2002 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

I WAS AT THE TRYING TO FIND A PARKING SPOT WHEN SUDDENLY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED BLINKING. I LOST ALOT OF POWER AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE. I THEN HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOME BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID OF CAUSING ANY FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. THEY THEN INFORMED ME THAT MANY OF THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE PROARISING FROM A FAULTY IGNITION COIL OR COIL PACK AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE COST TO REPAIR IT WOULD BE BETWEEN $350-$500 TO REMOVE AND REPLACE FAULTY IGNITION COILS (4). AFTER FURTHER LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM THROUGH NUMEROUS WEBSITES I NOTICED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM HAPPENING CONSISTENTLY TO MANY OWNERS OF SUCH VEHICLES. *TR

TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD RELAY SWITCH FAILED WHILE DRIVING, NO TURN SIGNALS...FIND OUT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE 2002 JETTA AND GOLFS BUT NOT ON THE PASSAT, SAME SWITCH IN ALL THE CARS MADE BY VW...THIS IS A HUGE HAZARD, WHY HASN'T VW RECALLED THE 2002 PASSATS AS WELL? *TR

CAR DRIVEN TO AIRPORT PARKING ON 9/26 RUNNING FINE. CAR PICKED UP AT AIRPORT PARKING ON 10/4. ENGINE RUNNING A BIT ROUGH. "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH. WITHIN FIVE MILES, THERE WAS AN ENGINE FIRE BEHIND ENGINE BY FIREWALL LOW. BEFORE EMERGENCY/FIRE PERSONNEL COULD ARRIVE, CAR FULLY ENGULFED AND TOTALLY DESTROYED. CAR REGULARLY MAINTAINED. NO OIL/FLUID LEAKAGE. RUNNING FINE PRIOR TO EIGHT DAY IDLE IN PARKING GARAGE. *TR

FAILURE OF ABS MODULE. *TR

SHOULDER BELT IN CENTER REAR POSITION IS FULLY RETRACTED AND LOCKED, MAKING IT UNUSABLE. UNKNOWN CAUSE THIS TIME. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED TO US. THE FIRST TIME, WE FOLDED DOWN THE REAR SEAT FOR CARGO AND THEN WERE UNABLE TO PULL IT BACK UP. THE FIRST TIME, THE RETRACTOR WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ESTIMATE TO REPLACE IT THIS TIME IS $450. ADDITIONAL REPORTS OF THE PROBLEM WERE FOUND IN DISCUSSION GROUPS ON THE INTERNET. *TR

DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED REQUIRING AN EMERGENCY MANEUVER TO CLEAR HIGHWAY. VW MECHANIC SAYS ROD SNAPPED AND PUT HOLE THROUGH ENGINE. NOT OIL-RELATED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A WARNING CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH A "STOP" MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, THE "OIL PRESSURE" AND "TURN OFF ENGINE" WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FAILURES WERE CONTRIBUTED TO AN OIL SLUDGE BUILDUP. THE VEHICLE HAD REPAIRS PERFORMED RELATED TO THE IDENTICAL FAILURES TWO YEARS AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A POP FROM UNDER THE CAR. SHE PULLED OVER RIGHT AWAY AND SAW FLUIDS AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WITHIN FIVE MINUTES THE ENGINE AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENTS WERE FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED. VOLKSWAGEN IS BLAMING IT ON AN AFTER MARKET STEREO POWER CABLE AND AN INVESTIGATOR WITH 23 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE SAID OIL LINES RUPTURED AND THE FIRE INITIALLY IGNITED LOW IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT -- NOT ON TOP BY THE STEREO POWER LEAD. PHOTOS AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE INCIDENT IS POSTED AT THE FOLLOWING LINK: HTTP://WWW.DSLREPORTS.COM/FORUM/R21108730-RANT-OUR-2002-VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT-GLX-DEATH-TRAP. *TR

IN WET WEATHER, MY ABS MODULE GOES HAYWIRE. WHEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, THEY STATE THAT MY BRAKES ARE FINE AND THAT THE CONTROL MODULE SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE. THIS USE TO ONLY HAPPEN ONCE IN A GREAT WHILE, BE IT IS STARTING TO BECOME MORE FREQUENTLY. *TR

WATER LEAKAGE FROM SUNROOF TO FLOOR BOARDS. THE SUNROOF HAS DRAINAGE TUBES, THAT CAN AND WILL BECOME CLOGGED. WATER ON FLOORBOARD CAN LEAD TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. TUBES HAD TO BE UNCLOGGED, LOCATED ON FRONT DOOR FRAMES. *TR

VEHICLE LEAKED A LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL (~4 GALLONS IN 3 DAYS). NO FIRE, BUT THERE IS NOW A LARGE HOLE IN MY DRIVEWAY. SHOP SAYS LEAK IS FROM TOP OF ENGINE. *TR

