2003 Volkswagen Passat complaints

MY 2003 PASSAT HAS 104,000 MILES AND IS CURRENTLY BEING FIXED DUE TO OIL SLUDGE IN MY ENGINE. 2 YEARS AGO MY MECHANIC WARNED ME OF THIS ISSUE; HOWEVER, A FAITHFUL VOLKSWAGEN OWNER I DECIDED TO KEEP MY CAR AND FAITHFULLY CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES WHILE THE OWNER'S MANUAL SAY EVERY 5,000 MILES. FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2010 I FOUND MYSELF STRANDED OFF THE HIGHWAY, ON A TRIP, DUE TO OIL SLUDGE. I AM FIRM BELIEVER IN TAKING CARE OF YOUR CAR AND FEEL AS THOUGH THIS IS A VOLKSWAGEN ISSUE. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE ARE SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THIS AND VOLKSWAGEN AND WOULD LIKE FOR AN ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED. *TR

HAD MY IGNITION COILS IN MY VW 2003 PASSAT GO OUT. WENT TO AUTO REPAIR HAD REPAIRS DONE AT 340.00. 2 MONTHS LATER GOT LETTER OF RECALL FOR EXACT PROBLEM, LETTER SAID TO SEND IN RECEIPTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT. SENT FORMS, FOLLOWED UP WITH CALL AND GOT CHECK THIS WEEK...FOR 78.00. CALLED # ON FORM AND THEY SAID THEY REFUND WHAT THE US AVERAGE COST WOULD BE AND IN THIS CASE THAT WAS IT. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER TO ASK THEM AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE DONE THE REPAIRS FOR 320.00 AND THAT I WAS BEING RIPPED OFF. AFTER TALKING WITH THE RECALL AGENCY AND BEING PUT ON HOLD 4 TIMES THEY SAID THAT WAS IT AND ALL I WOULD RECEIVE. *TR

MY 2003 VW PASSAT 1.8T HAS THE WELL DOCUMENTED SLUDGE ISSUE THAT THOUSANDS OF VW/AUDI OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. INITIALLY I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED B/C A GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL INTO THE SPARK PLUGS, AND MY ENGINE COIL PACK WAS BAD. I PAID $700 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE THE PARTS. 80 MILES AFTER LEAVING THE MECHANIC SHOP, THE OIL LIGHT AND STOP ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. TOWED THE CAR AGAIN; NO OIL PRESSURE. COLLECTED ALL OF MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS AND TOOK THEM TO VW TO GET APPROVAL OF THE WARRANTY ISSUE BEFORE LETTING THEM "CONFIRM" ENGINE SLUDGE ($500 DIAGNOSIS FEE FOR DROPPING THE OIL PAN). IF THE ISSUE IS ENGINE SLUDGE, THE ENGINE IS A LOST CAUSE BECAUSE THE LOW OIL PRESSURE STARVED THE ENGINE HEAD FOR OIL. THE VW DEALERSHIP IS WAITING FOR MY MONEY BEFORE THEY'LL DIAGNOSE THE ENGINE SLUDGE- WHICH YOU CAN SEE IN THE ENGINE HEAD WITH YOUR EYES. VWOA HAS ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, UNLIMITED MILEAGE, 8 YEARS FROM SALE DATE, TO OWNERS WITH ALL OF THEIR OIL CHANGE/MAINTENANCE RECEIPTS. YET, DESPITE THE "EFFORT" BY VW, THEY DENY ALL THE CLAIMS I'VE RESEARCHED- SAYING EVERYONE WAS IRRESPONSIBLE WITH THEIR MAINTENANCE- NO ONE TOOK CARE OF THEIR ENGINE. LOOPHOLES LEFT AND RIGHT TO BLAME THE CONSUMER, WHILE WE SIT POWERLESS TO GET OUR CARS BACK ON THE ROAD. YET, THIS ISSUE LEAVES ME WITH NO CAR. ALL OF US "SLUDGE" OWNERS ARE LEFT WITH CARS DEAD ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, ALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND VW TURNING THEIR HEADS THE OTHER WAY. *TR

WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP LIGHT WAS ON AND MY CAR WAS SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY HAD TOLD ME TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED IN. AS I DID, THE PROBLEM WAS THE IGNITION COILS, THEY DID MENTION THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 4 CYLINDERS AND THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE COME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM AFTER THE ARTIC BLAST CAME THROUGH LAST WEEK. THE REASON WHY I'M WRITING IS BECAUSE I THINK ITS KIND OF WEIRD AFTER THIS RECALL CAME OUT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM RECENTLY AND JUST WONDERING WHY THIS PARTICULAR PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL FOR A V6. TO ME IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE WHY NOT, MY PROBLEM IS OCCURRING EXACTLY WHEN ALL THESE OTHER CARS ARE BEING RECALLED FOR THE SAME THING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE BUTTONS USED TO ADJUST THE HEATED SEATS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED AND FEEL AS IF THEY ARE SHOCKING THE DRIVER WHEN THEY ARE ENGAGED. THE LEATHER AROUND THE COILS HAS MELTED A HOLE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. ALTHOUGH, THE CONTACT HAS NOT TURNED THE HEATED SEATS ON THE COIL CONTINUED TO SMOKE AND BECOME HEATED WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79200.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THE "OIL PRESSURE" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO OIL SLUDGE. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING, AN ENGINE WARNING LIGHT APPEARS TELLING THE DRIVER TO STOP IMMEDIATELY DUE TO NO OIL PRESSURE. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO A KNOWN ISSUE BY VW OF OIL SLUDGE BUILDUP. THE CONSEQUENCE IS THE ENGINE WILL SEIZE UP AND NEED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH BUT NOT ALWAYS INCLUDING THE TURBOCHARGER. VW HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 8 YEARS UNLIMITED MILES FOR THOSE ENGINES, BUT UNREASONABLY REQUIRES PRODUCTION OF ALL OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS FOR THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE CAR. *TR

VW ISSUED A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD ON MY 2003 PASSAT WAGON. (OPEN CAMPAIGN: 26E5/R5). I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO ADDRESS THE RECALL BUT WAS TOLD MY CAR COULD NOT BE SERVICED WITHOUT POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FLEXIBLE JOINTS BEHIND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. BOTH JOINTS WERE SAID TO HAVE SMALL FRACTURES IN THE METAL AND BRAIDED STEEL. I WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAT SHIELD REPLACEMENT REQUIRED THE EXHAUST LINE TO BE DROPPED VIA THE FLEXIBLE JOINTS AND THAT THEY COULD BE BROKEN IN THE PROCESS. IF DAMAGE TO THE JOINTS OCCURRED, THE CHARGE FOR THE PARTS (EXCLUDING LABOR) WOULD BE $1500 AND THAT THE FULL BILL FOR PARTS/LABOR WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE COST, I WAS NOT ABLE TO HAVE THE HEAT SHIELDS REPLACED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD FOR CONTINUED USE OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE VOLKSWAGEN TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FULL COST OF REPLACING THE HEAT SHIELD UP TO AND INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FLEXIBLE JOINTS, SHOULD THAT BE NECESSARY. *TR

HEATER CORE HAS FAILED (PLUGGED UP) AT JUST OVER 90,000 MILES. OVER $1200 TO REPLACE; MAY BURST HOT FLUID THROUGH VENTS INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IF NOT REPLACED SOON. CURRENTLY THE SMELL IN THE CAR WHEN RUNNING IS VERY STRONG OF RADIATOR FLUID. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER IN MY 2003 VW PASSAT IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. I NOTICED WHAT LOOKED LIKE A CIGARETTE BURN ON THE LEFT SEAT BOLSTER (I DO NOT SMOKE). THE FOLLOWING DAY, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING IN THE CABIN. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, THERE WAS A SECOND BURN HOLE ABOUT A HALF INCH FROM THE FIRST HOLE. I HAVE STOPPED USING THE HEATER, BUT IT IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SIDE ROAD. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF AN OIL/SLUDGE PROBLEM. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE HER WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,167. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

2003 VW PASSAT HEATER CORE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND VW AMERICA REFUSED TO DO IT AT NO COST. *TR

MY 2003 VW PASSAT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH COILS AND VALVE COVERS. MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE! LUCKILY THE FIRE WENT OUT ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER I STOPPED THE CAR! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED! IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? ARE THERE ANY RECALLS OUT THERE?! *TR

CAR HAD SLUDGE IN 2007 DEALER CLEANED ENGINE AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. IN FEB 2009 THE SLUDGE CAME BACK AGAIN AND THE DEALER FIXED THE SLUDGE AGAIN. ON OCTOBER 2009 THE CAR OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS NOT SLUDGE BUT THE CAM SHAFT ADJUSTERS WHICH THEY SAID WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT CAM SHAFT ADJUSTERS ARE DAMAGED AND BREAK UP DUE TO LOW OIL PRESSURE WHICH IS A DIRECT RELATION TO SLUDGE IN YOUR ENGINE WHICH I HAD TWICE. DEALER NOW CLAIMS I DID NOT MAINTAIN MY CAR AND THIS IS WHY THEY ARE NOT COVERING IT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT ALSO OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY) IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $2,000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THERE WAS CONCERN OF THE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 149,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL AT AN EXPENSE OF $403.00. THE FAILURE RESURFACED ONE YEAR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE IGNITION COIL FAILED AND CAUSED THE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE ENGINES COMPUTER TO BURN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT AN EXPENSE OF $887.97. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000. UPDATED 10/21/09. *LJ UPDATED 12/07/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER PROBLEM, THE FAILED STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 12/08/09

OUR 2003 PASSAT WAGON (4 CYL 1.8 ENGINE) HAD A FIRE IN THE ENGINE LAST WEEK. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND PARKING, MY HUSBAND NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THEN SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW A FIRE IN THE ENGINE. HE WAS IN A PARKING SPACE AND DROVE IT A BLOCK TO A SERVICE STATION, WHERE THE MECHANIC PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH WATER. THE FIRE HAD STARTED IN THE IGNITION COILS (WHICH HAD BEEN REPLACED IN 4/2003, BEFORE THE RECALL) AND WOULD HAVE REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT/REBUILDING OF THE ENGINE HARNESS. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION AT 72 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO DECREASE SPEED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO DRIVE INTO A MEDIAN; HOWEVER, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO TWO METAL POLES CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES OF POWDER BURN FROM THE AIR BAG. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,800.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WITH THE HEATED SEAT FEATURE ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND THROUGH HIS CLOTHING. HIS LEG WAS BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HEATED SEAT MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 102,500.

SUNROOF DRAINS/OR OTHER SOURCE ALLOWS WATER TO LEAK INTO CAR SATURATING THE INTERIOR CARPET UNDER LEFT DRIVERS SEAT AND FLOORBOARD AREA. CONVENIENCE MODULE WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY IN 2006, BUT WATER LEAK HAS RETURNED. THIS IS A GARAGED VEHICLE AND THIS WATER LEAK OCCURS IF CAR IS PARKED OUTSIDE AT WORK (NO TREES OF LEAF DEBRIS) WITH ROOF CLOSED. DEALER WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR WAS REPAIRED ORIGINALLY IN 2007 AND SAID THE DRAIN HOSE WAS COLLAPSING ON ITSELF. *TR

POLLEN FILTER AND/ OR SUNROOF DRAINS BECOME BLOCKED AND WATER LEAKS BEHIND BATTERY AND INTO CABIN OF CAR. THE WATER THEN POOLS UNDER AND BEHIND THE DRIVERS SEAT WHERE THE CONVENIENCE MODULE IS STORED. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE IT CAUSED MY CAR TO BE UNABLE TO START BECAUSE IT IS AFFECTING THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. IN ADDITION, THE POOLING UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT IS TROUBLING SINCE IT IS A HUB FOR INTERIOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. THE CONVENIENCE MODULE IN MY CAR NOW HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON 2003 VW PASSAT. DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AND LOST POWER AND WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VW HAS A RECALL ON THIS PART BUT THEY CLAIM MY VEHICLE (NHTSA 06V01700 AND 07V375000) IS NOT IN THE VIN RANGE COVERED. I FEEL MY FUEL PUMP SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED IN THE RECALL AS IT IS A DEFECTIVE UNIT AND NOT SAFE. *TR

1. FRONTAL COLLISION IMPACTING WITH SIDE OF PICK UP TRUCK MAKING ILL-TIMED LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ME 2. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER SIDE (WHERE NO ONE OR NOTHING WAS SEATED) DID DEPLOY. *TR 3. MY VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS

I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT AND FOR A LITTLE WHILE NOW IT HAS BEEN SAYING THIS: STOP,OIL PRESSURE,STOP MOTOR,SERVICE MANUAL. THIS IS NOW HAPPENED 3 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER(WHICH IS NOT WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR) AND THEY CHANGED THE OIL FILTER WHICH COST ME $160. MY CAR WORKED FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN,AND THE DEALER THEN SAID IT WAS THE OIL PUMP AND WANTED $965 TO FIX IT. I,HOWEVER TOOK SOMEWHERE ELSE GOT THE PROBLEM FIXED FOR $720. IT HAS JUST RECENTLY HAPPENED AGAIN. I WENT TO CHANGE THE OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS ACCIDENTALLY DRAINED. THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM AND NOW SAYS THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION,THE CAR IS DRIVABLE BUT NOW FOR LONG. THIS THE SECOND TIME SOMETHING HAS GONE WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SUDDENLY FLEW OPEN. THE CONTACT INJURED HIS LEG WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 146,000.

I HAVE A 2003 VW PASSAT THAT HAS LEAKED WATER FROM THE SUNROOF DRAIN TUBES AND POLLEN FILTER. THE WATER POOLED INTO THE FLOOR PANS UNDER THE CARPET ALL OVER THE CAR AND THREATENS ALL OF THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS STORED ON THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. VW DEALER WANTS OVER $1000 TO FIX THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NOTHING STATED ANYWHERE IN THE OWNER MANUAL REGARDING DRAIN TUBE MAINTENANCE OR POLLEN FILTER LEAKS. THESE DRAINS ARE NEITHER EASILY ACCESSIBLE OR VISIBLE (ESPECIALLY THE REAR DRAIN CHANNELS). THESE PROBLEMS ARE CLEARLY ENGINEERING FLAWS AND THERE ARE TONS OF DOCUMENTED CASES ALL OVER THE INTERNET OF THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING. VW DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO CLEAN UP ALL OF THE WATER DAMAGE AND FRIED ELECTRONICS. THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AND CONSIDERED FOR ACTION. IN ADDITION TO WATER DAMAGE, MOLD AND MILDEW POSE SIGNIFICANT HEALTH RISKS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT CONTROL MODULE WAS ACTIVATED. A HIGH VOLTAGE OF HEAT PENETRATED THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT AND SMOKE SUDDENLY APPEARED. THE DRIVER DEACTIVATED THE HEATED SEAT CONTROL MODULE. HE BURNED HIS FINGER ON THE SEAT. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER'S CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN M2 WAS REFERENCED. THE FREE REMEDY CONSISTED OF INSTALLING A REPAIR KIT FOR THE HEATED SEAT. THE REMEDY WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE IN 2005; HOWEVER, IT WAS INSUFFICIENT AND DID NOT PREVENT FUTURE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

9/2002 PURCHASED 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8 TURBO. 2005- 48,000 ENGINE FAILED DUE TO SLUDGE. TOWED TO COMMONWEALTH MOTORS SANTA ANA, CA AFTER 2 MOS INSTALLED NEW OIL PUMP, WE EACH PAID HALF EVEN THOUGH IT IS A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW WITH OIL PUMP. 2007 SAME THING HAPPENED( BUT I WAS AWAY AND CAR TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE) MECHANIC STATED THAT NO WARRANTY WOULD COVER PROBLEM. ESTIMATED 95. FINAL $2,569 TO REPLACE OIL PUMP AND TURBO PICKED UP CAR IN MARCH 2008, IN DEC 2008 ENGINE FAILED AGAIN TOWED TO MESA WEST WHO SUGGESTED DEALER SHOULD BE CALLED. DEALER ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY ON PHONE SINCE THEY HAD DONE ORIGINAL REPAIR, 4 MONTHS LATER CAR NEEDS NEW ENGINE IS STILL AT DEALER. OIL PUMP CANNOT PROCESS PROPERLY. VW AWARE OF CHRONIC PROBLEM BUT WON'T STAND BY PRODUCT UNLESS ALL RECEIPTS FROM OIL CHANGES ARE AVAILABLE. CAR NEED $6000.00 OF WORK AND DEALER DOING NOTHING TO ASSIST REGARDLESS OF PROMISES MADE. *TR

WHILE OPENING MY TRUNK LID, THE PASSENGER SIDE HINGE BROKE. THE LID, DROPPED, DOWN AND I CAUGHT IT, WITH OUT HARM. BUT IT COULD HAVE EASILY HURT MY HAND OR HEAD. I CALLED THE DEALER TO ORDER A REPLACEMENT PART, HE INDICATED IT WAS VERY POPULAR. *TR

VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVERS SEAT SLID ALL THE WAY FORWARD IN ITS TRACKS AND THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED ALL THE WAY FLAT. SEAT INTEGRITY SHOULD BE MAINTAINED IN THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT. *TR

PURCHASE CAR IN FL, NOW LIVE IN IOWA DUE TO JOB TRANSFER. A/C UNIT CONTINUES TO NOT BLOW COLD AIR IN A DEPENDABLE METHOD. HAVE TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND RESTART TO SOMETIMES GET IT STARTED AGAIN. NOW TORQUE CONVERTER LIGHT CAME ON JUST AFTER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRED 1 MONTH OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. GOT IN CONTACT WITH VW OF AMERICA. WOULD NOT ASIST, BUT INSTEAD SENT $2,000 GOOD FAITH VOUCHER TOWARDS TO PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO HELP ME WITH THE PROBLEMS. PLEASE HELP. *TR

APPARENT ENGINE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON WITH A WARNING TO STOP THE ENGINE. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AWAITING EVALUATION OF THE EXTENT DAMAGE. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED AND HAVE NO RECORD OF THE PREVIOUS OWNERS MAINTENANCE. I MAINTAIN MY OWN VEHICLE THEREFORE DO NOT HAVE RECEIPTS TO PROVE EACH OIL CHANGE ACCORDING TO THE SCHEDULE. VW RECOMMENDS CHANGES EVERY 5,000 MILES; I CHANGED IT EVERY 3,000. *TR

DEALER REFUSES TO FIX RECALL UNLESS I ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE TO AFTERMARKET PARTS OCCURRING WHILE REPLACING HEAT SHIELD ON EXHAUST SYSTEM. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FIRE IF ORIGINAL HEAT SHIELD IS NOT REPLACED. RECALL R5, CRITERIA 1. *TR

I HAVE HAD MY 2003 VW PASSAT FOR 7 MONTHS NOW AND HAVE ALREADY HAD IT IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES. RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A VW DEALERSHIP THE TURBO WENT OUT. I HAD TO PAY FOR THAT. I THEN DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 150 MILES FOR A TOURNAMENT AND WHEN ALMOST THERE A LIGHT CAME ON SAYING TO STOP AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. TOOK IT TO VW DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS COVERED BY VW. IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH SLUDGE FROM OIL. GOT IT BACK AND 3 DAYS LATER A LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS THE MIL LIGHT. I TOOK IT IN TO THE VW DEALERSHIP. STILL WAITING TO HEAR WHAT THE PROBLEM IS THIS TIME. I HAVE NOW HAD MY OIL CHANGED 3 TIMES IN 5 THOUSAND MILES DUE TO REPAIRS. IT HAS BEEN ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER WITH THIS CAR SO FAR. *TR

ABS CONTROL MODULE FOR A 2003 VW PASSAT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 VW PASSAT DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 35 MILES PER HOUR, THE ENGINE SIMPLY CEASED OPERATING. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC AND GLIDE INTO A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE TOWED, AND THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. THE PASSAT HAD ONLY 51,764 MILES WHEN THIS BREAKDOWN OCCURRED. WHILE SEARCHING THROUGH THE INTERNET, I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME MAKE MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE WITH A FUEL PUMP FAILURE. VW HAS ONLY RECALLED CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS FOR THIS FUEL PUMP. MY PASSAT DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE RECALL VINS AND VW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A GLOBAL PROBLEM WITH THESE FUEL PUMPS. *TR

CAR WENT IN FOR BRAKE JOB AT 39,000 MILES. MECHANIC FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT CV JOINTS WERE CRACKED AND FRONT AXLES AND CV BOOTS WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT. THIS WAS CLOSE TO A $1,000.00 REPAIR JOB ON A CAR WITH UNDER 40,000 MILES. APPARENTLY THIS IS A NOT UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH 5TH GENERATION PASSAT VEHICLES. I FEEL VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A NEW PAIR OF RARE BRAKES FAILED ON HER VEHICLE AFTER 14,952 MILES. SHE USUALLY GETS OVER 36,000 MILES ON A PAIR OF BRAKES. SHE STATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ROTORS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE PADS ARE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER THAN 14,000 MILES. SHE ALSO FEELS THAT THE DEALER SHOULD COVER THE COST OF THE NEW PADS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95,100. UPDATED 04/21/09. *LJ THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS CRACKED, THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW, THE VC BOOT AND HOOD STRUT WAS REPLACED.. UPDATED 04/21/09.*JB

FOLLOWING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OF MY VEHICLE, (TUNE-UP, INCLUDING REPLACEMENT OF SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION HARNESSES) MY REPAIR SHOP MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. HE SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN IT OFF. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FACTORY-AUTHORIZED VW DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY LOW VOLTAGE TO THE AIRBAG UNIT, THAT THE BATTERY TESTED LOW AT 12.04 VOLTS AND THEY COULD NOT RESET THE CODE WITHOUT REPLACING THE BATTERY. I APPROVED NEW BATTERY PURCHASE, BUT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO MAKE WARNING LIGHT GO OUT, DESPITE RECODING THE CONTROLLER . DEALER CLAIMED FURTHER TESTING REVEALED AIRBAG UNIT CONTROLLER HAD FAILED AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT AT PARTS COST OF $798.00. I DECLINED TO PAY THAT AMOUNT. IN REPLY TO MY QUESTION, SERVICE REP SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM THAT AIRBAG(S) WOULD DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. SINCE THEY I HAVE DRIVEN VEHICLE FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH, AND EACH TIME I START VEHICLE A WARNING SOUNDS, THE "AIRBAG FAILURE" NOTICE COMES UP ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE AIRBAG WARNING SIGNAL STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. I TELEPHONED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE TO COMPLAIN AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND THAT SINCE VEHICLE WAS NEARLY 6 YEARS OLD AND OUT OF WARRANTY I WOULD NEED TO ASSUME COST OF REPAIR/UNIT REPLACEMENT. I SAID I THOUGHT THIS WAS A SAFETY FAILURE WITH VEHICLE BECOMING OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS THROUGH NO FAULT OR MALPRACTICE OF THE OWNER (MYSELF) AND THAT VW SHOULD ASSUME COST

BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT APPEARS EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE BRAKE REPAIRS. DRIVER?S SIDE REAR UPPER BRAKE LIGHT REPLACED FOR 29TH TIME IN LESS THAN 2 YRS. MULTIPLE COOLANT LEAKS STILL PRESENT EVEN AFTER REPAIR AND WATER PUMP REPLACEMENT. RADIO/AMPLIFIER NOT FUNCTIONING EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT (RADIO WAS ONLY USED TWICE IN VEHICLE?S LIFETIME). DIAGNOSTICS SHOW AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. REGULATOR PIN ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW KEEPS BREAKING (3RD REPLACEMENT SINCE 2003). ENGINE COVER BELOW CAR KEEPS FALLING OFF DUE TO RUSTED BOLTS. HOMELINK SYSTEM KEEPS MALFUNCTIONING. FUSES KEEP BLOWING OUT. DASHBOARD PANEL LIGHTS OUT (ODOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, ETC.). CCM MODULE KEEPS BREAKING DOWN. CAR NEEDS TO BE JUMPSTARTED WHEN NOT IN USE FOR OVER 48 HRS. CLIMATE CONTROL (A/C AND HEATER) WORKS ONLY SPORADICALLY. ALL REPAIRS PERFORMED BY VW DEALERSHIP, YET SAME ISSUES KEEP REAPPEARING JUST A FEW WEEKS AFTER REPAIRS. REPAIRS PERFORMED IN PAST 2 YEARS: ECU UNIT REPLACED, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED 3 TIMES, A/C COMPRESSOR UNIT REPLACED, ABS MODULE REPLACED, ALTERNATOR REPLACED, BRAKES REPLACED 3 TIMES. *TR

I OWN A 2003 VW PASSAT. RECENTLY. I TOOK MY CAR FOR REPAIR AS MY BRAKES WERE NOT RESPONDING ON TURNS. THE VW DEALER INVESTIGATED THE ISSUE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE "ABS CONTROL MODULE" IS NOT COMMUNICATING FOR SOME REASON. THEY SUGGESTED I REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FOR AROUND $2,216 I CALLED VW AND ASKED THEM TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE AND SEE IF THEY CAN COVER THE EXPENSES OF THE REPAIR SINCE THIS IS NOT A NORMAL TEAR AND WEAR ISSUE. THEY RESPONDED BY SAYING THAT SINCE THE CAR IS NOT WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD, THEY CANNOT COVER THE EXPENSES OF THIS REPAIR. I FEEL THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT VW OF AMERICA NEEDS TO COVER THE REPAIR FOR. IN FACT I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE PRO-ACTIVE AND INVESTIGATE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE IN MY CARE AFTER THEY REPLACE IT TO SEE IF THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT CAN RESULT IN A RECALL. I UNDERSTAND THAT MY CAR IS NOT WITHIN WARRANTY; BUT GIVEN THE FACT THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, I THINK VW SHOULD COVER IT AND PAY THE REPAIR COST. *TR

TURNED ON DRIVER SIDE HEATER TO LEVEL 3. FELT A BURNING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT AND SMELLED A BURNING ODOR APROX 30 SECONDS AFTER STARTING CAR. STOPPED CAR AND FOUND A SMALL HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT ON THE LEFT REAR SIDE. M2 RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN CHECKED AT THE DEALER. *TR

FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROST/DEFOGGER NOT OPERATING/BLOWING ON WINDSHIELD. IF WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO FOG OR FROST, THERE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH AIRFLOW TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD, RESULTING IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. MANUFACTURER REFUSING TO FIX UNDER SAFETY WARRANTY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE IGNITION COIL FAILED AND WILL MAKE THE REPAIR AT THE COST OF $250. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY TRADED IN HIS VOLKSWAGEN JETTA DUE TO THE IDENTICAL COIL FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED IN HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STUTTERED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, STALLED, AND THEN COMPLETELY LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED FOR A FEW SECONDS, BUT THEN LOST POWER AGAIN WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V375000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED WITH THE DEALERS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,455 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,440.

VW PASSAT 2003, PURCHASED01/09/03, 4 MOTION SEDAN, FOR $32,766.50. ON 10/7/2004, I WENT THROUGH A 2" OR LESS, RAIN PUDDLE. BECAUSE OF THE AIR INTAKE ON THE PASSAT LOCATION BEING VERY LOW, THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED DUE TO THE WATER INTAKE IN THE AIR INTAKE PORTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND COST $11,077.53. THE CAR MILEAGE WAS 29,143. VW REFUSED TO PAY, SAYING IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT. MY INSURANCE COMPANY REFUSED TO PAY BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS A DEFAULT IN THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, I HAD TO PAY THE $11,077.53 TO KEEP A VEHICLE THAT I HAD PURCHASED NEW IN 2003. IT WAS 1/3 THE COST OF THE NEW VEHICLE WITH ONLY 29,143 MILEAGE. THE AMOUNT OF RAIN CAN BE DETERMINED ON THE DAY IT HAPPENED, IN MIDDLEBURY, IN. I DID CONTACT CARTALK, AFTER NO RESULT FROM VW, AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD BEEN CONTACTED BY OTHER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT ENOUGH TO POST A RECALL, BUT IT IS STILL SOMETHING I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED, EVEN THOUGH IT HAPPENED IN 2004. I DO STILL OWN THE CAR, BECAUSE OF MY INVESTMENT, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN OVER $44,000, BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE COMPARED TO THIS ONE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. HE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT RELEVANT RECALLS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NONE. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V375000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP), BUT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.

I HAVE AN AIR BAG FAILURE WHICH WILL PROHIBIT ME FROM PASSING THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. THE AIR BAG REPAIR IS OVER $1000. IS THERE A WAIVER OR A PROCESS TO DISPUTE THIS? ARE THERE RESOURCES TO HELP CONSUMERS IN THESE TYPE OF CASES? *TR

EVERY TIME IT RAINS, I HAVE AN ACCUMULATION OF WATER UNDER BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE CARPETS. THE CAR SMELLS OF MOLD AND MILDEW. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MANY YEARS OF VW'S AND THE DEALERS KNOW ABOUT IT. MY RESEARCH INDICATES DESIGN PROBLEMS WITH POLLEN FILTER. MAJOR PROBLEM IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE IS LOCATED IN THE SAME VICINITY AS THE PUDDLED WATER. I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FOR A WHILE ALTHOUGH HAVE NOT HAD TO REPLACE TCM YET. CHECK THE WEB FOR HOW MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2002 MODEL YEAR. 2003 IS NO DIFFERENT. FIRST NOTICED PROBLEM AFTER WARRANTY RAN OUT. *TR

I OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH A 1.8T ENGINE. THE CAR HAS 70,000 MILES AND I JUST FOUND OUT IT HAS ENGINE SLUDGE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AROUND MAY 2004 WITH AROUND 34,000 MILES AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM (NOT VW DEALER) ABOUT SLUDGE PROBLEMS AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM VW OF AMERICA ABOUT ALTERED OIL CHANGE SCHEDULE AND USING FULLY SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL. BEING UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEMS THESE ENGINES WERE HAVING I FOLLOWED THE OWNERS MANUAL RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGES OF 5,000. I WAS NOT AWARE OF SAVING RECEIPTS OF CHANGES AND PERFORMED SEVERAL MYSELF. MY DISPLAY SHOWED A STOP ENGINE LOW OIL PRESS MESSAGE SO I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED SOME TESTS AND TOLD ME I HAD ENGINE SLUDGE. AS OF NOW I HAVE NO RECOURSE WITH VW OF AMERICA AS FAR AS FIXING AN ENGINE THEY KNOW IS FLAWED. *TR