2012 Volkswagen Passat complaints

SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY AT NIGHT. NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME TO KICK UP A ROCK, NO OVERPASSES FOR SOMETHING TO BE THROWN FROM. COMPLETELY RANDOM EXPLOSION. I HEARD A LOUD GUNSHOT SOUND, THEN SMALL GLASS PIECES RAINED DOWN ON MY HEAD AND FACE AND ALL OVER MY THREE CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. LOOKED UP AND HEARD THE SOUND OF WIND AND SAW THE HOLE IN MY SUNROOF. SO FAR THE DEALERSHIP HAS SAID THEY WON'T REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY AND I HAVE REACHED OUT TO VW DIRECTLY AND THEY ARE DENYING THE CLAIM AS WELL. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THEY ARE NOT STANDING BY THEIR PRODUCT. THEY ARE LUCKY NOBODY WAS INJURED OR KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT. HOPEFULLY THAT DOESN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN FOR THEM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

I LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST US WHERE IT TENDS TO GET COLDER THAN 0 DEGREES CELSIUS CONSTANTLY DURING WINTER. EVERYTIME IT IS BELOW FREEZING MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH GETS STUCK. THIS IS DEFINITELY A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR VW PASSATS, BUT VW RESPONSE TO FIXING IT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO DECEMBER 16TH AND EXPLAINED THAT I NORMALLY WARM UP THE CAR FOR OVER 20 MINUTES(WHILE I WALK MY DOG). THE INITIAL RESPONSE WAS THAT ITS NOT AN ISSUE AND I SHOULD EITHER PARK THE CAR IN A GARAGE WHERE IT WON'T FREEZE OR WARM UP THE CAR LONGER (I FIND THAT ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS). SO I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE GARAGE FOR DECEMBER 16TH. LUCKILY THE WEATHER FORCAST FOR TEMPERATURES BELOW -4 CELSIUS ALL WEEK. HAD THE TEMPERATURE BEEN ABOVE 0 CELSIUS THE LATCH WOULD HAVE WORKED FINE AND YOUR GARAGE WOULD HAVE SAID THERE IS NO ISSUE. THE REASON WHY I HIGHLIGHT THE TEMPERATURE HERE IS BECAUSE THAT IS THE MAIN ISSUE, AND YOUR GARAGES TROUBLESHOOTING AND DIAGNOSTIC METHODS ARE MY BIGGEST CONCERN. I GUARANTEE THAT THERE ARE EVEN MORE CASES OF THIS ISSUE THAT ARE BEING DISMISSED. THE FACT THAT THERE IS NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10559530, FILED BY SOMEONE ELSE PROVES IT. I'M SURE THE FACT THAT I CAN FIND THIS ON NHTSA (NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10559530) MEANS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHERS WHO ARE JUST NOT REPORTING IT OR DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO GO. I WILL ALSO BE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA, AS WELL. IT HAS BEEN OVER A MONTH, AND THE SERVICE GARAGE TELLS ME THERE IS NO

VEHICLE, WHILE AT SPEED AT NIGHT, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING LOST LOW BEAM ILLUMINATION FROM THE LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION OF THE FACTORY LIGHT BULB REVEALED NO FAULTS: FILAMENT WAS INTACT AND RESISTANCE (OHM) COULD BE MEASURED ACROSS TERMINALS. INSTALLATION OF A NEW VW BULB DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS FACTORY STOCK AND UNMODIFIED. CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALS WHAT APPEARS TO BE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT DEFORMATION OF THE BULB RETENTION HARDWARE. ON-LINE SEARCH REVEALS NUMEROUS IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS POSTED BY OTHER PASSAT OWNERS, AFFECTING BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES VW DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PROBLEM CAN ONLY BE RECTIFIED BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. *TR

EVERY TIME IT IS COLD OUTSIDE MY DOOR LATCH STOPS FUNCTIONING SO I CANT OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. I SPRAYED LUBRICANT IN IT WHICH HELPS SOMETIMES BUT I THINK A NEW CAR SHOULDN'T HAVE A ISSUE LIKE THAT. ALSO WHEN I CAN GET IT OPEN SOMETIMES IT WONT CLOSE. THE ISSUE IS THE ACTUAL LATCH WHICH OF COURSE ISN'T COVERED. PRETTY EMBARRASSING CLIMBING THROUGH A PASSENGER DOOR TO GET IN THE DRIVER SEAT . WHAT HAPPENS IF IM IN A WRECK AND MY DOOR WONT OPEN? WILL I OWN A PART OF VOLKSWAGEN? *TR

PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, I FELT A CLICK VIBRATION ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND THEN A MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE DASH SCREEN: AIRBAG: ERROR NONE OF THE ELECTRONIC SWITCHES ON THE STEERING COLUMN FUNCTION, NO AIRBAG AVAILABILITY, NO HORN. I TOOK IT TO THE ONION CREEK DEALERSHIP IN AUSTIN, TX AND THEY QUICKLY FOUND WHAT WAS A QUICK, BUT EXPENSIVE FIX CAN BE DONE. $700 TO FIX. WHEN I INQUIRED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND REQUESTED THEY COVER THE COST, THEY BALKED. I CONTACTED VW USA, THEY EVENTUALLY AGREED TO COVER 75% OF THE COST, THEN LATER RESCINDED THE OFFER BECAUSE THE LADY AT VW USA DECIDED SHE DIDN'T WANT TO COVER IT AND I HAD NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER. WHEN THEY DID OFFER TO PAY THE 75%, I HAD AGREED TO PAY THE DIFFERENCE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO NEGOTIATE FOR GREATER COVERAGE, I SUPPOSE SHE DID NOT LIKE THAT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING FROM SAN DIEGO, CA TO LOS ANGELES, CA ON I-5 AT 9PM ON OCTOBER 20TH, THE DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP, I NOTICED MY HEADLIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM AND ONLY LIGHT UP ABOUT 10 FEET IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE READ ON CAR FORUMS, PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR HEADLIGHTS. ONE INDIVIDUAL FRONTED $800 TO HAVE THE OEM FOG LIGHTS ADDED TO HIS PASSAT, WHICH HE CLAIMED HELPED. VW NEEDS TO FIX THIS HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS OR ADD THE FOG LIGHTS TO EVERY 2012+ PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING DURING THE NIGHT ON STREETS WITH LIMITED STREET LIGHTS, ITS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY PEDESTRIANS, UNLESS I DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON, WHICH I CANT BECAUSE OF ON COMING CARS. *TR

I WAS IN VERY SLOW BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC WHEN THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER IN THE ENGINE AND NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER AND TURN OFF THE CAR. LIGHTS, RADIO AND VENTILATION SYSTEMS DID NOT SEEM TO BE IMPACTED. AFTER A MINUTE, I TURNED THE CAR ON AND EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE BACK TO NORMAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN 3 MONTHS. *TR

THE VEHICLE HAS A SIGNIFICANT DELAY/HESITATION UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION (2.5L). THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING INTO OR ACROSS TRAFFIC. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

LOSS OF EITHER DAYLIGHT RUNNING LAMP(S) AND/OR LOWBEAM HEADLAMP(S) DUE TO LAMP SOCKETS MELTING IN HOUSINGS. 3 TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED, ONCE WITH THE DAYTIME LAMPS AND TWICE WITH THE L/S HEADLAMPS. *TR

I DRIVING THROUGH MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN I GOT A FLASHING LIGHT ON MY DASH, QUICKLY THE ENGINE BEGAN TO FEEL SHAKY AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET BUT THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER START. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE CLOSEST VW DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT DAY I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP TELLING ME IT WAS A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE (HPFP) THAT CAUSED THE ISSUE AND THAT BECAUSE A PART HAD TO BE ORDERED AND THE WORK REQUIRED WAS EXTENSIVE, IT WOULD TAKE THEM ABOUT A WEEK. I DID GET MY CAR IN ABOUT 5 DAYS AND ALL REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER HOW MUCH THE JOB WOULD HAVE COST WITHOUT WARRANTY AND HE SAID IT WAS ABOUT A $5,700 JOB! IT APPALLED ME THAT HE HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR WHY THE HPFP FAILED SO EARLY INTO THE CAR'S LIFE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THERE IS A SENSE OF UNEASINESS THAT I HAVE NOW WONDERING IF THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 67 MPH IN THE MIDDLE LANE. THE BATTERY LIGHT FLASHED ONCE, NO OTHER WARNING OTHER LIGHTS FLASHED AND THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS WARNING LIGHTS TO FLASH. SUDDENLY THE CAR HESITATED AND THEN MY SPEED DROPPED TO 0 IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. LUCKILY, THE TRANSPORT TRUCKS BEHIND ME WERE PAYING ATTENTION AND ACTUALLY BLOCKED THE TRAFFIC UNTIL I COULD GET THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO SAFELY ROLL ONTO THE SHOULDER. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE; I WAS LUCKY. WHAT GOOD IS IT TO HAVE A CAR THAT YOU NOW FEEL IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE! VW SHOULD HAVE TO BUY THIS CAR BACK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL SUNK INTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,500. *TR

IF I AM DRIVING WITH NO ACCELERATION (COASTING) AND STEP ON THE GAS TO ENTER TRAFFIC THERE IS NO POWER; NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE GAS. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES BOTH IN TOWN WHEN TRYING TO ENTER TRAFFIC, AS WELL AS ON THE FREEWAY TRYING TO CUT IN BETWEEN CARS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF ONE DOES NOT HAVE LOTS OF ROOM BETWEEN CARS. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS ONLY A PROBLEM FOR ME BECAUSE I AM NOT USED TO DRIVING A CAR WITH A DIGITAL THROTTLE. *TR

METAL SHAVINGS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. FUEL WAS TESTED AND FOUND TO BE DIESEL FUEL. NO OTHER FUEL HAS EVER BEEN USED OR PUMPED INTO THIS VEHICLE. *TR

CAR HAS CONSTANT PULL TO THE RIGHT. DRIVING REQUIRES CONSTANT PRESSURE TO THE LEFT ON STEERING WHEEL. CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALER 4 TIMES FOR ALIGNMENT AND ALTHOUGH THEY ADJUST IT, RIGHT PULL PERSISTS. SOMETIMES, STEERING HAS A FEEL AS THOUGH CAR IS ERRATIC. CAR NEVER SETTLES INTO TACKING IN A STRAIGHT LINE WHICH SEEMS VERY ODD AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND VOLKSWAGEN CANNOT RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. *TR

METALLIC CLICKING, LOUD SCREECHING NOISE WHEN BRAKES APPLIED, ALWAYS IN REVERSE AND CONSTANT (FORWARD AND REVERSE) WHEN WET OR COLD. ONLY LESS FREQUENT IN WARMER TEMPS. ON 3RD SERVICE VISIT TO HAVE NOISE CHECKED, VW ISSUED WARRANTY CLAIM AND THEN DENIED REPAIR SAYING NO FIX AVAILABLE. I APPEALED TO NO AVAIL. NOISE IS EXCESSIVE AND PROBLEMATIC. *TR

VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT FOUR TIMES ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASTIONS WHEN I COME TO A STOP. TOOK VEHICLE IN AND VW REPORTS CAR CHECKS OUT FINE. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES EXCESSIVE "WHEEL HOP" UPON STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, ESPECIALLY ON A WET ROADWAY AND A HILL. THE TIRES JUST CANNOT GET TRACTION AND SPIN. AS WELL ONCE THE WHEELS START TO SPIN THE ECS (STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM) CUTS POWER AND APPLIES BRAKING WHICH HAS LEAD TO DANGEROUS SITUATIONS ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. THERE IS NO ECS DISABLE SWITCH AS WITH PREVIOUS MODELS, SO I CANNOT TEMPORARILY DISABLE THE SYSTEM FOR TROUBLESHOOTING OF THE ISSUE. LOSING POWER WHILE PULLING OUT INTO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AND EXPERIENCING A POWER LOSS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE CAR CAME WITH HANKOOK OPTIMA H426 TIRES AND I SWITCHED TO YOKOHAMA AVID ENVIGOR (V RATED) TIRES BELIEVING THE ISSUE WAS THE TIRES. I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER WITH 33 YEARS OF DRIVING AND HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING FROM LIGHT ACCELERATION, FEATHERING THE ACCELERATOR, USING THE S MODE OF THE TIPTONIC TRANSMISSION AND USING THE TIPTRONIC CONTROL IN D MODE TO HOLD THE TRANSMISSION IN THE LOWER GEAR AND TRYING TO START IN A HIGHER GEAR TO REDUCE THE TORQUE TO THE WHEELS, BUT THE TIPTRONIC WILL NOT ALLOW UPSHIFTING WHEN STOPPED. I RAISED THIS CONCERN WITH THE DEALERSHIP SINCE THE WHEEL HOP CAUSING BANGING OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM AGAINST THE TRAVEL STOPS. THIS THUMPING AND EXTREME MOVEMENT OF THE SUSPENSION CANNOT BE GOOD FOR THE LONGEVITY OF THE EQUIPMENT. THE DEALERSHIP STATES "IT IS PERFORMING TO SPECS AS DESIGNED." WELL THEN I THINK THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, HE WOULD HEAR A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE NOISE WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE AS THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MADE A SHORT STOP AND BOTH SECTIONS OF THE BACK SEAT UNLOCKED AND CAME DOWN/FORWARD. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS SITTING IN THEM. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE TRUNK THAT WOULD HAVE SET OFF THE UNLOCKING BARS. *TR

THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM STOPPED WORKING. THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOUSING AND THE BULB ADAPTER. THE PLASTIC HAD MELTED WHICH PREVENTED ELECTRIC CURRENT FLOWING FROM THE HOUSING TO THE BULB. THE MELTED PLASTIC HAD CAUSED HAZING ON THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AT NO COST. *TR

VEHICLE STALLED ON BUSY SURFACE STREET, LOST ALL POWER. REFUSED TO RESTART. TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS FAILED HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *TR

AS I WAS DRIVING MY NEW 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FROM MY HOUSE TO MY DESTINATION, MY TRANSMISSION FLUID BEGAN TO LEAK OUT ONTO THE STREET. I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR EIGHT DAYS EARLIER WHICH WAS A NEW CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHICH ONLY HAD 2 MILES ON THE CAR. THE AMOUNT OF MILES I HAD PUT ON THE CAR WAS 500 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTION INSIDE OF IT. THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY DEALERSHIP HAD TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION INTO MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE OLD ONE HAD DEFECTED PARTS INSIDE. *TR

IN THE MORNING, I WENT DOWNSTAIRS TO MY 2012 VW PASSAT S. I NOTICED A POOL OF FLUID THAT SMELLED LIKE GASOLINE ON THE ASPHALT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I ENTERED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND TURNED THE KEY FROM THE OFF TO ON POSITION. WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO ON, A SOUND OF DRAINING FLUID COULD BE HEARD AND A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COULD BE SMELLED. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR, AND IT DOES TURN OVER, BUT WILL NOT START. I DECIDED NOT TO ATTEMPT TO START IT AGAIN, AFRAID THAT THE IGNITION WOULD START A FIRE. SINCE THIS OCCURRED ON A SUNDAY MORNING, ALL SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AT VW DEALERSHIPS ARE CLOSED. ABOUT 5 HOURS LATER, I UNLOCKED THE PASSAT AND OPENED THE DOOR TO GET SOME ITEMS FROM THE CAR. AGAIN, THE SOUND OF DRAINING FLUID COULD BE HEARD AND A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. I CHECKED UNDERNEATH THE CAR AGAIN, AND A FRESH POOL OF GASOLINE HAS FORMED. THE GAS IS DRIPPING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE, NEAR THE REAR WHEEL. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING, AS THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN DRIVEN FOR A LITTLE MORE THAN 1,000 MILES. *TR

THE VEHICLE HAS A SIGNIFICANT DELAY/HESITATION UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION (2.5L). THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING INTO OR ACROSS TRAFFIC. THIS ISSUE IS KNOWN TO OTHERS AND IS REPORTED ELSEWHERE ON THE WEB. HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/111-VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT-B7-DISCUSSION/344045-MY-REVIEW-2012-PASSAT-SOMEWHAT-LONG-READ.HTML (SEE PERFORMANCE NOTE). *TR

THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT REGISTER ACTUAL SPEEDS. IT IS PESSIMISTIC BY 4 MPH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VW'S OWN CLIMATIC CONTROL DIAGNOSTIC READOUT INDICATES A SPEED THAT IS 2 MPH GREATER THAN THE SPEEDOMETER READS. FURTHERMORE, THE TRIPOMETER AVERAGE SPEED READS 3 MPH GREATER THAN THE SPEEDOMETER. MULTIPLE GPS UNITS ALL AGREE TO WITHIN A TENTH OR TWO MPH AND INDICATE A SPEED THAT IS 4 MPH FASTER THAN THE SPEEDOMETER. (I.E. SPEEDOMETER READS 70 MPH, DIAGNOSTIC READOUT SIMULTANEOUSLY SHOWS 72 MPH, TRIPOMETER AVERAGE SPEED SIMULTANEOUSLY SHOWS 73 MPH AND GPS SIMULTANEOUSLY SHOWS 74 MPH WHILE CRUISE IS SET AT 70 MPH). VW SAYS IT'S CLOSE ENOUGH AND THAT AT 70 MPH READINGS BETWEEN 65 AND 75 MPH ARE ACCEPTABLE! *TR

OUR NEW PASSAT HAS PROBLEM CONTROLLING THE CAR WHILE USING REVERSE ON A HILL. IT APPEARS THAT VW HAS TIED THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKING FUNCTION TOGETHER IN A WAY THAT THE DRIVER MAY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IN REVERSE. IF THE BRAKE IS PRESSED, THE ACCELERATOR IS DISENGAGED THUS ALLOWING THE ENGINE FALL TO AN IDLE AND NOT DEVELOP ANY THRUST. IF THE DRIVER IS USING BOTH FEET TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, LEFT FOOT ON THE BRAKE, RIGHT FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE DEVELOPS NO POWER EVEN IF THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED FULLY. BY RELEASING THE BRAKE WHILE THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED FULLY, THE VEHICLE WILL LURCH AT FULL THROTTLE IN REVERSE IN AN OUT OF CONTROL CONDITION UNTIL THE DRIVER REALIZES WHAT IS HAPPENING AND REMOVES THEIR FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE WAS BEHIND THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO ME OR THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN INJURY OR EVEN A FATALITY. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE VW ENGINEERING STAFF HAS NEVER TRIED PARALLEL PARKING THE PASSAT ON A HILL IN SAN FRANCISCO. VW ENGINEERS SHOULD REMOVE THE SOFTWARE CODE THAT TIES THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE FUNCTION TOGETHER WHILE IN REVERSE OR AT LEAST ACTIVATE IT WHEN THE SPEED IS GREATER THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR. IF YOU DONT USE TWO FEET AND ONLY USE ONE, THEN THE HILL HOLD WILL BE EFFECTIVE AND GENERALLY YOU CAN CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO WARNING THAT THIS IMPLEMENTATION EXISTS AND WHEN PARKING ON A STEEP HILL, IN A VERY TIGHT SPOT, YOU ALMOST ALWAYS USE TWO FEET TO HAVE T

SCENARIO: 1. CAR STATIONARY IN GARAGE 2. WENT TO TURN ON THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START 3. RADIO AND ACCESSORIES WORKING FINE 4. SMELT A LOT OF GASOLINE AND STOPPED CRANKING THE CAR 5. LARGE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE HAD SPILLED ON THE GARAGE FLOOR ACTIONS: 1. TOW TRUCK DRIVER WOULD NOT TOW THE VEHICLE AS IT SPILLED GASOLINE WHEN LIFTED 2. FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUND THAT THE HOSE FROM THE FUEL TANK IN TO THE FUEL SYSTEM HAD COME LOOSE 3. FIRE DEPARTMENT SUSPECTS THAT THE CABLE WAS NOT ASSEMBLED PROPERLY AND COULD BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT POTENTIAL FAULTY PART DETAILS: 1. HOSE IS BLACK IN COLOR 2. HOSE IS TUCKED INSIDE A BLACK PLASTIC HOUSING 3. FIRE DEPARTMENT OBSERVED NO DAMAGE TO THE HOUSING ON MY VEHICLE 4. FIRE DEPARTMENT HEARD A DISTINCT CLICK WHEN THEY PUSHED THE HOSE IN TO THE FUEL SYSTEM 5. DUE TO #4, FIRE DEPARTMENT SUSPECTS THAT THE CABLE WAS NOT ASSEMBLED PROPERLY AND COULD BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT STRONGLY ADVISE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2012 OWNERS TO CONTACT THEIR DEALER TO GET THE HOSE AND FUEL SYSTEM ASSEMBLY CHECKED OUT AND URGE NHTSA TO OPEN A RECALL. THANK YOU. *TR

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2012 PASSAT TDI. I REALLY LIKED THE CAR. HOWEVER, I HAVE A SAFETY SUGGESTION THAT MAY SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE IN THE FUTURE. LET ME TELL YOU MY EXPERIENCE. I TOOK POSSESSION ON FEBRUARY 9, 2012. ON MARCH 15, I CAME HOME TO LUNCH AND PULLED IN MY GARAGE. APPARENTLY, I DID NOT HAVE THE BACK TIRES ALL THE WAY IN. OUR DRIVEWAY HAS A SLIGHT INCLINE. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND WAS WATERING SOME FLOWERS. IN A FEW MOMENTS MY CAR ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVE, CURVED AND WENT OFF AN EMBANKMENT AND HIT TREES ON THE WAY DOWN. IT WAS TOTALED. I HAD IT ONE MONTH AND ONE WEEK. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS SICK. NOW I REALIZE THAT I DID NOT HAVE IT IN PARK. THIS CAR WAS DIFFERENT THAT ANY CAR THAT I HAVE DRIVEN IN THE PAST BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE AN IGNITION TO PUT THE KEY IN. YOU JUST HAVE A BUTTON TO TURN IT ON AND TURN IT OFF. BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFERENT, I WAS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT PUSHING THE BUTTON TO TURN IT OFF. IN ALL OF MY OTHER CARS YOU COULDN'T GET THE KEYS OUT UNLESS YOU HAD IT IN PARK. I HAD MADE THIS MISTAKE A FEW TIMES BUT WAS ALWAYS ON A FLAT AREA-USUALLY IN MY GARAGE. MY SUGGESTION IS THAT YOU HAVE A FEATURE ON THESE PUSH BUTTON VEHICLES THAT WILL SOUND SOME KIND OF ALARM WHEN IT IS TURNED OFF AND NOT IN PARK. MY HEART CRINGES WHEN I THINK THAT I COULD HAVE DONE THIS WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT IN THEIR CAR SEATS. THIS CAR HAS MANY FEATURES AND IS VERY TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED, BUT I STRONGLY FEEL THAT A FEATURE SUCH AS THIS SHOULD BE PLACED ON THESE CARS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER TEST DROVE ANOTHER VEHICLE OF THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL AND THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED IN THE TEST VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,500. UPDATED 04/19/12*LJ

VEHICLE DOE NOT SHOW THE TRUE SPEED OF THE CAR. SPEEDOMETER IS OFF BY 7-8 KMH. @ 100 KMS. VW DOES NOT ACCEPT THAT THERE IS ANY PROBLEM AND WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHARP OBJECT LOCATED NEAR A HANDLE, WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO THE ROOF ON THE INTERIOR, THAT CUT HIS FINGER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED THE CUT ON HIS LEFT INDEX FINGER. THE RENTAL FACILITY WAS NOTIFIED AND REMOVED THE VEHICLE FROM ITS FACILITY. A REPORT ABOUT THE INCIDENT WAS ALSO FILED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE RENTAL FACILITY SINCE THE INCIDENT AND DID NOT KNOW WHETHER THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

RECENTLY I DROVE SEVERAL NEW CARS (THE LATEST BEING THE 2012 PASSAT) AND FOUND ONE COMMON COMPLAINT: THE HEADREST ON THESE CARS ARE TILTED FORWARD WAY TOO MUCH WITH NO ADJUSTMENTS AVAILABLE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT NHTSA REQUIRES VEHICLES HEADRESTS TO BE HIGHER AND CLOSE TO THE HEAD TO REDUCE WHIPLASH INJURIES. HOW DO YOU IMPROVE SAFETY IF IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND A COMFORTABLE DRIVING POSITION? THE NEW HEADREST REGULATION FORCES THE DRIVER TO SLOUCH FORWARD (AND LOOKING DOWN) WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING FATIGUE TO SET QUICKLY. FOR ME, THE ONLY WAY TO FIND A COMFORTABLE POSITION WHILE DRIVING THESE NEW CARS ARE BY RECLINING THE SEAT BACK EXCESSIVELY (SO MY HEAD DON'T TILT FORWARD). THIS, IN MY OPINION, AREN'T SAFE SINCE THIS POSITION REDUCES THE DRIVER'S ALERTNESS. WITH THE ACTIVE HEADREST TECHNOLOGY, WHY CAN'T CAR MANUFACTURER'S SET THE HEADREST AT A NORMAL ANGLE? IN MY OPINION THE NEW HEAD REST REGULATION IS AN EASY AND LAZY WAY TO REDUCE WHIPLASH INJURY WITHOUT PROPER RESEARCH (I.E ONLY BASED ON MEASUREMENTS WITH NO REGARDS TO DRIVER'S COMFORT). *TR

MY 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT S HAS POWER WINDOWS. OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST TWO OR THREE DAYS OF COLD TEMPERATURES (NIGHTS DOWN TO 5 DEGREES F., AND DAYTIME HIGHS IN RANGE OF 25 DEGREES ON 12/3/11; 20 DEGREES ON 12/4, AND 15 DEGREES ON 12/5), MY POWER WINDOWS HAVE NOW "FROZEN UP", AT ALL FOUR DOOR POSITIONS. THE MOTORS OPERATE--WINDOWS MAKE ABOUT A 1/16TH INCH UP OR DOWN MOVEMENT WHEN YOU TRY THE WINDOW SWITCHES, BUT THE WINDOWS ARE "STUCK" IN THE UP POSITION. I HAVE CALLED THE VW DEALER, AND THEY HAVE SAID "THERE MAY BE SOME MOISTURE IN THERE." NO ICE OR SNOW IS VISIBLE NEAR THE WINDOWS OR THE JOINT WHERE THEY ENTER THEIR RESPECTIVE DOORS. COLORADO WEATHER CONDITIONS OF INTERMITTENT COLD, DRY SNOWS HAVE CALLED FOR BRUSHING OFF SNOW ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN AT SEVERAL INTERMITTENT TIMES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS. THE NEIGHBORS ON MY BLOCK IN A RESIDENTIAL SECTION OF DENVER HAVE NUMEROUS CARS WHICH ARE AND HAVE BEEN SIMILARLY PARKED ON THE SAME CURB IN THE SAME WEATHER AND CONDITIONS-- BMW. NISSAN(S), TOYOTA(S), INFINITY, HONDA, OLDER VW, AND NONE OF THEIR CARS HAVE HAD ANY ISSUE. LIKEWISE, MY PREVIOUS CAR, A 2001 VW PASSAT WAS REGULARLY PARKED IN THE SAME SPOT OVER THE YEARS IN MANY SIMILAR WEATHER CIRCUMSTANCES, WITHOUT SUCH A FAILURE. I BELIEVE THIS 2012 VW PASSAT, WHICH IS ALL NEW, AND BUILT IN A NEW US PLANT MAY HAVE UTILIZED SOME TYPE OF INADEQUATE MOTOR SIZE (TOO WEAK TO OVERCOME A SMALL AMOUNT OF FROZEN MOISTURE?) OR POORLY DESIGNED WINDOW RUB