2002 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

MY 2002 W-8 PASSAT FOUR TIMES THIS WEEKEND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE. THE BRAKE FEELS VERY SOLID AND CANNOT BE DEPRESSED UNTIL A VERY QUICK & HARD QUICK PRESSURE IS PUT ON IT ABOUT 3-4 TIMES. I NOTICED AFTER THAT INCIDENT (FRIGHTENING) THAT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN GOING DOWN HILL, ONLY UPHILL OR EVEN A SLIGHT INCLINE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SMOKE BEGAN BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THROUGH THE INTERIOR AIR VENTS. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROADWAY AND FOUND THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAM SHAFT CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,000.

ABS LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF. DEALER SAYS THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $1000. I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT SUCH A SAFETY SYSTEM CAN I HAVE SUCH DEFECTS WITHIN IT. HAS ANYONE INVESTIGATED THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDICATOR NOISE THAT ENGAGED WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS WERE ACTIVATED WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

THE 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS GIVEN A LOT OF PEOPLE PROBLEMS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE TO THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE "STOP MOTOR OIL PRESSURE". THEIR EXACT WORDS TO ME WERE" THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING, BUT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. IT IS A FILTER IN THE ENGINE THAT KEEPS GETTING CLOGGED, AND THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THEY CAN DO." I TOLD THEM THAT I NEEDED MY CAR AND THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING, THAT CARS ARE CATCHING ON FIRE. THEY SAID THAT I COULD GET AN ENGINE FLUSH EVERY COUPLE MONTHS. NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BY ME. THE VOLKSWAGEN CORP. NEEDS TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY MESSED UP TO BEGIN WITH. THANK YOU *TR

WE OWN A 2002 VW PASSAT WAGON AND ARE SO HAPPY WITH IT WE BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE WITH LOWER MILEAGE. SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THE SECOND VW THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE FIRST VEHICLE. OUR MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION COIL PACK - $600 TO REPLACE. CAR HAD OVER 120,000 MILES SO WE WEREN'T UNDULY ALARMED, AND PAID IT. THREE WEEKS LATER ENGINE WARNING CAME ON AGAIN. TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT GARAGE - ONE THAT USED TO BE THE LOCAL VW DEALER - AND THEY SAID THE IGNITION COIL WAS BAD AGAIN. WE ASSUMED THE REPLACEMENT PART HAD TURNED OUT TO BE BAD SO PAID ANOTHER $600 TO HAVE IT FIXED. TOOK THE OLD PART BACK TO THE ORIGINAL GARAGE BUT THE MECHANIC DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. 'CHALKED IT UP TO EXPERIENCE. THREE MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE SECOND VW. TOOK IT TO THE SECOND MECHANIC AND HE SAID - VOILA! - IGNITION COIL BAD AGAIN! PAID ANOTHER $600 TO GET IT REPLACED, AND THEN WENT HOME TO RESEARCH IT ONLINE. WAS STUNNED TO SEE ALL THE PROBLEMS LISTED ABOUT THE IGNITION COIL PACK. CALLED VW AND ASKED FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR TWO OF THE THREE IGNITION PACKS BUT WAS TOLD OUR VWS WERE NOT LISTED IN THE CORRECTION BULLETINS. THEY ALSO DENIED THERE WAS A RECALL EVEN THOUGH THEIR OWN PR DEPARTMENT HAD SENT OUT A PRESS RELEASE SAYING ALL 2002 V6 PASSATS HAD BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE CALLED VW SEVERAL TIMES AND FOUND THEIR 'CUSTOMER ADVOCATES' TO BE VERY COURTEOUS AND POLITE BUT ABSOLUTELY STONEWALLING ANY REIMBURSEMENT. WHEN PRESSED WAS FINALLY TOLD I NEEDED THE OLD IGNITION PACKS, THE REPAIR BILLS (ORIGINAL ONLY, NO COPIES) AND COULD SEND ALL TO THEM AND THEY WOULD CONSIDER IT BUT WOULD PROBABLY NOT MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT! *TR

ABS/BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY DID A SCAN FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. I HAVE BEEN READING ON THE NET THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME YR ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS. EVEN IF FIXED THE ABS LIGHT STILL COMES ON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUMES WERE ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO PASS STATE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IN ORDER TO FIND THE CAUSE OF FAILURE, THEY WOULD HAVE TO DROP THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V156000 ( FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

FUEL LEAKS WHEN GAS TANK IS MORE THAN ABOUT HALF TO THREE QUARTERS FULL. VERY STRONG ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE VEHICLE. SOME WETNESS AROUND FUEL TANK, BUT NO VISIBLE DRIPS WHEN INSPECTED BY OWNER. WHEN DRIVING AT 60 MPH SOON AFTER FILLING TANK, FUEL RANGE INDICATOR DECREASES BY 5 MILES FOR EVERY 1 TO 2 MILES TRAVELLED. ASSUMING NORMAL FUEL CONSUMPTION SHOULD BE 20 MPG, IN 1.5 MINUTES VEHICLE SHOULD USE 0.075 GAL, BUT ACTUALLY USES 0.250 GAL SO THE LEAK RATE IS APPROXIMATELY 0.12 GAL/MIN OR 45 ML/MIN. SUCH LEAKAGE WOULD BE EVIDENT AS DRIPS IF THE LEAK WAS BELOW THE LIQUID LEVEL WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY SO IT IS SUSPECTED TO BE IN THE AREA OF THE GAS TANK VENTS. VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY VW. (VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED USED FROM PRIVATE SELLER WITHOUT MAINTENANCE RECORDS).

BROKEN LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING - SPONTANEOUSLY BROKEN - CAR LEFT UNDRIVEN IN CLOSED PRIVATE GARAGE FOR ~2 WEEKS, FOUND AFTER ~2 WEEKS LISTING AT LEFT FRONT CORNER WITH LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKEN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA RECALL # 08V156000: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, DELIVERY, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK IN THE FUEL LINE NEAR THE FIRE WALL. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT GASOLINE SPILLED OVER THE ENGINE AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PERFORM THE RECALL PROPERLY. WHEN THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AGAIN UNDER THE RECALL UNLESS THE CONTACT WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000. UPDATED 04/22/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TO THE BEST OF HIS KNOWLEDGE THE FUEL LINES ON HIS VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS FREE CHARGE. UPDATED 07/01/10.*JB

2002 VW PASSAT DRIVERS SEAT WARMERS BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED MY LEG. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 VW PASSAT. I HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT, THE CONTROL ARMS GO, THE ENGINE COILS FAIL CONSTANTLY AND JUST RECENTLY MY LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE PLACE WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND THEY SAID THIS MEANS THAT MY ENGINE IS SHOT. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND TRIED TO LOOK FOR USED PARTS AND IT TURNS OUT THAT WITH THE 1.8L TURBO PASSAT ENGINE THIS OCCURS VERY FREQUENTLY. NOW I AM STUCK PAYING ALMOST $11,000 FOR A CAR THAT I CANT EVEN DRIVE BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO COST ME NEARLY $5,000 TO FIX. I REALLY WOULD LIKE THIS PROBLEM TO BE LOOKED INTO AND I AM HIGHLY SURPRISED THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUE YET. *TR

WHILE DRIVING HOME LAST NIGHT, MY 2002 VW PASSAT BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND CUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO LET IT COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT IN THE LANE OF AN EXIT RAMP FOR TRAFFIC EXITING THE HIGHWAY. I ENGAGED MY FLASHERS AND CALLED 911 AND A TOW TRUCK. I TRIED STARTING THE CAR AGAIN AND IT WOULD NOT CRANK. ONCE THE POLICE CAME, HE PUSHED MY CAR INTO SAFETY AND AWAITED THE TOW TRUCK. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE VW DEALER. THIS MORNING, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER WHO SAID THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE WAS INTERRUPTED AND CAUSED BY A INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP. MY COMPLAINT IS WHEN I CHECKED ONLINE FOR RECALLS, I FOUND A RECALL THAT WAS POSTED IN SEPT 2002 FOR THE SAME ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH MY CAR. MY CAR WAS PURCHASED IN FEB 2002 AND THE RECALL IS FOR 2003 MODELS. I CALLED VW OF AMERICA AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE WITH THEM AND THE ONLY OFFER THEY GAVE ME WAS $1000 TOWARDS A NEW VW. UNBELIEVABLE! BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS FOR 2003 MODELS, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST ME BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS A 2002. EVEN THOUGH I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE AS THE 2003 RECALL. THE DEALER QUOTED $589 FOR THE REPAIR. THIS STALL COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE THAN IT WAS DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER, NIGHT TIME AND THE EXIT RAMP. THIS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARNING BEFORE THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WHICH CAUSES A POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH, WHICH IS WHAT I WAS FACED WITH LAST NIGHT. I AM NOT ASKING TO BE SINGLED OUT, BUT TO LOOK INTO THIS 6-MONTH GAP OF THE RECALL IN SEPT 2002 AND THE PURCHASE DATE OF MY VEHICLE FEB 2002. I WAS ALSO TOLD AT VW OF AMERICA THAT THEY COULD ONLY ASSIST ME WITH MY ISSUE IF MY VIN NUMBER MATCHED THE RECALLS. SO MY QUESTION, WHAT IF THE STALL OF MY VEHICLE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND SERIOUS INJURIES OR FATALITIES WERE INVOLVED, WOULD VW LOOK INTO THE 2002 RECALL THEN OR JUST TELL THE FAMILIES, SORRY, YOU DIDN'T HAVE A 2003. *TR

I WAS FILLING UP MY WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID AND WAS TRYING TO PUT THE CAP BACK ON MY 2002 PASSAT WHEN THE HOOD STRUT FAILED AND THE HOOD CRASHED DOWN ON MY FOREARM, PINNING MY ARM BETWEEN THE HOOD AND CAR FRAME. I SCREAMED OUT BOTH IN PAIN AND NOT BEING ABLE TO PULL MY ARM FREE AND HAD SOMEONE RUSH OVER TO ME WITHIN SECONDS. HOWEVER, THE HOOD LATCH HAD ENGAGED BUT WOULD NOT RELEASE SINCE THE HOOD WAS NOT CLOSED ALL THE WAY, MY ARM BLOCKING THIS FROM HAPPENING. THE FIRST GENTLEMAN TRIED TO ALLEVE THE PRESSURE ON MY ARM, WHICH HAD ALREADY STARTED GOING NUMB, WHILE HE CALLED OUT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO COME AND HELP AND BRING A HEAVY METAL BAR TO PRY ME OUT. THE SECOND GENTLEMAN CAME WITH A LARGE WRENCH AND WAS ABLE TO BEND THE FRAME ENOUGH FOR ME TO PULL MY ARM OUT. MAJOR INDENT OF MY FOREARM HAD ME MAKE AN EMERGENCY ROOM VISIT. XRAYS SHOWED NOTHING WAS BROKEN THOUGH 1 WEEK LATER I AM STILL SWOLLEN AND SORE. ABOUT $1900 BODY DAMAGE TO CAR, AS WELL AS AT LEAST $250 MEDICAL. MY MECHANIC NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE HOOD STRUT, SO THIS INCIDENT CAME AS A TOTAL SURPRISE TO HIM. HE HAS ORDERED A REPLACEMENT STRUT TO BE INSTALLED TOMMOROW. *CN

2002 PASSAT WAGON, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHILE GETTING ON HIGHWAY DURING A COLD MORNING. BRAKES WERE NON-RESPONSIVE EVEN WHEN CAR WAS PUT INTO NEUTRAL. CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, DRIVER PUT CAR INTO A LOWER GEAR WHICH SLOWED DOWN THE CAR A BIT AND FINALLY PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN "PARK". THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO EVENTUALLY STOP. TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY, DRIVER SLOWLY DROVE OFF ONTO THE EXIT RAMP AFTER CALLING 911 AND BEING ADVISED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WHICH HAD NO SHOULDER. AFTER THAT THE CAR AND BRAKES APPEARED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE NEXT MORNING CAR WOULD NOT START DUE TO THE BATTERY BEING DRAINED AND WAS TOWED TO VW MECHANIC. AFTER BEING INSPECTED FOR 2 DAYS THE MECHANIC DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ACCELERATOR OR THE BREAKS AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE PEDAL GOT STUCK ON THE FLOOR MAT. NO ERROR CODES WERE FOUND ON CAR'S COMPUTER. WE HAD HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR OTHER THAN A DASH MESSAGE INDICATING A BREAK FAULT WOULD OCCASIONALLY LIGHT UP ON COLD WET DAYS. THE VW MECHANIC COULD NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BREAKS AFTER REPEATED VISITS AND ATTRIBUTED THE MESSAGE TO A COMPUTER GLITCH. AFTER THE INCIDENT WITH THE ACCELERATOR WE TRADED THE CAR IN FOR A NEW ONE OF A DIFFERENT MAKE SINCE WE DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT, DESPITE ASSURANCES THAT NOTHING UNUSUAL WAS FOUND WITH THE CAR. *TR

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. STARTED 2002 VW PASSAT 1.8T AND THERE WAS NO HEATER FAN OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS FUNCTIONAL. DROVE AROUND THE BLOCK. LET CAR IDLE TO WARM UP AND ENGINE STOPPED. SMELLED BURNING AND PUT OUT SMALL FIRE. CAR TOWED TO DEALER. *TR

ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO I WAS CAUGHT IN A HEAVY RAINSTORM WITH MY 2002 PASSAT 1.8T. WATER FLOODED THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT DUE TO DRAINAGE HOLE LOCATED UNDER THE BATTERY CLOGGED WITH LEAF DEBRIS. ALL POWER (STEERING, BRAKES, ETC.) WAS LOST AND CAR STALLED OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. NOW THE CAR'S BRAKES ARE MALFUNCTIONING IN FREEZING WEATHER. THE BRAKE PEDAL STICKS TO THE FLOOR AT TIMES; OTHER TIMES THE PEDAL IS VERY HARD AND MUST BE STOMPED ON TO STOP THE CAR. I CANNOT USE THE CAR UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES AS IT IS TOO DANGEROUS. VW DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED DIAGNOSIS OF PROBLEM AS RESULTING FROM FREEZING WATER IN BRAKE BOOSTER. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO VW CUSTOMER CARE. THEY REFUSE TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE DEALER'S $1600 FEE TO REPLACE THE BOOSTER, BOOSTER LINES AND VACUUM PUMP. WHY HASN'T NHTSA FORCED VW TO ISSUE A RECALL AS I'VE DISCOVERED THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS? VW'S STANCE ON THIS WAS THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE NOTICED IN THE DRIVEWAY OR AT LOW SPEEDS AND THEREFORE DOESN'T POSE A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AS TEMPERATURES CAN CHANGE QUICKLY DURING A JOURNEY. WHY HAS NHTSA BACKED DOWN IN THE FACE OF SUCH A LAME RESPONSE? I WILL NEVER AGAIN BUY ANOTHER VW CAR SINCE THEIR VAULTED SAFETY REPUTATION IS NOT DESERVED AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE STINKS. *TW

I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON, WHEN I FELT THE SEAT GET EXTREMELY HOT. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT HEATER TO ZERO AND JUST LIFTED MY LEFT LEG OFF THE SEAT A LITTLE BIT UNTIL IT COOLED DOWN. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL I FIRST SAW A BURN MARK ON THE LEFT, BACK SIDE OF MY COAT AND THEN A LINE OF BURN MARKS AND HOLES ON MY PASSENGER SEAT. I INVESTIGATED A LITTLE FURTHER, AND IT APPEARS THE SEAT HEATER BEGAN TO ALSO OVERHEAT/MELT THE BACK PART OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT ALONG THE SAME LINE THAT BURNED MY COAT AND LEG IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT. *TR

