2002 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

I HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. SINCE SEPTEMBER, I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS LIGHT COMING ON AND STAYING ON. TWICE, I'VE ALSO HAD "BRAKE FAULT" WARNINGS TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IT'S BEEN IN FOR SERVICE FOUR TIMES SINCE OCTOBER 3 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CV JOINT WAS REPLACED YESTERDAY, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. FIRST THING THIS MORNING, THE ABS LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. I HAVE A FIFTH SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH BACHMAN VOLKSWAGEN ON MONDAY. I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT QUITE A FEW ABS PROBLEMS ON VARIOUS ONLINE FORUMS, SO I DON'T SEEM TO BE ALONE WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. *JB

OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COMING ON AND TELLING ME TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF IMMEDIATELY. FOUND OUT IT IS A OIL SLUDGE ISSUE WITH THE 1.8T ENGINE. IT IS A $1,600 BILL TO FIX THE VEHICLE. VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT COVER THE EXPENSES UNLESS WE SHOW A COPY OF OUR OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR. WELL, WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 3.5 YEARS AND WE DON'T HANG ONTO RECEIPTS FOR MORE THAN 3 MONTHS. SO, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO COVER THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS KNOWN OF A SLUDGING PROBLEM WITH THE 1.8T ENGINE SINCE LATE 2004. WE BOUGHT THE CAR EARLY 2002. *JB

ON SEPT 1,2005 ON MY WAY TO THE E.R. AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME TO STOP ENGINE/CHECK OIL PRESSURE. I TURNED ENGINE OFF, AND CHECKED OIL LEVEL, ALL OK. TRIED TO START ENGINE TO GET OFF OF NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY, ENGINE MAKING TERRIBLE NOISE, TURNED OFF HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. WAS TOLD BY DEALER IT WOULD BE AT LEAST $400.00 TO LOOK AT THE CAR AND DIAGNOSE IT. AFTER ONE WEEK DEALER CALLED AND SAID IT WOULD COST $9000.00 TO REPLACE ENTIRE MOTOR, ON SEPT. 2 2005 CALLED V.W. OF AMERICA THEY STATED TO ME AT THAT TIME THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE 1.8 TURBO BUILDING UP OIL SLUDGE IN THE MOTOR, AND THAT THEY HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE. THEY SAID THAT THEY NEEDED MAINTENANCE RECORDS TO PROVE MY CASE, THEY GAVE ME A FAX # WHICH WAS THE WRONG #. AFTER THE LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND I PHONED V.W. OF AMERICA AGAIN AND THEY STATED , TO FAX THE DOCUMENTS DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER THAT THEY DID NOT RECEIVE THEM, THE CONSUMER ADVOCATE THAT I WAS SPEAKING WITH WAS NEW AND DID NOT KNOW THE FAX #. THE DEALER STATED THAT MY RECORDS WERE NOT DETAILED ENOUGH AND THAT I WAS MISSING SIX RECEIPTS, I MOVED ONE YEAR AGO AND THE VALVOLINE STATION WHERE I HAD THE OIL CHANGED FAITHFULLY STATED THAT IF YOU DO NOT USE THERE SERVICES FOR 6 MONTHS THAT THE COMPUTER AUTOMATICALLY DROPS YOUR RECORDS. I SEEM TO BE CAUGHT BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE, V.W. AND THE DEALER KEEP SHUFFLING ME BACK AND FORTH, IN THE MEAN TIME I HAVE NO VEHICLE AND I AM RENTING A CAR TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. AFTER SEARCHING YOUR WEB SITE I FOUND 8 COMPLAINTS INCLUDING MY OWN OUT OF 50 THAT'S ALMOST 20% OF THE COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THE OTHER PEOPLE ARE GIVEN THE SAME RUN AROUND. THIS HAS TO STOP SOMEWHERE AND SOME ONE HAS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AN OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. I HAVE CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY AND ARE PREPARED TO LITIGATE IF NECESSARY. *NM

SLUDGE IN THE MOTOR WAS FOUND. I CHANGED TO SYNTHETIC OIL SOON AFTER MY WARRANTY WAS OVER BUT WAS NEVER TOLD TO CHANGE TO SYNTHETIC BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE SLUDGE. I WAS NEVER TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS COMMON IN VW 1.8T ENGINES. THIS PROBLEM WILL COST ME $2,000 SO FAR. I HAVE KEPT GREAT CARE OF THE CAR AND HAVE RECORDS EXCEPT THOSE WHO WERE SERVICE BY THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THOSE ARE STAMPED IN MY BOOK (THE ONE THAT IS GIVEN TO YOU AT THE DEALERSHIP) THE INFORMATION SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR THE WARRANTY. I HAVE YET TO SOLVE THIS , BUT IN DEALING WITH THE OTHER DEALERSHIPS THEY ONLY KEEP RECORDS FOR A FEW YEARS. *JB

AIRBAG LIGHT AND BUZZER STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. PRESTIGE AUTO OF SANTA ROSA WANTED TO CHARGE ME OVER $100 JUST TO DIAGNOSE IT. ACCORDING TO WHAT I'VE READ, A SAFETY PROBLEM IS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED WITH NO CHARGE. *JB

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WHEN MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. I WAS IN NEW YORK AT THE TIME SO I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP, WHICH WAS ROMANO VW IN FAYETVILLE, NY. I HAD DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE VW HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE POLLEN HOUSING FILTER. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER OMAR TO CHECK THE FILTER, WHICH IN RETURN HE STATED IT WAS FINE. THE PROBLEM WAS THE OIL PUMP, AND THE COMPUTER. I EVENTUALLY FOUND OUT THAT THE COMPUTER FAILED DO TO A WATER LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR, WHICH IS WHERE THE COMPUTER IS LOCATED. ROMANO VW SAID THERE WAS A WATER LEAK BUT IT WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE FILTER. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY KEEP DENYING MY CLAIM. I EVENTUALLY HAD MY CAR FIXED AND PICKED THE CAR UP AND DROVE HOME. ONCE I GOT HOME THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO PRESTIGE VW IN TURNERSVILLE, NJ AND THEY STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSE FROM THE POLLEN HOUSING FILTER. VW CUSTOMER CARE HAS STILL DENIED MY CLAIM. AFTER DOING MORE RESEARCH IT TURNS OUT THE POLLEN HOUSING FILTER IS A MAJOR ISSUE IN THE VOLKSWAGEN, BUT VW THEMSELVES DO NOT AGREE. *NM

HORN QUIT WORKING

DT: THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE VEHICLE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR ONE YEAR THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. BUT IT STILL TRANSMISSION NOT WORK PROPERLY. . IT JUMPED INTO GEAR. ALSO, THE ENGINE AIR BAG, AND THERMOSTAT LIGHTS KEPT COMING ON. ONE WEEK AGO, THE CAR WOULDN'T START. REPLACED THE BATTERY, AND A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. CURRENTLY, THE DEALER INSISTED IT NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR, AND F WARRANTY EXPIRED. IN ORDER TO GET TO THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM, IT WOULD COST $1100.00.*AK

CONSUMER CONCERNED THAT THE 2002 VW PASSAT ARE EQUIPPED W/DEFECTIVE REAR BRAKE PADS. *TS THE FAULTY BRAKES CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE WHILE BRAKING. SINCE BRAKES ARE NOT WARRANTY ITEM THE CONSUMER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SERVICE FEE ASSOCIATED WITH REPLACING THEM. *NM

I HAVE MY OIL CHANGED EVERY 5000 MILES AS SUGGESTED. AT 48,880 MILES MY OIL WAS CHANGED WITH KNOW PROBLEMS. AT 53880 MILES MY OIL CHANGE AGAIN. BUT AT THIS CHANGE I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT AXEL BOOTS WERE CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. I ASKED SINCE IT WAS JUST 3,000 MILES PAST WARRANTY IF THIS WOULD BE COVERED. BOTH THE DEALER AND VOLKSWAGAN SAID NO. I HAD THE AXEL BOOTS FIXED. BUT AFTER SPEAKING TO MANY PEOPLE NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD OF AXEL BOOTS BREAKING AT 53,000 MILES. I BELIEVE THIS MUST BE DEFECT WITH THE CAR, SINCE BOTH AXEL BOOTS BROKE AT THE SAME TIME.

CONSUMER INQUIRING ON HOW TO GAIN INFORMATION REGARDING 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. *MR THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NO LONGER EXIST. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH 3 TIRES WHICH HAVE A SIDEWALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND PROVIDED A PRO RATE DISCOUNT ON THE FIRST VISIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER 2 MORE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER ALSO DETERMINED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT DID NOT OFFER SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT OF TIRES. UPDATED 7/13/2006 - THE TIRE SPLIT APART AT THE SEAM ALONG THE SIDEWALL WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 20 MPH. MICHELIN OFFERED PRORATED ADJUSTMENT. ANOTHER TIRE, FRONT RIGHT, DEVELOPED A CRACK ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG AT THE SEAM IN THE SIDEWALL, TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS ALSO CRACKED AT THE SIDEWALL. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TIRE, BUT CONDTIONED REPLACEMENT ON FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT AT OUTSIDE VENDOR. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REFUND THE COST OF THE FIRST FAILED TIRE. *NM

WHEN ACCERATING FROM A DEAD STOP THE VEHICLE HAS A DELAY BEFORE TAKING OFF. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT HE WILL BE REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF THIS. *AK

THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, AND THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. CONSUMER LATER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS OIL SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER ASKED FOR MAINTENANCE RECORD. DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE SERVICE UNTIL ALL RECEIPTS WERE PROVIDED, SHOWING OIL CHANGES.*AK

RADIO WENT COMPLETELY DARK. TOOK IT IN, THEY UNPLUGGED AND RECONNECTED IT. WENT DEAD AGAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER. THIS TIME, IT DRAINED THE BATTERY COMPLETELY WHILE IT WAS "DEAD" SO I HAD TO GET A JUMP. TOOK IT IN AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY'D HAD SEVERAL VEHICLES, MOSTLY PASSATS BUT ALSO JETTAS, WHERE THE RADIOS WERE GOING BAD AND DRAINING BATTERIES THROUGH THE COMFORT CONTROL MODULE. THEY HAD TO REPLACE BOTH THE RADIO AND THE BATTERY. CAR ONLY HAS 12,000 MILES ON IT.*AK

COMPLETE FAILURE OF STEERING CONTROL ARMS. WHEEL SHAKES LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OFF, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT AND VW WILL NOT WARRANT THIS ISSUE OR PERFORM A RECALL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *NM

THIS IS THE EMAIL I SENT TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA. WE HAD TO SLOW DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE TO LOOK FOR AN EXIT BECAUSE OF THE WARNING LIGHT COMING ON. I FELT IN GREAT DANGER AT THE TIME. I AM 58 YEARS OLD AND HAVE PURCHASED A NUMBER OF NEW AUTOMOBILES IN MY LIFE. NEVER HAVE I HAD SUCH A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. I HAVE A PASSAT PARKED BECAUSE THE OIL LIGHT IS WARNING ME I WAS SOLD A DEFECTIVE MOTOR. THIS HAS BEEN A HORRIFIC EXPERIENCE. I AM MAKING AUTOMOBILE PAYMENTS TO VOLKSWAGEN CREDIT EVEN THOUGH I AM AFRAID TO START THE ENGINE. I WAS SENT A LETTER STATING THE CAR WAS DEFECTIVE BUT I WOULD NEED EACH AND EVERY OIL CHANGE RECEIPT FOR VOLKSWAGEN TO ADDRESS YOUR FAULTY ENGINE. THIS IS LUDICROUS. I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY AUTOMOBILES AND THUS REALIZE GOOD TRADE IN VALUE. I WILL BE STATING THE FACTS OF MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS VOLKSWAGEN PURCHASE VIA THE INTERNET, AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINES, THE GREATER DALLAS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND WILL PURCHASE ONE QUARTER PAGE ADS IN THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS AND THE NEW YORK TIMES. THIS AUTOMOBILE HAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND SHOULD JUST BE RECALLED BY VOLKSWAGEN. I WILL BE ON A CAMPAIGN UNTIL ETERNITY AND WILL SOLICIT OTHER VOLKSWAGEN OWNERS ACROSS THE WORLD TO JOIN ME. THIS IS THE WORSE AUTOMOBILE BUYING EXPERIENCE I CAN IMAGINE. LOUIS MCELROY DIRECTOR THE GREATER DALLAS CHAMBER. *AK

VW PASSAT 2002. MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE. RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. LEASE ABOUT TO EXPIRE, BROUGHT IN (3) PRIOR TIMES.. 2/21 TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER, BEING TOLD DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG, NEEDS ALL OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS, NEEDS PERMISSION FROM MANUFACTURER TO OK REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. WARRANTY IS EXTENDED FOR 8 YEARS IN WRITING. MANUFACTURE BLAMES DEALER, DEALER BLAMES CUSTOMER. CAR IS A LEMON. SEE ARTICLE AUTOWEEK 2/7/2005 AND PRIOR ARTICLES. CUSTOMERS ARE WELL AWARE THERE IS AN ENGINE PROBLEM AND NOW CAUSING OIL SLUDGE RELATED PROBLEMS. ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS. SINCE 2002 UNTIL NOW, PAYMENTS BEING MADE FOR A DEFECTIVE CAR DUE TO FAULTY ENGINEERING! AND NOW THE CUSTOMERS MUST PAY FOR IT! NO WAY. *NM

OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND ELECTRIC PROBLEMS, SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER DASH ELECTRIC PROBLEMS WITH WINDOWS AND THE "CHIME" INDICATOR WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON AND THE ENGINE IS OFF. *JB

I HAD TO HAVE MY ENGINE REPLACED BY VW AND MY CAR STILL ISN'T RIGHT. I BOUGHT MY CAR IN GERMANY NOT THE US. BUT IT IS REGISTERED WITH VWOA I FEEL LIKE THEY SOLD ME A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. THEY WOULD NOT EVEN CONSIDER LISTENING TO MY COMPLAINTS ON THE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. THIS COST ME $7000.00 TO REPLACE MY WHOLE ENGINE AND TIME MISSED FROM WORK. (LOST INCOME) WHAT CAN BE DONE?

THE VEHICLE HAS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I CANNOT SEE WHEN I PUT THE HEATER ON. THE WINDSHIELD BECOMES COMPLETELY COVERED WITH STEAM. I HAVE ALMOST CRASHED 5 TIMES ALREADY. HELP! *TR

FAILED OF BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT OUTER CV BOOTS.

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND DEALER REPLACED THE MASS AIR SENSORS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

I HAVE A 2002 VOLSWAGEN PASSAT WITH 39000 MILES, ON 1/13/2005 THE OIL PRESSURE STOP ENGINE MESSAGE CAME ON THE DASH, AND THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING AND RUNNING ROUGH. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER THAT DAY. THE DEALER AND VW SAID THEY WOULD NOT EVEN LOOK AT IT UNTIL I PROVIDED A SERVICE RECORD. I MADE THEM A COPY OF MY LOG WHICH HAD THE EXACT DATE AND MILEAGE, BUT THAT WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH. THEY WANTED COPIES OF THE RECEIPTS WHICH I WENT OUT AND GOT, BUT I LEARNED TODAY THAT WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH. THEY WANTED NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MECH. WHICH I PROVIDED, BUT VW SAYS I DON'T HAVE PROPER DOCUMT. BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A SPECIFIC RECEIPT FOR THE OIL FILTER EVEN THOUGH THE PART # FOR THE FILTER IS ON THE RECEIPT. IT TOOK OVER 3 WEEKS AND DOZENS OF PHONE CALLS TO BOTH THE DEALER AND VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA TO FINALLY GET A DIAGNOSIS (NOTE: THE ASM OF VOLKSWAGEN OF AMER. DENIED MY WARRANTY ON 02/02/2005 WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO TELL ME THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR!!) WHICH APPEARS TO BE OIL SLUDGE BUILDUP. *JB

VARIOUD HEAD, TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2002 VW PASSAT HAVE BURNED OUT 6 TIMES IN THE LAST 9 MONTHS: /3/04 - BOTH HEADLIGHTS REPLACED BY VW, /17/04 - HEADLIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT REPLACED BY VW, 10/9/04 - TAIL LIGHT REPLACED BY VW, 0/23/04 - BOTH HEADLIGHTS LACED BY VW, 2/11/04 - HEADLIGHT AND PARKING LIGHT REPLACED BY VW, 1/5/05 - HEAD LIGHT REPLACED, /5/05 VW SERVICE OF BERNARDSVILLE, NEW JERSEY REFUSED TO PERFORM AN ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSTIC CHECK BECAUSE THE "LIGHT BULBS THEY GET FROM ANOTHER VENDOR ARE FAULTY". THEREFORE, VW OF BERNANRDSVILLE IS KNOWINGLY INSTALLING FAULTY SAFETY EQUIPMENT. I WAS TOLD THIS IN FRONT OF ANOTHER WOMAN WHO WAS BRINGING HER CAR IN FOR LIGHT BULB REPLACEMENT ALSO. I TOLD THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THIS WAS AN UNACCEPTABLE SAFETY RISK. I HIT A DEER ONE NIGHT WHEN MY HEADLIGHT WAS OUT AND IT IS DARK WHEN I DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP MY CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL. ALTHOUGH I TOLD THE VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE I'M AFRAID I WOULD HIT A CHILD CROSSING THE ROAD OR SCHOOL PARKING LOT, THEY REFUSED TO PERFORM AN ELCTRICAL DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON THE CAR. I REPORTED THIS INFORMATION TO THE BERNARDSVILLE NEW JERSEY POLICE DEPARTMENT, IN CASE SOMEONE WHO GETS LIGHTS REPLACED BY VW OF BERNARDSVILLE GETS INTO AN ACCIDENT OR HURT. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT A CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO KNOWNINGLY INSTALL "FAULTY" EQUIPMENT, IT IS A CIVIL OFFENSE AND SHOULD BE REPORTED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.*AK

THE BRAKE BOOSTER ON MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STARTED ACTING UP IN FREEZING WEATHER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I LOST ALL POWER ASSIST FOR THE BRAKES AND BRAKING PERFORMANCE WAS SEVERELY DEGRADED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THIS ALSO LED, FOR REASONS UNKNOWN TO ME, TO THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKING UP, IMMOBILIZING THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS EVENTUALLY FIXED BY THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER UNIT UNDER WARRANTY. I THINK THERE IS A CLASS PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM IN AT LEAST 2002 PASSATS AND NO EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE BY VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA (VOA) TO COMMUNICATE THIS TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. I LEARNED FROM THE DEALER THAT THEY HAD EXPERIENCED MANY SIMILAR INSTANCES WITH THE BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM ON PASSATS. IF NOT A FORMAL RECALL, AT LEAST SOME COMMUNICATION TO OWNERS FROM VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE FORCED AS THIS IS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE TALKED TO VOA CUSTOMER SERVICE BY PHONE AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY DO NOT ISSUE VOLUNTARY RECALLS. THIS IS DONE, ACCORDING TO THE VOA REP, ONLY WHEN ORDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT. IF TRUE, THIS SEEMS A SAD COMMENTARY. SO I AM WORKING THIS ISSUE THROUGH NHTSA ASD MY ONLY RECOURSE. *AK

DT: CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES, BUT CONTINUE TO BLOW OUT. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS INSTALLED WERE NOT A QUALITY LINE HEADLIGHTS.*AK

BURNING OF HEAT WARMING WIRE IN DRIVER'S SEAT. *AK

I AM LEASING A 2002 V.W. PASSAT. THE VEHICLE HAS APROXIMATELY 33,000 MILES AND IS EQUIPPED WITH THE 1.8 LITER TURBO. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED BY THE WORD STOP ON THE DASHBOARD. I PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE CLOSEST V.W. DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM AND ADVISED ME IT WOULD COST $900 TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNLESS I COULD SHOW PROOF OF OIL CHANGES THROUGH RECEIPTS. I SUPPLIED THE DEALER WITH 6 OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS FROM A SMALL GARAGE NEAR MY HOUSE WHERE I GET THE OIL CHANGED. I CALLED THE DEALER BACK A FEW DAYS LATER AND ASKED THE STATUS OF MY CAR. THE G.M. OF THE SHOP ACCUSED ME OF FORGERY DUE TO THE FACT THE RECEIPTS DID NOT HAVE TAX OR METHOD OF PAYMENT AT THE BOTTOM. I REPLIED THAT THE SHOP CHARGES ME $30.00 TO CHANGE THE OIL, I GIVE THEM $30.00, AND I LEAVE. HE THEN STATED IF I PAID CASH FOR THE OIL CHANGES, I GUESS I COULDN'T GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANTED(PROOF OF PAYMENT I.E. CHECK STUB, CREDIT CARD STATEMENT'S). HE ESTIMATED THE REPAIR AT $900 AND THAT THE WARRENTY WOULD NOT COVER ANY OF IT. SO BECAUSE I PAY CASH FOR MY OIL CHANGES I AM BEING DENIED REPAIR UNDER WARRENTY. THE REPAIR CONSISTS OF CLEARING OUT THE OIL PUMP PICK UP SCREEN OF THE SLUDGE AND REPLACING A COUPLE OF VENT TUBES THAT MAY BE CLOGGED. THE CAR IS PRESENTLY SITTING AT THE DEALER IN NEED OF REPAIR. I PLAN ON GREIVING THE DECISION BY V.W OF AMER.AND HOPE FOR THE BEST.*AK

SIGNIFICANT ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH MY 2002 VW PASSAT 1.8T WAGON - RANGING FROM: COMMON OIL SLUDGE ISSUE AT 51000- ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW (TWICE) (~5K & 52K) -THE COIL RECALL ISSUE. *AK -VACUUM HOSE FAILURE (~40K) -CV JOINT FAILURE (53K) -RADIO KNOB FALLS OFF - STEM SPLIT (~45K) -FUEL DOOR SNAPS IN TWO IN 156 DEGREE WEATHER (~35K) VW HAS FAILED TO STAND BY THE OIL SLUDGE ISSUE DUE TO A LACK OF PROOF OF OIL CHANGES - I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM - MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, REGARDLESS OF TIMELY OIL CHANGES OR NOT.

TIRE JACK ROTATED ON SOLID LEVEL GROUND AND KICKED OUT RESULTING IN THE CAR COLLAPSING ON THE SPARE WHICH WAS NOT YET ATTACHED. THE RESULTING IMPACT RESULTED IN NEEDING TO REPLACE THE FRONT BUMPER COVER, RIGHT FRONT FENDER, AND RIGHT ROCKER PLATE. THE FENDER WAS TORN FROM THE CAR. APPROXIMATE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS $1500. AT THE POINT OF THE COLLAPSE, THE OWNERS HAND WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE TIRE RESULTING IN A PINCH INJURY THAT CAUSED BRUSING AND SWELLING, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE EMERGENCY CARE. I STILL HAVE POSSESSION OF THE FAULTY JACK. VWOA WAS CONTACTED, BUT SAID BECAUSE THE 2002 VW PASSAT JACK HAD NOT BEEN RECALLED, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGE. THEY HAVE RECEIVED OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME TYPE OF JACK FAILURE.*AK

PASSENGER ORIGINAL LOW BEAM LIGHT FAILED. BROUGHT INTO DEALER AND PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE A MELTED WIRING HARNESS. I OBSERVED THE HARNESS BEHIND THE BULB AND IT WAS MELTED. DEALER REPLACED THE HARNESS. THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL BULB AND HAD NEVER BEEN SERVICED. TAKING WITH THE DEALER HE SAID THEY HAD REPLACED SEVERAL IN THE PAST WEEK IN PASSATS AND I HAD TO WAIT A WEEK UNTIL THEY GOT A NEW SHIPMENT IN. MY CONCERN HERE IS THAT A MELTED WIRE HARNESS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AND COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.*AK

VEHICLE SERVICED BY FINDLAY VW ON SAT 10/16/2004- 30,000 MILE SERVICE. 3 DAYS LATER THE BRAKE FAULT WARNING SOUNDED. I THOUGHT PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THE SLICK ROAD CONDITIONS. ON SAT 10/23/2004 IT SOUNDED AGAIN. AT THIS POINT, I DID NOT DRIVE MY CAR UNTIL BRINGING TO DEALERSHIP ON MON 10/25/2004. I REVIEWED MANUAL AND HAD SURMISED THAT POSSIBLY NOT ENOUGH BRAKE FLUID HAD BEEN PUT IN. I WAS INFORMED THAT AT ONLY 30, 600 MILES, CAR NEEDED REAR BRAKES AND ROTOR-DOWN TO 2%. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT VW SHIPS CARS WITH MINIMAL AMOUNT THICKNESS ROTOR AND ANY WEAR AT ALL REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. THIS IS MY 3RD CONSECUTIVE VW, I NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. 30,000+ MILES SHOULD NOT WARRENT REAR BRAKES / ROTORS, EVEN IN TOUGH CITY CONDITIONS. I DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY SQUEAKING OR RUBBING NOR DID BRAKES REQUIRE ADDED PRESSURE TO ADEQUATELY SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS NECESSARY WORK OR IF TRUE OF ROTOR SHIP CONDITIONS IS UNFAIR. AT THIS POINT, I WILL NOT PURCHASE A 4TH VW. *AK

2002 PASSAT VOLKSWAGEN SLUDGE IN ENGINE. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD TO HAVE ENGINE REPAIR WORK DONE TWICE ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE REQUIRED SPECIAL OIL. *JB

FOLLOWING HEAVY RAINS ON 29 SEPT 2004 VEHICLE WINDOWS/LOCKS WERE INOPERABLE. FUSE BLOWN. REPLACED FUSE, HORN WOULD NOT STOP AND WINDOWS STILL INOPERABLE. UNABLE TO TURN OFF VEHICLE LIGHTS. NEW FUSE BLOWN. TOWED PASSAT VIA VW ROADSIDE TO DEALER. TOLD FRI 1 OCT 2004 THAT THERE WAS STANDING WATER IN CAR AND COMFORT MODULE WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT. DUE TO WATER, THE CARPET & MODULE WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. EST 1500.00 IN PARTS PRE-LABOR. AS THE WINDOWS WERE NOT OPERABLE, WE DO NOT KNOW HOW THIS WATER DAMAGE OCCURRED. VW CLAIMS TO DUE DEBRIS IN SUNROOF, DRAINS CLOGGED AND FLOODED FLOOR. UNACCEPTABLE AS CAR WAS DETAILED 2.5 WKS PRIOR AND IS WASHED EVERY WEEK. ASKED TO SEE DEBRIS, THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ANYTHING. WE FEEL THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE WINDOW SURROUND TRIM THAT CONTINUALLY CAME LOOSE/FELL OFF OR PRIOR CONCEALED DAMAGE (CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE). NOTE THAT SEATS/HEADLINER WERE COMPLETELY DRY. WE DID NOT NOTICE WET CARPETS AS ONLY THE REAR WAS WET. CAR SMELLED AWFUL @ VW ON FRIDAY 1 OCT AS IT IS TURNING INTO A MOLD PIT. FILED GEICO INSURANCE CLAIM-WAITING ON ADJUSTER. *AK

MANUFACTURER'S FASTENED CAR MAT ENDS EXACTLY WHERE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MEETS THE FLOOR WHEN FULLY DEPRESSED AND CAUGHT THE PEDAL. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE.*AK

TOTAL ENGINE MALFUNCTION/FAILURE OF 1.8T VOLKSWAGON 2002 PASSAT - VOLKSWAGON JUST ISSUED INTERNAL MEMO TO DEALERS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT IS DESCRIBED BY VW AS "OIL SLUDGE RELATED REPAIRS" HOWEVER; IS A KNOWN ENGINE DESIGN FLAW AND REPEATED PROBLEM WHICH WILL OCCUR MUCH MORE IN THE FUTURE. I WAS TOLD I WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE I CANNOT PROVE BY RECEIPT OIL CHANGES EVERY 5000 MILE INTERVAL. I HAD 6 RECEIPTS I COULD FIND TO SHOW FOR 41000 MILES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM ONCE, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

MY 2002 PASSAT WAGON HAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE REAR RUNNING LIGHTS NOT COMING ON WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED ON. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER TWO TIMES BY LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I FEAR THAT I WILL BE KILLED OR A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY WILL BE KILLED IN A REAR END COLLISION AT NIGHT.(AK

WHILE DRIVING AUTOMOBILE ACCELERATED TO 7000RPM AND TO 50 MPH FROM 35 MPH. FOOT WAS NOT ON ACCELERATOR. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PLACED THE AUTO INTO PARK. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE ENGINE AGAIN RACED TO 7000 RPM WIITHOUT HAVING ME PLACE MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.*AK

OWNER STARTED UP ENGINE OF VOLKSWAGEN, RAN BACK INSIDE HOUSE TO GET WALLET. CAME BACK 2-3 MINUTES LATER AND SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES FROM CENTER OF DASHBOARD AREA. CALLED 911 AND RAN BACK INSIDE TO SHUT WINDOWS BECAUSE SMOKE WAS COMING INTO THE HOUSE. RADIO HAD NOT BEEN WORKING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FIRE INCIDENT. WITHIN ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE FIRE INCIDENT, THE DIGITAL READOUT IN THE CLIMATE CONTROL PANEL FLASHED AND LOOKED SCRAMBLED. VEHICLE BURNED THROUGHOUT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, SCORCHING TO UNDERSIDE OF FRONT FLOOR AND TRANSAXLE NEAR EXHAUST SYSTEM. *NM

ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO DEFECT IN TURBO/OIL PUMP; VW DEALER STATED DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (NOT ENOUGH OIL CHANGES); VW USA SAID DUE TO DEFECTIVE OIL PUMP, BUT STILL WON'T COVER UNDER WARRANTY; ENGINE REPLACED; CAUSE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE TURBO. *AK

2002 PASSAT HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, CAR STILL UNDER WARRANTY, DEALER REFUSES TO HONOR WARRANTY, CANNOT KEEP ENGINE LIGHT OFF FOR MORE THAN 2 MONTHS CAR FLOODS AND SPITS RAW GAS OUT EXHAUST, SPITS AND STALLS, CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED TO DEALER OVER 20 TIMES WITHIN 10 MONTHS, 3 RADIOS REPLACED 2 MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS, 1 MAIN COMPUTER, CAR WOULD NOT PASS EMISSIONS TEMPORARY TAG HAD TO BE ISSUED, CAR HAS LESS THAN 37000 MILES ON IT AND HAS GONE THROUGH ABOUT 10 SETS OF PLUGS, CANNOT SETTLE WITH CONSUMER SERVICE OR DEALERSHIP, DEALER REFUSES TO REFUND $80 SERVICE CHARGE WHEN CAR WAS IMPROPERLY SERVICED, LAWSUIT TO FOLLOW. *AK

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED AND IMPLODED FOR NO EXPLAINABLE REASON. DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE WINDOW AS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE SERVICE DEALER SAID HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE AND THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS. *AK

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4 MOTION. PURCHASED TO USE IN SOMETIMES SNOWY UPSTATE NEW YORK. WHEELS RIMS FILL WITH ICE AND MUD AND THROW TIRE BALANCE OFF. THIS CAUSES EXCESSIVE VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY FOR TWO WINTERS. BOTH VW DEALER AND INDEPENDENT TIRE SHOP CONFIRM A DESIGN FLAW IN THE WHEEL/RIM ALLLOW FOR THE BUILDUP. THE TIRES HAVE TO BE TAKEN OFF AND THE BUILDUP REMOVED. VOLKSWAGON CUSTOMER SUPPORT CONTACTED FOR TWO YEARS BUT NO ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM OR WILL DO ANYTHING.*AK

FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL HIT A POTHOLE WHILE TURNING RIGHT, WHICH FLATTENED THE TIRE. ALL DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS AS WELL AS SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SENSORS APPEARED TO BE OVERLY SENSITIVE AS THERE WAS NO IMPENDING ROLL OVER OR COLLISION. *AK

IGNITION COILS FAILED TWO TIMES, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER AND CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUDDER. COILS WERE SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION (FOLLOWING THE COIL REPAIR) VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE- GOING FROM 80 TO 0 MPH IN THE MATTER OF SECONDS. I HAD ALREADY BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER AN HOUR. I LOST ALL POWER AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS BAD GAS (NOT POSSIBLY THE COIL). IN ADDITION, MY REAR DOOR QUIT CLOSING, HEADLIGHTS HAVE BURNT OUT, FILTERS HAVE GONE BAD CAUSING FRONT OF CAR TO BECOME FLOODED, VACUUM HOSE DEFECTIVE, REAR BRAKES WENT BAD, AND RADIO QUIT WORKING. PARTS WERE REPLACED EITHER UNDER THE WARRANTY OR OUT OF MY POCKET. VW REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 40000 MILES ON IT. *AK

MY 2002 VW PASSAT SUFFERED ANOTHER COILPACK FAILURE INCLUDING A LOSS OF POWER ON A BUSY CITY STREET. THE FAILED COILS HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED UNDER VW'S COILPACK RECALL. LOOKS LIKE THE NEW COILS DO NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK

I HAVE HAD EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR IN 2 YEARS VERSUS ACTUAL DRIVEN MILEAGE FOR MY MICHELIN ENERGY MXV4 +, 205/55HR16 TIRES. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO LIVE UP TO THE 50,,000 MILE WARRANTY. DRIVING THESE TIRES WITH ANY MOISTURE ON THE ROAD HAS CAUSED MANY NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS. THEY ARE DANGEROUS FOR THE CONSUMER TO HAVE ON THEIR CAR AND A GOVERNMENT INQUIRY SHOULD BE PERFORMED TO JUDGE WHETHER THEY ARE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. *JB

IN LATE JANUARY, THE HEATED SEAT ON MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT COVER. IT ALSO BURNED THROUGH MY PANTS AND GAVE ME A MINOR BURN. VOLKSWAGEN REPAIRED THE PROBLEM, BUT THE MECHANICS INFORMED ME THAT I WAS THE THIRD SUCH PROBLEM IN A 48 HOUR PERIOD. THE OTHER TWO CARS WERE JETTAS. ANOTHER MECHANIC SAID THAT THE HEATED SEATS RAN TOO HOT ON THE HIGHEST SETTING AND WEREN'T MEANT TO RUN ON SETTING 5 FOR TOO LONG. THE REPAIR DOCUMENTATION I RECEIVED FROM MY LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO FAULTY WIRING. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND OUT FROM VOLKSWAGEN WHAT STEPS THEY PLAN TO TAKE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND I AM CONCERNED THAT SOMEONE ELSE MAY SUFFER A FAR MORE SERIOUS ISSUE IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO VOLKSWAGEN, BUT THEY APPEAR UNCONCERNED. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL HAVE MORE LUCK THAN I HAVE.*AK