2003 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

IN 4/08 AND 5/08 HAD MALFUNCTION LIGHT INDICATOR COME ON, THEN HAD SEPARATE REPAIRS AT BAYSIDE VOLKSWAGEN. SAME LIGHT CAME ON 7/6/08. ITS SEEMS EVERY MONTH OR SO, ITS AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND HAVING DIFFERENT REPAIRS. *TR

CAR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND EVENTUALLY WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED TO NEAREST AUTO REPAIR SHOP, COST $45. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP, COSTING ANOTHER $110 FOR THIS INFORMATION. A FEW DAYS LATER CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT START. TOWED ONCE AGAIN TO VW DEALERSHIP, COST $155. THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED IT FREE OF CHARGE AND ALSO CHECK ALL OTHER RECALLS. WE RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER THE DAY AFTER THE NO START. I AM ASKING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR BOTH TOWS AND THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AS ALL COST INCURRED WERE DUE TO THIS RECALL. *TR

MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS DRIVING ON A MOUNTAIN, AND THERE WAS NO WHERE TO PULL OVER, SO I HAD TO KEEP DRIVING. THE ENGINE LOCKED UP AND THE CAR LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO STEER IT OFF ONTO A SHOULDER. I HAVE ALSO BEEN BURNED MY THE HEATED SEAT WHEN THE WIRING OVERHEATS, AND IT HAS BOTH SHOCKED AND BURNED MY SKIN. *TR

ON APPROX. JUNE 20, 2008 I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM VW THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH HEAT SHIELDS AND FUEL SYSTEM OF MY 2003 PASSAT ( RECALL NOTICE- 26E5/R5 AND 66C8/P9. I MADE AN IMMEDIATE APPOINTMENT WITH MY DEALERSHIP (DONALDSON"S VW IN SAYVILLE, NY AND GOT AN APPOINTMENT FOR JUNE 27. BECAUSE I WAS VERY CONCERNED WITH THE RECALL AND THE FACT THAT THE NOTICE ADVISED OF A POSSIBILITY OF FIRE EXISTED, I TOOK MY VEHICLE RIGHT DOWN THERE. I WAS THEN ADVISED BY THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THEY COULD NOT PERFORM THE NECESSARY REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY WERE BACK ORDERED ON THE PARTS. I WAS ALSO ALARMED WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA WHEN THEY COULD DO THE REPAIR OR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD COME IN. I AM WRITING THIS IN THE EVENT THAT MY VW PASSAT SHOULD MALFUNCTION BECAUSE OF A DEFECT THAT COULD BE EXPEDITIOUSLY REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. *TR

MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IS HOLDING 6INCHES OR MORE OF WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE FLOOR BOARD AND HAS SHORTED OUT THE COMPUTER UNDERNEATH, IN SERVICING THE CAR THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED HE FOUND 3 OTHER VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS OF THE SAME YEAR TO HAVE THE SAME DEFECT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN ADVISED THAT A SERIOUS CRASH COULD HAVE RESULTED BECAUSE THE COMPUTER UNDERNEATH REGULATES THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL AT AN EXPENSE OF $403.00. THE FAILURE RESURFACED ONE YEAR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE IGNITION COIL FAILED AND CAUSED THE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE ENGINES COMPUTER TO BURN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT AN EXPENSE OF $887.97. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000. UPDATED 10/21/09. *LJ UPDATED 12/07/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER PROBLEM, THE FAILED STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 12/08/09

DRIVING ON I-87 UPSTATE NY AROUND ALBANY IN THE FAST LANE ABOUT 80 MILES AN HOUR THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER. WE PULLED OVER QUICKLY TO THE GRASSY AREA BETWEEN THE HIGHWAYS. WE HEARD A SOUND BUT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN FROM THE ROAD WHEN WE PULLED OFF OR A BACKFIRE? THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. WE CALLED 911 AND A SHERIFF ARRIVED SOON AND TOLD US HOW DIFFICULT IT WOULD BE TO GET BACK ON THE HIGHWAY WITH TRAFFIC GOING 90-95 MILES AN HOUR. WE HAD TO GET INTO THE FAST LANE. WE DROVE A LITTLE ON THE GRASSY AREA TO SEE IF THE CAR WOULD WORK. WITH GREAT DIFFICULT AND TREMENDOUS FEAR WE MANAGED TO GET ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WE WERE THEN ABLE TO DRIVE TO NYC WITHOUT PROBLEMS IN THE SLOWER LANES. NO LIGHTS OR SOUNDS CAME ON TO WARN US OF THE LOSS OF POWER. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO AS WE WERE APPROACHING THE WILLIAMSBURG BRIDGE IN MANHATTAN BUT GOING AT A MUCH SLOWER SPEED. WE PULLED OVER AND HAD TO RESTART THE CAR. WE HAVE HAD THE RECALLS FROM VW BUT NOT A RECENT ONE THAT MAY HAVE COME OUT IN MAY. IT SEEMS LIKE IT COULD BE A FUEL TANK ISSUE. I WILL BE TAKING IT BACK TO VW IN BROOKLYN IN TWO WEEKS TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT SINCE I DID COME IN AND GET ALL THE RECALLS THAT IT COULD NOT BE THAT. I AM AFRAID OF THIS CAR AND ONLY HAVE ABOUT 27,000 MILES AFTER 5 YEARS. IT IS A 2003 PASSAT TURBO WAGON. IT WAS A HOT DAY ON JUNE 8TH AND WHEN WE TURNED ON THE CAR THE TEMP OUT SIDE LIGHT SAID 101 DEGREES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE CONSUMERS HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE. HE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AND HEARD A POP SOUND. THE CONTACT LOOKED OUT HER WINDOW AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE WHEEL WELL ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE AND HER HUSBAND EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND BEGAN RESEARCHING AVAILABLE RECALLS. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000. UPDATED 07/15/08 *BF UPDATED

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHT LENS WERE COVERED WITH A FOGGY MATERIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,332. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/20/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER HE RECEIVED A VOLUNTARY RECALL IN REGARDS TO THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM AND HAVING THE REPAIRS DONE, HE NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WAS A ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON THE VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 3/13/12 *CN

I DROVE ABOUT TEN MILES UP THE CANYON PARKED THE CAR. THEN GOT A CALL ABOUT 15 MIN LATER TELLING ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD PUT IT OUT. I AM STILL WAITING TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE CAR FROM THE DEALER AND INSURANCE. IT LOOKED LIKE THE FIRE STARTED IN THE DASH. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE TURN SIGNALS, BUT THEY DID NOT WORK. THE HAZARD LIGHTS ALSO STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE BEFOREHAND AND THE FAILURES WERE INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUE TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

CONTINENTAL TIRES (ALL FOUR) ARE SEPARATING ALONG THE TREAD AND THEY CLAIM THE TIRES ARE NOT DEFECTIVE. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, NOTICED SMELL OF GASOLINE. AFTER FILLING CAR UP, GASOLINE BEGAN LEAKING FROM RIGHT REAR OF CAR FROM THE GAS TANK. LEFT CAR AT DEALER FOR SERVICE, WHEN CAR WAS LEFT, GASOLINE WAS STILL LEAKING. *TR

EVERY 5,000-7,000 MILES AN IGNITION COIL FAILS ON MY CAR. THIS RESULTS IN MY CAR INSTANTLY STARTING TO SHUTTER AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY. LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED, DRIVING ONLY A MILE RESULTED IN A SEVERE VEHICLE FIRE PUTTING MYSELF AND OTHER IN DANGER. *TR THIS TIME, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER BEFORE SERIOUS INCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR

MY AIR CONDITION HAS BEEN ON THE FRITZ SO TO SPEAK FOR THE LAST YEAR, I THOUGHT IT WAS MY IMAGINATION. THIS PASSED WEEK WHEN I TURNED IT ON FULL BLAST ALL THAT WAS COMING OUT IS WARM AIR. I TOOK THE CAR INTO VW DEALERSHIP THEY REPAIRED TWO LEAKS THEY SAID, WHEN TRYING IT OUT A FEW DAYS LATER THE AIR WAS BLASTING WARM AIR ONCE AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THE EVAPORATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED COSTING ME $1,700.00. HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN TO A CAR THAT IS NOT EVEN 5 YEARS OLD YET. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. *TR

