2004 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND INJECTORS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH 117000 MILES ON THIS CAR WITH 1.8 TURBO, STOP OIL PRESSURE LOW, TOOK TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND OIL SLUDGE WAS DETECTED, WAS CLEANED AND STARTED RUNNING NORMALLY AGAIN BUT EMITTED A WHITE SMOKE THAT SMELLED FROM EXHAUST. TWO WEEKS LATER STOP OIL PRESSURE LOW ON CAR AGAIN TOOK TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP AGAIN. ANOTHER 500.00 AND THIS WAS YET AGAIN CLEANED AND WHITE SMOKE STILL COMING FROM EXHAUST. WAS TOLD THAT IF THE TURBO IS GOING OUT THAT THE OIL SLUDGE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD UP AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

I NOTICED MY COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS LOW AND ADDED COOLANT. I HAD ALSO NOTICED THE SMELL OF COOLANT IN THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY I CHECK COOLANT LEVEL AGAIN IT WAS LOW WITH NO LEAKS NOTICED UNDER CAR. I OPENED REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND FOUND AT LEAST 1" OF COOLANT ON TOP OF THE CARPET. I STARTED LOOKING ONLINE FOR THIS ISSUE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ON VOLKSWAGEN. I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THESE OR AT LEAST HAVE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM CASE BY CASE. MY GRANDDAUGHTER HAS TO RIDE IN THE BACK OF THIS CAR AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S SAFE ANYMORE. I WILL HAVE TO BYPASS HEATER CORE TO STOP THIS UNTIL REPAIRS CAN ME MADE. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET VOLKSWAGEN TO FIX THIS? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL DRAGGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING THROUGH SNOW. THE CONTACT IN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT A FRACTURED PLASTIC COMPONENT AND THE ZIP TIE HOLDING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL WAS CONSUMING PREMATURELY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL) WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR

HEATED SEATS ON DRIVER SIDE STOPPED WORKING ONLY TO FIND SEAT HAD SMOLDERED A FIRE BENEATH ME! WAS THERE A RECALL ON THESE SEATS!? *TR

THE SEAT WARMER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STARTED A FIRE THAT BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT AND ONTO MY LEG. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY AND TURN OFF THE CAR FOR IT TO STOP BURNING. *TR

I WAS DRIVING INSIDE TOWN APPROXIMATELY AT 35 MPH AND WAS STOPPING IN THE STOP LIGHT. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. AFTER THE STOP LIGHT TURNED GREEN I RELEASED BRAKE AND THE SHAKE WAS NOT THERE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS GONE. I WENT FEW MILES TO PICK MY DAUGHTER AND AFTER PICKING MY DAUGHTER AND LESS THAN A MILE ON ROAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THERE IS A SLIGHT VIBRATION OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED ON. I'M YET TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP. NOT SURE IF THERE IS ANY FACTORY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR MAINTENANCE WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE VEHICLE WAS LISTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. VOLKSWAGEN INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS NO LONGER AN OPEN RECALL IN THEIR SYSTEM, AND THEY WOULD NOT HONOR IT. UPDATED 12/04/13

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM) AND HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTINUED TO LEAK AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE REMEDY PROVIDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR

FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE IS LEAKING FUEL. VW DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER THE EXISTING RECALL: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V156000 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE08008 I HAVE VW PASSAT 2004 GLS 4 MOTION W/MANUAL TRANSMISSION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER COOLANT SYSTEM AND THE TIMING BELT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT FIRE CAUSING A HOLE TO BE BURNT THROUGH THE LEATHER SEATS CAUSED SCORCHING TO PANTS AND A MINOR BURN TO THE BUTTOCKS. A MODERATE AMOUNT OF SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE BURNING SEAT AND FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER, PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE SEAT CONTINUED TO SMOKE PROFUSELY; I SMOTHERED THE FIRE AND CONTACTED MY LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME TO CONTACT VW OF AMERICA; THE ENTIRE PROCESS HAS BEEN A COMPLETE HASSLE AND I AM NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE WHILE VW OF AMERICA "INVESTIGATES" THE ISSUE. MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND I WERE IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME; THEY BECAME EXTREMELY UPSET AND SCARED. FORTUNATELY, THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED PRIOR TO MY GETTING ON THE FREEWAY (I COMMUTE 45 MINUTES EACH WAY FOR SCHOOL). HAD MY SEAT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD BE ALIVE TO WRITE THIS COMPLAINT. WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE THE SURPRISE AND PANIC I FELT WHEN THE SEAT BEGAN TO BURN ME; TO CALL THIS A SAFETY HAZARD WOULD BE A GROSS UNDERSTATEMENT. THIS MALFUNCTION/DEFECT IS ONE THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE GREAT BODILY HARM AND/OR DEATH SHOULD IT HAPPEN UNDER THE ABOVE STATED CIRCUMSTANCES (HIGHWAY DRIVING, HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND HEAVY TRAFFIC). IT IS MY OPINION THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE MADE TO PROTECT ADDITIONAL CONSUMERS FROM THIS HAZARD. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET WITH VW AND THE SEEMINGLY CASUAL ATTITUDE REGARDING THIS ISSUE; AS A CONSUMER I FEEL VW HAS A DUTY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR CONSUMERS-A SEAT THAT CAN CATCH FIRE AT ANY TIME IS A BREACH OF THAT DUTY. I FEEL THAT SOME WARNING, AT THE VERY LEAST, SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO THE CONSUMER PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE. *TR

FLASHING ENGINE LAMP/MIL LIGHT, VIOLENT SHAKING, LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, FOUL ODOR, MISFIRING, PINGING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS PRESSURE BUILDING UP IN THE OIL, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

WE HAVE BEGUN TO NOTICE THE SMELL OF FUEL IN THE CABIN OF OUR CAR. THE SMELL OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS FULL OF GAS; OTHERWISE, WITH A HALF TANK OF GAS, THERE ARE NO ODORS. THE CAR IS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 1.8T 4MOTION WITH THE 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC. VW HAS MADE NO PROMISES TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE. *TR

POWER TRAIN ISSUE: BAD TORQUE CONVERTER (TC). WHY A SAFETY ISSUE? IT CAN FAIL WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY SENDING DEBRIS INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. CAUSED BY A BAD SEAL GASKET. TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 2011908 ADDRESS THE ISSUE IN 2007. BUT THE TDIS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE TB [SAME TC & TRANSMISSION], AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN MANY VW, AUDI AND BMW VEHICLES, INCLUDING TDIS. E.G. VW & AUDI: HTTP://KANSASCITYTDI.COM/AUDIPASSAT-P0741-17125-CODE/ BMW: HTTP://FORUMS.BIMMERFORUMS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=1601642 WITH A P0741 ERROR: DTC RESULTS: 17125 P0741 003 TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH CIRC. PERFORMANCE OR STUCK OFF INTERMITTENT IF YOU DO A WEB SEARCH FOR: P0741 ERROR CODE TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER THE RESULTS ARE STARTLING, IT SEEMS THAT VW, AUDI AND BMW ALL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH TCS, "MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE INTERNAL TC SEALS WERE NOT UP TO THE TASK ON THE ORIGINAL TCS OF THAT ERA. ...INCLUDING AUDI". HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM/SHOWPOST.PHP?P=3036384&POSTCOUNT=5 "IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT ADDRESSED THEN THE TRANSMISSION WILL OVER HEAT DUE TO THE SLIPPAGE AND YOU WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION." HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM/SHOWPOST.PHP?P=3038540&POSTCOUNT=11 IT SEEMS THAT THIS SHOULD OF BEEN FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR NON-DIESEL VEHICLES SERVICE BULLETIN: 2011908. THE TC IS THE SAME IN ALL B5 MODELS. HTTP://WWW.IMPORTDRIVETRAIN.COM/AUTOTRANSCROSSREF.HTML#VOLKSWAGEN SO WHY WAS THE TDI S NOT COVERED? ------------------------------------ BODY: DOORS: WON'T UNLOCK FROM OUTSIDE BY REMOTE OR UNLOCK BUTTON FROM INSIDE. *TR

PURCHASED CAR USED. FIRST TIME I FILLED THE GAS TANK STRONG SMELL OF RAW GAS WAS PRESENT DURING THE NEXT SEVERAL MILES OF TRAVEL. WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE STORE FROM PAYING FOR THE SECOND FILL UP THERE WAS A BIG PUDDLE OF RAW FUEL ALL OVER THE GROUND DIRECTLY UNDER THE CAR. I DID SOME RESEARCH & DISCOVERED A MANUFACTURE RECALL FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION INDICATED THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. AFTER EXPLAINING MY DILEMMA TO THE APPROPRIATE CORPORATE DEPARTMENT I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THEY COULD/WOULD DO TO REMEDY THIS VERY HAZARDOUS DEFECT. MY FEELING IS THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER PROPERLY ADDRESSED, IN SPITE OF THE RECALL, & IS THEREFORE STILL A HAZARD. I HAVE DISCOVERED BY KEEPING THE LEVEL OF THE GAS TANK BELOW 1/2 IT DOESN'T LEAK. OUT OF NECESSITY FOR TRANSPORTATION THIS IS HOW I'VE BEEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. DUE TO THE MAJOR EXPENSE OF PROPERLY REPAIRING THIS, AND THE POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC HAZARD IT PRESENTS, I FEEL THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE COMPLETE, AND PROPER REPAIR OF THIS ADMITTED DEFAULT IN THE CAR. WHAT, IF ANYTHING, CAN YOUR ORGANIZATION DO TO ASSIST ME IN THIS MATTER? *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY PASSAT ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 60MPH, SUDDENLY AN OTHER DRIVER CUT ME OFF. TO AVOID HIM I SWITCHED LANE BUT THE TRAFFIC WAS MOVING SLOW AS I WAS APPROACHING A CONSTRUCTING SITE. I HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHICH CAUSED OTHER 2 CARS AHEAD TO BE INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE DAMAGE WAS SEVERE AS THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS CRASHED INCLUDING THE ENGINE AND THE PASSENGER WAS FATALLY INJURED, HE HAD A SHOULDER DISLOCATION. WHAT SURPRISED ME ARE THE AIRBAGS, THEY NEVER DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH. AFTER FEW DAYS VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA SENT AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE CAR. AFTER HE LEFT I NOTICED THE SEAT BELTS ARE LOOSE AND THE BOTTOM COVER IS OPENED, IT SEEMS LIKE HE DID IT IN PURPOSE. BEFORE HE CAME THE SEAT BELTS WERE FINE. WHAT MOST SURPRISED ME IS HIS DECISION THAT THE AIRBAGS CAN'T DEPLOYED IN THIS CASE. I SHOWED HIM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR WHERE IS THE CHASSIS, IT WAS BENT FROM THE DIRECT IMPACT OF THE FORCES THAT CAME THROUGH THE BUMPER WHICH ALSO CAUSE THE FRONT BEAM TO TWIST, BUT NEVER GAVE ME A SATISFIED EXPLANATION. PEOPLE WHO TRY TO BUY THIS CAR AND HAVE KIDS PLEASE BE AWARE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE, MY FAMILY WAS BLESSED TO GET OUT OF THIS ACCIDENT JUST WITH A SHOULDER DISLOCATION, WHICH COULD BE WORST. MY NEXT STEP IS LAWSUIT AGAINST VW. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS AWAY, HE LEFT THE VEHICLE PARKED IN AN AIRPORT PARKING GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER IMPOUNDED BY THE POLICE DUE TO FUEL LEAKAGE IN WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE POLICE REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO BE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT A HEAT SHIELD THAT MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. IN ADDITION, A FUEL LEAK FROM A FUEL LINE OR THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY) AND 04V586000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,529.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE RADIATOR, THE WATER PUMP, AND THE TIMING BELT. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

THE DRAIN COMING DOWN FROM THE SUNROOF APPARENTLY BECAME CLOGGED CAUSING THIS VEHICLE TO SHORT OUT...HORN BLOWING, ALARM SYSTEM GOING OFF, ETC. THE WATERPROOF BLACK BOX, WHICH IS UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SEAT, WAS FULL OF WATER AND THE COMFORT CONTROL BOX WAS ALL BURNED. THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR IS SOAKING WET AND WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DRY IT OUT FOR 6 DAYS NOW. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE WHILE OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER CAR. PLEASE ADVISE..... *TR

APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO I LEFT MY PARENTS' HOUSE IN THIS VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, AND QUICKLY FOUND THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE RIGID LINE WHERE IT IS FASTENED TO THE FIREWALL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE METAL TUBE HAD CRACKED INSIDE THE RUBBER LINED BRACKET THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE. AT THE TIME I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ODD BUT ISOLATED INCIDENT; I HAVE SINCE SEEN OTHER REPORTS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR FAILURES, SO IT SEEMS WORTH DOCUMENTING CONSIDERING THE HIGH RISK OF FIRE INVOLVED. *TR

FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTOR FAILED (SEPARATED FROM BOLTING HUB) IN HARD BRAKING AT ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR. BRAKES HAD BEEN REPLACED IN 2009 AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 37,000 MILES DRIVEN SINCE REPLACEMENT. NO OTHER SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE WEAR OR WARPAGE NOTED BY AUTO TECHNICIANS. FAILED PART NUMBER 4B0-615-301-B. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SMOKE AND FLAMES BEGAN TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WHICH ORIGINATED WITHIN THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED AS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO SAVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 05/11/12*LJ UPDATED 06/01/12

I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY CAR FOR FEWER THAN 15 MINUTES WITH THE SEAT HEATING ELEMENT ON. I NOTICED AN ACUTE BURNING HEAT NEAR MY UPPER LEFT LEG, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER NOTICED A HOT/BURNING/MELTING SMELL. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT AND PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT. AFTER BEING TURNED OFF FOR 10 MINUTES, THE BURNING SMELL WAS STILL HANGING IN THE CAR AND MY SEAT WAS STILL EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE GRAY LEATHER NEAR THE OUTER LEFT EDGE OF THE SEATING SURFACE IS EMBLAZONED WITH A SINGED, BROWNISH BURN MARK, AND A HOLE WAS BURNED COMPLETELY THROUGH THE LEATHER. I HAVE NOT TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATING ELEMENT SINCE THIS INCIDENT, BUT AM QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND FIRE HAZARD. *TR

ON 1/28 12:30PM, AFTER AROUND 5 MINUTES AFTER DRIVING OUTSIDE MY GARAGE ONTO HIGHWAY WA-202, THE WINDOWS TURN VERY STEAMY. IN THE NEXT 10 MINUTES, WE TRIED HOT, AIR, AND AC. RECYCLED AND NOT. IT JUST BECAME WORSE AND WARM STEAM COMES OUT OF VENTS AND COMPLETELY BLOCKS SEEING INTO FRONT. AND MY WIFE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND YOUNG DAUGHTERS FROM THE CAR SEAT IN THE BACK SEE STEAM ALL AROUND AND CANNOT SEE THROUGH WINDOWS EITHER. THIS DAMAGE ALMOST TURNS INTO A DISASTER ACCIDENT FOR MY ENTIRE FAMILY ON THE STATE HIGH WAY. MY PASSAT GLS HAS BEEN CAREFULLY MAINTAINED AND PROTECTED IN THE FULL GATED GARAGE. NEVER WATER DAMAGE WITH IT. WE ARE GENUINELY LOOKING FORWARD A FAIR SOLUTION OR TREATMENT FROM VW. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US FOR ANY DOCUMENT YOU WANT. *TT

THE PLASTIC CLIPS HOLDING THE WINDOW IN PLACE BROKE AND WINDOW FALLS DOWN. IT COSTS $350 TO REPLACE THE $1.50 CHEAP PLASTIC PART. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

FUEL LINE BROKE AND LEAKED GAS ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE FUEL LEAK WAS FROM A FUEL HOSE ON THE FIREWALL. THE FUEL LINES ARE LEAKING IN SEVERAL OTHER AREAS UNDERNEATH THE CAR. *TR

I OWN 2004 PASSAT AND RECENTLY HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT ON FREEWAY TRANSMISSION BECAME UNRESPONSIVE,AND ALMOST GOT ME WIPED OUT BY TWO TRAILER TRUCK GOING ABOUT 60! I WAS TOLD TO REPAIR IT WOULD BE 1200.00 TO 3000.00 DOLLARS. BUT FOR VOLKSWAGEN TO KNOW OF PROBLEM AND REFUSE TO FIX IS OUTRAGEOUS AND YOU PEOPLE NEED TO DO SOMETHING BEFORE INJURY;S OR MORE HAPPEN! IS THERE SOMEONE I CAN CONTACT TO GET HELP,I CANNOT AFFORD THAT,AND VW NEEDS TO REPAIR IF THEY ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT IT!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER IT RAINED, WATER BEGAN TO BUILD UP ON THE FLOOR BOARD BEHIND THE DRIVERS BACK SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

2004 VW PASSAT, VIN [XXX] JULY 2010 - SUNROOF DRAINS FAILED TO DRAIN; WATER ENTERED COCKPIT; WATER DESTROYED CONVENIENCE MODULE UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT. REPAIRED $769 JULY 2011 - SUNROOF DRAINS, ALTHOUGH OPEN, COULD NOT HANDLE FLOW OF WATER, AND AGAIN CONVENIENCE MODULE WAS DESTROYED. WILL BE REPAIRED SOON. THIS CURRENT FAILURE NOW HAS A 'AIRBAG FAULT' WARNING ON THE DASH. WILL NOT ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

FUEL LINE LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FUEL LINE MATERIAL WAS DEFORMED AND RESULTED IN A SMALL HOLE WHERE FUEL WAS SPRAYING DIRECTLY ON THE TURBO, CAT AND RELATED EXHAUST COMPONENTS. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN AND DID NOT SHUT DOWN OR SHOW SIGNS OF A FUEL LEAK. *TR

FAULTY IGNITION COILS ON 2004 VW PASSAT, 4 CYLINDER TURBO ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE ENGINE LOSES POWER AND DASH BOARD WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. IGNITION COILS HAVE BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. *TR

VEHICLE HAS 80K MILES I'VE REPLACED 3 MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS, APPROX 12 COILS. THE LATEST ISSUE IS THE EPC - CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING, EPC COMES ON. CAR WILL RESTART WITH SOME DIFFICULTY. *TR

2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN, STATING A SERIES OF ISSUES SUCH AS OIL SLUDGE, ENGINE MALFUNCTION ISSUES, ANTI-FREEZE AND COOLANT ISSUES AND IGNITION COIL ISSUES WITH VOLKSWAGENS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE LEARNED THERE WAS A SPECIFIC TYPE OF COOLANT THAT ONLY BE USED FOR HER MODEL VEHICLE. SHE STATED EACH SUMMER SHE DROVE AROUND WITH 2 CONTAINERS OF ANTI-FREEZE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSUME SO MUCH ANTI-FREEZE. ALSO, THE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED. *JB

2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L TURBO. OIL SLUDGE CLASS ACTION. MY CAR HAD THE STOP ENGINE WARNING COME ON THE OTHER DAY AFTER THE REQUIRED OIL CHANGE. SINCE I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR I CAN NOT PROVE THE OIL CHANGES WHERE DONE AS VW RECOMMENDS. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR A FEW MONTHS. SADLY I AM LOOKING AT A TOTAL ENGINE CHANGE WITH NO HELP FROM THE CLASS ACTION SUIT OR VW. I HAVE OWNED A VW ON AND OFF FOR 15 YEARS. THIS WILL BE MY LAST IF THEY DON'T MAKE GOOD ON THE RECALL. *LN

HEATED SEAT COILS OVERHEATED AND BURNT SEAT ON DRIVER SIDE. *TR

DRIVING ALONG CAME UP TO A STOP SIGN AND CAR SPUTTERED THEN DIES AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED TOWED TO DEALER. ADVISED OF BAD FUEL PUMP. $800.00 FOR REPAIR. SAME AS SEVERAL OTHER 2004 COMPLAINTS AND CHECKING TO SEE IF THIS SHOULD BE TIED TO THE 2003 RECALL. *TR

TL* THE DRIVER OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT PIECES OF THE ENGINE BLOCK WERE FRACTURING INTO THE OIL PAN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

MY 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IS PART OF THE "VW OIL SLUDGE SETTLEMENT". I HAVE DONE ALL SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES, MAINTENANCE, ETC. I HAVE ALL RECEIPTS. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE COILS, THE UNDERBODY HEAT, ETC. NOV. 20TH 2010 I TOOK THE CAR IN BECAUSE A PERFORMANCE LIGHT RELATED TO THE ENGINE CAME ON. I DID NOT KNOW AT THE TIME THE WARRANTY OF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN EXTENDED. I HAD TO PAY $ 654.11 FOR REPAIRS AND SPENT 4.5 HOURS AT THE DEALER, VW SOUTH SERVICE, WAITING FOR MY CAR. NOW, I HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK IN FOR THE SAME LIGHT COMING ON AS IN NOVEMBER. I HAVE 2 YEARS TO PAY FOR THE CAR APPROXIMATELY $ 8000.00. A CAR THAT IS KNOWN HAS MAJOR ISSUES WITH OIL SLUDGE AND THE ENGINE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO CONTINUE TO PAY VOLKSWAGEN FOR A CAR THAT IS GOING TO GIVE ME HEADACHES IN THE NEXT 2 YEARS, A LEMON. AND WILL CONTINUOUSLY CAUSE ME TO MISS WORK. I HAVE THE SETTLEMENT LETTER AND A FILE WITH ALL RECEIPTS. VIN# [XXX] - 2004 PASSAT GLS 1.8T INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

ABS UNIT FAILURE OF 2004 VW PASSAT MY ABS MODULE KEEPS FLASHING A BRAKE FAILURE ON MY DASHBOARD. I DON'T KNOW HOW SAFE IT IS TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH A FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH. SEEING HOW THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE SHOULDN'T THE MANUFACTURE FIX THIS BRAKE PROBLEM UNDER A RECALL? *TR

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AROUND 40 MPH IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES IN THE AFTERNOON AND I WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN. I PRESSED THE BRAKES HARD BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP AND I TRIED TO SWERVE TO THE SHOULDER BUT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM. I REAR-ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS PUZZLED AND BEWILDERED WHY THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKES. I COULD SEE MYSELF APPROACHING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND WONDERING WHY I AM NOT STOPPING BUT AT THE SAME TIME TRYING TO SWERVE TOWARDS THE SHOULDER. THE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO PASSENGER. *TR

THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT THE ENGINE COOLANT IS NOT TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, I NOW HAVE A HEATER CORE THAT IS CLOGGED AND THAT CAUSES NO HEAT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR. THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO CONSUMERS IN THE VOLKSWAGEN OWNER'S MANUAL IS IN ERROR AND LEADS TO EXPENSIVE REPAIR COSTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH HE SMELLED FUMES IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO TESTED THE VEHICLE LEAKS AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE WAS LEAKING DUE TO A FRACTURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT NHTSA RECALL #08V15600; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY AND VWOA RECALL NO. 26E5/R5 WERE RELATED TO THE FAILURE; YET, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

THE LOW-BEAM PORTION OF MY HEADLIGHT BULBS ON MY 2004 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE SEEM TO LAST ONLY ABOUT SIX MONTHS. I'VE BECOME AN EXPERT AT REPLACING THEM. I DRIVE THREE MILES TO WORK, SO THE LIGHTS ARE NOT LIT AN EXTRAORDINARY NUMBER OF HOURS/MILES. *TR

A CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL PUMP LED TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

2004 VW PASSAT 4-MOTION WAGON WITH 1.8T ENGINE. TOP OF FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AT THE POINT WHERE A BREATHER HOSE CONNECTS (WHICH IS UNDER THE LEFT REAR SEAT). REPLACED BREATHER HOSE. GAS CONTINUES TO LEAK OUT. THE CONNECTION POINT ITSELF IS CRACKED AND A NEW FUEL TANK IS REQUIRED. THIS MUST BE A DESIGN FLAW OR DEFECT. THE CAR HAS LITTLE OVER 71,000 MILES. CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER. NO UNUSUAL OR HARD IMPACTS TO THE CAR (IT HAS ONLY SCRAPES FROM ANONYMOUS, UNSCRUPULOUS BAD DRIVERS IN PARKING LOTS). VW OF AMERICA REFUSES TO COVER THE COST FOR REPLACEMENT (CONVERSATION WITH CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE "NINA" ON JULY 6, 2010). THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT OR FLAW. RAW GAS SHOULD NOT SPILL OUT OF CAR -- PARTICULARLY IN THIS LOCATION, UNDER A PASSENGER'S SEAT. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD POST A RECALL AND REPLACE THIS PART WITH A SAFER TANK. *TR