NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Volkswagen Passat. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
ABS/BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR HAS BEGAN FLASHING WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN CAR TO HAVE THIS VIEWED FOR SAFETY CONCERN & MECHANICS COULD NOTE NO FAILURE W/ THE ABS. STATES THIS MAY BE A MALFUNCTION & WOULD NEED A NEW MODULE. IF THE CAUSE OF THESE LIGHTS TO CONTINUALLY STAY ON WERE DUE TO ANY NEGLECT OF THE CAR ON MY BEHALF I THEN WOULD BE MORE COOPERATIVE IN REMEDYING THE SITUATION, BUT AS I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS NOTHING TO DO W/ANYTHING I HAVE CAUSED RATHER THAN POOR QUALITY OF THIS PART. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED NOT ONLY COULD THIS LOCK MY REAR WHEELS IN SUDDEN STOPPING, BUT COULD HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING AS WELL CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN STEERING THE VEHICLE. NOW I AM REQUIRED TO FIX A PROBLEM AND AN EXPENSIVE ONE, THAT IS NOT DUE TO ANYTHING THAT I HAVE CAUSED, BUT RATHER THE MANUFACTURER. SO AT MY EXPENSE I WILL HAVE TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF. THIS IS NOT MY PROBLEM AND I DO NOT FEEL AS THOUGH I SHOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THIS AND WOULD REQUEST SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. AS IT IS DOCUMENTED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE TROUBLED WITH THIS AND YET THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANYTHING DONE TO HELP FIX THIS PROBLEM. DOES IT TAKE AN ACTUAL ACCIDENT OR FATALITY TO OCCUR TO HAVE SOMEONE STEP IN AND GET SERIOUS ABOUT GETTING THIS FIXED? A BAD ABS MODULE IN ALL OF THESE VEHICLES IS JUST NOT A COINCIDENCE. *TR
MY 2000 VW PASSAT WAS PARKED FOR APPROX. 45 MINUTES THEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE ONLY "PROBLEM" I HAD WITH THE VEHICLE WAS WHEN I WAS TRYING TO LOCK IT WITH THE ELECTRONIC KEY IT WOULD NOT "BEEP". I MOVED CLOSER TO THE VEHICLE TWO TIMES AND ONLY THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAINTLY FLICKERED. NO BEEP. OTHER THAN THAT THERE WERE NOT PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. THE FIRE WAS IN THE ENGINE. THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WAS NOT DAMAGED EXCEPT FOR WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND BROKE OUT THE WINDOWS. TIRES AND ENGINE MELTED. I HAVE PICTURES I CAN SEND. *TR
MY CAR KEEP SURGING WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT ON. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS FUEL LEAKAGE AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE MUFFLER. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM AND TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. A TECHNICIAN REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE SMOKE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. SHE HAS NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE THE REPAIR BECAUSE SHE FEELS IT IS UNSAFE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 156,520.
2000 VW PASSAT 1.8T HAD FUEL LEAK. THE CAR HAD A FUEL LEAK IN THE GARAGE WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED AFIRE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I DID SOME READING AND THOUGHT IT WOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL. HOWEVER, THE VW DEALER CHARLES MAUND VOLKSWAGAN INDICATED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALL. *TR
ABS LIGHT COME ON WHILE DRIVING WITH A FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT.....BRAKES ARE VERY TOUCHY. *TR
2000 VW PASSAT DEVELOPED FAILURE OF ABS CONTROL MODULATOR. CAR HAS HAD A SINGLE OWNER AND ALL RECOMMENDED FACTORY MAINTENANCE AT AUTHORIZED DEALERS. TO CORRECT THE FAILURE THE WHOLE PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1000. *TR
2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4 DR SEDAN ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE FAILED. *TR
2000 VW PASSAT HAS A WATER LEAK ON DRIVERS SIDE FLOORS AND UNDER PASSENGERS SIDE FLOOR. THIS HAS CAUSED WIRE DAMAGE DISABLING ELECTRIC WINDOWS, LOCKS, GAS COVER RELEASE AND INTERIOR LIGHTS. I MAY HAVE EVEN DAMAGED TO AIRBAG SYSTEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER AND NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH THROUGH VW. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE THE PROBLEM IT CAUSES ARE VERY SERIOUS. THIS NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH ASAP. IT IS COSTING CONSUMERS A LOT OF MONEY AND HURTING THE REPUTATION OF VW. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT UNLESS SOMETHING IS DONE, I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER VW AND WILL NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE ELSE FROM BUYING ONE EITHER. I WILL GO OUT OF MY WAY TO SAY THIS. *TR
THE FUEL LINE ON MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SIMPLY BROKE AS I WAS DRIVING. I DON'T KNOW HOW IT OCCURRED. THE FUEL LINE WAS REPAIRED AT A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP IN GLASTONBURY, CT. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I AM NOT GETTING A SATISFACTORY ANSWER TO WHY THIS PROBLEM IS NOT BEING HANDLED THROUGH A RECALL EARLIER THIS YEAR OF 412,000 1999-2005 PASSATS AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
ABS BRAKE FAULT. *TR
ABS BRAKE FAILURE. DEFECTIVE ABS ELECTRICAL MODULE. STANDARD BRAKING SYSTEM STILL FUNCTIONAL. *TR
2000 PASSAT 4 MOTION BOSCH 5.3 ABS MODULE HAS FAILED. 82,000 MI. *TR
VOLKSWAGEN HAS A RECALL DUE TO FIRE HAZARD. BECAUSE I LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN, THE NEAREST VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP IS IN THE NEXT STATE. WHEN I EXPLAINED THIS TO THE VOLKSWAGEN PEOPLE THEY SAID I HAD TO DO THIS RECALL AT A DEALERSHIP WITH NO COMPENSATION FROM THEM FOR MY TIME OR MY EXPENSE. THEY ALSO SAID THAT SINCE I CALLED THEM, THEY ARE NO LONGER LIABLE FOR THIS PROBLEM IF MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. I TOLD THEM THAT I AM NOT WAIVING ANY OF MY RIGHTS WITH THIS PHONE CALL AND ASKED TO HAVE THE CALL RECORDED. THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IS A SIX HOUR DRIVE FROM MY RESIDENCE AND BE EXPECTED TO WAIT THREE OR MORE HOURS FOR THE REPLACEMENT ON MY VEHICLE TO BE DONE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR ME DUE TO THE FACT THAT I AM DISABLED AND ON A LIMITED INCOME. WE HAVE A VOLKSWAGEN REPAIR SHOP HERE IN MY TOWN. GERMAN MOTORS 1065 K ST ARCATA CA 95521 THEY WILL NOT LET ME HAVE THE RECALL DONE THERE. *TR
ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. INTERMITTENT BUT OFTEN. SEEMS A SYSTEMIC SAFETY ISSUE IN VW PASSAT. *TR
I HAVE A FAULTY ABS CONTROL UNIT ON MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY VOLKSWAGEN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND DROPPED DOWN APPROXIMATELY ONE FOOT. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS PINNED HALFWAY OUT OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE OTHER HALF UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE SUFFERED SEVERE HEAD TRAUMA AND PASSED AWAY AT THE SCENE. THE OTHER PASSENGER, WHO WAS THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES, A CONCUSSION, AND MINOR CUTS AND BRUISES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. HE BELIEVES THAT THE SEAT BELT IN THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE RESTRAINED HIS BODY WITHIN THE VEHICLE. HE HAS NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT A FRIEND REFERRED HIM TO NHTSA. HE BELIEVES THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95,000. UPDATED 2/2/09 *CN UPDATED 02/04/09. *JB
THE ABS MODULE HAS FAILED, THIS ON SEARCHING THE INTERNET IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW'S. THERE HAS BEEN NO EFFORT TO FIX THIS ISSUE BY VW. ON DRIVING THERE ARE 3 BEEPS ON THE DRIVER CONSOLE AND A MESSAGE SAYING BRAKE FAULT APPEARS ON THE SCREEN. ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE IS WORKING AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION. *TR
ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT (INTERMITTENTLY) ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OF 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. MECHANIC ADVISES THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, DEMONSTRATES AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULE. MECHANIC ALSO ADVISES THAT ABS IN INOPERABLE WHEN WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. (COMPUTER CODE 01203). *TR
