2001 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING ON 45 MPH ROAD. STARTER AND ENGINE TURN, BUT WOULD NOT RUN. ADVISED DEALER THAT THIS HAPPENED 1 YEAR AGO AND ENGINE FUSE AND HORN FUSE HAD TO BE REPLACED. NO CODES WERE IN THE COMPUTER. DEALER REPLACED FUSE S232 AND CAR STARTED. DURING ROAD TEST, CAR DIED AGAIN. FUSE S232 BLEW AGAIN AND DEALER FOUND ECM AND HARNESS MELTED AND WAS SMOKING. DEALER REPLACED ECM, HARNESS AND FUSE AND CAR RAN. WHEN CUSTOMER RECEIVED THE CAR, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND DASH LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. DEALER REPROGRAMMED CRUISE AND FIXED WIRING OF DASH LIGHTS UNDER WARRANTY AFTER MUCH ARGUMENT. DEALER DID NOT KNOW CAUSE OF MISHAP. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THE CAR HAS DIED WHILE TRAVELLING ON BUSY ROADS. I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED TWICE AS I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY.*AK

POLLEN FILTER SEAL FAILURE. THIS PROBLEM IS DOCUMENTED IN MANY INTERNATIONAL PASSAT OWNER GROUPS. THE SEAL AROUND THE POLLEN FILTER FAILS. THE CAR'S INTERIOR BECOMES FLOODED IN RAIN. ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT GET WET FAIL OVER TIME AT ACCELERATED AND UNPREDICTABLE RATE. SAFETY CONCERN: IT IS DIFFICULT TO OPERATE AUXILLIARY COMPONENTS (DEFROSTER, RADIO, ETC WHEN INTERIOR LIGHTS FAIL) EMERGENCY FLASHER AND ASR BREAKERS ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO MOISTURE-RELATED ACCELERATED DECLINE AS A RESULT OF POLLEN FILTER LEAKAGE. OUR VW DEALER AND VWOA STATED THAT POLLEN FILTER SEAL FAILURE AND ASSOCIATED FLOODING DAMAGE AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE WERE PART OF "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". VW SERVICE ADVISORS IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA HAVE SAID THEY SEE "SEVERAL OF THESE EACH WEEK" IN RAINY SEASONS. THE FILTER DESIGNED TO REDUCE ALLERGENS IN THE AIR HAS THE PERVERSE CONSEQUENCE OF ACCELERATING THE GROWTH OF MOLD INSIDE THE CAR BECAUSE IT SEAL FAILS, CREATES (IN OUR CASE 2" OF STANDING WATER) MOISTURE IN THE CAR THAT PROMOTES UNPLEASANT, UNHEALTHY, EXPENSIVE-TO-REMIDIATE MOLD GROWTH IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.*AK

THE RIGHT REAR DOOR HAS BECOME MISALIGNED. IT DOES NOT SHUT SOLID AND IT STICKS OUT ABOUT AN 1/8 OF AN INCH WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. *NLM

AIG IS ATTEMPTED TO COLLECT ON A POLICY I DISPUTE, NOT A CLAIM DISPUTE AND I DON'T KNOW WHO TO CONTACT FOR ASSISTANCE AND MEDIATION. BASICALLY, I FEEL THEY CHANGED MY POLICY AND RATE WITHOUT GIVING ME A QUOTATION. I WOULD LIKE TO SEND YOU THE ENTIRE HISTORY AND LETTER I HAVE DRAFTED FOR THE COLLECTION AGENCY. I HAVE CONTACTED AIG AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO WORK WITH ME. *NLM

FUEL GAUGE WAS INDICATING INCORRECT AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE IN THE TANK. THE FUEL GAUGE ALWAYS INDICATED A FULL TANK OF GAS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. A RECALL (01V157000) WAS ISSUED FOR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT BUT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE VEHICLES EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED MOST OF THE COST. *AK *NLM

WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR GLASS EXPLODED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE SOUND WAS LIKE A GUN SHOT. THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF GLASS PIECES. THE WINDOW WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. MUCH OF THE GLASS FELL IN, CAUSING MINOR CUTS TO THE PASSENGER. SOME OF THE GLASS FELL DOWN INSIDE THE DOOR. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE DEFECTS IN THE WINDOW (CRACKS, STARS, ETC.) AND NOTHING IMPACTED THE WINDOW TO CAUSE IT TO BREAK.*AK

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF, THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *PH *JB

HEADLIGHT BUILD CONNECTOR SHORTED AGAINST ADJACENT METAL DUE TO EXPOSED WIRE. CHARRING AND MELTED HARNESS CONNECTOR RESULTED. POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THIS TO CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE WITH POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. HEADLIGHT IS INOPERABLE UNTIL WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN BE REPLACED. *TT

SEVERAL TIMES NOW, I RAN OUT OF GAS WHEN DRIVING MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW PASSAT V6 GLX. THE LAST TIME IT WAS ABSOLUTELY IRRITATING BECAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE STILL SHOWED A QUARTER TANK AVAILABLE AND DID NOT GIVE ANY INDICATION OR WARNING OF LOW FUEL. WORSE, THE CAR STOPPED AT THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. WORST, WHEN CONTACTING THE DEALER, THEY OFFERED TO HAVE A LOOK AT THE GAS TANK, BUT THEY DID NOT NOTIFY ME AT THAT TIME, THAT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THEY DID NOT EVEN CONTACT ME AND INFORM ME THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RELATED PROBLEM AND A RECALL ON THAT VEHICLE!!! PLEASE CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND MAKE SURE THAT ALL VOLKSWAGEN NEW PASSAT OWNERS GET INFORMED OF THE SAFETY RELATED RECALL!!!! IF I WOULD NOT HAVE FOUND YOUR WEBSITE PER PURE INCIDENT, I WOULD NEVER HAVE KNOWN OF THIS ACTUAL PROBLEM KNOWN TO VOLKSWAGEN. *NLM

CAR WENT INTO PASSING GEAR WHILE PASSING SLOW VEHICLE ON TWO-LANE ROAD. WHEN PASS WAS COMPLETED AND FOOT WAS LIFTED FROM ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE DANGEROUSLY EVEN THOUGH ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURNED TO NORMAL POSITION. ONLY BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, BRAKING WITH BOTH FOOT AND HAND BRAKE AND SWITCHING IGNITION OFF WAS DRIVER ABLE TO BRING VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AVOIDING COLLISION WITH OTHER CAR AHEAD IN SAME LANE. AFTER A MINUTE, DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO RESUME JOURNEY AND RESTARTED ENGINE IN PARK. ENGINE RACED TO FULL RPM. THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) AND ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL (EPC) AND AIRBAG WARNING LAMPS WERE LIT AT THIS TIME. DRIVER SWITCHED OFF IGNITION, DEEMED VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND CALLED FOR LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP TO SEND TOW TRUCK. AFTER WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK ABOUT 30 MINUTES, DRIVER RESTARTED ENGINE NORMALLY. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE SHOWING EXCEPT THE AIR BAG LIGHT, BUT DRIVER ELECTED TO WAIT FOR VEHICLE TO BE TOWED. *JB

THE DOOR LOCK IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OPENS UP WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. ALSO IT POPS UP WHEN YOU SHUT THE CAR AND TRY TO LOCK THE DOORS USING YOUR REMOTE KEY OR WITH THE BUTTONS INSIDE THE CAR. SO POTENTIALLY ANYONE CAN OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. TO AVOID THIS, YOU HAVE TO PRESS IT DOWN MANUALLY BEFORE LEAVING THE CAR.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH VEHICLE SHOOK AND LOST POWER. THEN STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH LITTLE ROOM TO REACH THE SHOULDER. TWICE VEHICLE STAALED ON THE HIGHWAY. ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS CONSUMER COULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND REPLACED THE ENGINE COIL AND THE BATTERY.*AK

2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT NOTICE TO MANUFACTURER, MEMORANDUM OF FACTS AND REQUEST FOR COMPENSATION. (NAR). *MR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TOT HE CONSUMER AFTER SERVICE, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE SEAT BELT WAS INOPERABLE. A MONTH LATER THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE #4 COIL FAILED. *CB

2/18/03 - REPORTED AIR BAG LIGHT ON TO DEALER. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM AND RESET LIGHT. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME BACK ON AGAIN IN MAY '03. RETURNED TO DEALER ON 6/28/03 FOR SERVICE. TOLD THAT AIRBAG SPIRAL SPRING AND HARNESS BE REPLACED. COULD NOT CHANGE ON THAT DAY (SATURDAY) DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS. RETURNED TO DEALER ON 8/26/03 TO REPLACE SPIRAL SPRING AND HARNESS.*AK

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A HEAVY VIBRATION, WHICH WAS DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES.*JB

2001.5 PASSAT GLS 1.8T THE COIL PACK FOULED AND CAUGHT THE COIL ON FIRE. HAD I NOT OPENED IT UP AND REMOVED THE VALVE COVER ALONG WITH THE COIL PACK ITSELF, THE CAR WOULD HAVE WENT UP IN FLAMES. I FEEL SORRY FOR THOSE WHO DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT CARS. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH VW COIL PACKS. VW CLAIMS THAT IF THEY GO BAD YOU CAN STILL DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I DONT BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFE IDEA.

THE VEHICLE STALLED.*JB

CONCERNED WITH DEFECTS ON IGNITION COIL. TS

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND THERE WAS A HEAVY VIBRATION THAT FORCED VEHICLE OUT OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE COIL PACK WAS FOUND TO BE FAULTY. THE DEALER CHANGED THE COIL PACK BUT THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN IN WHICH THE DEALER REFUSED TO CHANGE. TS VW ADMITTED THAT THE COIL PACK(S) WERE DEFECTIVE, BUT STATED THAT THE COULD NOT REPAIR DUE TO THE LACK OF PARTS. SCC

FAILING COIL PACK IN 2001.5 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

CONSUMER STATES THE ORIGINAL REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS. WAS REPLACED ON HIS VEHICLE AT 31,000 MILES. CONSUMER BELIEVE IS TO PREMATURE TO REPLACED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *TR

I HAVE VW PASSAT, 2001. IT HAS AROUND 30 000 MILES ON IT. THE CLUTCH HAS GONE DOWN ON THIS CAR AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PARTS AND LABOR FOR THIS REPAIR ARE MORE THAN $2200. THIS CAR HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ALSO. THE WARRANTY IS GONE AFTER 24000K OR 2 YEARS. I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS CAR, BUT THEY DON'T COVER ANYTHING FROM THE LONG LIST OF REPAIR. I CALLED TO VW CUSTOMER CARE AND ASK TO REIMBURSE ME FOR CLUTCH REPAIR, SINCE IT MUST BE AFTER 10 YEARS/100 000 MILES POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THEY REFUSED TO PARTICIPATE. I COMPLAIN ABOUT VW QUALITY ( I HAVE FRIENDS HAVING TROUBLE WITH VW AS WELL). I BELIEVE THAT MANUFACTURE HAS TO TAKE CARE OF BAD PRODUCT AND COVER THE REPAIR COST. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND I EXPECT TO HAVE A QUALITY ITEM, NOT THE JUNK FOR MORE THAN $25K. I ALSO COMPLETELY DISSATISFIED WITH VW SERVICE!!!!

I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN WHAT I NOW KNOW AS ONE OF MY IGNITION COILS FAILED. THE CAR INITIALLY LOST SIGNIFICANT POWER AND THEN FROM THERE CONTINUALLY DROVE AS THOUGH IT WAS MISFIRING. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR I WAS TURNING IN FRONT OF HAD TIME TO SLOW DOWN. I NOW WONDER IF VW IS JUST WAITING AROUND UNTIL SOMEONE ACTUALLY GETS HURT FROM SOMETHING THEY CALL "NOT A SAFETY ISSUE." THEY PROBABLY HOPE THAT THE PEOPLE THIS HAPPENS TO DON'T COMPLAIN AT ALL AND THAT THIS WILL DIE DOWN UNNOTICED AS TO NOT HURT THEIR PRECIOUS REPUTATION. I DROVE IT SLOWLY TO THE VW DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. THEY ONLY REPLACED ONE OF THE COILS. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, EVEN THOUGH MY CAR HAS LONG BEEN OUT OF WARRANTY AS A RESULT OF MILES, VW PAID FOR THE PART AND THE LABOR. IF THAT ISN'T A SIGN THE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED, THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE 3 MORE TIMES THAT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY HAPPEN. I WOULD LIKE IMMEDIATE RESULTS IN HAVING THE OTHER 3 REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN. WHAT COMPANY ADMITS THEY KNOWINGLY HAVE PARTS THAT ARE EXPIRING EARLIER THAN THEY SHOULD (IN MOST CASES AFFECTING 1/2 POWER LOSS IN A CAR) AND THEN ONLY REPLACES THE ONES THAT GOES BAD?????

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2001 VW PASSAT. PROBLEMS BEGAN AT 16000 MILES AND HAVE CONTINUED UP TO THE CURRENT DATE AND MILEAGE OF 33000 MILES. CAR HAS BEEN SEEN IN VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT 11 TIMES SINCE NOVEMBER 2001. LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED AGAINST VW AMERICA.

IGNITION COIL FAILURE. *JB ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****770843

VW PASSAT 2001 1.8T IGNITION COIL FAILURE. THIS HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED, AND COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE BEEN A SAFETY HAZARD, AS THE CAR LOST POWER SUDDENLY.

FAILED IGNITION COIL ON 2001 VW PASSAT... THIS PART AND CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!! THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE IN ALL 2001 AND 2002 VOLKSWAGENS AND AUDIS WITH 1.8-LITER, 4-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED ENGINES. THOSE ENGINES ARE FOUND IN AUDI A4S AND TTS AND IN VOLKSWAGEN JETTAS, PASSATS, NEW BEETLES, AND GOLF GTIS. WE HAVE HAD 2 COILS FAIL IN 2 SEPERATE INSTANCES, IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. IN ADDITION TO BEING AN INCONVENIENCE, BOTH INSTANCES WERE DANGEROUS AS THE CAR EITHER LOST POWER OR SHUT DOWN WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. VW DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN UNWILLING TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE COIL UNTIL IT ACTUALLY FAILS (WHICH IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME). THEY SAY UNTIL THE PRODUCT IS OFFICIALLY RECALLED, THEY CAN AND WILL DO NOTHING BUT THE BARE MINIMUM.

I OWN A 2001 VW PASSAT AND HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A GAS GAUGE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. THE GAUGE IS INNACCURATE AND NEVER REFLECTS THE CORRECT GAS LEVEL.*AK I'VE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NO RECALL, YET A RECALL EXISTS FOR THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 01V157000).

FAN BEHIND GLOVE BOX AREA SQUEAKS (CHIRPS) WHEN FAN IS BLOWING AND HEAT IS ON. EVERY WINTER THIS OCCURS AND THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT IT, BUT COULD NOT OFFER A SOLUTION. *AK

MY 2001 VW PASSAT GLS WAS HIT IN THE REAR BY A LARGE 89 CHEVY VAN. THE SEAT THAT I WAS SITTING IN RECLINED ALMOST ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE BACK SEAT SO THAT I WAS LOOKING UP AT THE ROOF. MY SEAT BELT CUT MY HEAD AND WRIST OF MY LEFT ARM AS I FELL BACK. I KNOW IT WAS THE SEAT BELT BECAUSE THERE WAS SKIN ON THE SHOULDER PORTION OF IT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT I LOOKED AT THE TOTALLED CAR AND NOTICED THAT THE SEAT HAD SHIFTED. THE FRONT THIGH SUPPORT PORTION CAME UP, AND THE BACK SUPPORT WENT DOWN. UPON CLOSE INSPECTION, I THINK THAT THE SEAT BRACKETS YIELDED IN THE COLLISION CHANGING THE OVERALL ORIENTATION OF THE SEAT. I WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED, AS FAR AS I KNOW I JUST HAD A CASE OF WHIPLASH. HOWEVER, I AM STAYING IN TOUCH WITH MY DOCTOR SHOULD ANY ADDITIONAL BACK OR NECK PROBLEMS COME OUT OF THIS. HOWEVER, I COULD HAVE BEEN EJECTED FROM THE SEAT OR THROW INTO THE BACK, NOT TO MENTION THE SERIOUS INJURIES THE SEAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED TO A PERSON SITTING IN BACK OF ME. I CALLED VW AND THE REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE CLAIMS THAT THE SEAT IS DESIGNED TO GIVE IN A SEVERE REAR IMPACT. I ASKED FOR A STATEMENT IN WRITING, AND THEY AGREED TO THIS BUT I HAVE YET TO SEE IT. (IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE COMING) I HAVE THE DATE AND TIME OF THAT PHONE CONVERSATION. I ALSO HAVE PICTURES OF THE CAR, THE SEAT,AND THE BRACKETS. VW DOES NOT ADVERTISE ANY SPECIAL SEAT FEATURES LIKE VOLVO'S WHIPS PROTECTION, SO I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS SEAT DESIGN. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH SHOWED THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR EVENTS IN A REAR IMPACT. CLUBB5.COM, AND AUDIWORLD.COM BOTH HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS IN THE FORUMS. IF THIS IS A POOR SEAT DESIGN, I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD ALL BE FIXED.

FAILURE OF IGNITION COIL PACK. VERY ROUGH IDLE, LOSS OF POWER, STALLING. CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP OVER 2 WEEKS STILL AWAITING PARTS TO REPAIR. NO DEFINITIVE TIME SCHEDULE GIVEN BY DEALER OR VW OF AMERICA AS TO WHEN PARTS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE AND REPAIR CAN BE MADE.

FAILED COIL PACK

I HAVE A 2001.5 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY (AROUND 15,000 MILES), THE SEATBELT MECHANISM WAS RETRACTING VERY SLOWLY SO I TOOK IT IN TO BE REPAIRED, WHICH THEY DID DO AT NO CHARGE. THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND I'M AGAIN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT COULD BE REPAIRED AT MY COST. IS THIS CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD THEY REPAIR IT AT NO CHARGE?

WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK ON RAINY DAYS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD. A LADY HIT MY CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE COLLAPSING THAT SIDE ALONG THE DOORS AND SOME OF THE REAR AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I PUT MY FEET ON ACCELERATOR FOR SPEED AND THE CAR REFUSES TO RESPOND. THE MORE I ACCELERATE THE SLOWER THE CAR GOES. *NLM

NO SUMMARY. DT

WHILE DRIVING THE THROTTLE WOULD STICKS AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. CONSUMER STATES LOSS OF CONTROL HAS ALMOST OCCUR WHILE TRYING TO DECELERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT WATER GOT INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AS A RESULT OF THE MANUFACTURER FAILING TO SEAL THE FRESH AIR FILTER AT TIME OFF VEHICLE BEING MANFACTURE. WHICH CAUSE SMOKE TO COME FROM THE INTERIOR VENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ALMOST CAUSING A FIRE. TS

SINCE 10/15/02, I HAVE HAD 3 COIL PACKS FAIL ON MY 2001 PASSAT 1.8T WAGON. ON 10/15/02 A COIL PACK FAILED AND THEY REPLACED IT THAT DAY. ON 12/16/02, ANOTHER COIL PACK FAILED AND I DIDN'T GET THE CAR BACK UNTIL 12/30/02. ON 1/8/03, A THIRD COIL PACK FAILED, AND I DIDN'T GET THE CAR BACK UNTIL 1/20/03. IN EACH CASE, THE CAR DROPPED DEAD WITHIN 2 MILES OF A DEALERSHIP. AT THIS POINT, I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE CAR BEYOND THE 5 MILES IT TAKES ME TO GET TO WORK. I'VE SPOKEN WITH VW NORTH AMERICA ABOUT REPLACING THE FOURTH (AND FINAL) COIL PACK, BUT THEY ARE UNWILLING TO DO SO UNTIL IT, TOO, FAILS. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THAT WILL EXPIRE IN ANOTHER 1000 MILES.

ORIGINAL TIRES CONTINENTAL 195/65R15 91HCH95 DOT LMPCPXBU2300. CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD FLAPPING NOISE, PULL OVER LOOKED ALL AROUND CAR AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO DRIVE NOISE RETURNED WITH A SMALL POP, THEN IT WAS QUIET AGAIN, THEN THREE MINUTES LATER NOISE RETURNED EVEN LOUDER. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD COMPLETELY COME OFF OF RIM, THE TIRE BLOWOUT DAMAGED THE FENDER LINING AND DAMAGED THE FUEL TANK, THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY OR EXTENDED WARRANTY DESPITE THE FACT THAT VW PASSAT'S FOR YEAR 1997-2000 HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM, RECALL CAMPAIGN ID # 02V-026. *NLM *DT

CONSUMER HAS HAD FOUR RECURRING IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS.

MY 2001 1/2 PASSAT HAS 20,500 MILES. STARTED FEELING SLIGHT VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING FROM HIGH SPEEDS IE) 55 TO 65 AT 18,000 MILES. GOT WORSE OVER TIME VERY STRONG VIBRATION AT LOWER SPEEDS 15 TO 55 AN THAT IS WHEN I TOOK TO CAR IN FOR SERVICE. FELT AS IF THE WHEELS WERE GOING TO FALL OFF, AS WELL AS, BRAKE SYSTEM FAILING. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AT 20,500MILES. LEARN AT 20,500 MILES MY CAR NEEDS NEW ROTORS/DISC AND SOME BRAKE PADS BECAUSE OF WARPING. WARPING? WHO EVER HEARD OF NEW ROTORS/DISCS ON A NEW CAR AT 20,500 MILES FOR WARPING. I HAVE SINCE FIXED THE PROBLEM OFF COURSE OUT OF MY OWN POCKET BECAUSE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" WELL THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AT 20,500 MILES. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM IN DISCUSSION BOARDS ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE COME TO LEARN MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IN FACT THE DEALER MENTIONED HE DID SEE THE SAME PROBLEM A FEW TIMES. I THINK WE HAVE PRODUCT DEFECT HERE THAT NEEDS TO BE MICROSCOPED. IT INVOLVES SAFTEY SYSTEMS IT INVOLVES LIVES. CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THE PROBLEM AND FIXED AT NO COST OR AT THE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE CARS WARRANTY. DT

AS CONSUMER ENTERED THE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATED, CONSUMER HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED THROUGH SOME LARGE BOULDERS AND INTO A DITCH, THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, HOWEVER THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT, CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES. MR *JB

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE PROBLEM IS THE ROTOR NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. MR THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WON'T FIX THE WARPED ROTORS BECAUSE THE REAR BRAKES ARE DOWN TO 20%. SCC

SAFETY: OPERATION OF THE "DRIVE BY WIRE THROTTLE" ON MY V6/TIPTRONIC 2001.5 VW PASSAT. THE THROTTLE DOES NOT OPERATE IN A "LINEAR MANNER". IT MAY STRUGGLE TO MOVE OUT FROM A STOP (SOUNDS AS IF THE ENGINE IS WORKING VERY HARD TO MOVE THE CAR) ONE MOMENT AND THEN IT MAY "LEAP" AHEAD UNDER LIGHT THROTTLE APPLICATION FROM THE NEXT STOP. (THIS CAN LEAVE YOU STRUGGLING TO CROSS A BUSY INTERESCTION) THE DEALER SAYS VW SAYS THIS IS "NORMAL OPERATION".

AT HIGHWAY SPEED CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN BRAKES FAILED TO STOP. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS COMES ON THEN GOES AWAY.*AK

FRONT CRASH AT 50 MPH AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.*AK

WHILE AT A STOP APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE UP TO 50 MPH. CONSUMER COULD NOT STOP VEHICLE, AND IT REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO INJURIES, DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.*AK

CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING ON 55 MPH ROAD. STARTER WORKED AND ENGINE WOULD TURN, BUT WOULD NOT RUN. DEALER FOUND NO CODES IN COMPUTER. ENGINE AND HORN FUSES BLOWN AND DEALER REPLACED HORN RELAY. I ASKED THE DEALER WHY THERE WERE NO CODES IN THE COMPUTER AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW THE ANSWER. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE COMPUTER. CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 7 DAYS. INCIDENT HAPPENED OVER 100 MILES FROM HOME AND DEALER FINALLY AUTHORIZED LOANER AFTER 2 DAYS. DEALER WAS VERY RUDE DURING THE WHOLE INCIDENT AND CONSTRUCTION MADE IT DIFFICULT TO COMMUNICATE. PHONE LINES WERE DISCONNECTED PART OF THE TIME.

WHILE DRIVING HAD A FLAT TIRE AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK