2001 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

MY CAR JUST STOPPED. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT HAD I NOT GOTTEN OFF THE ROAD IN TIME. I WAS ON ROUTE 68, A 4 LINE HIGHWAY. COME TO FIND OUT THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING TENSIONER BROKE, WHICH THE MANUFACTURE KNEW WOULD HAPPEN BECAUSE ALL THE REPAIR BOOKS SAY TO HAVE IT CHANGED AT ABOUT 65,000 TO 75,000 MILES. NOBODY TOLD ME THAT. IF MY CHILDREN WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME NEEDLESS TO SAY IF MY WIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING INSTEAD OF ME WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. IT IS COSTING ME OVER $2,300.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. NEEDLESS TO SAY HAD I BEEN WARNED I WOULD HAVE HAD IT REPLACED. *TR

1. DURING MY WIFE'S MORNING COMMUTE THE OIL LIGHT STOP ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN OUR 2001.5 VW PASSAT. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS IN A RURAL AREA AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY AND COASTED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. 2. THE FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF SEVERE OIL COKING WITH THE 1.8T ENGINE. VW ISSUED A NOTIFICATION LETTER DATED AUGUST 2004 ADVISING OF THE ?OIL SLUDGE? PROBLEM. THE LETTER STATES ?ENGINE OIL SLUDGE OCCURS WHEN OLD, DIRTY ENGINE OIL THICKENS AND CANNOT CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE ENGINE LUBRICATION.? THE LETTER IMPLIES THE ISSUE IS DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE. IN REALITY THE FAILURE IS DUE TO A LATENT DESIGN DEFECT OF IMPROPER HEAT REJECTION ATTRIBUTE OF THE ENGINE SUMP. BASICALLY NOT ENOUGH OIL QUANTITY AND OIL COOLING CAPACITY. THE OIL THEN COKES OVER TIME IN A SIMILAR MANNER AS IS ENCOUNTERED ON GAS TURBINE ENGINES UNDER EXTREME TEMPERATURES. EVENTUALLY THE COKED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE AND PLUGS THE SUMP SCREEN. THE OIL PUMP THEN RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND ENGINE FAILURE. THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AT A CRITICAL TIME IS A SAFETY CONCERN. 3. FORTUNATELY AS OUR CAR WAS NOT RUN WITHOUT OIL PRESSURE I WAS ABLE TO SAVE THE ENGINE. VW WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY DESPITE PROVIDING A LOG BOOK FROM ALL THE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED FROM NEW. THEY REQUIRED ALL RECEIPTS OF OIL CHANGES. I PERFORM ALL MY OWN MAINTENANCE. VW CLEARLY HAS GAMED THE WARRANTY AND MISREPRESENTED THE PROBLEM AS POOR MAINTENANCE AND SLUDGE. I HAVE ALWAYS CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 5K MILES. THIS COST ME NEARLY $2K IN PARTS NOT INCLUDING MY LABOR. THIS IS A MAJOR REPAIR. THE OIL PUMP, SUMP SCREEN, ALL CRANK CASE VENTILATION LINES, TURBO LINES, ETC. HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS COFFEE GROUNDS (COKED OIL) THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. WHAT A MESS. I HOLD A BS IN AERO ENGR TECH AND FAA A&P LICENSE. I RUN THE AFTERMARKET FOR A LARGE GAS TURBINE ENGINE MFG. I KNOW ENGINE DESIGN AND WARRANTY GAMING WHEN I SEE IT. *TR

MY CAR IS A 2001 V6, WE HAD HEAVY RAIN DURING THE PAST WEEK AND ONE MORNING MY CAR HAD A PUDDLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND FAILED TO START OR EVEN PUT IN GEAR THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER WAS FLOODED AND IT TOOK 4 DAYS FOR THEM TO TAKE ALL WATER OUT OF THE CAR AND TEST ALL SENSORS . *TR

I OWN A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH A 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINE AND 85,000 MILES. MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT TO THE VW DEALER RIGHT AWAY. THE DEALER CLAIMS MY MOTOR IS "SLUDGED". EVEN THOUGH VW HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR 8 YEARS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IT WILL NOT COVER MY VEHICLE REPAIRS OF OVER $2,000 AND GROWING. I HAVE KEPT EXCELLENT TRACK OF OIL CHANGES IN MY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE BOOK AND EVEN CHANGED EVERY 3,000 WHEN THE SERVICE CALLS FOR ONLY 5,000. I HAVE USE A GOOD QUALITY SAE VALVOLINE 5W-30 MOTOR OIL WHICH MY OWNERS MANUAL SAYS IS FINE. VW WILL NOT COVER MY REPAIRS SIMPLY BECAUSE I DID NOT KEEP EVERY SINGLE PURCHASE RECEIPT FOR MY OIL CHANGES. THEY CLAIM, WITHOUT RECEIPTS THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT I PUT IN APPROPRIATE OIL. MY RESPONSE IS, YOU SPEND $30,000 FOR A VEHICLE, I HAVE PROVEN I CHANGED OIL EVERY 3,000, WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD I PUT IN AN OIL THAT DID NOT CONFORM TO MY OWNERS MANUAL. THIS IS THE LAST VW MY FAMILY WILL PURCHASE. *TR

FAILED ABS MODULE AT 120,000 MILES. TYPICALLY A $1000+ REPAIR. *TR

I OWN A 2001 VW PASSAT AND I NOTICED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED IN TEMPERATURES OF 17 DEGREES. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE ALEXANDRIA VW DEALERSHIP (ALEXANDRIA, VA) TWICE AND THEY KEPT IT FOR A FEW DAYS BUT FOUND NOTHING. AFTER READING THROUGH THE OTHER REPORTS ONLINE, I FEEL THAT VW CORPORATION OF AMERICA SHOULD REPLACE ALL ASSOCIATED PARTS THAT COULD CAUSE THIS AND AVOID POTENTIAL VEHICLE EXPLOSIONS AND LOSS OF LIFE. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 VW PASSAT, IN THE PAST MONTH, MY ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND E-BRAKE LIGHT, HAVE BEEN COMING ON RANDOMLY. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES AND BEEPS/RINGS FOR A FEW SECONDS. HALF OF THE TIME THE LIGHTS GO OUT AFTER A FEW SECONDS, SOMETIMES THE ONLY WAY THEY GO OUT IS TO STOP, TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART. AND THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THIS DOESN'T WORK EITHER. THERE HAVE BEEN SUGGESTIONS BY VW DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE ABS CONTROL MODULE WHICH IS APPROX, $1350-1400. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT THOUSANDS OF VW OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THE REPLACEMENT OF CONTROL MODULE HAS NOT CORRECTED PROBLEM, NEITHER HAS REPLACING IGNITION SWITCH. *TR

BRAKE ALARM LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME AND FLASHING ABS LIGHT AS WELL AS STOP. BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND ARE FINE. DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS A REPLACEMENT ABS CONTROL MODULE - $1800. HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM AND MANY OWNERS OF VW'S AND AUDIS IN MY YEAR RANGE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. *TR

HEATER CORE FAILED. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE CAR SERVICED REGULAR ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER SPECS. THE COST IS $1000.00 TO REPLACE THE PART. IT FAILED ON A VERY COLD NIGHT TRAVELING THROUGH A WINTER STORM. TRY DRIVING A CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE WITH NO HEAT TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS. WRECKED DUE TO THE INABILITY TO SEE. *TR

FLASHER SWITCH IS FAILING. TURN SIGNALS BLINK ONCE OR TWICE AND THEN STOP. SAME WITH HAZARD LIGHTS. *TR

ALL 4 UPPER CONTROL ARMS FAILED AT 62,500 MILES. OEM CONTROL ARMS ARE UNFIT FOR PURPOSE AS DESIGNED AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY VWOA. *TR

I AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER VW PASSAT OWNERS WISH FOR VW OF NORTH AMERICA TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THE TIE RODS, CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINTS, ETC. (THE WHOLE FRONT SUSPENSION OF PASSATS) DUE TO THE OBVIOUS FAILURE OF THESE SYSTEMS. I PERSONALLY KNOW OF A MECHANIC IN STOUGHTON, WI WHO HAS REPLACED THIS SYSTEM ON 3 PASSATS THIS MONTH ALONE AND MY CAR IS NEXT. WE'RE TALKING TO THE TUNE OF $1800.00-$2000.00 FOR PARTS ALONE. THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND ONE IS COMPLETELY HANDCUFFED BECAUSE ONE'S CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IF THIS ISSUE IS NEGLECTED. FURTHER, WHEN ONE CONTACTS A LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP (ZIMBRICK VW OF MADISON, WI) AND INQUIRES ABOUT THIS KIT TO REBUILD THE FRONT END, THE PARTS MANAGER ADMITS THAT THEY KEEP MANY OF THESE KITS IN STOCK BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. SO, WHY IS VW OF NORTH AMERICAN IGNORING THE OBVIOUS? COULD IT BE THAT THEY WOULD BE OUT A HANDSOME AMOUNT OF MONEY? BETTER TO LET THE CONSUMER TAKE THE BRUNT OF THIS ISSUE AND HOPE IT EVENTUALLY GOES AWAY? PLEASE HELP!!! *TR

THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2001 VW PASSAT STOPPED WORKING. I CHECKED THE FUSES AND THE LIGHT BULBS; AND BOTH THE FUSES AND BULBS ARE GOOD. VW OF AMERICA RECALLED SEVERAL VW MODELS IN 2007 FOR BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE DUE TO A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. HOWEVER VW OF AMERICA DID NOT RECALL THE PASSAT. I WHEN ON LINE TO A VW BLOG; AND FOUND LOTS OF OTHER VW PASSAT OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR BRAKE LIGHTS. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT VW WILL NOT REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE ON THE PASSAT, BECAUSE THE PASSAT WAS NOT RECALLED. I WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO GET MY PASSAT REPAIRED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 67 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRASTICALLY DECELERATE AND THEN COASTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRESENT. TEN SECONDS LATER, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM DELIVERY PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED FOR FREE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 2 MPH, SCALDING HOT RADIATOR FLUID SUDDENLY SPEWED FROM THE VENTS AND ONTO THE CONTACT'S FEET. SHE IS PREGNANT AND STATED THAT SHE HAD NOT BEEN TO A DOCTOR TO CHECK IF THE RADIATOR FUMES HARMED THE UNBORN CHILD. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPLETELY FAILED AS WELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEATER CORE FAILED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VIN AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 124,000.

I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE FOR SERVICE ON AUGUST 4, 2007, AT VW DEALERSHIP FAIRFAX IMPORTS, IN FAIRFAX, VA. AT THIS TIME I INFORMED MR. DAVID DELOATCHE, SERVICE ADVISOR, THAT MY COOLANT LIGHT (STOP RED LIGHT FLASHING) HAD COME ON AND THERE SEEMED TO BE A LEAK AS THE FLUID WAS NOT SUSTAINING AND RATHER SPILLING OUT. ON AUGUST 4, 2007, I WAS CHARGED $776.99 FOR MANIFOLD OF SERVICES INCLUDING AN INJECTOR FLUSH, POWER STEERING FLUSH, BRAKE FLUID FLUSH, AND COOLANT FLUSH. THE COOLANT BOTTLE WAS REPLACED AND I WAS ASSURED THAT THERE WAS NO ENGINE FLUSH NEEDED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WASN'T ENOUGH TIME TO FIX THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND THE CAR WAS SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE. AS I LEFT THE PARKING LOT ON AUGUST 4, 2007, AFTER MY SERVICE AT FAIRFAX IMPORTS, THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR ROSE TO 260 DEGREES. I CALLED DAVID DELOATCHE IMMEDIATELY TO INQUIRE ON THE SAFETY OF MY CAR. I WAS ASSURED ONCE AGAIN TO IGNORE THE COOLANT LIGHT AND THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR, AND THAT IT IS SAFE FOR ME TO TURN ON AND USE THE AIR CONDITIONING AND THAT THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE. MY EMPLOYER, IBM SENT ME FOR TRAINING TO PALISADES, NY FROM AUGUST 5 TO 12, 2007. ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2007, I WAS ENROUTE TO IBM OFFICE IN BETHESDA, MD FROM FAIRFAX, VA. MY ENGINE BLEW OUT ON HIGHWAY 270 AND I WAS PLACED IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. MY SAFETY WAS DISREGARDED AS MY VEHICLE WASN'T PROPERLY FIXED, AND I WAS ABANDONED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. SHE STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD MAKE THE REPAIR; HOWEVER, THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 148,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE UNIT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. HE STATED THAT THE MAIN FUEL LINE RUPTURED, WHICH CAUSED GAS TO COVER THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE RUPTURED AND THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE FAILURE, HOWEVER, THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

