2003 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

WITHOUT WARNING, MY 2003 PASSAT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THANKFULLY THE POLICE WERE QUICK TO ARRIVE AND HELPED DIRECT TRAFFIC SO THAT I COULD BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE VW DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A PREMATURELY FAILED FUEL PUMP. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE, BUT THEY ARE DENYING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM OR DEFECT ACROSS THE BOARD. I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS OF OTHER VW PASSAT OWNERS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS FAILURE DEPENDING ON WHEN THE PUMP STOPS WORKING (THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS), AND I THINK VW SHOULD ADDRESS THIS. *JB

DT: 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SLIPPING OUT OF PARK AND IT WOULD A NOT GO INTO PARK. THE SHIFTER BROKE OFF WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TRYING TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THIS STARTED ON OCTOBER 4, 2005. THE DEALERSHIP WAS WILLING TO FIX IT, BUT, A VOLKSWAGEN REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED VOLKSWAGEN, AND THEY WERE GOING GOING TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER 2003 PASSAT BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE DIED. *TS THE DEALER DID A PRESSURE TEST AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. *NM

VIBRATION FROM STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING AND UNEVEN STOPPING. DEALER FOUND WARPED FRONT ROTORS. I FOUND THIS PROBLEM RATHER UNUSUAL AS WE DRIVE THE CAR TO AND FROM THE STATION DAILY AND WE ONLY HAVE 29,000 MILES. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE PADS AND BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. VW REFUSED TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY. I FEEL THE CAR IS NOT SAFE DUE TO THESE CONSTANT BRAKE PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD OTHER BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, THE DEALER HAS REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND THEN REAR PADS AND ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V017000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,980.

I WAS INVOLVED IN A AUTOMOBILE CRASH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN MY CAR AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. I WAS TRAVELING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT AND THE OTHER DRIVER RECEIVED A CITATION AND WAS AT FAULT. I WAS DRIVING A 2003 VW PASSAT. THE CAR HAD EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE MOSTLY TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE CAR WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL INSURANCE LOSS BY THE OTHER DRIVES INSURANCE COMPANY. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT. SINCE THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS EXTENSIVE BOTH AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES BECAUSE OF THE CRASH, BUT IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED MY INJURIES MAY HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. *NM

A/C DOESN'T ALWAYS COME ONE WENT THE ENGINE IS STARTED. IT BLOWS BUT NOT COOL AIR. I CAN PULL BACK OFF THE HIGHWAY, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART AND IT WORKS FINE. I HAVE HAD IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP REPEATEDLY. THE HAVE SEEN THE PROBLEM BUT CAN'T SEEM TO RESOLVE IT.*JB

ON A COOL NIGHT ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I TURNED ON THE HEATING ELEMENT IN MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 1.8T (DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT). AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS I FELT A SHARP BURNING SENSATION IN MY LEFT THIGH, AND SMELLED A BURNING SMELL. I STOPPED THE CAR, SHUT OFF THE SEAT HEATER, AND WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I NOTICED A SMALL BURNED HOLE IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BASE. THE HEATING ELEMENT BURNED THROUGH, DAMAGING THE SEAT (AND BURNING MY THIGH). THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY VW BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT! I AM MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED (INCLUDING A FULL SEAT REPLACEMENT TO FIX THE DAMAGED !). *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER WANTED THE RECEIPTS FROM THE OIL CHANGES. THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER SAID THAT WAS THE CONSUMERS PROBLEM, AND IT WAS THE CONSUMER THAT COULD NOT PRODUCE THE RECEIPTS, THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR IT. THE OWNER DID NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD BE VOID IF THEY DID NOT HAVE THE RECEIPTS SHOWING THAT THE OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 5,000 MILES. *AK *NM

HAVE OWNED CAR ABOUT 10 MONTHS. BOUGHT WITH WARRANTY INTACT FROM A DEALER. WAS DRIVING, GOING ALONG AT 50 MPH WHEN CAR BEGAN DRAMATICALLY SLOWING DOWN. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER ENGINE SPEED, AND WAS FORCED TO SHIFT DOWN TO AVOID STALLING. CAR EVENTUALLY DIED AND WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART IT, IT WOULD ATTEMPT TO TURN OVER BUT WOULD THEN QUIT SUDDENLY AGAIN AFTER JUST A FEW SECONDS. I ENDED UP BEING TOWED, AND DIDN'T HAVE CAR FOR WEEK PLUS. TURNED OUT TO BE AN FUEL PUMP. UNDER WARRANTY, THIS WAS FREE, BUT HAD WE BEEN JUST A FEW THOUSAND MILES MORE WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY 500 DOLLARS FOR THIS REPAIR. I BELIEVE IT IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A FUEL PUMP TO GO AT 48,000 MILES, AND I CAN SEE THAT ON THIS WEB SITE ALONE THIS IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE! THIS SAME THING HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR TOO BUT THAT TIME IT RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES. I FEEL VERY, VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT IN TRAFFIC AT EITHER TIME!*JB

WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HIS 2003 VW PASSAT THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING STALLED. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT, BUT 3 MILES DOWN THE ROAD IT DIED AGAIN. HE WAS TRAVELING DURING RUSH HOUR ON A BUSY FREEWAY. WE SUSPECT IT IS A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. WE HAVE READ OF SEVERAL OTHERS HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS MORE CARS OF THIS YEAR GAIN MORE MILEAGE. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 58,000 MILES ON IT. *JB

CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE TRAVELING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY DOING 70 MPH. TOWED TO VW DEALERSHIP AND FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. CAR HAD 59000 MILES ON IT. *JB

PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 8/4/03 8/8/05 - ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE DIAGNOSED W/ "ENGINE OIL SLUDGE" BY DEALERSHIP, WARRANTY ITEM. 8/11/05- SPOKE W/ DEALERSHIP TO CONFIRM SLUDGE ISSUE AND PRESENTED OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS,(VEHICLE PURCHASED W/ 19637 MILES) , DEALER DECLINED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY AND RECOMMENDED A ENGINE FLUSH & OIL CHANGE 8/12/05 - RETRIEVED VEHICLE AND HAD ENGINE FLUSHED & OIL CHANGED 8/13/05 - VEHICLE CUT OFF & REMAINS INOPERABLE 8/21/05 - VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RECEIVE DIAGNOSES 8/26/05 - VEHICLE DIAGNOSED W/ NO OIL PRESSURE OR COMPRESSION. CAUSE - (BAD OIL PUMP) TIMING BELT JUMPED R&R VALVE COVER AND LOCKED UP CAM #1 CYLINDER. NO SLUDGE WAS FOUND IN ENGINE, VALVE COVER, OIL PAN OR ENGINE BLOCK. ENGINE WAS FREE OF SLUDGE AND WOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL (DOCUMENTED BY AUTO REPAIRMAN) 8/26/05 - TOWED VEHICLE TO ANOTHER (ENGINE REPAIR SPECIALIST) REPAIR SHOP. 9/22/05 - DIAGNOSES RESULT "NO" ENGINE OIL SLUDGE FOUND. (ENGINE WAS TOTALLY DISASSEMBLED AND EXAMINED IN EVERY DETAIL) SLUDGE WOULD BE EXPECTED IF POOR MAINTENANCE WAS THE ISSUE. A SIMPLE OIL FLUSH WOULD NOT HAVE REMOVED ENGINE OIL SLUDGE (DOCUMENTED BY SERVICE CENTER) 9/23/05 - CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER CARE TO REPORT MY FINDINGS. NO RESOLUTION OBTAINED TO DATE. I WAS TOLD TO OBTAIN ANOTHER ENGINE ANALYSIS. 9/26/05 - CONTACTED VW AGAIN TO INFORM THEM THAT ANOTHER ANALYSIS IS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE THE ENGINE IS DISASSEMBLED. 10/7/05 - TOWED THE VEHICLE BACK TO MY HOME. VEHICLE PRESENTLY GARAGED AND INOPERABLE. * SINCE THEN, I'VE READ MANY ACCOUNTS OF THIS "SAME" ISSUE HAPPENING TO VW PASSAT OWNERS. VW HAS ADMITTED TO ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 4 CYLINDER TURBO ENGINES BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP ISSUE AND VW SHOULD BE MADE TO REPAIR AND REIMBURSE CONSUMERS FOR THESE COSTLY REPAIRS. I'VE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN MY ATTEMPT TO UNCOVER THE "REAL" PROBLEM WHICH IS A FAULTY ENGINE AND/OR OIL PUMP. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE ON THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO AN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. TWO MONTHS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BROKEN DOWN TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. THE ENGINE FAILED IN AUGUST 2005 WITH ONE YEAR/12000 MILE WARRANTY. A MONTH AFTER REPLACEMENT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO CORRECTLY DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND THE ENGINE WAS CHECKED IN MARCH 2006. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE BROKEN DOWN IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND SINCE THE MILEAGE EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE CONTACT CONTACT THE DEALER, WHO INDICATED THE SAME THING AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS TOSSED BACK AND FORTH WITH NO ONE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY OR ACTION. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT VEHICLES, AND THAT VOLKSWAGEN WAS RANKED AMONG THE WORSE CAR COMPANIES FOR RESOLVING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS. THEREFORE, THE CONTACT SOUGHT NHTSA ASSISTANCE. *AK

DT: CONSUMER OWNED VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2003. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY GO FORWARD WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REACH SEAT CONTROLS, BUT LATER SHE FOUND THAT THEY WOULD NOT WORK ANYWAY. THE SEAT MOTORS WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE LAST TIME WAS LESS THAN SIX MONTHS AGO. ON JULY 29, 2005 CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE SEAT PUSHED CONSUMER INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE. THEN VEHICLE STRUCK SOMETHING ON THE SIDE OF VEHICLE AND CAME TO A STOP. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MANUALLY MOVE SEAT BACKWARDS. CONSUMER STATED THAT MANUFACTURER KNEW ABOUT PROBLEM. CONSUMER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES, AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO WALK WITH CANE BECAUSE OF NECK INJURY. SUFFERED PAIN IN HEAD AND SHOULDERS.*AK

THE REAR WINDOW GLASS FELL INSIDE THE DOOR WHILE TRAVELING AT 80 MPH, CAUSING MY FAMILY TO GET EXTREMELY ALARMED. I TRIED TO PUT IT BACK UP VIA THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH ON THE DOOR BUT IT WAS INCORPORATIVE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO VOLKSWAGEN, THEY SAID A PIN HOLDING THE WINDOW UP BROKE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS I HAD AN INFANT NEXT TO THE WINDOW AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. BECAUSE OF THE INFANT'S LOCATION, MY WIFE'S PURSE STRAP HIT HIM IN THE FACE CAUSING MIRROR INJURY. *NM

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT ENGINE TURNED OFF. THE FUEL PUMP HAD STOPPED FUNCTIONING, SO THE ENGINE WAS NO LONGER RECEIVING FUEL. MY CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS OLD WITH 60,000 MILES. I HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS OTHER 2003 PASSAT OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THIS IS A $700 SERVICE JOB. FROM TALKING TO OTHER 2003 PASSAT OWNERS, THIS SEEMS LIKE IT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM THAT VW SHOULD OFFER TO FIX. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THE CAR JUST STOPS WORKING WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING, THERE IS NO WARNING IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN OR NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT IT. *JB

I PURCHASE A NEW 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FROM BURLINGTON VOLKSWAGEN 2 YEARS AGO AND HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 7 TIMES SINCE THEN FOR A MYRIAD OF PROBLEMS, FROM AIRBAG LIGHTS COMING ON TO CHECK ENGINGE LIGHT TO THE LATEST OF THE CAR SHUTTING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

1) MOTORISTS ALERT THAT REAR BRAKLE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. IF THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK, THHIS CAN CAUSE FATAL ACCIDENTS. THE REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.

BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED TWICE. *NM

NO WARNING BEFORE FUEL PUMP FAILURE AT 37,000 MILES. MY WIFE WAS STRANDED AND HAD TO GET A TOW. THE PART WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE TOWING COST IS SUPPOSED TO BE REIMBURSED BY VW. I HAVE NO COMPLAINT AGAINST THE DEALER BUT A FUEL PUMP FAILURE AT 37,000 MILES IS UNACCEPTABLE. *JB

VW PASSAT MAINLY 2003 EXPERIENCE FUEL PUMP FAILURE WITHOUT ANY WARNING . THE CAR BECOMES UNMANAGEABLE, SHUTS DOWN AND STOPS. THIS COULD BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IN THE HIGHER DENSITY TRAFFIC RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGES AND INJURIES.

DT: 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS THAT CAME ON BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, AND IT STARTED UP IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY HAD IT FOR 77 DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONTACT TWICE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED A COIL PACK, SPARK PLUGS, AND FOUR BRAKE LIGHT BULBS. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS READY, HE PICKED IT UP AND DROVE 3 MILES AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. HE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY CONTACTED TECHNICAL SUPPORT, WHO TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK FOR THE ELECTRICAL GROUNDS. THE DEALERSHIP THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE ON A TEST DRIVE AND IT STALLED AGAIN. THE FACTORY SERVICE ENGINEERS SAID TO PUT EVERY ELECTRICAL WIRE ON THE CAR THROUGH AN OHM TEST. ALL OF THE WIRES CHECKED OUT, AND NO OUT OF TOLERANCE RATINGS WERE FOUND. THEY TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK THE IGNITION KEY ADAPTATION, AND THE SECURITY SYSTEM FOR PROPER FUNCTION. NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. THEY FOUND NOTHING DEFINITIVE AT THAT POINT. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS THAT WAS REPLACED AUGUST 8, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PICKED UP ON AUGUST 10, 2005. THE CONTACT WENT ON VACATION, AND 175 MILES LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN ON THE INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP; THEY FOUND 20 FAULT CODES IN THE ENGINE COMPUTER. THEY REPLACED THE VACUUM PUMP ON AUGUST 25, 2005. THEY ROAD TESTED IT AND IT STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS TRYING TO GET VOLKSWAGEN TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY ARE STILL WORKING ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOW GOING TO REPLACE CYLINDER HEADS. *AK IT WAS FINALLY DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY WAS THE PROBLEM AND THE REASON WHY THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM THE FIRST SEVEN TIMES WAS BECAUSE THEY WERE RELYING ON THE COMPUTER TO DISPLAY CODES. UPDATED 01/11/06.*JB

I OWN A 2003 PASSAT 4-MOTION. I PURCHASED IT FROM THE DEALER IN JULY OF 2005 WHEN IT HAD 42,000 MILES ON IT. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY I NOTICED TWO THINGS ABOUT THE CAR: FIRST, IT SOMETIMES HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND THEN WHEN IT DOES FINALLY TAKE OFF, IT "LEAPS" FORWARD. SECOND, WHEN SHIFTING DOWN SOMETIMES, IT DOES NOT DO SO NORMALLY BUT WILL ACTUALLY JERK THE CAR BADLY AND MAKE A "CLUNKY" SOUND, LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN YOU DON'T COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN TRY AND ACCELERATE AGAIN, LIKE STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS JUST A "CHARACTERISTIC" OF THE CAR AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. OVERALL I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE CAR. *TR

CAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE. *TR

HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS LEMON. * 500 MILES CRUISE CONTROL FAILS, HAS TO BE REPLACED. * 16,000 MILES IGNITION COIL FAILS, REPLACED COIL AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. * 28,000 MILES FAN IN DASH DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. PARTS ORDERED, NEVER INSTALLED. * 40,000 MILES OIL PUMP AND OIL HOSES ARE REPLACED DUE TO OIL PRESSURE FAILURES. CAR BROKE DOWN ON ROAD. * 44,159 MILES OIL PRESSURE SWITCH REPLACED DUE TO OIL PRESSURE FAILURES. * 46,000 MILES FUEL PUMP FAILURE, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR BROKE DOWN ON ROAD. VOLKSWAGEN HAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND "OIL SLUDGE". VW REFUSES TO FIX MY CAR UNDER WARRANTY. LAST WORD WAS "WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY WARRANY CLAIM, REGARDLESS OF DOCUMENTATION OF OIL CHANGES." I'VE TALKED TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND IT'S A #1 PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS COMMING IN FOR RUINED ENGINES AND OIL SLUDGE. VW IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR FIXING THE PROBLEMS IN MOST CASES. I'VE GOT ALL DOCUMENTATION, ORIGINAL PAPERWORK WHEN PURCHASED, ETC. *JB

1. VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER, EMISSIONS LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH, THEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. 2. FAILURE OF IGNITION COILS (3) 3. 3 COILS BEING REPLACED AT VW DEALERSHIP

I WAS DRIVING MY PASSAT WITH 1.8 T ENGINE AND THE ENGINE FAILED. VOLKSWAGEN "ADVOCATES" WERE COMPLETELY UNHELPFUL THIS OCCURRED IN SUMMER OF 2005. VOLKSWAGEN AWARE OF PROBLEM AND LEFT CONSUMER TO PAY FOR 9000 DOLLAR REPAIR. IN THE LAST YEAR MY CAR HAS BEEN IN AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. COMPANY AWARE OF PROBLEM AND UNWILLING TO HELP. *NM

CONCERNS REGARDING ENGINE FAILURE ON THE PASSAT STATION WAGON.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED AND DID NOT RESTART. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE INFORMED OF THE NUMBER OF THESE FAILURES THAT HAVE OCCURRED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. *SC *JB

PASSAT STATION WAGON ENGINE STOPPED AND FAILED TO RESTART.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED FUEL PUMP. *JB *SC

AT 35005 MILES I WAS TOLD BY VW THAT I NEEDED REAR BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS SO I HAD THEM INSTALLED AT 35005 MILES. LAST WEEK WITH THE CAR AT 52275 MILE I WAS AGAIN TOLD BY VW THAT MY REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. I FIND THAT 17270 MILES IS VERY QUICK WEAR FOR BRAKES. VW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY 18,000 MILES AND IF THEY DUE THEN THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM.

I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGON PASSOT 1.8 TURBO AND I HAVE HAD IT AT THE VOLKSWAGON DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS AND IT IS STILL THERE.THE LIGHT IN THE CAR SAYING STOP OIL PRESSURE LOW KEPT COMING ON SO WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP NOW FOR THE SECOND TIME.AND THEY WERE THE LAST ONES TO CHANGE THE OIL. THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SAY I NEED A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE OF OIL SLUDGE ON THE ENGINE.I HAVE PROVIDED THEM WITH ALL THE RECIEPTS STATING THE CAR WAS PROPERLY MAINTAINED. AND THEY ARE STILL REFUSING TO COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO OTHER RECOURSE. I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PUT OUT THE EXPENSE FOR SOMETHING THAT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. PLEASE HELP.

I TURNED ON MY SEAT HEATER ONE MORNING, I SMELLED SMOKE AND THE LEATHER SEAT WAS SMOKING. THE SEAT HEATER MALFUNTIONED AND ALMOST BURNT ME AS WELL. I PULLED OVER AND IT BURNT A HOLE COMPLETELY THROUGH MY LEATHER SEAT!!!

FRONT HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED - REPLACED THEM BUT THEY COULDN'T MAKE THE ALIGNMENT OF THE BEAM. THE CAR RUNS TO THE RIGHT BUT THE WHEELS ARE CALIBRATED AND THE DIRECTION ALIGNMENT IS DONE. THE CAR INFILTRATED WATER INSIDE THE CAR AND TRUNK. SUNROOF MALFUNCTION - OPENS IN ALL POSITIONS BUT DON'T CLOSE. THE CAR AS THE FRONT GLASS IS FROM 2005 AND ALL THE OTHERS ARE FROM 2002, CONSTRUCTION OF THE CAR 2003. DIESEL ESCAPED FROM THE PUMP. CD CHANGER - 6 CDS AS MALFUNCTION THE RADIO DOESN'T EJECT THE CD'S. THE MOTOR GAG VARIOUS TIMES A CONSTANT ROTATION. THE TRUNK WAS HARD TO OPEN AND CLOSE. THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS.... THE COMPLAINTS BEGIN 15 DAYS FROM THE PURCHASE. *JB

HEADLIGHTS FAILS PROPER FUNCTION. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED. SEAT BELTS AND SUN ROOF DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. ENGINE REPLACED; STEERING WHEELS - CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT EVERYTIME AN ALIGNMENT WAS DONE AND THEY CALIBRATED THE WHEELS. - PROBLEM CONTINUED - THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THE TIRES TO BE DESTROYED IN A FEW KMS - LESS 20 000; WATER INFILTRATION - FOR NOW IT IS FIXED; TRUNK WAS HARD TO OPEN AND CLOSE - PROBLEM FIXED. FRONT DOORS VIBRATED - THE RUBBER OF THE DOORS ARE BEING EXHIBITING SIGNS OF DAMAGE; THE FRONT GLASS ( WINDSCREEN ) ISN'T FROM THE SAME YEAR OF ALL THE OTHERS. *JB

WHILE CRUISING ON A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE JUST DIED; NO LIGHTS COME ON, NO DRIVAILITY PROBLEM OR NOISE BEFORE THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE FUEL TANK WAS ABOUT HALF-FULL. THE DEALER WORK ORDER INDICATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED.*AK

I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. IN THE TWO YEARS I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR I HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP 5-6 TIMES DUE TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK IT KEPT MOVING FORWARD. I HAD TO PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. LUCKILY, I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, AND WAS GOING VERY SLOW. AGAIN, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR NOT TOO LONG AFTER. MY CAR DISPLAY READ STOP ENGINE, AND THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. ANOTHER PROBLEM INVOLVED THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ON, DRAINING THE BATTERY, TWICE HAD TO HAVE A VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. YESTERDAY, OIL LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE DISPLAY AGAIN READ STOP ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AGAIN. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT UNLESS I HAVE A COMPLETE RECORD OF MY OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. I HAVE READ LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT IS GOING ON!!! I AM FIGHTING WITH THE DEALERSHIP, AND VOLKSWAGEN CORPORATION TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM! HELP!!!*AK

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 VW PASSAT DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN DALLAS MORNING RUSH HOUR. I TURNED MY HEATED SEAT ON AND I WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD BY AN EXTREME HEAT ON MY BACKSIDE/LEG. I DID NOT KNOW IF THE SEAT WAS ON FIRE OR WHAT. THE SEAT HAD MELTED LEATHER AND LEFT A SUPERFICIAL BURN ON MY REAR END. THE SEAT WILL SPARK AND SMOKE IF THE HEATER IS TURNED ON. I WANT OUT OF THIS LEASE!!! THE CAR IS NOT SAFE AND UPON RESEARCH THIS IS HAPPENING A LOT.

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH EXCESSIVE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. BOTH THE ROTORS AND THE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME AT 9,000 MILES, AND NOW AT 17,000 MILES. THE PROBLEMS WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE AND MAKE A ROARING NOISE WHEN BRAKING. CONSUMER ANTICIPATES THE PROBLEM MAY RECUR AGAIN.*AK

DRIVERS SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHIN 30 SECONDS OF STARTING VEHICLE, LEFT CIGARETTE SIZE BURN HOLE IN SEAT, DRIVERS PANTS, AND LEFT BURN MARK ON DRIVERS BUTTOCKS. *NM

BOUGHT NEW A VW PASSAT, GLX,V6 IN MAY 2003. IT HAS 18500 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD THREE SETS OF REAR ROTORS REPLACED BECAUSE THEY HAVE WARPED. THE LAST SET WERE REPLACED IN MARCH 2005, AND I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM TODAY, AND HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AGAIN. THE ROTORS WARP BADLEY, THE CAR, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SHUDDERS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND DOES NOT STOP ADEQUATELY. *NM

DRIVING MY 2003 VW PASSAT I HAD THE SEAT WARMER ON. I SIMULTANEOUSLY SMELLED BURNING AND FELT BURNING IN MY BUTT. I TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER IMMEDIATELY. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY WIFE AND 7 YEAR OLD SON. WE WERE NEAR AN EXIT AND EXITED THE HIGHWAY. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE EXIT RAMP AND DISCOVERED THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT HAD BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT. THE HOLE WAS A BIT SMALLER THAN A DIME. THE SMELL WAS PUNGENT BUT CLEARED OUT WHEN WE OPENED THE WINDOW.*AK

MY WIFE AND I HAD MADE 2 SHORT DRIVES WITHIN THE SPAN OF ABOUT 1/2 HOUR WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER SET AT VARIOUS INTERVALS FROM 5 (HIGH) TO 3 (MEDIUM) AND THEN WE STOPPED TO EAT (~45 MINUTES). ON THE TRIP HOME, WITHIN 2 MINUTES WITH THE SEAT HEATER SET TO 5, MY WIFE FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON HER LEG AND WE SMELLED SOME KIND OF ODD ODOR. SHE SHUT THE SEAT HEATER OFF AND MOVED OFF THE HOT SPOT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CLOTH SEAT HAD BEEN BURNED THROUGH. MY WIFE ALSO HAD A BURN ON HER LEG. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT VW HAS CHANGED MANUFACTURERS AND WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE SEAT AS THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. I ASKED ABOUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUT BECAUSE THERE IS NOT AN OFFICIAL RECALL, THEY CANNOT REPLACE IT. I'M SURE A DRIVER'S SEAT GOING AMOK COULD CAUSE A CRASH. CONSEQUENTLY, EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS AN EXTRA CHARGE ITEM ON THE CAR, WE'LL BE AFRAID TO USE THE SEAT WARMER FOR FEAR IT TOO WILL OVERHEAT AND BURN US. NOTE: NOT SURE IF "WAS THERE A FIRE" SHOULD BE YES. THERE WAS NO FLAME BUT THERE SURE WAS A BURN.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. ON MARCH 05, 2005 AT 32,000 MILES, THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND A FAULTY ENGINE SPEED SENSOR AND FUEL PUMP. THE PARTS WERE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. IN FEBRUARY OF 2007, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY DISCOVERED A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AT 90,000 MILES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. CURRENTLY, THE ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT RECALL NUMBER 06V017000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP) DOES NOT APPLY TO THE VIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

2003 VOLKSWAGEN GLS PASSAT WITH SEVERAL PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP, CAM SHAFT SENSOR AND MORE. *KB THE VEHICLE STALLED ON 2 OCCASIONS DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER SOON DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FRONT CV BOOT AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A TRANSMISSION LEAK. THE DRIVERS HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTIONED. *JB

SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED, BURNING SEAT COVER AND DRIVER'S LEG.*AK

2003 VW PASSAT 1.8T WAGON HAS FAILED DUE TO SLUDGE. I DO NOT HAVE ALL OF THE SERVICE RECORDS FOR THE CAR AND WARRANTY COVERAGE IS DENIED TO THE TUNE OF $10,217.00. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, AND FEEL THAT THE DEFECT IS WITH THE ENGINE, NOT WITH MY TREATMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE WITH NO NOISE WHEN THE "OIL PRESSURE! STOP!" LIGHT CAME ON, AND RAN FINE WHEN I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, ONLY NOW THEY TELL ME THE ENGINE IS 'LOCKED UP' AND WIL HAVE TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE OIL PUMP, THE TURBO UNIT, ETC ETC. SINCE THE CAR WAS ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE LIGHT POPPED ON, AND PRESUMABLY COULD HAVE 'LOCKED UP' AT 70 MPH, THIS IS, INDEED, A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE AND FELT A TINGLING FEELING ON HER BACK. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMALL HOLES AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT SENT THE RECEIPT FOR HER DAMAGED FUR COAT AND BLUE JEANS TO THE MANUFACTURER, BUT SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY REIMBURSEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,949.

WHILE DRIVING WITH THE SEAT HEATER TURNED ON, NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BECAME VERY HOT, AND IT STARTING FEELING LIKE IT WAS BURNING MY LEGS. SMELLED SMOKE, AND REALIZED THE SEAT WAS BURNING; THE SEAT HEATER HAD BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE FABRIC OF THE SEAT UNDER MY LEGS AND WAS FILLING THE CAR WITH SMOKE. I MANAGED TO TURN THE SEAT HEATER OFF, WHICH STOPPED THE SEAT FROM FURTHER BURNING. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE SEAT REPLACED.

THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD. DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS STILL NOT RESOLVED AT THIS TIME. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED REPEATEDLY, AND WAS REPLACED. BUT, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK