2001 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY CAME ON. VEHICLE WOULD SOMETIMES JUST STOP. ON OCTOBER 18, 2000 WHILE TRAVELING AT 65MPH ON FREEWAY VEHICLE JUST STOPPED. CONSUMER ALMOST GOT HIT 3 TIMES TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF ROAD. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER 8 TMES. THEY HAVE TRIED MANY THINGS TO RECTIFY PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED ARBITRATION FOR ASSISTANCE. ONCE CONSUMER HAD CONTACTED THEM THEY TRIED UNPLUGGING COMPUTER AND CHIPS TO SEE WHY LIGHT COMES ON. VOLKSWAGEN FINALLY SAID TO REPLACE COMPUTER.*AK

ON THREE OCCASIONS OIL PAN WAS PUNCTURED WHILE GOING UP AN INCLINE OF DRIVEWAY, BELIEVED OIL PAN WAS TOO CLOSE TO GROUND. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND NO CONCERN WAS GIVEN. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS ILLUMINATING. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR

MECHANIC REFUSES TO REPAIR 2001 PASSAT ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN MIS-DIAGNOSED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL HOSE LEAK. *JB

2001 VW PASSAT WITH MANY PROBLEMS**CC THE CONSUMER STATE A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING HER VEHICLE SHE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER SHOULD SUPPLY RENTAL CARS WHILE REPAIRS ARE BEING DONE. *TR

2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CHECK ENGINE AND OIL PRESSURE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND ENGINE MADE A WHINING NOISE. *KB

AUTO HAS CRUISE CONTROL. THE OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATES THAT THERE IS A CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON/ENGAGED, NO INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS ON THE DASH. MORONG VW (THE FALMOUTH, MAINE SERVICE CENTER WE USE) AND THE VW CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE INDICATE THAT DESPITE THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATEMENT THAT CARS WITH CRUISE CONTROL HAVE A CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHT, NONE IS INSTALLED IN 2001 VW PASSATS. THEY BOTH INDICATED THAT NO REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE TO THIS PROBLEM, DESPITE MY REQUEST. IN MY VIEW, IT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS FOR THERE NOT TO BE AN INDICATOR SHOWING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO BE ENGAGED. I'VE NEVER OWNED A CAR OR BEEN IN A CAR WITH CRUISE CONTROL THAT DID NOT HAVE SUCH A LIGHT. WITHOUT THE LIGHT, THERE IS HIGHER RISK OF INADVERTENT ENGAGEMENT, OR FAILURE TO REMEMBER THAT THE SYSTEM IS ENGAGED, BOTH POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. IS THERE ANY REGULATION THAT REQUIRES SUCH A LIGHT? THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.*AK

THERE IS A DEFECT AND DISTORTION IN MY WINDSHIELD IN MY LINE OF VISION. I BELIEVE ( AFTER INSPECTING SIMILAR PASSATS ) THAT THIS DEFECT AND DISTORTION IS PRESENT ON A NUMBER OF VEHICLES THAT VW PRODUCED. AT THIS TIME, THE MANUFACTURER IS UNWILLING TO AUTHORIZE A REPLACEMENT. I AM SENDING IN THIS COMPLAINT TO SEE IF OTHERS HAVE MADE A SIMILAR COMPLAINT. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM CAN BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD THAT VW IS NOT WILLING TO SOLVE.*AK

THERE IS A BIZARRE ACCELERATION LAG IN VEHICLE WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES PRESSURE TO GAS PEDAL. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE, BUT WOULD NOT INFORM HIM WHAT PROBLEM WAS. WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTIVE INFORMATION OF THE PROBLEM OR ATTACHMENTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *AK

SEE ODI 746847: CONNECT ERROR ON FOLLOWING. MY NEW 2001.5 PASSAT WAGON HAS A PERCEPTIBLE DISTORTION, OR RIPPLING EFFECT, IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD; E.G., WHEN SEEING POLES, TREES, OR BUILDING SIDINGS WHILE MAKING A TURN, OR WHEN VIEWING PARKWAY EXIT SIGNS WHILE PASSING THEM. THERE'S AN ACCORDION EFFECT; VERTICAL OBJECTS INCHWORM; LETTERS EXPAND AND CONTRACT. JUST MOVING MY HEAD FROM SIDE TO SIDE BY A FEW INCHES CAN PRODUCE THIS EFFECT. I CAN'T SAY YET THAT IT'S HAZARDOUS BUT IT'S CERTAINLY DISTRACTING. MEANWHILE, I CAN'T GET THE DEALER TO EVEN SIT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND TELL ME IT'S MY IMAGINATION. WHEN POSTED TO PASSAT USERS GROUP FOLLOWING MESSAGES RESULTED:  (1) I'VE SEEN SEVERAL REPORTS OF THIS. TIME TO GET A NEW DEALER. YOU SHOULD GET NEW GLASS UNDER WARRANTY. (2) MY '99 WAS 5000 MILES NEW WHEN I REALIZED THE WINDSHIELD HAD A DISTORTION AND RIPPLE EFFECT. THEY REPLACED IT NO CHARGE, BUT THE SECOND ONE IS AS BAD AS THE FIRST ONE. (3) HAS ANYONE WITH A '99 B5 NOTICED DISTORTIONS IN THE FRONT AND REAR GLASS? I'VE HAD MY WINDSHIELD AND REAR GLASS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE NEW GLASS IS ALSO DISTORTED - ALTHOUGH NOT QUITE AS BAD AS THE ORIGINAL. (4) WHEN I RECENTLY HAD A GENUINE NEW VW WINDSCREEN INSTALLED AFTER DAMAGE I NOTICED AN OPTICAL DISTORTION RIGHT OF MY STRAIGHT AHEAD VISION. THIS IS DISGRACEFUL QUALITY CONTROL FROM A MAJOR MOTOR MANUFACTURER AND THEIR AUTHORIZED REPAIR DEALER. (5) THERE APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. A WAVY, VERTICAL LINE. THE SERVICE MANAGER LOOKED AT MINE AND FOUND IT RIGHT AWAY, HE ALSO TOLD ME IT WAS NOTED ON SEVERAL NEW 2000'S ON THE LOT, AND THAT ANOTHER CUSTOMER HAS A REALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH IT. CHECK THE WINDSHIELD BY LOOKING OUT AT A STRAIGHT LINE, THE SIDE OF A BUILDING OR A POLE, AND MOVING YOUR EYES UP AND DOWN AS WELL AS RIGHT AND LEFT. VW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. IM NOT HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED, ESPECIALLY AFTER THEIR MESS MADE ON A SIMPLE OIL CHANGE.

PURCHASED CAR BRAND NEW AND NOTICED DISTORTION ON FRONT WINDSHIELD LATER THAT DAY. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED IT WITH ONE THAT HAS EVEN MORE DISTORTIONS. I STRESSED STRONGLY TO EXAMINE PRIOR TO PUTTING IN AND THEY DIDN'T. AFTER MUCH COMPLAINING TO VW OF AMERICA THEY AGREED TO PUT IN WINDSHIELD #3 BUT CAN NOT PROMISE IT WON'T HAVE BAD DISTORTIONS. THEY SAY PASSAT WINDSHIELD ARE JUST THAT WAY. I HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH POOR QAULITY GLASS IN ANY PREVIOUSLY OWNED VEHICLES. I'M ALSO DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY DON'T CARE. I POSTED ON VW BOARD AND RECEIVED MANY RESPONSES FROM OTHER PASSAT OWNERS WHO ALSO HAVE THIS PROBLEM ACROSS THE USA. AT THIS POINT DON'T WANT MY CAR TORN APART FOR ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PIECE OF GLASS. I COULD GET A GENERIC WINDSHIELD (HAVEN'T LOOKED INTO THAT YET) BUT PREFER A VW WINDSHIELD FOR WARRANTY AND LOOKS WITHOUT VERTICAL DISTORTIONS CAUSING THINGS TO APPEAR WAVY WHILE DRIVING.*AK

I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS DEFECT AS A HAZARD. MY NEW 2001.5 PASSAT WAGON HAS A PERCEPTIBLE DISTORTION, OR RIPPLING EFFECT, IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD; E.G., WHEN SEEING POLES, TREES, OR BUILDING SIDINGS WHILE MAKING A TURN, OR WHEN VIEWING PARKWAY EXIT SIGNS WHILE PASSING THEM. THERE'S AN ACCORDION EFFECT; VERTICAL OBJECTS INCHWORM; LETTERS EXPAND AND CONTRACT. JUST MOVING MY HEAD FROM SIDE TO SIDE BY A FEW INCHES CAN PRODUCE THIS EFFECT. I CAN'T SAY YET THAT IT'S HAZARDOUS BUT IT'S CERTAINLY DISTRACTING. MEANWHILE, I CAN'T GET THE DEALER TO EVEN SIT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND TELL ME IT'S MY IMAGINATION. WHEN POSTED TO PASSAT USERS GROUP FOLLOWING MESSAGES RESULTED:  (1) I'VE SEEN SEVERAL REPORTS OF THIS. TIME TO GET A NEW DEALER. YOU SHOULD GET NEW GLASS UNDER WARRANTY. (2) MY '99 WAS 5000 MILES NEW WHEN I REALIZED THE WINDSHIELD HAD A DISTORTION AND RIPPLE EFFECT. THEY REPLACED IT NO CHARGE, BUT THE SECOND ONE IS AS BAD AS THE FIRST ONE. (3) HAS ANYONE WITH A '99 B5 NOTICED DISTORTIONS IN THE FRONT AND REAR GLASS? I'VE HAD MY WINDSHIELD AND REAR GLASS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE NEW GLASS IS ALSO DISTORTED - ALTHOUGH NOT QUITE AS BAD AS THE ORIGINAL. (4) WHEN I RECENTLY HAD A GENUINE NEW VW WINDSCREEN INSTALLED AFTER DAMAGE I NOTICED AN OPTICAL DISTORTION RIGHT OF MY STRAIGHT AHEAD VISION. THIS IS DISGRACEFUL QUALITY CONTROL FROM A MAJOR MOTOR MANUFACTURER AND THEIR AUTHORIZED REPAIR DEALER. (5) THERE APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. A WAVY, VERTICAL LINE. THE SERVICE MANAGER LOOKED AT MINE AND FOUND IT RIGHT AWAY, HE ALSO TOLD ME IT WAS NOTED ON SEVERAL NEW 2000'S ON THE LOT, AND THAT ANOTHER CUSTOMER HAS A REALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH IT. CHECK THE WINDSHIELD BY LOOKING OUT AT A STRAIGHT LINE, THE SIDE OF A BUILDING OR A POLE, AND MOVING YOUR EYES UP AND DOWN AS WELL AS RIGHT AND LEFT. VW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. IM NOT HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED, ESPECIALLY AFTER THEIR MESS MADE ON A SIMPLE OIL CHANGE.*AK

THE HORN ON MY 2001 VW PASSAT (AND MY 1998 VW PASSAT) DOES NOT WORK WHEN THE CAR IS NOT ON. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE CONFIRMED WITH THE DEALER THAT THIS IS INDEED THE DESIGN OF THE CAR. I DISCOVERED THIS DESIGN FLAW WHEN PARKED IN A GAS STATION WITH THE CAR TURNED OFF GETTING GAS. ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED INTO THE STATION AND APPARENTLY DIDN'T SEE ME. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO LEAN ON THE HORN. I TRIED BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. LUCKILY, THE OTHER CAR NARROWLY MISSED ME. HOWEVER, I CAN THINK OF PLENTY OF SCENARIOS WHERE ONE WOULD ABSOLUTELY NEED AN OPERATIONAL HORN WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION TO THOSE INVOLVING POTENTIAL VEHICULAR ACCIDENT SITUATIONS, THERE ARE ALSO PERSONAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS (E.G. MY WIFE GETS IN THE CAR AND IS ATTACKED BY AN INDIVIDUAL PRIOR TO STARTING THE CAR). I DID CONTACT VW THROUGH THEIR ONLINE CUSTOMER CARE SITE. WHILE A CUSTOMER CARE CASE WAS OPENDED (#10644291), I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION OF THE HORN DESIGN. BY THE WAY, IT APPEARS THAT MERCEDES AND BMW HAVE A SIMILAR HORN DESIGN. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY SAFETY STANDARDS FOR THE MANUFACTURERS REGARDING HORN DESIGN. *AK

WHEN COLD, DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEARS WHILE ROLLING. *AK

MY VW PASSAT HAS A PROBLEM WITH HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION. MY DEALER HAS HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS BUT VW OF AMERICA SEEMS UNAWARE OF IT AND HAS NOT PROVIDED A FIX. I AM CURRENTLY TALKING WITH VWOA AND WORKING MY WAY UP THE CHAIN OF COMMAND. PICTURE THIS: I AM LEAVING A GASOLINE STATION, ACCELERATE SLIGHTLY TO THE STATION EXIT, CHECK TRAFFIC IN THE CURB LANE ON A 45 MPH LIMIT CITY STREET, SEE THERE IS AMPLE ROOM TO MERGE IN FRONT OF THE NEAREST CAR, PRESS THE ACCELERATOR - AND NOTHING HAPPENS - FOR AS LONG AS 3 SECONDS! I NOW ACCOMMODATE FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF IT HAPPENING BY WAITING FOR A LARGE GAP IN TRAFFIC, SOMETIMES TO THE IRRITATION OF THE DRIVER BEHIND ME. IT IS VERY BOTHERSOME: AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. WHEN THE PROBLEM DOES OCCUR, IT IS ALWAYS AT SLOW SPEED, AROUND 10 MPH, AFTER A SHORT ACCELERATION AND AFTER LIFTING MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR AND REAPPLYING PRESSURE. THE TACHOMETER IS AT 1000 RPM AND SITS THERE FOR 1 TO 3 SECONDS, THEN RISES QUICKLY TO THE POINT WHERE THE ENGINE SPEED ENGAGES THE TRANSMISSION AND ACCELERATION BEGINS. I HAVE TRIED PUMPING THE ACCELERATOR WHICH DOES NOT SEEM TO SHORTEN THE HESITATION TIME. *AK

ACCELERATION HESITATION ESPECIALLY IN LOW GEAR - TRANSMISSION WINDS INTO GEAR - *AK

ELECTRONIC MIRROR TURNS COMPLETLY BLACK FROM DUSK TO DAWN WHEN AUTOS ARE FOLLOWING WITH HEADLAMPS ON. CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT AS NO VISIBILITY FROM MIRROR. VW ADVISED TO PUT TAPE ON SENSOR - 2002 MODEL CORRECTED WITH A SWITCH. SAME PROBLEM W/2001 JETTA. PLEASE HELP!*AK

CONSUMER STATES OF THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS KEEP ON BURNING OUT. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. MR

WHILE DIVING THE VEHICLE AT 45MPH SUDDENLY LOSS POWER DUE TO A FAULTY COIL DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

VW AUTHORIZED THE DEALER TO REPLACE ONE OF THE FOUR COIL PACKS ON THE CAR, THOUGH FAILURE OF THESE COIL PACKS ARE A KNOWN PROBLEM. WITH THE INCREASED PROBABILITY THAT ANY ONE OR ALL THE REMAINING THREE COIL PACKS MIGHT FAIL AT ONE TIME, I CANNOT RELY ON THIS VEHICLE FOR LONG TRIPS OR NIGHT DRIVING. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**770856

THIS ISSUE CAUSED MY CAR TO MISFIRE SO BAD I WAS UNABLE TO GET MY CAR TO ACCELERATE AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE COULD LEAVE MANY STRANDED AND HAS ALREADY CAUSED MAJOR PROBLEMS FOR HUNDREDS OF OWNERS. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**770852

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION COIL PACK. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT STARTS SHAKING AND IDLES AND ALSO INDICATED THAT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME.

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE COIL SPRING PACKS. THE MANUFACTURE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND WILL ONLY REPLACE THE ONE THAT GOES BAD. PH

THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE IGNITION COILS REPLACED EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. *PH *JB

CONSUMER WAS DISSATISFIED WITH NHTSA'S RESPONSE TO SENATOR LARRY CRAIG IN REFERENCE TO THE DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS IN THIS VEHICLE, AND QUESTIONED WHY THE DEFECT WAS NOT A MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE, ES03-001397/S/BRENNER. MR SCC *JB....*AK

LTR RE HIS DISSATISFACTION WITH THE WAY NHTSA HANDLED SITUATION RE OPENING AN INVESTIGATION ON DEFECTIVE IGNITION,...*MR FAILURE OF THE IGNITION COILS IN CERTAIN 2001, 2002, AND EARLY 2003 AUDI AND VW OF AMERICA VEHICLES. REFER TO 10011100 AND 10022428. *SCC ALL OF THE IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED PRIOR. *PH *JB

REAR LEFT DOOR HAS A QUARTER OF AN INCH GAP BETWEEN THE FRAME AND THE DOOR. THIS ALLOWS AIR AND SOMETIMES WATER TO ENTER INTO COMPARTMENT. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT FROM THIRD GEAR TO FOURTH GEAR AND THROTTLE STUCK. CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY PUT THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL TO RELEASE THE THROTTLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

THE SULFUR IN THE FUEL INTERACTS WITH CERTAIN ADDITIVES FOUND WIDELY. SULPHER BECOMES DEPOSITED ON CONTACT POINTS OF THREE FUEL SENDING UNITS MOUNTED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THIS RESULTS IN THE FUEL GAUGE'S ABILITY TO READ FULL WHILE THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY. *AK

REAR LIGHTS SIMULTANEOUSLY GO OUT, THEY INCLUDE TAIL/BRAKE/ REVERSE, AND STOP LIGHTS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS UNDETERMINED, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED 9 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED ENGINE CONSUMED AND LEAKED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, DEALER HAD INSPECTED SEVERAL TIMES BUT COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NOW IT'S OUT WARRANTY AND THEY HAVE A KIT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *PH