ABS LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND BEEPING. SCAN TOOL SHOWS "UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH ABS CONTROL MODULE." THIS ABS BLINKING AND BEEPING HAPPENS EVERYTIME I START MY CAR NOW. WHEN I ATTEMPT A PANIC BRAKE STOP, THERE IS NO PULSATING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH INDICATES THE ABS IS NOT FUNCTIONING. MY 2000 PASSAT GLX HAS 45,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR
DEFECTIVE ABS MODULE IN 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. ABS AND BRAKE/STOP LIGHTS FLASH BUT BRAKES WORK. *TR
FAULTY ABS CONTROL MODULE INSTALLED FROM FACTORY. *TR
MY 2000 VW PASSAT 1.8T BEGAN EXHIBITING A FLASHING/BEEPING RED LIGHT TO INDICATE A FAILURE IN THE ABS SYSTEM. THE LIGHT ACTIVATES EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR, BUT DOES NOT TURN ON UNTIL THE BRAKES ARE WARM. THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONAL IN THIS STATE, WHICH MEANS THE CAR IS DRIVABLE, BUT SIGNIFICANTLY LESS SAFE UNDER PANIC STOP OR REDUCED TRACTION CONDITIONS. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS FAILURE IS COMMON ON 1998-2001 PASSATS (AND AUDI A4S) WITH THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS MODULE. HOWEVER, NO ACTION HAS EVER BEEN TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER. I MAY OPT TO HAVE THE ABS MODULE REBUILT BY A THIRD PARTY, AND DO THE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION WORK MYSELF; THE RESULT WOULD BE AT LEAST $200 OUT OF POCKET. OUTRAGEOUSLY, MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOUGHT VWOA DEALERSHIP SERVICE WORK FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $1,000. THE APPARENT FAILURE RATE OF THIS MODULE, AND THE FACT THAT IT DEGRADES THE OPERATION OF THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL SAFETY FEATURE OF A CAR (THE BRAKES), MAKE IT MY OPINION THAT IT SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RECALL. RECALL ACTION SHOULD INCLUDE COMPENSATION FOR OWNERS WHO HAVE UNDERTAKEN REPAIRS, AND REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY MODULE. THANK YOU. *TR
THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED ON MY VEHICLE THREE TIMES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2000. EACH TIME IT FAILS, MY BRAKES EXPERIENCE A MASS OF MALFUNCTIONS WHICH INCLUDE RANDOM LOCK-UPS, BRAKE SHUDDER, ETC. *TR
ABS / BRAKE LIGHT WARNING ON DASHBOARD. IT HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY, BUT IT GETTING MORE COMMON. IT IS NOT A CONSTANT WARNING. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ON EVERY DRIVE OF THE VEHICLE. HAVE READ THAT IT IS COMMON ON THIS ERA OF VEHICLES. *TR
BRAKE FAULT , BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES, ABS COMES ON DUE TO BAD ABS MODULE. *TR
THE CONTROL ARMS IN MY 2000 VW PASSAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT. CONTROL ARMS SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER ONLY 116,000 MILES. *TR
I HAVE A '00 VW PASSAT, AND BELONG TO PASSATWORLD.COM I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2000, AND NOW THE CAR JUST HAS 90K ON THE ODOMETER. MY ABS CONTROL MODULE JUST WENT BAD, AS MANY MANY VW AND AUDI OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. I THINK THIS IS WAY TOO SOON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, HAVE KEPT THE CAR IN EXCELLENT SHAPE, HAVE FOLLOWED ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES, ETC. FOR SUCH A POTENTIALLY LIFE-SAVING PIECE OF EQUIPMENT (ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL, WHICH THE MODULE CONTROLS,) YOU'D THINK VW WOULD USE A LONGER LASTING PART THAT IS NOT PRONE TO EARLY FAILURE. *TR
2000 PASSAT WAGON 1.8 CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED - ITS WAS NOT RUNNING AND WAS PARKED FOR 20 MIN THEN FIRE STARTED UNDER THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,456 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,440.
