TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,800.
2014 Volkswagen Passat complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2014 record →
PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY, ACCELERATED UPHILL. SUDDEN LOUD WHINE AND LOSS OF POWER. GLOW PLU G LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DROVE BACK TO HOUSE IN LIMP MODE, CALLED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER FOUND BROKEN TURBOCHARGER.
2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE AND HIS WIFE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHEN PREPARING TO PARK. THE FIRST TWO INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE PULLING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY. IN EACH OF THE FIRST TWO INCIDENTS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED WITHOUT APPLICATION TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE THIRD INCIDENT, RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, WHEN HIS WIFE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT. WHEN SHE TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR TO BRAKE AND PARK THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OVER A CURB AND HIT THE WALL OF A BUILDING. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY AND CAUSED OVER $5,000 IN DAMAGE. *JB
MILES ON CAR AT FAILURE: 21,755 CORRECTIVE ACTIONS FROM DEALERSHIP: REPLACED TURBO, GASKETS, REFLASH, CHECK PARTICULATE FILTER AND REPLACE. OUTSIDE AIR TEMPS AT FAILURE:20S 30S FAILURE WARNING SIGNS, IF ANY: TURBO BEGAN MAKING HORRIBLE WHINING SOUND ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON MARCH 8, 2015. CALLED VW 3/9/15 AND TOOK TO DEALER 3/10/15 FOR EMERGENCY APPOINTMENT PRIOR TO 3/12/15 FIRST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATORS EVEN AFTER 3 DAYS OF DRIVING WITH HORRIBLE NOISE. WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH/MFI: NO LIGHTS OR INDICATORS PROBLEMS SINCE REPLACEMENT: NOW AT 25,766 MILES. CHECKED OIL CAP TO CHANGE OIL EVERY 5K INSTEAD OF 10K NOW THAT OUT OF SERVICE CONTRACT AND NOTICED PARTICLES AROUND OIL CAP. GOT MAGNET AND FOUND THAT MANY WERE MAGNETIC. I HAVE VIDEOS OF THE TURBO WHINING BEFORE REPLACEMENT AND THE MAGNETIC PARTICLES IDENTIFIED LAST EVENING. OIL WAS NOT CHANGED AS PART OF TURBO REPLACEMENT NOR WERE THE HIGH PRESSURE LINES TO/FROM TURBO. PRIOR OIL CHANGE AT 19,146 FOR 20K SERVICE. NO PARTICLES AROUND OR IN OIL CAP AFTER THAT SERVICE. TURBO OCCASIONALLY MAKES A DISTANT WHINING NOISE UPON STARTUP BUT STOPS WITHIN A COUPLE OF SECONDS. DID THE DEALERSHIP PERFORM ALL MAINTENANCE AND ON SCHEDULE: YES (2 DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR MAINTENANCE. ONE DID 10K AND TURBO, THE OTHER DID THE 20K). IF NOT DEALERSHIP, WHAT OIL WAS USED/MILES ON OIL: OIL WAS NOT CHANGED AS PART OF THE TURBO FAILURE/REPLACEMENT. OIL LINES WERE NOT REPLACED EITHER. 5W40 WAS USED FOR 20K SERVICE AT VW DEALER PRI
PURCHASED A NEW VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SEPTEMBER 22, 2014. TWO WEEKS LATER OCTOBER 6 I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN ABRUPTLY THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL PRESSED THE GAS THE RPM WENT TO 4 I HAD TO STOP. ANOTHER TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN.I SCHEDULED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT FOR NOVEMBER 17 TH. ON THE 14TH AND 15 TH OF NOVEMBER THE CAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN, HOWEVER ON THE 15 TH IT HAPPENED ON A LOCAL STREET DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MILES/ HOUR. I TOOK THE CAR FOR SERVICE I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE AND MAYBE I HANG MY POCKET BOOK ON THE CHANGER. I WAS ALSO TOLD THE CAR IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. I TOOK THE CAR AND THE SAME NIGHT THE CAR ABRUPTLY SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN . I TOOK THE CAR BACK AND WAS TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR.I EXPLAINED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER I HAVE A CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY HE SAID " GET IT OUT OF YOUR HEAD YOU ARE NOT GETTING A NEW CAR OR YOUR MONEY BACK." I HAVE PARKED THE CAR AND HAVE NOT DRIVEN SINCE NOVEMBER 20TH EXCEPT TO HAVE IT CHECKED BY ANOTHER DEALER TWICE WHO TELLS ME THE CAR IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. I STILL HAVE THE CAR PARKED BECAUSE I CANNOT BE DRIVING SCARED. *TR
DRIVING ON BUSY CITY STREET AT ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN ENGINE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. COASTED TO LEFT HAND TURN LANE WHERE I TRIED TO START VEHICLE AGAIN, BUT IT WOULD CRANK ONCE THEN DIE. VEHICLE WOULD REPEAT TRYING START WITH TURNING OVER IGNITION. AFTER A NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS AND TURNING EVERYTHING OFF, VEHICLE FINALLY RESTARTED. TOO TO VW AND AWAITING RESPONSE. PREVIOUS WEEK, STOPPED AT LIGHT IN D, BUT TRANSMISSION WOULD DID NOT INITIALLY ENGAGE. AFTER MORE THAN A FEW SECONDS TRANSMISSION ENGAGED. WHEN DECELERATING, GENERALLY VERY ROUGH AS YOU GET CLOSE TO STOPPING. *TR
2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION AND REQUESTS A BUY BACK OF VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST STEERING MALFUNCTION OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 8, 2014, WHICH CAUSED HER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN HER AND ANOTHER VEHICLE RUNNING OFF THE ROAD. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE ISSUE WAS DUE TO CORRODED WIRES IN THE STEERING BOX, A COMPUTER UPDATE WAS NEEDED AND IT WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. ON OCTOBER 22, 2014, THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED OCCURRED AGAIN AND SHE ALMOST HIT A PARKED VEHICLE AND A LIGHT POLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RACK AND HARNESS. ON NOVEMBER 6, 2014, THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION AGAIN. HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN ON DECEMBER 18, 2014. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE AMPLIFIER AND RADIO WERE REPLACED. *JB
MY DAUGHTERS 2014 VW PASSAT TDI FAILED ON FRIDAY, 2/27/2015. HER CAR LOST POWER AND WAS MAKING WHIRLING AND CLANKING NOISES. SHE OF COURSE PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF RIGHT AWAY. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT OF ANY KIND, EVEN WHEN I TURNED IT ON BRIEFLY TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. AFTER A VERY BRIEF START, I COULD SEE WHAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT ALONG WITH A VERY STRONG OIL BURNING SMELL. THERE WAS NO OIL LEAKING FROM THE CAR ANYWHERE, BUT I DID NOTICE WHEN I PULLED THE OIL DIP STICK THAT THERE WAS NO OIL. IT APPARENTLY HAD BURNED IT UP. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED DIRECTLY TO DON BEYER VW AND WENT THE NEXT DAY (SHE BROKE DOWN LATE EVENING). WE ASKED THE SERVICE CENTER IF THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE AND THEY SAID NO. HOWEVER, WHEN WE EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED, THEY IMMEDIATELY SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THE TURBO FAILED. INTERESTING THAT I AM FINDING ON THE INTERNET MANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SAME ISSUE SO I DON'T QUITE TRUST THAT WAS THE CASE. WE WERE ALSO INFORMED BY THEM THAT THEY ARE UPGRADING THE TURBO IN THESE VEHICLES AS WELL AS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO 120,000 MILES??? IF THIS IS NOT A COMMON ISSUE, WHY WOULD VW DO THIS... *TR
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A SNOWY COLD MORNING - A DISTANCE OF JUST A COUPLE MILES IN A MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY. THE CAR STARTED TO DECELERATE AS IT CLIMBED A SLIGHT HILL. I DEPRESSED THE FUEL PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION YELLOW WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I TRIED PROCEEDING FORWARD NOTHING HAPPENED. LIMPED IT TO SIDE OF ROAD. CALLED 24/7 VW ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. CAR WAS TOWED TO NEAREST AUTHORIZED DEALER. THEY STATE THE TURBO FAILED. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT THAT SCARED THAT[XXX] OUT MY FAMILY AND ME. VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE AN OUTSIDE SOURCE HIT IT. FIRST THERE WAS NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME AT LEAST FOR 200 METERS. SECOND IT LOOKS LIKE THE GLASS PUSHED OUT FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I ASKED IF THEY HAD ANY PROOF AND TOLD ME THAT THE GLASS WAS PUSHED OUT AND THAT SOMETHING HAD TO HIT IT. THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY HALF THE COST BUT I BELIEVE THEY DON'T WANT TO PAY THE FULL COST BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT ADMIT TO FAULT. IF A SUNROOF JUST DOES NOT EXPLODE, WHY ON YOU TUBE A CAMERA CAUGHT VOLKSWAGEN EXPLODING SUNROOF. VW JUST DOES NOT WANT TO REPORT PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF RECALLS. I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE FROM YOUR AGENCY INVESTIGATE, I HAVE NOT YET ORDERED THEM TIP FIX THE SUNROOF. IT'S AT THE DEALER IN UNION, NJ IF ARE WILLING TO INSPECT. THERE IS NO SCUFF MARK FROM AN OBJECT HITTING IT. I AM 99.9 SURE NOTHING HIT THE SUNROOF. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. NOTHING HIT THE VEHICLE YET VW REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGED SUNROOF. THREE PASSENGERS CAN ATTEST TO THE FACT NOTHING HIT THE VEHICLE AND NOTHING ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SUNROOF. IT SIMPLY SHATTERED. *TR
WHEN DRIVING CAR LOSS OF POWER HAD TOWED TO VW DEALER TURBO FAILURE WITH JUST 9700 MILES. *TR
THE TURBOCHARGER FAILED, CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW TO A CREEP (5 MPH) IN THE MIDST OF OTHER TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT 35 TO 40 MPH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE DIRECTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000. UPDATED 4/6/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE GPS DIRECTED HER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE GPS CONSTANTLY GAVE OUT INCORRECT INFORMATION. UPDATED 07/07/15*JB
CATASTROPHIC TURBO FAILURE AND STATER MOTOR FAILURE. CAUSED BY EXTREME COLD WEATHER START UPS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE GLASS ON THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,300. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
WHEN STEERING THE VEHICLE, WITH MINOR LANE CORRECTION INPUTS, THERE IS A COUNTER FORCE FROM THE VW ELECTROMECHANICAL ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM THAT WILL NOT LET ME TURN THE WHEEL UNLESS I APPLY HARDER PRESSURE. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL FREES UP, IT?S AS IF IT BROKE FREE OF SOME STICKY SUBSTANCE. AT TIMES THIS FORCE HAS BEEN SO HARD THAT THE PASSENGERS WERE JOSTLED IN THE CAR. VW MECHANIC HAS DESCRIBED THE ISSUES AS A DEAD SPOT IN THE STEERING.. THE ISSUE OCCURS UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS; 1) ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH RELATIVELY MINOR CAMBER ANGLES. 2) ON NEW VERY SMOOTH DRY PAYMENT ? IMPORTANT - DOES NOT OCCUR ON ROUGHER NEWER PAVEMENT. 3) SET SPEED CONTROL AT 64 MPH - OCCURS AT HIGHER SPEEDS AS WELL. HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE UNDER 60 MPH. 4) OCCURS IN ALL LANES BUT I DRIVE MOSTLY IN THE RIGHT LANE. 5) IN A STRAIGHT LINE RUN OF 1/8 OF A MILE OR SO WHERE THE STEERING ANGLE IS CENTER-LINED. 6) TURN THE WHEEL WITH MINOR DRIVER STEERING INPUTS/ANGLES TO STAY IN THE LANE - NOT TRYING TO CHANGE LANES. VW TRIED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE WITH A SOFTWARE FIX. IT DIDN'T WORK. THEY NOW SAY THE CAR IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. *TR
2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO TURN OFF AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO ACTIVATE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JUMP A CURB AND RUN OFF THE ROAD, INJURING THE CONSUMERS WIFE. *TA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE COMPRESSOR WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPRESSOR FAILED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY A WEEK I REALIZED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A SLIGHT INCONVENIENCE TURNS OUT TO BE A MAJOR VISIBILITY ISSUE. I HAD NOTICED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THAT IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC THE INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR CAUSES BLIND SPOTS. AT FIRST I NOTICED THAT THIS WAS BLOCKING THE UPPER SECTIONS OF MOST SEDAN TYPE VEHICLES. HOWEVER ON THE DATE IN QUESTION I WAS IN MAJOR TRAFFIC THERE WAS A DELIVERY TRUCK WITH A HIGHER ROAD CLEARANCE. THIS VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING LEFT INTO MY LANE. THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS BLOCKING MY ABILITY TO SEE THE TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS ON THE REAR OF THE DELIVERY TRUCK. AFTER NOTICING THIS ISSUE I TOOK GREATER CONCERN WHEN DRIVING AND LOOKING AT THE VISIBILITY. THEN ON THE 27TH WHILE DRIVING TO A LOCAL PARK THE INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR ONLY ALLOWED ME TO SEE ABOUT A SMALL PORTION OF THEIR LOWER TORSO. THE CYCLIST WAS IN THE BIKE LANE JUST OFF MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. THIS WAS STILL THE ISSUE WHEN THE CYCLIST WAS SLIGHTLY AHEAD OF MY CAR. IF THE CYCLIST HAD SIGNALED HE WAS MERGING INTO MY LANE FOR THE UPCOMING INTERSECTION I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THE HAND SIGNAL. LUCKILY BECAUSE I KNOW THERE IS A BLIND SPOT BASICALLY IN FRONT MY CAR I WAS ABLE TO AVOID ANY INCIDENT. THESE ISSUES WOULD NORMALLY NOT BE AN ISSUE AS MOST REAR VIEW MIRRORS HAVE BOTH THE ABILITY TO TILT (UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT) HOWEVER ALSO CAN BE MOVED AROUND TWO INCHES UPWARD, DOWNWARD , LEFT AND RIGHT
TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON INTERSTATE #10 AT CIRCA AZ MILEPOST 180 THE CAR WITHOUT ANY WARNING SUDDENLY SLOWED FROM 75 TO 40 MPH AND THE RPM WENT INTO THE RED LINE ZONE <6000 RPM. THE SENSATION WITHIN THE CAR WAS AS IF THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED IN A FULL PANIC STOP. SINCE THE WERE NO BRAKE LIGHTS ACTIVATED OR OTHER INDICATION TO FAST MOVING MOTORISTS, I ONLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT (BEING PLOWED INTO FROM BEHIND) BY PULLING OFF ON TO THE SHOULDER. ANY HESITATION ON MY PART OR HAD I BEEN IN A MIDDLE LANE WOULD LIKELY HAVE RESULTED IN A MULTI CAR/TRUCK PILE UP. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS VEHICLE FAILURE. ONCE ON THE SHOULDER I CONSULTED THE OWNERS MANUAL. THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATED DSG (DIREKT-SCHALT-GETRIEBE, I.E. THE TRANSMISSION) OVERHEATED. THE MANUAL SAID TO LET THE TRANSMISSION COOL DOWN BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. IN ALL IT WAS OVER 6 HOURS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS GIVEN TO COOL DOWN TO NO EFFECT. (THIS INCLUDES THE TIME I WAITED THEN AFTER I CALLED FOR A TOW, WAITED ON THE TOW, AND WAS TOWED 140 MILES TO TUCSON) THE PROBLEM DID NOT RESOLVE. IT WAS LEFT LATE THAT NIGHT AT A VW DEALER IN TUCSON. LATE THE FOLLOWING AFTERNOON THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION, THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO COME FROM GERMANY AND NOT BE AVAILABLE TO INSTALL FOR 7-10 DAYS. GERMANY? THE CAR WAS PURPORTED TO HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED IN KENTUCKY. THIS, ON A CAR I HAVE OWNED FOR ONLY 90 DAYS WITH ONLY 7000 MILES! THIS IS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THAT CO
THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SHUTTING OFF WITHOUT NOTICE AND STALLING. CALLED THE VW DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US TO DROP IT OFF. ON SEPTEMBER 5TH, 2014 VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF GOT SEVERAL CALLS STATING THAT THE TECHNICIAN COULDN'T DUPLICATE THEM PROBLEM, FINALLY WE RECEIVED A VOICE MESSAGE THE TECH WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE. VEHICLE WAS GIVEN BACK TO US ON SEPTEMBER13, 2014, STATING IT WAS THE CRANK SENSOR THAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME DROVE AROUND THE WEEKEND AND ITS BEGAN TO STALL AGAIN. ON SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2014 DRIVING TO MY DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL ON THE I-15 FREEWAY PASSING A SEMI-TRUCK THE VEHICLE SHUTS OF COMPLETELY, STEERING WHEEL GETS HARD NO CONTROL, NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE. I PUSHED THE HANDLE TO NEUTRAL START THE CAR AGAIN AND SLAM THE HANDLE TO DRIVE. CAR STARTED RIGHT UP PULLED TO THE SIDE AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. DROVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE FREEWAY WITH HAZARD LIGHTS, DROPPED MY DAUGHTER OF AT SCHOOL AND DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. TOLD THE SERVICE TECH, I TRUSTED YOUR TECH'S HAD FIXED THIS PROBLEM, MY DAUGHTER AND I COULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER AND THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF WITH NO NOTICE! CALLED THE VW CORPORATE NO ONE IS WILLING TO HELP OR LISTEN. TOLD [XXX] IN VW CORP THAT WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THIS UNSAFE CAR, SHE REPLIED" YOU COULD GET KILLED CROSSING THE STREET OR IN ANOTHER VEHICLE DON'T BLAME IT ON VW CARS. NO CONCERN WITH OUR SAFETY. THE VEHICLE IS READY TO BE PICKED UP THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE HARNESS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,400.
MY 2014 PASSAT TDI VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT ...ON HIGHWAY, IN RIGHT LANE, WILL MOVE RIGHT OFF THE ROAD IN LESS THAN 7 SECONDS IF HANDS ARE NOT ON THE WHEEL. DEALER MADE SOME IMPROVEMENTS ....IE BEFORE IT WOULD RUN OFF THE ROAD IN LESS THAN 3 SECONDS. VW FIELD REPRESENTATION CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL EFFECT OF ROAD CROWN AND REFUSES TO CORRECT THE CONDITION. I DROVE A PASSAT ( NON DIESEL ) THAT DROVE FINE... I DROVE A 2015 PASSAT DIESEL THAT WAS BETTER BUT STILL HAD EXCESSIVE PULL FROM ROAD CROWN. I'M CONSTANTLY FIGHTING THE VEHICLE TO STAY ON THE HIGHWAY....ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING IN THE RIGHT LANE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME .....VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY ON THE ROAD! *TR
SINCE PURCHASED WE HAVE FOUND THE RNS-510 RADIO NAVIGATION ASYSTEM TO BE A DANGEROUS ITEM THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. THEIR TECH TIPS NUMBER, TT 91-13-01 DATED 2/8/2013, UPDATED ON 5/9/2014 BASICALLY TELLS THE CAR OWNER TO JUST LIVE WITH IT. I THINK NOT SINCE IT IS DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING. IN SPEAKING WITH VW TECHS AT A NUMBER OF DEALERSHIPS I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS SYSTEM IS , "CRAP', "SUCKS", " IS UNDERPOWERED", "HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS INTRODUCED", "IS A PAIN IN THE [XXX]", "WILL NEVER WORK RIGHT BECAUSE IT IS UNDERPOWERED". MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF CONCERNS WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED RADIO NAVIGATION SYSTEM. WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND WAITING FROM 3-7 SECONDS THE REARVIEW CAMERA SHOWS A PICTURE.WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE THE REARVIEW CAMERA STAYS ON THE SCREEN FOR AROUND 8-9 SECONDS. MY WIFE HAS FOUND THIS DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS IN MOVING FORWARD BUT HAVING A REAR VIEW STILL VISIBLE ON THE SCREEN TAKING THE DRIVERS ATTENTION FROM CONCENTRATING ON THE ROAD AHEAD. THE RADIO TOUCH SCREEN IS ALSO A PROBLEM THAT AT TIMES REQUIRES MULTIPLE TOUCHES TO GET A CHANNEL CHANGE, AGAIN A DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVE. NOW THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM IN THIS UNIT ALSO IS A PAIN. WHEN MY WIFE WOULD USE THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM THE MAP WOULD FREEZE UP ON THE ORIGINAL STREETS AND NOT PROGRESS AS SHE WENT FORWARD. I TRIED ALL OF THESE THINGS AND AGREE COMPLETELY. THIS UNIT IS GARBAGE THAT IS A BIG DISTRACTION THAT VW HAS KNOWN ABOUT SINCE THE
AS I TRIED TO POSITION MYSELF TO ENTER A PARKING LOT. I CHANGED GEAR TO REVERSE, TO BACK UP. I SWITCHED GEAR AGAIN TO DRIVE. I PROCEED TO THE LOT AND THAT'S WHEN THE CAR MOVED AT A VERY HIGH SPEED. I HIT THE BRAKE, BUT HAD BREAK FAILURE . I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR, IN THE PROCESS (7) OTHER CARS WERE HIT... UNTIL THE CAR WAS STOPPED BY ANOTHER CAR THAT WAS HIT.
THE LAMP FOR SIDELIGHTS FRONT RIGHT WAS DEFECT. *TR
WAS ENTERING THE 241 TOLL ROAD AT PORTOLA RD. IN LAKE FOREST. HAVE JUST COME TO SPEED THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE ENGINE AND ALL ELECTRONIC CAME TO AN INSTANT STOP. I WAS ABLE IN THIS CASE TO ROLL TO THE SHOULDER, HOWEVER, HAD THIS HAPPENED IN ANOTHER PLACE AT ANOTHER TIME I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. IT WAS BAD ENOUGH AT IT WAS. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN. *TR
WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND SLOWING DOWN, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN,COULD NOT STEER AS STEERING WHEEL LOCKED,LOST ALL POWER, COULD NOT APPLY BRAKES AS THEY DID NOT WORK, THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED A 1/2 HOUR LATER COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, CALLED THE VW NATIONAL NUMBER, EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED AND HOW DANGEROUS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN IF IT HAPPENED AT FASTER SPEEDS, THEY DID NOT SEEM OVERLY CONCERNED, TOLD ME TO TOW IT TO THE NEAREST VW DEALER FOR SERVICE, THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN TAKING IT BACK FROM THE DEALER, WHAT DO I DO? *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON THE NORTHERN STATE PARKWAY GOING EAST AROUND 8 AM. THERE WAS CONSTRUCTION ALONGSIDE THE ROAD, AS WELL AS MANY POTHOLES. AS I WAS EXITING FOR THE LIE, THERE WAS A BIG POTHOLE THAT I COULD NOT AVOID. I HIT THE POTHOLE AND MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WENT FROM THE "ON" POSITION TO "ACCESSORY" OR IN BASIC TERMS IT SHUT OFF CAUSING A LOSS IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND DRIVE IT NORMALLY. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON THE NORTHERN STATE PARKWAY GOING EAST AROUND 8 AM. THERE WAS CONSTRUCTION ALONGSIDE THE ROAD, AS WELL AS MANY POTHOLES. AS I WAS EXITING FOR THE LIE, THERE WAS A BIG POTHOLE THAT I COULD NOT AVOID. I HIT THE POTHOLE AND MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *JS
TURBOCHARGER FAILURE ON A TDI ENGINE. ENGINE DIED WITH VEHICLE TRAVELING IN THE LEFT-MOST LANE OF 3 LANE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. RESULTED IN VEHICLE STRANDED IN EMERGENCY LANE AWAITING A TOW. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI SEL ON 03-31-2014. I WAS DRIVING IT HOME WHEN I WENT THROUGH A FREEWAY INTERCHANGE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE ROAD WAS DRY AND OTHER VEHICLES WERE GOING THROUGH THE INTERCHANGE AT A SPEED FASTER THAN ME. THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) APPLIED THE BRAKES IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT TRIED TO STRAIGHT MY VEHICLE OUT INTO THE TURN, CAUSING ME TO NEARLY HIT THE GUARD RAIL. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE VW DEALER THE NEXT MORNING AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE ESC ISSUE AND THE FACT THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT (ALIGNMENT ISSUE). THEY CHECKED IT AND FOUND NOTHING AND EVEN SAID THE ALIGNMENT WAS FINE. THEY SAID THE ESC SOUNDED NORMAL TO THEM. I'VE BEEN DRIVING THE SAME ROADS FOR 20 YEARS AND I KNEW THIS WASN'T NORMAL. I MADE VIDEOS OF THE ESC CAR SLOWING ME DOWN BELOW HIGHWAY SPEEDS AROUND SWEEPING CORNERS. I WAS TAKING MY DAUGHTER HOME ONE DAY AND A FORD EXPLORER NEARLY REAR ENDED ME. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES, DURING WHICH THEY CORRECTED THE ALIGNMENT AND FIXED A TRIM PANEL THAT WAS FALLING DOWN. THE ESC THEY MAINTAIN IS WORKING PERFECTLY. THE FUNNY THING IS I ALSO HAVE A 2014 VW JETTA TDI THAT NEVER ENGAGES THE ESC, THOUGH IS EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME SYSTEM. I DROVE A 2014 VW CC AS A LOANER AND THE ESC NEVER ENGAGED. THIS SYSTEM IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE IF VW IS ALLOWED TO TELL CONSUMERS THERE ISN'T A PROBLEM WITH THEIR PROGRAMMING OR HARDWARE. *TR
THE CAR TENDS TO HAVE JERKING MOVEMENTS DURING SLOW TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. THE CAR WILL NOT STOP SMOOTHLY AND GIVES WHIP LASHES AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKES PEDAL TWICE TO ENSURE THE CAR STOPS. THE DSG SYSTEM FAILS TO ENGAGE SMOOTHLY WHILE IN AUTOMATIC BUT RUNS SMOOTHLY WHILE IN "SPORT" MODE. WE HAVE ALMOST REAR ENDED SEVERAL CARS WHILE DRIVING IN AUTOMATIC DUE TO THE JERKY DSG GEAR SHIFTING AND POOR RESPONSE TIME IN THE BRAKING SYSTEMS WHILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. A VW SALES PERSON INFORMED ME YESTERDAY THAT THE CAR IS DESIGNED FOR FULL TIME "SPORT" MODE ON OPEN HIGHWAYS. THIS IS NOT REALISTIC AS LARGE CITIES NATURALLY HAVE HORRIFIC TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. I FEAR THAT THIS DSG SYSTEM WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS OR EVEN DEATHS DUE TO THE "JERKY" RESPONSE IN AUTOMATIC MODE. I HAVE CONTACTED VW CORPORATE AND LOCAL DEALERSHIPS TO CHECK THE CAR BUT THE DEALERSHIP MAINTAINS THE CAR IS WORKING AS IT WAS DESIGNED. THIS IS A NEW CAR AND THE FIRST CAR I FEARED DRIVING. *TR
I RENTED A 4 DOOR VW PASSAT (LICENSE PLATE[XXX]; MVA #[XXX]) FROM AVIS AT THE BATON ROUGE AIRPORT ON TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014. TODAY, APRIL 11, 2014, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FROM NEW ORLEANS TO BATON ROUGE MY CAR ACCELERATED TO 80 MILES AND STAYED AT THAT RATE (WITHOUT ME HAVING MY FOOT ON THE GAS), APPROXIMATELY 7 OR 8 TIMES. MY SPEED DID NOT GO DOWN UNLESS I PRESSED ON THE BREAKS, SIMILAR TO WHAT OCCURS WHEN SOMEONE ENGAGES CRUISE CONTROL (BUT I HAD NOT ENGAGED CRUISE CONTROL). ALTHOUGH THIS ISSUE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, I COULD NOT POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE MOVEMENTS NECESSARY TO RECREATE THE EFFECT. HOWEVER, I DO KNOW THAT IT OCCURRED AT LEAST SOME OF THE TIMES (AND POSSIBLY EVERY TIME) WHEN I WAS ACCELERATING TO PASS A CAR *AND* MOVED TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE. TOWARDS THE END OF MY DRIVE I MADE SURE TO ONLY BE TOUCHING THE STEERING WHEEL AT THE BOTTOM, THEREFORE IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE THAT I ACCIDENTALLY ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL VIA ANY OF THE SIDE LEVERS, AND ON MY MODEL THE ONLY BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL ITSELF WERE FOR RADIO VOLUME AND STATION. I DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT, BUT I COULD IMAGINE DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES HAD THIS ISSUE ARISEN DURING DENSER TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40MPH WHEN A CAR TRIED TO MERGE INTO MY LANE. I TRIED TO BLOW THE HORN AND THE HORN FAILED TO WORK. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BUT NOT AT A POINT WHERE I HAVE BEEN THIS CLOSE TO BEING CRASHED INTO. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CHANGE TRACK AND VOLUME BUTTONS DO NOT WORK, AS WELL AS THE HANDS FREE CALLING BUTTON. IT'S LIKE THE WHOLE STEERING WHEEL GOES DEAD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS SLOW TO START UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND WOULD ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT WHEN TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT CENTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT AN ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED. THE DEALER REPLACED FOUR TIRES BUT THE FAILURE STILL RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS THEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7.
WHILE GOING AROUND A RIGHT CORNER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A DRY DAY AND OTHER VEHICLES GOING MUCH FASTER THAN MY VEHICLE. THE CAR APPLIED THE BRAKES IN AN AGGRESSIVE MANNER IN THE OPPOSING DIRECTION OF THE TURN AS IF IT WANTED ME TO GO STRAIGHT I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE IN THE LEFT LANE. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN ABOUT THE ISSUE. I FIRST BROUGHT THE CAR IN ON 1/13/14 AND WAS TOLD NO MALFUNCTIONS FOUND. I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN ON 2/15/14 AND WAS TOLD VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN ON 3/14/14 TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP AND THIS TIME THEY FOUND THAT THE TIRES WERE SET AT 41.5 PSI. THE RECOMMEND PRESSURE IS 30PSI. I WAS TOLD THAT WITH HIGHER PSI THE WHEELS WOULD BOUNCE AND COULD LOOSE TRACTION. I NEVER HAD TO A AIR TO ANY OF MY TIRES SINCE PURCHASE. DURING THESE OCCASION MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR A NUMBER OF REASON ALONG WITH A SQUEAKING SUSPENSION AND BACKUP CAMERA ISSUES AND AT NOT TIME NO ONE NOTICED THE ADDITIONAL 11 PSI. AFTER DRIVING FOR A WEEK IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN ON 3/21/14 EVEN AFTER THE TIRE PRESSURE ADJUSTMENT. I AM SCHEDULE TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER 3/27/14. ALL THIS TIME I'M LEFT TO DRIVE THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE BECAUSE VOLKSWAGEN WANTS TO TRY AGAIN AND FIX THE PROBLEMS WITHOUT GIVING ME A LOANER TO AVOID THE LEMON LAW OF 30 OUT OF USE IN MARYLAND. SO FAR IT'S BEEN 20DAYS OUT OF USE BECAUSE OF THE REPAIRS. *TR
TURBOCHARGER FAILED. STARTED MAKING NOISES, THEN POWER LOSSES, THEN DASHBOARD LIGHTS. BY THE TIME I GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED TURBOCHARGER FAILURE DUE TO 'INTERNAL MALFUNCTION' AND STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY DRIVING STYLE, EXTERNAL FACTORS. *TR
WHENEVER OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE REACHES BELOW 20 DEGREES F THE DRIVER SIDE LOCK FREEZES MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THIS DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, AS THE ONLY MEANS OF ENTRY AND EGRESS IS THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, SUBMERGING IN WATER, FIRE, OR OTHER TYPE INCIDENT, THERE IS SIGNIFICANT RISK, SHOULD THE DRIVER NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CALLED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARE ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS (CASE NUMBERS ARE DOCUMENTED, CALLS RECORDED), ONLY TO BE REASSURED THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER CALLS REGARDING THIS. THE SOLUTION (HELP) THAT THEY OFFER IS TO HAVE ME BRING THE VEHICLE TO MY DEALERSHIP WHEN THE LOCK IS FROZE, SO THE DEALER CAN SEE THE LOCK WHEN IT IS IN THIS CONDITION. IN ESSENCE, THEY ARE ASKING ME TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THEY MANUFACTURED WITH A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN TO MY DEALERSHIP WHEN IT IS THE MOST UNSAFE TO DRIVE. SHOULD I OR ANYONE ELSE HAVE A NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE LOCK IS FROZEN, THERE IS NO WAY TO DO THIS. THIS POSES AN IMMINENT HEALTH THREAT, AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF LIFE OR LIMB. AS I STARTED INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE FOUND COUNTLESS WEBSITES AND FORUMS THAT ADDRESS THIS SAME CONCERN WITH DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FREEZING ON VOLKSWAGEN PRODUCTS, TO THE EXTENT THAT IT REALLY MAKES ME WONDER WHY OUR GOVERNMENT IS NOT ENTRENCHED IN THIS ISSUE. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RESPONSE TO THIS CONCERN THAT I RAISE. IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD ABOUT THIS ISSUE PRIOR TO MY WRITING, PLEASE CONSIDER THIS A
EXITING INTERSTATE AND MERGING ONTO STATE ROUTE, VEHICLE LOST POWER, COULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED IN TRAFFIC. TOWED TO DEALER NEXT DAY, FOUND TURBOCHARGER HAD FAILED WITH NO WARNING. *TR
PURCHASED 2014 FULLY LOADED PASSAT ON 10/26/13, SAFETY ISSUE WITH CAR DUE TO MY 1.5 HR DAILY COMMUTE. EXTREMELY POOR QUALITY WHEN USING BLUETOOTH THROUGH CARE STEREO, NOT RECOGNIZING NAMES ON IPHONE 4S CAUSING DRIVER TO REMOVE EYES FROM ROAD TO LOOK UP NUMBER WHICH IS A MAJOR DISTRACTION ESPECIALLY DURING NIGHT DRIVING. *TR
VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT CONTROL SPEED DOWNHILL WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS SET. VEHICLE SPEED KEEPS INCREASING WHILE GOING DOWNHILL. *TR
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
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