1. OIL WAS LEAKING AND WE REPAIRED IT IN A LOCAL GARAGE. A DAY LATER WE NOTICED THE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM - WHICH TOLD US OIL SOMETHING, STOP ENGINE. WE CALLED THE VW DEALER IN HARTFORD, CT, AND THEY SUGGESTED TO BRING THE CAR IN IMMEDIATELY OTHERWISE IT WILL IMPACT THE ENGINE. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK AND DROPED IT AT THE VW DEALER AND THEY CALLED US NEXT DAY TELLING THE OIL IS NOT GETTING INTO THE ENGINE. EVERYTHING IS BLOCKED. THEY SUGGESTED TO REPAIR IT OTHERWISE THE ENGINE WILL BE DEAD. WE ASKED THEM TO REPAIR AND PAID CLOSE TO $1800. THEY HAVE REPLACED BUNCH OF PIPES, AND PARTS BUT LABOR COST WAS LOT MORE THAN PARTS. BUT I LEARNED ON THE INTERNET, THAT THIS IS AN EXISTING PROBLEM AND VW IS AWARE OF IT. I READ THRU FEW FORUMS ON THE NET, AND THEY ALL SUGGESTED, IF I DO NOT HAVE ALL THE OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS, THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR CHARGES. BUT I AM SURPRISED, THAT VW DEALER NEVER MENTIONED ABOUT THE EXISTING PROBLEM, I HAD TO LEARN THRU INTERNET. 2. CHECK ENGINE SIGN COMES ALL THE TIME ON MY DASHBOARD, FIRST TIME I TOOK IT, THEY REPAIRED (SAME DEALER) FIXING AND REPLACING SMALL PARTS AND AGAIN MOST OF IT IS LABOR CHARGES AND LESS PARTS. WE PAID ABOUT $2000. ALL THESE REPAIRS HAPPENED WITHIN COUPLE OF MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. AGAIN 10 DAYS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE SIGN COMES AND THEY REPAIRED AGAIN FEW THINGS AND CHARGED ABOUT $500. A WEEK LATER THE CHECK ENGIINE SIGN COMES AGAIN. WE CALL THE DEALER AND HE SAYS BRING IT IN. I AM SICK AND TIRED OF TAKING THIS CAR EVERY WEEK TO THE DEALER AND PAYING THEM LOT OF MONEY EVERY TIME I TAKE IT. MY CAR IS 2002 VW PASSAT 1.8T. I HEARD THERE ARE LOT OF KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND DEALER NEVER MENTIONED TO US ONCE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. FRAGMENTS OF GLASS FELL ALL OVER OF THE VEHICLE. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

WATER IN BRAKE BOOSTER FROZEN, CAUSING BREAKS TO FAIL - NEAR INCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. FROZEN WATER IS DUE TO KNOWN SERVICE ISSUE WITH 2002 PASSAT. VW WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAILURE OF BRAKE BOOSTER EVEN THOUGH MECHANICS INDICATE FAILED AIR PLENUM/FILTER IS ONLY WAY FOR WATER TO ENTER BRAKE BOOSTER. VW WILL NOT TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION ON BRAKE BOOSTER, A $600 REPAIR. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN COLD WEATHER. SEE INVESTIGATION #PE07-018. *TR

DURING HEAVY RAINS, WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SUNROOF, WHICH WAS PROPERLY CLOSED AND LATCHED. OWNER DID NOT KNOW THAT WATER INFILTRATION HAD OCCURRED. UPON DRIVING THE CAR AFTER THE STORM, MULTIPLE WARNINGS APPEARED. CAR SHUTTERED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. EVENTUALLY CAR SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. TOOK CAR TO SERVICE STATION, WHICH DIAGNOSED THAT WATER HAD ENTERED VEHICLE AND POOLED IN PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. TRANSMISSION MODULE LOCATED BENEATH PASSENGER FLOORBOARD FLOODED AND FAILED. TRANSMISSION MODULE AND RELATED COMPONENTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE CONTACTED MANUFACTURER OF VEHICLE AND WERE TOLD THIS WAS NOT A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT INFORMATION OBTAINED BY OUR INSURANCE COMPANY INDICATES OTHERWISE. *TR

TL-THE DRIVER OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THERE DESTINATION AND THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY. THE LOCAL MECHANIC DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE CALALTYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. VWB

I AM A THE OWNER OF A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4MOTION WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I AM CONTACTING YOU TO SEEK ACTION IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER FOR A RECALL FOR FAULTY GAS TANKS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR AS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE IN 2004. I TOOK THE CAR TO A VW DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES WITH A PROBLEM WITH SOMETHING LEAKING UNDER THE CAR, AND TOLD THERE WAS NOT A LEAK FOUND. AFTER SMELLING GAS, AND FINDING FUEL ON MY GARAGE FLOOR, THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A CRACKED FUEL TANK, AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FOR $3000. AFTER COMPLAINING TO VW OF AMERICA, THE COSTS WERE COVERED AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR THE SAME ISSUE. NOW, ONE YEAR LATER, I AGAIN SMELLED FUMES, AND FOUND GASOLINE ON THE FLOOR. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM. VW OF AMERICA HAS OFFERED TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. MY CAR IS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE WHERE OUR GAS HOT WATER IS LOCATED. THE FUEL ON THE FLOOR WAS NO MORE THAN 15 FT FROM THE HOT WATER HEATER. HAD THERE BEEN A SPARK, I AM CERTAIN THAT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR FIRE, WITH POTENTIAL FATAL OUTCOMES. I WILL NOT BRING THIS VEHICLE BACK TO MY HOUSE FOR FEAR OF A REPEAT FAILURE. I ALSO HAVE CONCERNS SELLING A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE TO A 3RD PARTY KNOWING THE POTENTIAL SEVERE SAFETY HAZARDS. VOLKSWAGEN HAS CLEARLY DESIGNED A FAULTY PRODUCT THEY REFUSE TO STAND BEHIND, AND AS A CONSUMER, I WILL HAVE TO INCUR A FINANICAL LOSS TO REPLACE THIS VEHICLE. THESE PROBLEMS STEM FROM NEGLIGENT DESIGN AND ARE A VERY SERIOUS POTENTAIL HAZARD. THE 4MOTION CARS SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM SERVICE AND COMPENSATIONS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO OWNERS. I DESPERATELY SEEK YOUR ASSISTANCE ON THIS ISSUE TO REVIEW WHETHER A SECOND RECALL MAY BE NECESSARY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR

I HAVE TALKED TO, BLOGGED WITH, AND COMMUNICATED WITH VARIOUS VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT OWNERS AND PREVIOUS OWNERS ONE COMPLAINT THAT HAS JUST BECOME MY BIGGEST PROBLEM IS DUE TO OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP THAT OCCURS AND EFFECTS THE OIL PRESSURE CENSOR IN THESE VEHICLES I OWN A 2002 PASSAT WAGON AND HAD A TERRIBLE OIL LEAK MONTHS AFTER I GOT IT COVERED BY WARRANTY. NOW MONTHS AFTER, I START BLOGGING AND INVESTIGATING ON MY OWN THE COST TO REPAIR THIS SO CALLED OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM WHICH IS SO BAD IN THESE VEHICLES I AM TOLD THIS WILL COST $500-$2000 TO FIX! WHY HASN'T THIS PROBLEM WHICH IS NOT COVERED OR HONORED BY VOLKSWAGEN OR EXTENDED WARRANTY BEEN RECALLED???? THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AND THE FACT THAT I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLE SOUND BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN IT GOES IN THE SHOP FOR SUCH A COMMON DEFAULT IN THESE CARS...PLEASE HELP SHINE THE LIGHT ON THIS ISSUE I AM SURE IF IT IS INVESTIGATED BY YOU THAT YOU WILL SEE THE HARDSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM HOPEFULLY YOU AREN'T A PASSAT OWNER YOURSELF. *TR

HELLO, MY NAME IS ROBERT CAMPBELL AND I AM A THE OWNER OF A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4MOTION WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I AM CONTACTING YOU TO SEEK ACTION IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V156000, WHICH CLEARLY INDICATES A RECALL FOR FAULTY GAS TANKS ON THIS PARTICULAR MAKE/MODEL DUE TO FRACTURED VENTILATION VALVES. UPON PURCHASING THE CAR AS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE IN 2006, I HAD TO HAVE THE GAS TANK REPLACED WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP DUE TO THIS VERY SAME DEFECT. THIS WAS COVERED BY THE TWO YEAR WARRANTY PROVIDED BY THE DEALERSHIP. A WEEK AGO, MY GAS TANK STARTED TO LEAK AGAIN. FUEL IS NOW LEAKING ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CREATING A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALER, THEY HAVE SURMISED THE SECOND TANK HAS ONCE AGAIN FAILED - DUE TO A FRACTURED VENTILATION VALVE. BOTH VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICAN AND MY LOCAL DEALER ARE REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS RECALL AND WILL ONLY REPLACE THE TANK IF I AGREE TO REPAIR COSTS TOTALING $1,800. VOLKSWAGEN HAS CLEARLY DESIGNED A FAULTY PRODUCT THEY REFUSE TO STAND BEHIND, AND AS A CONSUMER, I SHOULD NOT BE FINANCIALLY OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS THAT CLEARLY STEM FROM NEGLIGENT DESIGN. I DESPERATELY SEEK YOUR ASSISTANCE ON THIS ISSUE AND WILL GLADLY OFFER MY FULL COOPERATION. *TR

FAILURE FOR AIRBAG TO DEPLOY WHEN I REAR-ENDED SOMEBODY. MY APPROXIMATE SPEED WAS 25-25 MPH AND ALL MY FRONT COMPONENTS IN THE CAR WERE DAMAGED. THAT INCLUDES THE RADIATOR, THE AIRCONDITIONING ALL THE FANS IN THE FRONT AND THE ENGINE COVER. IT COST ME AROUND 9000 TO FIX IT. BUT THE POINT IS WITH SO MUCH DAMAGE IN THE FRONT THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN SUCH AN ACCIDENT BEFORE AND NOW I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THAT CAR. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAGS WILL EVER WORK ALSO. *TR

I PUT GASOLINE IN MY CAR. I BEGAN SMELLING GASOLINE AND NOTICED THE FUEL METER HADN'T REGISTERED THE INCREASE IN FUEL. I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AT THIS POINT. I HEARD A BIG BOOM AND THEN PEOPLE AROUND ME WERE SHOUTING AT ME TO "GET OUT OF THE CAR". I LOOKED TO THE RIGHT AND NOTICED FLAMES SHOOTING UP THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR. I JUMPED OUT OF THE DRIVERS SEAT TO SAFETY. A GOOD SAMARITAN WAS ABLE TO GRAB A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM A NEAR BY BUSINESS; AND ANOTHER PERSON CAME RUNNING OUT OF A NEARBY BUSINESS WITH ANOTHER AND THE WERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FLAMES WERE PRIMARILY UNDER THE VEHICLE AND TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE. POLICE AND FIRE PERSONNEL ARRIVED ON SCENE. MADE SURE FIRE WAS COMPLETELY OUT; THEN PUSHED CAR TO SAFETY. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED, AS MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY UN-DRIVABLE (ALL THE BELTS, HOSES WERE MELTED, INCLUDING THE BRAKE CABLE). THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER (ALSO A MECHANIC) TOLD ME THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR HAD EXPLODED. HE THEN SAID IT WAS A DEFECT; A MANUFACTURER ISSUE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 PASSAT 1.8T FOR A APPROXIMATELY 30, REACHING MY HOUSE THE CAR STARTED SPUTTERING AND ACTING WEIRD. ONCE I PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND OPEN THE HOOD THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAR WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY FINE FOR THE FIRST 30 MINUTES AND THEN WAS ON FIRE. *TR

THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE 07018. MY 2002 VW PASSAT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) FAILURE IN MID 2009. WATER HAD GOTTEN INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND DISABLED ALL ITS FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING BRAKES, TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE. IT INCLUDED SUDDEN, UNPREDICTABLE SURGING WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THIS OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. VW REPAIRED THE CAR AT THEIR EXPENSE. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, IN VERY COLD WEATHER, THERE WAS COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES AND THE CAR ROLLED DOWN A DRIVEWAY, ACROSS A BUSY STREET INTO A WALL. AGAIN THERE WAS NO BODILY INJURY AND MINOR CRASH DAMAGE. VW DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS WATER (ICE) IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND REPAIRED THE CAR AT MY EXPENSE. VW REFUSED A REQUEST FOR AN ADJUSTMENT CLAIMING THAT THIS EVENT WAS UNRELATED TO THE FIRST ONE. LAST MONTH, VW SENT ME AN UPDATE NOTICE FOR REVISED MAINTENANCE OF THE WATER DRAINS AND PLENUM CHAMBER, AS ORIGINALLY DESCRIBED IN THEIR SERVICE BULLETIN OF NOV. 2007. I CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SAFETY ISSUE AND REQUEST THAT NHTSA TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. *TR

HEAT SHIELD WAS REPLACED IN A RECALL DURING THE SUMMER OF 2008. A COUPLE DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR WE COMPLAINED OF A FIRE SMELL, RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER. AT THE TIME THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE HEAT SHIELD AGAIN AND THE SMELL WOULD EVENTUALLY GO AWAY. A YEAR LATER, THE WE EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER THAT DID THE RECALL WORK. AFTER INSPECTION THEY ADMITTED TO US THAT THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED, HOWEVER THE HEAT SHIELD WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, WHICH CAUSED IT TO CATCH FIRE. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS THEY WERE SUPPLIED BY VW WERE UNCLEAR. THEY ALSO ADMITTED THAT THEY HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW MANY HEAT SHIELDS WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AT THEIR DEALERSHIP BEFORE THEY RECEIVED THE CORRECTED OR MORE CLEAR INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN MANY MORE DEALERSHIPS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IF NOTHING ELSE, THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE ORDERED TO SEND OUT A LETTER NOTIFYING THEIR RECALL CUSTOMERS OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. FOR SEVERAL MONTHS HE NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PLASTIC COVER ON THE HEADLIGHT WAS DEFECTED AND THAT THE SUN'S RAYS CAUSED IT TO DISCOLOR AND DISTORT THE BULB. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR REPAIR WAS $200.00. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CONTROL ARMS ON THE VW 2002 PASSAT. I RECENTLY REPLACED AN UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE RIGHT AND NOW HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THREE OF THE FOUR CONTROL ARMS ON THE LEFT SIDE. I FELL THESE ARE A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

GOT IN MY CAR ONE MORNING AND THE BRAKE FELT LIKE THERE WAS GRAVEL IN THE SHAFT-VERY HARD AND CHOPPY FEELING WHEN DEPRESSING THE PEDAL. BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED A VAPOR CLOUD BEHIND MY CAR BUT THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO HIGH HUMIDITY IN AIR. WHEN I TRIED TO STOP THE CAR AT THE CORNER THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK QUITE RIGHT BUT THE CAR DID STOP. WENT A LITTLE FURTHER AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO MAKE A TURN AND MY CARE STARTED SHUTTERING AND LOTS OF WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT THE BACK -ACTUALLY ALMOST ENVELOPED MY CAR SO I HAD A HARD TIME MAKING THE TURN DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY AND THE CARS VIBRATIONS. AGAIN THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND CORRECTLY BUT LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING. I SAT THERE TRYING TO EVALUATE THE PROBLEM BY PUMPING THE BRAKES AND EVERY TIME I DID SO THE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND HUGE CLOUDS OF SMOKE ENVELOPED THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERS AND THEY CALLED TO SAY THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND CHARGED ME OVER $700 TO FIX. I ALSO HAD THEM DO THE P9 RECALL REPAIR AT THAT TIME. I DROVE THE CAR FOR LESS THAN A WEEK AND THEN HAD A REPEAT OF THE SAME PROBLEM! THIS TIME THE BRAKES ACTUALLY FAILED TWICE BEFORE I COULD GET BACK TO THE HOUSE. I HAD THE SAME THICK WHITE SMOKE AND THE CAR WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHENEVER I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKES. AGAIN HAD CAR TOWED TO SHOP. THEY ARE NOW FIXING AS PART OF THE WARRANTY TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER ISSUE AS THEY FOUND NEW LEAVES CLOGGING THE BRAKE BOOSTER LINES AND FOUND TOTAL FAILURE OF THAT PART. THE VW SERVICE REP SAID SEVERAL GALLONS OF WATER CAME OUT OF MY ENGINE WHEN THEY REMOVED THE DEBRIS. THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO DRILL A HUGE HOLE TO ALLOW THE LEAVES AND WATER TO DRAIN AWAY FROM THE BRAKES! LUCKILY, WE BORROWED MY BROTHER'S VAN TWO DAYS BEFORE TO BRING MY DAUGHTER BACK FROM COLLEGE (LOCATED IN LYNCHBURG, VA WHICH IS IN THE MOUNTAINS OR WE MAY HAD THE BRAKES FAIL AND GONE OFF A CLIFF!) PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS-- IT IS TOTALLY UNSAFE AND UNETHICAL! *TR

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON I SHUT ENGINE OFF ONE IGNITION COIL STARTS TO SMOKE AND START ON FIRE ALONG WITH COIL ELECTRICAL LEAD. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE WINDOWS INSTANTLY FOGGED UP WITHOUT WARNING. IMMEDIATELY GRABBING SOMETHING TO WIPE THE WINDOWS, NEARLY HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE BEFORE PULLING TO THE SHOULDER. ALSO PRESENT AT THIS TIME, WAS AN ODOR OF ANTI-FREEZE. VEHICLE PURCHASED USED 2007, 37,469 MILES. DRIVEN APPROX 12K MILES. CURRENT MILEAGE 51K. CORRESPONDING WITH MFG, UNSUCCESSFUL. RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A PREVALENT ISSUE. *TR

WE HAVE A 2002 1.8L PASSAT THAT WAS AFFECTED BY THE DEFECTIVE COILS IN THE 2003/2004 RECALL. NOW LESS THAN 5 YEARS LATER, 2 COILS FAILED AT ONCE WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND ALL 4 NEED TO BE REPLACED. LUCKILY WE WERE DRIVING WERE WE COULD SAFELY GET OUT OF TRAFFIC BUT IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I WONDER IF THE REPLACEMENT COILS WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE. *TR

WHEN CAR IS STARTED THE ABS LIGHT GOES ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES. THE CAR DRIVES BUT ITS ALWAYS FLASHING THE BRAKE LIGHT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIR AND WAS INFORMED THAT OTHER REPAIRS WERE ALSO NEEDED. PRIOR TO THE RECALL BEING ISSUED, THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS STATED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER TO HAVE THE MOTOR MOUNT AND CV BOOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A RUBBER COMPONENT THAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY SHE BEGAN EXPERIENCING SO MANY ISSUES WITH HER VEHICLE AT 15,000 MILES. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

MY CAR HAD BEEN HIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE SO I TOOK IT TO THE AUTO BODY SHOP TO BE REPAIRED, BEING PAID FOR BY THE PERSON INSURANCE CO THAT HIT ME. WHEN I WENT TO PICK THE CAR UP ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER I DRIVE 2 BLOCKS AND THEN LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING (WARNING OIL PRESSURE) STOP CAR IMMEDIATELY. I CALLED THE AUTO BODY SHOP SO I COULD TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THEM BECAUSE THE CAR WAS IN EXCELLENT WORKING ORDER WHEN I TOOK IT THERE NO LIGHTS WERE ON OR FLASHING ONLY THE DOOR WAS DAMAGED. FEW DAYS LATER THE AUTO BODY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALER WYNN BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHY THE LIGHTS ARE ON. WYNN DEALER GAVE DIAGNOSES OF OIL SLUDGE FOR THE LIGHTS FLASHING AND THE AUTO BODY HAD REPLACED THE DOOR WITH THE WRONG DOOR. I WAS TOLD THIS WOULD COST ME 2300 DOLLARS, 2300 DOLLARS. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEAL THAT THIS IS THE PROBLEM AND REMOVAL OF THE SLUDGE WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY HAD THE CAR FOR A MONTH REPAIRS TO REPLACE THE DOOR AND THE OIL SLUDGE. MONTH LATER WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP THE CAR AT THAT TIME THERE WAS AN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, HAD THE MANAGER CHECK WHY. HE HOOK UP A COMPUTER AND SAID IT MAY BE A BAD CYLINDER HE RESET THE LIGHT AND I DROVE IT FOR 2 WEEKS MAYBE AND NOW EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CAR AND IT WAS LOSING POWER . I TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER STATING YOU TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED I WAS TOLD THAT NOW IT HAS A TURBO CHARGER PROBLEM HAD BEEN DAMAGED WHICH WOULD BE COVERED BY MY WARRANTY. SO I LEFT IT THERE FOR REPAIRS. PICKED IT UP A WEEK LATER AND WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS FINE NOW DROVE IT FOR NOT EVEN A DAY AND THE CAR WAS STILL LOSING POWER AND NOW SHAKING OUT OF CONTROL. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND NOW WAS TOLD I HAD A BAD ENGINE COIL SO THE BEST THEY COULD DO FOR NOW IS REPLACE IT WITH A USED ONE. IN THE MEAN TIME I HAD CALLED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THEM FOR DIAGNOSE. BECAUSE WHEN THEY REPLACED THE COIL IT STILL DIDN'T. *TR

MY VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2002 CAUGHT ON FIRE. I KNOW YOU ARE INVESTIGATING THIS SO I WANTED TO INFORM YOU. *TR

SUDDENLY FELT STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE (NOT A RESULT OF ACCIDENT OR ANY OTHER OCCURRENCE.) THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FUEL TANK LEAK. THE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VW DEALER IN SUNNYVALE, CA, REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE COSTLY REPAIRS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY) AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE REMEDY; HOWEVER, IF THE HEAT SHIELDS AND ANOTHER COMPONENT BECAME DAMAGED DURING THE INSTALLATION, HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

COPY (EXCERPT) OF LETTER SENT TO VW OF AMERICA: CAR HISTORY THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AT DANBURY,CT VW 2002, PUT IN SERVICE ON 03-19-2002 AND IS STILL OWNED BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER (FLORIAN KAHLERT). THE CAR IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED AT VW RECOMMENDED INTERVALS BY FOREIGN CAR MOTORS INC. AND HAS ALSO BEEN SERVICED BY RIVERBANK VW IN STAMFORD, CT. ALL VW SERVICE ACTIONS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY VW DEALERSHIPS (EXCEPT THE MOST RECENT CAMPAIGN R5 26E5 WHICH IS STILL OUTSTANDING). THE CAR IS ACCIDENT FREE AND NO AFTER MARKET PARTS ARE INSTALLED. THE OVERALL CONDITION OF THE CAR IS 9 OUT OF 10 FOR A CAR ITS AGE. RIVERBANK VW IN STAMFORD PERFORMED THE P9 SERVICE ACTION ON 10/10/2007AT 40957 MILES. BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE IN COLD WEATHER IN DECEMBER 2008 (AT APPROXIMATELY 51000 MILES) OWNER EXPERIENCED REPEATED BRAKE PROBLEMS IN COLD WEATHER, WHICH WERE EVENTUALLY DIAGNOSED AS A BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE. UPON INSPECTION, EXTENSIVE WATER AND RUST WAS FOUND IN THE BOOSTER AS WELL AS THE CONNECTING VACUUM LINES AND ONE-WAY VALVES REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BOOSTER AND OTHER PARTS. FOREIGN CAR MOTORS REPLACED THE BOOSTER WITH A NEW ORIGINAL VW PART 8E0612107E. DURING REPLACEMENT FOREIGN CAR MOTORS ALSO FOUND THAT THE DRAIN BELOW THE BOOSTER WAS CLOGGED WITH HEAVY DEBRIS, INDICATING THAT THE DRAINS HAD BEEN CLOGGED FOR A LONG TIME. ENCLOSED EXPERT OPINION BY FOREIGN CAR MOTORS STATES THAT THE ONLY REASONABLE CAUSE AND EXPLANATION FOR THE PRESENCE OF WATER AND RUST IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER IS THAT THE P9 SERVICE ACTION DID EITHER NOT REMEDY THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM OR THAT THE DAMAGE STARTED BEFORE THE P9 ACTION WAS PERFORMED AND THE DAMAGE ONLY BECAME APPARENT IN DECEMBER 2008/JANUARY 2009. IN EITHER CASE, THE REASON FOR THE BOOSTER FAILURE IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE UNDERLYING CAUSE THAT TRIGGERED THE P9 SERVICE ACTION. BASED ON THIS ASSESSMENT I KINDLY REQUEST THE REIMBURSEMENT OF INCURRED REPAIR EXPENSES: *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL AND HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NEED TO REPLACE AT LEAST ONE BANK OF CAM ADJUSTER. SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH PART. COST TO REPLACE @$6,000. NO HELP FROM VW. *TR

SPRING 2008, EXPERIENCED WATER IN CABIN DUE TO FAULTY SEALS/DRAINAGE. WINTER 2008, EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE RELATED TO PREVIOUS WATER INTRUSION. *TR

FIRST COLD EVENING OF NOVEMBER 2008 (BELOW FREEZING) BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO DEPRESS, AND BRAKES APPEARED TO BE COMPLETELY LOCKED. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF WARMING UP, BRAKE FUNCTION PARTIALLY RETURNED, BUT WITHOUT POWER ASSIST. HUSBAND FLUSHED DOT4 BRAKE FLUID THROUGH ABS REGULATOR, BRAKE LINES AND BLED BRAKES. NO CHANGE WHATSOEVER. WAITING FOR DEALER TO RECOGNIZE PROBLEM. DEALER FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM OVER PHONE, HOWEVER, THIS MAY HELP. BELIEVED THAT AIR/POWER BOOSTER SUCKED WATER IN TO BRAKE BOOSTER FROM DEFECTIVE DRAIN. SUNROOF ALSO LEAKS, AND 3RD SET OF CV BOOTS FOR CAR IN 3 YEARS. *TR

I OWN A 2002 VW PASSAT AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I HAVE NO HEAT AND THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT I NEED A NEW HEATER CORE WHICH APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM W/ VW'S THAT THEY HAVE YET TO ACKNOWLEDGE. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY BUT SUGGESTED I CALL VWOA AND SEE IF I COULD GET IT COVERED UNDER GOODWILL. I CALLED VWOA AND STATED MY CASE AND REQUESTED THAT THEY COVER IT UNDER GOODWILL AND THEY REFUSED. MY CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED BY THE DEALER AND I AM VERY UPSET THAT VW HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO CORRECT IT AND THEY EXPECT ME TO PAY $1000 TO HAVE THIS KNOWN PROBLEM FIXED. *TR