REPAIR ARE EXORBITANT AND SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED BY THE CONSUMER. THIS IS A UNIVERSAL PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES! *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CAR HAS BEEN T DEALER, SERVICED AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED ON SCHEDULE. THE VEHICLE HAS 112,000 MILES ON IT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED ON 9-30-05 THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED AN OVERHAUL, AND THAT IT WOULD COST IN EXCESS OF $1000.00 TO REPLACE THE VALVE RINGS/O-RINGS). THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT IF THIS WAS NOT DONE OIL WOULD LEAK , AND THE CAR COULD CATCH ON FIRE. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER HAS A FRIEND WHO TOLD HER THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 1999 PASSAT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THE WARRANT EXPIRED, AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ALSO SHE CALLED BBB AND FILED A COMPLAINT AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN. *AK.

DT: 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT - IN RE: THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. A WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON ALONG WITH A BEEPING SOUND. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE PASSAT. THE CONSUMER RESEARCHED THIS MATTER AND REALIZED THAT THERE WERE OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THEE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND HAD NOT FIXED IT AS OF YET. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY OTHER PROBLEMS EXCEPT WITH THE WARNING LIGHT AND THE BEEPING SOUND. *AK (12/08/05) THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED DAILY. *SC

THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I HAVE HAD THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS GO BAD ON MY VEHICLE. IF THE CONTROL ARMS AREN'T REPLACED, IT CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING MECHANISMS. BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED AND I DO HAVE THE OLD PARTS. *JB

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REPEATEDLY ON. ERROR CODE 17544 BANK 1 SYSTEM TOO LEAN (P1136) LONG TERM FUEL TRIM. I HAD MY MECHANIC FIX ALL VACUUM LEAKS, LOW FUEL PRESSURE, EXHAUST LEAKS, INJECTORS AND SECONDARY AIR SYSTEM. HAD THE MAF SENSOR REPLACED AND STILL HAVE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. *NM

I OWN A 1999 VW PASSAT 1.8T GLS. AT 69,000 MILES, "ABS" AND "BRAKE" DASH LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF, INDICATING FAILURE OF ABS CONTROL MODULE, AND LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION. *NM

TIE ROD FAILURE DIAGNOSED BY VW DEALER. *NM

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING FAULTY WINDOW REGULATORS. *TS THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDOW REGULATORS TWICE. *JB

1. NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS; CITY AS WELL AS HIGHWAY DRIVING. 2. RANDOM, INTERMITTENT WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR ON DASHBOARD. LIGHTS ARE: ABS - SOLID YELLOW. BRAKE - FLASHING RED. 3. NOTHING HAS BE DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AS THE DEALER WANTS BETWEEN $1,500 -$2,000 TO FIX THE ABS MODULE. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: VISITED VARIOUS VOLKSWAGON MESSAGE FORUMS. MANY VOLKSWAGON OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM SINCE EARLY 2004. HERE IS A LINK TO ONE SUCH SITE: HTTP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA?THREADID=6316&START=0&TSTART=0. *JB

NO ABNORMAL EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE, JUST A NORMAL COMMUTE ON RESIDENTIAL ROAD AT ABOUT 30 MPH. THE FAILURE WAS INDICATED BY THREE LOUD ELECTRONIC BEEPS AND THE APPEARANCE OF THE "ABS" LIGHT (STEADY) AND "BRAKES" LIGHT (BLINKING) ON THE INSTRUMENTAL CLUSTER. CONSEQUENCE OF FAILURE IS LOSS OF ABS OPERATION. NO REPAIR EFFECTED AS YET, DIAGNOSIS SHOWS FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC ABS MODULE. *NM

ABS COMPUTER UNIT FAILED. WENT OUT INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST, THEN STOPPED FUNCTIONING ALTOGETHER. ABS NO LONGER WORKS. ODB-II COMMUNICATION FAILURE, PROHIBITS SMOG CHECK HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET.

I OWN A '99 VW PASSAT GLS AND HAVE ALSO HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. I GET A SOLID DASHBOARD ABS WARNING LIGHT AND BLINKING DASHBOARD BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WHEN I START THE CAR. BOTH LIGHTS STAY ON AND THE BLINKING LIGHT CAUSED MY CAR TO FAIL INSPECTION. I'VE DONE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF SUCH COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THIS IS A $1500 - $4000 REPAIR, ACCORDING TO THE VARIOUS DEALER ESTIMATES I'VE READ. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND WELL-DOCUMENTED MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. MY VW SERVICE CENTER ACKNOWLEDGED THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM AND HOW MUCH TO CHARGE FOR IT (~$2400), BUT BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE I HAVE NOT REPAIRED IT YET. PLEASE TAKE ACTION! BOTH THE ABS SYSTEM AND IGNITION SYSTEM USE BOSCH PARTS, WHICH HAVE DOCUMENTED FAILURES. THIS SHOULD BE A NHTSA RECALL ITEM!!! MORE INFO CAN BE FOUND NOT JUST AT BENTLEY, BUT ALSO THIS SITE: HTTP://WWW.MYCARSTATS.COM/CONSOLE.ASP. *JB

WHEN GETTING IN TO MY 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THE SEAT BASE CAME LOOSE AND TIPPED ME AND THE SEAT BACK AGAINST THE BACK SEAT. THERE HAD BEEN NO PREVIOUS WARNING WITH THE SEAT SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING OR ANY CREAKING NOISES. LUCKILY I WASN'T DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE I COULD HAVE EASILY CRASHED WITH THE SEVERE RECLINE OF THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP WHO LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM AND ASKED IF I'D EVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BREAKAGE. "NO" WAS MY RESPONSE. THEIR BILL FOR A REPLACEMENT WAS FOR OVER $800 SO I CALLED VWOA AND SPOKE WITH ONE OF THEIR CUSTOMER CARE PERSONNEL ABOUT THE HIGH PRICE AND IF THEY'D HELP WITH ANY OF THE COST EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEIR RESPONSE WAS "NO". THE CAR WAS REPAIRED OUT OF MY OWN POCKET AND A NEWER MODEL SEAT BASE WAS INSTALLED THAT WAS OF AN OBVIOUS REDESIGN. (I GUESS THEY THOUGHT THE OLD ONE WAS INFERIOR BUT DIDN'T FEEL LIKE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE TO LET ANYONE KNOW ABOUT.) *NM

FAILURE OF BOSCH ABS 5.3 CONTROLLER LEADING TO WARNING TONES AND LIGHTS AND LOSS OF TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS FUNCTIONS, A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS A WIDELY REPORTED PROBLEM AS VW AND AUDI CARS GET OLDER DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE BOSCH HYBRID MODULE. SINCE THE CARS ARE OUT OF WARRANTY, VW AND AUDI ARE NOT COVERING REPAIRS WHICH COST $1400 OR MORE. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL 99V248000 CONCERNING TIE RODS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THERE WAS 21,604 MILES ON THE CAR THEN. SHE TOOK VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT'S SERVICE SLIP DID NOT SHOW ANY REPAIRS. SHE WAS REALLY NOT SURE WHAT WAS DONE CONCERNING THE RECALL. ABOUT 3-4 WEEKS AGO, SHE HEARD A RUBBING, SCREECHING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION. HAD THE FRONT TIE RODS REPLACED ON 8-30-05. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THEY HAD MADE A DECISION NOT TO REIMBURSE HER FOR THE COST OF THIS REPAIR BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE ON VEHICLE, WHICH HA 74,000 MILES ON IT. THE CONTACT STATED THE CAR HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED. *AK

ON 9/7/05 IN THE AM, I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE HERZOG-MEIER DEALERSHIP IN BEAVERTON, OREGON TO BE SERVICED FOR A RADIATOR ISSUE. AROUND 2 PM IN THE AFTERNOON, I RECEIVED A VOICE MESSAGE FROM THE SERVICE REP AT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATING THAT IN ADDITION TO THE ISSUE I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR, THE MECHANIC HAD INDICATED THE FRONT TIE-RODS WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. I LEFT A MESSAGE WITH THE SERVICE REP BACK TO GET MORE INFORMATION. IN THE INTERIM, I RESEARCHED AND FOUND MY VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR TIE-RODS, INDICATED AS YOU CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS OF 99V248000 AND 00V414000. I CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER CARE REGARDING THIS ISSUE. VW CUSTOMER CARE WOULD ONLY TELL ME THERE WAS "NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS". WHEN I WAS ABLE TO TALK WITH THE SERVICE REP, HE TOLD ME THESE RECALLS HAD BEEN PERFORMED BACK ON 3/13/01. I CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER CARE TO ASK THEM TO RE-REPAIR THESE TIE-RODS BECAUSE THE PARTS INSTALLED FROM THE RECALL HAD FAILED. VW HAS SAID THEY WOULD ONLY REPAIR THE TIE-RODS THE 1 TIME AND FELT NO OBLIGATION TO REPAIR AGAIN. THE REASON FOR MY COMPLAINT IS THE PARTS INSTALLED AFTER THE RECALL HAVE FAILED. NOW I AM BEING ASKED TO PAY $500 OUT OF MY OWN POCKET TO FIX. ADDITIONALLY, VW HAS NO RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OR MAINTENANCE FOR TIE-RODS LISTED ON THEIR WEBSITE OR IN MY OWNERS MANUAL FOR MY VEHICLE. *NM

99 VW PASSAT. ABS BRAKE LIGHTS FLASH INTERMITTENTLY. IT SEEMS THE ABS MODULE NEEDS REPLACEMENT AT 1500+ AFTER SOME RESEARCH IT APPEARS THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

REGARDING A CAMPAIGN NUMBER 00V414000 FOR THE STEERING LINKAGES ON THE 99 VW PASSAT. I REQUESTED THE DEALER TO CHECK MY VEHICLE FOR THE RECALL DUE TO THE FACT IT HAS DAMAGED TIE RODS. THE MANUFACTURE CLAIMS MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE CAMPAIGN BUT THE DEALER HAS INSTRUCTED ME TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL BUT THE MANUFACTURE REFUSES TO ASSIST. WHAT CAN I DO ? *NM

BELT TIME DAMAGE, CONSEQUENCES ENGINE REPAIR. *JB

ABS UNIT FAILURE ON 199 VW PASSAT 1.8 LITRE TURBO WAGON

1) ABS/BRAKE LIGHT WARNING CAME ON WHILE DRIVING 20 TO 30 MPH 2) ABS FAILURE 3) REPLACE THE ABS MODULE

DT: WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS A JERKING OF THE CAR AS IF THE TIRE WAS FLAT. PULLED OVER , INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR A FLAT AND NONE WAS FOUND. CONSUMER GOT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE MALFUNCTION ENGINE LIGHT WAS BLINKING. AT THIS POINT CONSUMER CONTINUED TO DRIVE DOWN THE SERVICE ROAD OF THE HIGHWAY OF ABOUT 15 MPH. THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING, NO SMOKE WAS SEEN. THIS SMELL WAS LIKE BURNED RUBBER. CONSUMER CALLED VOLKSWAGEN, AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT IF THE MALFUNCTION ENGINE"LIGHT WAS BLINKING TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY. AFTER PULLING OVER, CONSUMER CALLED TOW TRUCK. TOW TRUCK ARRIVED , INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS FIRE FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE ITSELF. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TRIED TO EXTINGUISH FIRE WITH WATER AND LATER A FIRE EXTINGUISHER-THIS DID NOT PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO BE CALLED.,IN THE MEANTIME THE FIRE GREW LARGER. AT THAT TIME, FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT FIRE OUT. FIRE CREW NOTED THIS WAS MOST LIKELY AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, PERHAPS DUE TO THE INTENSITY OF THE HEAT FROM SUMMER AND A MIX OF ELECTRICAL WIRING STARTED THE FIRE. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY LOT FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. CURRENTLY, THE CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW WHY THIS H HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 60,500 MILES. THE WAS THE FIRST PROBLEM EXPERIENCED WITH THIS VEHICLE. *AK

THE ABS BRAKE CONTROL UNIT OF MY 1999 PASSAT HAS FAILED. DEALER QUOTES COST IN EXCESS OF $1000. TO REPLACE A PART THAT COSTS LESS THAN $100 TO MANUFACTURE. I FOUND A CAR FORUM WHERE MANY, MANY PEOPLE TALK OF THIS BOSH PART AS FAILING IN THEIR PASSATS AND AUDIS. *AK

WHILE I WAS DRIVING, I HEAR THREE BEEPS, THE ABS LIGHT TURNS ON AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT BLINKS. NOW IT HAPPENS EVERYTIME AFTER ABOUT FIVE MINUTES OF DRIVING. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WHERE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILS. I HAVE ALREADY FIXED THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS RECURRING. *JB

I AM ONE A LARGE AND GROWING NUMBER OF PERSONS WITH VOLKSWAGEN'S AND AUDI'S WHO HAVE ABS (AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEMS) THAT HAVE STOPPED WORKING AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN ONLY 40,000 - 50,000 MILES. THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEMS CAN BE DISCERNED BY A WEB DISCUSSION GROUP DEVOTED TO PEOPLE WITH THIS SOLE PROBLEM (BENTLEY PUBLISHERS AT HTTP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA?FORUMNAME=VOLKSWAGEN.B.B5&THREADID=6316 ). WITH THIS MANY PEOPLE HAVING FOUND THE WEBSITE, ONE CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE LARGE QUANTITY OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS SNAFU. OUR EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT VW/AUDI APPEARS TO REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. LATELY, SEVERAL PERSONS HAVE SAID THAT THE PROBLEM IS GENERALLY BEING CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL UNIT IN THE ABS MODULE. YET AT THIS POINT, VW AND AUDI ARE HAVING USERS REPLACE THE ENTIRE UNIT. THIS COST IS PROHIBITIVE FOR MANY OF US ($2600 IN MY CASE). IN THE MEANTIME, MANY OF US ARE HAVING TO DRIVE WITH FAULTY ABS SYSTEMS, WITH RESULTANT SAFETY PROBLEMS: FOR ME, THE ABS PROBLEM CAUSES THE BRAKES TO GO ON AT INAPPROPRIATE TIMES. THE BRAKES ON MY CAR GRAB AND ACTIVATE UNEXPECTEDLY DURING THE FIRST SEVERAL MINUTES OF DRIVING AFTER MY CAR HAS SAT OVERNIGHT. OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS TOO. I FEAR THAT THIS MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM ON MY CAR SEEMS TO BE GROWING WORSE. THE MORE OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IS THAT ALL OF THESE CARS LACK THE ABS DURING CRUCIAL TIMES OF DRIVING ON ICY OR WET PAVEMENT. AGAIN, THIS PROBLEM IS AGGRAVATED WHEN THE ABS GOES ON AND

THERE ARE NO SPECIFIC EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE BESIDES REGULAR USE OF THE VEHICLE PASSAT 1999. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT PERIODICALLY HAS COME ON AND LENGTHENED IN DURATION UNTIL IT STAYED ON PERMANENTLY. THE BRAKING IS STILL NORMAL, BUT THE ABS CONTROL UNIT IS RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE ABS CONTROL. ALSO, THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER WENT OUT ON MY PASSAT 1999. I WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR JUST CUT OUT. I COASTED IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THIS PART WAS REDESIGNED ON LATER MODELS BECAUSE OF ITS TENDENCY TO FAIL. I HAD TO REDO ALL OF MY RODS. I STILL HAVE THE OLD PART IN MY POSSESSION. *NM

I PURCHASED A NEW 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FROM THE DEALER IN 10/99. APPROX 2 YEARS AGO THE INTERIOR ROOF STARTED LEAKING THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RAINED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE WELLS WERE CLOGGED. APPROX 1 YEAR LATER I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS TOLD THE WELLS WERE CLOGGING AGAIN. I REPAIRED IT AGAIN. JULY 05 THE DOOR LOCKS STARTED CYCLING WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD COME ON WHILE DRIVING, THE TRUNK WOULD OPEN WHILE DRIVING, THE LIGHTS WOULD FLASH PERIODICALLY WHILE PARKED AND I WAS UNABLE TO USE THE REMOTE TO OPEN/LOCK THE DOORS OR ACTIVATE THE ALARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DIAGNOSIS IS THAT THE COMFORT CONTROL MODULE UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT IS CORRODED. WATER HAS BEEN POOLING THERE WHEN IT RAINS. THE DEALER OF PURCHASE & REPAIR IS AWARE THAT THERE IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THAT VEHICLE MODEL FOR THAT YEAR AND THE NEXT FEW YEARS. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIR FOR LABOR & PARTS IS APPROX $500.00. VOLKSWAGON'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AT THIS POINT IS NOT WILLING TO FINANCIALLY ASSIST IN REPAIR. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT $700.00 FOR THIS REPAIR AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *JB

PETITION (2CYS) FOR EXTENSION OF THE VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RECALL ON PASSAT VEHICLES FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE TIE RODS TO COVER HER VEHICLE A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON.*MR (99V248000) *JB

THE ABS, BRAKE AND OIL LIGHT ALL COME ON (OIL WILL FLASH) WITH SPORADIC IRREGULARITIES IN THE TACHOMETER. THE TACHOMETER WILL SOMETIMES DROP TO ZERO. ALL THIS HAPPENS WITH 3 DISTINCT BEEPS WHENEVER I USE THE BRAKES. COLDER TEMPERATURES CAN LESSEN THE OCCURRENCE OF THE PROBLEMS. DEALERSHIP SERVICE SAYS THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3600. I HAVE NOT YET APPROVED THE REPAIR ON THE CAR. *NM

COMPLETE FAILURE OF ABS CONTROL MODULE ON A 99 VW PASSAT WAGON WITH 99,000 MILES. CAR REVERTED BACK TO REGULAR BRAKING SYSTEM...NO ABS. *NM

LOWER CONTROL ARMS RECALL VM. WANTED TO CHARGE ME 325.00 FOR THE RECALL. VW DEALERHIP SAID THE RECALL WAS NOT VALID UNLESS 40K SERVICE WAS PERFORMED. DO NOT SEE THE CORRELATION WITH HAVING SOME FILTERS AND FLUIDS CHANGED (40K SERVICE) WITH A SUSPENSION RECALL. PRIOR TO 40K I HAD CVS CHANGED AND HAD FILTERS AND FLUIDS CHANGED. MY CAR HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH IT AND WAS WORKED ON BY VW DEALERSHIP OVER 20 TIMES BETWEEN 32-49K. I WAS TOLD THE 40K SERVICE WAS NOT NEEDED BECAUSE OF WORK DONE AT 36K. WAS TOLD $240.00 ON 40K SERVICE CHECK WAS NOT NEEDED BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS WORK AND WAS OVER PRICED NOT NOT SMART TO DO. IF THERE IS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE CAR, AND THEIR IS A RECALL, THE OWNER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. IF THEIR WAS DECENT LOGIC FOR ME PAYING FOR THIS RECALL I WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH IT, BUT I CANNOT FIND IT. IT JUST SEEMS A LOOP HOLE FOR ME TO PAY FOR THE MANUFACTURER'S POOR WORKMANSHIP. THIS LOOP HOLE SHOULD BE CLOSED, THERE IS A LOT OF EXCEPTIONS TO WHY 40K WAS NOT PERFORMED.

ABS LIGHT APPEARED INTERMITTENTLY, AUTHORZIED VW DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $100 DIAGNOSIS FEE AND SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE MY CONCERN ON 10/11/04, 12/03/04,AND 03/05/05. ON 12/03/04 THEY WANT ME TO PAY $1365.83 + TAX TO REPLACE ABS HYDRAULIC PUMP AND CONTROL MODULE ASSY, I DECLINED REPAIR

THE ABS CONTROLLER IS EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THE SYMPTOM IS WHEN I HAVE DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES OR WHEN IT IS HOT, THE BRAKE/ABS WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON. A MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME PERMANENT FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROLLER. REFER TO NHTSA OID COMPLAINT # 10106162 AND 10120717 FOR FAILURE OF SAME ABS CONTROLLER ON 1999 AUDI A4. THE PART NUMBER OF THE ABS CONTROLLER IN MY 1999 PASSAT IS 8E0-614-111-B. I AM INVESTIGATING OPTIONS FOR REPAIR, EITHER NEW PART FROM DEALER ($1500) OR REBUILD ($600). THIS IS APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM (MANY COMPLAINTS ON CONSUMER WEB SITES). THE FAILURE IS REPORTED TO BE FAILING SOLDER JOINTS ON A CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE CONTROLLER THOUGH I CANNOT VERIFY THIS PERSONALLY. VW AMERICA WILL NOT ADMIT ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS ISSUE (THEY ONLY DISCUSS RECALL OR WARRANTY ISSUES).

MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL WITHIN THE DOOR YESTERDAY AS I WAS PUSHING THE BUTTON TO BRING IT DOWN. (THE SAME THING HAPPENED TWO YEARS AGO WITH MY PASSENGER SIDE BACK DOOR. VW REPLACED IT AT NO COST ONCE I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE SILENT RECALL. THEY WERE ORIGINALLY GOING TO CHARGE ME $350.) THIS TIME, THEY SAID IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY SINCE IT IS PAST THE TIME FRAME. WHEN I EXPLAINED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WHEN I INITIALLY BROUGHT IT IN, BUT DID NOT FIX ALL OF THE WINDOWS THAT IT SHOULD STILL BE COVERED. THEY DISAGREED. IT IS NOT NORMAL FOR A WINDOW TO FALL IN ON A 6-YEAR OLD CAR. PLUS, TO HAVE IT HAPPEN 2X IN ONE CAR!

1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAD BOTH INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE LOOSENING.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED. *JB

ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON DASH BOARD, CAUSING MY ABS SYSTEM TO NOT FUNCTION AND I HAD IT CHECKED OUT, IT TURNED OUT TO BE A BUSTED ABS MODULE.

FOR: 99 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT WAGON WHILE MY WIFE AND I WERE PARKING IN FRONT OF A BANK, IN A SUDDEN THE CAR SHOKE VIOLENTLY; WE STOPPED WITHOUT TURNING THE ENGINE OFF... THE CAR WAS SHAKING VERY HARD STILL. WE THEN HAD THIS CAR DIAGNOZED AT A FIRESTONE SERVICE CENTER NEARBY. AFTER A DAY, THE MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT THERE'S MISFIRING IN CYLINDER 2, AND IT'S COMMON THING IN PASSAT (I DID NOT KNOW THIS UNTIL THEN), BUT VW NEVER ISSUED A RECALL. SO THEY ASKED ME TO LEAVE THE CAR FOR AN EXTRA DAY SO THEY COULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER DAY PASSED, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY NEEDED MORE TIME; THEY TRIED TO REPLACE THE COIL, IT'S STILL MISFIRING, AND THEY MENTIONED MORE TRIALS, BUT THOSE WERE NOT GOOD TOO. THEY SUGGESTED ME TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. ONE HOUR BEFORE I WROTE THIS TO NHTSA, I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND I FOUND SIMILAR OCCURANCES OF MISFIRING FROM CYLINDERS, AND A FEW HAS THE SAME TYPE: 99 PASSAT. HERE IS WHAT I HAD FOUND: 1. HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/VW_COILS.HTML 2. HTTP://EXPERTS.ABOUT.COM/Q/801/4003867.HTM 3. HTTP://WWW.TOPGEAR.COM/CONTENT/FEATURES/STORIES/FAQ/01/MODULES/02_ENGINE/17/ 4. HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEHELPER.COM/TOPIC291366.HTM 'BOSCHMANN' "NORTH AMERICAN MODELS HAD ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH CRACKS FORMING IN THE IGNITION COIL." 5. HTTP://INMYEXPERIENCE.COM/ARCHIVES/000213.SHTML VERY RESOURCEFUL, MORE PEOPLE WRITE THEIR CONCERNS OF MISFIRING. 6. HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_23919.HTML .... AND MORE. WHEN THE FIRST IT HAPPE

THE ABS AND ASR (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) COMPUTER HAD TO BE REPLACED IN MY CAR. THE CAR ONLY HAD 71,000 MILES. IT ALMOST COST ME WHEN MY LIFE WHEN THE ABS DID NOT KICK IN AND STARTED SLIDING ON A RAINY DAY. IT COST $1,400 AT THE DEALER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM; THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS COMMON. THEY ONLY REPLACED THE COMPUTER.

ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE SERIAL 8EO 614 111P 1999 PASSAT WAGON, 1.8T 4CYL. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS FLASHING. QUOTED $3150 FROM VW TO REPAIR