2005 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 VW PASSAT STATION WAGON FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED. AS I WAS PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE ENGINE, AS WELL AS A BROWN BURN CIRCLE. I GOT MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND CALLED 911. WITHIN 2-3 MINUTES, THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIREMEN INFORMED ME THAT THEY BELIEVE IT STARTED WITH/NEAR THE BATTERY. IT WAS CONSIDERED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN ACTING UP, NOR HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEEN COMING ON IN RECENT WEEKS OR MONTHS. THE CAR IS A COMPLETE LOSS. THE VW PASSAT WAS ONLY 6 YRS OLD, WITH LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON IT. REGULAR TUNE-UPS AND MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE. IT WAS SHOCKING HOW QUICKLY IT WENT UP IN FLAMES. *TR

I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 VW PASSAT AND NEEDED TO HAVE TWO OF THE IGNITION COILS REPLACED. IN BOTH SITUATIONS, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. IN ADDITION TO LOSING POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTING FLASHING AND I NEEDED TO EXIT THE ROADWAY. I DISPOSED OF THAT VEHICLE AND PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2005 VW PASSAT 4 MOTION. I HAVE NOW HAD TO HAVE ONE OF THE IGNITION COILS REPLACED. AGAIN I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STARTED RUNNING VERY ROUGH. THIS TIME I WAS IN AN AREA WITH VERY LITTLE POPULATION AND A SEVERE SNOW STORM WITHOUT CELL SERVICE. *TR

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT PASSENGER VEHICLE MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 WITH 2.0L DIESEL TDI ENGINE. BALANCE SHAFT AND OIL PUMP ARE DRIVEN WITH A CHAIN MECHANISM WHICH HAS A HISTORY OF FAILURE WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES USAGE. THIS PROMPTED A DESIGN CHANGE AND A RECALL OF AFFECTED VEHICLES IN EUROPE. NO RECALL IN NORTH AMERICA. RECALLED VEHICLES IN OTHER AREAS OF THE WORLD WERE RETROFIT WITH A GEAR DRIVE MECHANISM THAT IS RELIABLE. FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING AND WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND RAPID ENGINE DAMAGE INCLUDING POSSIBLY ENGINE SEIZURE. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT WOULD BE A CLEAR SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

OIL PUMP FAILURE LEADING TO ENGINE FALUE. REQUIRING ENGINE REPLACEMENT.*TR

SMALL HOLE HAS BURNED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WHEN HEATED SEATS ACTIVATED. WHEN THE SEAT IS ACTIVATED, IT BURNS THROUGH TO MY SKIN, MAKING HEAT FEATURE NOT USABLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ARRIVING TO HIS RESIDENCE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE GRILL OF THE VEHICLE WAS MISSING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND SENT HIM A REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT INSTALLED A REPLACEMENT GRILL AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE GRILL FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE GRILL STAYING ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

VW PASSAT WAS INVOLVED ON HEAD-ON COLLISION (35MPH), WITH MOST OF THE DAMAGE OBSERVED ON DRIVER'S SIDE. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED BY THE SEATBELT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING AT A VERY LOW SPEED; SHE ALSO COULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE FRONT AND REAR AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,015 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 06/17/11*LJ UPDATED 06/21/11

I DROVE ON A COLD DAY TO A MEETING AND AS A RESULT I GOT A 2ND DEGREE BURN ON LEFT BUTTOCK AFTER LEAVING SEAT HEATER ON NUMBER FIVE FOR ONE HOUR AND TWENTY MINUTE DRIVE. I AM A PARTIAL PARAPLEGIC THUS, I WAS UNAWARE OF TEMPERATURE AND UNAWARE OF INCREASED TEMPERATURE. *TR

DRIVING MY 2005 VW PASSAT WAGON WITH 50K MILES. ENGINE DIED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING AND WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NO WARNING LIGHTS OF ANY KIND APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM WAS STATED AS FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP AND REPLACEMENT WOULD RUN $550.00. THIS ITEM WAS RECALLED ON PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS BUT NOT ON THE 2005 1.8T ENGINES. I FEEL THAT THIS ITEM SHOULD NOT FAIL ON A LOW MILEAGE ENGINE. DEALER NOTATED THAT NUMEROUS OTHER VEHICLES HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM FAILING FUEL PUMPS AS THE SUMMER HEAT SETS IN. *TR

THE CAR (VW PASSAT TDI 2005) BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. THE GAS PEDAL WOULD DEPRESS BENEATH MY FOOT (WITHOUT MY PUSHING IT) AND THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE WITHOUT STOPPING. WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE, SOMETIMES IT WOULD JERK OUT OF THE "ACCELERATING MODE" (AS IF I HAD PUSHED THE BRAKE IN CRUISE CONTROL), BUT THEN IT WOULD RESUME ITS ACCELERATION WITHIN 30-60 SECONDS. SOMETIMES WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE IT WOULD REV AGAINST THE BRAKE AND I WOULD HAVE TO SHIFT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN BRAKE TO GET IT TO SLOW DOWN AND KEEP IT FROM REVVING. THIS HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES IN THE PAST 1-2 WEEKS. I MADE SURE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF DURING EACH OF THESE EPISODES (SINCE THE CAR SEEMED LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO GO INTO CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED, BUT WITH NO MAXIMUM SPEED SET -- I.E., ACCELERATING INDEFINITELY). SOME THINGS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE RELATED: THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS ON FULL BLAST. EACH TIME IT HAPPENED, I HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY GOING ABOVE 60 MPH FOR AT LEAST 5-10 MILES. AT THE END OF THE LAST EPISODE, THE CAR WAS PRODUCING SMOKE FROM THE FRONT WHEEL WELLS (LIKELY BECAUSE OF BRAKING AGAINST THE ACCELERATION). THE DEALERSHIP IS EXAMINING THE CAR RIGHT NOW, SO I CAN'T REPORT WHAT REPAIR WAS DONE YET. (RIGHT AFTER THE LAST INCIDENT I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL VW SHOP, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM, SO I'M HAVING THE CAR BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW - 6/28/2010). *TR

AT 60,025 MILES AND TRAVELING AT 65MPH MY 2005 VW PASSAT LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO SPUTTER. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE I WAS TOLD THE IGNITION COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $500+. *TR

DASHBOARD SHOWS AIRBAG FAULT. GOOGLE SEARCH INDICATE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR VW PASSAT. YET, VW HAS NOT ISSUED ANY RECALL. *TR*TR

WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE HIGHWAY MY 2005 PASSAT (1.8T) SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO MOVE QUICKLY TO THE BREAK DOWN LANE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE CARS BEHIND ME. THE PASSAT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DISCOVER THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. SO THEN I PAID THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, SINCE THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THE 2005 MODEL (ONLY 2003).

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR OF THE HEADLIGHT LENSES BECAME FOGGY. AN UNKNOWN PRODUCT WAS PURCHASED TO PREVENT THE HEADLIGHTS FROM CLOUDING BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE OCCURRENCE WAS NORMAL BASED ON THE AGE OF THE LENS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT HE PREVIOUSLY OWNED AN OLDER MODEL VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT AND EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

I OWN A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS. THE FACTORY INSTALLED SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED THE OTHER DAY PRODUCING SMOKE, BURNING MY BUTTOCK (AND FINGER WHEN I REACHED DOWN) AND BURNING TWO PEA SIZED HOLES ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE LOCAL VW DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. I ALSO CALLED THE DISTRICT VW OFFICE AT 1-800-822-8987 AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY VW IS COVERING THE COST OF REPAIR ON SOME BUT NOT ALL VWS. I WAS TOLD THE 2005 PASSAT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY KIND OF EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE DISTRICT OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE AND PROMISED TO GET BACK TO ME BY DAY'S END TOMORROW. TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. OTHER THEN MINOR BURNS TO MY BUTTOCKS AND FINGERS, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE SEAT HEATER. THE HEAT AND SMOKE WENT RIGHT AWAY. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE SAFETY, THE VW DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED I NOT USE THE HEATERS UNTIL THEY ARE REPAIRED. I ASKED ABOUT DISABLING THEM VIA A FUSE OF SOMETHING BUT THEY SAID UNFORTUNATE THE FUSE CONTROLLED OTHER FUNCTIONS IN THE CAR. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE 2005 PASSAT GLS. I'M OKAY BUT OTHERS MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY. ALSO, I'M CONCERNED HOW THE VW DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED I JUST NOT USE IT AGAIN. WHAT IF SOMEONE ELSE USES THE CAR AND I FORGET TO TELL THEM? THE REPAIR BILL WAS ESTIMATED AT $900+ FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT ONLY. *TR

OIL SLUDGE, OIL PUMP FAILURE, ENGINE FAILURE, NOW MY 2005 VW PASSAT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE , THIS IS A VW MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE 4 CYLINDER 1.8 TURBO ENGINE BECAUSE THE TURBOCHARGER GETS TO HOT AND CAUSE THE EXPENSIVE SYNTHETIC OIL BREAKDOWN AND IT SITS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN UNTIL IT GETS SUCKED UP BY THE OIL PUMP AND THIS CAUSES YOUR ENGINE TO FAIL. *TR

EXCESSIVE AND INCREASED RATTLING NOISE NOTICED ON MY 2005 PASSAT TDI. EVALUATION REVEALED THAT THE CHAIN AND TENSIONER DRIVING THE BALANCE SHAFTS AND OIL PUMP WAS FAILING AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND VW HAS ISSUED A GEAR DRIVE TO REPLACE THE CHAIN, HOWEVER THERE IS NO RECALL OR TSB THEREFORE THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS THE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY. OVER $2000 TO REPAIR. *TR

NUMEROUS REPORTS OF VW BHW DIESEL ENGINE OIL BALANCE SHAFT / CHAIN FAILURE ARE REPORTED. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIR DESPITE THE FACT THAT VW HAS RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE AND CHANGED THE DESIGN. FAILURE OF THE BALANCE SHAFT / CHAIN RESULTS IN IMMEDIATE LACK OF POWER CREATING A POTENTIAL LIFE SAFETY HAZARD. VW OF CANADA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED RESPONSIBILITY IN SOME DOCUMENTED CASES. VW OF AMERICA SHOULD BE COMPELLED BY GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES TO RESOLVE THE MATTER ON BEHALF OF US CITIZENS. I AM HAVING THE REPAIR DONE PROACTIVELY TO PREVENT ANY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BUT VW SHOULD STEP UP AND REIMBURSE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE PAID FOR THE EXPENSIVE REPAIR ON OUR OWN. *TR

NUMEROUS REPORTS OF VW BHW DIESEL ENGINE OIL BALANCE SHAFT / CHAIN FAILURE ARE REPORTED. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIR DESPITE THE FACT THAT VW HAS RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE AND CHANGED THE DESIGN. FAILURE OF THE BALANCE SHAFT / CHAIN RESULTS IN IMMEDIATE LACK OF POWER CREATING A POTENTIAL LIFE SAFETY HAZARD. VW OF CANADA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED RESPONSIBILITY IN SOME DOCUMENTED CASES. VW OF AMERICA SHOULD BE COMPELLED BY GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES TO RESOLVE THE MATTER ON BEHALF OF US CITIZENS. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 VW PASSAT GLS WITH APPROX 135,000 MILES. I TOOK IT IN TO GET "WINTERIZED", OIL CHANGE AND CLEAR THE ENGINE LIGHT (WHATEVER THE MISFIRE WAS FOR), AND A FACTORY RECALL ON THE ENGINE COILS. GOT ALL THAT DONE (PLUS SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT SHOULD BE OK, IF IT COMES BACK ON...TO LET THEM KNOW ASAP. A DAY AND 1/2 LATER, THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON, AND THIS TIME, THERE WAS BARELY ANY HEAT ON IN THE CAR. TOOK IT BACK...THEY STATED THAT THE COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (AGAIN) AND THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK GOING INTO THE COILS & THE FUEL INJECTORS, AND THAT THE HEATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD THE COILS AND THE 2 "FAULTY" INJECTORS REPLACED. I GOT FRUSTRATED WITH THIS DEALER AND WENT TO ANOTHER VW DEAL, FOR THEIR EVALUATION. THEY SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW I COULD'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE HEATER CORE WAS BAD, WHEN THERE WAS SO MANY OTHER THINGS WRONG BEFORE THEY EVEN GOT TO THE HEATER CORE!! AND THEY GAVE ME 3 OPTIONS: EITHER PAY FOR EACH SERVICE SEPARATELY, GET A NEW/USED ENGINE OR SEE WHAT I CAN GET FOR THIS CAR AND TRADE IT IN (NOT HAPPY @ ALL). I CALLED VW OF A TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS OR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HEATER CORE, SINCE IT WAS CAUSING MORE DAMAGE THAT ORIGINALLY THOUGHT, BUT THEY NICELY "DOCUMENTED" IT AND SENT ME A LOYALTY VOUCHER IF I WERE TO GET ANOTHER VW. I AM PISSED. I KNOW I HAVE ALOT OF MILEAGE, BUT THIS IS MAJOR, MAJOR DAMAGE AND EXPENSES TO BE PUT OUT FOR THIS CAR!!! VW NEEDS TO GET IT TOGETHER. I LOVED MY PASSAT UNTIL THIS POINT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 2 YEARS OLD SON, AND OUT OF NO WHERE THE CAR STOP AND AS SOON AS STOP ONE OF THE MESSAGE FROM MY CAR WAS STOP COOLING ENGINE, THAT WAS THE FOUR TIME THAT LIGHT APPEARS ON MY CAR, I BEEN TALKING THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC FOR THAT PROBLEM BUT THEY TOLD ME IT IS A DEFECT I ALREADY SPENT MORE THAN $3,000.00 ON MY CAR AND IS NOT WORKING, MY CAR IS A WV PASSAT 2005. *TR

HELLO, I BOUGHT VW PASSAT WAGON GLS BRAND NEW FROM VW DEALER IN OHIO DURING JUNE,2005. THE CAR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP IS COMING ON THRICE SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW. I ALREADY MADE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DURING MY SERVICE VISIT. EVERY TIME THEY FIX IT AT A COST TO THE CUSTOMER.BUT I DO NO KNOW HOW SAFE TO DRIVE IN A HIGHWAY WITH THIS MIL COMES ON SUDDENLY.VW NEVER ADDRESS TO THIS UNTIL. YOUR ACTIONS ARE APPRECIATED. *TR THANKS, MOHAN RAJAMANI

SEAT HEATER REMAINED ON AFTER SWITCHED TO THE OFF POSITION. HEAT INCREASED TO UNCOMFORTABLE LEVEL, IN-DASH SWITCH BECAME TOO HOT TO TOUCH, AND SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC FILLED COCKPIT (NO SMOKE THOUGH). *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR STARTED CHUGGING AND DIED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND A NEW PUMP AND FILTER WERE REPLACED. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP FOR THE 2003 VW PASSAT BUT THE DEALERSHIP WON'T RECOGNIZE IT FOR THE 2005. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VW PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE LOW PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL; WHICH INSTRUCTED HER TO DISCONTINUE OPERATION. IT THE CONTACT CHOSE TO CONTINUE OPERATING THE VEHICLE ENGINE FAILURE COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. A TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE TURBO ALONG WITH THE OIL AND PICK-TUBE; TO AVOID OIL FROM ENTERING INTO THE INNER COOLER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000. UPDATED 10/21/09 *BF UPDATED 10/20/09*JB

MY VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS EXPERIENCED SCARY ACCELERATION WITHOUT ME PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE, BOTH WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY. I CHECKED MY MATS, BUT THEY WERE NOT OBSTRUCTING ANYTHING. I WAS SO SURPRISED TO SEE THE NEWS TONIGHT ON CHANNEL 5 BOSTON COVERING THIS STORY! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE COULD HEAR A CHAIN NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. AFTER A YEAR, THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BALANCE CHAIN WOULD BREAK SOON. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000. UPDATED 01/24/11 *BF UPDATED 04/14/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL INDICATOR WENT FROM HALF FULL TO EMPTY. HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SMELLED GASOLINE. WITHIN SECONDS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED HIM A SETTLEMENT OF $2,700 BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ADEQUATELY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY). THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. FIRE REPORT NUMBER E58424 WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 102,000.

I OWN A 2005 PASSAT TDI GLS. MY CAR HAD DEVELOPED A VERY SERIOUS NOISE CAUSED BY THE OIL PUMP CHAIN UNIT THAT WAS ORIGINALLY ON THIS VEHICLE. I DID TALK TO VW AND MY DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THE THRASHING CHAIN NOISE. I GOT POLITE DENIALS AND BLANK STARES WHEN I TOLD THEM OF THIS ISSUE. MEMBERS OF THE WWW.TDICLUB.COM DISCOVERED A VW ENGINEERED FIX FOR THE VEHICLES INVOLVED. MEMBERS WHO HAVE DRIVEN THEIR CARS BEYOND THE 80K OR SO SEEM MORE LIKELY TO HAVE THE CHAIN SNAP DURING OPERATION WHICH RENDERS THE CAR INOPERATIVE AND DANGEROUS DURING THE BREAKAGE. THE FIX IS NOT EXACTLY AN INEXPENSIVE REPAIR AS THE PARTS ALONE ARE AROUND $1500 AND THE INSTALLATION REQUIRES EXTENSIVE DISASSEMBLY OF THE VEHICLE. THE REPAIR INVOLVES REPLACING THE CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY WITH A GEAR DRIVEN ASSEMBLY. THE BELOW LINK HAS VIDEOS/SOUND CLIPS OF MY CAR BEFORE THE NOISE, AFTER THE NOISE AND AFTER THE FIX. THIS WAS TAKEN WITH 44,444 MILES ON THE CLOCK: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=K0WMGCDJFQI THIS THE CAR PRIOR TO BALANCE SHAFT REPAIR IN MAY 2009 WITH 56,000 MILES ON THE CLOCK: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=TTQX3SJ6_FK THIS IS A POST-OP RECORDING JUNE 2009 AT 57,000 MILES OF MY PASSAT AFTER BRIAN JOHNSTON OF CARDOCAUTOMOTIVE IN ST. LOUIS MISSOURI. HE IS A NATIONALLY KNOWN INDEPENDENT ASE CERTIFIED EXPERT ON THIS ISSUES REPAIR. HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=XTQIAK-CWD4. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 PASSAT TDI THAT HAD ITS BALANCE SHAFT MODULE AND CHAIN THAT DRIVE THE OIL PUMP FAIL AT 92,000 MILES. IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD AND I HAD TO STOP THE CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE MECHANIC THAT IS DOING THE JOB IS CHARGING ME $1500 FOR THE REPAIR AND THE PARTS ARE ABOUT $1300. I HAVE STARTED TO RESEARCH THIS FAILURE AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT IT IS QUITE COMMON AND VW HAS NOT DONE A RECALL TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM THE NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS AND FORCE VW TO RECALL THESE CARS FOR THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD ON THE ROAD. *TR

BALANCE SHAFT MODULE, WHICH DRIVES THE OIL PUMP, HAS A CHAIN DRIVE. THIS DRIVE WAS GETTING VERY NOISY. IF THE CHAIN WERE TO FAIL THE ENGINE WOULD LOOSE ALL OIL PRESSURE. I HAD A SHOP REPLACE THE BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY, WHICH INCLUDES THE OIL PUMP, WITH THE NEW AND IMPROVED GEARED BALANCE SHAFT MODULE. (OLD PART IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE). *TR

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BHW ENGINE IN MY 2005 PASSAT TDI THE BALANCE SHAFTS IN THIS ENGINE ARE DRIVEN BY A CHAIN OFF THE MOTOR, WHICH ALSO DRIVES THE OIL PUMP. THIS UNFORTUNATE DESIGN SUBJECTS THE CHAIN TO STRESSES IT CANNOT WITHSTAND. ON VARIOUS TDI FORUMS, ESPECIALLY TDICLUB.COM, THERE ARE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF CHAIN FAILURES BEING REPORTED. OF COURSE, WHEN THE CHAIN DRIVING THE OIL PUMP FAILS, THE ENGINE IS STARVED OF ESSENTIAL LUBRICATION. IF THE FAILURE OF THE CHAIN CAUSES ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY, OR PASSING ON THE HIGHWAY, THIS CONDITION COULD EASILY CAUSE DANGER TO ALL CITIZENS NEARBY, POSSIBLY LEADING TO DEATH. RECENTLY, VOLKSWAGEN IN EUROPE RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AND DESIGNED A REPAIR, WHICH CHANGES THE CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP TO A GEAR DRIVEN OIL PUMP. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PERMANENT FIX TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN DEFECT. THE REPAIR IS QUITE EXPENSIVE. WHEN THE CHAIN FAILS, THE PARTS TO REPAIR COST APPROXIMATELY $1800 PLUS APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER $1500 IN LABOR BILLS TO HAVE THE PARTS INSTALLED. IF THE ENGINE IS DESTROYED, IT WILL COST THE OWNER APPROXIMATELY $8000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I BELIEVE IT IS NOW OBVIOUS THAT ALL THE BHW ENGINES WILL FAIL UNLESS THE GEAR DRIVEN OIL PUMP MODIFICATION IS UNDERTAKEN. IT IS UNFAIR TO EXPECT OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED WITH A FLAWED DESIGN. THIS IS NOT A SMALL PROBLEM, AS THIS DESIGN FLAW WILL LEAD TO TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING SEVERE NOISE OSCILLATIONS THAT IS ATTRIBUTED TO IMMINENT FAILURE OF THE AFOREMENTIONED CHAIN ASSEMBLY. THUS, I MUST PAY TO REPAIR THIS DESIGN FLAW BEFORE IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. SO FAR, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA HAS NOT PROVIDED ADEQUATE SUPPORT FOR RESOLVING THIS DESIGN PROBLEM. *TR

MY VW PASSAT WAGON GLS TDI (DIESEL) ENGINE HAS BEEN MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND VIBRATION AT STOP OVER THE LAST YEAR AND WORSENED UNTIL I HAD IT REPAIRED. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP AND TENSIONERS WERE MAKING THE NOISE. THE BRILLIANT MECHANIC REPLACED THE PARTS WITH A GEAR DRIVEN OIL PUMP AND THE VIBRATIONS AND NOISE STOPPED. I THINK THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY VW. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE OIL PUMP CHAIN TENSIONERS WERE CLOSE TO BREAKING. *TR

2005 VW PASSAT TDI HEATER CORE FAILURE, A COMMON VW RECALL PROBLEM. *TR

THE FAILURE IS WITH (1) THE BALANCE SHAFT OIL PUMP CHAIN DRIVE SYSTEM ON THE VW PASSAT 2.0 TDI DIESEL AUTOMOBILE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIME TO OTHER VW OWNERS AND PRESENT AN IMMINENT THREAT TO VEHICLE SAFETY SHOULD SUCH FAILURE OCCUR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. (2) CERAMIC GLOW PLUGS FOR THE TDI DIESEL ENGINE HAVE A TENDENCY TO BREAK OFF AND CAUSE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO A RUNNING ENGINE. BOTH DEFECTS HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED BY VWOA AS EVIDENCED BY UPGRADES MADE TO THEIR EUROPEAN CUSTOMERS. HOWEVER VWOA IS TOTALLY IGNORING THE AMERICAN CUSTOMERS AND RESULTING IN EXORBITANT REPAIR PRICES. VW CONTINUES TO VIOLATE EPA RULE BY NOT RELEASING ECU REFLASH DATA TO NON VW SERVICE FACILITIES, HERE AGAIN CAPITALIZING ON A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW. LET IT BE KNOW THAT ONLY THE SYMPTOMS OF THESE IMPENDING FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AT THIS POINT IN TIME. JUDGING FROM REPORTS OF OTHERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED ALREADY THIS VEHICLE IS IN IMMANENT DANGER. *TR

EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM OIL PUMP, CHAIN UNIT, AND CHAIN (AND POSSIBLY BALANCE SHAFT) DUE TO ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT DESIGN. I BELIEVE A FAILURE IS IMMINENT AND WITHIN 100 MILES. FAILURE OF THE BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND THE ENGINE OIL PUMP SYSTEM DRIVE CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WITH LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE, BROKEN OIL PAN, BROKEN FRONT ENGINE SEAL FLANGE, AND DAMAGED CRANKSHAFT. THIS CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE EXTENT THAT THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN TRAFFIC, IT CAN LEAD TO A COLLISION WITH INJURIES OR DEATHS. MY VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER, IT IS UNCLEAR THAT THE EXTENSIVE PARTS AND LABOR TO REPAIR WILL BE CORRECTED BY VW DEALER DUE TO THE LIMITED NUMBER OF VEHICLES SUCH AS THIS IN NORTH AMERICA. *TR

IMMINENT FAILURE OF MAJOR ENGINE COMPONENT DUE TO POOR VW DESIGN. THIS INVOLVES THE OIL PUMP DRIVE CHAIN MECHANISM THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH VWS NEW GEAR DRIVE VIA A RECALL. BROKEN CHAIN DRIVES ARE PILING UP YET VW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE POTENTIAL HARM AND DAMAGE THAT COULD OCCUR. VISIT HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=233651 FOR DETAILS. *TR

