2002 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON / 92350 MILES PLACED IN "PARK" ON A SLIGHT INCLINE (PARKING BRAKE NOT USED). ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEYS WERE REMOVED. DRIVER STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR AND A FEW SECONDS LATER CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS WITH CHILDREN (AGES 3 AND 10 MO) IN THE CAR. DRIVER JUMPED IN CAR TO SET THE BRAKE, BUT FELL ON STREET AS CAR ROLLED. CAR CROSSED STREET AND HEADED DOWN A STEEPER INCLINE HITTING BUSHES, CROSSING ANOTHER DRIVEWAY, AND FINALLY HITTING A ROCK WALL COMING TO A STOP. CHILDREN WERE OK. DRIVER HAD BRUISES / SCRATCHES FROM FALLING ON PAVEMENT. CAR SUSTAINED $3,400 IN DAMAGE. NEIGHBORS VERIFIED CAR WAS IN PARK, AND OWNER MANUAL STATES THAT KEYS CANNOT BE REMOVED WITHOUT THE CAR BEING IN PARK ( KEYS WERE OBSERVED BY SEVERAL NEIGHBORS TO BE OUT OF THE CAR). VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA ASKED ME TO GO TO A DEALER FOR PROBLEM DETERMINATION. DEALER TRIED PARKING THE CAR 5 TIMES ON UPHILL AND DOWNHILL INCLINES, AND PARK HELD. THEY ALSO CHECKED THE COMPUTER AND FOUND NO FAULTS. NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO CHECK THE INTERNALS OF THE TRANSMISSION, TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE INCLINE WAS THE SAME AS THE DRIVEWAY WHERE IT OCCURRED, OR TO DETERMINE WHETHER THERE WAS A REASON FOR AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. VW OF AMERICA STATED THAT THE DEALER HAD FOUND THE CAR WAS IN SPEC (WITH THE 5 HILL TESTS AND COMPUTER CHECK), AND NO FURTHER ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN. VW STATED THAT WE SHOULD ALSO HAVE BEEN USING THE PARKING BRAKE ANY TIME WE PARK (WE DO ON STEEPER HILLS, BUT NOT ON HILLS AS SLIGHT AS OUR DRIVEWAY). NOBODY HAS EXPLAINED WHY PARK FAILED EVEN THOUGH THE KEYS WERE OUT OF THE IGNITION (AND OBSERVED TO BE BY OTHERS) -- I CONCEDE THE PARKING BRAKE SHOULD ALWAYS BE USED OUT OF EXTREME CAUTION, BUT MOST PEOPLE DO NOT ON SLIGHT HILLS -- PARK SHOULD NOT FAIL IN ANY CASE. WE FEEL WE HAVE TO GET RID OF THE CAR ASAP BECAUSE THIS HAS NOT BEEN EXPLAINED / ADDRESSED. OTHER CARS (LIKE 2006 BMW) HAVE RECALLS ON THE PARKING PAWL, BUT VW WILL NOT INVESTIGATE FURTHER. *NM

ON AUGUST 24, 2006 MY 2002 VW PASSAT WITH 64777 MILES WAS TAKEN IN TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS. NO PROBLEM SO FAR, I PICKED UP THE CAR A GOT AS FAR AS TWO BLOCKS WHEN THE TEMP GAUGE PEGGED OUT. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR AND CHECKED FOR LEAKAGE, NO LEAKAGE WAS NOTICEABLE I DROVE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED. I HAD FORK OUT NEARLY $1000 DOLLARS TO GET THE CAR BACK ON THE ROAD. THE SERVICE MANAGER SHOWED MY THE FAILED PUMP AND WAS ASTONISHED THAT THE IMPELLER WAS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC. TO ADD INSULT WHEN I CONTACTED VW AND REQUEST SOME TYPE OF RELIEF FOR THE EXPENSE. I REQUESTED A WRITTEN RESPONSE WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED ONLY A TERSE PHONE CALL. VW'S RESPONSE WAS SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON 8-5-06 THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON A DRY HIGHWAY. UPON INSPECTING THE TIRE, THE CONTACT NOTICED HOLES ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP ROTATED THE TIRES WHICH SEEMED TO HELP FOR A WHILE, BUT EVENTUALLY THE STEERING CONTINUED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V154000 REGARDING THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

2002 VW PASSAT, V6 4MOTION JUST TURNED OVER 50,000 MILES (WARRANTY EXPIRED) AND NOTICED THAT WHEN I FILLED THE GAS TANK, FOR SEVERAL DAYS UNTIL THE GAS LEVEL WENT DOWN, THERE WAS A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR IN THE CAR AND AROUND THE CAR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, WHO FIRST POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO PAY THE PASSAT DRIVER PRIVILEGE TAX, A.K.A., $650 FOR STANDARD MAINTENANCE WORK. REGARDING THE GAS SMELL, AFTER THE MECHANICS ALLEGEDLY CHECKED THE CAR, THE SERVICE ADVISOR SPECULATED THAT IT WAS A LEAK IN ONE OF THE FUEL PUMP SEALS, WHICH ARE LOCATED UNDER THE BACK SEAT (WHERE THE STRONGEST SMELL WAS COMING FROM). HE SAID THAT HE HAD SEEN OTHER PASSATS AT AROUND MY SAME MILEAGE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TANK WAS ONLY FULL THOUGH, AND THE SMELL WAS NOT PRESENT, SO HE ASKED ME TO BRING THE CAR BACK ON ANOTHER DAY, WITH A FULL GAS TANK, SO THAT THE MECHANICS COULD SMELL IT. WHEN I SUGGESTED THAT IT MIGHT BE MORE DIFFICULT (AND DANGEROUS) TO EXAMINE A FULL GAS TANK, HE AGREED AND WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK A WEEK LATER FOR THE MECHANICS CHECK IT OUT, THAT'S WHEN THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THE GAS TANK WAS 'CRACKED' (NEAR THE TOP) ' AND THAT IT WOULD COST $2,000+ TO FIX IT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT CAUSED BY 'WEAR AND TEAR'- NOR IS IT A PROBLEM THAT I COULD HAVE CAUSED ABSENT SOME SORT OF IMPACT. I CALLED VW AMERICA TO ASK THEM TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, AND AFTER THEY INVESTIGATED MY CLAIM, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO PAY 1/2 THE COST OF THE REPAIR, ($1,000). WHEN I NEXT SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP, HE TOLD ME THAT VW HAD OFFERED TO PAY 1/2 THE COST OF THE REPAIR, OR WOULD GIVE ME A $1,000 CREDIT TOWARD A NEW CAR. MY INVESTIGATIONS HAVE LED ME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THIS IS EITHER A DEFECT OF THE VW FUEL TANKS OR THE CRACK IS DUE TO CORROSION, WHICH SHOULD BE 100% COVERED UNDER THE 12 YEAR CORROSION WARRANTY. EITHER WAY, VW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *NM

I WOULD LIKE TO LODGE A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE EXCESSIVE FAILURE OF VACUUM HOSES CAUSING THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO COME ON REPEATEDLY ON THE 2002 VW PASSAT WAGON. ON AUGUST 2, 2006, THE VACUUM HOSE FAILED (REPLACED WITH P/N 06B-133-783 BC). THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $271.63. ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2006, THE VACUUM HOSE WAS REPLACED AS PER VEHICLE RECALL (REPLACED WITH P/N 06B-103-221P). AND ON OCTOBER 18, 2006, THE VACUUM HOSE FAILED (REPLACED WITH P/N 1N-020-353-5). THE COST OF THIS REPAIR WAS $137.93. ALSO TO BE CONSIDERED IS THE INCONVENIENCE OF TAKING THE CAR TO A REPAIR FACILITY TIME AFTER TIME. *NM

STOP OIL PRESSURE LIGHT WENT ON AND CAR DIED. TOWED CAR TO DEALER WHO ACCUSED ME OF NOT SERVICING CAR. I TOOK EXCEPTION TO THIS NONSENSE AND NOTED A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAUSED VW TO EXTEND THEIR WARRANTY TO 8 YEARS. I PRODUCED ALL OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS AS REQUIRED AND HAVE STILL NOT HEARD A VERDICT. THEY EXTEND A WARRANTY WITH THE STRICTEST OF CONDITIONS AND THEN REFUSE TO HONOR IT IN A TIMELY MANNER. *JB

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. IN MAY 2006 AFTER SOME HEAVY RAIN, I NOTICED SOME DAMPNESS AND ODOR EMANATING FROM THE PASSENGER-SIDE FLOORING OF MY VEHICLE. DURING THE LAST TWO MONTHS, THE LEAKAGE HAS DRAMATICALLY INCREASED. AFTER A HEAVY RAIN I HAVE SEEN AS MUCH AS ONE INCH OF STANDING WATER IN THE REAR FOOTWELL. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP TODAY, WHO SUGGESTED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO AN AFTER-MARKET PIECE OF RADIO EQUIPMENT THAT WAS INSTALLED MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND CAREFULLY EXAMINING ALL OF THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE HOLE, I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DRAIN DOES NOT DRAIN TO ITS INTENDED LOCATION. THE WATER SEEPS THROUGH THE REAR DOOR'S CASING/SEAL AND INTO THE FLOOR. THE LEAK HAS CAUSED MY UNDERCARRIAGE TO RUST AND LEAK. MANY OTHER VW OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE AVERAGE COST TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE IS OVER $1000. SOME CONSUMERS HAD ELECTRICAL FAILURES AS THE STANDING WATER OCCURS DIRECTLY OVER ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENTS. THE DEFECT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY FROM VW, REGARDLESS RF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. VW STATES THIS IS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE; HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT MENTIONED IN ANY OWNER'S MANUAL, AND IT IS NOT A PART OF ANY VW SERVICE PLAN. *NM

MY 2001.5 VW PASSAT ABRUPTLY STOPPED RECOGNIZING ITS KEYS. THESE KEYS HAVE SOME KIND OF MAGIC NUMBER THAT IS USED TO VALIDATE THEIR AUTHENTICITY. HOWEVER, THE CAR STOPPED RECOGNIZING ITS THREE KEYS YESTERDAY. THE VW DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HAVE A SENSE FOR WHAT MIGHT BE WRONG. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY FOR 5 MINUTES YESTERDAY AND THE CAR STARTED RECOGNIZING THE KEY AFTER THAT. HOWEVER, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN TODAY, AND LOOKS LIKE ITS GOING TO KEEP HAPPENING UNLESS I FIGURE OUT WHAT THE ROOT CAUSE IS. AS OF NOW, THE ENGINE DOES NOT START, CENTRAL LOCKING DOES NOT LET ME LOCK THE CAR. THE TRUNK DOESN'T POP. THE ONLY THING THAT WORKS IS THE UNLOCKING OF THE CAR, AND THE LOCKING OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR (ONLY). *NM