I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY APARTMENTS WHEN MY CAR LOST ALL HORSE POWER AND PRETTY MUCH SPUTTERED THEN DIED; I WAS LEFT EXPOSED TO TRAFFIC ON A BUSY ROAD. THEN, I WAS TOWED TO THE VW DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT MY IGNITION COILS FAILED AND THAT IN TURN RUINED MY OXYGEN SENSOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ALL THESE HAD TO BE REPLACED BY VW AT MY COST. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME WHEN I WAS BEING TOWED THERE HE ALREADY KNEW WHAT IT WAS BECAUSE THEY GO OUT ALL THE TIME. DOING FURTHER RESEARCH IT SEEMS MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

1. DRIVING CAR TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ERRATICALLY WHEN PULLING OUT OF HOUSE. ALSO HIT ANOTHER CAR AS TRANSMISSION SHIFTED WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING. 2. ALWAYS WHEN RAINS. 3. SUNROOF DRAIN/AIR PLENUM AREA DEALER SAID WAS BLOCKED AND WATER WENT DOWN B PILLAR. SHORTED OUT TRANSMISSION COMPUTER IN PASSENGER FOOT WELL. WATER PASSED OVER JUNCTION CONNECTIONS IN B PILLAR ALSO SHORTED OUT AIRBAG SENSOR AND OTHER ELECTRICAL. VW NOW ISSUES SERVICE ACTION 66C8/P9 TO COVER THIS WHICH WAS NOT LISTED AS MAINTENANCE. DEALER SAID HE WAS NOT DOING THIS. VERY POOR DESIGN. IF DRAINS FOR SUN ROOF AND PLENUM CLOG THEN WATER GOES INSIDE AND SHORTS CRITICAL ELECTRONICS. TRANSMISSION COMPUTER IN PASSENGER FOOTWHEEL WHICH FILLED WITH WATER COSTS $2000 AND COULD OF BEEN MY LIFE. IN GENERAL THIS CAR HAS HAD MANY RECALLS AND IS UNSAFE. I HAVE HAD IT FOR 5 YEARS AND ONLY 38K MILES AND EVERY RECALL HAS SURFACE AS PROBLEM IN THIS CAR FROM SEAT HEATERS STAYING ON, BRAKE LIGHTS SHORTING, HEAD LEAKING, FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY VIBRATING LOOSE ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT. *TR

FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR QUITE RUNNING. 1.8 LITER TURBO IN O3 VW PASSAT. DEALER CALLS AND TELLS US OUR VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. TO CALL VW OF NORTH AMERICA AND THEY SHOULD COVER IT. I TALK TO A WOMEN TELL HER THE SAME THING AS ABOVE AND SHE ASK ME TO HOLD WHILE SHE SUBMITS THE CLAIM. SHE COMES BACK ON THE LINE AFTER 45 SECONDS OR SO AND SAYS THAT THEY WON'T COVER IT. THE VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I ASK TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR. I AM TOLD THERE IS NO ONE ELSE I CAN SPEAK TO AND THIS IS THE FINALLY DECISION OF VW OF NORTH AMERICA. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST FAILURE FOR THIS CAR. TEMPERATURE SENSOR REPLACED, BRAKE MODULE REPLACED TWICE, THE HEATER CORE REPLACE, THE TRIP TRONIC SHIFT REPLACED, INSTRUMENT PANEL REPLACED, THE ENGINE FLUSHED FOR SLUDGE. CV BOOTS REPLACED. THEY'RE CRACKED AGAIN AFTER 3 MONTHS. *TR

WHEN FILLING UP THE CAR WITH GASOLINE THERE IS A SEVERE FUEL ODOR. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THE "FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE" WAS LEAKING. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TWO YEARS AGO AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL TANK UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNLESS I PAID FOR IT. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THEY ARE ISSUING A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM BUT WHEN I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN THEY SAID MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE CAR OVERALL AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ONE TO ANYONE. *TR