I AM AN OWNER OF A 2005 PASSAT TDI GLS WAGON WITH 58,000 MILES ON IT. I AM WRITING TO SEEK HELP IN GETTING VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA TO RECOGNIZE THERE IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE'S BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY. I AM A TDICLUB.COM FORUM MEMBER, WHICH HAS PARTICIPANTS THAT ARE CAREER MECHANICS WHO WORK ON TDIS SPECIFICALLY. THROUGH THEIR EXPERIENCE THEY NOTED THIS PROBLEM WILL SOONER OR LATER AFFECT THE SOME 20,000 2004-2005 PASSAT TDI'S WITH THE BHW ENGINE CODE. THE BALANCE SHAFTS IN THIS ENGINE ARE DRIVEN BY A HEX SHAFT OFF THE CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP. THIS UNFORTUNATE DESIGN SUBJECTS THE CHAIN TO STRESSES IT CANNOT WITHSTAND. ON VARIOUS VOLKSWAGEN (VW) FORUMS, ESPECIALLY TDICLUB.COM, THERE ARE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF CHAIN FAILURES BEING REPORTED. OF COURSE, WHEN THE CHAIN DRIVING THE OIL PUMP FAILS, THE ENGINE IS STARVED OF ESSENTIAL LUBRICATION. RECENTLY, VOLKSWAGEN IN EUROPE RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AND DESIGNED A REPAIR WHICH CHANGES THE CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP TO A GEAR DRIVEN OIL PUMP. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PERMANENT FIX TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN DEFECT. HERE IN THE STATES, YOU CAN NO LONGER ORDER THE ORIGINAL CHAIN PIECES AS A REPLACEMENT. THE REPAIR IS QUITE EXPENSIVE. PARTS WILL COST IN EXCESS OF $1,400 AND LABOR WILL BE IN EXCESS OF $1,500. I BELIEVE IT IS NOW OBVIOUS THAT ALL THE BHW ENGINES WILL FAIL UNLESS THE GEAR DRIVEN OIL PUMP/BALANCE SHAFT MODIFICATION IS UNDERTAKEN. OUR OWN PASSAT HAS BEEN GETTING A BIT LOUDER THIS PAST YEAR WHICH IS THE FIRST SIGN OF THIS IMMINENT FAILURE. IT IS UNFAIR TO EXPECT OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED WITH A FLAWED DESIGN WHICH WILL LEAD TO TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. THIS COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF THE FAILURE HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS ON THE ROAD. THE NHTSA CANNOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO AMERICAN OWNERS. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA HAS TO RECOGNIZE AND INFORM THE PASSAT TDI OWNERS OF THIS PROBLEM, AND HELP TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION TO THE SATISFACTION OF THEIR LOYAL OWNERS. *TR

LOUD NOISE IN THE LOWER HALF OF ENGINE PROMPTED EVALUATION BY MECHANIC. PROBLEM WAS FROM FAILURE OF CHAIN DRIVEN BALANCE MODULE. THIS FAILURE WAS DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN THAT VW HAS ADMITTED TO BY VIRTUE OF NO LONGER MANUFACTURING THIS UNIT AND REPLACING IT WITH A TOTALLY RE-ENGINEERED BALANCE SHAFT MODULE THAT IS GEAR DRIVEN. COMPLETE FAILURE OF THIS UNIT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN A COLLISION THAT POTENTIALLY COULD BE FATAL. VW REFUSES TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND ADMIT THEIR ERROR IN DESIGN TO THE PUBLIC, HOPING TO AVOID A COSTLY RECALL CAMPAIGN. IN THE MEANTIME VW OWNERS ARE HAVING TO PAY $2500 TO $3000 FOR THIS REPAIR. AT THE SAME TIME THIS IS A RECOGNIZED PROBLEM WITH THE SAME ENGINES IN EUROPE AND VW HAS RE-ENGINEERED THE PARTS FOR NORTH AMERICA FOR REPLACEMENT. VW NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DESIGN FAILURE AND THE AFFECTED ENGINES IN NORTH AMERICA NEED TO BE REPAIRED AT VW'S EXPENSE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR

DESIGN FLAW OF 2004-2005 PASSAT TDI VEHICLES SOLD IN USA AND CANADA INVOLVING THE BALANCE SHAFT MODULE AND ITS CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP DESIGN. THE CHAIN HAS BEEN REPORTED TO FAIL WITH NO WARNING. VW HAS ISSUED NEW DESIGN TO REPLACE THE OLD BUT HAS NOT COMMENCED AND RECALL AS OF YET. *TR

THE BALANCE SHAFTS IN THIS ENGINE ARE DRIVEN BY A HEX SHAFT OFF THE CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP. THIS UNFORTUNATE DESIGN SUBJECTS THE CHAIN TO STRESSES IT CANNOT WITHSTAND. MY OWN PASSAT HAD THE OIL PUMP AND BALANCE SHAFT REPLACED 2/16/09 WITH LESS THAN 65,000 MILES. THANKFULLY, A GOOD MECHANIC DETECTED THE PROBLEM BEFORE I HAD A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. A $3,500 REPAIR IS NEVER WELCOME, BUT IT WAS BETTER THAN REPLACING THE ENGINE LIKE THE VW DEALER RECOMMENDED. I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND INQUIRED AT SEVERAL VW DEALERSHIPS AND CHOSE THE MOST EXPERIENCED MAN TO DO THE JOB. RECENTLY, VOLKSWAGEN IN EUROPE RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AND DESIGNED A REPAIR WHICH CHANGES THE CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP TO A GEAR DRIVEN OIL PUMP. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PERMANENT FIX TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN DEFECT. THE REPAIR IS QUITE EXPENSIVE. PARTS WILL COST IN EXCESS OF $1,400 AND LABOR WILL BE IN EXCESS OF $1,200 AT MOST SHOPS. I BELIEVE IT IS NOW OBVIOUS THAT ALL THE BHW ENGINES WILL FAIL UNLESS THE GEAR DRIVEN OIL PUMP MODIFICATION IS UNDERTAKEN. IT IS UNFAIR TO EXPECT OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED WITH A FLAWED DESIGN. THIS IS NOT A SMALL PROBLEM, AS THIS DESIGN FLAW WILL LEAD TO TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. MY WIFE NORMALLY DRIVES THE CAR AND SHE SHOULD NOT BE PUT THROUGH THIS. IF THE FAILURE OF THE CHAIN CAUSES ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY, OR PASSING ON THE HIGHWAY, THIS CONDITION COULD EASILY CAUSE DANGER TO ALL CITIZENS NEARBY, POSSIBLY LEADING TO DEATH. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT STEPS VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA IS TAKING TO INFORM 2004 AND 2005 PASSAT TDI OWNERS OF THIS PROBLEM. GOOD CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP WOULD RECOGNIZE A PROBLEM OF THIS SEVERITY AND SHOULD BE COMMUNICATED TO THE OWNERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THESE ENGINE FAILURES COULD LEAVE MOTORISTS STRANDED UNDER DIRE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THEIR SAFETY IS AT RISK. *TR

VEHICLE AFFECTED IS A 2004-2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L DIESEL ENGINE. CODEDBHW. THE OIL PUMP BALANCE SHAFT MODULE AND CHAIN ARE WEEK IN DESIGN AND ARE FAILING WITHOUT ANY WARNING TO THE DRIVER. WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCUR THE ENGINE IS STARVED OF OIL AND INTERNAL FAILURE IS IMMINENT. SAFETY OF OPERATION BECOMES COMPROMISED AT THIS POINT SINCE AN ENGINE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS REMOVES ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKING FEATURES AND THE DRIVER IS ALONG FOR THE RIDE UNTIL GETTING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP BY USE OF E-BRAKE OR OTHER SPEED REDUCING MANEUVERS AND HOPEFULLY AVOIDING A COLLISION. THIS FAILURE IS BEING REPORTED AT A BROAD RANGE OF MILEAGE STARTING WITH 45,000 AND UP. ITS MAIN SIGN IS A LOUD CHAIN RATTLE OR ABNORMAL VIBRATION WHILE AT IDLE. VOLKSWAGEN HAS ISSUED AN UPGRADED PART BUT NO FURTHER GUIDANCE WAS ISSUED. THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTY REPAIRS AS OF RIGHT NOW. ALL OWNERS ARE UPGRADING THERE VEHICLES WITH A GEAR DRIVEN ASSEMBLY AT A PRICE TAG FOR THE REPAIR OF $3000. *TR

EVENTUAL FAILURE OF CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP AND BALANCE SHAFTS, RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE, LEADING TO A POTENTIAL LIFE/SAFETY SITUATION IN THIS 2005 PASSAT TDI. THIS METHOD OF DRIVING THE OIL PUMP AND BALANCE SHAFTS IS A VOLKSWAGEN ACKNOWLEDGED ENGINEERING FLAW AS NOTED IN TECHNICAL PRODUCT INFORMATION BULLETIN 2016429/2. NOT WISHING TO REPLACE AN ENGINE THAT AS A RESULT OF SAID FAILURE, MIGHT POTENTIALLY PLACE MYSELF AND PASSENGERS IN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION, I HAVE PROACTIVELY CHANGED OUT THE CHAIN-DRIVEN OIL PUMP/BALANCE SHAFT MODULE FOR A GEAR DRIVEN ASSEMBLY AT A COST TO MYSELF OF $3000. I BELIEVE VW NEEDS TO STEP UP AND ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS MODEL. *TR

2005 VW PASSAT TDI HAD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE LIKE MARBLES IN A BLENDER. THE CAR ALSO SHOOK VIOLENTLY. IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME UNTIL IT WAS UNBEARABLE. THE NOISE AND VIBRATIONS WERE CONSTANT - WHENEVER THE CAR WAS RUNNING. I FINALLY TOOK THE CAR INTO THE SHOP AND IT TURNS OUT THE TIMING CHAIN THAT DRIVES THE OIL PUMP AND BALANCE MODULE WAS BAD. THE SHOP HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE OIL PUMP AND BALANCE MODULE DUE TO A REDESIGN FROM VW. THE NEW DESIGN IS NOW GEAR DRIVEN. THE OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SHOP THAT DID THE REPLACEMENT. IT LOOKS LIKE VW DID UPGRADE THE PARTS BACK IN THE EARLY PART OF 2008 BUT THEY HAVE NOT NOTIFIED THEIR CUSTOMER BASE NOR HAVE THEY ISSUED ANY RECALL. IF THE CHAIN WERE TO BREAK THERE WOULD BE OIL STARVATION TO THE ENGINE BECAUSE THE CHAIN DRIVES THE OIL PUMP. THIS COULD LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE AND ALSO LIFE THREATENING INJURIES IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I'M VERY LUCKY THAT I REPAIRED MY CAR WHEN I DID. TOTAL COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS AROUND $2400.00. *TR

I HAVE NOT HAD FAILURE YET, BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS WHO OWN THE SAME EXACT CAR I OWN, A 2005 VW PASSAT TDI. THERE IS AN ONGOING CONCERN AT SEVERAL NEWS GROUPS INCLUDING WWW.TDICLUB.COM AND OTHER DIESEL ENTHUSIAST NEWSGROUPS ABOUT THE OIL PUMP CHAIN UNIT THAT IS IN THE VW BHW 2.0 TURBODIESEL ENGINE. MANY OF THESE CARS WHEN THEY GET OUT OF WARRANTY AT 60K WILL START TO HAVE ENGINE NOISE WHICH IS INDICATIVE OF THE OIL PUMP CHAIN UNIT CHAIN WEAKENING. THIS CONDITION LEADS TO COMPLETE FAILURE WITHOUT GENERAL WARNING. THIS IS A DISASTER AWAITING TO HAPPEN. VW IN EUROPE HAS DEVELOPED A FIX FOR THIS ENGINE THAT INVOLVES INSTALLING A GEAR SYSTEM INSTEAD OF THE CHAIN AND TENSIONER SYSTEM FOR THE ENGINE BALANCING SYSTEM. THERE ARE SEVERAL EPISODES OF PEOPLE HAVING THE ENGINES FAIL WHILE ON THE ROAD. I AM CONCERNED AS AN OWNER OF THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE VW PASSAT. THERE WERE ABOUT 12 THOUSAND OF THESE IMPORTED INTO THE USA. I KNOW OF AT LEAST FOUR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE HAD THIS SITUATION HAPPEN TO THEM AND THEIR PASSAT. THE REPAIRS ARE NOT CHEAP IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $3000 AT A BARE MINIMUM WITH UP TO 9 THOUSAND FOR A NEW MOTOR, EVEN DESPITE OWNERS USING THE PROPER SPECIFIED MOTOR OIL. *TR

I HAD A 2005 VW PASSAT HEATED LEATHER SEAT BURN MY LEG AND SEAT. CAUSED BY FAULTY SEAT HEATER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATED SEATS ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. HE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOTIFY THE CONTACT IF THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL AND HE HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

I HAVE RECENTLY COME TO THE NEED OF HAVING TO REPLACE A CRITICAL PART OF THE ENGINE OIL SYSTEM IN MY 2005 PASSAT TDI. FOR VARIOUS REASONS, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS AN INFERIOR DESIGN, THE BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY ON THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE (2004-2005 MODEL YEARS) WILL CAUSE OIL FLOW TO THE ENGINE TO CEASE, DISRUPTING SAFE TRAVEL OF THE CAR IMMEDIATELY, REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED OF TRAVEL. THIS FAILURE IS EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 70+ MPH. IF THIS FAILURE WERE TO OCCUR AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE DRIVER WOULD NOTICE A SUDDEN DECELERATION AND A NEED TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER ABRUPTLY. NOT ONLY WOULD THIS ENDANGER THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS OF SAID VEHICLE, BUT OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROADWAY AS WELL. VOLKSWAGEN HAS YET TO ISSUE A STATEMENT, RECALL OR WARNING TO OWNERS OF THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, NOR IS IT MENTIONED ANYWHERE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL AS PART OF A VEHICLE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. *TR

2004-2005 PASSAT TDI W/ BHW ENGINE CODE. THE BALANCE SHAFTS IN THIS ENGINE ARE DRIVEN BY A HEX SHAFT OFF THE CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP. THIS UNFORTUNATE DESIGN SUBJECTS THE CHAIN TO STRESSES IT CANNOT WITHSTAND. ON VARIOUS TDI FORUMS, ESPECIALLY TDICLUB.COM, THERE ARE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF CHAIN FAILURES BEING REPORTED. OF COURSE, WHEN THE CHAIN DRIVING THE OIL PUMP FAILS, THE ENGINE IS STARVED OF ESSENTIAL LUBRICATION. IF THE FAILURE OF THE CHAIN CAUSES ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY, OR PASSING ON THE HIGHWAY, THIS CONDITION COULD EASILY CAUSE DANGER TO ALL CITIZENS NEARBY, POSSIBLY LEADING TO DEATH. WHEN THE CHAIN FAILS, THE PARTS TO REPAIR COST APPROXIMATELY $1800 PLUS APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER $1500 IN LABOR BILLS TO HAVE THE PARTS INSTALLED. IF THE ENGINE IS DESTROYED, IT WILL COST THE OWNER APPROXIMATELY $8000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR