2000 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

I AM ADDING MY VOICE TO THE LIST OF VW OWNERS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THEIR ABS MODULES. THE ELECTRONIC ABS SENSER HAD FAILED AND CAUSED THE DASH LIGHTS TO STAY ON CONSISTENTLY FOR TWO WEEKS NOW AND WILL REQUIRE A REPLACEMENT TO FIX. MEANWHILE I AM LEFT WITHOUT ABS AND FACE THE POTENTIAL OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF I HAVE TO HARD BRAKE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I FIND THIS PROBELM ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE AND VW OF NORTH AMERICAN NEEDS TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. E.G. REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART!

ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILING - USUALLY IN WARM WEATHER AFTER 15-20 MIN OF DRIVING THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON ON THE DASH AND A MESSAGE SAYING STOP/BRAKE FAULT IS DISPLAYED. THE FAULT MAY GO AWAY AFTER SOME TIME OR STAY. MY GUESS IS ABS IS DISABLED WHEN THIS HAPPENS. DEALER SUGGESTS REPLACING THE ABS UNIT AT A COST OF $1300. THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR OCCURRENCES OF THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN NEWS GROUPS ON THE WEB. *NM

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT FLASHED AND A STOP CAR MESSAGES APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

THE ENGINE CHECK-EMISSION LIGHT HAS COME ON FIVE TIMES. EACH TIME THE DEALER MADE A DIFFERENT REPAIR. 1) SECONDARY AIR PUMP 2) CHECK VALVE 3) MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR 4) INLET HOSE FOR BOOSTER VALVE 5)COMBI VALVE AND SECONDARY AIR PUMP. THE FIRST TIME THE SECONDARY AIR PUMP WAS REPLACED WAS AT 58000 MILES. THE SECOND TIME AT 72000 MILES, ONLY 14000 MILES LATER. THE DEALER SAID THE EMISSION SYSTEM IS POORLY DESIGNED.*AK

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT WARNING MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD READSSTOP SERVICE MANUAL BRAKE FAULT. CAR TAKEN TO MECHANIC, COMPUTER CHECK REVEALED CODE 18057 DATABUS MISSING MESSAGE FROM ABS CONTROL MODULE. EXPENSE TO REPLACE ESTIMATED AT OVER 1500DOLLARS. CAR HAS 62000 MILES, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DURING THIS FAILURE TRACTION CONTROL IS DISENGAGED ALONG WITH ABS SYSTEM, COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. AUTO MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THERE ARE 13 MODULES IN THE VEHICLE AND HE CANNOT REPLACE, VEHICLE MUST BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR. THIS OCCURRED WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER CAR WAS AT DEALER FOR 60000 MILE SERVICE BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRATION AND FOR A FRONT STEERING LINKAGE RECALL. DEALER STATED AT THAT VISIT THAT PASSAT NEEDED NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS, THE "SECOND OPINION" MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE IS ZERO WEAR ON FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS. MECHANIC SUGGESTED I CHECK RECALLS BECAUSE THIS IS THE 4TH VEHICLE HAS HAS HAD WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH SIMILAR MILEAGE. MECHANIC STATES THAT THIS BRAKE MODULE FAILURE IS COMMON.

IF FOUND ON WWW.EPA.GOV A RECALL FOR EMISSION ON THE PASSAT 2.8L. MFR RECALL # WE/LK, EPA# 1694. THE EXACT DEFECT WAS FOUND ON MY PASSAT 1.8L. VACUUM SUPPLY WITHIN THE SECONDARY AIR SYSTEM IS LOST WHEN THE SECONDARY AIR VACUUM HOSES DISCONNECT FROM THE SYSTEM CONTROL VALVE. THE RUBBER VACUUM HOSE CONNECTORS SPLIT AND SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM CONNECTION THE VALVE DUE TO HEAT DISSIPATION IN THAT AREA. THE SECONDARY AIR HOSE PART# 058133817D. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON FOR THE EMISSION WORKSHOP. MY REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED DUE TO RECALL NOT COVERING MY VIN. *JB

ABS CONTROL UNIT AND PUMP FAILURE ON VW PASSAT 2000 @ 72K MILES. THIS IS NOT A STANDARD FAILURE IN MY MIND. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND IT JUST OCCURED. SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM FROM VW.