HAD A CAR ACCIDENT IN 2006, TOOK CAR TO RECOMMEND INSURANCE SHOP. THEY REPLACE 3 TIRES, A WEEK LATER A BUBBLE POP UP ON THE OTHER TIRE. THEY HAD TO ORDER THE OTHER TIRE. YEAR LATER , LESS THAN 10,000 MILES, THE TIRE OUTSIDE WALL HAD SMALL CRACK AND GOT LARGER OVER TIME. I REPLACE THE TWO TIRES. WHILE REMOVING THE TIRES TO THE REAR. THE OTHER TIRE HAD A LARGE CRACK ON THE INSIDE UNKNOWN TO ME IF I DIDN'T REMOVED IT. DIDN'T CHECK THE OTHER TIRE AS OF YET. THE 3 TIRES ARE ROAD HUGGERS RADIAL GT. *TR

THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WOULD FLASH AND BRAKE WARNING WOULD LIGHT UP. THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVABLE. THIS STARTED JUST AROUND 101,000 MILES. I LOOKED UP THIS TYPE OF WARNING LIGHT TO SEE IF ANY ONE ELSE HAD EXPERIENCED THIS, AN ONLINE FORUMS SUGGESTED THAT THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED. I USED VAGCOM, AN OBDII DEVICE, TO SEE IF THE ABS MODULE COULD BE THE CAUSE TO THE PROBLEM. THE ABS MODULE FAILED. I SENT IN THE MODULE TO BE "REBUILT".*TR

WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE A GAS LEAK / SMELL REPAIRED BY 3 DIFFERENT VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS OVER 5 YEARS. WE FIRST APPROACHED THE DEALER IN 2008 WHEN RECEIVING NOTICE OF A RECALL. THE RECALL WAS THE "UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD/FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS (#08V156000). TODAY, 10/17/2013 WE FINALLY HAVE A DEALER STATING THAT THERE IS A FUEL LEAK EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO GET VW TO BELIEVE US FOR 5 YEARS. THE OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GASOLINE PERMEATES OUR ENTIRE HOUSE AFTER A FILL UP AND IMMEDIATELY PARK THE VEHICLE IN OUR GARAGE. *TR

MY 2002 VW PASSAT INITIALLY BLEW THE #5 FUSE WHICH CONTROLS THE A/C, STEERING WHEEL ITEMS (HORN, VOLUME CONTROL, ETC.) AND ITEMS ON THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR. THE FUSE WAS REPLACED AND SUBSEQUENTLY I EXPERIENCED SMOKING IN THE AREA OF THE SUN VISOR. REMOVING THE VISOR, I NOTICED FRAYED WIRING AND BURNT WIRING INSULATION. IN ADDITION THERE WAS SPARKING INSIDE THE ROOF AREA. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY CUT THE FRAYED WIRE AND TAPED IT UP, WITH A MORE COMPLETE REPAIR TO COME IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. DRIVING THE CAR HOME LATER THAT DAY THE CAR STARTED SMOKING AGAIN WITH THE ADDITION OF CRACKLING SOUNDS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER THAT EVENING. THE DEALER IS NOW LOOKING AT THE WIRING AND HAS FOUND AT LEAST ONE WIRE LEADING FROM THE VISOR AREA ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FUSE BOX WHICH IS BARE BECAUSE IT'S INSULATION HAS BEEN BURNED OFF. THE FUSE THAT SHOULD HAVE BLOWN WAS MELTED INTO THE FUSE BOX. THE BURNED WIRE HAS ALSO BURNED OFF INSULATION ON OTHER WIRES WHICH WERE TOUCHING THE DAMAGED WIRE. THE DEALER IS TRYING TO TRACK DOWN ALL THE WIRES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. CURRENT COST IS APPROXIMATELY $2400 WITH VOLKSWAGEN AGREEING TO PICK UP $900 OF THE COST. BASED ON INTERNET RESEARCH, THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER REPORTS OF FRAYED WIRING IN THE VISOR AREA OF THE 2002 PASSAT. I HAVE NUMEROUS POSTINGS BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BLOWN THE FUSE AND HAD THEIR VISORS REPLACED. OTHERS HAVE PULLED DOWN THE VISOR AND TAPED UP THE FRAYED WIRING IN THEIR VISOR. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING FLAW AND I BELIEVE THAT MY VISOR WIRING HAS BEEN FRAYING FOR SOME TIME PRIOR TO THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. SHE PULLED OVER TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY A REPRESENTATIVE AT THE SERVICE STATION. WEEKS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. IN 2007, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WOULD DRAIN INTO THE MOTOR DURING HEAVY RAINS, AND CAUSE THE BRAKES TO FAIL. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT WATER WAS ENTERING THE BRAKE LINE, BUT NEVER INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL. INSTEAD, THE DEALER REPAIRED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND STATED THAT IT WAS A COURTESY FROM VOLKSWAGEN. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE CONTACT NOTICED THICK, WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. SHE HAD TO STRIKE THE WHEEL AGAINST THE CURB IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY MADE REPAIRS AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

MY CAR HAS SUDDENLY STARTED TO DOWNSHIFT ON IT'S OWN , RPM'S WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO INCREASE WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR, AND THEN SUDDENLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP THE CAR WILL NOT REACT AT ALL FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AND THEN RAPIDLY SURGES FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. THIS ALL IN CONJUNCTION WITH A CONTINUED COMPLAINT OF A BURNING SMELL FROM MY CENTRAL DASHBOARD VENT. ( THIS BURNING WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN REMEDIED BY A RECENT RECALL. THE MECHANIC AND SERVICE ADVISOR WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THIS , BUT IT WAS DEEMED NORMAL AND WITHOUT DUPLICATION BY THE HEAD MECHANIC. THE SERVICE MANAGER LATER INVESTIGATED THIS AND DECIDED A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER MAY REMEDY THE SITUATION. THIS HAS NOT HELPED AND THE CAR CONTINUES TO REACT INCONSISTENTLY WITH SUDDEN DOWNSHIFTING WHILE ACCELERATING AND THEN SUDDEN RAPID ACCELERATION SURGES FORWARD WHICH SEEM VERY UNSAFE WHEN NEGOTIATING BUSY CITY STREETS. MY CAR HAS ONLY 49,000 MILES ON IT! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED FROM 70 MPH TO 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE IGNITION COIL SPRING FAILED. THE COIL SPRINGS AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT STATED THIS WAS THE FIFTH TIME THE IGNITION COIL SPRINGS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

I HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH 79000 MILES, IN MAY OF 2008 WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS AWAY AT SCHOOL THE STOP ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER SHE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP AND I SPENT OVER $300 IN DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES I WAS ADVISED OF VW'S TSB 10 07 13, 2013233, PUBLISHED AUG 17, 2007WHICH ACKNOWLEDGED THE OIL SLUDGE ISSUE AND THE "MAGIC FLUSH". HAD THE CAR TOWED AT MY EXPENSE FROM MD TO NJ. VW AGREED WITH THE DIAGNOSTICS AND PERFORMED THE FLUSH. SINCE THAT TIME (<8 MONTHS) THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE NUMEROUS TIMES FOR ADDITIONAL RELATED OIL ISSUES. THE LATEST >6K DUE TO THE TURBO FILLING UP WITH OIL, CAN AND CRANK SEALS LEAKING, VALVE COVERS LEAKING, PREMATURE CRACKING CAUSED BY THE OIL IN THE TIMING BELT, ETC. INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AS WELL AS THE DEALERS MECHANICS AGREE THAT THIS CAN BE A RESIDUAL EFFECT FROM THE OIL SLUDGE. VW OF AMERICA WOULD NOT LISTEN TO THE FACTS AND HAVE LEFT ME HOLDING THE BAG. OIL CHANGES HAVE BEEN DONE EVERY 3500 MILES, WITH RECEIPTS. VW SHOULD BE STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE, THEY KNOW THAT THERE IS A DESIGN ISSUE WITH THE 1.8T IN THE PASSAT. I THINK THAT THEY INTENTIONALLY MAKE IT DIFFICULT ON THE CONSUMER SO THAT THEY GIVE UP. ANY ADVICE? *TR

WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE CAR STARTED SPUTTERING. THEN I SAW SMOKE COMING UP FROM THE HOOD. PULLED THE CAR OVER, OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FLAMES. GRABBED MY KID OUT OF THE CAR AND WATCHED THE CAR BECOME ENGULFED IN FIRE. CAR WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH ALL MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE. *TR

ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (FLASHING), I WAS ADVISED ENGINE WAS MISSING ON A CYLINDER AND COULD DRIVE 'SLOWLY' TO THE MECHANIC. ON WAY TO DEALERSHIP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON (STOP - NO ENGINE OIL). MECHANIC CHANGED VACUUM HOSE AND RESET COMPUTER, ENGINE NOT LOOSING OIL. WEEK LATER - WARNING LIGHT (STOP - NO ENGINE OIL). MECHANIC CONFIRMED ENGINE WAS NOT LOOSING OIL. TOOK TO VW DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP ADVISED VACUUM HOSES WERE 'BAD'. ORIGINAL MECHANIC CHANGED VACUUM HOSES. WEEK LATER - WARNING LIGHT (STOP - NO ENGINE OIL). TOOK TO VW DEALERSHIP - DEALERSHIP ADVISED "AFTER MARKET PARTS" (VACUUM HOSES) CAUSING ISSUE. - CHANGED HOSE. DAY LATER - WARNING LIGHT (STOP- NO ENGINE OIL) - TOOK BACK TO VW DEALERSHIP - DEALERSHIP ADVISED HOSES ARE 'BAD' - REPLACED 3 OTHER HOSES. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER - ENGINE RUNNING POORLY, DELAY WHEN PULLING OUT FROM STOPS, TOOK TO VW DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP TOOK APART ENGINE. ADVISED THAT THEY 'SCRAPED CARBON DEPOSITS' FROM THE FILTER LEADING TO THE OIL PUMP. (COST $500+) CAR RAN WELL FOR APPROX 2 WEEKS. SPOKE TO ORIGINAL MECHANIC ABOUT 'CARBON DEPOSITS'. MECHANIC ADVISED 'CARBON DEPOSITS' ARE 'ENGINE SLUDGE' - VW WILL NOT REPLACE ENGINE UNDER 'SLUDGE' RECALL BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE ALL OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 VW PASSAT V6 GLX WAGON WITH 37,000 MILES. WHENEVER THE FUEL TANK IS FULL, OR NEAR-FULL, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE FROM THE RIGHT REAR SIDE. I HAVE HAD TO LEAVE MY GARAGE DOOR PARTIALLY OPEN BECAUSE OF THE DANGER OF IGNITING FUMES FROM THE PILOT LIGHTS OF MY HOME GAS WATER HEATER AND FURNACE IN THE GARAGE. I HAVE FOUND WET PATCHES SMELLING STRONGLY OF GASOLINE ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE GASOLINE TANK IS LEAKING SOMEHOW AND PRESENTS A FIRE SAFETY ISSUE. I SUSPECT IT MIGHT BE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT IS BEING INVESTIGATED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE08008 EVEN THOUGH MY MODEL IS NOT AN ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE. MEANWHILE, WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, IN MY GARAGE OR OUT IN THE OPEN, THERE IS A CONSTANT DANGER OF FIRE BEING IGNITED. *TR

THE ABS LIGHT FLASHES ALONG WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT. ALSO WORDS APPEAR ON THE DASH THAT SAY "STOP" "BRAKE FAULT" "SERVICE MANUAL". WHEN I CHECKED THE MANUAL IT SAYS THAT THERE IS A FAULT OR PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE THEN SKIDDED INTO AN INTERSECTION AND ALMOST STRUCK A CHILD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION COIL HOUSING BURNED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE OR ALLOW HIM TO PAY $785 WITH A CREDIT CARD TO REPAIR THE IGNITION COIL. THE TURBO COIL ALSO FAILED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER DOES NOT AGREE WITH THIS DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE CONTACT ALSO SMELLED ELECTRICAL WIRING BURNING. HE STATED THAT OIL BREAKS DOWN PREMATURELY, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED IN WRITING THAT THEY SEE NO REASON WHY THEY SHOULD OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE, AND THAT THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS RELATED TO OTHER ENGINE FAILURES. THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION COMPLAINT NUMBER WAS 13323205. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,222 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR HAS GONE OUT ON MY 2002 VW PASSAT 4MOTION GLX. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE DRIVERS WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED DUE TO A CORRODED CABLE IN THE ASSEMBLY. THE MOST RECENT JUST HAPPENED TO THE REAR PASSENGER REGULATOR, BUT THIS TIME THE PLASTIC ASSEMBLY THAT HOLDS THE GLASS WINDOW BROKE AND AND THE WINDOW FELL DOWN IN TRAFFIC. I AM VERY MECHANICALLY INCLINED AND HAVE FIXED BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS ON MY OWN TIME, AT MY OWN EXPENSE. JUST WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE IS EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMATIC ISSUES. THANK YOU, DARIN. *TR

ALL HEADLIGHT BULBS ON VEHICLE DO NOT LAST LONG AND OR DO NOT WORK CORRECTLY DIRECTLY FOLLOWING INSTALLATION OF NEW BULBS. HEADLIGHT BULBS REQUIRE REPLACEMENT WEEKS AND SOMETIMES DAYS FOLLOWING NEW INSTALLATION. THERE IS A DEFECT IN WIRING. CERTAIN TIMES A HEADLIGHT BULB WILL WORK WHILE THE CAR IS COLD, BUT GO OFF WHEN THE CAR BECOMES WARM OR HOT. DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR DRIVER OF CAR WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. ROADS ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE, ROAD SIGNS ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO READ. OTHER DRIVERS DO NOT SEE VEHICLE WELL IN THE DARK. THIS DEFECT IS WITH ALL HEADLIGHTS - DAYTIME RUNNING AND NIGHT DRIVING HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS AN ONGOING INCIDENT CONCERNING EACH OF THE HEADLIGHTS AND THEREFORE DATES DO NOT APPLY TO THIS DEFECT IN WIRING. *TR

3 1/2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2002 VW PASSAT, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WENT MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON WITH A GRINDING NOISE AND THE COMPUTER ADVISED ME TO SHUT DOWN MY ENGINE IMMEDIATELY. I THOUGH MY OIL WAS LOW SINCE I MISSED MY LAST OIL CHANGE AND WAS PLANNING ON GETTING ONE DONE THAT WEEKEND AND ADDED MORE OIL TO MY CAR. THE PROBLEM NEVER WENT AWAY AND I HAD TO TOW MY CAR TO THE VW DEALER (HERITAGE VW). I WAS CHARGED $1178 FOR A DESLUDGE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS NO GOOD SINCE MY OIL CHANGED WAS OVERDUE. AFTER THE DESLUDGE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT MY TIMING WAS OFF AND WOULD REQUIRE ME TO PAY ANOTHER $1100 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I REMOVED MY CAR FROM THEIR SHOP BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND NOW I HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR, THEIR ERROR. I WOULD LIKE VW TO PAY FOR THEIR FAULTY ENGINEERING OR POOR WORKMANSHIP, SINCE THE SLUDGE BUILDUP SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT AND NOT A MAINTENANCE ISSUE HAS THEY CLAIM. *TR

THE "BRAKE FAULT" AND "STOP" WORDS APPEAR ON THE DASH AND THEN A VERY LOUD AND ANNOYING BEEP COMES ON FOR 3 BEEPS. I SPOKE TO A TECHNICIAN AT THE VW DEALERSHIP AND HE SAID THAT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IN 00,01 AND 02 MODELS. THE MODULE JUST "CRAPS-OUT" AS HE PUT IT AND WARNED ME THAT IS USUALLY COSTS ABOUT $1,000 TO FIX, BUT WOULD NEED $120 JUST TO DIAGNOSE AND MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS INDEED THE PROBLEM. I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD "NO". THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM BASED ON THE OVER 200 POSTINGS I SAW IN REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM IN A MERE 20 MIN. OF LOOKING ONLINE. I AM SAD THAT THE CAR I FEEL IN LOVE WITH HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A PAIN (WHICH IS WHAT I WAS TOLD BY MANY PEOPLE IT WOULD BE). I WORK FOR MERCEDES BENZ AND THEY MANUFACTURE THEIR VEHICLES IN GERMANY AS WELL, WITH MUCH FEWER PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE THIS MUST BE A RECALL SINCE IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AND COSTING PEOPLE WAY TOO MUCH MONEY. *TR

DRIVERSIDE HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. BURNT 2 SMALL HOLES THROUGH SEAT AND THE POCKET OF MY WIFE'S PANTS. *TR

AFTER A GAS FILL IN FEBRUARY 2008 A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WAS EVIDENT. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTED THAT GAS WAS LEAKING ONTO THE PAVEMENT UNDER THE CAR. THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO RESOLVE ITSELF AFTER ABOUT 1/4 TANK OF GAS WAS BURNED. AFTER THE NEXT FILL, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT A SENDING UNIT HAD FAILED, WHICH WAS REPLACED. AGAIN THE PROBLEM RECURRED UPON FILLING THE GAS TANK. THE DEALERSHIP THEN DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A BROKEN VENT ON THE FUEL TANK CAUSING THE LEAK WHICH REQUIRED A REPLACEMENT TANK. DURING ALL OF THIS THERE WAS NEVER A WARNING LIGHT THAT WOULD ALERT TO THE PROBLEM. *TR

LAST SATURDAY (FEB.9, 2008) AROUND 11:00AM, WHILE I WAS PICKING UP MY TWO DAUGHTERS FROM BALLET SCHOOL (BOSTON BALLET, 19 CLARENDON STREET, BOSTON), THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP STARTED TO BLINK AND I COULD FEEL MY CAR (2002 PASSAT WAGON, ALL WHEEL DRIVE) WAS A LITTLE BIT SHAKING. AS THE CAR MANUAL SAYS, I DROVE IN LOW POWER TO THE CLOSEST VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP (BOSTON VOLKSWAGEN, 168 WESTERN AVENUE, ALLSTON). WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP, I SAW SOME SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE FRONT HOOD (RIGHT FRONT SIDE). WE (MY DAUGHTERS, MY WIFE, AND MYSELF) GOT THE DEALERSHIP AROUND 11:30AM. A SALES CONSULTANT (MICHAEL PETERSANTE) AND ANOTHER PERSON THERE SAW MY CAR, AND SAID THAT MY CAR POSSIBLY WOULD CATCH ON FIRE. WE EVACUATED FROM THE CAR, THEY MOVED ALL THE CARS AROUND MY CAR TO THE OTHER PLACE. THE DEALER CALLED FOR A FIRE DEPARTMENT. BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME IN, WHILE I WAS LOOKING AT MY CAR FROM THE INSIDE OF THE DEALERSHIP BUILDING, I COULD SEE THE FLAME COMING OUT ABOVE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL IN THE CAR (SOMEWHERE THE ENGINE IS LOCATED) AND SMOKE FILLING UP INSIDE OF MY CAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT (BOSTON FIRE-ENGINE 41, LADDER 14, UNIT D11) CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. A POLICE OFFICER (BOSTON POLICE DISTRICT 14, 301 WASHINGTON STREET, BRIGHTON) CAME AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED (ARRIVED AT 11:53AM), AND CHECKED OUT THE SCENE AND HAD MY CAR, WHOSE FRONT PART (ENGINE COMPARTMENT) WAS ALL BROKEN AND CRUSHED WHILE THE WIRE WAS PUT OUT, BE TOWED. IT WAS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A 5-6 YEARS OLD CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND IN JUST 30 MINUTES REACHED TO SUCH SITUATION. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE CLOSE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE ABLE TO GET THERE BEFORE THE WORST THING HAPPENS. AND AGAIN, VERY FORTUNATELY, MY FAMILY WAS ABLE TO GET AWAY TO THE SAFE PLACE BEFORE THE WORST THING HAPPENS. BUT IF IT HAPPENED 10 MINUTES EARLIER OR IF IT TOOK 10 MINUTES LONGER THAN ACTUALLY IT DID TO GET THERE, THINGS THAT I DON'T EVER WANT TO IMAGINE COULD HAPPEN TO MY FAMILY. *TR

WHEN I STARTED MY 2002 PASSAT STATION WAGON YESTERDAY, THERE WAS NO POWER ASSIST FUNCTION ON THE BRAKES. THIS WAS EXPERIENCED TWO DAYS IN A ROW, AND BRAKING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. BRAKING DISTANCE WAS GREATLY INCREASED OVER WHAT IT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN. THIS PHENOMENON HAPPENED WHEN I FIRST STARTED DRIVING THE VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS PARKED A WHILE. PUMPING THE BRAKES SEEMED TO IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BRAKING, BUT NEVER ENOUGH TO GIVE ME CONFIDENCE THAT I COULD STOP WHEN I NEEDED TO. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THEY HAVE SAID THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDS REPLACING. I PARTICIPATED IN THE AIR PLENUM RECALL AND HAD THE AIR PLENUM REPLACED ON 9/7/07. I AM SENDING IN THE PRESENT COMPLAINT AFTER READING THE NHTSA ACTION # PE07018. THE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES IN COMPLAINT #PE07018 SOUND VERY MUCH LIKE MY PROBLEM, AND I THOUGHT YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF MY SITUATION. I ALSO LIVE IN WISCONSIN WHERE WE ARE CURRENTLY HAVING A COLD WET WINTER. *TR

MECHANICAL DEFECT IN THE 2002 VW PASSAT THAT CAUSES SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE ON AUGUST 8, 2006 WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BREAKDOWN ON SEPT. 29, 2006 AND OTHER ASSOCIATED MECHANICAL PROBLEMS LIKE STALLING APPROXIMATELY JUNE 2007 AND FAILURE OF FRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION ON FEBRUARY 3, 2008 UPON EXITING THE HIGHWAY. *TR

2002 PASSAT 4 MOTION V6 LEAKING GAS THEN FILLED UP OVER HALF A TANK? *TR

APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO, OR SLIGHTLY LESS, I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE'S 2002 VW PASSAT WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT APPARENT CAUSE AND WE COULD NOT STOP THE ACCELERATION. I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY OFF, AND LEAVING THE CAR IN PARK, RE-STARTED IT, ONLY TO OBSERVE THE ENGINE AGAIN RACING. WE EVENTUALLY FIGURED OUT THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND REMOVED IT. MY WIFE SOMETIME LATER REPLACED THE MAT AND HAD NO RECURRENCE, BUT WHEN I DROVE THE CAR, IT HAPPENED TWICE MORE BEFORE WE PERMANENTLY REMOVED THE MAT. AS WE HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEM, WE THOUGHT NO MORE OF THE ISSUE, BUT WITH THE RECENT PUBLICITY OVER SIMILAR SITUATIONS WHICH RESULTED IN SERIOUS CRASHES AND LOSS OF LIFE, WE DECIDED IT WAS BEST TO REPORT THIS SERIES OF EVENTS. *TR

DURING TRIP IN 2008 THE "LOW OIL PRESSURE" LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 PASSAT 1.8T (W/ AUTO TRANSMISSION) ON THE FREEWAY- I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF THE CAR AS THE WARNING LIGHT ADVISED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP & I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW OIL PUMP DUE TO OIL SLUDGE ($1300). THE CAR HAD APPROX. 120K MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP DID TELL ME ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 02 PASSATS FOR OIL SLUDGE-RELATED REPAIRS, HOWEVER, VOLKSWAGEN WOULDN'T HONOR THIS WARRANTY WITHOUT RECEIPTS FOR EVERY OIL CHANGE DONE ON THE CAR - WHICH I DID NOT HAVE. APPROX. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING.THIS IS ALL DUE TO OIL SLUDGE ISSUES. I HAD ABOUT 90% OF ALL OF MY OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS AND VW WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. AS AND ENGINEER IN KNOW THAT THE 1.8T ENGINE WAS NOT DESIGNED CORRECTLYBECAUSE IF IT WERE, VW WOULD NOT HAVE CHANGED THE SIZE OF THE ORIGINAL OIL FILTER TO A LARGER ONE AND THERE WOULD BE NO NEED TO USE SYNTHETIC OIL. *TR

AFTER HEAVY RAINFALL, WATER FILLED THE PASSENGER FLOOR WELL. I VACUUMED OUT THE WATER AND MOVED VEHICLE ON A SURFACE THAT IS SLOPED AND ANOTHER 3 GALLONS OF WATER CAME THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER KICK PANEL WHERE THERE ARE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. IN TOTAL, THERE WAS 7 GALLONS OF WATER. NOW ALL THE SERVICE LIGHTS COMES AND REMAINS ON. *TR

1) BOTH FAILURES OCCURRED IN WET CONDITIONS --- ONCE IN POURING RAIN AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE, AND ONCE DURING THE FIRST DRIVE ON A COLD MORNING (JUST BELOW FREEZING) AFTER AN INCH OR TWO OF SNOW. 2) IN BOTH CASES, THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVED ONLY A LITTLE (AN INCH OR TWO PERHAPS?) AND THEN BECAME VERY HARD, NOT MOVING ANY FURTHER WITH ADDITIONAL PUSHING, AND PROVIDING VERY LITTLE BRAKING POWER (PERHAPS 5% OF NORMAL BRAKING?). FORTUNATELY BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEED, AND THE HAND BRAKE WAS NOT AFFECTED. IN BOTH CASES, THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY AGAIN BY THE TIME WE HAD ORGANIZED OURSELVES TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE --- BOTH TIMES, THIS WAS DAYS LATER (THOUGH WE HAD NOT DRIVEN THE CAR); IN THE SECOND INCIDENT, WE LEFT THE CAR ON THE STREET OVERNIGHT BEFORE PUTTING IT IN OUR DRIVEWAY THE NEXT MORNING, AND THE BRAKES WERE STILL NOT WORKING AT THAT TIME. 3) IN THE FIRST INCIDENT (OCCURING IN AUGUST '07?), WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AT A SERVICE STATION, LEARNED OF A VW RECALL INVOLVING WATER LEAKING THAT COULD AFFECT THE BRAKES AND LEAK WATER INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT (WHICH WAS ALSO HAPPENING DURING HEAVY RAIN), AND THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP (PIAZZA ACURA/VW OF ARDMORE, PA) FOR SERVICE --- THEY REPAIRED THE LEAK PROBLEM AND CLEANED THE INTERIOR, BUT I AM NOT SURE WHETHER THEY DID ANYTHING ABOUT THE BRAKES (WE MAY NOT HAVE MENTIONED THIS SPECIFICALLY TO THEM, SINCE IT WAS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL). THE CAR SEEMED FINE AFTERWARD. AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT (ON 12/6/07), WE ARE ONCE AGAIN HAVING THE CAR CHECKED OUT AT OUR REGULAR SERVICE STATION (WE HAVE BEEN IMPRESSED BY THEIR DIAGNOSTIC SKILLS IN THE PAST). SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED ANY BRAKE PROBLEM, AND WE PLAN TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP NEXT IF OUR REGULAR STATION MECHANICS CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM THAT WOULD EXPLAIN THE BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

2002 PASSAT ENGINE FIRE. CAR BEGAN TO SHOW CEL WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON INTERSTATE. LEFT INTERSTATE AND DROVE TOWARD HOME (APPROX 5 MILES). LIGHT SMOKE SMELL PULLED OVER 1/2 MILE FROM HOME SHUT CAR OFF. SMOKE INCREASED CALLED 911. WITHIN 3 MINUTES FLAMES APPEARED AT DASHBOARD. WITHIN 10 MINUTES CAR WAS COMPLETELY IN FLAMES. *TR

2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS ENGINE PROBLEMS. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN A YEAR AND A HALF DUE TO THE OIL SLUDGE AND MISFIRING PROBLEMS. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND THE SPARK PLUGS AND COIL PACKS WERE CONSTANTLY BEING REPLACED. *JB

ENGINE FAILS DUE TO OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. *TR

I PAY $1500 FOR USED 2002 PASSAT VW TWO YEARS AGO NOW DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $ 6700 FOR NEW ENGINE. OLD ENGINE WAS DAMAGE DUE TO ENGINE SLUDGE. I SUBMITTED REGULAR OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS AND WAS DENIED WARRANTY. MY PASSAT HAS 84,000 MILE AND ONLY TWO YEARS OF RIDING ENJOYMENT. MY CAR SITTING AT DEALERSHIP FOR ALMOST TWO WEEKS. PLEASE HELP CAR NEEDED FOR WORK. *TR

OIL SLUDGE -- NEED NEW ENGINE. *TR

ON OR ABOUT 2002 I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO VOLKSWAGEN ABOUT MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHENEVER IT RAIN THE BACK FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR HAVE WATER IN IT. WHILE MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY I CARRIED MY CAR INTO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEY NEVER FIXED MY CAR. WHEN MY WARRANTY RAN OUT I STILL COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TO CUSTOMER SERVICE AT VOLKSWAGEN AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I ALSO TOLD VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT I BELIEVED THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAD SOLD ME A LEMON BUT VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. YEAR 2007 VOLKSWAGEN USA SENT ME A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE SUN ROOF ON MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, THEY (VOLKSWAGEN) STATED THAT A RECALL ON THE SUN ROOF HAD BEEN RECALLED, AND TO TAKE IT TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER FOR REPAIRS. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL AND I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. AS OF NOW I HAVE RUST DAMAGE ON THE FLOOR OF MY CAR AND I BELIEVE THAT VOLKSWAGEN USA SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD SINCE 2002, AND I AM STILL HAVING SINCE VOLKSWAGEN USA DID THE RECALL. I HAVE REPEATEDLY CALLED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I AM HOPING AND PRAYING THAT THIS MESSAGE IS READ BY SOMEONE WHO WILL TAKE THE TIME OUT OF THERE BUSY DAY AND HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. IF I DECIDE TO SELL ME CAR THE PROBLEM WON'T GO AWAY SOME PERSON WHO EVER IT IS WILL END UP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD SINCE 2002 AND THAT'S NOT RIGHT. I BELIEVE THAT VOLKSWAGEN USA SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE AND RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM NOT JUST TO SELL THIS CAR AND PASS THE PROBLEM ON TO SOME INNOCENT PERSON WHO MIGHT END UP BUYING THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP ME VOLKSWAGEN RECALL ON THIS CAR WAS OCTOBER 2007. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE BULBS WERE BURNED OUT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT HARNESS MELTED. SHE SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON MANUFACTURER DEFECT ON OLDER MODELS OF HER VEHICLE MAKE, BUT NOT FOR HER YEAR. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 35,000.

THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED ON MY CAR CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM AND THE ASR (ANTI-SLIP REGULATION) TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS TO NO LONGER FUNCTION. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING WITH NO SIGNS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. THIS HAS ALSO CAUSED OTHER STRANGE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WHERE MY KEYLESS ENTRY WILL NO LONGER WORK. ALSO, THE ERROR LIGHTS CONTINUE TO FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE RADIO REMAINS TURNED ON (UNLESS I MANUALLY TURN IT OFF) EVEN AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND THE KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THIS CAUSED A DEAD BATTERY AFTER 4 DAYS OF FLASHING (RADIO WAS OFF). IT HAS ALSO CAUSED AN ERROR BETWEEN THE COMMUNICATION PATHS FROM MY TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) AND MY ENGINE'S ECU AND INSTRUMENT PANEL AS EVIDENCED BY THE ERROR CODES PRODUCED. THE LAST ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN CAUSED BY THE ABS FAILURE IS THAT THE CAR CONTINUES TO RUN FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND THE KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED. IT WILL THEN SPUTTER OUT AND TURN OFF. FROM MY RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS: HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=173334 *TR

THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT A 2002 PASSAT 4-MOTION V6 CAR. GAS ODOR ENTERED MY HOUSE FOR 2 WEEKS AND I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I CALLED THE GAS COMPANY TO SEE IF I HAD A GAS LEAK WITH MY FURNACE. THE GAS COMPANY CAME AND TESTED BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH MY FURNACE OR EQUIPMENT USING NATURAL GAS. I DECIDED TO FIND THE ROOT CAUSE AND BEGAN RULING OUT POSSIBILITIES. I OBSERVES THE GAS SMELL WAS IN MY GARAGE. I OBSERVED WHENEVER MY GAS TANK WAS FILLED, MORE ODOR CAME INTO THE HOUSE. I FILLED THE GAS TANK ON 10/1/07 AND PARKED THE CAR OUT ON THE STREET. ON 10/2/07, WHEN I ENTERED THE CAR IN THE EARLY AM HOURS, THE GAS SCENT MADE ME THROW UP AND I BECAME DIZZY. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG AND I DROVE - WHILE PRAYING - THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THEY IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE THE CAR OUT OF THERE WITHOUT FINDING OUT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE VERY STRONG GAS ODOR. I WAS LATER TOLD IF ANYONE HAD THROWN A CIGARETTE BY MY CAR, IT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE! THE CAR WAS DRIPPING GAS AS I DROVE TO THE DEALER! THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSE BY A LEAK ON MY FUEL TANK. A NEW FUEL TANK WAS NEEDED - THAT IS THE ONLY WAY IT COULD BE FIXED. I REQUESTED MY OLD TANK AND SAID IT HAS TO BE BROUGHT AND SHOWN TO THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY OVER TRANSPORTATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE I COULD HAVE DIED AND NO ONE WOULD HAVE KNOWN IT WAS A FAULTY MANUFACTURER'S PART. THE OLD TANK SHOWS 3 PLASTIC TUBES USED ON THE GAS TANK THAT DRAINS THE GAS! PLASTIC ! ONE OF THE PLASTIC TUBES BROKE OFF CAUSING THE GAS LEAK! I VISITED A WEBSITE AND FOUND SO MANY OTHER PASSAT OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND VW IS DOING NOTHING TO CHANGE THE DESIGN! I SPOKE TO VW AND I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND I HAVE TO PAY THE COST OF THE REPAIR! I AM ASKING YOUR OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE TO ALL PASSAT OWNERS! I HAVE MY OLD GAS TANK AND WILL BE HAPPY TO BRING IT TO YOUR OFFICE . *TR

I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T. WITH 76,000 MILES ON THE CAR BASED ON THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE DEALER TODAY I WILL HAVE INVESTED OVER $1000 ON VARIOUS FAILURES OF THE FUEL EVAP SYSTEM. FIRST IT WAS VACUUM HOSES AND NOW IT IS THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AND PURGE VALVE. THERE HAS BEEN ONE RECALL ON ONE PART OF THE SYSTEM WHICH OF COURSE WAS NOT WHAT WAS WRONG AT ANY POINT WITH MY VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FUEL EVAP SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND VW KNOWS IT AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT. IT IS A GREAT MONEYMAKER FOR THEM AS ONLY THEY HAVE THE ACCESS TO THE ELECTRONIC CODES AND PARTS TO REPAIR THE SYSTEM AND TREMENDOUSLY OVER INFLATED PRICES. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE AND NOTICED A LEAK COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FLOAT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT A NEW FUEL TANK WAS NEEDED AND WOULD COST $1,700. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE METAL FLANGE SEAL AND TANK WERE CONNECTED AND WOULD NOT BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER INVESTIGATED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,000.