2000 Volkswagen Passat complaints

ABS MODULE FAILURE. SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE'S ON THIS COMPLAINT LIST. I'D LIKE TO ONLY ADD THAT I TOOK THE CAR IN TWICE ONLY TO HAVE THEM TELL ME THE SECOND TIME THAT THE PART WOULD TAKE TEN (10) BUSINESS DAYS TO ORDER BECAUSE OF THE APPARENT BACK LOG. THAT TELLS YOU THE PREVALENCE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. AND AS ONE VW SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME, "YOU CAN DRIVE AROUND WITH THE ABS LIGHT ON, JUST AVOID HARD BRAKING." THANKS FOR THE TIP. I WAS THINKING OF PURCHASING A VAN FROM VW...GUESS AGAIN. *NM

IN NOVEMBER OF 2005 MY VW PASSAT BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY HAVE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COME ON. MY LOCAL DEALER SAID IT WOULD BE $2000 TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND THAT THE PART WAS NOT EVEN AVAILABLE. AFTER A SIMPLE SEARCH UNDER "VW ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE" IT IS CLEAR THAT MANY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE PART. IT GOES TO THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AS WARNING LIGHTS INDICATE "BRAKE FAILURE" AND STOP IMMEDIATELY. FROM THE MANY THREADS, AND MY EXPERIENCE, IT IS CLEAR THAT VW IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT BUT DOES NOTHING. WHY ARE THEY NOT FORCED TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE PART THAT EFFECTS THE SAFETY OF MY CAR? *JB

THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, THE TRIP COMPUTER DISPLAYED "STOP", "BRAKE FAILURE" AND "SERVICE MANUAL" LIGHTS, AND THERE WERE A SEQUENCE OF LOUD BEEPS. AFTER TALKING TO THE VW MECHANIC, WHO READ AND LOOKED UP THE DTCS, I DISCOVERED IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. THERE IS A REPLACEMENT FOR JUST THE CONTROL MODULE AND NOT THE ENTIRE ABS UNIT, MODEL NUMBER 8E0-998-375-G, AVAILABLE FROM THE VW DEALER FOR $686 PLUS LABOR COSTS TO INSTALL. STILL, MY CAR ONLY HAS 63,000 MILES ON IT!! IT IS A 2000 VW PASSAT 1.8T. *NM

ALEXANDRIA VW DAMAGED MY ENGINE AND REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVING A REPLACEMENT ENGINE. ALSO, VW OF AMERICA WON'T REPLACE A DEFECTED ENGINE. *NM

BATTERY DRAIN WAS DESIGNED TOO SMALL, SO IT'S CLOGGED. THERE IS A WATER LEAK ENTERING FROM POLLEN FILTER THROUGH THE HOUSING DOWN TO TCM WHICH CAUSED A DAMAGE TO TCM(TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE). ALTHOUGH THIS IS A DESIGN ISSUE I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE SO IT DOESN'T COVER UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS DRIVING OUT OF PARKING LOT AND THE GEAR WON'T SHIFT OUT OF SECOND. SO I RESTARTED THE CAR THEN EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. BUT SHORTLY AFTER IT WENT BACK TO THE SAME. AND WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, GEAR SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITHOUT HAVING TO PUT YOUR FOOT ON BRAKE. VERY DANGEROUS. NOTHING HAS DONE FROM DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY YET NOR THERE ISN'T ANY RECALL . I'M STILL WAITING FOR A CALL BACK FROM VOLKSWAGEN. BUT THE DEALER WANTS ME TO REPAIR IT AT MY COST FOR $2000 EVEN THOUGH IT IS POWER TRAIN COMPONENT. *NM

AFTER RECENT RAIN, A POOL OF WATER COLLECTED ON THE RIGHT REAR FLOOR. ELECTRONICS ARE STARTING TO MALFUNCTION. APPRENTLY IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT HASNT BEEN RESOLVED. HTTP://WWW.THEAUTOBAHN.COM/FORUM/ARCHIVE/INDEX.PHP/T-12789.HTML. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT A FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM PROBLEM. THE RUBBER BOOT PREMATURELY WORE OUT. HE RECEIVED A SPECIAL SERVICE ACTION FOR THIS PROBLEM IN NOVEMBER 2004 FROM THE MANUFACTURER. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL DEALER FOR REPAIRS. LATER, WHILE HE WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THE DEFECTIVE PART HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. WHEN HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY WERE NO LONGER WILLING TO OFFER A FREE REMEDY UNDER THIS SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. *AK

WHEN I BROUGHT MY 2000 VW PASSAT (55K MILES) TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, THEY SAID THAT THE COOLING SYSTEM HAS SLUDGE. THE RADIATOR, HEATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND NEED TO HAVE COOLANT FLUSH FOR 2 TIMES. THE TOTAL IS $2600!!! THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THE ONLY CAUSE WOULD BE WRONG TYPE OF COOLANT, BUT I HAVE NOT DONE SERVICE OTHER THAN THE VW DEALER. SO, I SUSPECT THAT THAT IS DEFECT IN THE COOLING SYSTEM OF THE 2000 PASSAT. *NM

I CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT 43K MILES AND I HAVE NOTICED FOR SOME TIME NOW THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE LET OUT FURTHER THAN SEEMED NORMAL FOR IT TO ENGAGE. I'VE MENSIONED IT SEVERAL TIMES WHEN IT WAS IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS 'NORMAL' AND THEY COULDN'T ADJUST IT. AS I WAS DRIVING AND WENT TO SHIFT, I NOTICE THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN IT HAD TO BE LET ALMOST ALL THE WAY BEFORE ANYTHING HAPPEND; IT FELT VERY DIFFERENT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS "BURNT OUT." AT ONLY 42K MILES, IT SEEMS A LITTLE PREMATURE TO HAVE BURNED OUT A CLUTCH ALREADY. *NM

FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE ON THE RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE GARAGE WHERE THE CAR IS SERVICED INVESTIGATED AND SAID THAT THEY CANNOT SEEM TO FIND A CAUSE OTHER THAN IT MAY HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL. THE CAR IS A COMPLETE LOSS. *NM

INTER.,BRAKE ABS LIGHT W/STOP DO NOT DRIVE MESSAGE. *NM

PREMATURE TIE ROD FAILURE. LEFT AND RIGHT TIE ROD ENDS ARE PREMATURELY WORN RESULTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD IN BREAKING, PARTS NEED TO REPAIR DAMAGE, LEFT AND RIGHT TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, BALL JOINTS, 1/2 SHAFTS. ESTIMATED REPAIR COST $1678. *NM

2000 PASSAT ABS COMPUTER MODULE IS FAILING. SEVERAL POSTINGS HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED - SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. *NM

MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS 92,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE AN ERROR INDICATING THAT THE COMPUTER CAN NO LONGER COMMUNICATE WITH THE ABS CONTROLLER. ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE VW CHAT GROUPS, THE REPLACEMENT PUMPS COST APPROXIMATELY $2000. I THINK THE CAR IS TOO NEW TO HAVE AN ABS FAILURE AND THE COST IS EXCESSIVE.*JB

2000 VW PASSAT 1.8 L TURBO 4 CYL. ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. SAFETY ISSUE. VW WANTS $1,800 TO REPAIR PART. FLASHING LIGHTS APPEAR IN RANDOM PATTERN WARNING ABOUT MALFUNCTION. *JB

THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON AFTER DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, OR WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL, OR WILL STAY ON ALL THE TIME. DEALERSHIP HAS QUOTED REPAIR ESTIMATE OF $1700 TO REPLACE MODULE. THEY ADVISED THAT THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS THEY ARE SEEING MORE OF THESE COME IN WITH ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE, JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. TECHNICAL BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS REPAIR. *NM

ABS CONTROL MODULE ON 2000 VW PASSAT FAILED IN OCTOBER 2005. REPLACEMENT COSTS APPROXIMATELY $1000. ACCORDING TO SEVERAL INTERNET FORUMS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT VW IS REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE. A RECALL IS NEEDED. *NM

THE FUEL GAUGE READS FULL WHEN, IN FACT, IT IS NOT. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY RECEIVED 93 OCTANE GASOLINE PER THE MANUFACTURER'S REQUIREMENTS AND NO ADDITIVES OR OTHER CHEMICALS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE FUEL TANK. *JB

I HAVE A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 5 SPEED MANUAL CAR WITH 65000 MILES; FOR PAST 6 MONTHS WHILE CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH SPEEDS ABOVE 65 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL AUTOMATICALLY GETS ENGAGED MANY A TIMES EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NEVER SWITCHED THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ATLEAST 10 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS AND I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW AND WHEN IT GETS ENGAGED. I HAVE TO BE ALWAYS ALERT TO PRESS THE BRAKE TO DISENGAGE-ENGAGE THIS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION. *NM

FAILURE OF ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ON VW PASSAT, YR=2000, MODEL=PASSAT, ENGINE 2.8L. BOSCH ABS 5.3 (VW P/N 8EO 614 111 AH) HAS VERY POOR RELIABILITY HISTORY. *NM

FAILED ABS MODULE ON 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4 MOTION WAGON AT 71000 MILES. *JB

FOLLOWING A 90,000 MILE SERVICE AND ENGINE VALVE SEAL REPLACEMENT MY ABS WARNING INDICATOR ACTIVATED INTERMITTENTLY INDICATING A FAILURE IN THE ABS SYSTEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT TWO DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME THIS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. *JB

APPARENT DEFECT IN THE ABS CONTROL SYSTEM OR DISPLAY. INTERMITTENTLY FLASHES WARNING MESSAGE STOP BRAKE FAILURE OWNERS MANUAL. BULLETIN BOARDS INFORM ME THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE FOR MANY VW OWNERS. NO REPAIRS YET ATTEMPTED. *JB

(1)AT 79,000 MILES: ABS AND FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT WARNING MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD AND READ STOP, SERVICE MANUAL / BRAKE FAULT. A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH REVEALS HUNDREDS OF CARS WITH THIS COMMON FAILURE AS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. (2)DURING THIS FAILURE TRACTION CONTROL IS DISENGAGED ALONG WITH ABS SYSTEM, COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. (3)I WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE CAR WITHOUT REPAIR AS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING THAT THE OWNER SHOULD NOT BE PAYING TO REPAIR OR EVEN DIAGNOSE! I WILL ALSO CONTACT VW OF AMERICA TO LOG ISSUE WITH THEM AND REQUEST A RECALL. *NM

THE ABS ABD BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS STARTED TO BLINK ON MY 2000 VW PASSAT VR6 WAGON. MY DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE REPAIR WILL COST $1100 AND THAT WILL ONLY ENABLE THEM TO DO THE DIAGNOSTICS TO DETERMINE WHAT IS REALLY WRONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE COSTS OF THE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WILL BE ADDITIONAL. IF I DON'T CHANGE THE MODULE, MY BRAKES ARE IN DANGER OF FAILING. *NM

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON MY VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2000 V6) STARTED BLINKING AS I WAS DRIVING. THE ABS NO LONGER WORKS IN MY CAR AND THE MANUAL STATES THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN AS THE BRAKE PROPORTIONING AREN'T CORRECT WHEN THE ABS IS OUT AND THAT THE REAR WHEELS CAN LOCK UNDER HEAVY BRAKING. AFTER DOING THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST I FIND OUT THE THAT BOSCH ABS MODULE HAS STOPPED WORKING (8EO 614 111 AH). THE VW DEALER WANTS $1700 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. FROM INTERNET RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THE PROBLEM IS QUITE COMMON AND BECAUSE IT IS SAFETY RELATED I BELIVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. 8JB

WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ABS & BRAKE LIGHT CHIMES & COMES ON. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY COMES ON AND INDICATES TO STOP, BREAK FAULT. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING RANDOMLY. DEALER SAYS THAT THE ABS BRAKE MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF BETWEEN $900-2400 US DOLLARS. *NM

CONTINENTAL ECOPLUS 195/65 R15 RADIAL TIRES WERE 2 YRS OLD WITH APPROX. 25,000 MILES ON THEM. MY MECHANIC NOTICED TWO TIRES HAD BUBBLES IN SIDEWALLS (DRIVER SIDE FRONT & REAR) AND WERE ON THE VERGE OF BLOWOUTS. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGE OR CRASH. NOW WITH 4 NEW TIRES (SAME MODEL) THAT ARE 2 WEEKS OLD, YESTERDAY I DISCOVERED THAT ONE TIRE HAD 12.5 PSI (FRONT PASSENGER SIDE) WHILE OTHER 3 WERE AT 30 PSI. FAULTY AGAIN? *JB

I RECENTLY HAD AN EXPERIENCE THAT I BELIEVE WOULD BE OF INTEREST TO YOUR ORGANIZATION. IN JULY OF 2000 MY WIFE AND I RESEARCHED FOR AN FINALLY PURCHASED A VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT [XXX]. WE WERE VERY PLEASED WITH OUR PURCHASE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, UNTIL WHAT WERE DESCRIBED TO US AS "NORMAL" REPAIRS BECAME NECESSARY. SOME OF THE MORE MEMORABLE NORMAL REPAIRS INCLUDED REAR BRAKES AT 40,000 MILES (FRONT BRAKES WERE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION) FOR APPROX. $700.00, AND THE OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR ADJUSTOR FOR $400.00. WE BEGAN TO SUSPECT THE PRICING STRUCTURE OF VW PARTS AND LABOR WAS SKEWED TOWARD THE EXPENSIVE. A BIG PART OF OF OUR DECISION TO BUY VW WAS THEIR REPUTATION FOR SOLID TRANSPORTATION OVER A LONG TIME. THE CAR WAS EVEN LISTED AS A RECOMMENDED PURCHASE ON A NUMBER OF CONSUMER MAGAZINES! THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS EXAMPLE OF THIS SITUATION OCCURED IN JULY 1ST 2005, WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE RESULT OF THE CHECK WAS THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS (2 OF THEM) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AT A TOTAL COST OF $3,400.00! SINCE OUR STATE HAS VEHICLE TESTING, THIS IS A REQUIRED REPAIR TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 5 YEARS AND HAVE 108,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. CONTACTING VW GAVE NO RELIEF, AS THEIR STATED WARRANTY WAS FOR 5 YEARS, BUT ONLY FOR 80,000 MILES. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A VOLKSWAGEN PRODUCT AGAIN, AND WOULD LIKE TO INFORM POTENTIAL PURCHASERS OF THIS TYPE OF UNEXPECTED COST. UP

VW PASSAT (2000 SEDAN): ABS BRAKE FAILURE INDICATOR COMES ON, TYPICALLY IN WARM WEATHER OR WHEN ENGINE IS WARM, ALONG WITH INDICATOR BELL. "STOP" INDICATOR ALSO COMES ON AT THIS TIME. FAILURE OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME THE CAR IS OPERATED UNDER THESE CONDITIONS AND CONTINUES UNTIL IGNITION IS SHUT OFF. DEALER HAS CONFIRMED NO FAILURE OF ABS AND NOTES THAT THIS IS COMPUTER MODULE/ECM PROBLEM THAT WILL COST BETWEEN $1,500 AND $2,000 TO REPAIR. OTHER COMPLAINTS AT THIS SITE AND ON OTHER SITES DOCUMENT A VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM AT SIMILAR MILEAGE (~75,000).

ABS MODULE FAILURE LEADS TO REDUCYTION OF BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS

DT: THE CONSUMERT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT. THE ABS MODULE FAILED PREMATURELY. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS.*AK *TT

WHILE BACKING UP OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IN JULY OF 2004, I BEGAN TO SMELL GAS VERY STRONGLY IN THE CABIN OF MY 2000 V6 PASSAT AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE SMELL. FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, THE CAR WAS RANDOMLY AND VISIBLY LEAKING GASOLINE ONTO THE GROUND JUST IN FRONT OF THE FUEL FILTER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT LEAKED GASOLINE IN PUDDLES AND THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING 'LEAN' ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, WITH SIGNIFICANT VALVE CLATTER. DUE TO THE SERIOUS SAFETY RISK POSED BY THE PROFUSE GASOLINE LEAK, I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED TO A REPUTABLE VW DEALER IN A NEARBY TOWN. UPON INSPECTION AT THE DEALER, THE FUEL LINE HAD CLEARLY SPLIT ON THE TOP SIDE JUST IN FRONT OF THE FUEL FILTER....FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT AND A REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA RE. THIS ISSUE, DUE TO THE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK AND REPAIR COST CREATED BY THE FUEL LEAK. UNFORTUNATELY, VW ULTIMATELY REFUSED TO STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT CITING THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE CAR. AT THE TIME, THE CAR WAS 3 YEARS OLD AND HAD JUST OVER 55K MILES. I PAID OVER $700 TO HAVE THE LINE REPLACED, PLUS TOWING FEES, AND VW PROVIDED EXACTLY $0 IN REIMBURSEMENT. THIS EPISODE IS ON RECORD WITH VWOA AND WITH MARTENS VW IN BETHESDA, MD. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME OR VW DIRECTLY FOR MORE DETAILS.*JB

FAILED ABS CONTROLLER. ERROR CODES ON DASHBOARD. ABS IS NO LONGER WORKING. QUOTED ~1200 TO FIX. *NM

2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX 4-MOTION HAD A ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE FAILURE AT 51,000 MILES DISABLING THE ABS FEATURE ON MY CAR. IT ALSO CAUSES DISTRACTING ABS FAILURE WEARING LIGHTS AND NOISES AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES CAUSING DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING. ON THE CONSOLE DISPLAY IT ALSO TELLS YOU TO STOP IMMEDIATELY. PACIFIC VOLKSWAGEN SAYS IT IS A $750.00 PART THEY HAVE TO ORDER TO FIX PLUS LABOR. AFTER DOING SOME SEARCHING ON VARIOUS MESSAGE BOARDS I DISCOVERED IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AT ANY MILEAGE. MANY DRIVERS HAVE NOT ELECTED TO HAVE THIS MODULE REPLACED DUE TO COST AND ARE NOT DRIVING WITH THE SAFETY FEATURES THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED WITH. I AM AWAITING THE PART ORDERED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR ON MY VEHICLE AS I VALUE MY ABS SYSTEM. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT THAT VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT RECOGNIZE OR RECALL AND COMPROMISES SAFETY. *NM

PROBLEM EXTENDED OVER THE PERIOD OF ABOUT 2 YEARS. THE CHECK EMISSIONS LIGHT CAME ON SPORADICALLY, THEN STAYED ON AT ALL TIMES. THE SENSOR WAS WORKED ON BY 3 MECHANICS : 1ST TIME- DIAGNOSIS UNSEALED GAS CAP - STAYED OFF FOR 6 MONTHS; 2ND TIME - 4TH TIME- "JUST HAPPENS ON VWS" AND COMPUTER RESET - STAYED OFF ABOUT AVERAGE OF 2-4 WEEKS BEFORE LIGHTING UP AGAIN; 5TH TIME - ON ALL THE TIME, MECHANIC WOULD RESET, WOULD TAKE ON TEST DRIVE AND IT WOULD COME ON AGAIN. AT THIS POINT I HAD MOVED TO NC WHERE THE CAR PROCEEDED TO FAIL INSPECTION DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THE SECOND LOCAL MECHANIC MANAGED TO FIX PROBLEM; CAR PASSED EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND LIGHT HAS BEEN OFF FOR 6 MONTHS. *JB

MY 2000 VW PASSAT, WITH 38,000 MILES, HAS WORN TIE RODS TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE BEEN ADVISED IT COULD BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THIS PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE CAR WAS HAVING AN OIL CHANGE AND I MENTIONED I HAD BEEN HEARING CREAKING SOUNDS FROM THE FRONT WHILE DOING 3 POINT TURNS OVER THE PAST MONTH. MY MECHANIC (NOT A DEALER) THOUGHT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM. UPON CHECKING, THE RECALL WAS FOR 1999 PASSATS ONLY. SINCE THE 2000 MODEL IS THE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE 1999 MODEL, WHY WAS THIS RECALL NOT EXTENDED TO THE 2000 CARS? I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIE RODS AT MY OWN EXPENSE. PLEASE NOTE THE SERVICE ACTION ISSUED BY VW IN NOVEMBER 2004 DID NOT INCLUDE THE TIE RODS. *JB

I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. DURING THIS TIME THIS PASSAT HAS HAD SEVERAL SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS HAVE BEEN POINTED OUT AS A PROBLEM BY VARIOUS SERVICE CENTERS AND VW. THE CONTROL ARMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE PASSAT HAS AGAIN DEVELOPED A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. *NM

ABS LIGHT GOES ON. *JB

THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ON MY 2000 VW PASSAT 1.8L TURBO IS BAD. I DISCOVERED THIS BECAUSE THE LIGHT INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH MY ABS CAME ON THE DASH. THE CAR FISHTAILS IF BREAKS ARE APPLIED SHARPLY GOING FASTER THAN 50 MPH, EVEN WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. I TESTED THIS IN A SAFE PLACE TO SEE IF THE ABS WAS REALLY NOT WORKING. NOW I HAVE NO ABS AND THE REPLACEMENT PART COSTS SO MUCH THAT I WILL HAVE NO ABS FOR AWHILE. AND THE BREAKS ON CARS THAT ARE BUILT TO USE ABS DON'T WORK PROPERLY WITHOUT IT. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF FORUMS WITH MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO BECAUSE I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE IT WAS SAFE, ONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES BEING ABS. HOPEFULLY THERE HAVE BEEN ENOUGH PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS THAT IT CAN BE TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE IT CAUSES TOO MANY ACCIDENTS OR ANY INJURIES. BY THE WAY, BOSCH MADE THIS ABS CONTROL MODULE AND IT IS THE SAME ONE USED IN THE AUDI A4 AND A6. I THINK THEY HAVE COME OUT WITH A NEW ONE THAT THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING THE OLD ONES WITH BUT THEY STILL HAVEN'T ADMITTED THEY SCREWED UP AND NOW THE CONSUMER IS PAYING FOR IT. *NM

AT 58,000 MILES MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STOP DEMAND LIGHT CAME ON. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MAN INDICATED TO ME THAT THE 2000 PASSATS' WHERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE OIL PUMPS. HE FURTHER EXPLAINED TO ME THAT WHAT WAS HAPPENING WAS THAT THE PUMPS THAT WERE MANUFRACTURED WERE NOT BUILT STRONG ENOUGH TO UP HOLD CERTAIN SYTHETIC OILS. HE FURTHER STATED THAT WHEN THE OIL GETS TO HOT THE OIL CYRSTALIZES AND THEN TURNSS TO SLUDGE. GIVEN THAT INFORMATION I THEN PROCEEDED TO GET MY CAR SERVICED. HOWEVER UPON THE DATE OF SERVICE ( EVEN KNOWING THE PROBLEM) MY CAR WAS DIAGNOSED AT A COST TO ME FOR $75.00. AT THE TIME OF SERVICE I LEARNED THAT THE PUMP WAS ONLY COVERED UNDER THE WARRENTY IF I COULD PRODUCE 5 YEARS OF OIL SLIPS. I HAVE SEVERAL CONCERNS REGARDING THIS MATTER. THE FIRST, THE OWNERS MANNUAL DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THE PUMPS ARE SENSATIVE TO CERTAIN TYPES OF OILS (SYNTHETIC). SECONDLY, THE MANNUAL DOES NOT STATE THAT THE WARRENTY REPAIRS WILL ONLY BE COVERDED IF ALL RECEIPTS FOR SERVICES PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE ARE PROVIDED. THRIDLY, IT IS CLEAR IN MY MIND THAT IF A MANUFRACTURER PLACES A DEFAULT OR DEFECTIVE OIL PUMP IN A CAR THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL? I HAVE READ IN THE MOST RECENT COMSUMER REPORT MAGAZINE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A REOCCURING PROBLEM WITH VW PASSATS. FOURTHLY, WHEN CONTACTING VOLKESWAGON DIRECTLY I SPOKE TO CUSTOMER "CARE" THE ATTIDUDE WAS APPAULING. THE RESPONSE I RECEIVED WAS "OH WELL" " THAT IS OUR POLICY" DID NOT GET THAT RECEPT

I OWN A 2000 V6 PASSAT, WHICH I HAVE SERVICED REGULARLY AT A VW DEALERSHIP. ON MARCH 25, 2005, THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A 60K MILE MAINTENANCE CHECK ON MY PASSAT. THIS SERVICE INCLUDED A CHECK OF MY ORIGINAL VW BATTERY. THE BATTERY READOUTS INDICATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS FINE. ON MAY 13, 2005 (MILEAGE 61336), MY BATTERY COMPLETELY EXPLODED LIKE A BOMB WHEN I WENT TO RESTART MY CAR AFTER REFUELING AT A PETROL STATION. I CONTACTED VW USA AND THEY NOT ONLY DID NOT CARE ABOUT THE SITUATION BUT DID NOT SEE THAT ANY RESULTING DAMAGE SHOULD BE COVERED BY THEM. ULTIMATELY, I PAID FOR THE NEW BATTERY, MY INSURANCE CARRIER COVERED WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT AND MY VW DEALERSHIP COVERED THE REMAINING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. MY DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT I WAS THE 2ND CUSTOMER TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR DEALERSHIP.

ABS MODULE NEEDS REPLACEMENT AT 53000 MILES ON 2000 YR. MODEL PASSAT. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A "NORMAL" PROBLEM.

2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT ABS MODULE FAILED. ABS, BRAKE AND WARNING LIGHTS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED.

ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. 2000 VW PASSAT WITH 60,000 MILES EXPERIENCED AN ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE - SYMPTOMS ARE ABS WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON, AND "STOP" SHOWN ON DISPLAY SCREEN. TOOK IT TO A VW DEALER WHO QUOTED ME $1185 USD TO REPLACE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH PASSAT'S AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES. THIS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. *SC

THE SECONDARY AIR FILTER ON MY 2000 VW PASSAT FAILED AT 14,000 MILES. IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. MY CAR NOW HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. REPLACEMENT PRICE IS $1,000. THE VW REPAIRSHOP STATED THAT THIS NOT A NECESSARY PART AND REALLY DOESN'T NEED TO BE REPLACED. BUT WITHOUT REPLACEMENT THE ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON EVERYTIME THE CAR IS STARTED. I CONTACTED VW DIRECTLY AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE PART. I SEE THAT TWO OTHER PEOPLE HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SECONDARY AIR FILTER.

2000 PASSAT - 82000 MILES - FRONT RIGHT POWER WINDOW - REGULATOR FAILED ALLOWING WINDOW TO DROP INTO DOOR. TECHNICIAN FOUND PLASTIC PART WHICH RIDES IN TRACK BROKEN AND PIECES IN DOOR. VW HAS SIMILAR PROBLEM IN MULITPLE VEHICLES. EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUED TO COVER REPAIR ON OTHER VEHICLES BUT NOT ON PASSAT.

2 MAIN PROBLEMS CONTINUAL BUILDUP OF OIL SLUDGE EVEN THOUGH I HAVE REGULAR OIL CHANGES. THE OIL SLUDGE BUILDUP EVENTUAL CLOGS A SCREEN THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO BE INOPERABLE AND THE DEALER THEN CHARGES $700 - $1000 TO REMEDY. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. THE MODULE IS FALING AND WILL COST $700 - $900 TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE 75,000 MILES ON MY 2000 PASSAT

DETAILS: (1) NO DISERNABLE EVENTS PRIOR (2) ABS MODULE FAILURE (3) NONE MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND CONTINUING TO PRESENT, USE THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS CONTROLLER, WHICH IS PRONE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, OSTENSIBLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THIS MODULE CONTROLS MULTIPLE BRAKE-RELATED FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE ABS WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR WINTER DRIVING, BUT THE MOST CRITICAL FUNCTION OF THIS MODULE IS PROBABLY THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION, OR EBD. THESE VEHICLES ARE DESIGNED SUCH THAT IF THE EBD IS INOPERATIVE, THE PROPORTION OF HYDRAULIC FORCE APPLIED TO THE REAR BRAKES DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING IS AS GREAT AS IT IS DURING MODERATE BRAKING EFFORT WHEN THERE IS MINIMAL TRANSFER OF VEHICLE WEIGHT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. THE EBD IS SUPPOSED TO ADJUST THE FRONT/REAR BRAKING DISTRIBUTION DYNAMICALLY ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF THE DECELERATION, SO THAT THE REAR WHEELS WILL NOT LOCK UP DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING. IF THIS MODULE SHOULD FAIL DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT, THE REAR WHEELS COULD LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD EASILY INCLUDE FATALITIES. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR OWNERS, COSTING ROUGHLY $2000, AND MANY OWNERS HAVE PROBABLY PUT OFF THE REPAIR INDEFINITELY. EVIDENCE WHICH CAN BE FOUND THROUGH A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH, SUGGESTS THAT THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD, AND THAT IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY LED TO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS, IT IS ONLY A QUESTION OF TIME. THIS PROBLEM IS GENUINE, AND VW/AUDI SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO TAKE IMMEDIAT

ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILS, FAILURE OF UPPER CONTROL ARMS