1) I WAS DRIVING ALONG A MAJOR HIGHWAY (I-75) WHEN I SAW SOMEONE DRIVING ERRATICALLY, WEAVING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC IN MY REAR-VIEW MIRROR. HE LOOKED CLOSE TO HITTING ME, SO I ACCELERATED TO NOT ALLOW HIS CAR TO DO THIS.*AK 2) AFTER STEPPING ON THE GAS, AND GETTING OUT OF DANGER, MY CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. I WOULD STEP ON THE BRAKE, AND IT WOULD SLOW, BUT ONCE I LET OFF ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULD SURGE FOWARD (WITHOUT ME EVEN PRESSING THE GAS). I DID NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL ON AT ALL. 3) I WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE CAR STOP SUDDENLY ACCELERATING. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGWAY, I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK TO DRIVE AND THAT WAS ABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THOUGH IF THERE WAS MORE TRAFFIC I WORRY IF I WOULD BE ABLE TO PULL OF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY, WHILE HAVING TO PRESS MY BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME. 2000 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT V6

(1) MY CAR IS A DAILY DRIVER. 2000 VW PASSAT GLS, 1.8T AUTO. (2) ABS MODULE DIED AT AROUND 85K, ABS NO LONGER WORKS AS A RESULT. APPARENTLY THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF OTHER PASSAT OWNERS AS WELL. (3) I HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE FAILURE AS OF YET AS IT IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR FROM THE VW DEALER. AROUND $1,500.00.

UPPER CONTROL ARMS ARE FAILING AND DANGEROUS, WHICH IS LEADING TO THE TIE RODS FAILING. I AM TOLD THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. VW QUOTED ME $1100 TO MAKE MY CAR SAFE TO DRIVE. I AM PUZZLED THAT VW IS UNCONCERNED ABOUT LIFE AND SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE OWNER AND OTHER DRIVERS. I HAVE SEEN MANY WEBSITES ASKING FOR OWNERS TO CONTACT NHTSA ABOUT THIS ISSUE.*AK

EMISSIONS WORKSHOP LIGHT IS ON. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP. THEN, NOTICED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE PEDAL WAS HARD WHEN PRESSED. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

OWNER OF A 2000 PASSAT 1.8T. IKE HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE I HAVE A PROBLEM ON THE BOARD APPEARS THE MESSAGE: STOP/BREAK FAULT/SERVICE MANUAL.. ABS AND BREAK LIGHTS FLASHED ON. HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY WHEN I GO TO THE DEALER AND THEY SUGGEST TO REPLACE SOME PARTS BUT AT THE END THE ISSUE STAYS AND NOT EVEN THE DEALER CAN GIVE ME EXPLANATIONS OR HINTS OF HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS MODULE WHICH COSTS AROUND $1500 THIS PROBLEM IS SO COMMON THAT VW SHOULD MAKE THIS A RECALL. *AK

ALEXANDRIA VW DAMAGED MY ENGINE AND REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVING A REPLACEMENT ENGINE. ALSO, VW OF AMERICA WON'T REPLACE A DEFECTED ENGINE. *NM

THE FUEL SENDING UNIT OF MY VEHICLE DOES NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. THE GAS GUAGE CONTINUOUSLY REGISTERS AS HALF-FULL WHETHER OR NOT THE TANK IS FULL W/GAS. THIS IS NOT ONY A NUISANCE BUT DANGEROUS AS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL TO RUN OUT OF FUEL ON THE HIGHWAY AND/OR IN RURAL AREAS.*AK

FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT READING WRONG CAUSING FUEL TO RUN OUT CAUSING A HAZARDOUS SITUATION ON THE ROAD. THIS IS IDENTIFIED IN 01V157000. MY CAR IS VW PASSAT GLX 2000 LISTED ON THE CAMPAIGN, BUT MANUFACTURER AND DEALER SAY NOT INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. I NEED TO COVER THE REPAIR MYSELF WHICH IS A SHAME. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *NM

(1) DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED WHILE ROUNDING CURVE CAR MADE A LOUD SNAPPING NOISE AND BEGAN SWERVINGUNCONTROLABLY TO THE RIGHT. (2) CAR CAME TO REST HALF ON AND HALF OFF OF THE HIGHWAY, LANE HAD TO BE CLOSED AND TRAFFIC JAM RESULTED. (3) DEALER SAID RIGHT FRONT AND REAR UPPER CONTROL ARMS FAILED. PARTS MUST BE REPLACED.*AK

ABS MODULE FAILURE ON A 2000 VW PASSAT, 84,000 MI. CAR DASH COMPUTER, SENDS FLASHING "STOP" "BRAKE FAULT" "CONSULT MANUAL" TO CONSOLE. TOOK TO TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR SHIPS, SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE ABS BRAKES, BUT THE ABS CONSOLE IS NOT WORKING. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD COST $1,400 TO REPLACE PART. SEEMS LIKE THERE A RE MANY VW OWNERS WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINT ABOUT FAILING ABS MODULES.

WE TOOK OUR 2000 VW PASSAT IN TO THE VW DEALER FOR STATE SAFETY AND WERE TOLD THAT OUR DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON AND THAT THE PASSANGER SIDE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON ALSO. WE TOOK IT TO OUR REGULAR MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION AND HE WAS SHOCKED HOW BAD OF CONDITION THEY WERE A YEAR 2000 AND HAVING 55,000 MILES. WE HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT OUTER TIE ROD END; LINK ROD; AND LEFT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT TOTAL COST WAS 370.00 AND WE WILL NEED TO DO THE SAME SOON FOR THE LEFT FRONT SIDE VERY SOON. I AM APPALLED THAT VW IS AWARE OF THESE COMPLAINTS IN THE 2000 MODEL AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. *AK

2000 VW PASSAT WITH ONLY 42,000 HAD WORN TIE RODS TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. FORTUNATELY THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO THE DEALER FOR OTHER MAINTENANCE/SERVICE WORK. THE TIE RODS WERE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S COST. VW REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE TWO RECALLS FOR TIE RODS ON 1999 PASSATS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #99V248000 AND 00V414000). VW ALSO JUST ISSUED A "SERVICE ACTION" IN NOVEMBER 2004 FOR CHECKING/REPLACING FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS. HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THAT THIS SERVICE ACTION DID NOT INCLUDE TIE RODS. I BELIEVE VW IS ATTEMPTING TO CIRCUMVENT A RECALL BY ISSUING THIS "SERVICE ACTION" BULLETIN, AND BY NOT COVERING PROBLEMS WITH TIE RODS IN THIS SERVICE ACTION MAINTENANCE. SINCE THE PRIOR YEAR OF PASSAT (THE 1999 MODEL) HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TIE ROD AND THE RECALL WAS AFTER THE 2000 PASSATS WENT ON THE MARKET, IT IS MOST PROBABLE THAT THE SAME PROBLEMS WERE STILL PRESENT IN THE 2000 PASSAT. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT A FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM PROBLEM. THE RUBBER BOOT PREMATURELY WORE OUT. HE RECEIVED A SPECIAL SERVICE ACTION FOR THIS PROBLEM IN NOVEMBER 2004 FROM THE MANUFACTURER. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL DEALER FOR REPAIRS. LATER, WHILE HE WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THE DEFECTIVE PART HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. WHEN HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY WERE NO LONGER WILLING TO OFFER A FREE REMEDY UNDER THIS SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. *AK

THE MASS AIR FLOW METER GAVE OUT ON MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IN AUGUST 2003. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER, THE WARRANTY FOR THE PART WAS EXTENDED TO 70,000 MILES. I RECEIVED A REBATE FOR THE EXPENSE (FIVE MONTHS AFTER SUBMITTING IT). NOW, 16 MONTHS LATER, THE AIR FLOW METER FAILED AGAIN, AND MY CAR IS PAST THE 70,000 MILE WARRANTY PERIOD (BUT THE PART IS ONLY 20,000 MILES OLD). VOLKSWAGEN IS CLEARLY HAVING A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM WITH THIS PART, WHICH HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY TWO DIFFERENT VOLKWAGEN DEALERSHIPS. *JB

THE CAR WAS MAKING A FUNNY NOISE AND THEN THE ENGINE STOPPED. WE HAD IT TOWED TO MINUTEMAN VW IN BEDFORD, MA AND THEY SAID THAT THE OIL PUMP HAD FAILED AND THAT BOTH THE OIL PUMP AND THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $6,320.00. THE 2000 PASSAT HAS 60,586 MILES ON IT AND HAD BEEN IN FOR SERVICE AT 55,478 MILES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD US THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE 10 YEAR/100,000 MILE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY, BUT WHEN THEY SUBMITTED OUR CLAIM TO VW THEY REFUSED TO COVER IT BECAUSE THEY SAID I NEEDED TO PROVIDE COPIES OF EVERY OIL CHANGE RECEIPT FOR THE PAST 4 1/2 YEARS. I WAS ABLE TO FIND 4 RECEIPTS, BUT I DO NOT SEE ANYWHERE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL WHERE IT CLEARLY AND EXPLICITLY STATES THAT WARRANTY REPAIRS WILL ONLY BE PERFORMED IF ALL RECEIPTS FOR ALL SERVICES PERFORMED ON THE CAR ARE PROVIDED. I NOTICED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED ON THIS CAR WHICH RELATE TO ENGINE PROBLEMS AND WOULD LIKE THIS DEFECT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL. THANK YOU. *JB

CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF FRONT END PARTS (TIE-RODS, UPPER LINKS) WHEN CAR HAD 59,000 MILES ON IT. *AK

2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DEVELOPED ABS MODULE FAILURE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR *JB

BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND "STOP" MESSAGE DISPLAYED INTERMITTENTLY. *NM

MY CAR HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS,FIRST I PURCHASE MY PASSAT IN NOVEMBER OF 2000.SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACED TWO UPPER CONTROL ARMS,TWO TI RODS.I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS TO BE REPLACED BUT THE DEALER SAID I DIDN'T NEED THEM REPLACED.WHILE DRIVING FROM MY SISTER'S HOUSE THE ABS INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON MY DASH BOARD AND SAID STOP BRAKE FALUIRE.I TOOK IN TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THE DEALER SAID MY ABS MODULE NEEDS REPLACING AND IT COST $1300 PLUS LABOR.I JUST PAIDED $1500+ DOLLARS TO REPLACE MY GENERATOR AND BATTERY ON MY CAR.THE DEALER ALSO SAID I NEED TO PEPLACE MY MOTOR MOUNTS AND VALVE COVER GASKETS. I UNDERSTAND THE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR ,BUT THESE REPAIRS ARE NOT ANNUAL REPAIRS ON A 2000 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT WAGON CAR WITH 80,000 MILES ON IT.*AK

ABS LIGHT CAME ON, I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT VW MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE ABS CONTOL UNIT HAD FAILED AND THEREFORE THE ABS WOULD NOT FUNCTION. COST OF REPAIR $1500-$2000. AFTER RESEARCHING ON VW FORUMS I HAVE LEARNED THAT MANY PASSAT OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. VW CUSTOMER CARE THANKED ME FOR CALLING AND THEY WOULD NOTE THE PROBLEM.

THIS VEHICLE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED, AND THE SRS AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING TURNED ON. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM, AND THE SRS AIR BAG LIGHT MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE ROUTINELY DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THE ABS LIGHT AND THE ASR INDICATOR LIGHTS TURNED ON, AND A FEW SECONDS LATER THE DASHBOARD COMPUTER SAID "ABS FAULT". THESE LIGHTS HAVE REMAINED ON CONSTANTLY SINCE THEN.*AK I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER THE VERY NEXT DAY AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED, WHICH IS A $1200 PART WITH AN ACCOMPANYING $500 OR SO IN LABOR. DESPITE THE CAR HAVING ONLY 33000 MILES AND THE NUMEROUS CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS COMMONLY OCCURRING FAILURE, THE DEALER AND VW OF AMERICA WERE BOTH UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ABS ANYMORE, WHICH REPRESENTS A SAFETY RISK. THE VEHICLE IS A 2000 VW PASSAT GLX V6, PURCHASED DECEMBER 1999.

ABS FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON AT 55000 MILES. ABS NOT OPERATIONAL. GARGE TO CHARGE $13850 FOR NEW ABS MODULE. RIDICULOUS. THIS IS NOT A WEAR COMPONENT!!! THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. *AK

BEGINNING APPROXIMATELY 14 MONTHS AGO THE FUEL GAUGE BEGAN ACTING ERRATICALLY - SHOWING LESS FUEL IN THE TANK THAN ACTUALLY EXISTED. CURRENTLY (12/04) AFTER A COMPLETE FILL-UP, MY GAS GAUGE SHOWS 3/4 FULL. ONCE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES SLIGHTLY LESS THAN 1/4 TANK REMAINING, THE ACTUAL AMOUNT IN THE TANK IS APPROXIMATELY 1.3 GALLONS. I NOW HAVE TO REGULARLY MONITOR THE MILEAGE I HAVE DRIVEN ON EACH TANK TO MAKE SURE I DO NOT RUN OUT OF FUEL BEFORE FILLING UP.*AK

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON EVERY 2 WEEKS, MY TRANSMISSION IS JERKING WHEN GEARING DOWN. THIS IS A NEW CAR AND IT SHOULD BE MORE DEPENDABLE. THEY RESET MY LIGHT AND THEN WE START OVER BECAUSE IT ALWAYS COMES BACK ON.*AK

A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT'S, MY ABS MODULE FAILED AND I WAS FORCED TO SPEND $1200 ON A NEW MODULE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS FAULTY PRODUCT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. *JB

OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS I HAVE NOTICED VARIOUS NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, NO PROBLEMS WERE NOTED BY THE SERVICE CENTERS I TOOK THE VEHCILE TO.*AK HOWEVER, THE STEERING CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE HAS SUDDENLY GOTTEN VERY BAD. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE CENTER, THEY TOLD ME BOTH OF THE TIE-ROD ENDS IN MY 2000 VW PASSAT HAVE FAILED AT 100,000 MILES. BOTH OF THE FRONT WHEELS HAVE A HUGE AMOUNT OF "PLAY" IN THEM WHICH LEADS TO THE CAR BEING DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS AND IT IS VERY UNUSUAL TO HAVE THESE CRITICAL PARTS GO BAD IN A VEHICLE THIS EARLY. THE ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR WORK WAS WELL OVER $500. I HAVE GOTTEN NUMEROUS SECOND OPINIONS, AND ALL HAVE COME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION: THE TIE-RODS ARE BAD. ALL OF THEM ALSO TELL ME THEY HAVE SEEN THIS FAILURE ON THESE VEHICLES BEFORE AND NOT ON ANY OTHER VEHICLES AND THAT IT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN. AS OF YET, I HAVE NOT HAD THE VEHCILE REPAIRED BUT I HOPE TO DO SO SOON.

THE ABS CHECK LIGHT REMAINED ON THE VEHICLE. TAKEN TO DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED A KNOCKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE). *AK

ABS CONTOL MODULE FAILURE

FOR SECOND TIME, IN TWO MONTHS THE EMISSION CHECK LIGHT HAS COME ON. THIS IS ON MY VW PASSAT 2000, WHICH HAS 43,000 MILES. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE FAULTY VACUUM HOSES AGAIN IN THE ENGINE THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT I SHOULD BE EXPECTING TO CHANGE THESE VACUUM HOSES EVERY 40,000 MILES. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT TO ME, AS I HAVE NEVER REPLACED THIS COMPONENT IN MY OTHER CARS, LET ALONE ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAD REPLACED OTHER VACUUM HOSES A MONTH AGO. *JB

A PLASTIC GEAR ON THE HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT BREAKS, PREVENTING THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE HEADLIGHT, AND CAUSES THE AIMING OF THE HEADLIGHT TO "DROP". THE ONLY METHOD OF REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. I KNOW OF 3 OTHER PEOPLE WITH 2000 PASSATS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

IN EARLY NOVEMBER 2004 MY ABS STARTED TO FAILED IN MY 2000 PASSAT GLS. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST NEARLY $2200 TO FIX THIS. AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM AND TRYING TO DIAGNOSE EXACTLY THE PROBLEM I STUMBLED ON SOME INFORMATION FROM HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ AND HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/ ALSO HTTP://MYVWLEMON.COM/CGI-BIN/UBBCGI/ULTIMATE.CGI ALL OF THESE SITE HAD NUMEROUS OWNERS OF VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM I WAS HAVING. I WONDERED WHY VW HAS NOT HAD A RECALL SINCE THERE WERE SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS CONTROL MODULES. I EVENTUALLY FOUND A COMPANY THAT REBUILDS THE ABS CONTROL MODULES FOR $350. AFTER GETTING IT REBUILD EVERYTHING WORKS FINE. I STILL THINK THIS ISSUE IS AN ERROR ON VW'S THE COMPANY AND THE SHOULD PAY FOR IT! THE ABS FAILING IS ONE THING BUT THE COST OF THE FIX IS OUTRAGEOUS. *JB

1. BROUGHT 2000 PASSAT GLX TO DEALER TWICE TO FIX 'SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ACCOMPANYING BURNING SMELL.' DEALER CHARGED $430 TO REPLACE "IN/OUT TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES" THE FIRST TIME IN THE SHOP, AND "TIGHTENED THE CAMS" THE SECOND TIME. 2. LESS THAN 3 WEEKS AFTER THE SECOND SERVICE 'TIGHTENING THE CAMS', CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON I-95 AT MILE MARKER 8 IN NY. AFTER BEING NOTIFIED OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE CAR BY ANOTHER MOTORIST, WE PULLED OVER. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. 3. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AS THE CAR WAS TOTALED. INVESTIGATION MAY OR MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED BY INSURANCE COMPANY TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RELEASE FOR MORE ROOM, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO WEAR THE SEAT BELTS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK...*AK

THE DEALERSHIPS STATED RECALL 01V157000 CONCERNING FUEL SENDING UNIT EXPIRED, AND DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. LITHIA AUTO GROUP, 775-852-3300, RENO,NEVADA. *AK *SC

WHEN DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 55 MPH, UPON MOVING DOWN A SLOPE OF A HILL, THE ENGINE RACED OFF AND VEHICLE, A 2000 VW PASSAT ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY.*AK

THIS IS CONCERNING MY 2000 VW PASSAT 1.8T AUTOMATIC(TIPTRONIC) VEHICLE. I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH MY ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. MY CAR WARNS ME OF AN ABS FAILURE RANDOMLY (WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND GO AWAY FOR NO APPARENT REASON) I HAVE FOUND A MULTITUDE OF OTHER PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET THAT EXPERIENCE THE SAME EXACT ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CAR (NO RECALL) AND THAT IF IN FACT THERE ARE AS MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, THAT THEY SHOULD CALL VW AND ALSO REPORT IT TO THE NHTSA. SHE SAID THAT IF THE NHTSA GOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS THAT THEY COULD FORCE VW TO DO A RECALL. HERE ARE SOME LINKS WHERE I FOUND ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR/SAME ISSUE: HTTP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/SEARCH!EXECUTE.JSPA? RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS A $2000 REPLACEMENT OF THE ABS UNIT TO "SEE" IF THAT FIXES IT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR THESE GUYS TO ADMIT TO HAVING FAULTY PARTS IN THESE MODEL VEHICLES. ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! THANKS, STEVE BRICKHOUSE. *AK

DRIVERS SEAT CUSHION FAILED PREMATURELY ON BOTTOM OF SEAT. REPLACED SEAT CUSHION AT UPHOLSTERY SHOP RECOMMENDED BY DEALER AT MY EXPENSE. NO WARRANTY SERVICE COVERAGE OFFERRED BY VW. OLD PART STILL ON HAND. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK

BRITAX, MODEL # E900232/72501, THE CHILD WAS INSIDE OF THE CAR SEAT AND THE MECHANISM HOLDING THE STRAP STRAIGHT FAILED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK