2003 Volkswagen Passat complaints

I HAVE OWNED MY PASSAT FOR 17 MONTHS, I HAVE REPLACED TIRES TWICE, AND HAVE HAD A TOTAL OF THREE FLAT TIRES, TWO OF WHICH WERE THE R REAR. I READ OTHER COMPLAINTS IN REGARDS TO THE R REAR TIRE. NOTIFIED MY DEALER, THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING, STATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT THE TIRE COMPANY. WELL, TWO DIFFERENT BRAND TIRES, AND STILL THE SAME PROBLEMS. *JB

SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE FABRIC, BURNING THE DRIVER ON THE LEG. CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER TO POUR WATER ON IT SINCE SMOKE AND SPARKS WERE ON IT. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT DEALER FOR REPAIRS.*AK

SEAT HEATER WAS ON HIGH WHEN I FELT MY BOTTOM HEATING UP AND WHEN I LIFTED MY BOTTOM OFF OF THE SEAT THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE. I DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP (LUCKILY UNDER WARRANTY) AND SURE ENOUCH THERE WAS A BURN IN MY LEATHER SEATS. THEY ARE ORDERING ME A NEW SEAT HEATER!! DIDN'T SEEM TO MIND THE FACT THAT I WAS BURNED.*AK

HEATED SEATS OVERHEATED AND BURNED A HOLE (ABOUT 1/4" DIAMETER) THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SEAT. VEHICLE HAD 23K MILES, SO THE MALFUNCTION WAS COVERED IN FULL BY THE WARRANTEE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEATING COILS AND SEAT COVER. OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE.

THE VEHICLE 1.8L ENGINE SIZED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOW TO THE DEALER. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS ENGINE SLUDGE BUILD UP. *NM

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD A SLUDGE BUILD UP WHICH WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND SAID THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, BLAMED CONSUMER FOR THIS DEFECT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S HEATED SEAT BURNED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BY TURNING OFF THE HEATED SEAT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT PASSENGER'S SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

AFTER RAINY DAYS MY 2003 PASSAT WAGON (4 MOTION) HAS 1 -2 INCHES OF WATER ON FLOOR OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THIS HAS NOW BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE (I JUST TOOK IT BACK TODAY) - THE FIRST TIME THEY TOLD US THAT IT WAS A DRAIN PROBLEM FROM THE SUN ROOF THAT WAS CLOGGED. THE CARPET SMELLS AND I AM AFRAID THAT THE ELECTRIC SEATS WILL SOON SHORT OUT.*AK

THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED OCCASIONALLY. *NM *SC

8/01/03 - CAR INSPECTED AND TOLD HAD PROPER J IGNITION COILS INSTALLED 8/18/03 - CAR AGAIN INSPECTED AND TOLD HAD PROPER J IGNITION COILS INSTALLED 11/18/03 - COIL IGNITION RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THE CAR FOR A 3RD TIME. AFTER ALL THREE ATTEMPTS OF CHECKING THE IGNITION COILS THEY YET FAILED AGAIN. THIS IS THE 12 COIL I HAVE HAD REPLACED ON A VOLKSWAGEN IN 2 YEARS. *JB

2003 VW PASSAT; HEATED SEAT BURNED THROUGH CUSHION AND STARTED SMOLDERING. DEALER REPLACED SEAT. SAID THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE HEATING ELEMENT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEAT WARMER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND STARTED TO BURN THE CONSUMER'S CLOTHING.*AK

1.) DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVIATED. 2.) DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH SEAT LEATHER AND SCORCHED DRIVER'S PANTS 3.) DEALER CONTACTED, APPOINTMENT SET FOR WARRANTY EVALUATION. DEALER STATED "WE'VE HAD A FEW OF THESE OCCUR.*AK

I AM A SCHOOL TEACHER AND WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 19, 2004 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30 A.M. I WAS SMELLING A STRONG SMOKE ODOR AS I STARTED DRIVING AND AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE I LOOKED OVER TO MY PASSENGER SEAT AND THERE WAS SMOKE SMOLDERING THROUGH THE SEAT. AS I NOTICED THIS HAPPENING TO THE CAR, I TURNED OFF THE PASSENGER HEATED SEAT (AND THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS IN IT). NO ONE WAS INJURED! WITHIN MINUTES MY CAR STALLED ON A MAJOR EXPRESSWAY AND I WAS STRANDED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR ALMOST TWO ENTIRE WEEKS. IT'S VERY UNFAIR THAT A VEHICLE UNDER TWO YEARS HAS FAILED IN THIS WAY. THIS SITUATION WAS VERY UNSAFE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO PROVIDE COMPLETE COVERAGE OF MY CAR. I'M WAITING TO HEAR FROM VOLKSWAGEN. *AK

REAR BRAKE PADS AND DISKS WORN OUT AFTER 19000 MILES. THE FRONT BRAKES ARE WITHIN SPEC. DEALER STATES IT'S NORMAL FOR PASSAT, I DON'T THINK IT'S TRUE. THE FRONT BRAKES ARE USUALLY THE FIRST TO ENGAGE, IF NEEDS A HARDER BRAKING - THEN THE REAR BRAKES BECOME ACTIVE! DID THE VW RE-INVENT THE WHEEL??? OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I'VE HAD JAPANESE AND AMERICAN CARS BEFORE - USUALLY YOU HAVE TO SERVICE THE REAR BRAKES AROUND 50K MILES! AS FOR THE DEALER - THE SERVICE MANAGER IN THIS CASE - HE CONVEYED SOME KIND OF NONSENSE JUST TO GET RID OF ME. *NM

I WANTED TO NOTE THAT ON OCTOBER 1ST, MY HEATED SEAT ON MY 2003 VOLKSWAGENW PASSAT MALFUNCTIONED. IT ACTUALLY BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT, FILLED MY CAR WITH SMOKE, AND LEFT ME WITH A SMALL BURN ON MY THIGH. LUCKILY, I AM FINE. BUT, THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED, AND I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGON, VIN NO. [XXX]; HILE DRIVING IN GREENSBORO NC NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF ELM, MCGEE AND GORRELL STREETS I MISJUDGED A CURVE AND SCRAPED THE RIGHT SIDE WHEELS AGAINST A CURB. BOTH TIRES SUSTAINED SIDEWALL DAMAGE. THERE WAS NO CONTACT WITH THE BODY OR UNDERCARRAIGE OF THE CAR. THE TWO RIGHT SIDE WHEELS SUSTAINED MINOR COSMETIC DAMAGE ONLY AND THE IMPACT WAS INSUFFICIENT TO AFFECT THE ALIGNMENT OF THE AUTOMOBILE. THE AUTOMOBILE CONTINUED FORWARD THROUGH THE CURVE AND THERE WAS NO LOSS OF CONTROL FROM THE IMPACT. HOWEVER, UPON CONTACT WITH THE CURB THE RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AND SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS FIRED UNNECESSARILY. BUT FOR THE FIRING OF THE AIRBAGS THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A MINOR EVENT WITH ONLY TIRE DAMAGE TO BE REPAIRED. FORTUNATELY, THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED OR THE OCCUPANT COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE TIRES AND WHEELS. I BELIEVE THE AUTMOBILE CONTAINS A SIGNIFICANT DEFECT CAUSING THE SIDE AIRBAG SYSTEM TO DEPLOY WHEN NOT NEEDED FOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION (IE - IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY CONTACT WITH THE STRUCTURE OF THE CAR), AND IN CIRCUMSTANCES PART OF ORDINARY DRIVING - THE IMPACT WITH THE CURB WAS LESS THAN THAT EXPERIENCED WITH SOME POTHOLES. THUS FAR, VW HAS REFUSED TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR CORRECTION OF THIS DEFECT.*AK THE AUTOMOBILE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIED, AND PRESUMABLY, EVENT DATA IS STILL STORED IN THE CONTROL MODULE. UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH HEATED LEATHER SEATS. I TURNED THE SEAT HEATERS ON THIS MORNING WHEN I WAS GOING TO WORK AND THEY STARTED TO BURN MY BACK SIDE. THEY BURNT THROUIGH THE LEATHER. THEY DID TURN OFF BUT IF THEY DIDN'T I WOULD HAVE HAD A CAR FIRE. I CALLED HOBART'S VOLKSWAGEN IN WARRINGTON, PA AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THESE SEATS. THEY ARE TAKING THE CAR IN THIS AFTERNOON AND WILL REPAIR IT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM IF IT IS WIDESPREAD! SINCERELY, MIKE AND MARTA GROTHMAN NEWTOWN, PA. *AK

WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE SHUT DOWN ON 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. *MR THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ODOMETER READING. THE ECP LIGHT WOULD CONSTANTLY COME ON, THE ENGINE WOULD GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY, AND THERE WAS ROUGH IDLING. *SC *JB

IN FOLLOW UP TO READING AN ARTICLE ABOUT "OIL SLUDGE" PROBLEMS IN VW'S. I HAVE RECENTLY HAD MY ENGINE REPLACED ON A 2003 VW 1.8 LITER TURBOCHARGED PASSAT. THE ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO OIL SLUDGE PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO. THE VEHICLE HAD 36,000 MILES AND WAS PROPERLY MAINTAINED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO THE ENGINE CYLINDER. *AK THE VEHICLE STALLED AT THE STOP SIGN 3-4 TIMES. THE IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED THE NEXT DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE EC MODULE/FUEL PUMP RELAY WAS REPLACED. *SC *JB

WE PURCHASED A NEW VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGON FROM LIVONIA VOLKSWAGEN AUTOPLEX (NOW THAYER AUTOMOTIVE LIVONIA, INC.) IN JULY, 2003. AT 18,500 MILES, THE CAR DEVELOPED A RATTLE IN THE UNDER CARRIAGE AND THE BRAKES WERE SQUEAKY. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE CAR HAS AFTERMARKET BRAKES THAT FIT DIFFERENTLY FROM VW BRAKES, HENCE THE RATTLE. HOWEVER, THESE ARE THE BRAKES THAT WERE ON THE CAR WHEN THEY SOLD IT TO US. WE HAVE CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE ON THREE OCCASIONS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THEY CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPT. THAT THE BRAKE PADS APPEARED "TOO NEW" TO HAVE 18,500 MILES ON THEM (IMPLYING THAT WE HAVE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED). BASED ON THIS, VW OF AMERICA STATES THEY WILL NOT AUTHORIZE VW BRAKES TO BE PUT ON THE CAR. WE HAVE NOT HAD THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR REPLACED OR SERVICED IN ANY WAY, AND HAVE NEVER HAD THE CAR SERVICED ANYWHERE BUT THIS DEALERSHIP. INCIDENTALLY, THE DAY AFTER THE 10,000 MILE SERVICE, THE WINDSHIELD FLUID RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY, AND THE DAY AFTER THE BRAKE INSPECTION A HUBCAP FLEW OFF. THIS MAY SPEAK TO THE SKILL AND INTEGRITY OF THIS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF REGULATORY SERVICES WHO STATE THAT THIS MATTER WAS NOT IN THEIR JURISDICTION BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP IS NO LONGER LICENSED BY THE STATE, AND SUGGESTED WE CONTACT YOU. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR IN GOOD FAITH, ASSUMING, OF COURSE, THAT IT WAS MADE OF ALL V

2003 PASSAT WITH 1.8T ENGINE. DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN ON NIEGHBORHOOD STREETS, CAME TO STANDING WATER (APPROX 2 INCHES DEEP), WITNESSED OTHER PASSENGER CARS PASSING THROUGH WATER AND PROCEEDED AT APPROX 2-3 MPH, CAR STALLS AND WILL NOT START, CAR TOWED TO DEALER WHERE PURCHASED, TOLD A ROD WAS THROWN THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK DUE TO WATER (APPROX 3 GAL.) IN THE ENGINE BLOCK, WAS TOLD WATER GAINED ENTRY VIA AIR INTAKE VENTS AT THE BOTTOM (FENDER LEVEL) OF THE ENGINE, WAS TOLD TO FILE CLAIM WITH INSURANCE COMPANY. PRESENTLY WAITING FOR APPRAISER'S REPORT. VEHICLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE DRIVING CONDITIONS MENTIONED. APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW IN THAT THE AIR COOLING INTAKE IS IN SUCH A POSITION AS TO ALLOW THE INTAKE OF WATER INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK.*AK

IT WAS CHILLY THE EVENING OF MAY 15, 2004. I STARTED THE CAR, TURNED THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL FROM 0 TO 5, AND DROVE ABOUT 5 MINUTES FROM MY BROTHER'S HOUSE TO A HOTEL. WHEN I TURNED OFF THE CAR I FORGOT TO TURN DOWN THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL. IT REMAINED AT 5. THE NEXT DAY (MAY 16), I MADE A SERIES OF 4 SHORT TRIPS WITH THE CAR. EACH TRIP WAS ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. ON THE 5TH TRIP, I STARTED THE CAR. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 1 BLOCK, I NOTICED AN ODD SMELL. AFTER DRIVING 1 MORE BLOCK, I DEFINITELY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, AND I FELT LIKE I WAS SITTING ON A HOT COAL. WHEN I LOOKED DOWN I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE SAME AREA -- MY PANTS WERE SMOLDERING! I STOPPED THE CAR AND GOT OUT. THERE WAS A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THE AREA WAS STILL SMOKING. MY JEANS WERE SCORCHED. I TURNED THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL FROM 5 TO 0 AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR AWHILE TO MAKE SURE THE CAR DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. ON MAY 17, I CALLED THE DEALER. I EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED AND MADE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE APPOINTMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 22. *AK

UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, AND 90% HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE VEHICLE'S FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS BECAME SEVERELY WORN OUT IN APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES OF DRIVING. AFTER THE FIRST ALL 4 BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED, IN ANOTHER 10,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE'S RIGHT REAR BRAKE PAD FELL OFF THE VEHICLE DURING STREET DRIVING. ALL 4 ROTORS, 4 BRAKE PADS, AND 2 REAR CALIPERS BECAME SEVERELY DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. VWOA MADE AN EXCEPTION, AND PAID FOR THE REAR BRAKES, ROTORS, AND CALIPERS.

ONE CONTINENTAL CONTITOURING CONTACT TIRE (205 55R16) ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WITH APPROXIMATELY 23,300 MILES FAILED UNEXPECTANTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED (APPROX 65 MPH). TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM SIDEWALL AND DAMAGED BRAKE LINE AND WHEELWELL LINER. WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHICH IS A PASSAT GLX WITH THE 4 MOTION ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. HAD ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED WHEN TIRE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND ANY CAUSE OF TIRE FAILURE (E.G. PUNCTURES, HOT SPOTS, TIRE NOT ROUND). KEPT OLD TIRE AND SIDEWALL PARTS.

FAILURE OF ALL BRAKE LIGHTS. *AK

UNDER STANDARD DAILY DRIVING 50/50 LOCAL AND FREEWAY MILES, REAR BRAKE ROTORS WARPED BEFORE THE CAR HAD 14,000 MILES DRIVEN. REAR BREAK PADS ARE AT 6MM WHICH I AM TOLD IS JUST LESS THAN 50% OF MAXIMUM. ALSO BEEN TOLD VWOA WILL NOT REPLACE ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL PADS ARE AT 2MM. WARPED ROTORS CAUSE PUMPING AND POTENTIALLY UNSTABLE DRIVING UNDER HEAVY BREAKING.

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, 2/29/04, 3/5/04, AND 4/15/04 MY 2003 VW PASSAT (6 CYL.) HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (MIL) AND ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL (EPC) LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED POWER SUCH THAT I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR HOME WITHOUT ENDANGERING MYSELF ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER'S SERVICE GROUP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM THUS FAR.*AK

IN 2003 VW PASSAT GLS WAGON, THE HEATING ELEMENT IN THE HEATED SEAT BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT FABRIC IN PASSENGER SEAT. DRIVER NOTICED BURNING SMELL AND TURNED OFF HEATER (WHICH WAS SET TO HIGHEST SETTING).

I OWN A 2003 PASSAT (PURCHASED IN 8/2002) . IN THE BEGINNING OF MARCH 2004, A PEBBLE FLEW UP FROM THE ROAD AND PUT A CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD. ON APRIL 6, 2004, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE QUALITY OF THE GLASS IN THE WINDSHIELD. I WOULD THINK THAT IT SHOULD WITHSTAND AN AIRBORNE PEBBLE. MY PASSAT HAS ONLY HAS 15000 MILES TO DATE. IF THE CAR WAS ON THE ROAD MORE OFTEN, WOULD IT HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO MORE CRACKS? IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE QUALITY OF THE GLASS? *AK

I OWN A 2003 VW PASSAT, THE NEW STYLE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE USLESS IN SNOWY AND/OR ICY CONDITIONS. THE SNOW AND ICE ACCUMULATEON THE WIPPING BLADE WITH NO WHERE TO DISCHARGE IT. THIS OCCOURS ON EVERY SWIPE NOT AFTER LONG TERM USE. I COMPLAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND VW AND WAS TOLD NOTHING CAN BE DONE BUT WAS TOLD THAT OTHER OWNERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE WIPERS. DURING SNOW CONDITIONS I HAVE TO DRIVE AT 20-25 MPH AND TURN THE WIPERS OFF. I NOTICED ON THE 2004 MODELS A SMALL CHANGE IN THE DESIGN OF THE WIPERS, THERE MUST BE A REASON WHY A CHANGE WAS IMPLEMENTED ON A ONE YEAR DESIGN, BUT VW WILL NOT ADMIT OR CHANGE MY WIPER. I AM NOT A MECHANICAL ENGINEER BUT COULD SEE THE PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN ONLY ONE HOUR AFTER CONSTANTLY STOPPING TO CLEAR THE ICE/SNOW OF THE WIPER BLADE. HOPE THAT SOMEBODY WILL LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM. *AK

MANUAL FIVE SPEED 2003 PASSAT TURBO'S ENGINE SUDDENLY REVS UP TO 7500 RPM, AND THE CAR JUMPS FORWARD ABOUT 13 FEET AFTER STARTING FROM A STOP AT A LIGHT FORTUNATELY, I HAD ENOUGH DISTANCE FROM THE CAR IN FRONT NOT TO HAVE A COLLISION. *AK IT TOOK ABOUT 20 -30 SECONDS OF HARD BRAKING TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN. THE RPM DROPPED TO NORMAL AT THIS TIME.

ON A SUPER HIGHWAY(315), COLUMBUS, OHIO,AT RUSH HOUR IN THE MORNING, THE ENGINE RPM SUDDENLY JUMPS FROM ABOUT 3000 TO THE RED LINE AT 7500. THE CAR QUICKLY ACCELERATES TO ALMOST 100 MILES AN HOUR. I TRY TO PRESS THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I CAN, AND MANEUVER THE CAR TO AVOID COLLISION WITH SLOWER VEHICLES. IT TAKES ABOUT SEVEN MINUTES TO SLOW THE CAR TO A RELATIVELY SAFE SPEED. IN THE MEANTIME THE ENGINE IS REVVING AT 7500 RPM ALL THE TIME. I STOP THE CAR SAFELY AND WOTHOUT COLLISION. THE CLUTCH APPEARS TO BE COMPLETELY UN-OPERATIONAL. THE CAR IS TOWED TO TO THE DEALER(MAG IN DUBLIN, OHIO). THE DEALER DIGNOSES DRIVER ERROR FOR CLUTH DAMAGE, AND NO FAULT WITH THE CAR. THEY ARE ADAMANT THAT I SIGN A LETTER ACCEPTING ALL THE BLAME. I REFUSE. THEY CHARGE ME $ 456.00 BEFORE RELEASING THE DISABLED CAR BACK TO ME. VW OF AMERICA CONFIRMS THE TWO FALSE DIGNOSES OF THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER IN WOLFSBURG IS NOT HELPFUL OR INTERESTED. I HAVE DRIVEN 7 MANUAL VW'S FOR 42 YEARS! I HAVE KEPT MANY OF THOSE CARS FOR 15 -20 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCHES OR ENGINES BEFORE. THE CAR IS A MANUAL PASSAT, 2003 WITH 2400 MILES.*AK

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT W6 2.8L CAR WILL NOT START OR FAILS TO RUN PROPERLY DUE TO IGNITION MISFIRE OR EXCESSIVE FUEL FLOODING ENGINE. VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT REPAIR. CAR HAS BEEN SEVICED WITH THE BEST SYNTHETIC LUBRICANTS AND HAS HAD EXTREMELY GOOD CARE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THE REASON THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN WAS BECAUSE THE OIL NEEDED CHANGING DUE TO IT BEING LOADED WITH GASOLINE. THE OIL HAD BEEN CHECKED 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENTS AND WAS AT SATISFACTORY LEVELS AND CLEAN. THE CAR HAD 6700 MILES ON THE SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE AND WAS NOT DUE FOR A 3RD OIL CHANGE. THE CAR HAS 11813 MILES ON IT. THE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE INTERVAL BY THE DEALER WAS 10000 MILES ON THE SYNTHETIC OIL. IF THE CAR IS FAILING TO RUN AND HAS ALLOWS SEVERE GASOLINE CONTAMINATION OF THE OIL THERE ARE MAJOR PROBLEMS. THERE SEEMS TO BE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE RELIABILITY OF THESE CARS AVAILABLE THROUGH OTHER WEB SITES. THE ENGINE FAILING TO MAINTAIN OPERATION OR MISFIRING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY OR IF IT FAILS TO OPERATE IN AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT PROVES THIS VEHICLE TO BE A FAILURE IN ENGINEERING, AND RELIABILITY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH BRAKES OPERATED POORLY.*AK

DRIVING MY 2003 PASSAT FOR 1-2 MINUTES, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WAS GETTING EXTREMELY WARM. I CHECKED THE SEAT HEATER SETTING, IT WAS ON 1 (OF 5). I TURNED THE SWITCH OFF, BUT CONTINUED TO SMELL THE BURNING SMELL AND FEEL THE HEAT. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED A HOLE IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE HEAT HAD BURNED A HOLE THROUGH MY PANTS AS WELL. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND PARTS WERE ORDERED TO REPLACE THE ELEMENT AND SEAT COVER. I ALSO REPORTED THE FAILURE TO VWOA.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I OBSERVED SMOKE BILLOWING IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. I PULLED OFF HIGHWAY AND FOUND A FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH I EXTINGUSHED USING AN EXTINGUSHER. THE FIRE WAS CAUSED WHEN A PLUG AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE FELL OUT CAUSING THE ENGINE OIL TO EMPTY ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE. THE TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME WAS WELL BELOW ZERO. I WAS TOLD THE PLUG IN THE ALUMINUM BLOCK ENGINE WAS MADE OF STEEL WHICH HEATS AND COOLS AT DIFFERENT RATES AND APPEARS TO HAVE CAUSED THE PLUG TO FALL OUT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS PER MY INSURANCE AND VOLKSWAGEN. THE CAR IS A 2003 VW PASSAT WAGON GLX 4-MOTION. *AK

I HAVE A 2003 PASSAT SEDAN. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG AND DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE CAR SLID TO A STOP WHILE TURNING IN AN ICY PARKING LOT. THERE WAS A SLIGHT IMPACT AT ABOUT 5 MPH WHEN THE THE CAR HIT A SNOW COVERED CONCRETE PARKING BLOCK AT ABOUT THE JACK POINT NEAR THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE WHEEL. NOBODY WAS INJURED WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE DONE TO THE CAR - EXCEPT TO THE INTERIOR AS A RESULT OF THE AIRBAGS BEING DEPLOYED. IT WILL COST $3600 TO RE-INSTALL THE TWO AIRBAGS AND A LOT OF OTHER PARTS. THAT IS RIDICULOUS FOR A 5 MPH IMPACT THAT CAUSED NO DAMAGE! I AM HOPING THIS WILL BE SEEN AS A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG DEPOLYMENT AND COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. IF NOT, VW NEEDS TO IMPROVE THEIR AIRBAG ENGINEERING BEFORE I'D CONSIDER BUYING ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN. *AK

AFTER MAKING A STOP AND RETURNING TO NORMAL TRAVELING 55 MPH OR AT HIGHER SPEED VEHICLE STARTED JERKING. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

FOLLOWING IS NHTSA COMPLAINT: MAKE: VOLKSWAGEN MODEL: PASSAT YEAR : 2003 CRASH : NO FIRE : NO NUMBER OF INJURIES: 1 ODI ID NUMBER: 10023337 DATE OF FAILURE: JANUARY 18, 2003 COMPONENT: AIR BAGS DETAILS: THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD AIRBAG (AIR CURTAIN) OF A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT W8 SEDAN DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. A FEW MINUTES LATER, WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED, THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY. I SUFFERED A PERMANENT WRIST INJURY AND AM SUFFERING FROM POST TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME. THE INCIDENT, WHICH HAPPENED DURING A TEST DRIVE, WAS REPORTED TO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE VW DEALERSHIP FOR WHICH I WAS WORKING AND TO VW OF AMERICA BY THE MANAGEMENT. I SENT A DETAILED INCIDENT REPORT TO BOTH VWOA AND VWAG (GERMANY) CEO'S. A VW CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ADMONISHED ME TO NOT MAKE A FUSS ABOUT THE INCIDENT, SAYING IT WAS A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OCCURRENCE AND ADVISED ME THAT MY LETTER TO THE VWOA CEO HAD BEEN RECEIVED BUT THAT HE HAD NOT READ IT. THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME IN A SPECIAL MEETING THAT HE HAD BEEN CONTACTED BY A VWOA MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIVE WHO WAS UNHAPPY WITH THE COMPLAINTS I HAD MADE TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT THE LACK OF FOLLOW-UP BY VW AND THE MEANS OF ALERTING VW OWNERS ABOUT THE INCIDENT I WAS CONSIDERING. I LEFT THE MEETING BELIEVING MY JOB AND FUTURE IN THE CAR BUSINESS, AT LEAST SELLING VW PRODUCTS, WOULD BE IN JEOPARDY IF I TOOK ANY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION SUCH AS FILING THIS COMPLAINT. A PROMISE

ON A SAT. MORNING (NOV 22ND 10 AM) MY FIANCEE AND I GOT IN HER 2003 VW PASSATT. IT WAS A COLD DAY AND I WAS DRIVING. BOTH OF US TURNED THE SEAT HEATERS WITHIN HER LEATHER SEATS ON LEVEL 5 (HIGH). VERY SHORTLY AFTER, I FELT A BURNING SENSATION IN MY LEFT REAR END AREA. WE THEN SMELLED SMOKE. WE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND I JUMPED OUT QUICKLY AS I COULD FEEL MY LEFT REAR END BURNING ONLY TO SEE THAT THE SEAT HEATER HAD BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AND THROUGH MY PANTS AND BURNED MY REAR END! OUCH! NO JOKE! I HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF THE SEAT, MY NYLON PANTS, AND MY REAR END! WE IMMEDIATELY CALLED THEILLAN VW OF BAY CITY MICHIGAN WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND SPOKE TO A SALESMAN. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED YESTERDAY. I WAS THEN GIVEN A COPY OF AUTOBEAT DAILY FROM WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10TH, 2003 AND ON PAGE 10 THERE IS AN ARTICLE WHICH READS "NHTSA PROBES SMOLDERING VW SEAT WARMERS" I THEN THOUGHT I WOULD SUBMIT THIS COMPLAINT FORMALLY TO INFORM NHTSA THAT THE ARTICLE READS THAT JUST 2002-2003 JETTAS WERE BEING PROBED. THIS HAPPENED ON A PASSATT AS WELL. THE VIN BELOW IS INCORRECT AS I DON'T HAVE THE VIN WITH ME AT THIS TIME. *LA

ON NOVEMBER 21, 2002, MY 2001 VW JETTA GLS 1.8 TURBO LOST THE OIL DRAIN PLUG ON THE HIGHWAY. I STOPPED THE CAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BUT THE ENGINE AND TURBO WERE DAMGED SEVERELY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. TOTAL COST $6,500. I WAS NOT REIMBURSED. I REPLACED THE JETTA WITH A 2003 VW PASSAT W8. ON NOVEMBER 23, 2003 THE OIL WAS CHANGED BY THE DEALER AND THE DEALER CONTENDS THAT THE OIL DRAIN PLUG WAS TIGHTENED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS (20 NM), HOWEVER THE CAR HAD AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE DRAIN PLUG. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PLUG FREE OF CHARGE. HERE IS WHAT IS COMMON TO BOTH SITUATIONS: BOTH DRAIN PLUGS WERE TIGHTENED TO AT LEAST THE FACTORY SPECIFICATION (I CHANGED THE OIL AND ALWAYS USED A TORQUE WRENCH ON THE JETTA) AND BOTH HAD DRAIN PLUGS PULL AWAY FROM THE PAN. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE ROOT CAUSE WAS BUT I HAVE A HYPOTHESIS ON TWO IMPORTANT VARIABLES: (1) BOTH PANS ARE MADE OF ALUMINUM, WHICH CHANGES SHAPE EASILY WITH TEMPERATURE CHANGE, (2) THE DRAIN PLUG IS MANUFACTURED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE WASHER (SEAL RING) CANNOT BE REMOVED AND REPLACED. IF THE SEAL WERE WARPED OR DAMAGED IN SOME WAY (PERHAPS OVERTORQUING OR DROPPING THE PLUG) IT MIGHT NOT SEAL PROPERLY. WOULD LIKE FOR SOMEONE TO CONTACT ME AS VOLKSWAGEN HAS BEEN LESS THAN HELPFUL (ESPECIALLY WITH THE JETTA).*AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ONLY 300+ MILES. *AK

ENGINE CONTINUES TO MISFIRE, LOSES POWER AND STARTS TO STALL WHILE DRIVING . FOUR ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM HAVE FAILED. PROBLEM PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. *LA

WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE DRIVER WAS PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALER ON SIX OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING.*AK

TAIL LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY DO NOT TURN ON WHEN HEAD LIGHTS SWITCH IS ENGAGED. DEALER REPLACED HEAD LIGHT SWITCH UNDER WARRANTY. *LA

OUR CAR HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER 6 TIMES IN NINE MONTHS. 5 TIMES FOR THE SAME, SERIOUS PROBLEM. THE CAR STALLS WITH NO WARNING AND FOR APPARENTLY NO REASON. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM ONCE, BUT UNABLE TO FIX IT AND UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THE NEXT 4 TIMES. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL OTHER THAN IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN ON HOT DAYS WHEN THE AIR CONDITION IS ON AND OFTEN IN TRAFFIC. WHEN THE CAR STALLS NEITHER THE BRAKES NOR THE STEERING WILL WORK UNTIL IT CAN BE RESTARTED. VW CANNOT FIX THE CAR AND WILL NOT REPLACE IT OR REFUND MY MONEY. THEIR RESPONSE, "SUE US." *LA

FAILURE TO CORRECT MISFIRE AND STALLING PROBLEM AFTER 3 VISITS TO VW DEALER. ENGINE CONTINUES TO MISFIRE AND VW WON'T TRY TO REPLACE ANY OBVIOUS PARTS RELATED TO THE CAUSE. TOLD TO RETURN THE CAR FOR REPAIR FOR THE 4TH TIME WHEN PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN. CAR HAS BEEN TO 2 VW DEALERS IN 2 WEEKS AND PROBLEM CONTINUES. *JB