2000 Volkswagen Passat complaints

THE ENGINE STARTS TO STALL WHEN YOU ACCELERATE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. EVERY TIME TAKEN TO THE DEALER, HE SAYS THE AIR FILTER IS SOAKED W/WATER. HE HAS NO EXPLAINATION. FINALLY ADMITTED THAT THERE ARE "SEVERAL" CARS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY W/THIS PROBLEM. HIS LAST SOLUTION (FROM VW) WAS TO REMOVE THE SNOW GRILL (WHICH MAKES NO SENSE & DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM). IT IS TERRIFYING TO TRY & PASS A CAR ON A 2 LANE ROAD OR IN THE MIDDLE OF A 5 LANE EXPRESSWAY & HAVE YOUR CAR START TO STALL . THE AIRBAG DEFAULT LIGHT HAS ALSO COME ON TWICE. PLEASE HELP. *AK

EVERY PASSAT OWNER I HAVE TALKED TO (5) INDICATED THIS PART HAD FAILED. RECALL? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

THERE IS A NOISE IN FRONT, UNDERNEATH VEHICLE WHILE WHEELS ARE IN MOTION. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WOULD BE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEELS. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FRONT ROTORS AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *JG

CAR WOULDN'T START, TOWED TO DEALER, WAS TOLD IT WAS A CARBON BUILDUP ON THE VALVES. SOLUTION OIL CHANGE, TUNE UP, CHANGE THERMOSTAT, FUEL CLEANER. COST $946 NOT COVERED UNDER WARANTY. *AK

EMISSIONS WORKSHOP LIGHT COMES ON, THEN ENGINE CHECK LAMP SHOWS ON DASH. DEALER REPLACED AIR PUMP, SAID THAT A HOSE WAS LOOSE AND NEVER FOUND THE PROBLEM. VW OF AMERICA WAS CONTACTED ALONG WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AT THE DEALER. WE HAD TO TRADE THE CAR BECAUCE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY AT THIS TIME. WHY IS VW ALLOWED TO SELL CARS THAT THEY CANNOT REPAIR? I WOULD LIKE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR OUR FINANCIAL LOSS AS WELL AS FOR OUR TIME AND TROUBLE.*AK

MY SUNROOF SHATTERED OUTWARD WITH EXPLOSIVE FORCE, NO WARNING, NO COLLISION.*AK

SUN ROOF LEAKS - DRAINS CLEANED BY DEALER TWICE - STILL LEAKING. DRIVER'S SEAT BACK MOVES FORWARD WHEN BRAKE APPLIED. DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL. SEAT BACK CAN BE MOVED BY HAND. CAR HAS VIBRATION AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT MOST SPEEDS. DEALER CLAIMS TIRES ARE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, TIRES HAVE BEEN INSPECTED TWICE (AT MY EXPENSE) BY INDEPENDENT DEALERS WHO STATE TIRES ARE O.K. WHEELS REBALANCED, FRONT END ALIGNED, (ALL AT MY EXPENSE) AND PROPLEM PERSISTS. VW REFUSES TO HELP CLAIMING PROBLEM IS RELATED TO TIRES.*AK

TIRE JACK IS WEAK. CONSUMER JACKED UP VEHICLE TO CHANGE TIRE, AND JACK BENT/ TWISTED, CAUSING IT TO FALL FROM UNDER VEHICLE.ALSO, AXLE OF VEHICLE FELL TO GROUND. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER URGED CONSUMER TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE. MANUFACTURER TOLD CONSUMER TO TAKE JACK TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

VEHICLE HAS STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER EVERY TIME VEHICLE STALLED, COULD NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK

DEALER HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES TO CORRECT STEERING PROBLEM. CAR HAS CONSTANT VIBRATION AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKE ON TURNS. FRONT END ALIGNED (NOT NEEDED) WHEELS BALANCED AND ROTATED (AT MY EXPENSE) WITHOUT PROBLEM CORRECTION. SUNROOF LEAKS. DRIVER'S POWER SEAT MOVES WHEN COMING TO A FULL STOP. DEALER STATES THIS IS OK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

CONTROL ARM FAILURE IS COMMON AMONG VW PASSATS. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM.*AK

BRAKE PEDAL SLOWLY WENT TO FLOOR. VEHICLE AT MAJOR INTERSECTION AND SITUATION DANGEROUS. NEXT TIME, BRAKE PEDAL WENT DIRECTLY TO FLOOR AND HAD TO BE PUMPED TO STOP THE CAR. REPORTED TO DEALER ON FIRST WARRANTY CHECK. DEALER FAILED TO CHECK BRAKES AT ALL. RETURNED TO DEALER WITH COMPLAINT THAT THEY FAILED TO CHECK BRAKES. FLUSHED HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM AND CHECKED COMPLETELY AT REQUEST OF OWNER. DEALER ASSERTS "BRAKE SYSTEM IS TO FACTORY SPECIFICATION." I HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE PROBLEM RESOLVED AS DEALER STATES HE MUST STILL REFER TO VW IN GERMANY FOR ADVICE AND INSTRUCTIONS. VW IN GERMANY HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND THEY CAN ONLY REFER TO SUBSIDIARY IN AUBURN MI WHO DOES NOT KNOW ANYTHING EXCEPT MATTER IS ENTIRELY IN HANDS OF DEALER.*AK

TRANSMISSION PERIODICALLY EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT HARD SHIFTING ON STARTUP. THE VEHICLE THEN GOES INTO "LIMPING MODE" WHICH CAUSES VERY SLOW ACCELERATION. THE PROBLEM CAUSES A SENSOR IN THE CAR TO DISPLAY "EMISSIONS WORKSHOP" WARNING ON THE DASH INDICATOR. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING SEEMS TO CORRECT THE FAULT. VW DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS "1 DTC RECOGNIZED 18227 P1819 035 PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID 2 OPEN/SHORT TO GROUND SPORADIC DTC 1551 DIAGNOSIS". THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTUP, AND ON A SECOND OCCASSION WHILE IN GEAR STANDING AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. SUBSEQUENT TESTING COULD NOT IDENTIFY A SPECIFIC DEFECTIVE COMPONENT AND NO CORRECTIVE REPAIRS WERE MADE. THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF THE VEHICLE FAILS TO OPERATE ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS WHEN OPERATED ON HIGH SPEED CONTROLLED ACCESS HIGHWAYS. FAILURE TO ACCELERATE ON A FREEWAY AT A CRITICAL TIME COULD RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY.*AK

OIL PAN WAS DESIGNED WITHOUT A PROTECTIVE COVER, AND HAS ON TWO OCCASIONS BECAME PUNCTURED, CAUSING A MAJOR OIL LEAK.*AK *NLM

WINDOW MOLDING AND DOOR MOLDINGS FALL OFF. *AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON ALONG WITH EMISSIONS WORKSHOP LIGHTS; GAS TANK, VACUMN PUMP AND SENSORS ALL REPLACED BUT STILL THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES. *AK

BRAAKE PEDAL GOES SLOWLY TO FLOOR WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. DEALER COULD NOT REPAIR. NEEDS FURTHER INFO FROM VOLKSWAGEN. *AK

THE ENGINE USES TOO MUCH OIL PRIOR TO THE RECOMMENDED REGULAR SERVICE CHANGES, THE VEHICLE HAS HAD 3 OIL CHANGES. NLM

DEADLY FAULT AT LOW MPH, LOW RPM, EMERGENCY OR LANE CHANGE SITUATION! NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

DRIVERS SEAT BELT COMES UNLATCHED INTERMITTENTLY, SUNROOF SLIDER JAMBS/HARD TO SLIDE. *AK

HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE #00V1471000. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE APPOINTMENT WAS GIVEN. AFTER TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS,HAD TO WAIT. WAS INFORMED REPAIRS WERE DONE. ONE (1) WEEK LATER, VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE REPAIRS WERE DONE. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT GAS GAUGE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACING.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE ENGINE FAILS TO RESPOND IN EMERGENCY SITUATION / PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. *AK

2-3 SEC DELAY WHEN BRAKES ARE USED IN WET WEATHER. PROBLEM PRESENT SINCE NEW. *AK

THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THREE FAILURES OF THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. IN EACH INSTANCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO A FREEWAY. EACH FAILURE RESULTED IN A SEVERE LOSS OF POWER FOR SEVERAL SECONDS THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER HAS ONLY REPLACED THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR WITH NO OTHER CAUSE FOUND REPORTED FOR THE PREVIOUS FAILURES.*AK

THE PROBLEM RESULTED IN ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. TECHNICIANS WORKED FOR NEARLY TWO WEEKS - PROBLEM NOT RESOLVED. *AK

MY REAR RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT AND COMPLETELY SHREDDED ON THE FREEWAY FOR NO REASON. IT APPEARED OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME SITUATION. IS THIS VEHICLE WITH THESE TIRES SAFE?*AK (DOT NUMBER: HDTACXYX48 TIRESIZE: 19565R1591)

WOULD BE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT OR DRIVEWAY WHEN VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 OTHER TIMES. CONTACTED DEALER AND INFORMED USE DIFFERENT FUEL WHICH DID NOT WORK. *AK

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN IDLE AT A LIGHT, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE MANY TIMES AND THE PROBLEM CONTIUES TO EXIST, POSSIBLY ENGINE RELATED. *JB

SINCE I PURCHASE THIS CAR THERE HAS BEEN A BAD ODOR WHEN THE HEAT HAS BEEN TURNED ON, THE DEALER HAS TWICE TRIED TO FIX BY "CLEANING" THE SYSTEM. CANNOT USE HEATER BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.

THE EXPLOSIVE IN THE SEAT BELT WENT OFF WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED. INJURING THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WITH EAR RINGING AND BRUSING. THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY WONDER WHY THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. NOW THEY WANT ME TO DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN. *AK

TIRE FAILURE. TIRE RIPPED FROM WHEEL. BY THE TIME THE CAR STOPPED, THE ENTIRE TIRE HOUSEING HAD SHREDDED OFF THE RIM.*AK (TIRESIZE: R195/65R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: R195/65R15 )

WHILE TRAVELING ENGINE CHECK INDICATOR WOULD FLASH, AND SOON AFTER VEHICLE WOULD STALL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT READ CORRECTLY, THE SPEEDOMETER IS APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH HIGHER, READING 73 MPH WHEN ACTUALLY GOING 70 MPH, VOLKSWAGEN ACCEPTS AN ERROR OF UP TO 5 MPH AND WILL CORRECT PROBLEM FROM MANUFACTURING. *MJS

DURING WET WEATHER BRAKING, PEDAL IS NOT FIRM AND PRONOUNCED DELAY(2+ SECONDS)BEFORE BRAKES RESPOND TO DRIVER INPUT. *AK

I HAD TO REPLACE 2 OIL PANS WITHIN A WEEK APART DUE TO SMALL HOLE IN PAN. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FROM DRIVER ERROR BUT I KNOW I DID NOT GO OVER ANYTHING TO MAKE HOLE. I WAS WILLING TO CONCEDE FIRST TIME AS I COULD NOT REMEMBER IF I HAD INDEED MAYBE HIT SOMETHING BUT A WEEK LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND I HAD BEEN EXTREMELY CAREFUL. THE HOLE HAPPENED TO BE IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT AS BEFORE. THEY GAVE ME VERY HARD TIME AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO TAKE BOTH OIL PANS WITH ME SO I COULD INVESTIGATE. I BOUGHT CAR FROM CHECKERED FLAG IN VIRGINIA BEACH BUT LIVE IN TEXAS AND THESE EVENTS OCCURRED HERE IN TX. I WENT TO AUTOBAHN VW IN FORT WORTH,TX FOR REPAIRS. PLEASE HELP.*AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. LEFT SIDE AIRBAG MADE CONTACT WITH "LEFT CENTER PILLAR POST" WHICH RUPTURED AIRBAG, RELEASING GASSES INTO VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED VISION PROBLEMS AFTER THIS INCIDENT. *AK

BRAKES FADE TERRIBLY IN WET WEATHER. *AK

BRAKING POWER GREATLY REDUCED IN THE RAIN. TAKES A COUPLE OF SECONDS FOR THE BRAKES TO WORK AFTER APPLYING BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPS QUITE FAR BEFORE YOU CAN FEEL THE BRAKES START TO WORK. THIS IS NOT A MATTER OF REDUCED TIRE GRIP. SEE THE FOLLOWING LINKS: HTTP://WWW.CLUBB5.COM/DISCUSSIONFORUMS/INDEX.HTM AND HTTP://WWW.AUDIWORLD.COM/FORUM/M/A4/MSGS/233090.PHTML. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE PASSAT AND A4 HAVE THE SAME OR SIMILAR BRAKING SYSTEMS. THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS IN THE RAIN AND DID NOT OCCUR WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW. BEING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA I DO NOT DRIVE IN THE RAIN VERY OFTEN BUT IT IS STILL ALARMING THAT I AM HAVING THIS TROUBLE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 16 YEARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS. *AK

WHEN IT RAINS, THERE IS A 3+ SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE BRAKES ENGAGE. THIS CAR IS IDENTICAL TO THE AUDI A4 (SAME PLATFORM AND BRAKE SYSTEM) WHICH CURRENTLY HAS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION OPEN. THE PASSAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION (BOTH CARS ARE "B5" PLATFORM CARS). *AK

WET BRAKING IS POOR - AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN RAIN AT NEAR-FREEZING TEMPERATURES, BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION RESULTS IN A LAG TIME BEFORE BRAKING BEGINS. OCCURS WHEN ROADS ARE WET, NOT ICY. PROBLEM VANISHES IF BRAKES ARE APPLIED FIRST TO "DRY" THEM AND THEN APPLIED, BUT CAN'T ALWAYS PLAN FOR THAT. *AK

VERY POOR WET BRAKING. CAR IS NOT PREDICTABLE WHEN BRAKING.. DRIVING UP INTERSTATE 83 IN MARYLAND, NO STANDING WATER ON ROAD, JUST WET RAINING CONDITIONS. I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE SUDDENLY AND CAR PULLED TO LEFT. OTHER OCCASIONS CAR HAD HAD SUBSTANTIAL DECREASE IN BRAKING CAPABILITY WHEN WET. *AK

I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING CONSISTANTLY WHEN IN RAIN/SNOW. INITALLY THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, BUT AFTER A 1-2 SECOND BRAKE APPLICATION, BRAKE PEDAL FEEL RETURNS TO NORMAL. THIS IS A FRIGHTENING SITUATION, CONSIDERING THE EXTRA CAUTION REQUIRED DURING ADVERSE WEATHER.*AK

I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING CONSISTANTLY WHEN IN RAIN/SNOW. INITALLY THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOORBOARD. *AK

SUSPICIOUS REPAIRS DENIED WARRANTY COVERAGE; THREATS OF UNSAFE CONDITION FORCED IMMED. REPAIRS; NUMEROUS GRIEVANCES DUE TO DESPICABLE SERVICE TREATMENT; ADDITIONAL DAMAGE SUSTAINED WHILE AT DEALER; NO ACCIDENTS OR WARNINGS THAT BRAKE LINE FAILURE WAS IMMINENT AS CLAIMED BY VWOFA SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. *AK

WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION THAT SANDWICHED MY CAR BETWEEN TWO VEHICLES.THE SEATBACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE(THE ONLY OCCUPIED SEAT).WENT BACKWARDS FROM A NEAR UPRIGHT POSITION TO APPROX 45 DEGREES.ALSO THE LUMBAR SUPPORT COLLAPSED ON THE LEFT SIDE.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

SULFUR DEPOSITS COLLECT ON SENDING UNITS CAUSING FUEL TO BE READ AS EMPTY WHEN TANK COULD BE EMPTY OR FULL. CAR WILL IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF WHEN THIS OCCURS. THIS PROBLEM WAS A RECALL ISSUE BEGINNING IN JUNE OF 2000 FOR ALL 4MOTION PASSATS. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL AT THE PURCHASE OF MY VEHICLE IN JULY OF 2000 NOR WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN INTIALLY FOR THIS PROBLEM. ON SECOND VISIT TO LOCAL DEALER WAS A RECALL MENTIONED, BUT NOTHING WAS FIXED. I WAS INFORMED BY DEALER TO MONITOR FUEL LEVEL AT CERTAIN MILEAGE. ORIGINALLY 250 MILES, WHICH THEN DECREASED TO 200 AND THEN CURRENTLY 150 DUE TO LAST INCIDENT OF CAR FAILURE AGAIN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF PROBLEM AND CAR WAS TAKEN INTO DEALERSHIP ON 10/26, 11/1, 11/28 AND WAS TO BE FIXED 12/2. PROBLEM NOT FIXED. WRONG PART WAS INSTALLED IN CAR. THEREFORE, I WILL BE HAVING TO TAKE CAR IN FOR A ADD'TL VISIT WHEN CORRECT PART ARRIVES AT DEALERSHIP. I AM TO WAIT FOR NOTIFICATION FROM THE DEALER WHEN PART WILL BE DELIVERED AND READY. RECENTLY FOUND ON WEBSITE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN RENDERED BY THE NHTSA AS POSSIBLE TO CAUSE A CRASH. ONCE I NOTIFIED DEALER OF THIS, A RENTAL CAR WAS THE OFFERED, BUT AT NO OTHER TIME WAS A LOANER CAR OFFERRED EVEN WITH THE RECALL STATING SUCH A CLAIM. PROPER FOLLOW UP HAS NOT BEEN DONE IN REGARDS TO MY SITUATION AND I AM SEEKING A NEW CAR. I WOULD LIKE DEALER TO BUY BACK CAR AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFAULT OF THIS CAR OR I REFUNDED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE CAR AS JUST COMPENSATION. THE PROBLEM HAS