I FINISHED PUTTING IN A SMALL AMOUNT OF GAS AND WHILE TAKING OFF HAD AN ENGINE PROBLEM. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK, MY CAR STARTED TO CHUG AND I HAD A SEVERE LOSS OF POWER. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY LOCAL VW SERVICE CENTER, AND UPON INVESTIGATION THEY SMELLED A BURNING UNDER MY HOOD AND FOUND THE IGNITION COIL MELTED OR SOMETHING OF THE SORTS. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL AND THE CAR WORKS FINE, FOR NOW UNTIL THE COIL MELTS AGAIN. *TR

I PURCHASED A USED 2003 VW PASSAT 1.8T WAGON IN 2006. IT WORKED PERFECTLY UNTIL THE WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 75,000 MILES AND A NUMBER OF ISSUES OCCURRED THAT I FOUND OUT ARE KNOW ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE AND ISSUE. FIRST THE ENGINE COILS STARTED FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ENDED UP REPLACING FOUR OF THEM AND THEN VW ISSUED A RECALL BUT ONLY COVERED A FRACTION OF WHAT IT COST TO REPLACE. THEN THE STOP TURN ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AND I FOUND OUT THAT THE 1.8T ENGINE HAS A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW THAT LEAVES THIS ENGINE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CREATING OIL SLUDGE EVEN WITH ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. VW ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THIS ENGINE AND ISSUE BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT IS A DESIGN FLAW BUT WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE UNLESS YOU SHOW THEM A COMPLETE RECORD OF ALL OIL CHANGES. I MAINTAINED THIS CAR ROUTINELY BUT DO NOT HAVE ALL RECORDS MILLIONS OF OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE ARE NOW STUCK WITH A DILEMMA OF SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT VW KNEW ABOUT AND SHOULD HAVE FIXED. VW NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND MADE TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE FOR VEHICLE OWNERS REGARDLESS OF A COMPLETE MAINTENANCE RECORD, BECAUSE IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE EVEN WITH COMPLETE MAINTENANCE. *TR

1. NO EVENT LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE 2. FUEL LEAK; STRONG GAS FUMES WITHIN CAR. LEAK & FUMES MORE PROMINENT WITH WARMER WEATHER. 3. VW DEALERSHIP FOUND GAS LEAKING FROM (3) LOCATIONS INCLUDING NIPPLE & PLASTIC SEAMS WHERE CLIPS ARE ATTACHED. GAS TANK WAS REPLACED. *TR

THE SEAT HEATER IN MY 2003 PASSAT GLS BURNT MY LEG ON THE LOWEST SETTING. IT ALSO MELTING A HOLE IN THE CLOTH INTERIOR AND DISCOLORED OTHER SPOTS. AT THIS POINT IT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED SO THE SEAT IS AVAILABLE TO LOOK AT. *TR

AFTER REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP (UNDER RECALL) ON MY 2003 VW PASSAT IN OCTOBER, 2007, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A PERIODIC GAS LEAK FROM AROUND THE GAS TANK. IN DECEMBER, 2007, I HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC INVESTIGATE AND HE COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. MY TANK LEAKED AGAIN LAST WEEK. *TR

DEFECT WITH THE DRIVER SIDE HEATING COIL IN THE SEAT - TODAY DURING A 5 MINUTE DRIVE I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING ON THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR AND FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON MY LEG. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR AND TURNED IT OFF TO INVESTIGATE. UPON EXISTING THE VEHICLE I SAW BURNING EMBERS ON THE SEAT AND A 1/4" HOLE. I WAS FORCED TO SMOTHER OUT THE FIRE. I HAVE SINCE TURNED OFF THE HEATERS AND REFUSE TO USE THEM UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS RECTIFIED. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2003 PASSAT AND HAVE BEEN IN FOR TWO COILS, ENGINE LIGHT, BACK HATCH LOCK BROKEN, FUEL PUMP BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE THUS FAR WAS WHEN I TOLD THEM MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON TWO DAYS PRIOR AND THEY TOLD ME IT WILL COST 4000.00 TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE ENGINE IS FULL OF SLUDGE. I WOULD PRODUCE RECEIPTS FOR SERVICES THAT I ACTUALLY DO REGULARLY EVERY 3-4 THOS. MILES OR THREE MONTHS. HOWEVER THEY INFORMED ME FROM VW OF AMERICA THAT 99% OF THE PEOPLE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT BECAUSE THEIR RECEIPTS DON'T MEET THE REQUIREMENT OF THE MILEAGE OF THE SERVICES. THEY STATE THAT IT MUST BE DONE PRIOR TO 5 THOS. MILES BUT THE BOOK STATES EVERY 7 THOS. MILES FOR SERVICES TO BE DONE. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THEY DIDN'T TELL ME THAT I SHOULD USE THE EXPENSIVE FILTERS/AND SYNTHETIC OILS WHEN SERVICING THE CAR. IS EVERYONE '!@#$% OUT OF LUCK ON THEM COVERING THIS. AND ONCE DONE WHAT PREVENTS IT FROM DOING IT AGAIN? I AM GETTING RID OF THIS ASAP AND NEVER BUYING ANOTHER VW EVER! I WILL SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT BUYING A VW TO EVERYONE I KNOW. *TR

WATER LEAKED IN TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VW PASSAT. THE TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC CONTROLS ARE LOCATED UNDER THE FLOOR MAT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE AUTO. THE WATER SHORTED OUT THE ELECTRONICS FOR THE TRANSMISSION DISABLING THE VEHICLE. A VW DEALER REPAIRED THE PASSAT BY REPLACING THE ELECTRONICS AT A COST OF $2250.00 TO US. THEY ALSO MODIFIED THE AIR INTAKE TO PREVENT FUTURE DAMAGE. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME WE HAD THE AUTO IN FOR CABIN WATER. THE SERVICE REP. TOLD ME THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CABIN AIR INTAKE AND THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER A RECALL ON THE 2000, 2001 AND 2002 YEARS OF THE PASSAT. HE TRIED VW FOR WARRANTY BUT THEY DECLINED. *TR

OIL SLUDGE CAUSES OIL PUMP TO FAIL DAMAGING THE ENGINE. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE AFTERNOON, I NOTICED MY ENGINE SEEMED TO BE SHAKING SLIGHTLY. I PULLED OVER AND EVEN IN PARK, I COULD FEEL THE MOMENTUM OF SOMETHING IN THE ENGINE CAUSING MY CAR TO SHAKE. BY THE TIME I GOT HOME, MY ENGINE LIGHT HAD TURNED ON. I BROUGHT IT TO A VW DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION THEY FOUND THAT MY IGNITION COILS NEEDED REPLACING. UPON SEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND SEVERAL PRESS RELEASES ABOUT ISSUES WITH THE VW IGNITION COILS, AND PENDING DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS RELATING TO THE COILS AND FIRES RESULTING. I AM THANKFUL THAT I DID NOT FIND MYSELF IN THIS SITUATION BUT I AM SURE THAT IF I HAD NOT BEEN PAYING ATTENTION THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE HAD A FAR WORSE OUTCOME. I AM NOW DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

CAR WENT IN FOR BRAKE JOB AT 39,000 MILES. MECHANIC FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT CV JOINTS WERE CRACKED AND FRONT AXLES AND CV BOOTS WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT. THIS WAS CLOSE TO A $1,000.00 REPAIR JOB ON A CAR WITH UNDER 40,000 MILES. APPARENTLY THIS IS A NOT UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH 5TH GENERATION PASSAT VEHICLES. I FEEL VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

MY 2003 VW PASSAT HAS SHOWN CASES OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FOLLOWING A RECENT RAIN STORM. THE REAR PASSENGER FOOTWELL COLLECTED WATER AND THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT NORMALLY. THE CAR WOULD NOT UPSHIFT AND SLAMMED INTO GEAR FROM PARK. I'M NOW UNABLE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF NEUTRAL AND CAN'T REMOVE THE KEY. *TR

ENGINE OIL PRESSURE FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY AND SMOKE BEGAN EMANATING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. SHE PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EMISSION COILER, AND OXYGEN SENSORS FAILED. ALL OF THE REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000.

I HAVE A 2003 PASSAT V6 IN WHICH THERE IS A LEAK THROUGH THE POLLEN FILTER BECAUSE OF FAULTY DESIGN. EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR SNOWS IN THE NORTHEAST WATER GETS THROUGH THE FAULTY SEAL AND IS ACCUMULATING IN THE PASSENGER REAR AND FRONT SEAT. THE WATER ACCUMULATION HAS CAUSED THE TCM TO WORK IMPROPERLY AND MAY MALFUNCTION. WITH OUT THE USE OF A TCM THAT WORKS PROPERLY THE CAR MAY SHUTDOWN OR MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS A PROBLEM VW KNOWS ABOUT AND HAS IN FACT ISSUED A RECALL ON THE 2002 MODEL. THIS IS AN ISSUE ON ALL B5 PASSAT MODELS. PLEASE HELP ISSUE A RECALL TO CORRECT THIS MATTER. THANKS STEVE *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE IGNITION COIL FAILED AND WILL MAKE THE REPAIR AT THE COST OF $250. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY TRADED IN HIS VOLKSWAGEN JETTA DUE TO THE IDENTICAL COIL FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55,000.

FOLLOWING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OF MY VEHICLE, (TUNE-UP, INCLUDING REPLACEMENT OF SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION HARNESSES) MY REPAIR SHOP MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. HE SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN IT OFF. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FACTORY-AUTHORIZED VW DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY LOW VOLTAGE TO THE AIRBAG UNIT, THAT THE BATTERY TESTED LOW AT 12.04 VOLTS AND THEY COULD NOT RESET THE CODE WITHOUT REPLACING THE BATTERY. I APPROVED NEW BATTERY PURCHASE, BUT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO MAKE WARNING LIGHT GO OUT, DESPITE RECODING THE CONTROLLER . DEALER CLAIMED FURTHER TESTING REVEALED AIRBAG UNIT CONTROLLER HAD FAILED AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT AT PARTS COST OF $798.00. I DECLINED TO PAY THAT AMOUNT. IN REPLY TO MY QUESTION, SERVICE REP SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM THAT AIRBAG(S) WOULD DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. SINCE THEY I HAVE DRIVEN VEHICLE FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH, AND EACH TIME I START VEHICLE A WARNING SOUNDS, THE "AIRBAG FAILURE" NOTICE COMES UP ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE AIRBAG WARNING SIGNAL STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. I TELEPHONED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE TO COMPLAIN AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND THAT SINCE VEHICLE WAS NEARLY 6 YEARS OLD AND OUT OF WARRANTY I WOULD NEED TO ASSUME COST OF REPAIR/UNIT REPLACEMENT. I SAID I THOUGHT THIS WAS A SAFETY FAILURE WITH VEHICLE BECOMING OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS THROUGH NO FAULT OR MALPRACTICE OF THE OWNER (MYSELF) AND THAT VW SHOULD ASSUME COST OF REPAIRS. CUSTOMER SERVICE REP SAID THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND REPLY. SO FAR NO RESPONSE. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO DISPLAY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT. *TR

CAR MAKES JUMP WHEN SLOWING DOWN LOOKS LIKE TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER FOUR TIMES I TOOK THE CAR FOR CHECK UP IN NORTHEAST WV OUTLET IN PHILADELPHIA,PA PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY, IGNITION COILS RESET COMPUTER AND SO AND SO BUT LOOKS LIKE THEY CAN'T SOLVE THAT PROBLEM. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR ,AND THIS SCARES HER, SHE GETS NERVOUS AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

AT APPROXIMATELY 9:35 PM, NOVEMBER 29, 2007, I ENTERED MY 2003 VW PASSAT AND STARTED THE ENGINE. THE AIR TEMPERATURE SHOWED 39 DEGREESF SO I SWITCHED ON THE CONTROL FOR THE HEATED SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO HIGH. APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AFTER STARTING THE CAR IT SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I AM A NON-SMOKER. IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE SMELL WAS FROM INSIDE THE CAR AND I BEGAN TO EVALUATE POSSIBLE SOURCES FOR A FIRE SINCE THE SMELL SEEMED TOO CLOSE TO BE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I BEGAN TO FEEL AROUND THE SEAT SINCE I KNEW THE SEAT WARMER WAS ON AND SUDDENLY REALIZED THAT AN AREA UNDER MY LEFT THIGH WAS HOT. FURTHER INVESTIGATION, WITH MY HAND, REVEALED THAT MY COAT FELT BURNED OR MELTED AND THE SEAT WAS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. THE AREA SEEMED TO COOL OFF SLIGHTLY SO I CONTINUED HOME - ABOUT A 10 MINUTE DRIVE. AFTER ARRIVING HOME I CHECKED THE SEAT AND MY COAT. THE SEAT WAS STILL WARM TO THE TOUCH 25 MINUTES AFTER THE SWITCH HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. THERE IS A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT APPROXIMATELY 0.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER, WITH FLECKS OF BLACK SOOT AROUND THE EDGES, ABOUT 4.75 INCHES FROM THE BACK OF THE SEAT AND 2.5 INCHES IN FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT. MY COAT HAS AN AREA APPROXIMATELY 0.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER THAT IS EITHER MELTED OR THE SEAT IS MELTED ONTO MY COAT. THE INCIDENT WILL BE REPORTED TO THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER ON 30 NOVEMBER 2007. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 VW PASSAT. I'VE HAD TWO LEAKS INTO THE FRONT RIGHT FLOORBOARD IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS FROM EITHER A SUNROOF DRAIN LINE OR A AIR CONDITIONER. THE LEAKS HAVE PRODUCED SO MUCH WATER THAT IT HAS GONE TO RIGHT BACK FLOORBOARD. THE PLASTIC ON THE INTERIOR IS WORN OFF. THE ASHTRAY FELL APART. THEY CAN'T SEEM TO GET THE ALIGNMENT RIGHT SO I KEEP GOING THROUGH TIRES AND THE TIRES I DO HAVE SOUND UNEVEN WHEN I ROTATE THEM, MAKING ME THINK THERE'S A PROBLEM. HOVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS THREE TIMES IN 1 AND 1/2 YEARS. THERE'S A DEFECT INVESTIGATION INTO FIRES IN THE ENGINE AND A RECALL ON OIL SLUDGE. THIS CAR IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND IT'S VERY POORLY ENGINEERED. ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER. VW HAS ON A BUNCH OF RECALLS ALREADY ON THIS MODEL, TO MANY FOR ME TO FEEL SAFE WITH. I'M ABANDONING THE CAR TODAY, TRADING IT IN FOR SOMETHING ELSE. WILL NEVER BUY A VW AGAIN. NO CAR SHOULD HAVE THIS MANY ISSUES. AND THE ISSUES CONTINUE TO ROLL IN. NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT JUST CAME ON...ANOTHER THING TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT!!! *TR

WE WERE DRIVING UP TO THE BASE OF THE PALM SPRINGS TRAM ON A COOL DAY AT A RELATIVELY SLOW RATE OF SPEED AND PARKED AT THE VALLEY STATION. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS APPARENTLY OPERATING NORMALLY DURING THE ENTIRE DRIVE. A FEW MINUTES AFTER PARKING, WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR, AND UPON OPENING THE HOOD DISCOVERED THE FIRE. SINCE TRAM SECURITY WAS THERE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED RELATIVELY QUICKLY. THE INSULATION WAS BURNED AND THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN ANY FURTHER. IT WAS TOWED TO INDIO, CA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. AS OF NOVEMBER 26, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V375000). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 81,716.

A THIRD IGNITION COIL FAILURE IN 18 MONTHS, THE LAST ONE ALLOWING RAW GASOLINE INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, WHERE IT CAUGHT FIRE, DESTROYING THE TURBO AND CAUSING A LARGE AMOUNT OF BLACK SMOKE. I LOST POWER WHILE DRIVE, WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE IN A SAFE MANNER AND EVENTUALLY SUFFERED SMOKE INHALATION. ALL COILS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

MY 2003 VW PASSAT WAGON FLOODED DURING A RAINSTORM BECAUSE THE POLLEN FILTER SEAL FAILED. FURTHERMORE, BECAUSE THE COMFORT CONTROL MODULE COMPUTER IS MOUNTED ON THE FLOOR, THAT WAS DAMAGED AND THE BILL IS SIGNIFICANT. *TR MY DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT REP (BOSTON VW) TOLD ME THAT HE RECOMMENDS CLEANING LEAVES OFF THE CAR 2 TO 3 TIMES PER DAY IN ORDER TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM. THAT SEEMS LIKE AN UNREASONABLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT TO PREVENT AN ISSUE THAT I'VE NEVER SEEN PREVIOUSLY WITH OTHER CARS.

FRONT END NOISE WAS DIAGNOSED BY VW SERVICE AS MISSING AND LOOSE RACK AND PINION STEERING BOLTS, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH 20,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND NORMAL USE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD, I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THIS IS NOT COVERED. SUCH A FLAW IN STEERING INTEGRITY SHOULD GENERATE A RECALL - BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR

1.8L TURBO ENGINE WITH 51,000 MILES, STILL UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. OIL PRESS/STOP ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED MOMENTARILY. FIRST TIME WAS THE SUMMER 07. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED CHANGING THE OIL, WHICH I HAD DONE 2K MILES AND 2 MONTHS PREVIOUS, BUT DID AGAIN. THAT WORKED, NO OTHER ADVISE BY DEALER. NO OCCURRENCE AGAIN UNTIL NOV 07. DEALERSHIP INSPECTION REVEALED SLUDGE AND COKING. VW OF AMERICA WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY TYPE OF REPAIR WITHOUT RECEIPTS PROVING MAINTENANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OWNERS MANUAL. I DID ALL MY OWN OIL CHANGES ON SCHEDULE BUT DID NOT KEEP RECEIPTS FOR OIL/FILTER. THE $130+ DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY EITHER. ADDITIONALLY, DEALER SAID THE WARRANTY WAS VOID BECAUSE I HAD AN OTHER THAN VW OIL FILTER ON. REPAIR ESTIMATE IS $3,000 TO REBUILD ENGINE. *TR

AFTER RAINSTORM, OUR 2003 PASSAT WAGON BEGAN DEVELOPING A MUSTY ODOR WITH NO APPARENT WATER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, THE ALARM ALSO WOULD GO OFF FOR NO REASON. EVENTUALLY, THE ODOR SUBSIDED AND WE THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT UNTIL THE NEXT MAJOR RAINSTORM A FEW MONTHS LATER. AFTER THIS EVENT, WATER APPARENTLY LEAKED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR THROUGH A SUNROOF DRAIN AND CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE CAR TO GO HAYWIRE. MY WIFE HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR 20 MINUTES WITH OUR 4-MONTH OLD BABY WHILE THE ALARM SYSTEM WENT OFF, LIGHTS FLASHING ON AND OFF, AND ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GENERALLY GOING HAYWIRE. THE LOCKS CEASED TO WORK, THE WINDOWS COULD NOT BE PUT UP, AND THE TRUNK COULDN'T BE OPENED. THE DEALER TOLD US THAT THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY CLOGGING IN THE SUNROOF DRAIN, WHICH THEY SAID IS VERY COMMON. WHILE MY WIFE WAS AT THE DEALER, 3 OTHER PEOPLE CAME IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AS A RESULT OF THE WATER, THE COMFORT AND CONTROL MODULE IS BEING REPLACED. IT IS UNCLEAR YET WHETHER WE WILL ALSO NEED TO REPLACE THE CARPETING FOR ODOR ISSUES. THE TOTAL COST SO FAR IS ABOUT $1,000. *TR

I HAVE A VW PASSAT 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINE THAT HAS SLUDGE IN IT CAUSING MY OIL PRESSURE TO BE LOW WHICH THREW MY TIMING OFF. LUCKILY STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR BEFORE IT LOCK UP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH SMOKE CAME THROUGH THE VENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO SMOKE PRESENT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,000.

ENGINE IGNITION COILS FAIL, CAUSING A HESITATION IN ENGINE, WHICH IS DANGEROUS AND MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT IN TRAFFIC. THE COILS DO NOT FAIL ALL AT ONCE, AND VW WILL ONLY REPLACE IF THEY FAIL. ONE OF THE COILS FAILED AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO COIL DROPPING ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. VW REFUSES TO REPLACE ANY FURTHER IGNITION COILS. *JB