2003 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RADIO WAS MALFUNCTIONING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEREO FAILED DUE TO UNKNOWN CAUSES, AND THE ENTIRE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE IT EXCEEDED ITS WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

WHILE BACKING UP OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE CAR LURCHED INTO REVERSE AND THEN WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR CAUSING DRASTICALLY SLOW SPEEDS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. ANY SPEED ABOVE 15 MPH WOULD REDLINE THE TAC AND THE ENGINE. THE VW DEALERSHIP DETERMINED IT WAS A BAD COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

DASHBOARD SERVICE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, CAR BUCKED AND RAN ON REDUCED POWER ONLY. TOWED THE UNIT TO PATRICK MOTORS VW IN AUBURN MA. DX WAS IGNITION COILS AND PLUGS NEEDED. COST ME $365.00 TO REPAIR. I ARGUED THAT THE PAYMENT WAS ON THEM BASED ON THE FEB. 2003 VW SERVICE CAMPAIGN WHICH DICTATED THAT MY MODEL WAS INVOLVED IN DEFECTIVE COIL INSTALLATION AT THE FACTORY. I EVEN CALLED THE VW TOLL-FREE CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR'S VIN FAILED TO MATCH THE DEFECTIVE GROUP. OBVIOUSLY I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT WOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM THE DEFECTIVE GROUP WHEN THE COIL COMPONENTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT 62000 MILES. I WOULD EXPECT SUCH A REPAIR AT 100,000 MILES. THIS UNIT IS A 1.8T 2003 VW PASSAT. *JB

MY VEHICLE, A 2003 VW PASSAT IS NOT CURRENTLY INCLUDED IN YOUR CAMPAIGN 07V063000. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED (AND CHARGED TO HAVE IT REPLACED) TWICE OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. I EXPERIENCED ALL OF THE CONSEQUENCES IDENTIFIED IN YOUR SUMMARY DESCRIPTION. MOST FREQUENTLY THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON WHILE DRIVING, AS WELL AS WOULD REMAIN ON ONCE PARKED IN MY GARAGE. HOW DO I GET THE PASSAT'S INCLUDED? *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN RECALL NUMBER 07V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE CONTACT PAID TO HAVE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED AND FEELS THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 02/08/08. *LJ

BATTERY GOING DEAD WITHOUT TIME OR REASON; DOORS WOULD LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WITH NO ONE AROUND; TRUNK WOULD UNLOCK AND WOULD NOT SHUT WITHOUT KEY INTERVENTION; LIGHT ON DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK WOULD FLASH INCESSANTLY WITH NO ONE NEAR. CAR WENT OVER FOUR YEARS WITH NO INCIDENT AND SUDDENLY STARTED ACTING "STRANGE." NO CHANGES OR WORK DONE ON ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SINCE NEW WHEN THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. DEALER HAS BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE BUT UNSUCCESSFUL IN FINDING SOURCE, KEEPING CAR AS LONG AS THREE WEEKS (WITH A "LOANER") AND NOT CHARGING EXCEPT FOR A SMALL FIRST TIME INSPECTION. SIX RETURNS TO DEALERSHIP WITH SOME RELIEF; ONLY THE BATTERY GOES DEAD WITH IRREGULARITY. WE HAVE A 2000 PASSAT THAT SITS NEARBY AND HAS NEVER EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM. NUMBER OF FAILURES IS ONE, BUT ALL RELATED . . SIX TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP AND RELIEF ON ALL BUT THE BATTERY GOING DEAD. WE ARE 80 AND FEAR THAT WE WILL BE CAUGHT OUT AND HAVE SERIOUS PROBLEMS. ALL DATES ARE APPROX. *JB

I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE FROM VOLKSWAGEN IN 2/07'. WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE LAUNDRY LIST, STARTING WITH THE BRAKES, INCLUDES A LEAK IN THE TRUNK, ENTIRE BRAKE REPLACEMENT WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR, SEVERAL RECALLS, BATTERY REPLACEMENT, CRACKED VALVE COVER, PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE COOLANT TEMP SENSOR, FAULTY IGNITION COILS CAUSING SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS AS A RESULT OF THE VEHICLE 'SHAKING' WHILE ON & POTENTIAL TO STALL AT ANY GIVEN TIME, A RECENT MASSIVE WATER LEAK INSIDE INTERIOR OF VEHICLE CAUSING INTERIOR WATER DAMAGE AS WELL AS A BUILD UP OF MILDEW AND POSSIBLY MOLD AS WELL AS NOW CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO FOG UP CONSTANTLY DUE TO MOISTURE UNDER FLOOR MATS, PROBLEMS WITH LEFT BLINKER, TROUBLE STARTING, SEVERAL CURRENT ENGINE LEAKS TO THE EXTENT OF A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS, AUTOMATIC WINDOW PROBLEMS, WORN CV BOOTS CURRENTLY MAKING A CLICKING NOISE; THIS BEING THE MAJOR THINGS THAT HAVE OCCURRED TO DATE. IN GOOD FAITH, AFTER A VERY SCARY RIDE THIS LAST JANUARY, I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA IN AN ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY THEM OF THE SITUATION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT BECAUSE I WAS OUT OF A WARRANTY THAT I WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD (DURING TIME OF SALE) I DID NOT HAVE ANYWAY. IN ADDITION, HOWEVER, IT WAS STATED TO ME LATER BY THEIR REPRESENTATIVE THAT NONE OF THE ITEMS WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED ANYWAY. I AM A SINGLE MOM IN NO FINANCIAL POSITION TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY OR EVEN PAY FOR THE COST THIS VEHICLE HAS INCURRED AND WHILE THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION I HAVE NO OTHER OPTION THEN TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT. WITH THAT SAID HOWEVER I STRONGLY FEEL THAT GIVEN THE CURRENT CONDITION OF THIS VEHICLE AND THE POTENTIAL OF ANYONE OF THESE ITEMS TO FAIL THIS VEHICLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND GIVEN THAT I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ONLY 3 YEARS AGO THIS IS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS FOR IT TO HAVE. I STRONGLY FEEL AT THIS TIME THAT VW SOLD ME A LEMON. *TR

BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OUT. *JB

I BROUGHT MY 2003 PASSAT GLX SEDAN INTO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE CAR WAS JERKY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. CAR HAS 41,214 MILES ON IT, 90% HIGHWAY. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH PADS. DEALER INFORMED THAT PASSAT ROTORS COULD NOT BE TURNED IN LIEU OF REPLACEMENT. FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS I VIEW, IT APPEARS THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE ROTORS. *JB

FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 75K MILES. MY VIN IS WITHIN THE RECALL RANGE FOR 06V017000 BUT I WAS REFUSED RECALL SERVICE AS VW CLAIMS MY VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED. I CONTACTED VW WHEN THE RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED AND WAS INFORMED OF THIS FACT. THE VW DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BUT INFORMED ME AGAIN THAT THE REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED. AS A FUEL PUMP SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN 75K MILES, I FEEL THAT MY VEHICLE WAS MISIDENTIFIED AND SHOULD BE COVERED. *JB

2003 VW PASSAT WITH FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF THE RENTAL VEHICLE, WHILE HIS VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. *KB IN THE BEGINNING, VOLKSWAGEN TOLD THE CONSUMER HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. AFTER THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS, VOLKSWAGEN EXTENDED THE RECALL WHICH INCLUDED THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX, FUEL PUMP FAILED ON 02/23/07. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT A SPEED OF 45 MPH ON CLEAR DAY IN THE CENTER LANE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESSWAY AND COULDN'T GE THE VEHICLE TO START BACK UP. HE AND OTHER WITNESS HELP PUSH VEHICLE UP THE HILL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HIM THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO HAVE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL FOR THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL WITH CAMPAIGN# 06V017000 FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CHECKED WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE VIN DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THE SERVICE MANAGER DID INFORM HIM THAT THEY WILL COVER THE COST OF THE PARTS, BUT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF LABOR $200.00, AND A DIAGNOSTIC COST OF ABOUT $150.00. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THE FUEL PUMP THAT WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE.

AUTO: 2003 VW PASSAT. PROBLEM: LIFTGATE HINGES REQUIRED HIGH EFFORT TO OPEN OR CLOSE - LID FELT LIKE 100 LBS BREAKS AFTER CLOSING. *AK

THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN FEB 2003. TWO IGNITION COILS REPLACED. I AWAIT THE BILL FOR THE REMAINING 2 COILS THAT WILL LIKELY GO BAD. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THAT THIS HAD BEEN RECALLED ON THE 2001-2002 MODELS. I AM PERPLEXED BY THIS INFORMATION BEING I SEE NO RECALLS ON IGNITION COILS, BUT I DO SEE A HOST OF COMPLAINTS. *JB

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER BURNED HOLE THROUGH SEAT COVER. BURN THROUGH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN PERSONAL BURN, HOWEVER, I STOPPED PRIOR TO ANY INJURY. DEALER IS CONSIDERING REPLACEMENT OF ALL DAMAGED PARTS. *NM

A PROBLEM WITH THE MALFUNCTION OF THE COILS ON THE 03 ENGINES OF VW GL TURBO. THE PROBLEM CAUSES THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE, MAKING ACCELERATIONS DIFFICULT AND CONTINUATION OF THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE DANGEROUS. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND THEN WAS CHARGED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT AT THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE COILS, EVEN THOUGH THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN PREVALENT IN THESE ENGINES. *NM

WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY GARAGE THIS MORNING, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I EXITED MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED MY FRONT HEATED SEAT BURNED THROUGH THE FABRIC AND CAUGHT FIRE (SMALL FLAME). I HAD TO PUT IT OUT WITH MY HAND. AFTERWARDS, I NOTICED THE SEAT SPARKING. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN FOR REVIEW BY THE SERVICE MANAGER. IT WAS ON THE 2ND SETTING AND ALSO BURNED ON MY JACKET. *JB

TL*- WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE SEAT WARMER ON, IN A 2003 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT, IT BURNED A HOLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT. THE CONTACT HAD A SLIGHT BURN ON HER COAT AND HAD TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF COMPLETELY AND KEPT THE SEAT WARMER ON ZERO IN ORDER FOR THE SEAT NOT TO CONTINUE TO BURN. THE CONTACT CURRENTLY HAS VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 60543 MILES.

ON THE 22 JANUARY I PICKED MY CAR UP FROM THE VW DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD IT REPAIRED. I HAD TOLD THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, BELTS, SPARK PLUGS, BRAKES AND ROTORS AND THE 95,000 MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR. THIS COST ME WELL OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS, I SUPPLIED BRAKES AND ROTORS AND SPARK PLUGS. THE CAR RAN OKAY BUT I BEGAN TO SMELL OIL BURNING AND WHENEVER I UNLOCKED MY CAR TO GET IN IT WOULD LOCK AUTOMATIC AND THEN WHEN I STARTED IT THE ALARM WOULD GO OFF. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE OIL SMELL AND THEY HAD ME BRING IT BACK IN TO LOOK AT. AT THAT TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK AND THEY WOULD CLEAN IT AND TIGHTEN THE BOLTS, THIS WAS ON FRIDAY JANUARY 26TH. ON MONDAY JANUARY 29TH I WAS TRAVELING AND WHEN I PULLED ON TO THE 4 LANE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATED THE ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH ON AND OFF, SO I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR DIED. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT BUT IT RAN VERY ROUGH. THE STATE HIGHWAY PATROL CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. THE NEXT DAY THEY INFORMED ME THAT AN IGNITION MODULE HAD GONE OUT AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME 30 SOME DOLLARS A PIECE TO REPLACE THEM AND THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING THEM ALL. WHEN I ASK THEM ABOUT THE RECALL THEY TOLD ME THAT VOLKSWAGEN WAS INTO THE K'S ON THESE AND MY WAS BEFORE THAT. I HAD ASK THEM ABOUT THIS WHEN I RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER FROM VWOFA, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD CHECK IT. I'M NOT SURE WHETHER THEY DID OR NOT. *NM

MY 2003 VW PASSAT GL SEDAN SPUTTERED, STALLED AND SUBSEQUENTLY CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AROUND 6:30 PM, JAN 26TH, 2007, IN HOLMDEL NJ, POLICE REPORT # 07-1914 HOLMDEL POLICE DEPT. THE CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED WELL BY A LOCAL VW DEALER SINCE PURCHASE AND THERE HAS BEEN NO MODIFICATIONS MADE, NOR ANY SIGNS OF TROUBLE PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE FIRE WAS VERY EXTENSIVE AND PUT OUT BY HOLMDEL NJ FIRE DEPT AND THE CAR IS TOTALED. THE SYMPTOM JUST PRIOR TO STALLING IS CONSISTENT WITH IGNITION COIL FAILURE WHICH WAS RECALLED BY VW UNTIL 2002 MODEL YEAR, I.E., ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS, SPUTTERING, SMOKES UNDER HOOD AND THOUGH EXHAUST AND FINAL STALL. THE ENGINE STALL NEARLY CAUSED COLLISION DUE TO THE LOSS OF STEERING BOOST AND THE FIRE WAS RAPID AND LARGE. THUS, I FEAR A LESS FORTUNATE COMBINATION OF CIRCUMSTANCE MAY LEAD TO INJURY OR WORSE TO OTHER PASSENGERS OF CARS WITH VW/AUDI 1.8T ENGINES SUCH AS PASSAT, ZETA, A4, GOLF, ETC.. *NM

REGARDING RECALL 07V063000. I OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THAT HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON ALL DAY. I HAD NO IDEA THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I PARKED THE CAR, AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON ALL NIGHT AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL, STAYING VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. I HAD TO PAY THE REPAIR COSTS OUT OF POCKET AND VOLKSWAGEN CORPORATE REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME. *AK

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS HAVING A BAD FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED THE PART. THE REPAIR SHOP ADVISED THE CONTACT THERE WAS A RECENT RECALL ON FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK UPDATED 2/22/2007- *NM

CAR QUITS SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING; WON'T RE-START. WAS TOWED TO DEALER; REPLACED FUEL PUMP. *JB

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER SHORTED OUT AND BURNED A HOLE IN SEAT COVER. SEAT WAS DRY AND TEMPETURE SET AT LOW. *NM

MY 2003 VW PASSAT 4-DOOR SEDAN HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING AND EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY AND I NOTICED THIS TIME THAT THE EMERGENCY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING EARLIER IN THE DAY - THIS IS ALSO ANOTHER ISSUE THAT ALSO COMES ON/OFF FOR NO REASON. I'VE REPORTED THE WARNING LIGHT A COUPLE OF TIMES AS WELL TO THE VW SERVICE AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHY THAT HAPPENS EITHER. THE WARNING LIGHT WILL AT LEAST SHUT OFF WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, UNLIKE MY BRAKE LIGHTS. SINCE TODAY IS SATURDAY, LEAVING MY BRAKE LIGHTS ON UNTIL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REOPENS ON A MONDAY IS PROBABLY GOING TO RUN MY BATTERY DEAD. WITH THAT CONCERN IN MIND, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE HOTLINE, 800-822-8987, TO SEE IF THEY HAD ANY REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS I CAN LOOK INTO AND THE OPERATOR SAID SHE WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY DOCUMENTATION. SHE ADVISED THAT VW ROADSIDE CAN COME TOW MY VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP (THAT WON'T REOPEN UNTIL MONDAY) OR THEY CAN COME TO JUMP-START MY CAR (WHICH CAN TAKE UP TO 45-60 MIN. AFTER DISPATCH). THIS SEEMS A TERRIBLY LONG TIME TO WAIT & A HUGE INCONVENIENCE ESP. SINCE IT ALSO TOOK 30 MIN. JUST TO REACH THE LIVE OPERATOR IN THE FIRST PLACE. I LOVE DRIVING MY PASSAT; I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW DIRECT FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN 2003. CAR SAFETY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME WHICH IS WHY I'M ADAMANT ABOUT FOLLOWING SERVICE GUIDELINES AND BRING MY CAR IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE & OIL CHANGES. I ONLY BRING IT INTO A VW DEALERSHIP SERVICE, NEVER A LOCAL GARAGE MECHANIC. CAN NHTSA PLEASE LOOK INTO BOTH ISSUES: 1. SPORADIC CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 2. BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINING ON WHILE DRIVING AND AFTER THE CAR IS SHUT OFF. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS BOTH ARE MAJOR CAUSES FOR SAFETY CONCERN, IN ADDITION TO FURTHER EXPENSIVE REPAIRS WHICH MAY BE DEFECTS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD COVER INSTEAD. THANKS. *NM

AT 40K MILES THE LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, AT DEALERSHIP THE TECHNICIAN "COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONCERN." AT 42K MILES THE CAR STOPPED WORKING WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. ONCE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE TECH TRIED TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. AGAIN, IN THE INVOICE WAS NOTED THAT HE REMOVED THE OIL CAP AND NOTED "A LOT OF BURNED OIL ON UNDER-SIDE OF CAP AND ON OIL DEFLECTOR TRAY." YET, THAT WAS NOT PURSUED AS THE TECHNICIAN NOTES ON THE FOLLOWING LINE THAT "CHECKED FURTHER AND FOUND NO FUEL DELIVERY." OIL CHANGE WAS ALSO DONE ON THE CAR W/ A NEW OIL FILTER AND CAR WAS RETURNED. AT 50K MILES LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON. STATED IN INVOICE THAT "DID NOT PERFORM DIAGNOSTIC." TECHNICIAN NOTES IN INVOICE, BASED ON A VISUAL INSPECTION THROUGH OIL CAP YET, THERE APPEARS TO BE OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP. NO DIAGNOSTICS WERE RAN AND NO MENTION OF OIL SLUDGE BEING A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 1.8L TURBO ENGINE IN THE 2003 PASSAT. AT 52K MILES, THE LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT YET AGAIN CAME ON, THIS TIME CAR WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT SHOP. THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS ON OIL PUMP, BASED ON LOW PRESSURE RESULTS, PUMP WAS REPLACED. 16K MILES LATER, LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, OIL PUMP IDENTIFIED AS PROBLEM AND REPLACED UNDER PART WARRANTY AT NO COST. ANOTHER 16K MILES LATER, THIS OIL PUMP ALSO FAILED. GARAGE REMOVED VALVE COVER REVEALING EXTENSIVE AMOUNTS OF BURNT OIL CARBON DEPOSITS THAT AS PER THEIR MECHANICS ARE ONLY POSSIBLE FROM A PETROLEUM BASED OIL. I SEEKED A SECOND OPINION ON THE ENGINE AND SECOND GARAGE CONFIRMED THAT DAMAGE SEEN WAS ONLY POSSIBLE FROM THE USE OF A PETROLEUM BASED OIL. VOLKSWAGEN CHANGED THEIR ENGINE OIL SPECIFICATIONS IN AUGUST OF 2004. WHEN I RECEIVED MY CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2002 AND ALL OIL CHANGES PERFORMED ON THE CAR BY THE VW DEALERSHIP UNTIL AUGUST OF 2004 WERE DONE SO WITH PETROLEUM BASED OIL. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS CREATED FROM NOVEMBER 2002-AUGUST 2004, ALTHOUGH I WAS NOT AWARE OF IT UNTIL 1/5/2007. *NM

WAS USING THE HEATED DRIVERS SEAT AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN COLD WEATHER. THE SEAT BEGAN TO OVERHEAT, CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNED A HOLE IN MY PANTS, AND BURNED THROUGH THE PADDING AND SEAT FABRIC IN MY 2003 VW PASSAT. I QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE SEAT AND PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND PUT OUT THE SMOLDERING SEAT. THE SEAT, PADDING, HEATING ELEMENTS, AND MY PANTS ARE COMPLETELY RUINED. *JB

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L FUEL PUMP DIED WITHOUT WARNING DURING RUSH HOUR IN A VERY BUSY PART OF TOWN. IT CAUSED A HUGE TRAFFIC JAM, AND I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE BY AAA. I HAD MY MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT AND HER VERIFIED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD DIED. THE CAR HAS ONLY 55K MILES ON IT, WHICH IS VERY PREMATURE FOR A FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THIS IS A RECALL ITEM ON 2003 PASSATS BUILT UP UNTIL 3/03. MY CAR WAS BUILT ON 4/03 AND VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO COVER THE REPAIR, NOR FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE MY CAR IS OVER THE WARRANTY MILEAGE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, AN OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE OIL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND FAILED DUE TO MAINTENANCE NEGLIGENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE TO WORK, FRONT UNDERBODY COVER BECAME DETACHED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND I WAS WITHIN 5 MILES OF A REPAIR SHOP. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A BURNING SMELL WAS NOTICED AND THE DRIVER SEAT WAS HOT. THE CONTACT NOTICED TWO HOLES WERE BURNED IN THE SEAT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, NONE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 04V096000, WHICH PERTAINS TO THE BRAKE LIGHTS SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE MODEL OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 12/18/2006 - THE NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS INSTALLED ON 11/28/2006. *NM

MY DRIVER SEAT STARTED ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE HAD A CAN OF SODA ON HAND TO POUR ON IT BECAUSE THE FLAMES WERE COMING FROM DEEP INSIDE THE INTERIOR OF THE FOAM PADDING INSIDE THE SEAT. I WAS NOT INJURED, BUT BASED ON THE SIZE OF THE FLAMES, COULD HAVE EASILY LOST MY ENTIRE CAR IF I HAD NOT BEEN ON A SLOW ROAD (ABLE TO STOP QUICKLY) AND DOUSE IT WITH SOMETHING WET. I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WARMER WAS ON SO IMMEDIATELY SHUT IT OFF. SEVERAL DAYS LATER I TURNED THE WARMER BACK ON TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN - WITHIN 60 SECONDS SMOKE AND SPARKS WERE VISIBLE FROM THE HOLE CAUSED BY THE ORIGINAL FIRE. THERE WERE REAL FLAMES AND MY CAR WAS FULL OF SMOKE. HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO PUT THEM OUT QUICKLY AND HAD MY CHILDREN STRAPPED INTO THEIR CAR SEATS AT THE TIME THIS COMPLAINT WOULD PROBABLY BE A DEATH NOTICE. *JB

1) OUR 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T IS LEAKING WATER INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAB. 2) THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE PASSAT AS WELL AS OTHER VOLKSWAGENS AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. 3) REPAIR WILL REQUIRE MODIFICATION OF DRAIN SYSTEMS AROUND THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF WATER INTO SENSITIVE SPACES. *NM

AS I DROVE HOME FROM WORK, THE VEHICLE'S TEMPERATURE GAUGE SUDDENLY SHOT INTO THE RED AND WARNINGS FLASHED ON THE DASH TO STOP THE CAR IMMEDIATELY. I PULLED OVER AT THE FIRST HIGHWAY EXIT AND PARKED AT A VOLKSWAGEN REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANICS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BROKEN WATER PUMP IMPELLAR, ESSENTIALLY A SMALL FAN-LIKE DEVICE THAT KEEPS COOLANT MOVING THROUGH THE ENGINE. THE MECHANICS EXPLAINED THAT THIS MODEL VW USED A PLASTIC IMPELLAR INSTEAD OF THE METAL ONES COMMONLY USED IN MOST CARS. APPARENTLY, VW HAS RECOGNIZED THAT THIS PLASTIC PART IS FAILURE PRONE, AND NOW MAKES ALUMINUM REPLACEMENT IMPELLARS. BUT THE MECHANICS SAID I WASN'T ENTITLED TO ANY RECALL OR WARRANTY. THE REPAIR COST ME $879, PLUS THE COSTS OF RENTING A REPLACEMENT CAR. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED *JB

I'VE SPENT OVER $8000 TOWARDS VW DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTS AT FIXING THE HORN, RADIO, HOMELINK, CLIMATE CONTROL (A/C AND HEAT) REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, HEATED SEATS, DASHBOARD PANEL LIGHTS, AND DEFROSTER FLAP. VW REPLACED ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT MODULE, BUT ONLY FIXED THE HORN. VW STATED THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE EVEN AFTER I PAID FOR THEM TO FIX THE ABOVE PROBLEMS AND THEY ARE STILL UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS. I REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FROM VOLKSWAGEN FOR THE REPAIR ATTEMPTS AND RELATED EXPENSES. CURRENT VEHICLE MILEAGE: 127,000. *TR

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT V6 (HEATED SEATS)- HEATING ELEMENT BURNED HOLE IN LEATHER SEATS WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE! HAD TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AS THE SEAT BECAME VERY HOT AND STARTED TO SCORCH MY PANTS. DESPITE A NUMBER OF RECALLS (AND COMPLAINTS FILED BY OTHERS- MANY LISTED ON THE NHTSA SITE) FOR BOTH PASSATS AND JETTAS, VOLKSWAGEN OF NORTH AMERICA REFUSES TO PICK UP THE COST OF THE $1100. REPAIR (OR ANY OF THE COST FOR THAT MATTER) BECAUSE THEY INSIST MY VIN IS OUTSIDE OF THE RANGE OF VEHICLES AFFECTED AND MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THERE IS CLEARLY A SAFETY PROBLEM HERE AND VW KNOWS IT. THEY SAY A DIFFERENT HEATING ELEMENT WAS USED IN MY CAR SO IT ISN'T PART OF THE RECALL. WHO CARES WHICH ELEMENT WAS USED? IT STILL RESULTED IN THE SAME PROBLEM- A BURNED SEAT. *JB

2003 VW PASSAT DRIVER LEATHER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE OPERATING CAR. IT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT & SCORCHED/DAMAGED MY COAT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ONLY DRIVING A FEW BLOCKS & HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. I CONTACTED VW CONSUMER RELATIONS & WAS SHOCKED AT THE RESPONSE. IT SEEMED ROUTINE TO THE MANAGER. THEY "MAY GIVE ME THE REPLACEMENT VALUE OF MY COAT IF IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED". I WAS TOLD THAT A CAR WOULD BE GIVEN TO ME TO DRIVE AT NO CHARGE WHILE MINE IS BEING REPAIRED. I EXPLAINED THAT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION UNDER ME AND I WAS TOLD THAT A TOW WOULD BE PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE. I WILL HOLD VW RESPONSIBLE THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT SEATS & WARMER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, THE COSTS OF A RENTAL OR LOANER CAR WHILE MINE IS IN REPAIR, THE COST TO REPLACE ANY DAMAGED CLOTHING, & ANY OTHER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INCIDENT YET TO BE DETERMINED. IT IS VERY UPSETTING TO ME TO THINK THAT I WAS SITTING ON A FIRE WHILE OPERATING MY CAR. WHAT IF MY COAT CAUGHT ON FIRE??? I DRIVE A VERY BUSY INTERSTATE TO & FROM WORK. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ON MY LUNCH BREAK DRIVING A VERY SHORT DISTANCE & NOT DRIVING HOME. *JB

2003 VW PASSAT W8 OVERHEATED AFTER BEING SERVICED FOR TEMP SENSOR. ENGINE SEEMED TO BLOW HEAD GASKET. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO DEALER WHERE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED. VEHICLE STILL THERE AND DAMAGE MAYBE WORSE. *NM

OWNER WAS DRIVING VOLKSWAGEN WHEN IT STARTED TO HESITATE AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE BURNED MOST SEVERELY IN CENTER REAR AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE COMPARTMENT.

RADIO NOT FUNCTIONING, AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, AIRBAG MALFUNCTION RECOGNIZED, OPERATION UNIT IN STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONS, NO COMMUNICATIONS WITH BRAKE CONTROL UNIT, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAUSES DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LIGHT TO MALFUNCTION. HORN NOT FUNCTIONING NEARLY CAUSED 2 ACCIDENTS WITHIN A MONTH. I DROVE OVER AN ISLAND TO AVOID ONE COLLISION FROM THE OTHER NON-ATTENTIVE DRIVER AND ENDED UP SCRAPING THE TRANSMISSION PAN. COST OF REPLACEMENT: $550. AFTER THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS AND DIAGNOSTICS, VW DEALERSHIPS STILL UNABLE TO FIX ANY OF THE ABOVE! *TR

AIRBAG FAULT - BAD MODULE - AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT - 2003 VW PASSAT. *JB

DRIVER'S SIDE CAR SEAT STARTED SMOLDERING THEN FLAMES APPEARED. TURNED OFF CAR SEAT HEATER AND EXTINGUISHED WITH WATER. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT HAS HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, HOWEVER, SEVERAL FAILURES CONTINUE TO RECUR. THE FAILURES INCLUDE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS, CRUISE CONTROL, HEATED SEATS, THE REGULATOR PIN IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW, THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT, AND THE HEAD LIGHTS. THE FAILURES WERE NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 109,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER 15 MINUTES WITH THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER ON, THE SEAT BEGAN TO SMOKE AND THEN SMOLDERED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND WAS TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC.

I HAD JUST BEGAN LEAVING A SUPERMARKET PARKING LOT WHEN I FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON MY LEFT UPPER THIGH. I REACHED DOWN TO DETERMINE WHY AND THEN SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. LOOKING DOWN, I SAW A BURN HOLE IN THE DRIVER SEAT, LEFT SIDE, TOWARD THE BACK OF THE SEAT. IT LOOKED LIKE A CIGARETTE BURN. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF, WHICH WAS ON 3, PULLED OVER AND EXTINGUISHED THE SMOLDERING WITH MY HAND. THE DEALERS INITIAL RESPONSE WAS THAT MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THEY WOULD SEE IF IT COULD STILL BE COVERED AT NO CHARGE. I'M WAITING ON A RESPONSE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RELATIVELY COMMON FAILURE BASED ON THE COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED AND IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, WHITE STEAM ERUPTED FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD, AND DETERMINED THE COOLANT WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, WHO DETERMINED THE HEATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT'S HEATER ELEMENT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND CAUGHT THE CONTACTS CLOTHES ON FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE LEGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. UPDATED 12/01/06. *JB

THE HEATED DRIVERS LEATHER SEAT ELEMENT BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER AND BURNED A HOLE IN MY PANTS. I FELT THE BURN AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR, AND TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WAITING FOR THE WINDOWS TO DEFROST. THE CAR IS A 2003 VW PASSAT 1.8T. I CALLED A VW DEALER, AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN FOR INSPECTION. *NM

2003 VW PASSAT HEATED SEAT BURNT THROUGH THE LEATHER. I HAD BURNT SENSATIONS WHILE DRIVING AND SMELLED BURNING..VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. GOOD THING I WAS QUICK THINKING AND TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEAT IMMEDIATELY. *NM