2004 Volkswagen Passat Powertrain & Transmission Problems

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

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

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HARD DOWNSHIFTS FROM 5TH TO 4TH. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE. THEY CLAIMED TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING. CALLED MANUFACTURER TO REQUEST THEY TAKE OWNERSHIP OF ISSUE. THEY DECLINED ANY RESPONSIBILITY BUT DID NOT DENY ISSUE. TRANSMISSIONS IN MODERN CARS RARELY BREAK POINTING TOWARDS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OR DESIGN FLAW. SAFETY HAZARD IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION COULD BREAK, LOCK UP OR SEIZE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TRANSMISSION ON 2004 VW PASSAT HARD DOWNSHIFTS FROM 5TH TO 4TH AT 30 MPH WHEN TRANSMISSION IS WARM. FIRST OCCURRED AT 90K MILES. TOOK TO TWO VW DEALERSHIPS BOTH INDICATED CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE THAT THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO REPAIR FOR $4000. DIDN'T FIX, RESEARCHED WEB AND FOUND THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW TRANSMISSIONS. CALLED VW, THEY KNEW ABOUT IT BUT DIDN'T CARE SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DISCOVERED WATER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE SUNROOF WAS DISENGAGED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE UNDER AN UNKNOWN RECALL CAMPAIGN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING AN ABNORMAL JERKING SENSATION WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SOILED CARPETING AND NOTICED EXTENSIVE WATER DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MODULE, WHICH WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE JERKING PERSISTED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000. UPDATED 1/19/2010 *CN UPDATED 01/27/11

2005 PASSAT WAGON - 38000 MILES BLOCKED DRAINS AROUND THE SUNROOF CAUSED RAIN WATER TO LEAK INTO THE FLOOR BOARDS OF THE CAR. THE BUILD-UP OF WATER CAUSED THE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE) TO MALFUNCTION. THE (AUTOMATIC) CAR WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN ONLY WITH HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN GEARS AND NOW WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. (UNDRIVABLE). REPLACEMENT OF THE TCM WILL COST $3210. THE CAR WAS A GARAGED CAR UP UNTIL A FEW MONTHS AGO. IT WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE DRAIN TUBES CAN GET CLOGGED WITH "ONE LEAF" AND THE NEXT RAIN CAN CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED TO PARK IN A COVERED AREA AND NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAW THAT ONE LEAF FOLLOWED BY ANY RAIN CAN CAUSE THE TCM TO FAIL AND NEED REPLACING. *TR

SPORADICALLY THE REAR WINDOWS WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE WINDOW UP/DOWN SWITCH, THEN LATER WITHOUT TOUCHING THE SWITCH THE WINDOWS WOULD OPEN OR CLOSE. THE DEALER FOUND A CHEAP PLASTIC COTTER PIN TYPE INSTRUMENT CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD THE CHANCE TO CHECK OUT THE REPAIR SINCE THE DEALER HAS MY CAR GOING ON 3 WEEKS FOR TWO OTHER ISSUES (TRANSMISSION SURGE AND ENGINE LIGHT/P0101) FOR WHICH THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM. *TR

2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT: FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE LOCATED UNDER PASSENGER SEAT IN FLOOR BOARD DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT. CAUSED BY WATER INTO VEHICLE AFTER HEAVY RAIN. VOLKSWAGEN HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2000 AND HAS FAILED TO MAKE CHANGES. FAILURE OF THE CONTROL UNIT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT SHOULD THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT GEARS DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING OR A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER HAS ACCUMULATED IN THE SUN ROOF AND OVER TIME THE WATER HAS LEAKED DOWN TO THE TRANSMISSION MODULE CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THE TRANSMISSION MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE SUN ROOF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

1. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR (2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS, 1.8 L TURBO), AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR TO SUBSEQUENT GEARS. IT WAS SUDDEN, NOT GRADUAL BY ANY MEANS - THE CAR JUST STARTED TO HESITATE WHEN SHIFTING, AND THE MIL LAMP WAS LIT...THIS HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE DETROIT SUBURBS - NOT AN IDEAL TIME TO NOT BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE. 2. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY (IT'S MY OPINION THAT THIS WAS AN UNNECESSARY REPLACEMENT). UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WAS A WATER LEAK IN THE VEHICLE, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD WAS FILLED WITH WATER, INUNDATING THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THIS DAMAGED THE MODULE, AND EFFECTIVELY RENDERED THE CAR IS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. 3. THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE IS BEING REPLACED, AS WELL AS A "SEAL" THAT CAUSED THE WATER INTRUSION (I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET OUT OF THEM WHICH SEAL WAS REPLACED - THIS CAN BE ADDRESSED WITH A FOLLOW-UP). *TR

THE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE) FAILED DUE TO A LEAK,THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ,I NOW FIND OUT $1300.00 LATER ON THIS 2004 GLX PASSAT. AFTER SEARCHING FOR 4 MONTHS FOR A TCM I LEARN THAT THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM 2001-2004, THAT VW HASN'T ADDRESSED ,BUT IS AWARE OF DUE TO THE CONFIGURATION OF A DRAINAGE SYSTEM THAT CAUSES WATER TO ENTER THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD AND FRY THIS TCM .WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN INJURY OR FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE,DUE TO TRANSMISSION SHIFTING SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY INTO 3RD GEAR. *TR

TRANSMISSION ON CAR "SHUDDERS" WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 50 MPH AND 75 MPH CREATING UNSAFE DISTRACTION AND PERFORMANCE LIABILITY. *TR

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATING SEAT MALFUNCTIONED. THE HEATING COIL BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT, AND BURNED THE CONTACT'S LEG. THE DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT HAD A SILVER DOLLAR SIZE HOLE IN IT, WITH A WIRE STICKING OUT OF THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE'S SEAT BEGAN SMOKING AND SHE TURNED OFF THE CAR IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 02-09-07. ALSO, THE CONTACT HAD A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT USUALLY WHEN DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, AND AS SHE BEGAN BRAKING THE CAR JERKED OR THREW THE CONTACT AS IF SOMEONE HAAD REAR ENDED HER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. SHE HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. IN BOTH INSTANCES NEITHER WEATHER NOR SPEED WERE FACTORS. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD A SLUGGISH RESPONSE WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING UPHILL, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL HAD TO BE REPLACED ON 2004 PASSAT WAGON WITH ONLY 45K MILES. *JB

(1) SLIGHT PULSATION WAS FELT IN CLUTCH PEDAL. ASSUMED CLUTCH RELEASE BEARING FAILED. 2) TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHO CLAIMED THE CLUTCH FAILED PREMATURELY AND DAMAGED THE FLYWHEEL AS WELL. (3) HAD CAR REPAIRED BY DEALER. CLUTCH APPARENTLY IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER 12000 MILES.*AK

WATER COMING INTO FRONT PASSENGER SEAT RESULTING IN DAMAGES TO THE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE), WET CARPETING, AND RUST UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE TRANSMISSION MODULE FAILURE RESULTED IN VEHICLE NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO HIGHER GEAR, AND DELAY ACCELERATION. THE TCM AND CARPETING WAS REPLACED.

JUST ABOUT EVRERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR THERE SEEMS TO BE A LURCHING IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN I START DRIVING AND WHEN I START TO SLOW DOWN(5-15MPH). THE DEALER(COOLEY MAZDA, VW IN EAST GREENBUSH,NY) SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, BUT AFTER CHECKING WITH YOUR SITE I FOUND OUT I WASN'T ALONE. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT.*AK

WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT TRAFFIC LIGHT CAR HESITATED AND THEN JERKED FOWARD, AS IF I HAD BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. IT WAS ENOUGH TO MAKE MY BACK AND NECK SORE. I TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO GIVE THE CAR SOME GAS AND THE ENGINE FREELY REVVED, EVEN THOUGHT THE TRANSMISSION INDICATED IT WAS IN 'DRIVE'. THE CAR HAS DEVELOPED A HESITATION TO ACCELRATE BEFORE THE INCIDENT, AND AFTER. THE CAR HAS ALSO BEEN SHOWING SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH CLUTCH FAILED. VEHICLE LOST POWER. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK