2001 Volkswagen Passat complaints

WITH JUST ABOUT 70000 MILES ON THE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, THE ENGINE STARTED LEAKING OIL FROM 4 AREAS: CAM SEALS, VALVE GASKETS AND SOME LEAKS ON TOP OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE OILS LEAKED ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING TOXIC FUMES. THE PROBLEM RECURS CONSISTENTLY EVEN AFTER FIXING IT. THE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2001 MODEL IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WITH SUCH RUDIMENTARY ENGINE PROBLEMS AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE DEATH. THERE IS NO CLEAR DOCUMENTATION ON WHAT PARTS ARE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AVAILABLE TO THE CUSTOMER. WITH THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP 30 MILES AWAY, IT BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER EVERYTIME THIS HAPPENS JUST TO CHECK IF THE PARTS WILL BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND IT COSTS NEARLY $3000 TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. *NM

WATER PUMP FAILED ON FREEWAY, UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE. *JB

HAVING AN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM WITH A 2001 1/2 MODEL YEAR VW PASSAT WITH A 1.8T ENGINE. RECENTLY HAD A LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT COME ON, REQUIRING THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED AS AN OIL PUMP PROBLEM, MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY AN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. IF IT IS CAUSED BY OIL SLUDGE, THEN ENGINE DAMAGE IS LIKELY TO BE FOUND AS IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM BASED ON WEB FORUM POSTINGS BY OTHER PASSAT OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS UNOPERABLE AT THIS TIME. VW IS REFUSING TO COVER TO THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT DOCUMENTATION OF OIL CHANGES. ALL VW SERVICE INTERVALS WERE COMPLETED FOR THE VEHICLE INCLUDING ALL OIL CHANGES AND ARE BACKED UP WITH DOCUMENTATION. I AM STILL TRYING TO GET CLARIFICATION FROM VW AS TO WHY THE DOCUMENTATION IS CONSIDERED INSUFFICIENT. VEHICLE HAS 99,004 MILES ON IT. OIL CHANGES PRIOR TO 30,000 SERVICE INTERVAL WERE COMPLETED AT VW DEALERSHIPS AND INCLUDED VW APPROVED NON-SYNTHETIC OIL. OIL CHANGES FROM 30,000 MILES/JANUARY 2002 FORWARD WERE COMPLETED USING SYNTHETIC OIL. VW RECOGNIZED THE SLUDGE PROBLEM AND ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION IN AUGUST 2004 ALONG WITH REQUIREMENT TO USE SYNTHETIC OILS (NHTSA TSB #10009888 AND #10009873). A PREVIOUS PROBLEM OCCURED AT 78,400 WHERE A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED. DURING THAT SERVICE THE HEAD GASKET, OIL COOLER, OIL PUMP, AND ASSOCIATED PARTS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. BASED ON WEB POSTINGS FROM OTHER OWNERS THIS MAY ALSO BE

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 VW PASSAT WITH 65,000 MILES. I HAVE OWNED APPROX 6 - 7 CARS IN MY LIFETIME AND HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THEM THE SAME. NEVER HAVE I EXPERIENCED THIS WITH A DEALER WHO REQUIRES ALL RECEIPTS. I WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE 2 RECEIPTS AND THEREFORE WAS GIVEN THE VERDICT OF A $9000 BILL TO REPLACE THE 1.8 TURBO ENGINE. I AM SERIOUSLY APPALLED. MY FEELING THAT THAT THE DEALERS ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM NEED TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBLITY RATHER THAN POUR THIS IN THE LAP OF THE OWNER. I WOULD EVEN THINK THAT THEY WOULD CONSIDER 50 TO 70% OF THE BILL. I HAD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR THEREBY HAVE TWO CAR PAYMENTS BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD $9000 AND NEEDED TO GET TO WORK AND CHILD TO SCHOOL, ETC. I WILL NEVER SUGGEST THIS CAR TO ANYONE!!

2001 VW PASSAT, 1.8L 4 CYLINDER. AT 89,000 MILES ON MY ODOMETER, I AM NOW RECEIVING A STOP, BRAKE FAULT, SEE SERVICE MANUAL WARNING, WITH THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ALSO. IN REVIEWING THE VW OWNERS FORUMS AND OTHER INFORMATION ONLINE, IT SEEMS THIS IS A LIKELY FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE -- WHICH IS SAID TO COST $1,500 FOR THE PART ALONE. THIS IS SAID TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON ISSUE....*NM

I HAD A SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE ON MY 2001 VW PASSAT, NOVEMBER 7,2006 AT HERITAGE VW (DEALERSHIP) AND THEN ON NOVEMBER 22,2006 THE VEHICLE SLOWED AND THE DISPLAY SHOWED STOP WITH AN OIL ICON. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR AND CHECKED THE OIL. THERE WAS OIL IN THE CAR BUT I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR, THERE IS PROBABLY SLUDGE IN THE CAR. I TOWED IT IN THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW OIL PUMP WITH A NEW OIL SCREEN AND IT DID HAVE SLUDGE. THIS REPAIR WAS $1267.00. I WAS NOT OFFERED ANY WARRANTY REIMBURSEMENT AT THAT TIME. LATER I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH VW. WHY DID THEY NOT SEE THE SLUDGE WHEN THEY DID THE OIL CHANGE NOV 7,2006? *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG INFLATER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 10/31/06. *JB

10/24/06 MY 2001 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT HAS A STOP WARNING LIGHT COME ON STATING LOW OIL PRESSURE. COME TO FIND OUT THE 1.8 LITRE TURBO ENGINE WHICH MY CAR HAS IS NON TO HAVE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEMS AND THAT VW IS AWARE OF THIS. I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THEM STATING THIS OR THE FACT THAT I SHOULD USE SYNTHETIC OIL. CALLED THE HUNTSVILLE, AL VW DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT UNLESS I HAVE PRISTEEN SERVE RECORDS THEY WILL NOT PAY TO FIX IT AT A COST TO ME OF OVER $1800. MY HUSBAND CHANGES THE OIL IN MY CAR SO OF COURSE I DO NOT HAVE THE SERVICE RECORDS VW IS REQUIRING. I HEAR THE NO LONGER MAKE THE 1.8 LITER TURBO BUT ARE NOT WILLING TO HONOR FIXING A PROBLEM WE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT.

PURCHASED 2001 PASSAT IN MAY, 2005. HAD SAME 'NON-COVERED' OIL PUMP PROBLEM AS MANY ON THE LIST HAVE. LAST MONTH, NOTICED A POOL OF OIL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR AFTER BACKING IT OUT. LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, NOTICED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE OVERFLOW LOOKED LIKE A CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE. OIL COOLER AND OIL COOLER SEALS HAD TO BE REPLACED. 76000 MILES. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE AIRBAG AND HARNESS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

2000 1.8L PASSAT, BRAKE FAULT ON SCREEN, STOP ON SCREEN WITH BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING AND ABS WARNING LIGHT ON. BRAKES SOMETIMES VERY DIFFICULT TO PRESS WITH NO STOPPING POWER. *NM

THE ABS MODULE HAS FAILED IN MY 2001 PASSAT, WHICH ONLY HAS 79000 MILES ON IT... THEY ARE CHARGING ALMOST $1000 TO GET THIS FIXED, IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AND COVERED BY VOLKSWAGEN... I HAVE READ A LOT OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PART AND THE NEED TO REPLACE IT PREMATURELY. *NM

INTERIOR LEFT FRONT FLOOR OF CAR FLOODED WITH WATER AFTER VERY HEAVY RAIN. THERE WAS AN INCH OF STANDING WATER SITTING ON THE VEHICLE'S CARPET. THIS IS THE 2ND INCIDENT IN 5 WEEKS. AFTER A SIMILAR HEAVY RAINFALL IN AUGUST THE INTERIOR LEFT FRONT AND REAR FLOOR WAS FLOODED. STANDING WATER WAS IN THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE CAR. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON-LINE THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE SUN ROOF DRAINS. *JB

TRACKING NUMBER: [XXX] DATE: SEPTEMBER 09TH 2006 11:24:34 AM COMPLAINANT: [XXX] - RE: 2001 PASSAT VWS AND THE ONGOING SLUDGE PROBLEMS!!! *JB COMPLAINT: MY COMPLAINT IS THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE WITH REGARD TO VW PASSATS. SLUDGE!!!! I JUST SPENT $2000 TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN 2 DAYS LATER. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT HE DID SOME RESEARCH AND THAT THERE IS AN INHERENT PROBLEMS OF SLUDGE IN THESE CARS ESPECIALLY. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND ASK IF YOU HAVE ANY REFERRAL ATTORNEYS FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I HAVE TO RENT A CAR AT $30 DOLLARS A DAY AND MY INSURANCE DOESN'T COVER IT. IF THIS IS BEEN GOING ON SO LONG, WHY IS THERE NOT A CLASS SUIT? IF YOU HAVE A NUMBER I CAN CALL FOR SAME, PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU, [XXX]. YOU CAN REACH ME BY PHONE AT EITHER [XXX] HOME, OR [XXX]I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM SOMEONE SOON, AND YOUR HELP IS MUCH APPRECIATED. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I AM A PRIVATE FIRE INVESTIGATOR THAT RECENTLY INVESTIGATED A FIRE IN 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE FIRE WAS VERY MINOR ORIGINATING BELOW THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER AT THE IGNITION COIL MODULES AND PLUG CONNECTOR BETWEEN CYLINDERS #3 & 4. APPEARS TO BE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONNECTION AT THE PLUG CONNECTOR CAUSING THE PLUG CONNECTOR TO OVERHEAT AND IGNITE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE RAINWATER DRAINAGE TUBES UNDER THE CARPETED FLOORBOARD AREA LEAKED ONTO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING WHICH CAUSED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE TO MALFUNCTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE WIRING TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED UPDATED 10/17/2006 - THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART AND THE CONTACT PUSHED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS EXCESSIVE OIL SLUDGE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE VEHICLE HAD OIL LEAKS FROM EVERY SEAL AND GASKET. OIL WAS ALL OVER THE ENTIRE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT CONTACTED.

2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT COOLANT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND ENGINE SHUT OFF. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED IT RAN AT REDUCED POWER. UPON INSPECTION MECHANIC DETERMINED THERE WAS A FAULTY SENSOR IN THE COOLING JACKET. *KB MOISTURE INVADED THE SENSOR, MIGRATED UP THE WIRING HARNESS AND DESTROYED THE COMPUTER WHICH MANAGED ALL ENGINE FUNCTIONS. THE CONSUMER WAS BILLED $3200. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALER EXPLAIN THAT THIS WAS NOT AN UNCOMMON FAILURE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM

FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM OF NOT HAVING ANY BRAKES AFTER MY CAR SITS FOR MORE THAN 8 HOURS. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE 4TH TIME WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

WE HAVE A 2001 PASSAT AND PUT ABOUT 10K MILES/YEAR. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED ABOUT TWICE EVERY YEAR AT OUR LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW. WE ORIGINALLY BOUGHT THE CAR WITH SAFETY IN MIND. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ABOUT A WEEK AGO, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR SEIZED/STALLED AS I WAS GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE. THIS COULD EASILY HAVE LED TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO OUR DEALERSHIP. ONCE THEY REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED, THEY BECAME VERY HOSTILE. THEY ASKED US FOR ALL OF OUR RECORDS. THEY HAD INCOMPLETE ONES FOR US AS THE DEALERSHIP HAD CHANGED HANDS A FEW YEARS AGO. WE HAVE ALMOST EVERY RECORD BUT THIS WILL NOT SUFFICE FOR THEM. THEY ARE ASKING FOR HALF OF THE 11K REPAIR BILL (AND SUGGESTED THAT WE REPAIR IT AND TRADE IN FOR ONE OF THEIR USED CARS). WHAT REALLY BOTHERS US IS THAT PART OF THE PROBLEM OF MISSING RECORDS IS DUE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THAT WHEN THE CAR HAD FAILED, THE TOW GUY SHOWED ME THAT THE OIL CAP WAS ENCRUSTED WITH SLUDGE. WHEN I POINTED THIS OUT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THAT WHILE THEY PROBABLY WOULD HAVE SEEN THIS AT THE LAST OIL CHANGE, THAT THEY ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO INFORM THE CUSTOMER OF SUCH A POTENTIAL HAZARD. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND VW/VW DEALERSHIPS SHOULD BE OBLIGED TO WATCH FOR THIS AND AT LEAST SUGGEST AN ENGINE FLUSH. AFTER TOO MUCH TRUST, WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH VW FOR THIS. THEY SHOULD KNOW BETTER. *JB

MECHANIC REFUSES TO REPAIR 2001 PASSAT ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN MIS-DIAGNOSED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL HOSE LEAK. *JB

HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT AND CONSTANTLY NEED REPLACING, ONLY PROBLEM IS IT MUST BE COMPLETED AT THE DEALERSHIP. HAVE REPLACED AT LEAST 7 LIGHTS SINCE PURCHASE OF CAR. *JB

HI, I HAVE A VW PASSAT 2001.5 SEDAN. I RECENTLY HAVE NOTCIED THAT WATER ENTERS INTO THE REAR PASSENGER FLOOR WHEN IT RAINS. I HEAR THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOTICED BY A NUMBER OF FELLOW PASSAT OWNERS ON VARIOUS FORUMS. I HAVE LEARNT THAT WATER CAN DAMAGE PREVIOUS ELECTRONICS AND CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I FEEL THAT THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM HERE WITH THE VW PASSAT THAT ALLOWS WATER INTO THE CAR WHEN IT SHOULD BE KEPT OUT. I STRONGLY HOPE VW WOULD RECALL THE VEHICLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. -- ARAVIND. *NM

MY 2001 PASSAT------MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE STOP ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED IN BIG RED LETTERING AND PROCEEDED TO SAY THAT THE OIL PRESSURE WAS LOW. WE GOT TO A GAS STATION AND CHECKED THE OIL AND IT LOOKED FINE. GOT HOME AND LOOKED AGAIN WITH BETTER LIGHTING, STILL THE SAME. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THERE THE SERVICE CENTER HAD TOLD US THAT THIS WAS DUE TO "OIL SLUDGE" AND WILL BE COVERED UNDER OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY IF DOCUMENTATION WAS PROVIDED FOR ALL OIL CHANGE SERVICES. NOT TO MENTION THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE IN 2001 WITH 6 MILES AND HAS ONLY GOT 53000 NOW IN 2006. I HAVE GOTTEN THE ROUTINE OIL CHANGES UP TO DATE AND THEY ARE REQUIRING ME TO SHOW PROOF OF ALL OIL CHANGES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO KEEPS EVERY OIL CHANGE RECEIPT!!! THIS IS INSANE. I AM SO FED UP WITH THE WAY VW IS TAKING CARE OF THIS ISSUE, THEY ARE USING THIS AS AN EXCUSE SO THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. I AM STILL IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIND ALL THE "DOCUMENTATION" THAT IS NEEDED. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT LESS THAN 3 WEEKS OF MY LAST OIL CHANGE VW STILL WILL NOT PROVIDE ME WITH MODERATE SERVICE. I WILL NEVER, REPEAT NEVER BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE OR RECOMMEND VW TO ANYONE!! I HAVE READ ALL OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND I CAN SEE THAT VW HAS NO REMORSE FOR THE FISHY SERVICE IT IS PROVIDING. I WILL TAKE THIS ACTION FURTHER. I JUST WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE GOT THERE VEHICLES WITH THE "SLUDGE" COVERED UNDER WARRANTY??? WHY EVEN PURCHASE THE WARRANTY IF IT IS N

ALL BOLTS HOLDING COMPRESSOR IN PLACE BROKE. *NM

MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND I GOT A "STOP", "BRAKE FAILURE", "SERVICE MANUAL" SIGNS WITH SEVERAL BEEPS. I HAD TO STOP OVER THE SHOULDER, TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND IT WAS DETECTED THAT IT WAS A ABS COMPUTER MODULE MALFUNCTION (NOT REALLY AN ABS MECHANICAL ISSUE). THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL. I CALLED VW AMERICA AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO KNOWN RECALLS. THE DEALER QUOTED $700 FOR THIS PART. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND I'M SURPRISED THAT VW HAS NOT RESPONDED SO FAR. THE EFFECTS OF THIS ARE THAT THE MAIN COMPUTER MODULE WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME DEFECTIVE AND STRANGE SIGNS/WARNINGS/BEEPS WOULD COME OVER THE DASHBOARD. VW PASSAT GLX V6, 2001. (ITS ONLY 5 YRS OLD AND 60K MILES). PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY (ONCE PER DRIVING SESSION) WE WOULD NOT KNOW WHEN THERE IS A REAL ABS PROBLEM WHICH COULD CAUSE CATASTROPHIC INCIDENTS (PER SERVICE MANUAL). *NM

2001 VW PASSAT V6. A DEFECTIVE POLLEN FILTER SEAL ALLOWED WATER TO PULL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. THIS OCCURRED AFTER 24 HOURS OF RAIN. THE WATER HAS DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THOSE REPAIRS AND THE REPAIR OF THE WATER DAMAGE TO THE CARPET AND RESULTING MOLD IS ESTIMATED AT OVER $2,000. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT THIS IS AN LONG-STANDING DEFECT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH VW AND AUDI. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP IN THE RAIN, WATER IS LEAKING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THE POLLEN FILTER IN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS THE CAUSE. *AK

CONSUMER HAS HAD THREE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS REPLACED IN HIS 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. *TS ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER THIS PROBLEM IS RARE AND IS LIKELY A WIRING PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HASN'T TAKEN ANY STEPS TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE PROBLEM, INSTEAD THEY JUST KEEP REPLACING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *NM

FOR THE 2ND TIME IN 14 MONTHS THE SYSTEM THAT DRAINS RAIN WATER OUT OF MY CAR HAS BECOME CLOGGED. THE RESULT IS THAT WATER COLLECTS UNDER THE FLOOR BOARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, WHERE COMPUTERS ARE LOCATED INSIDE AN UNSEALED PLASTIC BOX. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, IN DEC 2004, I WAS TOLD THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN UNUSUALLY STRONG RAIN STORM AND THE RESULTING WATER DAMAGE EFFECTED THE BREAK SYSTEM. AT THAT TIME THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THIS TIME IT'S HAPPENING OFF WARRANTY AND I'M BEING TOLD THAT ONE OF THE COMPUTERS HAS TO BE REPLACED AND THERE COULD BE FURTHER DAMAGE WHICH WILL ONLY BE DETECTED AFTER A NEW COMPUTER IS INSTALLED. IN BOTH INSTANCES, THE SEATS AND CARPETING HAD TO BE REMOVED AND THE CARPETING AND WIRING SYSTEM HAD TO BE FAN DRIED. THIS TIME AROUND I SPOKE WITH A VW MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE REPAIRS ARE BEING DONE AND HE SAID THIS IS NOT AN INFREQUENT OCCURRENCE AFTER A RAIN STORM. NOW, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT LOCATING A COMPUTER SYSTEM IN A FLAT, LOW LYING AREA OF THE CAR WHERE WATER CAN COLLECT IS A HUGE DESIGN FLAW, BUT THAT BEING THE CASE, HAD I BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT REGULAR FLUSHING OF THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM COULD HAVE PROBABLY PREVENTED A NOW COSTLY AND TIME CONSUMING REPAIR, I WOULD HAVE GLADLY TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR SUCH A SERVICE. RECORDS WILL SHOW THAT I FOLLOWED VWS SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, HAVING THE SERVICE DONE AT AN AUTHORIZED VW DEALERSHIP ON TIME. SURPRISINGLY, FLUSHING THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM IS NOT

FAILURE TO START WHEN IT DOES THE FUMES RESEMBLE PAINT THINNER VERY CONCERNED WITH POSSIBLE EXPLOSION. *NM

THE DASH MODULE BEGINS TO SMOKE AND BLOWS OUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. ALTHOUGH THE FIRE IS INSIDE THE DASH, IT CAUSES A SERIOUS DRIVING DISABILITY. IT HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR, AND VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO ASSIST. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ALSO REFUSES, THEY JUST KEEP REPLACING THE PART. *NM

MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE IT IS FILLED WITH SLUDGE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ON MY OWN I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 1.8T ENGINE. VW ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THAT ENGINE PROVIDED THE CONSUMER CAN PRODUCE OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS SHOWING THE CAR WAS MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL. I SENT THEM THE PROPER RECEIPTS SHOWING MY CAR WAS MAINTAINED PROPERLY AND THEY STILL DENIED ME. MY CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 43,000 MILES ON IT AND I JUST BOUGHT IT 10 MONTHS AGO. *JB

MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAD A TIMING BELT FAILURE DUE TO AN INTERNAL COMPONENT THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO JUST TURN OFF. THIS BELT DID NOT FAIL, BUT THE COMPONENT DID WHICH CAUSED IT TO FAIL. HERE IS THE CONCERN: JUST THINK IF YOU ARE TRAVELING IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC AND THIS PART FAILS, YOU ARE ALL DONE. YOU LOSE THE CAR, NOTHING IS AVAILABLE TO GET YOU OVER TO A SAFE SPOT. ITS JUST A MATTER OF TIME WHEN SOMEONE IS TRAVELING AND THIS HAPPENS. NOTE - VOLKSWAGEN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND OFFERS A UPGRADE KIT TO REPLACE THIS PART. ALSO, NO WHERE IN THEIR SERVICE GUIDE LINES WILL YOU BE ABLE TO DETECT THIS PART THROUGH THE TECHS. I'M HOPING BY SUBMITTING THIS WE MAKE THEM ACCOUNTABLE AND TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. I DO HAVE THE BELT WHICH SHOWS THAT IT DID NOT FAIL AS THEY PITCHED IT.*AK

THIS FAILURE IS DOCUMENTED WELL BY DOZENS OF CONSUMERS: HTTP://WWW.THEAUTOBAHN.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=12789&PAGE=1. AK THIS COMPLAINT IS AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN FOR PASSAT YEAR GLS 2001.5 (1) HEAVY RAIN (2) GALLONS OF WATER COLLECTED IN REAR PASSENGER FOOTWELL (3) POLLEN FILTER REPLACED (TWICE SO FAR)

ABS MODULE FAILED CAUSING THE ABS BRAKING TO STOP FUNCTIONING. BECAUSE THE MODULE WOULD ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY IT WAS HARD TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE ABS MODULE WAS WORKING SO EXTREME CAUTION HAD TO BE TAKEN WITH BRAKING. ABS MODULE WAS REMOVED BY MYSELF AND SENT TO A REFURBISHER TO BE REPAIRED AND THEN REINSTALLED.*AK

2001 PASSAT WAGON GLX WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. PASSENGER'S SEAT FULLY RECLINED UPON IMPACT, COMING TO REST ON AN INFANT CAR SEAT THAT WAS PROPERLY INSTALLED IN THE BACK SEAT. PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR NECK AND BACK INJURIES. INFANT WAS UNHARMED. SINCE INCIDENT THE PASSENGER'S SEAT HAS SPONTANEOUSLY FULLY RECLINED ON THREE OTHER OCCASIONS.*AK

MY VW PASSAT GLS 2001'S ABS/ASR LIGHT KEEPS ON AT ALL TIMES NOW. WENT TO THE TECHNICIAN TO PUT A REPAIR KIT SINCE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WAS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE MAIN COMPUTER. ON TRYING 3-4 DIFFERENT KITS, TAKING TO THE DEALERSHIPS, THE ERROR CODE SHOWED SENSOR FAILURE BUT ALL THE SENSORS WORKED FINE, ELECTRICAL WERE WITHOUT ANY OPENS OR SHORTS. THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILS TO COMMUNICATE. I AM TO KNOW THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW/AUDI ESPECIALLY THE BOSCH MODULES. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE ABS DOESN'T WORK ON THIS EXPENSIVE VEHICLE. *JB

2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT LOW MILEAGE OF 21,000 MILES. NORMALLY GARAGED AND MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE. AFTER RAIN, FOUND AN INCH OF WATER IN REAR PASSENGER FLOOR. TRANSMISSION NON-FUNCTIONAL, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS ON. DEALER SAID THE POLLEN FILTER SEAL WAS NO GOOD AND THAT WATER LEAKED IN AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE FLOOR BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT. COST OF REPAIR IN EXCESS OF $3,100. VW REFUSES TO COMPENSATE IN ANY WAY BECAUSE WARRANTY WAS ONLY FOR TWO YEARS. TRANSMISSION AND POWER TRAIN ARE COVERED FOR 5 YEARS, BUT VW SAYS THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO "OUTSIDE INFLUENCE". I HAVE READ MANY ACCOUNTS ON THE INTERNET FROM MANY ANGRY OWNERS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHERE LEAKS FROM THIS SEAL HAVE CAUSED CATASTROPHIC REPAIRS. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE VW DEALER TOLD ME THAT CHECKING THE POLLEN FILTER SEAL IS NOT PART OF ANY REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND THAT IN ORDER TO CHECK IT, YOU'D NEED TO DISASSEMBLE QUITE A FEW THINGS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN I ASKED HIM HOW AN OWNER COULD POSSIBLY KNOW IF THE SEAL NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND HE REPLIED "YOU FOUND OUT HOW". I AM CLEARLY NOT ALONE IN HAVING EXPERIENCED A FAILURE FROM A PART THAT IS NOT IN ANY WAY MAINTAINABLE (THE POLLEN FILTER SEAL) AND THAT HAS CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I FEEL THIS IS A CONSUMER ISSUE AND THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE PASSAT THAT VW SHOULD COMPENSATE OWNERS FOR. THERE IS NO WAY FOR AN OWNER TO BE ABLE TO AVOID THIS SITUATION -- IT IS NOT A M

DT*: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL 04V584000 REGARDING THE HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER AND REPAIRED AS INSTRUCTED IN THE RECALL. *AK UPDATED 2/24/2005 - THE TURN SIGNAL MADE A TICKING NOISE ALTHOUGH IT WASNT ACTIVATED. *NM

AT APPROX. 70,000 MILES MY 2001 VW PASSAT 4 CYL AUTOMATIC HAS AN ABS FAILURE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE CERTIFIED USED IN 2002 FROM A VW DEALER AND HAVE HAD IT REGULARLY SERVICED. OTHER VW OWNERS THAT I KNOW HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. IN ACT IT IS APPARENTLY WELL KNOWN IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY THAT VW`ABS UNITS ARE SUB-STANDARD AND PRONE TO DEFECTIVENESS. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY LOCAL VW DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THE UNIT COST $1300. THE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP ALSO MADE A COMMENT THE REFLECTED ON THE SUB-STANDARD QUALITY OF PASSAT ABS MODULES. I HAVE SEEN INTERNET POSTINGS DETAILING THE NUMEROUS FAILURES OF VW PASSAT ABS UNITS. *NM

COWL DRAIN BECAME CLOGGED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DURING HEAVY RAIN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BECAME FLOODED AND THE DASHBOARD ELECTRONICS BECAME FLOODED RESULTING IN OVER $2,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MY PARENTS WHO ARE ELDERLY AND FRAIL. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT POST OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE. THIS CAUSED HIM TO FALL INTO THE BACK SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED.*AK

PURCHASED THE VEHCILE (SECOND-HAND) FROM THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP ON VETERANS DRIVE IN METAIRIE,LA BACK IN MARCH 2004. HERE IS MY COMPLAINT: MY FAMILY EVACUATED FOR HURRICANE 'KATRINA' AND WE LEFT THE VW BEHIND AT THE HOUSE. WELL, IT SAT FOR ABOUT A MONTH. ONCE WE GOT BACK TO THE VEHICLE, WE NOTICED IT WAS NOT RUNNING GOOD AT ALL. VERY ROUGH. VERY DIFFERENT THAN BEFORE THE STORM. I CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND FOUND OUT IT WAS VERY LOW ON OIL. YET, WE HAVE NO OIL LEAKS. I COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHERE THE OIL HAD GONE. AND THE OIL IN THE CASE OF THE VEHICLE LOOKED "GRAINY" AND "SLUDGEY". WE THOUGHT IT WAS STORM RELATED AND FILED A CLAIM WITH STATE FARM. WE THEN TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL VW DEALER NEAR MY OFFICE TO HAVE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE VW SERVICE GUY SAID, YES, VOLKSWAGEN HAS IDENTIFIED A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH OUR MODEL VEHICLE WHERE THE TURBO CAN NOT HANDLE CONVENTIONAL MOTOR OIL. THEY WOULD FIX THAT FREE OF CHARGE....HOWEVER, THEY NEED THE LAST 12 MONTH HISTORY OF OUR OIL CHANGES. WELL, AT FIRST I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE NO PROBLEM. WE HAVE ALWAYS GOTTEN OUR REGULAR OILL CHANGES SO THE RECEIPTS SHOULD BE HANDY. WELL, I DIDN'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR NEW ORLEANS HOME BY HURRICANE KATRINA. OUR HOUSE WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND SO WERE THOSE RECEIPTS. I THINK WE MANAGED TO GET OUR HANDS ON TWO OF THEM. WELL, THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR VW. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THEY WON'T EVEN TAKE HAND-WRITTEN RECEIPTS FROM THE OIL CHANGE PLACES. I AM EXTREMELY ANGRY THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX

2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAS PARKED, LOCKED AND SEALED FOR PERIOD OF ONE WEEK. DURING THIS PERIOD, HEAVY RAINS FELL AND INTERIOR OF CAR WAS FLOODED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS ON 10/21. VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH DEFECTIVE SUNROOF FRAME AS SOURCE OF LEAK CAUSING DAMAGE TO "TRANSMISSION COMPUTER AND AIRBAG MODULE." MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP DO NOT WANT TO ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECT AND I AM CONCERNED THAT THEY ARE AVOIDING AND OR CONCEALING INFORMATION ABOUT MORE THAN JUST MONETARY DAMAGES AND VEHICLE'S DEFECT. OF PARTICULAR CONCERN IS AIRBAG MODULE DAMAGE AND ANY OTHER COMPONENTS OF THIS SYSTEM THAT COULD BE DAMAGED OR DEFECTIVE ALSO. PLEASE ADVISE. *NM

OIL PUMP FAILURE: THE WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON "STOP, OIL PRESSURE LOW" CONTACTED VW AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR AN INSPECTION. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE OIL WHICH CAUSED THE OIL PUMP TO FAIL. RECENTLY VW HAS ISSUED A NEW WARRANTY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE OIL PUMP DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, ONLY IF YOU HAVE YOUR OIL RECEIPTS FROM DAY ONE. I WISH TO KEEP MY VW FOR A LONG TIME AND YES OIL WAS CHANGED ON A REGULAR BASIS, HOWEVER RECEIPTS ARE DIFFICULT TO FIND FROM DAY ONE. FROM MY FINDINGS AND WHAT MAKES SENSE IS THAT THE TURBO IS OVER HEATING THE OIL AND BUILDING UP A SLUDGE IN THE OIL. AS OF TODAY MY PUMP WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE CAM. THE DEALERSHIP DID THE NECESSARY WORK BUT HAS NOT REALLY INFORMED ME AS TO ANY FUTURE PROBLEMS THAT WILL ARISE. WHERE AS OTHER OIL REPAIR SHOPS KNOW OF VW WITH TURBO THAT HAVE FAILED AT 20,000 MILES AND THEN AGAIN AT 40,000 MILES. AS OF TODAY I QUESTION IF THE TURBO WAS INSPECTED FOR SLUDGE OR WAS AN OIL FLUSH DONE. *JB

A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO MY ABS, BRAKE AND ASR LIGHTS CAME ON NOT NECESSARILY TOGETHER. THE ABS AND BRAKE WOULD BE TOGETHER WITH THE MATRIX DISPLAY SHOWING STOP SERVICE MANUAL AND LATER THE ASR LIGHT WOULD BE ON WITH THE REST GOING OFF. FUNNY, I WAS GOING DOWN A SLOPE, NO BRAKING, THE ABS/BRAKE CAME ON AND WENT OFF IMMEDIATELY! ITS VERY RANDOM, COMES ON OR OFF AT ANY TIME. CHECKING ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS LIKE ITS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH VW CARS. *JB

I HAVE A 2001 PASSAT WITH 66,XXX MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT IS GOING TO COST 4000.00-5000.00 TO HAVE THIS FIX. I DO NOT THINK A CAR WITH THIS MANY MILES SHOULD HAVE A TRANSMISSION GO OUT AND TO TOP IT OFF WHEN I PURCHASED THIS CAR 6 MONTHS AGO WITH 51,060 FROM WALSHER IN BLOOMINGTON, MN THEY SAID I HAD A 10YR/100,000 MILE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY ON IT, WELL COME TO FIND OUT SINCE I AM A SECOND OWNER IT ONLY GOES TO 50,000 MILES WHICH MEANS *JBWHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IT DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THE WARRANTY.

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS A 2001.5 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOWS FOGGING. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS AROUND 50 DEGREES OR LESS. THE FOG WILL APPEAR ON THE WINDOW AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. SOMETIMES THE FOG WILL APPEAR AFTER THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. IT WILL OCCUR WITHER OR NOT THE HEATER OR FAN TURNED ON. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE LESS SEVERE ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS HEATED . THE ONLY WAY THE FOG WILL GO AWAY IS IF THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON HIGH. SHE HAS ALREADY TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE, EACH TIME THEY DID A PRESSURE CHECK TO THE HEATER CORE , BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. SHE IS TAKING IT BACK AGAIN TO THE DEALER. THERE WAS A PREVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR LEAKING. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED ON OCTOBER 4, 2005. THE FOG PROBLEM APPEARS TO HAVE GOTTEN WORSE SINCE THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. *AK