2001 Volkswagen Passat complaints

THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE OIL PUMP ON THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES. THE OIL PUMP HAS DAMAGED THE ENGINE AND THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE THE OIL PUMP BECAUSE IT DAMAGED THE ENGINE. *JB

DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP ("PROJECTOR TYPE") FAILED WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF REPLACEMENT. ASKED DEALER TO FIND SOURCE OF PROBLEM. DEALER FOUND LAMP SOCKET MELTED AND WIRING BURNED. REPLACED WIRE HARNESS AND SOCKET AND BULB. VW TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 9404-01, "HEADLAMP ELECTRICAL CONNECTION REPAIR", ISSUED 3/11/04, SUGGESTS THIS IS A RECOGNIZED DEFECT IN AFFECTED CARS. THIS ALSO SUGGESTS THAT REPLACEMENT HARNESSES MAY BE A REDESIGNED PART (E.G. HEAVIER WIRE, IMPROVED MATERIALS, ETC.). IT IS NOT CLEAR WHETHER THE HARNESS USED RESOLVES THE PROBLEM FOR BOTH SIDES OF CAR OR NOT. CHARGED $54.45 FOR HARNESS, $188.30 FOR ENTIRE JOB. THIS WAS PARTIALLY COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY. REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM BOTH DEALER AND VWOA FOR OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES FOR REPAIRS TO APPARENT DEFECTIVE COMPONENT, BUT WAS DENIED BASED ON AGE / MILEAGE (86,485) OF VEHICLE. CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: POTENTIAL UNDERHOOD FIRE HAZARD. LOSS OF VISIBILITY FOR DRIVER/ONCOMING VEHICLES.*AK

OIL SLUDGE BUILDS UP IN THE ENGINE. THE OIL IS BREAKING DOWN WHICH IS CLOGGING THE ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING A LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE DASHBOARD, STATING STOP DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE OIL PRESSURE PROBLEM, AND COULD DAMAGE THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING UNTIL IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. CONSUMER CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN. *AK

THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS HAVE FAILED AND THE VW DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT AT JUST 67000 MILES. THIS IS PREMATURE. I UNDERSTAND IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND A SAFETY RISK.*AK

2001 PASSAT GLS V6. WATER COLLECTED IN THE ENGINE DUE TO FAULTY DRAINAGE PLUGS AND RUINED THE COMPUTER. WATER ALSO ENTERED INTO CABIN AND SOAKED THE RUGS. THE POLLEN FILTER ALSO DID NOT WORK. COMPUTER AND POLLEN FILTER WERE REPLACED. *AK ALSO DOOR ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HAS BECOME UNALIGNED. ALSO BRAKES NEEDED TO BE TOTALLY REPLACED AFTER 24,000 MILES BECAUSE ROTORS GOT WARPED. ALSO FAULTY IGNITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. ALSO CV JOINTS ARE RIPPIING AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. DON'T KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. ONLY HAVE 25,000 MILES ON CAR AND SERVICE IT REGULARLY.

I,M SENDING THIS COMPLAIN ON BEHALF OF MY BROTHER-IN-LAW WHO WILL NOT PURSUE THIS MATTER.HOWEVER, I'M ADIMANT AS TO THE NATURE OF THIS COMPLAINT.HE HAS A 2001 VW PASSAT.AFTER HITTING A BUMP AT NORMAL SPEEDS, TWO OF HIS AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VW SAID THIS IS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE AS THE SENSOR DECIDED IT WAS THE THING TO DO. HE'S LUCKY HE DIDN'T LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. OBVIOUSLY IF THIS WERE A COMMON MALADY IN VEHICLES TODAY, I DARE SAY MANY ACCIDENTS WOULD OCCUR. VW WILL HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT SINCE HE'S OUT OF WARRANTY. SIMPLY SPEAKING, THIS AIN'T RIGHT!! DON BROWN. *AK

FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ON 2001 (B5) PASSAT MODEL ARE DEFECTIVE AND FAIL PREMATURELY AT 30,000-50,000 MILES. FAILURE IS SYSTEMIC AND WIDESPREAD. FAILURE OF FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS CAN LEAD TO THE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, INJURY, AND POSSIBLY DEATH. INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET HAS SHOWN THIS PROBLEM TO BE WIDESPREAD BOTH IN EUROPE AND THE US, YET VW HAS NOT TAKEN ANY OWNERSHIP OF THIS SERIOUS PRODUCT DEFECT. CORRECTIVE ACTION BEING TAKEN IS TO INSTALL AFTERMARKET COMPONENTS THAT HAVE BEEN STRENGTHENED TO ELIMINATE THE DEFECT AND ARE MANUFACTURED BY MEYLE OF GERMANY. AS THIS MODEL AGES, THE DEFECT PROBLEM WILL INCREASE.*AK

I HAVE A 2001 NEW PASSAT GLX AWD SEDAN WITH 23,000 MILES. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS, AT LEAST TWO WITH SAFETY RAMIFICATIONS: (1) FROM A STANDSTILL START, THE TRANSMISSION WILL OFTEN PRODUCE A SEVERAL SECOND LAG BEFORE SYNCHRONIZING WITH THE ENGINE - THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE AT A RATE OF SPEED THE DRIVER COULD NORMALLY EXPECT AND MAY LEAVE THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS EXPOSED TO COLLISION FROM ON-COMING CARS AT DIFFICULT TRAFFIC INTERSECTIONS AND MERGES; (2) AT LOW SPEEDS, 15 MPH AND LOWER, THE TRANSMISSION OFTEN CLUNKS INTO GEAR CAUSING A FORWARD SURGE OF THE VEHICLE, CREATING THE RISK OF THE VW REAR ENDING A VEHICLE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. VW HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS.*AK

I WAS TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEED OUTSIDE OF PENDELTON OREGON WHEN THE WIND BLEW MY SUN ROOF OFF OF MY CAR. THE SUN ROOF WAS CLOSED, AND THE CAR JUST ERUPTED AND THE ROOF WAS LITERALLY PEELED OFF THE TOP OF MY CAR. I HAVE TAKEN PHOTOS OF THE PROBLEM, AND IT SEEMS VOLKSWAGEN IS USING A PLASTIC CALIPER SYSTEM TO CONNECT THE SUNROOF GLASS ASSEMBLY TO THE DRIVE MECHANICS ON THE MOTOR DRIVEN CARRAIGE. THE PLASTIC FATIGUED BECAUSE OF USE AND VOLKSWAGEN COULD CARE LESS. THE NEW ASSEMBLAGE IS $2200 AND THERE IS NO SECOND CHOICE, PURCHASE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY OR GO WITHOUT A SUNROOF..... AFTER CALLING VOLKSWAGEN AND GETTING NOWHERE I AM PROCEEDING TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT IN OREGON FOR PURSIUT OF MY MONEY BACK.*AK

LOWER RIGHT SIDE NEAR THE VENT CONTROL OF DASHBOARD RATTLES AND MAKES A CLICKING NOISE WHEN ON UNEVEN ROADS. HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I BOUGHT IT, BUT IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE WITH TIME. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON IT. TOOK IT TO THE VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE WAS JUST THE LEATHER RUBBING; HOWEVER, WHEN THEY APPLIED FELT TAPE TO THE AREA, THE NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT. ASKED IF IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH HOW THE DASHBOARD WAS MOUNTED, POSSIBLY A FAULTY CLIP, AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS QUITE RUDE SAYING THERE WAS NO PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH HE HEARD THE NOISE DURING TEST DRIVE. I READ ON SOME VW MESSAGE BOARDS THAT THERE IS AN UPDATED CLIP KIT FOR THE PASSAT BECAUSE SO MANY VW/PASSAT DRIVERS HAVE HAD THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS. IS THIS TRUE? *AK

POWER BRAKE BOOST FAILED; BRAKE APPLICATION REQUIRED INCREASED PEDAL FORCE AND DISTANCE TO STOP. PROBLEM ABATED AFTER 30 SECONDS, THEN RECURRED AT NEXT VEHICLE START- ALSO SUBSIDED AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME. *AK TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT 2 SUPPLY LINES TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER HAD FAILED AND CRACKED. WAS TOLD THAT REPAIR WOULD COST $150, BUT COULD NOT BE FIXED THAT DAY. OLD PARTS AVAILABLE (INCLUDING IMAGES PRIOR TO REMOVAL).

IN JULY 2003 MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW PASSAT 1.8L TURBO HAD SYMPTOMS RELATED TO OIL PRESSURE PROBLEMS. AS I WAS TRAVELING ON VACATION THE CAR GAVE WARNING OF THIS SITUATION AND THE SYSTEM ADVISED THAT THE CAR BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. I STOPPED THE CAR AND BEGAN PURSUING OPTIONS TO GET THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS OIL SLUDGE. THE REPAIR WAS AS SIMPLE AS CLEANING THE OIL PUMP STRAINER AND OIL PAN. THE REPAIR COST APPROXIMATELY $500.00. NOW, SOME 20K MILES LATER MY CAR HAD ANOTHER OIL RELATED ISSUE. THIS TIME THE OIL COOLER MALFUNCTIONED AND RUPTURED CAUSING $8,000 - $10,000 IN REPAIR COST. OF COURSE THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND RECENT ACTIONS BY VOLKSWAGEN TO EXTEND WARRANTIES FOR OIL SLUDGE DO NOT INCLUDE THE OIL COOLER. THE OIL SLUDGE ISSUE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A MAJOR CONCERN OF VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICAN BY THEIR ACTIONS TOWARD THE WARRANTY EXTENSION, BUT THEY ARE AVOIDING PARTS AND THE MECHANICAL OPERATIONS THAT COULD LEAD TO THE PROBLEM BEING CORRECTED. OBVIOUSLY OIL THAT IS NOT PROPERLY COOLED WILL BREAK DOWN QUICKER THAN OIL RUNNING AT MORE ACCEPTABLE TEMPERATURES. CURRENTLY, VOLKSWAGEN CAN MAKE NO CONCLUSIVE ANALYSIS AS TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AN OIL COOLER MALFUNCTION AND OIL SLUDGE. THIS WOULD BE KEY IN DETERMINING THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CAR REPAIRS. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA'S CUSTOMER CARE ADVOCATES HAVE REFERRED ME TO MY DEALERSHIP ON TWO OCCASIONS AND MY DEALERSHIP SEEMS TO BE UNABLE TO MAKE 100% CONCLUSIVE DECISI

2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT - OIL SLUDGE - MY CAR HAD A STOP LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW OIL PUMP FOR $900. VOLKSWAGEN WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR, SO I DID. 10,000 MILES LATER MY ENGINE FAILED AND I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE FOR $11,000. AGAIN VW WOULD NOT COVER THIS FIALURE.. VOLKSWAGEN IS TRYING TO LOOK LIKE THE NICE GUY WITH THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE BIG CATCH--MUST HAVE EVERY RECEIPT FOR EVERY OIL CHANGE TO PROVE THEY WERE DONE EVERY 5,000 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN IS NOT STANDING BY THEIR CAR. HORRIBLE TO DEAL WITH. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH MANY PASSAT OWNERS AFFECTED.*AK

2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT - OIL SLUDGE - MY CAR HAD A STOP LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT. I PULLED OVER, CHECKED OIL AND OIL PRESSURE WAS NOT LOW. PROCEEDED AND CAR LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS PULLING OVER.*AK VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT PAY FOR THE $6000 REPAIR. ENGINE SEIZED. VOLKSWAGEN IS TRYING TO LOOK LIKE THE NICE GUY WITH THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE BIG CATCH--MUST HAVE EVERY RECEIPT FOR EVERY OIL CHANGE TO PROVE THEY WERE DONE EVERY 5,000 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN IS NOT STANDING BY THEIR CAR. HORRIBLE TO DEAL WITH. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH MANY PASSAT OWNERS AFFECTED.

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER HAD TO PUT HER SHOE UNDER THE PEDAL AN PULL IT UP. *AK

SHIELDING ON EXHAUST SYSTEM SEPARATED AND MADE CONTACT WITH MANIFOLD, CAUSING A FIRE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH VEHICLE STALLED, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE BROKE IN TWO PARTS. THE PART WAS REPLACED AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $1055. *AK *NM

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CRUISE CONTROL KICKS ON BY ITSELF. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE MAXIMUM SPEED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL IS SET, BUT I LET THE VEHICLE GET UP TO OVER 85 MPH YESTERDAY BEFORE I 'CANCELED' THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE 'CANCEL' BUTTON ONLY TEMPORARILY SOLVES THE PROBLEM - A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE CRUISE CONTROL KICKS ON AGAIN. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I'M ON A HIGHWAY OR A RESIDENTIAL STREET - THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY KICK IN AND INCREASE SPEED. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO A DEALER YET.*AK

CONTROL ARMS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT SUBSTATIAL COST.*AK

WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. PLACED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE CONTINUE TO ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UP, AND DOWN SHIFTED IN ORDER TO STOP. THIS CAUSED TREAD SEPARATION ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *LA

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

CAR HAS TWICE, SPONTANEOUSLY AND FORCEFULLY (JULY10 AND JULY 12), ACCELERATED AS I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR TO PREPARE FOR A STOP. DEALERSHIP SERVICE CANNOT EVALUATE THE PROBLEM UNTIL JULY 22. SERVICE REP CAN'T TELL ME WHETHER IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR, BECAUSE SHE HAS NO IDEA WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE SEVERAL INCIDENT REPORTS ON THIS WEBSITE, DESCRIBING EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM, AND IN ONE CASE THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT-RELATED INJURY. I'D LIKE TO SEE AN EVALUATION OF THIS PROBLEM IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL (VW 2001 PASSAT V), JUST TO SEE HOW COMMON IT IS, AND TO DETERMINE IF A SERVICE RECALL IS IN ORDER. *AK

THE TRUNK LATCH BROKE WHEN CLOSING THE TRUNK NORMALLY AND WOULD NOT LATCH. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE AND THE DEALER SAID THE INSIDE COMPONENTS WERE SHATTERED. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE DEDUCTIBLE BECAUSE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED THE ITEM. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER PASSAT OWNERS. IS THIS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT?*AK

SUNROOF AREA RATTLES / KLUNKS OCCASIONALLY OVER BUMPS. PAYED $69.95 FEE AND DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *AK

BRAKES VIBRATE NOTICEABLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING AT VARIABLE SPEEDS. DEALER REPLACED REAR BRAKE DISCS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY.*AK

CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING ON 55 MPH ROAD. STARTER WORKED AND ENGINE WOULD TURN, BUT WOULD NOT RUN. DEALER FOUND NO CODES IN COMPUTER. ENGINE AND HORN FUSES BLOWN AND DEALER REPLACED HORN RELAY. I ASKED THE DEALER WHY THERE WERE NO CODES IN THE COMPUTER AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW THE ANSWER. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE COMPUTER. CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 7 DAYS. INCIDENT HAPPENED OVER 100 MILES FROM HOME AND DEALER FINALLY AUTHORIZED LOANER AFTER 2 DAYS. DEALER WAS VERY RUDE DURING THE WHOLE INCIDENT AND CONSTRUCTION MADE IT DIFFICULT TO COMMUNICATE. PHONE LINES WERE DISCONNECTED PART OF THE TIME.

FAN BEHIND GLOVE BOX AREA SQUEAKS (CHIRPS) WHEN FAN IS BLOWING AND HEAT IS ON. EVERY WINTER THIS OCCURS AND THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT IT, BUT COULD NOT OFFER A SOLUTION. *AK

VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING ON 45 MPH ROAD. STARTER AND ENGINE TURN, BUT WOULD NOT RUN. ADVISED DEALER THAT THIS HAPPENED 1 YEAR AGO AND ENGINE FUSE AND HORN FUSE HAD TO BE REPLACED. NO CODES WERE IN THE COMPUTER. DEALER REPLACED FUSE S232 AND CAR STARTED. DURING ROAD TEST, CAR DIED AGAIN. FUSE S232 BLEW AGAIN AND DEALER FOUND ECM AND HARNESS MELTED AND WAS SMOKING. DEALER REPLACED ECM, HARNESS AND FUSE AND CAR RAN. WHEN CUSTOMER RECEIVED THE CAR, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND DASH LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. DEALER REPROGRAMMED CRUISE AND FIXED WIRING OF DASH LIGHTS UNDER WARRANTY AFTER MUCH ARGUMENT. DEALER DID NOT KNOW CAUSE OF MISHAP. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THE CAR HAS DIED WHILE TRAVELLING ON BUSY ROADS. I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED TWICE AS I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY.*AK

FOR THE THIRD TIME IN 6.5 MONTHS, THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW ON MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON HAS SHATTERED. THE PREVIOUS TWO OCCURRENCES WERE REPORTED EARLIER. THIS TIME THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK AND THE WINDOW WAS OPEN A FEW INCHES. UPON RETURNING TO MY CAR AFTER WORK AROUND NOON, I FOUND THE WINDOW SHATTERED AGAIN AND SHARDS OF GLASS ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER THE PREVIOUS INCIDENT, THE VOLKSWAGEN REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NOT A DEFECT IN THE CAR. HE FELT THAT OUTSIDE INFLUENCES CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THAT IS DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE AFTER THE THIRD OCCURRENCE.

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH VEHICLE SHOOK AND LOST POWER. THEN STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH LITTLE ROOM TO REACH THE SHOULDER. TWICE VEHICLE STAALED ON THE HIGHWAY. ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS CONSUMER COULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND REPLACED THE ENGINE COIL AND THE BATTERY.*AK

2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT NOTICE TO MANUFACTURER, MEMORANDUM OF FACTS AND REQUEST FOR COMPENSATION. (NAR). *MR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TOT HE CONSUMER AFTER SERVICE, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE SEAT BELT WAS INOPERABLE. A MONTH LATER THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE #4 COIL FAILED. *CB

I TOOK MY 2001, VW PASSAT VR6 WITH 46K MILES ON IT FOR BODY WORK. I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. RECEIVED THE CAR BACK FROM DEALER WITH "EMISSIONS WORKSHOP" LIGHT ON. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM TO FIND THAT A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ("EMISSIONS WORKSHOP"). *AK

UPPER CONTROL ARM ON BOTH SIDES WORN OUT. I NOTICED THIS WHEN I STARTED TO HEAR SQUEAKING SOUNDS WHEN I WOULD MAKE TIGHT TURNS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND VICE VERSA. HAD TO HAVE THEM BOTH REPLACED.

HEAT EXCHANGER (HEATER CORE) FAILURE AT 50004 MILES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE O-RING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. *AK

I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALER AND KNOW FROM CARFAX REPORT THE CAR WAS RECENTLY OFF LEASE. I PUT 15 MILES ON IT AND INTERNALLY INSIDE THE DASH BLACK SMOKE RADIATED FROM THE VENTS AND SPARKS FELL UNDER THE CAR. WITHIN SECONDS FLAMES SHOT OUT FROM UNDER THE DASH. THE FIRE COMPANY ARRIVED IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES BUT BY THEN THE CAR WAS AN INFERNO. *AK

CONTINUING OIL PRESSURE PROBLEMS ON THE 2001 VW PASSAT. WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT IS REPORTED ON THE INTERNET. CAUSES PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO PREMATURE BURNING OF OIL. IN MY CASE, VW IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT. *JB

REAR PASSENGER WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE. THIS OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN A 5 MONTH PERIOD. THIS COMPLAINT IS FILED FOR THE MOST RECENT EVENT. THE FIRST EVENT OCCURRED ON 10/30/2003. THE FIRST TIME THE WINDOW SHATTERED IT WAS CLOSED. THE SECOND TIME IT SHATTERED,THE WINDOW WAS OPEN A FEW INCHES. *NM

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BURNED OIL TOO FAST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE GASKETS WERE LEAKING. *NM CONSUMER MADE TWO OIL REPAIRS AND HEADLIGHTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT ON VEHICLE. ALSO, VEHICLE'S REAR BRAKES NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *LA

2001.5 VW PASSAT GLX 2.8LV6. INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEM. WORSE WHEN COLD OUTSIDE. TURN KEY TO START, NO CRANKING, DRLS AND DASH LIGHTS DIM (RELAY CUTOUT DURING STARTER OPERATION), BUT WILL NOT TURN OVER. LEFT ME STRANDED AT HOME. HAS ALMOST LEFT ME STRANDED NUMEROUS TIMES, SOMETIMES IN TRAFFIC! I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR FAR FROM HOME (LONG TRIP). THIS IS NOT RIGHT ON A 2.5 YEAR OLD CAR THAT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. IT IS UNSAFE. I AM SO CLOSE TO SWITCHING BACK TO JAPANESE BRAND CARS, THOUGH I LOVE THE INTERIOR AND DRIVING DYNAMICS OF MY PASSAT. $1200 IN REPAIRS IN TWO MONTHS FOR A STARTER AND IGNITION LOCK/SWITCH ASSEMBLY. WORKS FOR A FEW DAYS THEN THE PROBLEM COMES BACK! DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL PASSATS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE. TODAY I WAS IN LINE FOR MY STATE EMISSIONS TEST AND IT WOUDL NOT START, TOOK 5 MINUTES, BLOCKING THE TEST LANE! MY 1978 LINCOLN IS MORE DEPENDABLE (BUT COSTS A FORTUNE TO DRIVE WITH GAS PRICES!). *AK

FUEL GAUGE HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. FUEL GAUGE READS FULL AT ALL TIMES EVEN WHEN FUEL LEVEL IS LESS THAN FULL. *JB

THE ENGINE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY TURNS ON AND OFF IN MY 2001.5 PASSAT V6. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN JAN 2001 AND CURRENTLY HAS 32K MILES. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN SERVICE FOR THIS PROBLEM A HALF DOZEN TIMES, IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, WITHOUT RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME, A COMUPTER CHIP WAS REPLACED (OVER $100), BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. EACH ADDITIONAL TIME, THE SERVICE DEPT. STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM AND RESET THE CAR'S COMPUTER. IT MAY BE A COINCIDENCE, TUT THE LIGHT SEEMS TO COME ON IN COLD WEATHER.*AK

THE CAR SHUT OFF TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH. I WAS TOLD BY A VOKSWAGEN WARRANTY SPOKESPERSON THAT IT DOES NOT FALL UNDER A SAFTEY ISSUE. I DIAGREE. I LOST ALL BRAKING AND TURNING POWER AND WAS GLAD THAT I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. I AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR IT TO BE FIXED. I HAVE BEEN FOUR DAYS NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE. THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR A LOANER CAR.*AK

UPPER CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH SIDES ARE WORN OUT. TIE RODS ARE WORN OUT ON BOTH SIDES. CATALYTIC CONVERTERS NEEDED REPLACED. I PAID FOR THE TIE RODS, WARRANTY COVERED CONVERTERS, AND I HAVE NOT HAD THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS REPLACED. OIL LEAKS ON ENGINE. INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT ACTIVATE WHEN DRIVERS DOOR IS OPENED.

THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT SMELT LIKE IT WAS BURNING AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKEOR HAZE APPEARED IN THE CAR. TURNED SEAT OFF AND IT DISSIPATED. IS THIS A MAJOR PORBLEM? ALSO ON INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES A CHEAP REPAINT PEELS OFF AFTER LESS THAN TWO YEARS. I SEE THIS PROBLEM IN ALL VWS, SO I LOOK AT THIS AS A MAJOR PROBLEM . WHEN I APPROACHED VW AMERICA, THEY OFFERED TO PAY HALF THE COST AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, HMMM. THANK YOU. *AK

POLLEN FILTER SEAL FAILURE. THIS PROBLEM IS DOCUMENTED IN MANY INTERNATIONAL PASSAT OWNER GROUPS. THE SEAL AROUND THE POLLEN FILTER FAILS. THE CAR'S INTERIOR BECOMES FLOODED IN RAIN. ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT GET WET FAIL OVER TIME AT ACCELERATED AND UNPREDICTABLE RATE. SAFETY CONCERN: IT IS DIFFICULT TO OPERATE AUXILLIARY COMPONENTS (DEFROSTER, RADIO, ETC WHEN INTERIOR LIGHTS FAIL) EMERGENCY FLASHER AND ASR BREAKERS ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO MOISTURE-RELATED ACCELERATED DECLINE AS A RESULT OF POLLEN FILTER LEAKAGE. OUR VW DEALER AND VWOA STATED THAT POLLEN FILTER SEAL FAILURE AND ASSOCIATED FLOODING DAMAGE AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE WERE PART OF "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". VW SERVICE ADVISORS IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA HAVE SAID THEY SEE "SEVERAL OF THESE EACH WEEK" IN RAINY SEASONS. THE FILTER DESIGNED TO REDUCE ALLERGENS IN THE AIR HAS THE PERVERSE CONSEQUENCE OF ACCELERATING THE GROWTH OF MOLD INSIDE THE CAR BECAUSE IT SEAL FAILS, CREATES (IN OUR CASE 2" OF STANDING WATER) MOISTURE IN THE CAR THAT PROMOTES UNPLEASANT, UNHEALTHY, EXPENSIVE-TO-REMIDIATE MOLD GROWTH IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.*AK

I HAVE A 2001 VW PASSAT. I TURNED THE SEAT HEATER O ONTHE DIRVERS SIDE AND IN ABOUT 5 MINUTES THEIR WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE SEAT AND THE HEATING COIL HAD BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT.

THIS IS THE LETTER I SENT TO VW. THEY ARE MAINTAINING "THE VEHICLE NOW OPERATES ACCORIND TO MAUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS" AND ARE REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING. HELP!!WHAT DO I DO NOW???*AK VW CUSTOMER CARE 3499 W. HAMLIN ROAD ROCHESTER HILLS, MICHIGAN 48309 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO OUR 2001 VW PASSAT, . IF YOU REVIEW THE FILE, YOU WILL FIND THAT THIS CAR HAS NOW FAILED THREE TIMES. THE FAILURES ARE SUCH THAT ALL POWER CUTS OUT AND CREATES A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS DRIVING SITUATION. WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE IN THAT SO FAR IT HAS NOT HAPPENED WHEN TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. WE FEEL THAT THERE IS AN INHERENT DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE. IDEALLY, WE WOULD EXPECT REPLACEMENT OF THE VEHICLE OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM AND WIRE HARNESS. IF YOUR COMPANY IS UNWILLING TO COMPLY, WE WOULD LIKE A LETTER ACKNOWLEDGING THE PAST FAILURES AND OUR CONCERN THAT WE HAVE A VEHICLE WE FEEL IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. FURTHERMORE, WE WOULD LIKE WRITTEN CONFIRMATION OF OUR INFORMING YOU THAT WE HOLD YOUR CORPORATION LIABLE IF THE VEHICLE FAILS AND THE END RESULT IS AN ACCIDENT. FRANKLY, THIS IS A NIGHTMARE. WE ONLY WISH THAT WHEN WE HAD THE CHOICE OF TOYOTA, VOLVO OR VW, THAT WE HAD NOT CHOSEN VW. STEPHEN MCCHRYSTAL

2001.5 NEW PASSAT 1.8 TURBO I PURCHASED IN MAY OF 04 WITH 26 K MILES REPLACED THE OIL PUMP AT 35000 AND I PICKED THE CAR UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY AND DROVE A BLOCK NOTICED A NEW NOISE WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAY IT NEEDS A NEW TURBO UNIT. *AK

WATER LEAK DUE TO VEHICLE DESIGN FLAW. *AK