ABS MODULE FAILURE. CODE IS 18057 P1649 DATA BUS POWERTRAIN: MISSING MESSAGE FROM ABS ECU. I OWN A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, WITH 59,100 MILES ON IT. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON EVERYDAY PERIODICALLY. THE PART HAS A HIGH PRICE. I BELIEVE THE PART SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT OCCUR. DUE TO THIS FAILURE, I DO NOT TRUST MY BRAKES IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. *TR
I HAVE A 2000 VW PASSAT. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT FLASHES, AND "STOP"/"BRAKE MALFUNCTION"/"SERVICE MANUAL" CYCLES ON THE DASH DISPLAY. SOMETIMES THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES AS SOON AS I START THE CAR. SOMETIMES THEY GO RIGHT BACK OFF...BUT MOST OF THE TIME THEY STAY ON FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES, AND THEN GO OFF AND THEN THE ASR LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON UNTIL I TURN OFF THE CAR. IF THE CAR IS OFF FOR A FEW HOURS, THE LIGHTS WILL USUALLY NOT COME BACK ON UNTIL I DRIVE AGAIN FOR A FEW MILES. IT APPEARS AFTER DOING SOME SEARCHING THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT EXCEPT REPLACE THE PART FOR AROUND $1300-$1500. *TR
2000 VW PASSAT WAS DIAGNOSED TO NEED ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) CONTROL MODULE REPLACED AT $900 BY VW DEALER. HUNDREDS OF PAGES ON FORUMS ACROSS THE WORLD EXIST ON THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIRTY-ONE PAGES ALONE CAN BE FOUND AT HTTP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA?THREADID=6316&START=0&TSTART=0. HUNDREDS MORE CAN BE FOUND BY SEARCHING "PASSAT" AND "ABS". ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, APPARENTLY, THERE'S A 2005 VW SERVICE BULLETIN #0517 AND NHTSA ITEM 10016037 ACKNOWLEDGING THE LONGEVITY AND FREQUENCY OF THE PROBLEM. ON THE NEGATIVE SIDE, DESPITE THE FACT THAT, FLASHING LIGHTS WARN DRIVERS TO STOP IMMEDIATELY AND THE MANUAL SAYS THAT REAR BRAKES MAY LOCK UP AT ANY MOMENT, VW AND NHTSA HAVE NOT TAKEN ACTION TO MAKE THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE THE MANDATORY RECALL AND REPAIR IT WOULD SEEM TO BE. IS THERE SOME REASON WHY THIS HASN'T TAKEN PLACE YET? *TR
2000 VW PASSAT 1.8T, MANUAL 5-SPEED ABS MODULE SHOWING CONSTANT FAILURE INDICATION, ALONG WITH STOP, SERVICE MANUAL WARNINGS. I'M FILING THIS TO ADD TO THE NUMBERS, VOICING SAFETY ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY VW FREE-OF-CHARGE LIKE SO MANY OTHERS BELIEVE VW SHOULD DO. NOT MANY HAVE AN EXTRA $1500 LAYING AROUND TO REPLACE A PART THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL TO BEGIN WITH, OR SHOULD HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY REGARDLESS OF OWNERSHIP. *TR
DEFECTIVE ABS CONTROLLER. *TR
2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PURCHASED USED IN 2007. THE UNDER CARRIAGE PROTECTANT SHIELD FOR ENGINE LOOKED TO BE MELTED FROM HEAT AND CAME OFF ON THE HWY WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. DAMAGED RIGHT WHEEL WELL. *TR
ON RAISING THE WINDOW, THE GLASS FALLS INTO THE DOOR WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENS WITH BOTH FRONT AND REAR DOORS, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. EACH TIME, THE DIAGNOSIS IS THE SAME: THE "REGULATOR" FAILED. REPAIRS COST APPROXIMATELY $400 PER WINDOW. MY WIFE AND I OWN IDENTICAL CARS AND OF THE EIGHT WINDOWS, FOUR HAVE FAILED. AFTER ROUGHLY $1600 FOR THE FOUR WINDOWS, I'M LOSING PATIENCE. A COWORKER OWNS A SIMILAR CAR AND HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
I HAVE A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. MY ABS MODULE HAS FAILED AND I NO LONGER HAVE MY ABS OR ANTI-SLIP REGULATION (TRACTION CONTROL). THERE ARE NO INDICATIONS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE. UPON STARTING MY CAR, WARNING LIGHTS FLASH, THREE BEEPS ARE HEARD, AND A "BRAKE FAULT" MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE IS DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN FROM THE MANUFACTURER THAT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA IS FULLY AWARE OF AND REFUSES TO RECALL. TO GET THE PART REPLACED BY THE DEALER COSTS OVER $1000 AND IS REPLACED BY THE SAME BADLY DESIGNED PART THAT WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL AGAIN. I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD TO BUY THE NEW PART FROM THE DEALER AT THIS TIME. *TR
PREMATURE ABS ELECTRONICS FAILURE, DISABLING THE ABS SYSTEM. VEHICLE IS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGON. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE ALARM IN HER VEHICLE WOULD GO OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. SHE HAD TO UNPLUG THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO SHUT OFF THE ALARM. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT COULD NOT CONTROL THE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING OF THE DOORS OR THE WINDOWS GOING UP AND DOWN. THE ONLY WINDOW SHE COULD CONTROL WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. THERE WAS ALSO APPROXIMATELY FOUR INCHES OF WATER UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. SHE BELIEVED THAT IT WAS COLLECTIVE RAIN WATER THAT DID NOT DRAIN, BUT RATHER ESCAPED INTO THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD COST OVER $4,000. THE MANUFACTURER CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED THEM WHY IT WOULD COST SO MUCH FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT'S CASE WAS FILED BY THE MANUFACTURER. SHE ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE ISSUES WERE COMMON AMONG VOLKSWAGEN OWNERS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A BUS AND STRUCK A CURB INSTEAD. AS A RESULT, THE REAR AXLES WERE DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE CRASH AND HE WAS UNINJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SALVAGEABLE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATING TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE REAR AXLES WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
2000 PASSAT AUTO TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO CATCH ON FIRE NEAR ENGINE AND WHERE EXHAUST MEET. MY SON AND A FRIEND BOTH 20YRS OLD WERE DRIVING LATE AT NIGHT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I THANK GOD IT DID NOT END TRAGICALLY. *TR
MY ABS SENSOR FAILED AT 130K MILES. THIS CAUSES A ANNOYING FLASH ACROSS THE DASH AND SOUNDS THAT BEEP LOUDLY. *TR
ABS MODULE BOSCH 5.3 FOR 2000 VW PASSAT - DUE TO A DEFECTIVE DISCONNECTED SMALL WIRE IN THE MODULE CAUSES NON-COMMUNICATION TO VW VAGCOM COMPUTER TO ABS SYSTEM, THUS RENDERING THE ABS BRAKES INEFFECTIVE AND DEEMED DANGEROUS CAUSING BRAKE LOCKING. *TR
MY 2000 VW PASSAT 1.8T BEGAN EXHIBITING A FLASHING/BEEPING RED LIGHT TO INDICATE A FAILURE IN THE ABS SYSTEM. THE LIGHT ACTIVATES 99% OF THE TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONAL IN THIS STATE, WHICH MEANS THE CAR IS DRIVABLE, BUT SIGNIFICANTLY LESS SAFE UNDER PANIC STOP OR REDUCED TRACTION CONDITIONS. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS FAILURE IS COMMON ON 1998-2001 PASSATS (AND AUDI A4S) WITH THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS MODULE. THE DEALERSHIP ACTED AS IF THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH AN INDEPENDENT SHOP SAID THEY HAD REPLACED SEVERAL AT THEIR SHOP. HOWEVER, NO ACTION HAS EVER BEEN TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER. I DID OPT TO HAVE THE ABS MODULE REBUILT BY A THIRD PARTY. THE RESULT WAS A $400.00 INSTEAD OF $1000.00 AT THE DEALER. OUTRAGEOUSLY, MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOUGHT VWOA DEALERSHIP SERVICE WORK FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $1,000. THE APPARENT FAILURE RATE OF THIS MODULE, AND THE FACT THAT IT DEGRADES THE OPERATION OF THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL SAFETY FEATURE OF A CAR (THE BRAKES), MAKE IT MY OPINION THAT IT SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RECALL. RECALL ACTION SHOULD INCLUDE COMPENSATION FOR OWNERS WHO HAVE UNDERTAKEN REPAIRS, AND REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY MODULE. THANK YOU. DK *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. PRIOR TO THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATING, THE CONTACT HEARD A BEEPING NOISE. THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING PROPERLY AT THE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 11-19-08 *BF THE ABS MODULE FAILED. UPDATED 11/20/08.*JB
1. MY 2000 VW PASSAT 1.8T AUTOMATIC REACHED 130K MILES. 2. THERE IS A FAILURE IN WHATEVER COMPONENT STABILIZES THE STEERING WHEEL AT IDLE WHEN THE CAR IS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE PROBLEM DOES NOT IN OCCUR WHEN AT IDLE IN NEUTRAL. THE EXACT SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM ARE A VERY STRONG VIBRATION THAT CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ENTIRE CABIN. THE ONLY FIX HAS BEEN TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHEN AT THE STOP SIGN/LIGHT. 3. CORRECTIVE ACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN SO FAR ARE NEW ENGINE MOUNTS, NEW TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, NEW TRANSMISSION STABILIZER BAR, AND VERIFYING THE DRIVE BELT IS TIGHT ENOUGH. VW IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT OCCURS IN B5 & B5.5 MODEL AUTOMATIC PASSATS. THERE ARE SOME REPORTS OF PASSATS WITH LOW MILEAGE THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE VW CORPORATION DOES NOT HAVE A SOLUTION. PEOPLE HAVE LITERALLY TRADED IN THEIR PASSATS, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. MY STAND IS THAT THERE IS NO WAY THAT A CAR COMPANY THIS SIZE DOESN'T HAVE A CLUE AS TO WHAT CAUSES THIS PROBLEM AND HOW TO FIX IT. I REFUSE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE NOTION THAT I HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER CAR WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS. *TR
AT JUST OVER 90,000 MILES, A WARNING MESSAGE CAME UP STATING: STOP! BRAKE FAILURE. SEE SERVICE MANUAL. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I IMMEDIATELY HAD MY BRAKE SYSTEM CHECKED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES OR THE ABS. ACCORDING TO VW IT IS A ABS CENTRAL MODULE FAILURE. REPLACING IT WILL COST OVER $1000. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT THAT VW SHOULD CORRECT. IT IS INCREDIBLE THAT VW IS ALLOWED TO SCARE ITS CUSTOMERS INTO THINKING THEY ARE IN SERIOUS DANGER OF BRAKE FAILURE JUST TO GET THEM TO CORRECT AN ELECTRONIC DEFECT. CHECKING THE INTERNET I DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2000 PASSAT. *TR
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2000 VW PASSAT WITH THE 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINE. THIS ENGINE IS KNOWN TO HAVE SERIOUS SLUDGING ISSUES. THIS WAS UNKNOWN TO ME. TWO MONTHS AGO MY OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LIT UP. I COULD NOT FIND ANY OIL PRESSURE ISSUES SO I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP 45 MILES AWAY. THEY "INSPECTED" THE CAR AND INFORMED ME THE ENGINE WAS SLUDGED UP. APPARENTLY VW HAS A WARRANTY REGARDING THIS ISSUE BUT ONLY IF YOU CAN PRODUCE EVERY RECEIPT OF EVERY OIL CHANGE THE VEHICLE HAS EVER HAD FROM THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED FROM VW. PROBLEM: I AM THE SECOND OWNER. I CAN NOT PRODUCE RECEIPTS FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER. TO COMPOUND THE PROBLEM I PURCHASE MY OIL AND FILTERS BY THE CASE TO LAST ME SEVERAL YEARS. I DO NOT HAVE THOSE RECEIPTS OF THOSE PURCHASES ANYMORE. I CHANGED THE OIL ACCORDING VW SPECIFICATIONS LOCATED IN THE MANUAL. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE VW DECIDED TO CHANGE THE OWNERS MANUAL TO STATE THAT SYNTHETIC OIL MUST BE USED INSTEAD OF REGULAR MOTOR OIL, BUT DID NOT INFORM ME OF THIS. VW WILL/HAS CONTACTED ME AS THE NEW OWNER OF THE CAR REGARDING RECALLS BUT WOULD NOT INFORM ME OF THIS VERY IMPORTANT MAINTENANCE CHANGE THAT COULD DESTROY MY ENGINE. NOW VW WANTS TO CHARGE ME OVER $4,000 TO PUT A NEW "OIL SLUDGING KIT" ON MY CAR TO COMPENSATE FOR A KNOWN DEFECT SIMPLY BECAUSE I CAN NOT PRODUCE RECORDS TO SHOW THAT I CHANGED THE OIL EVERY THREE MONTHS AND THAT I USED SYNTHETIC OILS INSTEAD OF REGULAR OIL AS THE OWNER MANUAL STATES. *TR
ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE.*TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026