2002 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

IF FUEL TANK IS FILLED MORE THAN APPROX. 3/4 FULL, THE ODOR OF GAS IS APPARENT VERY SOON AFTER. IT PERMEATED MY GARAGE OVERNIGHT AND OVERWHELMED ME WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME A VENT TUBE ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS SEEN A NUMBER OF THESE, AS HAS THE DEALERS MECHANIC. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO REPLACE THE TANK. I PERSONALLY HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, AND HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR. MY LOCAL VW DEALER WILL BE REPLACING THIS FOR FREE BASED ON THE APPROVAL OF A REGIONAL VW MANAGER, BUT I CALLED VW OF AMERICA AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS ISSUE WAS NEWS TO THEM, AND NO SUCH RECALLS OR EXTENDED WARRANTIES APPLIED. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE, AND I WAS ONLY SAVED THE ~$3,000 IN REPAIR EXPENSE BECAUSE ONE SPECIFIC DEALERS ADVISER HAPPENED TO BE AWARE OF A "SOFT RECALL," AS HE PUT IT. HE TOLD ME A NUMBER OF THESE TANKS ARE FAILING ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE, AND HAVE ORDERED EXTRA FUEL TANKS TO ACCOMMODATE CUSTOMERS. VW SHOULD BE NOTIFYING CUSTOMERS OR AT THE VERY LEAST HAVE INFORMATION ON IT THROUGH THEIR NATIONAL CUSTOMER CARE CENTER. *TR

2002 PASSAT BEGAN THUMPING AND LURCHING WHILE IN MOTION AND WHILE IDLING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ACCELERATION WAS ABNORMALLY SLOW. THREE INCHES OF STANDING WATER APPEARED IN RIGHT REAR FOOTWELL. DEALER INFORMED ME ACCELERATION PROBLEM WAS DUE TO WATER IN TCM. TCM SHORT CIRCUITED AND THEN POWERTRAIN DROPPED. WATER DAMAGE WAS DUE TO LEAKING POLLEN FILTER SEAL, WHICH WAS SUBJECT TO P9 RECALL. CAR WAS PAST WARRANTY ON TIME, BUT NOT MILES. THEY FIXED POLLEN FILTER SEAL AND TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE $4,000-$5000 DAMAGE FROM THE LEAKING WATER. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. MY CAR IS PARKED OUTSIDE. WE HAD SEVERAL RAINY DAYS IN THE WEEK BEFORE THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED I MUST HAVE LEFT THE WINDOW OPEN. I CONTACTED VW CORP AND THEY SUGGESTED I TAKE IT TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR AT MY OWN EXPENSE. *TR

ON SEPTEMBER 6TH OF THIS YEAR, A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY LOW OIL PRESSURE, STOP MOTOR. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP IN POMPTON PLAINS, NJ (THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP TO MY HOUSE) TO ARRANGE SERVICING, SINCE THE CAR WAS NOT TO BE DRIVEN. THE VOLKSWAGEN REPRESENTATIVE WITH WHOM I SPOKE ON THE PHONE INSTRUCTED ME TO BRING MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN I FINALLY BROUGHT THE CAR IN, SERVICE MANAGER JOE INFORMED ME THAT WHAT I EXPERIENCED WAS LIKELY ENGINE TROUBLE REQUIRING OF MULTIPLE PART REPLACEMENT AND CALLED OIL SLUDGE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST $2,800 FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY ON MY FIVE-YEAR-OLD/56,000-MILE CAR RAN OUT. I CALLED CUSTOMER CARE AT 1-800-822-8987 AND SPOKE WITH REPRESENTATIVE NAMED FRODET AND HER SUPERVISOR, JAMES CUSTER, BOTH OF WHOM TOLD ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNHEARD OF AND HAS EVEN BEEN TERMED OIL SLUDGE AND IS COVERED UNDER VW'S SPECIAL EXTENDED WARRANTY 8 YEARS/UNLIMITED MILES. FRODET OPENED CASE NO. 70295194 IN MY NAME AND CALLED SERVICE MANAGER. I RECEIVED A CALL NEXT DAY. I WAS TOLD THAT IN ORDER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM UNDER VW?S SPECIAL EXTENDED WARRANTY, I NEEDED TO PROVIDE ALL ELEVEN RECEIPTS FOR OIL CHANGES THAT TOOK PLACE WITHIN THE ENTIRE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD OF OWNERSHIP. AFTER SCOURING MY FILES, I FOUND THAT I HAVE A TOTAL OF 20 RECEIPTS PERTAINING TO SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE, SEVENTEEN OF WHICH WERE NOT FROM THE CREST MONT DEALERSHIP. I FAXED THESE SEVENTEEN RECEIPTS TO THE ATTENTION OF SERVICE MANAGER JOE. THE VERY NEXT DAY SEPTEMBER 18TH, JOE CALLED ME AGAIN TO LET ME KNOW ME THAT A FIELD FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE REVIEWED THESE RECEIPTS AND REFUSED TO ADMIT SIXTEEN OF THEM. THESE RECEIPTS WERE FROM MY PERSONAL MECHANIC TO WHOM I HAD ENTRUSTED THE CARE AND SERVICE OF EVERY CAR I HAD. BUT, BECAUSE MY MECHANIC FAILED TO SPECIFY MY CAR'S VIN, LICENSE PLATE NUMBER, AND OIL FILTER PART NUMBERS IN THE RECEIPTS, I WAS OUT OF LUCK. *TR

2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH FUEL ODOR. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL FILLING HER GARAGE. MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CONSUMER HIT THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK ON SOMETHING. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED, THE TIMING BELT FAILED. *JB

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR 6 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED NEW. LATEST INCIDENT, IN FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST, 2007 - THE DIAGNOSIS WAS "FOUND FAULT FOR EVAP SYSTEM INCORRECT PURGE FLOW, TESTED PURGE VALVE AND FOUND TO BE STUCK". FOR 6 DEALER VISITS, 2 IDENTICAL DIAGNOSIS WITH 2 REPLACEMENTS. IS THIS A DESIGN FAULT? DEFECTIVE PART? WHY THE REPETITIVE ISSUE WITH THE SAME AREA. CAR ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES. *TR

THE CLUTCH ON MY 2002 VW PASSAT FAILED AT 47K MILES! MY WIFE AND I ARE BOTH IN OUR MID-FORTIES AND ARE VERY EXPERIENCED AND GENTLE CLUTCH DRIVERS. WE HAVEN'T OWNED CARS WITHOUT A CLUTCH FOR OVER 20 YEARS. IN ADDITION THE REPAIR COST TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH ON THIS CAR IS OUTRAGEOUS. I AM WRITING BECAUSE I NOTICED SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON A NUMBER OF CHAT BOARDS. HAS THIS EVER BEEN INVESTIGATED? THANKS,

WE PURCHASED A USED 2002 PASSAT AND DURING A STORM, THE PASSENGER FLOOR BECAME FILLED WITH WATER, COMING THROUGH THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE ENTRY OF WATER FROM HOSE AT DEALERSHIP SO WE CHANGED TO ANOTHER 2002. ON JULY 21, DURING A STORM, THE PASSENGER SIDE FILLED WITH RAIN ON THE FLOOR BUT NOT THROUGH THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. ON JULY 30, THE DRIVER FLOOR WAS FILLED WITH WATER FROM A STORM. BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS DRY. SINCE THIS CAR IS ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD, IS THIS A DEFECT? *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD, WAITED UNTIL THE VEHICLE COOLED DOWN, AND DROVE TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PRIMARY FAN HAD BURNED OUT. HE ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS A VERY COMMON FAILURE WITH HIS MODEL OF VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,300. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

THE 2002 VOLKWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE CAR STALLING WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD ON SATURDAY JULY 1 2007, AND THE EPC LIGHT COMING ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, AND THEY ENDED UP REPLACING A FAULTY ENGINE RPM SENSOR. THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY I PICKED UP THE CAR AND DROVE OFF. EXACTLY 12 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR STALLED WITH THE SAME EPC LIGHT. THE ONLY CONSEQUENCES OF THIS INCIDENT WERE ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR ALMOST AN HOUR WITH SLIGHTLY CHARRED ENGINE. I COASTED OFF THE ROAD AND SMELLED SMOKE. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT WAS SHORT COIL-PACKS AND NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY, SO I WAS STUCK WITH A $3,000.00 REPAIR BILL. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SIMILAR INSTANCES AND AM WONDERING WHY IT WAS NEVER RECALLED. *AK

2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, WAGON, 4 CYL 2.0 L MOTOR. I HAD 2 OCCASIONS WHERE THE WIRING HARNESS SHORTED OUT ON THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS, ONCE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AT 75,000 MILES, AND ONCE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AT 40,000 MILES. THERE WAS NO FIRE, BUT IN BOTH INCIDENTS THE WIRES HAD COMPLETELY MELTED TO THE WIRING HARNESS WHERE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ATTACHED. THE WIRES WERE COMPLETELY EXPOSED IN BOTH INCIDENTS. *AK

FOR THE PAST NINE MONTHS I HAVE SMELLED GAS WHEN I FILLED MY GAS TANK PAST HALF FULL. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS ON YOUR WEBSITE LAST MONTH AN CAME ACROSS THE VW PASSAT FUEL TANK SAFETY RECALL. SINCE MY CAR WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP TO TAKE CARE OF YET ANOTHER PROBLEM, I TOLD THEM ABOUT MY GAS SMELL PROBLEM AND INFORMED THEM ABOUT THE RECALL. I TOLD THEM THAT IT ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE GAS TANK IS PAST HALF FULL AND TOLD THEM TO PUT GAS IN IT AND TEST IT. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR THEY HADN'T DONE THE GAS TANK TEST. THE SERVICE ADVISOR LOOKED UP THE RECALL AND FOUND INFORMATION ON THE GAS TANK SAFETY RECALL R5 AND PRINTED OUT A FAQ SHEET. HE INFORMED ME THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE NEW TANK FOR THE RECALL AND HE EXPECTED THEM ON MAY 30TH. HE TOLD ME TO CONTACT HIM AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE TANK REPLACED ONCE THEY HAD THE PARTS IN. I CALLED THE DEALER ON MAY 30TH AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR TODAY JUNE 3RD. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER SERVICE ADVISOR AND SHE COULDN'T FIND ANY VOLKSWAGEN RECALL COVERING MY VIN. THE SERVICE ADVISER I SPOKE TO WHEN I HAD PICKED UP MY CAR AFTER THE REPAIRS I HAD DONE IN MAY CAME OVER. HE RECALLED OBTAINING THE INFORMATION AND SEARCHED FOR IT AGAIN AND IT WASN'T LISTED. THEY LET ME CALL VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE VW CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT THERE WASN'T A SAFETY RECALL ON THE MY VOLKSWAGEN W8. I TOLD HIM THAT IT SMELLS LIKE GAS WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FILLED PAST HALF FULL. HE SAID HE WOULD CONTACT THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS AT AND SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE. I READ THE INFORMATION ON YOUR WEBSITE INVOLVING THIS RECALL AND IT SEAMS PRETTY CLEAR THAT ANY 1999- 2005 MODEL YEAR PASSAT WITH A GASOLINE ENGINE IS COVERED. I HAVE A 2002 VW PASSAT W8 WITH 4MOTION. ONE OF THE RESPONSES FROM VW LISTS VIN NUMBER RANGES, BUT MINE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE WITHIN THAT RANGE. I THINK THAT VW ERRED IN THEIR INVESTIGATION AND DIDN'T LOOK INTO THE W8. *TR

I OWN A VOLKSWAGON 2002 PASSAT WAGON. I HAVE REPLACED THE COILS AT LEAST 7 TIMES . I REPLACED #4 TWO WEEKS AGO, AND #1 & 2 BLEW YESTERDAY. I TOOK IT INTO LIVINGSTON VOLKSWAGEN IN WOODLAND HILLS, CA., AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED TO HAVE ALL FOUR REPLACED, AND,, I HAVE COMPLAINED TO CORPORATE, SAYING THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT AND WAS DANGEROUS AS THE TIME BEFORE LAST. I WAS IN THE FAST LANE ON THE FREEWAY, DOING 65 MPH AND THE CAR WENT FROM 65 MPH TO 25D MPH IN A 10 SECONDS! NOT DANGEROUS? *AK

CYLINDER HEAD FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, CAR HAD LESS THAN 75K. CAR WAS SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS. VW REFUSED TO PAY FOR COST LOSING A THIRTY YEAR LOYAL CUSTOMER. THEY OFFERED TO APPLY $2200 TO THE REPAIR OF THE CAR OR APPLY IT TOWARD ANOTHER NEW VW ON THE DEALER LOT, WHAT A INSULT. I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND THEIR PRODUCT. *TR

THE 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX 4 MOTION WITH JUST OVER 66,000 MILES HAD JUST BEEN REFUELED WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS AND DRIVEN INTO OUR GARAGE WHEN MY WIFE SMELLED STRONG GASOLINE FUMES AND NOTICED PUDDLES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I BROUGHT IT TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP, AND WAS CHARGED $70 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS , AND THEN A TOTAL OF $302.77 TO REPLACE THE GASKET FOR THE FUEL PUMP. THEY DID NOT FILL THE TANK TO CONFIRM THAT THE PROBLEM NO LONGER EXISTED, BUT SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. A WEEK LATER THE SAME SITUATION, GASOLINE FUMES AND PUDDLES UNDER VEHICLE. RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY KEPT CAR FOR 4 DAYS TO DIAGNOSE. BOTTOM LINE ,THEY INFORMED ME THAT "THE VEHICLE MAY NEED A NEW FUEL TANK , $1,622. AND /OR NEW FUEL LINES, $922.25. THEY WILL NEED TO LOWER THE FUEL TANK TO COMPLETELY DIAGNOSE" AT A COST OF $700 BECAUSE OF 5 HOURS. LABOR. WE HAD ALREADY SPENT OVER $300 FOR REPAIRS THAT APPARENTLY WASN'T NECESSARY BECAUSE IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY DID NOT REFUND OUR $300. ALSO , MY WIFE CALLED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO THEY WOULD OFFER NO HELP. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW. IT WAS TOP OF THE LINE I EXPECT BETTER PERFORMANCE AND SERVICE AS I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF VOLKSWAGENS AND NONE HAD GIVEN ME GRIEF UNTIL THIS ONE. A GASOLINE TANK AND FUEL LINES WERE SAFETY ISSUES AND IF THEY FAIL IN SUCH A SHORT TIME THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE EITHER DEFECTIVE OR POORLY DESIGNED, AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT THEM SHOULD LIE WITH THE MANUFACTURER. ANY REASONABLE PERSON WOULD THINK THAT THE $300 REPAIR BILL WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE BUT NOT ANYWHERE BETWEEN $2000 AND $3000. WHY SHOULD THE CUSTOMER PAY FOR A POOR DESIGN THAT INVOLVED $700 JUST TO DIAGNOSE? FROM THE LOOK OF SOME OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS FOUND ON THIS SITE THEY WOULD ALREADY KNOW AND GLADLY EXTEND SOME GOOD WILL TO THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. *AK

THE HEADLIGHT LENS ON MY PASSAT HAVE BECOME "CLOUDED" OVER TIME RESULTING IN REDUCED BRIGHTNESS FROM THE HEADLAMPS AND CREATING AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION AT NIGHT. IN DISCUSSING THE ISSUE WITH OTHER PASSAT OWNERS, IT'S CLEAR THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE REDUCED BRIGHTNESS HAS BECOME A TRUE SAFETY HAZARD OVER TIME AS VISIBILITY AT NIGHT IS SEVERELY AFFECTED. THE LENS IS ACTUALLY OPAQUE AT THIS POINT. VOLKSWAGEN DENIES RESPONSIBILITY AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

WHEN IT RAINS WATER LEAKS INTO THE CAR UNDER THE PASSENGER DASH OVER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR THE CAR. *TR

I'M RELIGIOUS ABOUT CHANGING THE OIL IN THE CAR, ABOUT THE MAINTENANCE AND CARE OF IT. I LOVE MY VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. I HAD THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON ONCE OR TWICE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, BUT ALWAYS TOOK IT INTO A SHOP FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THE LIGHT ALWAYS WENT OFF AND NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF SLUDGE BUILDUP IN THE ENGINE, DESPITE THE BEST EFFORTS. SO MUCH SO THAT THE OIL PUMP WAS BLOCKED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED AS A RESULT. I HAD THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING COME ON THE DAY MY CAR DIED. IT WAS A FEW MILES AFTER IT WENT ON IT STOPPED RUNNING AND I HAD TO PUSH MY CAR INTO IT'S PARKING SPOT AT HOME. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS @ THE BURNSVILLE LOCATION TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD STARTED WITH A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE PASSATS, BUT THAT IT HAD BECOME COST INEFFECTIVE AND SO CUT THE WARRANTY TO 50,000. MY CAR SEIZED AT UNDER 87,000. I'VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO FIX IT, AS YET. HAD TO TAKE TIME OFF WORK AND SO MY PAYCHECK WAS GREATLY REDUCED. HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THE CAR PAYMENT ON IT EITHER, AS A RESULT, WHICH HAS A BALANCE OF NEAR TO $10,000.00. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT NOTICED A HAZE AND/OR A FROSTED GLAZE OVER HIS HEADLIGHTS. OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR, THE HEADLIGHT ISSUE PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED AND AFFECTED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY AT NIGHT. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED FOR APPROXIMATELY $700. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 07/29/08. *LJ UPDATED 08/05/08

I WAS TRAVELING FROM GA BACK TO TAMPA WHEN THE MESSAGE OF "STOP OIL PRESSURE, STOP MOTOR" APPEARED ON THE DASH. OF COURSE I WAS TERRIFIED BECAUSE THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND HAD A GENTLEMAN TO CHECK MY OIL. I KNEW THERE WAS OIL BECAUSE I HAD AN OIL CHANGE ON MAY 3, 2007. THE GENTLEMAN STATED THERE WAS OIL AND TO ALLOW MY CAR TO COOL. I WAITED ABOUT 30 MINUTES, THE GENTLEMAN CHECKED MY OIL AGAIN AND IT READ THE SAME.I PRECEEDED TO TRY TO REACH TO INTERSTATE TO GO HOME AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS TIME THE MESSAGE WAS "STOP, STOP MOTOR AND CHECK SERVICE MANUAL". NOW I'M REALLY TERRIFIED. I PULLED INTO AN ADVANCE DISCOUNT AUTO SHOP AND CALLED MY EXTENDED WARRANTY AND HAD MY CAR TOWED FROM GAINESVILLE, FL TO TAMPA (APPROXIMATELY 145 MILES). I COST ME $227.00. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED $100.00. THE FULL PRICE WAS $327.00. MONDAY MORNING I CALLED KUHN VW AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IN MY CAR. I WAS INFORMED BY A LADY (WHO WAS TAKING MY INFORMATION) THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS RAN ($94.00). I WAS TOLD THAT SULDGE WAS IN MY ENGINE AND THAT A FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC NEEDED TO BE RAN WHICH WOULD COST $282.00. TO DE-SLUDGE THE ENGINE WOLUD COST $2,788.00 PLUS TAX. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I INSTRUCTED THEM TO PUT MY CAR BACK TOGETHER. I CALLED MY EXTENDED WARRANTY AND INFORMED THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT. I HAVE MY CAR AT A MECHANIC WHO "DE-SLUDGED" MY ENGINE FOR $450.00. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON AND WITH FURTHER EXAMINATION IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PUMP WAS THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC IS TRYING TO FIX THE OIL PUMP AND THEN WILL I TRADE IT IN FOR ANOTHER CAR. MY CAR IS FIVE YEARS OLD. I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW IN 2002, FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I'VE HAD ALL OF MY SERVICES COMPLETED BY THE DEALERSHIP; EXCEPT FOR TWO. I HAVE ALL OF MY RECEIPTS. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS DEFECT UNTIL NOW AND I'M VERY UPSET AND CONCERNED THAT A COMPANY CAN PUT PEOPLE'S LIFE IN DANGER. MY CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 77,360 MILES.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITH FLAMES RISING APPROXIMATELY THREE FEET ABOVE THE HOOD. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,000. UPDATED 01-15-08. * BF THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE GROUND OF AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS. THE WIRING SHORTED OUT AGAINST THE VEHICLE'S STEEL COWL WITH TEMPERATURES HIGH ENOUGH TO WELD THE 12 GAUGE AGAINST THE BODY PANEL . UPDATED *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 67 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,586.

BRAKE SWITCH LIGHT FAILURE. MY FIRST INDICATION OF FAILURE WAS THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ON AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR. I PUMPED THE PEDAL AND THIS EXTINGUISHED THE LIGHT. THE CAR CONTINUED TO OPERATE NORMALLY FOR ANOTHER 500 MILES UNTIL I NOTICED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS OUT. I THEN NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT OPERATING AT ALL. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW'S. TO MY SURPRISE THOUGH THE PASSAT WHICH USES THE SAME SWITCH OTHER VWS HAVE BEEN RECALLED ON HAS NO RECALL YET. THIS SWITCH IS A VERY DANGEROUS SWITCH AS IT DISABLES THE BRAKE LIGHTS PROVIDING NO WARNING TO ANOTHER DRIVER BEHIND THE CAR. *TR

REAR TAIL LIGHT ON 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4 MOTION REMAINED ON EVEN WHEN CAR WAS SHUT OFF OR LOCKED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED COMFORT CONTROL MODEL FOR $500.00. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT, INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON PERIODICALLY CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN AND THE PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY FOB. *TR

MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DEVELOPED A MAJOR FUEL LINE LEAK INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A METAL HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE THAT IS MOUNTED TO THE FIREWALL EITHER CRACKED OR SOMEHOW BLEW A HOLE IN THE LINE. A HIGH PRESSURE STREAM OF GASOLINE WAS BEING SPRAYED DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. THIS GASOLINE ERUPTION AS I WILL CALL IT BECAUSE THE WORD LEAK IS INADEQUATE TO DESCRIBE THE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE THAT WAS SPRAYING OUT OF THE HOSE IN A LOCATION THAT IS DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO A FUEL LINE MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE FIREWALL. IT IS VERY VISIBLE IN THE PHOTOS I TOOK. AK WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE I FOUND A GASOLINE MIST HAD COVERED THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE LEAK WAS SO BAD I INITIALLY PARKED THE VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE BUT COULD SMELL THE GASOLINE INSIDE MY HOME SO I HAD TO MOVE IT OUTSIDE. THE NEXT DAY I HAD A DEALER LOOK AT. HE INFORMED OF HE FOUND THE LEAK, I CAME INTO SEE THE LEAK BEFORE HE REPAIRED IT, HE STARTED THE VEHICLE WITH THE HOOD OPEN AND WITHIN SECONDS THE TOP OF THE ENGINE HAD GASOLINE SPILLING ON TOP OF IT. I TOOK SOME PHOTOGRAPHS THAT CLEARLY SHOW THE SPRAY OF GASOLINE ONTO THE ENGINE. I REQUESTED THAT THE DEALER SAVE THE FUEL LINES THAT HE REMOVED FROM MY VEHICLE, SO I NOW HAVE THOSE AT MY HOME. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SUPPLY THESE FAILED COMPONENTS AS WELL AS SEND IN THE PHOTOS. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN REGARDING THIS INCIDENT AND THEY EXPRESSED NO INTEREST IN TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN WHAT COULD CAUSE THIS MAJOR FUEL LINE LEAK. THEY HAVE NOT YET CALLED THE DEALER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE REPAIR, AND THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN ME SENDING THEM THE FAILED FUEL LINE PARTS. I AM APPALLED AT VOLKSWAGEN'S LACK OF CONCERN OVER THIS ISSUE. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT SAFETY NEEDS TO BE A TOP CONCERN FOR AUTO MANUFACTURERS AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS GIVING THIS INCIDENT THE APPROPRIATE ATTENTION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS, I WILL BE MORE THAN WILLING TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY I CAN.*AK

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSSAT WAGON GLS WITH A FAILURE MILEAGE OF 41,926 . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START. SHE NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE, AND SOME FLUID SQUIRTING FROM THE BRAKE HOSE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE ENGINE. ALSO, THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER HAD CONDENSATION BUILD UP WHICH WAS GETTING INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER STATED IT WAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE DUE TO THE CLIMATE IN WHICH SHE LIVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,400.*AK

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 VW PASSAT WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON WHEN I NOTICED THE UNDERSIDE OF MY THIGH WAS VERY WARM. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT, GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT MY SEAT AND THERE WAS A BURN HOLE ON THE UPHOLSTERED SEAT. I HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVING WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES - ON LEVEL 3 (OR 4 MAX). I HAVE NOT TURNED ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER SINCE AND HAVE NOT ALLOWED A PASSENGER TO TURN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HEATER. LUCKILY, I INCURRED NO INJURY AND MY CLOTHING WAS NOT BURNED, BUT I AM CONCERNED WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF SOMEONE HAD NOT BEEN PAYING ATTENTION, HAD NOT BEEN WEARING THIN CLOTHING AT THE TIME, OR IF A CHILD HAD BEEN SITTING ON A MALFUNCTIONING SEAT. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER WHO SAID BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HEATERS NEED TO BE REPLACED (THEY SAID THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ALSO ON ITS WAY TO BURNING- ALTHOUGH IT HAD NOT COME THROUGH THE CLOTH YET). I HAVE NOT YET REACHED ANY RESOLUTION WITH VOLKWAGEN, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY A RECALL. *TR

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN THE DRIVEWAY THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS AND THE 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WOULD NOT STOP. FORTUNATELY, MY DRIVEWAY GOES UPHILL AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THE TREE DEBRIS CLOGGED A TRAY AND THE RAIN WATER OVERFLOWED INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND FREEZED. AND THIS FREEZING CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEBRIS WAS CLEARED, AND THE MASTER VACUUM AND OTHER COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED AT COST OF $780.

VOLKSWAGEN 2002 PASSAT 1.8L TURBO. ENGINE STALLED COMPLETELY GOING 60 MPH ON FREEWAY. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. WAS ABLE TO RESTART. VERY DANGEROUS. ISSUE SOUNDS IDENTICAL TO FUEL PUMP ISSUE WITH 2003 PASSAT WHICH CAUSES DANGEROUS STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. *NM

I WAS DRIVING CAR ON A COLD MORNING AND COMING TO A STOP ON A HILL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN. I LITERALLY HAD TO STAND ON THE PEDAL TO GET CAR TO STOP. THIS HAD HAPPENED TO MY WIFE TWO PREVIOUS TIMES AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM AS NO CODES INDICATED ANYTHING WRONG. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD SERVICE WRITER GET IN CAR AND EXPERIENCE WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING. IT WAS DETERMINED AFTER DIAGNOSIS THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. APPARENTLY WATER HAD ENTERED IN COWL AREA WHICH HAD BEEN CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS. *NM

2002 VW PASSAT WITH TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE CUSTOMER IS REQUESTING COMPENSATION FOR REPAIR WORK TO CAR AND HOUSE**NAR**CC IT WAS DISCOVERED THE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE VACUUM-SEALED HAD 1 QUART OF WATER IN IT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT DUE TO THE COLD NIGHT, THE ASSEMBLY FROZE UP, AND WHEN THE CONSUMERS WIFE STARTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE INTO THE GARAGE TO WARM IT UP, THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. *JB

DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT BURNED A WHOLE THROUGH FABRIC.. *NM

IN JAN. 2007 THE "LOW OIL PRESSURE" LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 PASSAT 1.8T (W/ AUTO TRANSMISSION) ON THE FREEWAY- I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED 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. 60K MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT TELL ME ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR '02 PASSATS FOR OIL SLUDGE-RELATED REPAIRS; I FOUND OUT ABOUT IT BY RESEARCHING ONLINE. HOWEVER, VOLKSWAGEN WOULDN'T HONOR THIS WARRANTY WITHOUT RECEIPTS FOR EVERY OIL CHANGE DONE ON THE CAR - WHICH I DID NOT HAVE. APPROX. A YEAR & A HALF LATER, THE SAME OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING & I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE CAR. THIS TIME, I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE ($8000!!) DUE TO OIL SLUDGE ISSUES. AGAIN, EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR OIL SLUDGE REPAIRS WAS USELESS TO ME BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE RECEIPTS FOR EVERY SINGLE OIL CHANGE DONE OVER THE LIFE OF THE CAR. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE BRAKE PEDAL COULD NOT BE DEPRESSED. WHEN IT FINALLY RELEASED, THE BRAKES SELF-APPLIED AND RELEASED WITHOUT WARNING AND REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE USING THE HAND BRAKE, BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER BY A PRIVATE WRECKER SERVICE. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THEY ALSO GAVE HIM THE OLD BOOSTER AND A BAG CONTAINING CHERRY TREE DEBRIS DEPOSITED ON AND AROUND THE OLD BOOSTER. THE REPAIR COST WAS ABOUT $900. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER INTO THE BOOSTER AND FREEZES. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO LOCK AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL IN THE MORNING. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL STAYED DOWN AFTER APPLY,LOCKING UP ALL FOUR WHEELS BLOCKING TRAFFIC. THE CABLE ON THE TOW TRUCK BROKE WHEN TRYING TO DRAG MY CAR ONTO THE BED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS EVENTUALY CAME BACK UP AFTER A HARD PUSH AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SLOWLY TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER USING THE PARKING BRAKE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND A MECHANIC KNEW WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.*AK UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB

2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DEFECTIVE SUNROOF. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE DIDN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR ONE WEEK AND WHEN SHE STARTED DRIVING IT, THERE WAS A SLOSHING NOISE. SHE NOTICED THE ENTIRE REAR FLOORBOARD WAS FLOODED WITH WATER. *KB THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM WAS INHERENT AND THERE WAS DEFINITELY A DEFECT IN THE SUNROOF DESIGN. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK WAS OBSERVED TO BE LEAKING UNDER THE BACK SEAT. ALSO, A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WAS COMING FROM THE BACKSEAT. IT WAS ALSO OBSERVED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED A GREAT DEAL OF GAS. SECONDLY, THERE WAS A SLASH IN THE REAR TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO DEBRIS AND ABRASION WITH THE FUEL TANK. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK ON THE TANK TOP NIPPLE. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED AND THE TIRE WAS REALIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE VIN # WAS NOT PART OF THE NHTSA RECALL #02V026000. REIMBURSEMENT WAS ALSO DENIED.

MY CAR STARTED MAKING HORRIBLE NOISES IN THE ENGINE SO I STOPPED DRIVING IT AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE VW DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT MY TURBO WOULD NEED REPLACING AT A COST OF $5600. THE DEALERSHIP WOULDN'T HONOR MY WARRANTY BECAUSE I COULDN'T PRODUCE EVERY RECEIPT FROM MY OIL CHANGES-I HAD LIVED IN 3 STATES SINCE I GOT THE CAR. HOWEVER, I COMPLAINED ENOUGH THAT THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD ONLY CHARGE ME $3200 TO FIX THE CAR AND WOULD GIVE ME A GOOD TRADE IN ON ANOTHER VW. I HAVE DECIDED ONE VW IS ENOUGH OF A PROBLEM AND I DIDN'T NEED ANOTHER CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS AND LACK OF SERVICE FROM THE COMPANY. I FELT VW LEFT ME WITHOUT ANY CHOICE OTHER THAN TO PAY THE MONEY SO I COULD HAVE A CAR AND THEY DEFINITELY DIDN'T STAND BY THERE PRODUCT. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? *JB

DRIVING NORTH IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE ON GALLATIN PK IN NASHVILLE, TN, ANOTHER DRIVER IN THE SOUTH BOUND TURNING LANE TURNED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING. MY VIEW WAS OBSCURED BY THE LINE OF TRAFFIC IN THE LEFT HAND NORTH LANES. THE CAR I WAS DRIVING (2002 VW PASSAT) HIT THE CAR THAT TURNED IN TO MY LANE IN A DIRECT, CLASSIC T-BONE HIT. I NEVER SAW THE CAR AND HIT THE CAR AT APPROX. 32 MPH WITHOUT BRAKING. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG ON MY CAR FAILED TO DEPLOY ALTHOUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID DEPLOY. I WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT THE CAR SEAT ALSO SLID FORWARD AND I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE BACK SEATS CAME UNLATCHED AND EVERYTHING FLEW FORWARD THROUGH THE CAR AT IMPACT. *NM

I GOT INTO MY CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT DAY - AROUND 11:00 AM. I STARTED THE CAR, ADJUSTED THE HEAT AND PUT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER. AFTER ABOUT 15 SECONDS, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, BUT WAS UNAWARE OF WHAT IT WAS. AT THE SAME TIME I FELT SOMETHING CUTTING IN TO MY LEG. I PUT MY HAND UNDER MY LEG TO SEE WHAT WAS POKING INTO ME BUT COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. THE SMELL WAS GETTING WORSE AND THE STABBING PAIN IN MY LEG WAS STILL THERE. AFTER ABOUT 60 SECONDS THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM MY SEAT AND I REALIZED THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM INSIDE MY CAR AND THE SEAT WARMER WAS BURNING. I PULLED OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF AND JUMPED OUT OF MY CAR. I PRESSED MY HANDS TO THE SEAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE BURNING AND SMOKE. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND WHEN I WAS CONVINCED THE BURNING HAD STOPPED, JUMPED IN MY CAR AND HEADED BACK TO THE HOTEL I HAD BEEN AT. I REMOVED THE FUSE FOR THE SEAT WARMERS. *NM

RIGHT DAYTIME DRIVING LIGHT BURNED OUT ON 3 OCCASIONS. LAST INCIDENT INCLUDED A MELTED WIRING HARNESS AS WELL

TOOK CAR (2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT) TO LOCAL DEALER FOR 65,000 MILE SERVICE AT WHICH TIME THEY FOUND A DETERIORATING AXLE PROBLEM. INFORMED BY DEALER THAT USUALLY THIS ISSUE IS ASSOCIATED WITH A DESIGN FLAW. CAR OUT OF WARRANTY AND REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. IN TURN CONTACTED VOLKSWAGAN CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT THEIR WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THE CARE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I IN TURN WROTE A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF VOLKSWAGEN AND RECEIVED A PHONE CALL (I AM SURE HE DID NOT SEE IT)REINFORCING WHAT THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME. IF THIS IN FACT IS A DESIGN ISSUE I DO NOT FEEL YOU SHOULD BE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH AXLE'S @ 65,000 MILES SINCE THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 5,000 MILES PER MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATIONS AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. MILEAGE SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. *JB

AFTER TURNING ON THE HEATED SEAT OPTION OF MY CAR I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE I FELT SOMETHING STING THE LEFT SIDE OF MY BUTTOCKS TOWARDS THE SIDE. WITH IN SECONDS I REALIZED THAT IT WAS MY SEAT BURNING MY BOTTOM. NOT ONLY MY BOTTOM, BUT A WHOLE RIGHT THROUGH THE SEAT AND MY JOGGING PANTS. I QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE HEAT TO MY SEAT. LOOKS LIKE A CIGARETTE BURN. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE AFRAID TO LEAVE THE CAR IN THE GARAGE IN CASE IT WAS STILL SMOLDERING AND POTENTIALLY START A FIRE. I CALLED OUR DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. PAST MILEAGE. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER WHICH I HAVE NOT DONE QUITE YET. I AM AFRAID TO TURN IT ON AGAIN OF COURSE! *JB

I HAVE A 2002 VW PASSAT. IN OCTOBER 2006, WITH APPROXIMATELY 50000 MILES ON THE CAR, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS SUDDENLY STOPPED LIGHTING UP AT ALL. MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, AND NOW MY LIGHTS OPERATE NORMALLY. VW HAS A RECALL ON THIS EXACT ISSUE FOR OTHER MODELS, BUT NOT ON THE PASSAT. IN MY CASE, IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT MY 2002 PASSAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED AS PART OF THIS RECALL AS WELL. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH VW MODELS IN THIS YEAR, I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT I HAD TO DRIVE WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS (WHEN THE SWITCH FIRST FAILED), THEN PAY OUT-OF-POCKET TO FIX A KNOWN FAILURE. *JB

SUN ROOF CYCLES ON ITS OWN TO RAISE AND LOWER AFTTER END (IN THE MOON ROOF MODE). *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A LEAK FROM THE SUNROOF THAT WENT UNDER THE FLOOR MAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AFFECTING THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLLED THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED A NEW COMPUTER WAS NEEDED.

I HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. HE SAID THERE WAS PROBLEM WITH COMBI VALVE, VACUUM HOSE AND SECONDARY AIR PUMP WHICH COSTS A TOTAL OF >1200$ IN TOTAL. LUCKILY, I HAD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND I HAVE TO PAY 700$. THE CAR IS 2002 VW PASSAT GLS (1.8) AND HAVE ONLY 40K ON IT. THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR REPAIR AND THE PREVIOUS ONE WAS SOME KIND OF CV JOINT ISSUE. ALL THIS PROBLEMS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL PASSAT OWNERS AND I WONDER WHY THERE IS NOT EVEN A RECALL FOR THIS. MAY BE THEY KNOW THIS PROBLEM AND WANT PEOPLE TO GO AND PAY MONEY. ONE THING IS SURE. THIS WILL BE MY FIRST AND LAST VW. I DON'T RECOMMEND ANY ONE TO BUY VW, BUT BETTER BUY CHEAP JAPANESE CARS LIKE MITSUBHISHI WHICH RUNS FOR YEARS AND YEARS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM. *JB

A CHEMICAL SMELL PERMEATING MY ENTIRE HOUSE FOR 2 MONTHS. I HAD HOME GAS COMPANY COME OUT AND CHECK FOR A GAS LEAK,GAS COMPANY DID NOT FIND A GAS LEAK. THE SMELL WOULD BE WORSE SOME DAYS. A FRIEND FOUND MY TANK LEAKING . I TOOK MY CAR IN THE NEXT DAY, MONDAY P.M. TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT BARON VW. THEY SAID IT WAS A NIPPLE ON A HOSE INSIDE THE TANK, AND THE WHOLE TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR, THAT THEY ARE ESTIMATING TO BE TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS JUST HAPPENED, WITH THE HOSE BEING INSIDE THE TANK, I THINK THIS IS A BAD PART. I HAVE FOUND OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS ONLINE , FOR THIS PARTICULAR 2002 PASSAT, WITH FOUR MOTION. I THINK IT IS A DEFECT OF THE PART AND IT IS EXPENSIVE BECAUSE THE WHOLE DRIVE TRAIN MUST BE REMOVED TO REPLACE IT. I AM HOPING YOU WILL LOOK INTO THIS BECAUSE THAT IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK SOME PEOPLE WOULD EVEN NOTICE THEIR TANKS LEAKING. IF MY CAR WAS NOT STORED IN MY GARAGE EVERYDAY I WOULD HAVE NEVER NOTICED IT. IT COULD HAVE BLOWN MY HOUSE UP WHEN I TURNED MY HEATER ON FOR THE WINTER WITH THE FUMES THAT WERE IN THIS HOUSE, NOT TO MENTION DRIVING WITH A LEAKING TANK, AND THE CHANCE OF STATIC OR A CIGARETTE BUTT GETTING TOSSED MY WAY. THE CAR HAS BEEN OUT OF MY GARAGE FOR 3 DAYS NOW AND THE ATTIC FAN HAS BEEN ON UNTIL LAST NIGHT AND MY HOUSE STILL STINKS. I AM AFRAID NOW TO TURN MY HOME FURNACE ON. PEOPLE WHO OWN THESE CARS SHOULD BE WARNED TO CHECK THEM FOR GAS LEAKS, ESPECIALLY IF THEY KEEP THEM IN THEIR GARAGE. I ALSO THINK ABOUT THE TIMES I HAD MY GRANDSON STRAPPED INTO A CHILD SEAT RIGHT THERE OVER THAT LEAKING TANK. THE REASON THE SMELL WAS IN MY HOUSE STRONGER SOME DAYS WAS BECAUSE I WOULD LEAVE THE CAR OUTSIDE SOMETIMES AND I HAD THE WINDOWS OPEN AND ATTIC FAN ON WOULD DRAW THE SMELL OUT. THE DAY I DISCOVERED IT WAS PARTICULARLY STRONG WAS BECAUSE I HAD PUT THE CAR BACK IN AND SHUT THE WINDOWS AND TURNED MY A/C BACK ON IN THE HOUSE. *JB

THE ENGINE SPUTTERS AND APPEARS TO MISFIRE AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING OR DRIVEN IN THE RAIN. PRECEDING AND AFTER THIS EVENT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THIS HAPPENED TWICE DURING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2006. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND SAID THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT SUGGESTED WE GET A TUNE UP, INCLUDING GETTING THE SPARK PLUGS CHANGED (THE CAR DIDN'T NEED IT!). ON A RAINY OCTOBER 6 AT 5:00 A.M., THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A 2-LANE STATE ROAD. WHEN WE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR, IT SPUTTERED A BIT AND THEN DIED. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. WE ARE GOING TO ASK THE DEALERSHIP TO INSPECT THE IGNITION COIL. *NM

FAULTY ABS LIGHT, FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR ANNOYING BEEPING, 2002 VW PASSAT. *NM

FOLLOWING A HEAVY RAIN, ENTIRE FLOORBOARD WET WITH NO EVIDENCE OF OVERHEAD OR SIDE PANEL WETNESS. WATER DRAINED DIRECTLY INTO CAR BUT NOT THROUGH DOOR SEALS OR WINDOWS. DRAIN PLUGS IN UNDERCARRIAGE REMOVED AND WATER STREAMED OUT FOR APPROX. 10 MINUTES. INITIAL ASSESSMENT BY DEALER INDICATES WATER DAMAGED COMFORT MODULE (CONTROLLING ALL POWERED COMPONENTS LIKE WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS, SUNROOF, CRUISE, SEATS, ETC.) AND TRANSMISSION MODULE AND CONNECTORS. OVER $4500 ESTIMATE (NOT FINISHED TO DATE). SOURCE OF LEAK NOT YET FOUND BY DEALER. *NM