FUEL LINE ON FIREWALL CRACKED AND SPRAYING FUEL OVER ENGINE

TIRES EXPERIENCED SIDEWALL SEPARATION AFTER LESS THAN HALF OF THEIR USEFUL LIFE. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME. TWO OF THE FOUR TIRES HAD THIS SEPARATION. *AK

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST HEADLIGHTS, THE PLASTIC GEARS BREAK EASILY RENDERING THE HEADLIGHTS NON-ADJUSTABLE. THE HEADLIGHT LENS ALSO DISCOLORS EASILY REDUCING TRANSMITTED LIGHT LEVEL. THE ELECTRICAL SUPPLY ALSO APPEARS INFERIOR AS BULBS BLOW VERY QUICKLY. THE BULBS LAST LESS TIME THAN ANY OTHER VEHICLE KNOWN IN 30 YEARS. *TR

AIR CONDITIONING ISSUE: IN THE SUMMER OF 2006 MY AIR CONDITIONING WAS GOING OUT. THE DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE FAN AND IT APPEARED TO ALL WORK. THE SUMMER OF 2007, (NOW) MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN WITH AC PROBLEMS THAT CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND AN ERROR CODE. WHEN THE AIR WENT OUT, THE LCD READINGS ON THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM LOOKED LIKE SCRAMBLED DIGITS. DOESN'T WORK, AND THE SHOP CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE I WAS DRIVING, MY INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTING FLASHING THE "ABS" LIGHT AND BEEPING LOUDLY, THE INFORMATION PANEL DISPLAYED "BRAKE FAULT", THEN "STOP" IN LARGE LETTERS. I CHECKED MY BRAKES AND THEY STILL WORKED. THEN THE BEEPING AND DISPLAY MESSAGES STOPPED, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT IN 98-01 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS. THE HYDRAULIC BRAKES STILL WORK, BUT THE ABS MAY FAIL TO ACTIVATE IN A PANIC STOP. THE COST TO REPLACE THE ELECTRONICS IS $876, AND THE NEW UNIT IS NOT AS PRONE TO FAILURE AS THE ORIGINAL. *TR

1) WYNCOTE, PA, APRIL 16, 2007, HEAVY RAIN 2) WATER ENTERS THE PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR FLOOR BOARD. ELECTRONIC MODULES LOCATED ON THE FLOOR AND WIRING HARNESS DAMAGED. VW DEALER CLAIMS TO NOT KNOW HOW WATER ENTERED MY VECHICLE. THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THE PROBLEM. VW CORPORATE SUGGESTS THAT IF I HAD BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER FOR OIL CHANGES THE DEALER WOULD HAVE CLEARED DEBRIS FROM DRAIN HOLES AS PART OF REGULAR SERVICE. WITHOUT REVEALING MY CONVERSATION WITH CORPORATE I ASK THE DEALER IF THEY DO ANY CLEANING OF DEBRIS AT ANY POINT ON THE CAR DURING AN OIL CHANGE SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DON'T. RESEARCH ONLINE REVEALS HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE TELLING MY STORY. I HAVE ALSO FOUND INFO ON A CLASS ACTION SUIT BEING FORMED FOR THOSE WHO AGAIN TELL MY EXACT STORY. 3) VW OF AMERICA REFUSES TO PAY FOR ANY PART OF MY DAMAGES. I HAVE RECIEVED NO REASON FROM THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE AND ASSUME THAT I AM IN FOR THE SAME DURING THE NEXT HEAVY RAIN. *JB

2001 PASSAT 1.8L TURBO. CAR'S ENGINE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DWIGHT HARRISON VOLKSWAGEN. THEY CHECKED THE OIL PRESSURE AND SAID IT WAS FINE. THEY CHANGED THE OIL AND SAID THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR MIGHT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY NOT USING A VW OIL FILTER. NOT ONE MENTION OF THE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN PREVALENT WITH THIS ENGINE. DROVE THE CAR FOR AROUND 5000 MILES WITHOUT ANY MORE PROBLEMS. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME BACK ON INTERMITTENTLY. I TOWED THE CAR INTO HERITAGE VW WHO SAID IT COULD BE AN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM BUT THAT I'LL HAVE TO AUTHORIZE 5 HOURS OF LABOR TO TELL FOR SURE (ABOUT $500). I CANNOT FIND ALL OF MY OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS AND VW WON'T ADVISE IF THEY WILL COVER ANY OF THE REPAIR UNTIL I SPEND THE $500. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO AFTER THEY'VE TAKEN MY CAR APART AND I'LL ALREADY SPENT $500 GETTING A DIAGNOSIS? I NEVER RECEIVED THE LETTER VW SAID THEY SENT ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN 2004. I'VE HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT VW DEALERSHIPS AFTER THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM IN 2004 YET THE DEALERSHIP NEVER ONCE ASKED IF I'D LIKE TO PUT IN SYNTHETIC OIL. DON'T THEY HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY DESIGN OF THE TURBO ENGINE? DON'T THE DEALERS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO TELL YOU OF THE PROBLEM WHEN YOU ARE GETTING THE OIL CHANGED? THIS IS TYPICAL OF VW DEALERSHIPS - THEY WANT YOU TO SPEND MONEY WHILE THEY HAVE A GUESSING GAME ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY DID THIS WITH A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I HAD, THE COOLING SYSTEM AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *TR

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CONNECTOR AND WIRING HARNESS PROVIDING POWER TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHTS ON THE 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS MELTED AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. IF I DID NOT TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION THE ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THESE CONNECTORS MAY HAVE TRIGGERED A FIRE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SOCKET/WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED IN OCTOBER OF 2004. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SOCKET/WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2007. WHILE AT THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE PASSENGER SIDE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED I OBSERVED ANOTHER PASSAT OWNER COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET RESULTED IN FINDING MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAD THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS WELL. *AK

ENGINE SLUDGE IN ENGINE LEADING TO FAILURE OF THE OIL PUMP AND THE TURBO. IN ADDITION, ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS ,AND TIE-RODS REPLACED , AND EVEN NOW THERE WERE STILL PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THESE WERE SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH MANY PASSAT OWNERS. I STILL RECALL THE MAJOR ISSUE / RECALL OVER THE IGNITION COIL FAILURES AND HOW VW OF AMERICA DENIED THERE EVER WAS A PROBLEM. THE ENTIRE CAR SHOULD BE DECLARED A LEMON !!!! THE OIL PUMP FAILURE LEADING TO FAILURES OF THE TURBO, AND SEIZURE OF THE ENGINE SHOULD BE PROOF ENOUGH THAT THIS CAR HAS TOO MANY MAJOR PROBLEMS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED . *AK

TOOK CAR FOR STATE INSPECTION. MECHANIC FOUND BOTH LEFT AN RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINTS AND BOTH TIE RODS DEFECTIVE AT 53,000 MILES. *AK

HEATER CORE FAILED, CAUSING SUDDEN AND SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF VISIBILITY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. INTERIORS OF ALL WINDOWS WERE SEVERELY FOGGED WITH COOLANT MIST. I WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. AWARE THAT VW HAS FREQUENTLY REPLACED THIS KNOWN DEFICIENT COMPONENT OUT OF WARRANTY, I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA THREE TIMES. I WAS CONSISTENTLY TOLD THAT I WOULD RECEIVE NO HELP. COST OF HEATER CORE REPLACEMENT AT DEALERSHIP WAS $1600. *TR

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW PASSAT DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT DURING A CRASH. WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH ON A COLD DRY DAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND SHE HIT ANOTHER HEAD ON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT NO ONE WAS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE CONTACT HAD POLICE AND INSURANCE REPORTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 85,580 . *AK

I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT AND THE CHECK OIL PRESSURE STOP ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON YESTERDAY. THE OIL LEVEL IS FINE. WE HAD AN OIL CHANGE THE DAY BEFORE. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. THIS COMES THREE MONTHS AFTER WE HAD TO SEND IT TO VOLKSWAGEN TO HAVE A COOLING PROBLEM WORKED ON WHICH COST OVER 3,000. THEY WERE TOLD TO FIX ANYTHING THAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. *NM

I HAVE A 2001 VW PASSAT THAT I PURCHASED A 18 MONTHS AGO. THE CAR WAS A CERTIFIED VW AND HAD A WARRANTY EXTENDED TILL 74,000 MILES. AT 70,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING I HAD THE STOP LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COME ON- IT WAS TIME FOR AN OIL CHANGE SO I TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND FOR THE DEALER TO FIND THE PROBLEM. NO ISSUE WAS FOUND. NOW AT 75,500 MILES THE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN- THIS TIME MORE ISSUES. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY TO FIND THAT ALL MY OIL WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE CAR. TOWED VEHICLE TO CLOSEST VW DEALER AS I WAS 120 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. DEALER INFORMS ME THAT THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS WERE LEAKING OIL BADLY AND THE COST TO FIX IS $2,600. - CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP AND HOPEFULLY NO MORE PROBLEMS WILL BE FOUND. 1,500 MI OUTSIDE WARRANTY AND VW CAN DO NOTHING TO HELP LOWER THE EXPENSE- EVEN THOUGH I HAD A ISSUE W/ LOW OIL WHILE WITHIN MY WARRANTY PERIOD. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT TOOK THE 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TO A DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ALL 8 TIE RODS AND THE ONE LINK ARM WERE SHOWING EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO THE REPAIR WOULD BE AT CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 79200.*AK THE RIGHT OUTER CV BOOT WAS TORN AND THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END WAS WORN. THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB

MY 2001 PASSAT IS HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT BLINK AND THERE ARE 3 BEEPS. THE SCREEN ON THE DASH SAYS BRAKE FAILURE AND SERVICE MANUAL. NOW RIGHT NOW IF SOMETHING WHERE TO HAPPEN TO MY ACTUAL BRAKES I WOULD NOT KNOW AND I BELIEVE THAT COULD BE SERIOUS. I HAVE READ MANY SITES AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING. ALSO, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING STALLING PROBLEMS DUE TO THE ABS MODULE. VW HAS SAID THAT IT WILL COST AROUND $1500. I PERSONALLY DON'T HAVE $1500 TO JUST GO OUT AND SPEND NOR DO I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO DUE TO THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ON THIS PROBLEM. HERE IS A FORUM WEBSITE THAT I HAVE FOUND A LOT OF MY INFORMATION FROM HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=127734. ALSO, YOU CAN CHECK AROUND THAT WEBSITE AND FIND MORE. *JB

THE FUEL SENSOR FAILS AFTER ABOUT ONE YEAR OF USE. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE FAILURE MODE IS THAT IT ALWAYS REPORTS TWICE THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF FUEL AVAILABLE. *TR

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW PASSAT. THE HEADLIGHT LENSES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR HAVE CLOUDED SO MUCH THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BARELY ILLUMINATE THE ROAD. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER PASSAT OWNERS FROM THE SIMILAR YEARS AND THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. I BELIEVE VW SHOULD BE FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHT LENSES, AND OFFER TO REPLACE THEM FOR FREE. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT SEEING THE ROAD WELL AT NIGHT. THE DATE BELOW REFLECTS WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE CLOUDING IN THE LENSES. *TR

HAVING AN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM WITH A 2001 1/2 MODEL YEAR VW PASSAT WITH A 1.8T ENGINE. RECENTLY HAD A LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT COME ON, REQUIRING THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED AS AN OIL PUMP PROBLEM, MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY AN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. IF IT IS CAUSED BY OIL SLUDGE, THEN ENGINE DAMAGE IS LIKELY TO BE FOUND AS IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM BASED ON WEB FORUM POSTINGS BY OTHER PASSAT OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS UNOPERABLE AT THIS TIME. VW IS REFUSING TO COVER TO THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT DOCUMENTATION OF OIL CHANGES. ALL VW SERVICE INTERVALS WERE COMPLETED FOR THE VEHICLE INCLUDING ALL OIL CHANGES AND ARE BACKED UP WITH DOCUMENTATION. I AM STILL TRYING TO GET CLARIFICATION FROM VW AS TO WHY THE DOCUMENTATION IS CONSIDERED INSUFFICIENT. VEHICLE HAS 99,004 MILES ON IT. OIL CHANGES PRIOR TO 30,000 SERVICE INTERVAL WERE COMPLETED AT VW DEALERSHIPS AND INCLUDED VW APPROVED NON-SYNTHETIC OIL. OIL CHANGES FROM 30,000 MILES/JANUARY 2002 FORWARD WERE COMPLETED USING SYNTHETIC OIL. VW RECOGNIZED THE SLUDGE PROBLEM AND ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION IN AUGUST 2004 ALONG WITH REQUIREMENT TO USE SYNTHETIC OILS (NHTSA TSB #10009888 AND #10009873). A PREVIOUS PROBLEM OCCURED AT 78,400 WHERE A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED. DURING THAT SERVICE THE HEAD GASKET, OIL COOLER, OIL PUMP, AND ASSOCIATED PARTS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. BASED ON WEB POSTINGS FROM OTHER OWNERS THIS MAY ALSO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. *NM

2001 VW PASSAT, 1.8L 4 CYLINDER. AT 89,000 MILES ON MY ODOMETER, I AM NOW RECEIVING A STOP, BRAKE FAULT, SEE SERVICE MANUAL WARNING, WITH THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ALSO. IN REVIEWING THE VW OWNERS FORUMS AND OTHER INFORMATION ONLINE, IT SEEMS THIS IS A LIKELY FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE -- WHICH IS SAID TO COST $1,500 FOR THE PART ALONE. THIS IS SAID TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON ISSUE....*NM

I HAD A SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE ON MY 2001 VW PASSAT, NOVEMBER 7,2006 AT HERITAGE VW (DEALERSHIP) AND THEN ON NOVEMBER 22,2006 THE VEHICLE SLOWED AND THE DISPLAY SHOWED STOP WITH AN OIL ICON. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR AND CHECKED THE OIL. THERE WAS OIL IN THE CAR BUT I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR, THERE IS PROBABLY SLUDGE IN THE CAR. I TOWED IT IN THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW OIL PUMP WITH A NEW OIL SCREEN AND IT DID HAVE SLUDGE. THIS REPAIR WAS $1267.00. I WAS NOT OFFERED ANY WARRANTY REIMBURSEMENT AT THAT TIME. LATER I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH VW. WHY DID THEY NOT SEE THE SLUDGE WHEN THEY DID THE OIL CHANGE NOV 7,2006? *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG INFLATER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 10/31/06. *JB

10/24/06 MY 2001 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT HAS A STOP WARNING LIGHT COME ON STATING LOW OIL PRESSURE. COME TO FIND OUT THE 1.8 LITRE TURBO ENGINE WHICH MY CAR HAS IS NON TO HAVE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEMS AND THAT VW IS AWARE OF THIS. I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THEM STATING THIS OR THE FACT THAT I SHOULD USE SYNTHETIC OIL. CALLED THE HUNTSVILLE, AL VW DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT UNLESS I HAVE PRISTEEN SERVE RECORDS THEY WILL NOT PAY TO FIX IT AT A COST TO ME OF OVER $1800. MY HUSBAND CHANGES THE OIL IN MY CAR SO OF COURSE I DO NOT HAVE THE SERVICE RECORDS VW IS REQUIRING. I HEAR THE NO LONGER MAKE THE 1.8 LITER TURBO BUT ARE NOT WILLING TO HONOR FIXING A PROBLEM WE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE AIRBAG AND HARNESS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

WITH JUST ABOUT 70000 MILES ON THE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, THE ENGINE STARTED LEAKING OIL FROM 4 AREAS: CAM SEALS, VALVE GASKETS AND SOME LEAKS ON TOP OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE OILS LEAKED ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING TOXIC FUMES. THE PROBLEM RECURS CONSISTENTLY EVEN AFTER FIXING IT. THE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2001 MODEL IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WITH SUCH RUDIMENTARY ENGINE PROBLEMS AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE DEATH. THERE IS NO CLEAR DOCUMENTATION ON WHAT PARTS ARE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AVAILABLE TO THE CUSTOMER. WITH THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP 30 MILES AWAY, IT BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER EVERYTIME THIS HAPPENS JUST TO CHECK IF THE PARTS WILL BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND IT COSTS NEARLY $3000 TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. *NM

THE ABS MODULE HAS FAILED IN MY 2001 PASSAT, WHICH ONLY HAS 79000 MILES ON IT... THEY ARE CHARGING ALMOST $1000 TO GET THIS FIXED, IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AND COVERED BY VOLKSWAGEN... I HAVE READ A LOT OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PART AND THE NEED TO REPLACE IT PREMATURELY. *NM

INTERIOR LEFT FRONT FLOOR OF CAR FLOODED WITH WATER AFTER VERY HEAVY RAIN. THERE WAS AN INCH OF STANDING WATER SITTING ON THE VEHICLE'S CARPET. THIS IS THE 2ND INCIDENT IN 5 WEEKS. AFTER A SIMILAR HEAVY RAINFALL IN AUGUST THE INTERIOR LEFT FRONT AND REAR FLOOR WAS FLOODED. STANDING WATER WAS IN THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE CAR. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON-LINE THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE SUN ROOF DRAINS. *JB

PURCHASED 2001 PASSAT IN MAY, 2005. HAD SAME 'NON-COVERED' OIL PUMP PROBLEM AS MANY ON THE LIST HAVE. LAST MONTH, NOTICED A POOL OF OIL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR AFTER BACKING IT OUT. LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, NOTICED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE OVERFLOW LOOKED LIKE A CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE. OIL COOLER AND OIL COOLER SEALS HAD TO BE REPLACED. 76000 MILES. *NM

2000 1.8L PASSAT, BRAKE FAULT ON SCREEN, STOP ON SCREEN WITH BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING AND ABS WARNING LIGHT ON. BRAKES SOMETIMES VERY DIFFICULT TO PRESS WITH NO STOPPING POWER. *NM

TRACKING NUMBER: [XXX] DATE: SEPTEMBER 09TH 2006 11:24:34 AM COMPLAINANT: [XXX] - RE: 2001 PASSAT VWS AND THE ONGOING SLUDGE PROBLEMS!!! *JB COMPLAINT: MY COMPLAINT IS THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE WITH REGARD TO VW PASSATS. SLUDGE!!!! I JUST SPENT $2000 TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN 2 DAYS LATER. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT HE DID SOME RESEARCH AND THAT THERE IS AN INHERENT PROBLEMS OF SLUDGE IN THESE CARS ESPECIALLY. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND ASK IF YOU HAVE ANY REFERRAL ATTORNEYS FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I HAVE TO RENT A CAR AT $30 DOLLARS A DAY AND MY INSURANCE DOESN'T COVER IT. IF THIS IS BEEN GOING ON SO LONG, WHY IS THERE NOT A CLASS SUIT? IF YOU HAVE A NUMBER I CAN CALL FOR SAME, PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU, [XXX]. YOU CAN REACH ME BY PHONE AT EITHER [XXX] HOME, OR [XXX]I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM SOMEONE SOON, AND YOUR HELP IS MUCH APPRECIATED. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR