2000 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

Side airbag deployed for no reason while driving straight at the speed limit of 75 mph. The local VW dealer determined the side impact sensor is defective. This is a very interesting situation because a fail safe exists in these systems in that the supplemental restraint control module in the center of the car must simultaneously "see" a side impact g force in order to deploy the side air bag. In other words even with a defective side impact sensor The side air bag should not have deployed. At the time of the incident the vehicle was travelling straight ahead next to a semi truck. No such impact occurred and the VW dealer confirmed the vehicle has no evidence of such an impact. I had this investigated by Volkswagen AG and my local dealer. Suffered broken teeth, bruised ribs, hearing loss in left ear.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER BEING PARKED OVERNIGHT, HE NOTICED A FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS HALF EMPTY AFTER BEING REFILLED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAM IN THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL LEAK. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, SMOKE BILLOWED FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY LEAVE THE ROADWAY, THE HOOD WAS RAISED AND FLAMES APPEARED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED AND REMAINED AT THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING AND THE "EMISSIONS WORK" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED SOMETIMES DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E007000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WE STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE IN THE CABIN. WE PULLED OVER AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD. A FUEL LINE ATTACHED TO THE FIREWALL HAD A LEAK DIRECTLY ABOVE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, AND WAS SPRAYING GASOLINE EVERYWHERE IN THE ENGINE BAY, INCLUDING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND EXHAUST SYSTEM. WE WERE INFORMED BY TOW TRUCK DRIVER THAT WE WERE INCREDIBLY LUCKY NO FIRE GOT STARTED IN THE ENGINE BAY WHILE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. UPDATED 11/01/16*LJ

PROBLEMAS ELCTRICOS

MY HUSBAND PICKUP WOULD NOT START, SO I LIFT MY HOOD OF MY PASSAT TO GIVE HIM A JUMP AND THE WHOLE SECTION ALL THE WAY ACROSS THAT HOLDS THE BATTERY HAVE AT LEAST 6 INCHES OF WATER JUST STANDING IN THERE. WE HAVE HAD SOME DOWN POURS OF RAIN,BUT RAIN WATER SHOULD NEVER BE STANDING ON THE INSIDE OF MY HOOD. THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY KILLED ME IF I NEVER HAD TO LIFT MY HOOD AND TRY TO DRIVE THIS WITH WATER STANDING AROUND ALL OF MY ELECTRICAL WIRES AND BATTERY. I HAVE TAKEN TWO PICTURES FOR VISIBILITY, BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW I AM GOING TO GET THAT WATER OUT WITHOUT ELECTROCUTING MYSELF. SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME.

AS WITH SIMILAR REPORTS THE CAR WAS DRIVEN THEN SAT FOR 24HRS, WHEN IT WAS STARTED AGAIN A STRONG GAS SMELL WAS NOTICED AND A PUDDLE OF GAS WAS FOUND UNDER THE PASSENGER REAR PANEL. IMMEDIATELY TOOK TO REPAIR STATION WHERE THEY COULD NOT FIND A LEAK. THEY FILLED THE TANK WITH GAS AND LEFT IT TO SIT OVERNIGHT AND UNDER PRESSURE. NO LEAK. 3 WEEKS HAVE PASSED WITH TYPICAL DRIVING, NOT EXCESSIVE USE AND NO LEAKS UNTIL TODAY SEPTEMBER 5TH 2014. STARTED THE CAR UP AND BACKED UP TO FIND A GAS PUDDLE AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LIFTED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FRACTURED AND THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

IN APPROXIMATELY JULY OF 2014 MY VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STARTED EXPERIENCING ON AND OFF AGAIN PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE FIRING. I HAD RECENTLY RETIRED AND WAS NOT DRIVING THE CAR DAILY, AND SO I WAS UNABLE TO ASSOCIATE THE PROBLEM WITH ANY RECENT DRIVING EVENT. HOWEVER, ONE MORNING WHEN THE HESITATION WAS VERY PRONOUNCED I POPPED THE HOOD TO HAVE A LOOK. WATER WAS STANDING ALMOST LEVEL WITH THE TOP OF THE BATTERY IN THE AREA HOUSING THAT PART. I USED MY INDOOR/OUTDOOR VACUUM TO PUMP OUT AS MUCH WATER AS POSSIBLE. WHEN I THOUGHT THE AREA WAS THOROUGHLY DRIED OUT I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. HE DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO DETERMINE THAT DRAINAGE HOLES ON BOTH SIDES UNDER THE HOOD WERE CLOGGED. HE WAS ABLE TO UNCLOG THE HOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IMMEDIATELY, BUT THE HOLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS LOCATED BENEATH PARTS THAT HAVE TO BE MOVED FOR ACCESS. I RECALLED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE YEARS WHEN I WAS CERTAIN I WAS HEARING THE SOUND OF WATER SLOSHING AROUND UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD ASKED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AT TIME OF SERVICE FOR THE SOUND TO BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER. I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THE SAME THING: THERE WAS NOTHING TO EXPLAIN THE SOUND I WAS HEARING. I NOW BELIEVE THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM OVER THE YEARS I'VE OWNED THE CAR, AND MIGHT HAVE IMPACTED MORE THAN JUST THE BATTERY AT ANY TIME. I THOUGHT THERE SHOULD BE MORE THAN ONE REPORT OF THIS PROBLEM ON FILE.

I HAVE HAD MY 2000 VW PASSAT SINCE 2006 AND HAVE HAD ONLY REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR UNITL ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO. I WAS DRIVING ON 95 IN FORT LAUDERDALE, FL MOVING AT ABOUT 65-70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, POWER STEERING WAS GONE AND PUSHING BRAKES TOOK ALL I HAD TO TRY AND SAFELY STEER AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP CROSSING OVER 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE BREAK-DOWN LANE. ONCE I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. ASIDE FROM THE ENGINE, STEERING AND BRAKES ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS WERE OR AT LEAST SEEMED TO STILL BE WORKING (IE: DASH LIGHTS, RADIO, WINDOWS) THE VEHICLE DID THIS 4 MORE TIMES WHILE I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE TO THE NEAREST EXIT AND CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. I TESTED ALL THE FUSES AND THEY ALL WERE IN WORKING ORDER AND THE NEXT SET OF SYMPTOMS OCCURRED A WEEK LATER. I WAS TRYING TO UNLOCK THE CAR WITH THE REMOTE AND THERE WAS NOT CONNECTION BEING MADE BETWEEN THE KEY AND THE CAR, I MANUALLY UNLOCKED THE DOORS AND PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE ENGINE DIDNT START OR EVEN ATTEMPT TO TURN OVER. ALL DASH LIGHTS WERE ON AS WELL AS THE RADIO, HOWEVER, I HAD LOST THE POWER WINDOWS, LOCKS, TRUNK, GAS LID AND ALL INTERIOR LIGHT FUNCTIONS. I CURRENTLY HAVE THE VEHICLE BEING LOOKED AT AND HOPE TO GIVE AN UPDATE WHEN I FIND OUT THE ISSUE. UPDATED 12/1/2014 *JS

I KEPT NOTICING A SMELL OF GASOLINE. ONE MORNING WHEN I BACKED UP AND LOOKED FORWARD THERE WAS A PUDDLE. I GOT OUT, BENT DOWN AND SMELLED IT. IT WAS GAS. I BACKED UP A LITTLE MORE AND THERE WAS ANOTHER SMALL PUDDLE. IT ALSO WAS GAS. WHEN I FIRST SAW THE PUDDLES OF GAS I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS AND THAT ANY RECALL THAT WAS ON MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN COMPLETE (NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL LEAK). JUST THIS PAST WEEK (5/2/15) I NOTICED THE SAME SMELL. THIS TIME I COULD ACTUALLY SEE THE FUEL LEAKING FROM THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE AND I FILMED IT ON MY CELL.

A RAINY NIGHT, 10:30 PM., ON THE FREEWAY RETURNING HOME FROM A SYMPHONY CONCERT, THE ENGINE SIMPLY QUIT. I, HUSBAND/DRIVER, TRIED THREE TIME TO RESTART IT BEFORE YELLING TO MY WIFE TO TURN ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS WHICH SHE DID. AS WE SLOWED, I REMEMBER SEEING ALL ICONS ON DASH BLINKING. BOTH OF US WERE KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND DO NOT REMEMBER BEING HIT BY THE CAR BEHIND. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INJURIES SUSTAINED: A CONTUSION AND MINOR WHIPLASH BY HUSBAND; FRACTURED C-7 AND T-1 VERTEBRATES AND CONCUSSION BY MY WIFE. SHE HAS BEEN IN A NECK-TO-WAIST BRACE FROM NOV. 10, 2013 UNTIL PRESENT. WE ALWAYS MAINTAINED OUR PASSAT SCRUPULOUSLY ACCORDING TO VW STANDARDS AT THEIR SERVICE CENTERS BY THEIR TRAINED MECHANICS. ONE MONTH EARLIER WE HAD BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO BE CHECKED BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT WOULD NOT START AFTER DRIVING IT SOMEPLACE. TWICE HAD TO WAIT FOR AAA TOWING. AAA ABLE TO START IT RIGHT UP AS THOUGH NOTHING WAS WRONG. VW RAN "FAULT CODES" BUT FOUND NO PROBLEM.WE BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY AT VW'S SUGGESTION. SOMETHING WENT HORRIBLY WRONG WITH OUR CAR INSPITE OF OUR RESPONSIBLE MAINTENANCE. WE WERE EXTREMELY LUCKY NOT TO BE KILLED. WE WISH TO KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHER CASES LIKE OURS. AT THE VERY LEAST, WE WANT OTHERS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS POSSIBLE DANGER. I WILL APPRECIATE YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THIS REPORT. *TR

INTERMITTENT WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR:ABS,BRAKE,STOP,BRAKE FAULT ON DASH WARNING AREA. STOPPED AT LOCAL REPAIR CENTER,COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM ON ROAD TEST.UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM WITH ABS CONTROL MODULE.,MUST BE DONE ONLY AT VW DEALERSHIP. DROVE WITHOUT WARNING COMING ON BUT HAPPENED 3 OR SO HOURS LATER. HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM..NHTSA ID NUMBER 10016037 SERVICE BULLETIN NOTED A WARRANTY REPAIR PROCESS FOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM(ABS) CONTROL MODULE FOR THIS YEAR OF MY PASSAT AND MANY OTHER YEARS BEFORE AND AFTER AS WELL AS OTHER VW MODELS. VOLKSWAGEN SAID MY VIN # WAS NOT AMONG THE REPAIR CAMPAIGNS.IS THIS A CONCERN ESPECIALLY FOR YOUR ABS CONTROL THAT ALL VEHICLES BE CHECKED AND REPAIRED AS A SAFETY ISSUE? *TR

WHEN MY CAR HAS A PROBLEM THERE IS A SCREEN THAT WILL TELL YOU WHAT IS WRONG. WHEN IT GETS MORE THAN 65 DEGREES OUTSIDE THE SCREEN QUITS WORKING, IT GOES BLANK. FIRST TIME I HAD PROBLEMS MY CAR WAS OVER HEATING, IT WAS BEEPING AT ME. I COULDN'T MAKE OUT WHAT IT WAS SAYING ON THE SCREEN. I HAD TO PULL OVER CUFF MY HANDS AROUND THE SCREEN TO SEE STOP OVER HEATING. I LOOKED AT MY DASH SAW THAT IT WAS OVER HEATING. THAT HAPPENED TWICE OFF AN ON WITH IN A FEW WEEKS. MY DAD AN I FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH OVER HEATING. ANOTHER TIME WAS JUST RECENT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AN ONCE AGAIN COULDN'T READ THE SCREEN. I CUFFED MY HANDS AN WAS ABLE TO SEE EMISSION CHECK. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ME BUT WHEN MY CAR OVER HEATED I USED GOOGLE TO SEARCH THIS SCREEN PROBLEM. TO CHECK TO SEE IF IT WAS ON RECALL OR ANYTHING,THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE.THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM I THINK VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD PAY THE $400 IT TAKES TO REPLACE IT. THIS IS THEIR PRODUCT THAT IS DEFECTED! WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR PROBLEM, SOME POINT THE LACK OF THIS WORKING COULD HURT SOMEONE. I'M WRITING TO MAKE SURE THIS GETS FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. *TR

MY 2000 VW PASSAT GLS WAGON BEGAN EXHIBITING A FLASHING/BEEPING RED BRAKE LIGHT ACCOMPANIED BY A SOLID YELLOW ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TO INDICATE A FAILURE IN THE ABS SYSTEM. ALSO AT THIS TIME THE INFORMATION HUD HAS "STOP, BRAKE FAULT, SERVICE MANUAL" FLASHING. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE, IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS FAILURE IS FAIRLY COMMON ON 1998-2001 PASSATS, BUT NO ACTION HAS EVER BEEN TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER. I INTEND TO HAVE THE ABS MODULE REBUILT AND DO THE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION WORK MYSELF; THE RESULT SHOULD BE AROUND $220 OUT OF POCKET. HOWEVER, MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOUGHT DEALERSHIP SERVICE WORK FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM HAVE SPENT WELL IN EXCESS OF $1,000. GIVEN THE APPARENT FAILURE RATE OF THIS MODULE AND THE FACT THAT IT IS A CORE SAFETY FEATURE OF THE CAR, IT IS MY OPINION THAT IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR RECALL (INCLUDING COMPENSATION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY MADE THE REPAIR). THANK YOU. *TR

I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS 00 VW PASSAT . THIS CAR HAS BEEN A GREAT RUNNING AND DRIVING CAR. I BOUGHT IT IN FEB 10 2012 . ON SEPT 17 2012 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS CAR TO MY SONS FOOTBALL GAME WITH MY MOTHER IN LAW. SHE WAS GOING ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN IT SHUTTERED AND SHUT OFF . SHE WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED AND WHEN SHE OPENED THE CAR DOOR THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD SHE WENT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR AND HELPED HER MOTHER OUT OF THE CAR. THE FLAMES WERE SPREADING SO FAST THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO GET ANYTHING OUT OF THE CAR. BY THE THE TIME THEY GOT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD AWAY FROM THE CAR THE WHOLE CAR WAS ON FIRE. AND WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT THERE THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT BUT SOME MELTED THINGS IN THE TRUNK. I AM JUST HAPPY THEY MADE IT OUT OK BUT WHAT WORRIES ME IS THAT IT HAPPENED SO FAST AND THAT THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR .I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS NOT A ISOLATED INCIDENT WITH THIS 00 PASSAT. I HAVE SEEN PICTURES AND VIDEO OF THE SAME CAR WITH THE SAME RESULTS. SO RIGHT NOW I AM AT A TOTAL LOSS THIS BEING A SECOND CAR I ONLY HAD LIABILITY INSURANCE ALL I CAN DO IS HOPE THAT SOMEONE CAN STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING TO SOMEONE ELSE AND IT SHOULD BE VOLKSWAGEN'S RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND WHO OWNS THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THE PROBLEM..... *TR

ENGINE MOUNTS BROKE AND I REPLACED THEM ON MAY 10, 2014, THEN THEY BROKE AGAIN ON JULY 6, AND I AGAIN REPLACED THEM NOW THEY BROKE AGAIN TODAY AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF THE GAS STATION. WAS THERE ANY TYPE OF RECALL RELATIVE TO THE MOUNTS OF THE ENGINE IN THIS MODEL WHICH IS THE 200 PASSAT WAGON WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE WINDOWS ALSO KEEP STEAMING UP AND STRONG SMELL OF ANTI FREEZE. *TR

WHEN ACCELERATION AND ENGAGING PASSING MODE, VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN PEDAL RELEASED. VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL SPEED AND BRAKE. HAVE DONE INTERNET SEARCH ON PROBLEM AND FIND IT FAIRLY COMMON WITH VW PASSAT AND CERTAIN AUDI MODELS THAT USE SAME THROTTLE BODY. THIS DEVICE APPARENTLY REQUIRES REGULAR SERVICING TO AVOID STICKING PROBLEM. THERE IS NO DOUBT THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND IN MY OWN INSTANCE, COULD EASILY HAVE LED TO A HIGHSPEED ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE WAS JUST PURCHASED BY ME AND WENT THROUGH MD MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION IN DECEMBER, 2011. *TR

THE HEATER CORE STARTED TO LEAK AND MY WINDOWS FOGGED UP WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. I ALMOST GOT INTO A CAR CRASH BECAUSE I LOST MY VISIBILITY. *TR

THE CAR WAS PARKED. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE, BUT IT DID NOT TURN OVER. I TRIED A SECOND TIME AND NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE HOOD. BY THE TIME I WENT INSIDE TO CALL FOR ROAD SERVICE AND RETURNED TO THE PARKING LOT, THERE WERE FLAMES SHOOTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED HOWEVER NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

ABS MODULE FAILED. LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD FLASHING. *TR

ABS BRAKE PUMP BOSCH 5.3 VOLKSWAGEN PART 8E0 614 111 AH BEGAN LEAKING AND CAUSED BRAKE PRESSURE FAILURE IN BOTH CIRCUITS CAUSING PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR. THIS WAS NOT THE COMMON FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ELECTRONICS WHICH MERELY CAUSES A FAILURE IN ANTI-LOCK BEHAVIOR. THIS IS A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM TO ALL FOUR WHEELS. *TR

MAKE:VOLKSWAGEN MODEL: PASSAT YEAR:2000 STREAMING GASOLINE LEAK INBOARD OF THE REAR QUARTER PANEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN THE ENGINE STARTS. AFTER OPERATING FOR A TIME (20 MIN OR MORE) THE LEAK STOPS AND DOES NOT REAPPEAR UNTIL THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR SEVERAL DAYS WITHOUT RUNNING. THIS CONDITION WAS FIRST REPORTED TO VW HILEY ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND COULD FIND NOTHING. I HAD SEEN OCCASIONAL LEAKS SINCE BUT THIS TIME SCARED ME BECAUSE IT WAS SO MUCH THAT MY GAS GAUGE MOVED AS A RESULT. I WAS HEADED TO WORK WHICH IS ABOUT 20 MINUTES AWAY. BY THE TIME I GOT THERE THE LEAK HAD STOPPED. TODAY IS JULY 5TH 2011. IT WAS SITTING SINCE JULY 1ST 2011. *KB

STREAMING GASOLINE LEAK INBOARD OF THE REAR QUARTER PANEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN THE ENGINE STARTS. AFTER OPERATING FOR A TIME (20 MIN OR MORE) THE LEAK STOPS AND DOES NOT REAPPEAR UNTIL THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR SEVERAL DAYS WITHOUT RUNNING. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS, BUT NEITHER THE VW DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR, NOR AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE WAS ABLE TO FIND IT (BY THE TIME I GOT IT INTO THE SHOP, THE LEAK WAS GONE AND THE GAS HAD EVAPORATED). IT HAS GRADUALLY WORSENED, THOUGH, AND LAST WEEK I TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST VW DEALER. WHEN THEY DETECTED THE STRONG ODOR OF GAS, THEY PARKED IT IN AN ISOLATED AREA. THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED AND TOLD ME THAT THE "ROLLOVER" VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE CAR NEEDED A NEW GAS TANK. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AT DREW VOLKSWAGEN IN LA MESA, CA, AWAITING PARTS. WHEN IT OCCURS, THIS IS A VERY SUBSTANTIAL LEAK WITH GAS STREAMING ONTO THE GROUND.

THE HAZARD LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS STOP WORKING. THE DEFECT IS DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING HAZARD SWITCH WHICH CONTROLS TURN SIGNALS. THIS WILL RESULT IN ACCIDENTS SINCE DRIVER UNABLE TO SHOW TURN SIGNALS. *TR

ONE OF THE PASSENGER REAR WINDOWS INTO FELL INTO THE DOOR RANDOM ON DAY, HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDOW REGULATOR. EVENTUALLY WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AND DRIVER REAR WINDOW ALSO BECAME DEFECTIVE, FALLING INTO THE DOOR AND THEIR REGULATORS HAD TO BE REPLACE. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED, CLEARLY THIS IS A DEFECT VW NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF AS MANY OTHERS WITH SAME CAR ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

ABS/ASR/BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING AND BEEPING. MESSAGE CENTER SAYS STOP, BRAKE FAULT. AFTER HAVING BRAKES REPLACED, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ABS CONTROL UNIT IS DEFECTIVE MEANING THAT I HAVE NO ABS FUNCTION.

WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF (COMPUTER FAILURE?). MY HUSBAND, WHO WAS DRIVING, HAD TO USE BOTH FEET, PRESSING DOWN AS HARD AS HE COULD, TO STOP THE CAR. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF US AND WE WERE FAR ENOUGH BACK THAT WE DID NOT ACCELERATE INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE ENGINE SOUND RETURNED TO NORMAL AFTER 15-30 SECONDS AND WE DROVE IT HOME WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT BUT WE HAVE STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR FOR SAFETY REASONS. IN ADDITION, THE ABS COMPUTER MODULE HAS ALSO FAILED, THOUGH WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY INCIDENTS RELATED TO THAT FAILURE AS THE BRAKES ARE OTHERWISE FINE.

GASOLINE IS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE OF MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS V6; THE GASOLINE IS DRIPPING FROM THE HEAT SHIELD IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE. NOTE THAT THE FUEL DOOR / FILLER NECK IS ON THAT SIDE. SEE THE EXCERPT (FOLLOWING) FROM HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2000/VOLKSWAGEN/PASSAT/FUEL+SYSTEM COMPLAINT NUMBER: 10280791: SIMILAR TO OTHER REPORTS, THERE IS APPARENTLY A COMMON DEFECT WITH OLDER VW PASSATS (MINE IS A 2000) FUEL LINES LEAKING GAS WHEN PRESSURIZED BY THE FUEL PUMP. THE GAS LEAK OCCURS IN THE RUBBER FUEL LINE NEAR THE GAS TANK AND FILTER. THE LEAK WAS VISIBLE IN FRONT OF THE REAR WHEEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. MECHANICS, INCLUDING THE DEALER HAVE TROUBLE LOCATING THE LEAK SINCE IT APPEARS TO BE INTERMITTENT AND ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED FOR A MINUTE OR SO. THE LEAK IS SIGNIFICANT AND TYPICALLY INVOLVES ABOUT A CUP OF GAS. IT IS A FIRE HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE PART OF A RECALL, BUT APPARENTLY IS NOT. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE FOLLOWING RECALL FOR VOLKSWAGENS EQUIPPED WITH THE 1.8T (TURBO) MOTOR OR 4MOTION (AWD): 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT RECALL ID FROM NHTSA: 08V156000. *TR

2000 VW PASSAT 1.8T ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP. *TR

CHECK ENGINE TURNED ON. MY CAR STARTS TO LOSE POWER. THERE WAS A MISFIRE AT #2 CYLINDER ACCORDING TO THE AUTO MECHANIC.. IN A STOPPED POSITION OR WHEN I TURN CAR OFF, I SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. HAD NEW COIL INSTALLED AND DID A ROAD TEST. THE CAR WAS STILL MISFIRING. CHECKED AGAIN, AND ALL IGNITION COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN 01/2012, AGAIN, THERE WAS A MISFIRE AT THE #2 CYLINDER. THE BURNING SMELL RETURNED. I HAD THAT REPAIRED. IN 05/2012, AGAIN, THERE WAS A MISFIRE AT THE #3 CYLINDER. THE BURNING SMELL RETURNED. I HAD THAT REPAIRED. *TR

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TODAY 8/9/10 IN MY 2000 V W PASSAT AND MY CAR STARTED SMOKING THROUGH THE VENTS. NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE SMOKE. FLAMES BEGAN SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD TOTALLY ENGULFING THE ENTIRE CAR WITHIN MINUTES RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL THIS EVENT. *TR

I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR ON MY 2000 VW PASSAT. A WEEK AGO I THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. TODAY MY FRONT PASSENGER REGULATOR FAILED. THIS SEEMED LIKE A LITTLE MORE THAN BAD LUCK. IT TURNS OUT I'M NOT THE ONLY VW OWNER WHO HAS HAD EXTREMELY BAD LUCK WITH THEIR WINDOW REGULATORS. *TR

MY 2000 VW PASSAT V6 ABS BRAKE MODULE HAS FAILED AND I GET THE STOP/ABS LIGHTS FLASHING ON MY DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY, ALONG WITH WARNING BEEPS. THIS MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND COSTS $1000+ TO FIX. VW NEEDS TO RECALL THESE MODELS IMMEDIATELY. *TR

AT AROUND 12:30 TODD MCFADDEN (STORE MANAGER OF DUNN TIRE LLC 1170 CENTRAL AVE. DUNKIRK, NY 14048) ADVISED TO [XXX] (TIRE TECH) TO APPLY A TIRE THAT HAD BEEN RUN ON FLAT FOR AN UNKNOWN DISTANCE ON A CUSTOMERS CAR WITH OUT THE CONSENT OR EVEN HAVING INFORMED THE CUSTOMER OF THIS 2000 VW PASSAT. [XXX] REFUSED SAID LABOR AND THE ORDER WAS CARRIED OUT BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL OF THE COMPANY. [XXX] WAS DISMISSED FROM HIS DUTIES FOR THE DAY AFTER REFUSING THE LABOR. HE ADVISED TO THE STORE MANAGER AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT MANAGER THAT THIS PRACTICE WAS UNSAFE AND COULD POTENTIALLY BE DEADLY TO THE INSTALLER OF THE TIRE AS WELL AS TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS OF THE VEHICLE. BEING A NYS LICENSED SHOP THEY HAVE A DUTY TO KEEP THE CUSTOMER SAFE TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITIES AND THAT DID NOT HAPPEN TODAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS MY 2000 VW PASSAT HAS A BURNING SMELL LIKE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE AFTER DRIVING A BIT (I'VE NOTICED THIS PARTICULARLY WHEN THE HEATER IS ON), HAS HESITATED AND JUMPED WHEN I'VE TRIED TO SHIFT GEARS AND ACCELERATE, AND A WHILE AGO THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS GOING ON WHEN THIS HESITATION OCCURRED; ALTHOUGH THIS LIGHT HASN'T COME ON IN THE SAME SITUATION LATELY, AND THE HESITATION ITSELF DOESN'T SEEM TO BE OCCURRING AS MUCH AS BEFORE. AT ANY RATE, I STILL GET THE BURNING SMELL AND RECENTLY READ THAT THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS VERY MAKE AND MODEL BY NHTSA FOR SAID PROBLEMS. MY MECHANIC HAS BEEN SAYING ALL ALONG THERE IS NO PROBLEM, BUT PERHAPS HE DOESN'T KNOW OF THIS INVESTIGATION. WHAT SHOULD I DO? *TR

VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE FREEWAY WAS CONGESTED AND I HAD JUST ACCELERATED QUICKLY TO MOVE INTO THE LEFT LANE TO AVOID A SEMI TRUCK ENTERING THE FREEWAY ON MY RIGHT. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I IMMEDIATELY PUSHED HARD ON THE BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO APPLY CONSIDERABLE PRESSURE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM INCREASING SPEED. I THEN PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THE TACHOMETER SHOWED THE ENGINE REVVING UP OVER THE RED LINE TO 7000 RPMS. FEARING THAT THE ENGINE MIGHT BE DAMAGED I PUT THE CAR BACK INTO GEAR AND CONTROLLED THE CAR BY APPLYING THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD. THE ACCELERATION SLOWED AFTER ABOUT ANOTHER 30 SECONDS OR SO TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT A SUSTAINED 70 MPH WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKE. THIS CONTINUED FOR SEVERAL MILES AND EVENTUALLY THE ACCELERATOR BEGAN OPERATING NORMALLY. DURING THE LAST PORTION OF SUSTAINING 70 MPH I TRIED SWITCHING CRUISE CONTROL ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES BUT THIS HAD NO EFFECT. AFTER I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND STOPPED, I CHECKED THE FLOOR MAT OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT MIGHT HAVE INTERFERED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND DID NOT OBSERVE ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. *TR

I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE BLEW. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS MAKING A U TURN WHEN IT HAPPENED AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP USING MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THE RUPTURE OCCURRED IN THE RUBBER LINING. HE WAS THINKING IT WAS THE STEERING OF THE FRONT WHEELS ALL THE TIME. THE LEFT SIDE ALSO SHOWED SIGNS OF WEAR. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH LINES. I FELT IT WAS TO MUCH OF AN URGENT MATTER TO NOT LET PEOPLE KNOW. *TR

ABS MODULE FAILURE. COMMON PROBLEM WITH UNIT. VW WANTS 1200 TO FIX BUT THEY REALIZE THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH ALL OF THE BOSCH ABS UNITS FROM THE PERIOD. *TR

I HAVE BEEN HAVING DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF FOR THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON THE ABS SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. *TR

FAILURE OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE ON 2000 1.8 T VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH 90K MILES. THE FAILURE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. INTERMITTENT FAILURE AT FIRST, THAT INCREASES OVER TIME. BRAKES WILL NOT FUNCTION AS ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. BRAKES WILL STILL FUNCTION, BUT MAY LOCK UP IN THE EVENT OF HARD BRAKING, INCREASING STOPPING TIME AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING UNNECESSARY COLLISIONS. TO CORRECT THIS FAILURE, THE ABS CONTROL UNIT MUST BE REPLACED. PART NUMBER (VOLKSWAGEN) 8E0998375G. COST TO REPLACE THIS UNIT IS HIGH AT DEALER THE COST FOR REPLACEMENT IS QUOTED AT $1100. *TR

2000 VW PASSAT ABS/BRAKE LIGHTS ON. PROBABLY BAD ABS MODULE. *TR

SIMILAR TO OTHER REPORTS, THERE IS APPARENTLY A COMMON DEFECT WITH OLDER VW PASSATS (MINE IS A 2000) FUEL LINES LEAKING GAS WHEN PRESSURIZED BY THE FUEL PUMP. THE GAS LEAK OCCURS IN THE RUBBER FUEL LINE NEAR THE GAS TANK AND FILTER. THE LEAK WAS VISIBLE IN FRONT OF THE REAR WHEEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. MECHANICS, INCLUDING THE DEALER HAVE TROUBLE LOCATING THE LEAK SINCE IT APPEARS TO BE INTERMITTENT AND ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED FOR A MINUTE OR SO. THE LEAK IS SIGNIFICANT AND TYPICALLY INVOLVES ABOUT A CUP OF GAS. IT IS A FIRE HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE PART OF A RECALL, BUT APPARENTLY IS NOT SINCE THE DEALER CHARGED ME FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. *TR

PASSENGER REAR WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT ON MINE FIRST WITH A CRUNCHING SOUND AND THEN THE GLASS JUST FELL INTO THE DOOR. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE PASSENGER FRONT REGULATOR. TYPICAL CHEAP PLASTIC VW PARTS. *TR

THE ABS BRAKING MODULE HAS PREMATURELY FAILED ON OUR 2000 VW PASSAT. MINE OCCURRED 6 MONTHS AGO. AS A 9 YEAR OLD CAR TO HAVE THE PRIMARY BRAKING SAFETY MECHANISM TO FAIL, IS DANGEROUS, SCARY AND ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. THE CAR ITSELF PROPERLY INDICATES HOW VITAL A FAILURE THIS IS BY SHOWING A GIGANTIC STOP BRAKE FAULT FILLING THE DASHBOARD FOLLOWED BY 3 EAR PIERCING BEEPS. IT APPEARS AS THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON VW AND AUDI FAILURES WHEN WE TALKED WITH THE DEALER AND LOCAL VW REPAIR SHOP AS WELL AS LOOKING ON THE FORUMS. IF YOU GOOGLE "STOP BRAKE FAULT VW" OR ANY SIMILAR TERM (AUDI, PASSAT), YOU WILL FIND HUNDREDS OF ISSUES REPORTED. THERE ARE MULTIPLE REPAIR SHOPS SPECIFICALLY SETUP TO ADDRESS THIS TYPE OF ISSUE UNFORTUNATELY. THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE. HOPEFULLY YOUR RESEARCH WILL ALSO SHOW THIS. WE DID HAVE OURS REPAIRED FOR $1000 AFTER 5 MONTHS OF LETTING THIS GO AS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PAY FOR THIS. THERE ARE PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF OTHER OWNERS WHO CAN'T SCRAPE UP THE MONEY TO PAY FOR A REPAIR LIKE THIS. VW AND BOSCH SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD THIS FIXED SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR ISSUES: HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=173334 HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=280206 HTTP://WWW.MYVWLEMON.COM/UBB/FORUM2/HTML/000169.HTML A SMALL SAMPLE OF SITES SETUP TO FIX THIS TYPE OF REPAIR: HTTP://WWW.MODULEMASTER.COM/EN/INDEX.PHP HTTP://WWW.ABSFIXER.COM/ HTTP://WWW.AUTOECU.COM/ REPAIR GUIDES TO SHOW YOU HOW TO FIX THIS: HTTP://WWW.AUDIWORLD.COM/TECH/ELEC116.SHTML HTTP://WWW.BBA-REMAN.COM/CONTENT.ASPX?CONTENT=BOSCH_5.3_ABS_REMOVAL. *TR

2000 PASSAT ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED *TR