WHEN IT RAINS HEAVILY, THE AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT AND THE MIL COME ON. WATER GETS INTO THE VEHICLE AND SHORTS OUT THE ELECTRONICS. FORTUNATELY THE OCT. 2005 REPAIR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS WITHOUT THE CAR FOR A WEEK THAT TIME. I TOOK THE CAR IN JULY 5TH, 2006 FOR THE SAME THING AND HAVE NOT SEEN THE CAR YET (7/20/06). EACH TIME THE SERVICE PERSON CALLS, I AM TOLD THAT THERE IS MORE ELECTRICAL DAMAGE. NOW THE TRANSMISSION MODULE ALSO MUST BE REPLACED FOR $800+. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW IN THE PASSAT. IF YOU CANNOT KEEP THE CAR IN A GARAGE, YOU SHOULD NOT PURCHASE A VW PASSAT. THE DEALERSHIP IS INUNDATED WITH THESE CARS WHENEVER WE EXPERIENCE HEAVY RAIN. I HAVE PLACED NUMEROUS CALLS TO VW, AND HAVE RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. THE RESPONSE IS THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. TOO BAD. THE CAR HAS ONLY 21,000 MILES ON IT. THE MASTER CYLINDER ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED LAST YEAR. VW NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS DESIGN FLAW. *NM

2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FAILED TO START SUDDENLY, WITH NO WARNING SIGNS. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE MECHANIC, WITH NO ANSWER IMMEDIATELY FOR ITS FAILURE TO START. THE FUEL PUMP WAS THE REASON FOR THE BREAKDOWN, AND VOLKSWAGEN RECALLED THE 2002 PASSAT FOR FAULTY FUEL PUMPS, BUT NOT ALL 2002'S QUALIFIED FOR THE RECALL, LIKE MINE. THERE WAS A WAITING LIST OF 3 MONTHS JUST TO GET A PUMP FROM THE DEALER. THE FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A CHARGE OF $615.87, AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN A RECALL IF THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS ALL 2002 MODELS. *JB

DEBRIS IN COWL AREA CAN CLOG DRAIN HOLE CAUSING WATER TO ENTER VEHICLE SHORTING OUT COMPUTER AND WIRING. *NM

I BOUGHT A 2002 PASSAT WAGON GLX CERTIFIED USED AT LINDSAY VW IN STERLING VA. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 10 MONTHS. I HAD MY CAR WASHED THE WEEK BEFORE JUNE 27TH, MY CAR IS GARAGE KEPT DAY AND NIGHT. WE HAD BAD RAIN STORMS IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA WHICH I DID NOT DRIVE IN THE FIRST DAY... THE SECOND DAY I DID GET CAUGHT IN A RAIN STORM BUT IT WAS NOT UNUSUALLY HARD AND I DID NOT GO THROUGH AND LARGE PUDDLES. WHEN I GOT HOME I NOTICED A TON OF WATER HAD COLLECTED ON THE FLOOR OF THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR. THE LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER AND GO ON AND OFF... THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING... SO I CALLED THE DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THIS WAS THE CASE WITH A LOT OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND COULD BE A BACKED UP DRAIN FROM THE SUNROOF. HE SAID TO HAVE TO CAR TOWED IN ... WHICH I DID. I THEN HEARD FROM THE DEALER TWO DAYS LATER WHO SAID THERE WERE SOME LEAVES IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CATCH AND THAT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE WATER TO POOL INTO THE CAR... IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ESSENTIALLY MY FAULT AND THE REPAIR CONSISTED OF GUTTING THE INTERIOR REPLACEMENT OF CARPET AND ELECTRICAL BOXES UNDER DRIVERS SIDE ETC. THAT IS WOULD BE EXPENSIVE.. PARTS ALONE ESTIMATED OVER 1K. I WAS SHAKEN... HE SAID HE HAD TO BREAK THE NEWS TO A LOT OF CUSTOMERS... I HAVE CHECKED MESSAGE BOARDS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON AND COSTLY PROBLEM FOR A LOT OF PASSAT VW OWNERS. THIS SEEMS THAT IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM THERE MUST BE A DESIGN FLAW. I AM STILL TRYING TO APPEAL THE FACT I HAVE TO PAY WITH THE DEALER.. HAVE NOT YET HEARD FROM THEM IN 3 DAYS. VW NEEDS TO PAY OR RECALL AND FIX THESE PROBLEMS. THANK YOUR FOR YOUR HELP. *JB

SEVERE FLOOD DAMAGE INSIDE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FOOT WELL OF MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. FLOODING OCCURRED AFTER A MODERATE RAIN. COULD FIND NO BLOCKED DRAINS IN THE SUN ROOF OF THE POLLEN FILTER. *JB

1 - HEAVY RAINS - CAR PARKED OUTSIDE IN DRIVEWAY - NO FLOODING. WATER LEAKED INTO 2002 VW PASSAT PASSENGER SIDE REAR FOOT WELL, VIA VENT/AIR FILTER - 3 INCHES OF STANDING WATER ON THE FLOOR. 2 - CARPETING SATURATED - DUE TO INSULATION UNDERNEATH, UNABLE TO DRY WITHOUT REMOVING. VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEMS UNDER SAME SIDE CARPETING ALL DAMAGED - IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT - DEALERSHIP ESTIMATES REPAIRS AT OVER $2000. 3 - CALLED VW CUSTOMER CARE CENTER - THEY SAID THAT BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WILL GIVE NO CONSIDERATION TO HELPING WITH REPAIR COSTS. WILL CONTACT INSURANCE COMPANY AND/OR LAWYER. *NM

BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH DEFECTIVE TIRES, DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS CAUSING TWO MAJOR BREAKDOWNS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THE LAST TWO IGNITION COILS WERE RECALLED. THE CAR WILL NOT RUN IF IT IS WET FROM HEAVY RAIN AND HAS TO BE COMPLETELY DRIED BEFORE THE BREAKS WORK PROPERLY. OIL PUMP WAS REPLACED 14 MONTHS AGO, ANOTHER MAJOR BREAKDOWN ON HIGHWAY WITH CHILDREN. IT HAS BROKEN DOWN YET AGAIN...THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT NEEDS ANOTHER OIL PUMP BECAUSE OF SLUDGE, ABOUT $2000, NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS PAST THE 12 MONTH, 12,000MILE MARK. TWO OTHER PRIVATE MECHANICS TOLD ME, REPLACING THE OIL PUMP WOULD ONLY DISGUISE, TEMPORARILY THE REAL ISSUE....THE ENGINE IS JUNK. IT NOW SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE I AM MISSING SOME OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS. ALSO THE BLINKERS DON'T WORK, THE REAR DOOR WON'T OPEN, AUTO LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND ARE OUT AGAIN. THIS WAS THE FIRST NEW CAR I EVER BOUGHT. I BOUGHT THE CAR AFTER A DIVORCE BECAUSE I WANTED A DEPENDABLE CAR TO COMMUTE TO WORK AND TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN SAFELY. THE CAR HAS 85,00 MI. *NM

FOLLOWING RECENT HEAVY RAINS MY 2002 VW PASSAT WAGON ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE RAN A BIT ROUGH AT TIMES. $1989 REPAIRS ARE TRACED TO A "CRACKED POLLEN FILTER HOUSING" THAT ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER CABIN AND THROW OFF CONTROL MODULES LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT SEATS.*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD FLOODED. THEN WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH, NUMEROUS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE SUNROOF DRAINS HAD CLOGGED, CAUSING THE FLOODING AND A SHORT IN A MODULE IN THE WIRING SYSTEM. THE DEBRIS IN THE DRAINS WAS BLOWN OUT. UPDATED 6/19/2006 - THIS HAS CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM. *NM

HAD TO REPLACE BOTH CV BOOTS WITH LESS THAN 55,000 MILES ON CAR. *TR

CLOGGED DRAIN,FOR SUN ROOF,CAUSES WATER BUILD UP ON RT. SIDE FLOOR OF CAR,ELECTRONIC MODULE($800.00),NOT WATER PROOF,CREATES MIXED SIGNALS-AIRBAG FAULT HAVE SERVICED-ENGINE LUBRICATION FAULT "STOP ENGINE"--THERE DEFECT,THEY DON'T PAY DUE TO "WATER EXCLUSION"-CARPETING $1,400.00-"WATER EXCLUSION!!!!!

FAILURE OF AIR BAG SYSTEM CAUSED BY FAILURE OF THE MICRO SWITCH IN DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE. FAULT OCCURRED AT 52,000 MILES, AT 104% OF THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAILURE BY REPLACING PART. CAR HAD NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR ANY OTHER TRAUMATIC EVENT. *NM

BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS FAILED WITHIN 1 WEEK OF EACH OTHER. THE BUCKLES NO LONGER HOLD THE BELT. *NM

CUSTOMER WAS DRIVING FROM MISSISSIPPI WHEN LIGHT COME ON READING STOP. CUSTOMER STOPPED VEHICLE. NOTHING FOUND WRONG. DROVE TO SOUTH CAROLINA WITHOUT ANYMORE INCIDENT. TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER IN COLUMBIA, SC WHEN GOT HERE TO HAVE OIL CHANGED, AND CHECK OUT VEHICLE FOR LIGHT COMING ON. DEALERSHIP PERFORMED OIL CHANGE, SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. SOLD CUSTOMER ON REPLACING BOTH FRONT CV JOINT BOOTS AND REPACKING BEARINGS. TWO WEEKS LATER LIGHT CAME BACK ON READING STOP, OIL PRESSURE. TURNED VEHICLE OFF, HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER SAID THEY WERE CHECKING CAR, WOULD HAVE TO ORDER NEW OIL PAN. CALLED DEALER WHEN DIDN'T HEAR BACK FOR SEVERAL DAYS, TOLD ENGINE HAD OIL SLUDGE, WOULD NEED TO GET ALL RECEIPTS FOR OIL CHANGES TO GET COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CALLED THREE DEALERSHIPS, ALL SAID WOULD FAX RECORDS. ONE FAXED RECORDS, BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT HAD THEM WAS NO LONGER WORKING THERE WHEN WE WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND RECORDS WERE GONE. RECORDS WERE FAXED FROM ALL 3, NO OIL CHANGES NOW EXISTED. AFTER TALKING TO VW AMERICA, GOT SOME OIL CHANGES SENT, SAID THAT WAS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE. ASKED DEALER WHAT THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WAS WITH ENGINE, NOT SURE, BUT I NEEDED TO BUY A NEW OR REMANUFACTURED ONE THOUGH. I REQUESTED TO SPEAK TO TECH WHO WORKED ON CAR, HE SAID THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM WHEN BROUGHT CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGE FIRST TIME, SAID BEARINGS BURNED OUT IN ENGINE, WHEN THEY USED THE SYNTHETIC OIL THAT WAS NOW RECOMMENDED BY VW, IT WOULD HAVE FREED UP THE SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND CAUSED IT TO CLOG UP THE OIL PUMP AND THE BEARING TO BE BURNED AS THEY WERE. I KNOW THAT CUSTOMER HAVING PROBLEM LOCATING THREE OIL CHANGES FROM VARIOUS FACILITIES, 55K MI ON CAR, VW NOT EVEN CONSIDERING ANY ASSISTANCE IN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST ENGINE REPAIR ONLY REPLACEMENT, DENIAL OF ANY RESPONSIBILITY ON VX PART. *NM

MY 2002 VW PASSAT 4 MOTION DEVELOPED A SEVERE FUEL LEAK FROM A DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK WHICH RUPTURED ALONG THE TOP AND WAS LEAKING IN 3 PLACES. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED WITH ANY COLLISION. VW REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR DUE TO MY VEHICLE HAVING 65000 MILES. DEALER MECHANIC SAID HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL OTHER PASSATS WITH 4 MOTION HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. REPAIR COST ESTIMATE IS 3000.00. *JB

I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM VOLKSWAGEN (VW) OF AMERICA, DATED AUGUST 2004, DETAILING AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION BEING REPORTED BY SOME VW OWNERS. THE PROBLEM IS DESCRIBED AS "OIL SLUDGE." AS A RESULT THE LETTER STATES THAT MY WARRANTY ON THE 2002 VW PASSAT IS BEING EXTENDED TO 8 YEARS REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. IT GOES ONTO STATE THAT, "VOLKSWAGEN WILL COVER NECESSARY ENGINE REPAIRS IF OIL "SLUDGE" CAUSES A MALFUNCTION IN YOUR ENGINE AND YOU CAN PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF OIL CHANGES ACCORDING TO THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR YOUR VEHICLE." ON MARCH 18, 2006, I WAS RETURNING FROM A CONFERENCE IN WISCONSIN WHEN MY ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LAMP APPEARED ON MY CAR. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO HATFIELD VW. I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THAT VW WOULD NOT EVEN DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM UNTIL I COULD PRODUCE "DOCUMENTATION" OF OIL CHANGES. WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS OUTRAGED, I WAS CONFIDENT THAT ALL WOULD BE RESOLVED. MY HUSBAND CHANGES THE OIL IN BOTH OUR VEHICLES FROM PRODUCTS PURCHASED FROM AUTOZONE; HOWEVER, HE DID NOT REALIZE THAT I BEGAN KEEPING DOCUMENTED RECORDS ON MY COMPUTER AT HOME DETAILING THE DATE AND MILEAGE OF OUR OIL CHANGES. I BEGAN DOING THIS AS A RESULT OF THE AUGUST 2002 LETTER FROM VW. I SOON FOUND OUT FROM THE HATFIELD VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT MY OIL CHANGE LOG WAS NOT SUFFICIENT "DOCUMENTATION." I SPENT THE NEXT 2-3 DAYS WORKING WITH CHASE BANK IN ORDER TO GET MY BANK STATEMENTS. I FOUND THE PURCHASES TO AUTOZONE, AND EACH CORROBORATED WITH THE LOG. I TOOK THEM TO THE HATFIELD REGIONAL MANAGER ON SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2006. HE FELT CONFIDENT THAT THE MATTER WOULD BE RESOLVED. AS SOON AS WE GOT HOME, WE RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE HATFIELD SERVICE MANAGER STATING THAT THE DOCUMENTATION WAS INSUFFICIENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD US WE NEEDED ITEMIZED RECEIPTS. I WENT TO AUTOZONE THAT EVENING AND WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE LAST OIL CHANGE RECEIPT. I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE COSTING $4000-5000.00, YET THEY HAD NO DIAGNOSIS. *JB

NUMEROUS SPONTANEOUS ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITHIN 24 HOURS. A WEEK AGO TODAY) THE GAS GAUGE ON MY 2002 PASSAT W8 WENT DEAD, BOTH THE ANALOGUE GAUGE AND THE COMPUTER READOUT; THEN THE AC WENT DEAD, WINDOWS, HORN, DOOR LOCKS AND LOCK REMOTE AND LIGHTS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE RADIO STOP WORKING, THEN CAME BACK ON, BUT THE RECEPTION WAS VERY BAD, A LOT OF STATIC, AND THE RADIO DID NOT SHUT OFF WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. I HAD TO MANUALLY TURN IT OFF. WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER & ODOMETER WENT DEAD, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON BUT THE ENGINE DISPLAYED NO PROBLEMS. I GOT A CALL FROM THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY, THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN START NOW. THE COMFORT CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HE STATED THAT"IT STOPPED COMMUNICATING". $500.00 FOR THAT. IT'S A WEEK LATER TODAY. MY W8 IS STILL AT THE DEALER. IT TOOK THEM 6 DAYS TO GET THE COMFORT CONTROL MODULE. THEY INSTALLED IT AND THE CAR STILL WILL NOT START. MY BILL IS AT $630, AND THEY WANT ME TO AUTHORIZE MORE TIME SO THEY CAN START TEARING APART THE WIRING AND THE WIRING HARNESSES. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF POSTINGS ON MANY WEBSITES FROM OWNERS WITH THE IDENTICAL ISSUES. THE WIRING IS CORRODED GOING TO/FROM THE CCM. *JB

MY WIFE PURCHASED A 2002 PASSAT WITH A 1.8T ENGINE. ALL WAS WELL (EXCEPT FOR THE VERY EXPENSIVE MAINTENANCE ON THIS VEHICLE) UP UNTIL A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE GOING TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACE AN AXLE BOOT. THIS WAS A FRIDAY MORNING AND I HAD MY CAR FRIDAY NIGHT, $512 LATER. SATURDAY I TOOK THE CAR FOR INSPECTION AND IT FAILED DUE TO EMISSIONS. ON MONDAY (2 DAYS LATER) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TUESDAY MORNING. WEDNESDAY I PICKED IT UP. BELTS WERE CHANGED, INCLUDING THE TIMING BELT, THE WATER PUMP WAS CHANGED, AND VARIOUS OTHER REPAIRS NOT PROPERLY EXPLAINED TO ME. THIS TIME IT COST ME AN ADDITIONAL $1,087.00. SO FAR IN LESS THAN A WEEK I HAD SPENT $1,600.00. THURSDAY MORNING I DROVE TO WORK AND I CALLED THE DEALER TO REPORT THAT I STILL FELT A "TWITCH" IN THE ENGINE. HE SAID THAT WAS "STRANGE" AND ASKED ME TO BRING IT IN. ON THURSDAY I WAS DRIVING TO A LUNCH MEETING WITH A COLLEAGUE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A LOUD RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED ENGINE OIL ALL OVER THE GROUND. I CALLED THE DEALER WHO WAS "SHOCKED" AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. TURNS OUT THE ENGINE THREW A ROD RIGHT THREW THE BLOCK AND OIL PAN. BASICALLY MY ENGINE IS TOAST. COINCIDENCE? I HAVE A HARD TIME SWALLOWING THAT. THIS IS LESS THAN ONE WEEK AFTER I ORIGINALLY TOOK THE CAR IN AND THEY WORKED ON IT. NOW I HAVE TO SPEND UPWARDS OF $4,000.00 TO FIX THIS AND NO ONE, NOT THE DEALER AND CERTAINLY NOW VW, IS WILLING TO HELP ME WITH THIS. VW TOTALLY DISMISSED ME BECAUSE WHILE THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD IT HAS 91,000 MILES. I HAVE KEPT UP WITH THE MAINTENANCE AND AN ENGINE SHOULD NOT THROW A ROD AFTER 90,000. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT OF SOME KIND OR SOMETHING THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP DID TO IT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING A TERRIBLE SMELL WAS PRESENT AND WHITE GASES STARTED COMING FROM THE VENTS. IT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE HEATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. 04/11/06. *JB

WE HAVE A VW PASSAT WAGON WITH CLOTH SEATS. SOMETIME THE SEAT HEATER IGNITED THE FOAM AND FABRIC OF THE CAR AND BURNED THREE HOLES IN THE SEAT. I'M AFRAID THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE CAR. THE VW DEALER TRIED TO GET VW TO REPLACE THE SEAT BUT THEY WON'T. THEY HAVE A RECALL ON MANY 02 PASSAT'S NOW BUT WON'T REPAIR OR FIX MINE. I FEEL THIS IS A DANGER WOULD LIKE SOME HELP FROM YOUR ORGANIZATION. THANKS FOR ANY HELP CRAIG BEISKER. *JB

CAR IS 3 1/2 YEARS OLD. 52,500 MILES. (2500 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY) ENGINE COOLANT FLUSHED/REPLACED AT 40,000 MILES AS REQUIRED. HEATER CORE JUST FAILED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, BLOWING VAPOR INTO THE CABIN AND STEAMING UP THE WINDOWS TO THE POINT THE CAR WAS BARELY DRIVABLE. VW AMERICA WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR CITING THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. I GUESS VW CONSIDERS A CAR THAT'S LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS. REPAIR COST IS CLOSE TO $1300. I WILL NEVER BUY A VW AGAIN, AND I HAVE ALREADY DISSUADED A COLLEAGUE AT WORK FROM BUYING ONE AS HE WAS IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW CAR. *JB

LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. TURNED CAR OFF AND PULLED OVER. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. BEFORE IT WAS EVEN LOOKED AT THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT IT IS GOING TO COST ME $2600 AND THAT I AM LUCKY. HE SAID THE LAST PERSON THAT CAME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM HAD TO GET A NEW ENGINE, BUT THAT HE DIDN'T THINK THAT MY CAR IS THAT BAD. DON'T KNOW HOW HE COULD SAY THAT WITHOUT LOOKING IN THE ENGINE OR TURNING THE ENGINE ON. IT SOUNDS LIKE A MONEY MAKING SCAM FOR THE DEALER. THEY KNOW THAT PEOPLE DON'T KEEP ALL THEIR RECEIPTS SO THEY CAN DENY THE WARRANTY CLAIM AND THE DEALER CHARGES PEOPLE $2600 FOR THIS VERY KNOWN ISSUE WITH MANY VW'S. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A BUNCH OF HOSES THAT WILL NEED REPLACED. I DON'T SEE HOW OR WHY THIS WOULD COST $2600. *NM

THE THROTTLE BODY ON MY 2002 PASSAT GLS 1.8 TURBO FAILED AT ONLY 56,000 MILES. THIS PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THIS SEEMS TO PREMATURE OF A FAILURE, AND VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER VOLKSWAGEN OWNERS WHO OWN OTHER PASSAT MODELS AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES, SOME EVEN AT 30,000 MILES. VW TAKE ACTION PLEASE AND INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. *NM

2002 VW PASSAT: WATER LEAKAGE INTO THE CAR ACCUMULATING IN THE FLOOR WELLS WHEN IT RAINS. NO IMMEDIATE CAUSE DETERMINED. WINDOWS ALL CLOSED. DRAINS FOR SUNROOF OPEN AND CLEAR. HAPPENS REPEATEDLY WHEN RAINING. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE REAR BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT EVERY 15,000 MILES, WHICH IS ABOUT FOUR TIMES FASTER THAN A NORMAL VEHICLE. THIS IS UNEXPECTED ON A VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE AND COULD CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE. IN FEBRUARY OF 2006, AT 25,359 MILES, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT OF THIS POSSIBILITY. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,722 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,359.

WE HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGON. SEVERAL DAYS AGO, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON STEADILY & THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING SLUGGISHLY. WE TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY. THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE POLLEN FILTER HOUSING WHICH HAD ALLOWED RAINWATER TO TRACK INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, UNDER THE CARPETS. A NUMBER OF KEY ELECTRONIC MODULES ARE IN THIS LOCATION, INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND THE COMFORT CONTROL MODULE. THESE UNITS HAD BEEN DESTROYED BY THE POOLING WATER AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS US THAT THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PASSATS; FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALS A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO'VE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS (SEE HTTP://WWW.THEAUTOBAHN.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=12789&PAGE=1&PP=10). I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT WITH PASSATS THAT CARRIES RISK TO DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OF THESE CARS. *NM

MY WIFE TOLD ME LAST NIGHT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 2 CASES OVER THE YEARS WITH HER 2002.5 VW PASSAT WHERE HER GAS PEDAL ALSO STUCK AND HER CAR ACCELERATED TO 80MPH+ ON NJ RT 1 BEFORE SHE PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL. SHE REMEMBERS THAT IT HAPPENED ON VERY COLD MORNINGS. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT VW USES A SIMILAR DESIGN TO TOYOTA IN THESE CARS? *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN NEUTRAL AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR THE THERMOSTAT ON THE VEHICLE TO GO ABOVE FREEZING THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE DRAIN HOLES IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT HAD FILLED WITH ROAD DEBRIS. THIS CAUSED WATER TO GET TRAPPED IN THE COMPARTMENT AND FREEZE. THE MASTER VACUUM FOR THE BRAKES IS LOCATED IN THIS COMPARTMENT, AND THIS FREEZING CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEBRIS WAS CLEARED OUT AND THE MASTER VACUUM AND OTHER COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. *AK

WATER LEAKAGE IN 2002 PASSAT 1.8T GLS. AFTER RAIN, WATER SEEPED IN THROUGH FAULTY POLLEN FILTER HOUSING. FRIED ENGINE CLUSTER. AFTER BEING RETURNED, WATER CONTINUED TO SEEP IN. IT CORRODED ELECTRICAL WIRES AND CAUSED MANY PROBLEMS. AFTER 5+ DEALER VISITS, NO ONE WAS ABLE TO FIX IT UNTIL I PERSONALLY STRIPPED ALL CARPETING AND FOUND THE FAULTY WIRE. DEALER HAD TOLD ME FILTER HOUSING WAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER LEAKAGE, AND YET HE DID NO FIX IT... *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE COWLING DRAINAGE BECAME FILLED WILL DEBRIS CAUSING WATER TO ENTER THE TRANSMISSION MODULE. THE VEHICLE LOST PARTIAL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP CLEANED THE COWLING DRAINS, REPAIRED THE WIRING AND BATTERY. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKE BOOSTER, THE TRANSMISSION MODULE AND THE CARPETING WERE REPLACED. *NM

I WENT TO TURN ON 2002 PASSAT VOLKSWAGEN A COUPLE DAYS AGO AND A FLASHING "STOP" CAME ON. I CALLED MY DEALER AFTER CHECKING THE MANUAL AND THEY SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A PROBLEM WITH THE OIL PICK UP TUBE AND FOR ME NOT TO TURN MY CAR BACK ON BECAUSE IT COULD RUIN THE ENGINE. SO I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT IS ONLY UNDER WARRANTY IF I CAN SUPPLY THEM WITH EVERY RECEIPT FROM OWNING THE CAR. I HAVE MISPLACED TWO SO NOW THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS AND IS COSTING ME AROUND $950.00 TO GET THIS FIXED. I HAVE ALWAYS CHANGED MY OIL ON TIME. THIS SEEMS TO BE THERE WAY OF SCREWING THERE SO CALLED VALUED CUSTOMERS. I WAS ON A WEB SITE (MYVWLEMON.COM) AND FOUND NUMEROUS OF PASSAT OWNERS WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM AND OUT COME. WHY IS THE CONSUMER RESPONSIBLE FOR A POORLY DESIGNED ENGINE? THE HEAT OF THE 1.8L TURBO IS BREAKING THE OIL DOWN CREATING SLUDGE. THEY OBVIOUSLY KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION. HOWEVER, VW OF AMERICA WILL ONLY COVER THE WARRANTY IF THE OWNER CAN PROVIDE EVERY SINGLE RECEIPT, SOMETHING THEY KNOW THAT VERY FEW PEOPLE CAN DO ESPECIALLY IF SOME CHANGE THEIR OWN OIL. THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE DEALT WITH SINCE I BOUGHT BY PASSAT BRAND NEW. CHECKING THE WEBSITE ALSO TELLS ME THIS MAY NOT BE THE LAST OF MY PROBLEMS. *JB

FAILURE AT 8100 MILES ON 2003 VW PASSAT GLX V6. FAILURE REPORTED BY COMPUTER: BRAKE FAULT, STOP, READ SERVICE MANUAL. DEALER REPORTS THIS IS AN ABS MODULE FAILURE. WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM FORUMS REPORT THIS AS A COMMON FAILURE AMONG PASSATS. PLEASE HOLD VW'S FEET TO THE FIRE ON THIS PROBLEM. *JB

EVERY TIME IT RAINS, REAR PASSENGER FLOOR IS FILLED WITH WATER. DEALER TRIED TO REPAIR LINE FROM SUN ROOF, BUT PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. *JB

2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL SLUDGE AT 62,600 MILES. . *AK

OIL PUMP SLUDGE ON MY VOLKSWAGEN 2002 1.8T PASSAT ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE QUITE WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. IT ONLY HAD 54,818 MILES. I HAD TO PAY 10,000 OUT OF MY OWN POCKET TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. *TR

I TURNED ON MY DRIVER'S SEAT WARMER AFTER NOT HAVING USED IT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. WITHIN 60 SECONDS, I SMELLED A BURNING SMELL AND TURNED THE WARMER OFF IMMEDIATELY. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A DEEP BURN ON THE SEAT, JUST TO THE LEFT OF WHERE I SIT, THAT IS LARGER THAN THE SIZE OF A QUARTER. I HAVE NOT YET BROUGHT THIS TO VOLKSWAGEN'S ATTENTION, BUT I INTEND TO DO SO SHORTLY. *JB

I OWN A 2002 VW PASSAT V6 GLX WITH 42,700 MILES. WITHIN THE PAST 2 MONTHS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM STARTED WITH VERY STRONG GASOLINE FUMES COMING FROM THE CAR AFTER THE TANK IS FILLED AND THE CAR IS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. THE GAS TANK IS FILLED UNTIL THE FIRST CLICK OFF OF THE GAS NOZZLE ( AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS). THE GASOLINE FUMES ARE VERY STRONG, REQUIRING THAT THE GARAGE DOORS BE LEFT PARTIALLY OPEN TO REDUCE THE FUMES TO A TOLERABLE LEVEL. NO FUEL DRIPS FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FUMES SEEM TO BE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF THE CAR. FUMES CAN SOMETIMES BE SMELLED BRIEFLY OUTDOORS WHEN THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK IS FULL. THE FUMES STOP AFTER THE TANK LEVEL IS DOWN TO ABOUT 3/4 TANK. THE PROBLEM RECURS CONSISTENTLY NOW FOR ME EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS REFUELED. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL VW DEALER ON 11/5/05. THEY PRESSURED TESTED THE VEHICLE'S FUEL SYSTEM WITH ARGON AND REPORTED THAT THEY CAN FIND NO FUEL LEAK OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS. THE SERVICE MANAGER CONTACTED VW TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN ON 12/15/05 WITH A HALF TANK OF FUEL AS REQUESTED. THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS, AS RECOMMENDED BY VW TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, REMOVED THE GAS TANK AND WEIGHED THE CHARCOAL CANISTER TO DETERMINE IF ADEQUATE CHARCOAL WAS PRESENT. THE CHARCOAL CANISTER WAS WITHIN FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS REINSTALLED THE SAME PARTS AND THEN FILLED THE GAS TANK. THEY THEN PRESSURE TESTED THE VEHICLE'S FUEL SYSTEM WITH ARGON OVERNIGHT, LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN THE SERVICE BAY. THEY COULD NOT DETECT ANY FUEL LEAKS OR REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. VW TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORTEDLY TOLD THE TECH'S THAT THEY HAD DONE ALL THAT WAS POSSIBLE AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE TO DO. THE SERVICE MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEIR SERVICE BAY IS QUITE LARGE AND VENTILATED SO THAT THE CONDITIONS DO NOT DUPLICATE HAVING THE VEHICLE IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. A FIRE RISK AND FUME EXPOSURE REMAIN. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED 10 DAYS AGO THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMELL OF OIL. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, BUT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED, THE SMELL WAS STILL THERE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THIS TIME THE DEALER SAID A GASKET WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE GASKET, AND IT SEEMED TO HAVE REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE FOGGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE LENSES NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FOGGING OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 08/03/06. *JB

AFTER HEAVY RAIN, POWER BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED COMPLETELY IN 2002 VW PASSAT. THIS WAS ATTRIBUTED TO CLOGGED COWL DRAIN. WATER WAS DIVERTED INTO ENGINE CYLINDERS AND POWER BRAKING SYSTEM THUS LEADING TO FAILURE. ALTHOUGH NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED I BELIEVE THAT THIS REPRESENTS SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK AND THAT THIS RISK IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT LED TO $1600.00 IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *NM

MY TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY AT 50058 MILES, DEALER WOULD NOT DO WORK UNDER WARRANTY (50K). FOUND THAT THIS PART (HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY) WAS RECALLED ON 2000-2002 VW GOLF, GTI, AND JETTA. I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHER PASSAT OWNERS ONLINE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM FOR PASSAT'S TOO. VW NEEDS TO EXTEND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE. DRIVING THE 45 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS PART REPLACED ON MAJOR INTERSTATES WITHOUT BLINKERS DROVE HOME THE DANGER INVOLVED WITH THIS DEFECTIVE PART!*JB

DURING NORMAL DRIVING, MY 2002 PASSAT 1.8T HAS SUFFERED DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE SHIELD TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR. THE SHIELD COMES LOOSE OR TEARS LOOSE FROM ITS MOORINGS AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I DO NOT DRIVE OFF ROAD OR USE EXCESSIVE SPEED. MY SECOND APPOINTMENT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE SHIELD IS OCTOBER 13, 2005. AT LITHIA VOLKSWAGEN IN RENO, NEVADA. *NM