2003 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

I OWN A 2003 VW PASSATT 1.8L TURBO. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW, AND HAVE USED FULLY SYNTHETIC OIL FOR THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. FROM READING SEVERAL FORUMS ON THE ISSUE I AM GOING TO REPORT, I DO NOT HAVE A GOLD PLATED RECORD OF ALL OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. I HAVE CHANGED MY OIL EVERY 3000-5000 MILES. TWO MONTHS AGO, I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN THE STOP ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, WHO IS A MASTER MECHANIC. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS THE OIL INTAKE TUBE IN THE OIL PAN....IT WAS COMPLETELY CLOGGED UP AND NO OIL WAS GETTING THROUGH IT. I PAID FOR PARTS AND LABOR FOR HIM TO MAKE THE REPAIRS AND IT COST ME $2500 DOLLARS. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY COST, AND FIND OUT WHAT VW HAS DONE TO COVER OWNERS FOR THESE REPAIRS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR

REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS PULLED OFF WINDSHIELD BY A 2 YR OLD, MIRROR SEPARATED AT THE BALL-AND-SOCKET HINGE WITH THE BASE REMAINING GLUED TO THE WINDSHIELD. NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE MIRROR. PUSHING MIRROR BACK TOGETHER SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD IN THE AREA OF THE MIRROR. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT PULLING THE MIRROR APART HAD ALREADY DAMAGED THE WINDSHIELD (NOT CHECKED BEFORE TRYING TO PUT THE MIRROR BACK TOGETHER). I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THE MIRROR TO UNGLUE FROM THE WINDSHIELD OR BREAK BEFORE THE WINDSHIELD BROKE. *TR

METAL FUEL LINE IN THE REAR OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DRIPPED GASOLINE ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BELOW, DESPITE A PATCH THAT A VW MECHANIC HAD INSTALLED EARLIER. FIRST SMELLED GAS IN MARCH AND TOOK IT TO A VW REPAIR SHOP. PATCH WITH CLAMPS WAS ADDED. SMELLED GAS AGAIN IN MAY AND DISCOVERED THE FUEL LEAK. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THE LEAK WAS NOT A RECALL ISSUE. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE RESULT OF A CRACKED FUEL LINE, WHICH HE SAID IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH OLDER PASSATS.

FRONT CONTROL ARMS FAILURE. VERY COMMON IN THIS SUSPENSION DESIGN. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ISSUED IN EUROPE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. LIKEWISE, THE AUDI A4 SHARES THE SAME CHASSIS AND SAME FRONT END SUSPENSION. THESE CONTROL ARMS ARE SERIOUSLY UNDER DESIGNED. THIS IS DANGEROUS! HAVING THIS FAIL WHILE DRIVING WILL RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW, AND IS BEING OVERLOOKED. THE BUSHINGS ON MY CONTROL ARMS (ALL 4 FOR EACH OF MY FRONT WHEELS, EIGHT IN TOTAL) ARE SERIOUSLY CRACKED AND NEED REPLACEMENT. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE FAILING AT 50K AND 70K MILES. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING FAILED CONTROL ARMS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF WHEN HE NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL LINE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT THE SAME FAILURE ADDRESSED IN NHTSA CAMPIGN ID NUMBERS: 02V026000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP), 06V017000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP), 07V375000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP), AND 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

MY 2003 VOLKSWAGAN PASSAT WAGON HAS ROOF/CHASSIS DRAINS THAT ARE BACKING UP INSIDE THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE ELECTRONICS TO SHORT OUT AND FAIL. MY REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH 77,650 MILES WITH PROBLEMS WITH THE OILPUMP AND ENGINE PROBLEMS THAT IS UNKNOWN. THE AUTOMOBILE WILL STALL NOT START IT HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN IN OVER 6 MONTHS DUE TO THE RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND I BELIEVE SLUGGED IS BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE BUT SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACED TWO OILPUMPS IN THE VEHICLE AND THE SENSORS. ENGINE OIL PRESSURE FAILURE AND DEFECTIVE COILS ON EACH CYLINDER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE AND SHE WAS ADVISED TO CALL BACK AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. SHE STATED THAT THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THERE WAS A WARRANTY REPAIR DEALING WITH THE OIL SLUDGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,600.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WITH THE HEATED SEAT ENGAGED, THE CONTACT FELT A BURNING SENSATION COMING THROUGH THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS A BURNED HOLE THROUGH THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT AS WELL AS A BURN TO HIS PANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A FENCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ UPDATED 06/20/11*JB

DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW WITH ALL PASSATS 1998 AND UP THEY ARE PRONE TO HAVING MAJOR FAILURE OF TCM TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AS IN CASES OF HEAVY RAIN WATER WILL LEAK INTO PASSENGER FLOOR AREA AND FILL THE TCM WITH WATER HENCE LOCKING TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND NO LONGER ALLOWING VEHICLE TO BE SHIFTED...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT W8. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN THE STEERING. SUDDENLY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. WITHIN TEN MINUTES, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CAM SHAFT AND TORQUE. THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE FAILURE WOULD NOT RECUR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/29/11*LJ UPDATED 1/13/2012 *LN *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF HER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE SEATBELTS DID NOT RETRACT ON IMPACT. AS A RESULT, HER HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING A CONCUSSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 86,000. UPDATED 4/11/2011 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK IN TO PLACE. UPDATED 04/22/11

POWER TRAIN LACK OF POWER WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC. THIS WAS DUE TO WATER LEAK IN POLLEN FILTER BOX (CRACKED) WHICH AFFECTED THE SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID, AFFECTING THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT MILEAGE OF 121,000 MILES. NORMALLY GARAGED AND MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE. AFTER RAIN, FOUND AN INCH OF WATER IN REAR PASSENGER FLOOR. TRANSMISSION NON-FUNCTIONAL, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS ON. DEALER SAID THE POLLEN FILTER SEAL WAS NO GOOD AND THAT WATER LEAKED IN AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE FLOOR BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE READ MANY ACCOUNTS ON THE INTERNET FROM MANY ANGRY OWNERS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHERE LEAKS FROM THIS SEAL HAVE CAUSED CATASTROPHIC REPAIRS. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE VW DEALER TOLD ME THAT CHECKING THE POLLEN FILTER SEAL IS NOT PART OF ANY REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND THAT IN ORDER TO CHECK IT, YOU'D NEED TO DISASSEMBLE QUITE A FEW THINGS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN I ASKED HIM HOW AN OWNER COULD POSSIBLY KNOW IF THE SEAL NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND HE REPLIED "YOU FOUND OUT HOW". I AM CLEARLY NOT ALONE IN HAVING EXPERIENCED A FAILURE FROM A PART THAT IS NOT IN ANY WAY MAINTAINABLE (THE POLLEN FILTER SEAL) AND THAT HAS CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I FEEL THIS IS A CONSUMER ISSUE AND THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE PASSAT THAT VW SHOULD COMPENSATE OWNERS FOR. THERE IS NO WAY FOR AN OWNER TO BE ABLE TO AVOID THIS SITUATION -- IT IS NOT A MATTER OF MAINTENANCE. IT GOT TO DO WITH THE PASSAT LEAKING WATER AND THE LOCATION OF AN EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE COMPONENT IN THE REAR PASSENGER FLOOR, THE AREA WHERE ANY WATER THAT LEAKS MIGRATES TO. IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED DURING DRIVING, I MIGHT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION SPENT ANOTHER 2000$ AND ITS NOT EVEN THIS THE PROBLEM!!!! *TR

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON WITH CLOTH HEATED SEATS. WHILE USING HEATED SEAT OPTION, FELT BURNING ON RIGHT LEG. FOUND SEAT HEATER HAD MELTED RIGHT BOLSTER OF SEAT CUSHION. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY VW PASSAT 1.8L TURBO STATIONWAGON AT A SPEED OF 40 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. MY FOUR MONTH OLD BABY WAS IN THE BACK IN HIS CARSEAT AND HAD I BEEN IN A DIFFERENT SETTING WE BOTH COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAD OCCURRED AND ONCE I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC THE CAR STARTED AND DROVE FINE AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS LIKELY A PARTS RECALL ISSUE: RECALL: 07V375000: FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. I CONTACTED VW AMERICA, INC. AND WAS INFORMED THAT WHILE IN FACT THERE WAS SUCH A RECALL FOR 2003 PASSATS, MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL AND THUS THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD/WOULD DO TO HELP ME DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE THE VERY ONE INDICATED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND SCARY. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2003 PASSAT 6 MONTHS AGO. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE FROM IT. IT IS JUST ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT IN TO BE FIXED ABOUT SIX TIMES. I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER EVERYTHING I HAVE HAD TO HAVE FIXED. I DO REMEMBER THE LAST THING THOUGH. IT WAS THE TAIL LIGHTS, THE TAIL LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT EVEN WHEN I HAD NO LIGHTS ON AND EVEN WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN RIGHT NOW. IT HAS BEEN THERE SINCE MONDAY DECEMBER 27TH. IT IS A FOUR CYLINDER AND HAS BEEN RUNNING ON THREE. I FOUND OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME MONDAY THAT MY CAR HAS 5 RECALLS ON IT. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF NONE OF THEM. AFTER LEAVING IT FOR ALL THE RECALLS TO BE FIXED, I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR 30.00 TO GET HOME. NOW I HAVE NO WAY TO PICK UP MY CAR BECAUSE I HAD TO RETURN THE RENTAL CAR THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY 30.00 PER DAY. I HAVE NOBODY TO TAKE ME TO PICK UP MY CAR, I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO TAKE A TAXI AND THAT WILL PROBABLY COST ME ABOUT 50.00. I AM VERY UPSET WITH VW I PAID MY HARD EARNED MONEY FOR A RELIABLE CAR AND NOW I AM STUCK WITH NOTHING BUT A LEMON, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. I HAVE NO WAY TO GO ANYWHERE, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? *TR

HEATER CORE PLUGS THUS RESULTING IN INOPERABLE HEATING OF THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. ALSO CAUSING A LEAK THUS SPEWING STEAM AND FLUID INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. WITH THE WINDSCREEN RECEIVING THE STEAM AND IMPAIRING THE VISION OF THE DRIVER WHICH MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

THE VW 1.8T ENGINE HAS KNOW SLUDGE ISSUES THAT LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE. WHEN THE ENGINE FAILS THE DRIVER LOOSES ALL POWER FUNCTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS INCLUDES STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME AND I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE IN THE LEFT HAND LANE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND PARK. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS ON AN INTERSTATE IT COULD HAVE BEEN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT OUTCOME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIMING BELT COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE OF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE WHICH ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE IGNITION COIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE TIMING CHAIN WAS DESIGNED TO BE A LIFETIME TIMING SYSTEM AND COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REGISTER THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THE ONLY THING THAT CAN BE DONE IS TO REPLACE ALL FOUR CAM GEAR ADJUSTERS, CONTROL SOLENOID HOUSING, ADJUSTER BOLTS AND TIMING CHAINS, THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND SEALS, TORQUE CONVERTER BOLTS, EXHAUST GASKETS, INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS, INJECTOR SEALS, CHAIN COVER, CHAIN TENSIONERS, REAR MAIN SEAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY GASKETS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED A FUEL ODOR AND WHEN HE INSPECTED, HE SAW THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE COTNACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PLASTIC GAS NOZZLE CRACKED AND PUT PRESSURE ON THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR RECALL 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY) BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE THE FUEL LIKE WAS TOO LONG. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 107,235.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. THE DEALER MADE SIX ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER BUT OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,252 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000.

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE NHTSA DEFECT INVESTIGATION #PE10027 1.AT ABOUT 2:45 IN CVS 2.WAITED ABOUT 10 MINUTES 3.I WAS PAGED BY IDENTIFICATION OF MY CAR 4.ADVISED CAR ON FIRE 5.A MAN IN A DEFFENBAUGH UNIFORM WAS TRYING TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR 6.THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS AGGRAVATING THE FLAMES 7.I ADVISED HIM TO STAND BACK 8.I ASKED IF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN CALLED 9.A CVS EMPLOYEE DID CONTACT FIRE DEPARTMENT TWO TIMES 10.CVS PHARMACY EMPLOYEE CAME OUT ' HER CAR WAS PARKED TWO SPACES TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR 11.THE MAN FROM DEFFENBAUGH MOVED HER CAR 12.AN OLDER MAN APPROACHED MAN AND SAID THAT HE WAS THE ONE WHO REPORTED THE FIRE 13.HE WAS WALKING IN FRONT OF MY CAT TO ENTER THE STORE AND SPARKS WHERE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD 14.THE FIRE SPREAD RAPIDLY 15.WHAT LOOKED TO BE LIKE CARD BOARD SUBSTANCE WAS FALLING TO THE GROUND TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE CAR 16.THE PRODUCT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAME. CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALED. *TR

CATALYTIC CONVERTER HEAT CAUSED FABRIC MATERIAL BEHIND SILVER REFLECTIVE LINER ON PASSENGER SIDE TO CATCH AND HOLD A SMOLDER AND FLAME CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURAL BODY PANELS AND MELTING SOME PLASTIC COMPONENTS. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY USING A CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND REMAINING SMOLDERING COMPONENTS HAD TO BE EXTINGUISHED AS EXPOSED MANUALLY. CAUSED GRASS TO CATCH FIRE AND LEFT SMOKY RESIDUE. *TR

VW 2003 PASSAT AWD 2.8 L V6 GASOLINE ENGINE...WIFE CALLED ME SAID CAR WAS MISS FIRING BADLY AND THEN SMOKE WAS REPORTED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH CAR. SHE PULLED OVER AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. TURNED CAR OFF AND FIRE LUCKILY WENT OUT...I CHANGED COIL AND PROBLEM WAS FIXED FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS. NOW CAR IS MISS FIRING AGAIN AND RUNNING ROUGH....I HATE THAT I'VE FIXED THIS SAME COIL THREE TIMES NOW AND IT IS ACTING UP AGAIN... *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE FUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR AND NOTICED FUEL ON THE GROUND. SHE LOOSENED THE FUEL CAP TO STOP IT FROM LEAKING BUT IT CONTINUED TO LEAK. THE CONTACT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR FOR RECALL 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY) SEPTEMBER 2008. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL LINE AND HEAT SHIELD. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AGAIN ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOOK A REPORT AND ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE VIBRATING CONTINUED. THERE WAS ALSO A LOUD DINGING NOISE FOLLOWED BY THE WARNING LIGHT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,452. UPDATED 04/15/11*LJ UPDATED 12/19/2011 *LN

VEHICLE IS 2003 VW PASSAT 4 MOTION. A FUEL LEAK WAS DETECTED IN THE TANK AREA. AUTOMOBILE WAS BROUGHT TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THIS CAR FOR THIS PROBLEM (RECALL #(08V156000, NHTSA INVESTIGAITON #PE08008) AND THE NECESSARY REPAIRS WERE PURPORTEDLY DONE BY THE AUTHORIZED VW REPAIR SHOP. *TR

NOTICED A LEAKING GAS TANK ON MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ON THIS CAR THAT PERTAIN TO ISSUES WITH THE FUEL LINE, GAS TANK CAP, HEAT SHIELD AND GAS TANK. AFTER NOTICING THIS LEAK, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR INTO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF GAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR END OF THE CAR WAS FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL AND ENOUGH TO EASILY CAUSE A SERIOUS FIRE. ONCE AT THE DEALER, THEY SAID THAT THE ISSUE WAS THE GAS CAP/NOZZLE THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE GAS TANK. THIS NOZZLE IS VERY SMALL AND SEEMS TO BE VERY BRITTLE, EASY TO BREAK OFF. MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THESE CARS ON THE ROAD THAT SPONTANEOUSLY SEEM TO START LEAKING GASOLINE FROM THEIR FUEL TANKS. AS I WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, NEVER WENT DOWN A DIRT ROAD OR EVEN HIT A SPEED BUMP ALL OF WHICH MIGHT (IN A REMOTE CIRCUMSTANCE) CAUSE THE NOZZLE TO BREAK. *TR

2003 VW PASSAT WAGON 1.8 T SLUDGE ISSUE STOP ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 88,683 MILES INDICATING OIL PRESSURE IS LOW AND VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED/REPLACED: OIL SLUDGE LOW BAR PRESSURE $1792. *TR

RUPTURED FUEL LINE - PRESSURE SIDE FUEL LINE FAILED AT POINT WHERE IT IS SECURED TO THE FIRE WALL IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE GROMET WORE THROUGH, ALLOWING THE FUEL LINE TO RUB AGAINST THE FASTENER AND THE LINE SUBSEQUENTLY RUPTURED ALLOWING FUEL TO ESCAPE IN A LARGE VOLUME. *TR

ON APRIL 20, 2010 MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT AROUND 4:45 PM. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE PLACE WHO DOES ALL MY REPAIR WORK, AND WAS TOLD I COULD DROP OFF THE CAR THAT NIGHT, AND THEY WOULD CHECK IT OUT THE FOLLOWING MORNING. I ARRIVED AT THE LOCATION AROUND 5:10, PARKED THE CAR AND WENT TO PLACE MY KEY IN THE NIGHT DROP BOX. WHEN I WALKED BACK TO THE CAR I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I RAISED THE HOOD AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM WHAT LOOKED LIKE UNDER THE BACK OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THEN I NOTICED THAT THERE WERE FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD INSIDE THE CAR. I CALLED 911 AND RAN TO A NEARBY GAS STATION TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE CAR THERE WERE FLAMES VISIBLE INSIDE THE CAR. I USED THE ENTIRE FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND IT DID NOT EVEN PHASE THE FIRE. WITHIN 1 MINUTE THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED WITHIN 6 MINUTES AND THE CAR WAS GONE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN THE DEPRESSED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. UPON RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED SO THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY VW PASSAT 2003 WITH ONLY 60 K MILES CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND AS A RESULT OF THAT THE THERMOSTAT AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR MECHANIC WAS IS AN INDEPENDENT VW MECHANIC AND HE WAS OF THE OPINION THAT AT SUCH MILEAGE SUCH MALFUNCTIONS SHOULD NOT OCCUR IN THIS CAR. *TR

DRIVING AT 65MPH AND OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON -TAKES US 15 MINUTES TO FIND A SAFE SPOT TO PULL OVER- GET CAR TO DEALER -'SLUDGE " IN THE ENGINE- REGULARLY SERVICED CAR FOR 7 YEARS. *TR

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

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

I PURCHASED AN 03 VW PASSAT FROM A VW DEALER AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE BACK IN 2/07. WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF PURCHASE I HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS WERE FOLLOWED BY VALVE COVER LEAKS, ENGINE LEAKS, AUTO WINDOW PROBLEMS, BATTERY PROBLEMS, RECALL ISSUES, WATER INTRUSION ISSUES, IGNITION COIL RECALL AND THE LIST GOES ON. AFTER A WATER INTRUSION JUST DAYS AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY IGNITION COILS I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE NOTIFYING THEM OF THE PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURE HAD HELD THEIR FOOT TO THE GROUND THAT MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY (THAT I WAS TOLD AT TIME OF SALE I DID NOT HAVE) AND SO THEY ARE ABLE TO DO NOTHING ABOUT ANY OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER AS IT STANDS I HAVE NEARLY $3000 IN REPAIRS NEEDED TO THIS VEHICLE. NOT TO MENTION THE WATER LEAK/DAMAGE FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND MAY ACTUALLY MEAN MY VEHICLE IS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS AT THIS POINT. I HAVE EXPRESSED TO THE MANUFACTURE THAT I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF BUT MY SMALL CHILDREN AS WELL EVER TIME WE ARE IN THIS VEHICLE. AMONG THE SEVERAL THINGS THAT ARE POTENTIAL TO OCCUR WHILE I AM DRIVING I ALSO WORRY ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR MOLD EXPOSURE FROM THE WATER DAMAGE. DUE TO COST I AM UNABLE TO GET ANY OF THIS CORRECTED AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO GO THRU MY INSURANCE ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURE ISSUE AND SO I AM STUCK. I FEEL THAT AT THIS POINT I AM DRIVING AROUND IN A SAFETY HAZARD AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. EVERY TIME I RECEIVE A REPLAY FROM ANYONE I JUST END UP BACK AT THE SAME PLACE....CONTACT THE BBB, ETC. I AM GETTING NO WHERE AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO THEREFORE AM LOOKING INTO ANY AND ALL RESOURCES SO ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE USEFUL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

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

2003 VW PASSAT SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED IN THE GARAGE OF OUR HOME. THERE ARE NO EVENTS OF CONCERN LEADING UP TO THE FIRE. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE SINCE 5:00 PM ON JANUARY 9, 2010 AND THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED AT ABOUT 3:00 AM ON JANUARY 10, 2010. A NOISE FROM THE CAR ALERTED US AND UPON LOOKING IN THE GARAGE THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE UNDER THE CAR. THE FIRE TOTALED THE CAR AND CAUSED OVER $100,000. DAMAGES TO THE STRUCTURE OF OUR HOME. THE COST TO REPLACE AND REPAIR CONTENTS IS NOT YET KNOWN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE NOISES WHILE DRIVING 40MPH. HE STATED THAT THE OIL FUNCTION LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE AND SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE HE DIDN'T HAVE ALL HIS RECORDS FOR THE OIL CHANGES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 96,000.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 2003, VW, PASSAT: A.)TIE ROD AND B.)BRAKE VACUUM VIN: [XXX] 2006 VW RECALLS 06V472000 & 05V540000 ARE SUSPICIOUSLY THE SAME PROBLEM AS MY 2003 PASSAT. LAST TRIP TO SERVICE DEPT REVEALED BOTH PROBLEMS. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY TO DATE. *TR

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