2005 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

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 WAITING 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

NVS-216 MEC AND REF. # IS 10257848 VW 2005 PASSAT TDI BALANCE SHAFT REPLACEMENT THIS WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR($3200)OT AVOID A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENGINE AT ANY SPEED THAT COULD RESULT IN TOTAL LOSE OF CONTROL. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW BY VW AND SHOULD BE REPLACE AT THEIR COST! *TR

I WENT TO START MY 05 PASSAT AND GOT SEVERAL ERROR WARNINGS: AIRBAG FAULT, ESP, CHECK ENGINE, ABSORBER INTERMITTENT WARNINGS. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) GOT WET FROM A (KNOWN BY VW) WATER LEAK PROBLEM FROM THE SUNROOF AND HVAC SYSTEM. VW HAS A RECALL TO TRY AND SEAL THE LEAKS, BUT WILL NOT FIX RESULTS OF THE LEAKS. I AM LUCKY I WASN'T GOING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE TCM MALFUNCTIONED. I'VE RESEARCHED, AND THIS PROBLEM IS A RECURRING ONE WITH NOT ONLY PASSATS, BUT ALSO GOLF AND JETTA MODELS FROM THE LATE 90S TO 2005. A MALFUNCTIONING TCM ISN'T THE ONLY ELECTRICAL COMPONENT THAT CAN BE AFFECTED BY THE WATER LEAK. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE CAN ALSO GET WET AND MALFUNCTION, CAUSING SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES IF THIS OCCURS WHILE MOVING. *TR

MY 2005 PASSAT TDI WAS LEAKING A HUGE AMOUNT OF OIL SO I TOPPED OFF THE OIL AND TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC. HE SHOWED ME A HUGE GASH IN THE OIL PAN, RESULTING IN THE LEAK. WHEN WE TOOK THE PAN OFF THE OIL PUMP CHAIN TENSIONER AND CHAIN CAME OUT IN PIECES. THE TENSIONER BROKE AND SLAMMED THE CHAIN INTO THE OIL PAN, MAKING THE GOUGE. WE REPLACED THE OIL PAN, CHAIN, TENSIONER, AND COMPLETED AN EARLY TIMING BELT CHANGE INCLUDING A WATER PUMP. THIS WAS AROUND $2000 TOTAL. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THIS IS LIKELY DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE BALANCE SHAFT MODULE / CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP SETUP ON THESE CARS. I FOUND OUT THAT EVEN THOUGH I SPENT $2000 FIXING THIS I MAY NEED TO COMPLETE THE SAME REPAIRS AGAIN OR REPLACE THE BALANCE SHAFT MODULE WHICH WOULD BE SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. I ALSO DISCOVERED THAT VW HAS UPGRADED THE DESIGN OF THE BALANCE SHAFT/OIL PUMP DRIVE SO OBVIOUSLY THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM. I'VE READ THAT I WAS RATHER LUCKY, IT IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE THAT I COULD HAVE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND HAD THE ENGINE SEIZE UP, WHICH COULD BE DEADLY. I'M BASICALLY JUST AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR NOW. *TR

ENGINE NOISE, RATTLE, OIL LIGHT. ENGINE (TURBO DIESEL // PASSAT) DOES NOT SEEM NORMAL AND MUCH NOISIER THAN USUAL. OTHER FIENDS WITH TDI'S HAVE HAD MAJOR CONCERNS WITH THEIR CARS (SAME CIRCUMSTANCES). *TR

I CURRENTLY LEASE A 2005 VW PASSAT. WARRANTY OFFERED: 5 YR/ 50,000 MILE. APPROX. NOV 7, 2008 VEHICLE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO REGISTER "STOP OIL PRESS LOW". IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO CLOSEST GAS STATION AND PURCHASED A SYNTHETIC OIL FOR VW THINKING THIS WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. ON NOV 17, 2008 DASHBOARD LIT UP AGAIN WITH SAME MESSAGE AND IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT VEHICLE INTO VISTA VW, POMPANO BCH, FLORIDA. WAS INSTRUCTED THAT ISSUE WAS POSSIBLY DUE TO FAULTY OIL PRESSURE DIP STICK CYLINDER AND NEED OF OIL CHANGE. (CYLINDER REPLACED AND OIL CHANGE COMPLETED) PRIOR OIL CHANGE WAS COMPLETED AT VISTA VW POMPANO BEACH. VW MECHANIC PLACED A CLEAR OIL CHANGE MAINT. STICKER WITH INCORRECT MILEAGE DUE AT NEXT OIL CHANGE. OIL CHANGE SHOULD HAVE OCCURRED AT 38,000 MILES VS. 45,000. VISTA VW STATED I WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO BE COMPLETED (APPROX $166.00) AS WELL AS AN HOURLY CHARGE FOR LABOR (APPROX. $110 P/HR) NOT INCLUDING ANY AND ALL REPAIR TO BE PAID FOR UPON COMPLETION. THIS DUE TO WARRANTY EXPIRED. BROUGHT VEHICLE IN AT 792 MILES OVER 50,000. DUE TO THE EXPENSE THAT I WOULD HAVE INCURRED IT WAS NOT FEASIBLE FOR ME TO GO AHEAD AND PERFORM THIS DIAGNOSTIC TEST HENCE CAUSING ME TO LEAVE NO FURTHER CHOICE BUT TO DECLINE SERVICE. I ATTEMPTED TO TRADE MY PASSAT IN EARLY AND RELEASE A NEW VEHICLE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN DOING SO. APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH LATER I WAS AT GUNTHER VW COCONUT CREEK AND INFORMED FINANCE MGR THAT I NOW HAVE AN ENGINE LIGHT ON. I WAS TOLD TO TRY AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK HOME AND SEE IF THE LIGHT GOES OUT. THAT MAYBE IT'S A FAULTY SENSOR. UPON ARRIVAL AT MY RESIDENCE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND ENGINE FAILED. THE FOLLOWING DAY I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THE APPROX. COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE ANYWHERE BETWEEN $8,000 - $10,000. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN RESEARCH AND FOUND THERE IS A LAWSUIT FROM THE CONSUMERS OF VW PASSATS IN REGARD TO THIS EXACT SAME MECHANICAL ISSUE & VW WILL NOT COMPLY WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

IN 2007 I HEARD A NOISE FROM UNDER MY VEHICLE. IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE AND AT TIMES DRAGGING THE GROUND. I WAS ADVISED BY A CO-WORKER THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE UNDER COVER AND TO GET IT TAKEN CARE OF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ON OCTOBER 27TH 2007 I TOOK MY CAR TO DARCARS VOLKSWAGEN. I WAS ADVISED THE UNDERSHIELD WAS DAMAGED AND I AUTHORIZED THE DEALER TO REPLACE IT. I CONTACTED VOLKWAGEN OF AMERICA BY PHONE IN NOVEMBER 2008 FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF REPAIR COSTS FOR A DEFECTIVE UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS THAT I PAID IN OCTOBER 2007 PRIOR TO THE SAFETY RECALL #26E5/R5 ISSUED IN JUNE 2008. I WAS TOLD THE SAME DAY THAT MY REPAIRS WERE NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. RECENTLY, AFTER I OBTAINED LOST RECEIPTS FROM VOLKSWAGEN AND EXAMINED THEM AGAINST ALL RECALLS--IN HINDSIGHT SOMETHING DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT TO ME. I JUST COULDN'T FATHOM THAT THE REPAIR AND THE RECALL WERE NOT THE SAME ISSUE. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN AGAIN ABOUT THIS RECALL AND WAS TOLD 1) THERE HAD BEEN AN EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION ON MY INITIAL CLAIM 2) THEY HAD SPOKEN WITH THE MECHANIC THAT SERVICED MY VEHICLE 3) THAT BECAUSE I REQUESTED THE HEAT SHIELD TO BE REPLACED THAT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST. I DISPUTE THAT THERE WAS ANY INVESTIGATION ON MY CLAIM; THAT ANYONE SPOKE WITH THE MECHANIC WHO SERVICED MY VEHICLE; AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THAT SINCE I AUTHORIZED REPLACEMENT THAT I AM LIABLE FOR THE ASSOCIATED COST OF THE DAMAGED HEAT SHIELD. IT IS MY POSITION THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS AVOIDING RESPONSIBILITY FOR REIMBURSEMENT THROUGH DECEPTION AND THAT THEY ATTEMPTED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MY LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF AUTOMOTIVE SPECIFICS. I BID YOUR INTERVENTION IN THIS MATTER. *TR

DIESEL FUEL FILL BACK PRESSURE OVERFLOW. 2005 VW PASSAT TDI. *TR

THE BALANCE SHAFTS IN THIS ENGINE (2005 VW B5 PASSAT TDI) 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. OURS LET GO AT SPEED WITH MY FAMILY OF FIVE ON BOARD. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED AT THE SUDDEN DECELERATION IN TRAFFIC. A FIX HAS BEEN MANDATED IN THE ECU BUT NOT IN THE US. THERE IS NO CURRENT OFFICIAL "FIX" FROM VW AMERICA. THE EXPECTATION IS THE ENGINE WILL SELF DESTRUCT AND THE CUSTOMER WILL BE REQUIRED TO PURCHASE AN ENTIRE $5000-8000 MOTOR WITH A REPLACEMENT GEAR ASSEMBLY. VOLKSWAGEN TECHNICAL PRODUCT INFORMATION 016429. *TR

I OWN A 2005 VW PASSAT GLS TDI SEDAN DIESEL AND THE OIL PUMP BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY INCLUDING OIL PUMP DRIVE CHAIN, TENSIONER, AND SPROCKET ARE BAD AND MAKING A HORRENDOUS NOISE. THE VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 60,000 MILES BUT, IS OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY. THE VW DEALER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAS NO IDEA OF SUCH A PROBLEM. MY RESEARCH HAS PROVEN OTHERWISE. IT IS SAID THAT IF SUCH A FAILURE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, DISASTER COULD RESULT. APPARENTLY, THERE IS A FIX FOR THIS ISSUE WHICH ENTAILS THE REMOVAL OF THE WHOLE OIL PUMP CHAIN DRIVE ASSEMBLY AND REPLACING IT WITH A GEAR DRIVEN ASSEMBLY. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A FACTORY DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE TO WHERE VW ISSUES AN IMMEDIATE SERVICE BULLETIN FOLLOWED BY A MANDATORY RECALL CAMPAIGN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS TDI. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RATTLE VIOLENTLY IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE MARBLES ROLLING AROUND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE NOISE WAS LOUDER DURING START UP AND WHILE DRIVING LOWER SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE WHO REPLACED THE GLOW PLUGS AND FUEL FILTERS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH A REDESIGNED BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IDLING, THE ENGINE MAKES A CHAIN RATTLING NOISE. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

I HAVE LEASED A 2005 VW PASSAT. I CHANGED MY OIL ON A REGULAR BASIS, MY MECHANIC DID NOT WRITE THE IN MILEAGE OR OUT MILEAGE WHEN HE GAVE ME MY RECEIPT. MY CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND VW STATES THAT I NEED A NEW MOTOR DUE TO SLUDGE IN THE MOTOR. THE ARE TELLING ME MY RECEIPTS ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH AND WON'T COVER THE MOTOR. I HAVE SEARCHED THE WEB AND SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE PALISADES, NY VW ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO DO BUSINESS WITH. I'M NOT GETTING A NEW MOTOR! *TR

THIS REFERENCE A VERY SPECIFIC VEHICLE, I.E. NAMELY THE 2005-2005 VW PASSAT TDI (DIESEL) CAR, BOTH SEDAN AND STATION WAGON VERSION, WITH THE VW BHW ENGINE. WHAT STARTED OUT AS AN OCCASIONAL NEED TO REPLACE THE CHAIN THAT DRIVE THE OIL PUMP, BECAME A CERTAINTY THAT THE CHAIN WOULD BREAK. IF THE CHAIN BREAKS, YOU LOOSE OIL PRESSURE IMMEDIATE, AND THE ENGINE IS GOING TO SEIZE (NOT TO MENTION THE CHAIN ITSELF FLOPPING AROUND IN THE CRANK AREA WHICH COULD LODGE IN THE DRIVE SYSTEM AND DO THE SAME). IN ANY SITUATION WHERE YOU ARE ACCELERATING, THAT IS GOING TO BE CATASTROPHIC , AND CERTAINLY ANY HIGHER SPEED ON A FREEWAY/HIGHWAY BEING THE SAME) VW HAS RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE AND HAS NOW ISSUED A TSB ON THE PROBLEM, BUT HAS NOT INSTITUTED A RECALL. THE CHANGE IS TO REMOVE THE CHAIN DRIVE SYSTEM AND CONVERT THE ENGINE TO A GEAR DRIVEN OIL PUMP. THIS IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. WHAT THIS DOES TO THE COUNTER BALANCER SHAFT IS UNKNOWN (I.E. WHAT CAUSED WHAT TO FAIL HAS NOT HAD ANY INDICATION FROM VW). WW SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BE MANDATED TO RECALL ALL THESE VEHICLES WITH THE TDI BHW ENGINE AND OR ISSUE A RECALL NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE BROUGHT IN BEFORE THE 100K TIMING BELT CHANGE INTERVAL LISTED IN THE MANUAL AND HAVE THAT TSB CHANGED TO A RECALL AND SAFETY REPAIR. ANY OWNER HEARING THE SIGNATORY NOISE OF THE FAILURE DEVELOPING SHOULD HAVE THAT REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY, BUT IT SHOULD BE REPLACED NOT LATTER THAN THE 100K POINT. THIS IS BASED ON A SURVEY OF A FEW AT 40 TO 60K, MOST HAVE IT DEVELOPING BY 100K (IF NOT FAILED OR CLOSE TO FAILURE AT THAT POINT. ALL OTHER VW DIESEL ENGINE USE A GEAR DRIVEN OIL PUMP SYSTEM. *TR

SEE COMPLAINT # 10195352. DOOR CONTINUES TO POP OPEN, EVEN WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. IT HAS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT PRECEEDING FAILURE TO CLOSE OR LATCH PROPERLY. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP NEAREST TO MY HOME, AND THEY TOLD ME, "IT IS PROBABLY THE LOCK BOX. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BRING IT IN. WE CAN'T REPLACE IT UNLESS IT IS IN ITS FAILED STATE." *TR

DOOR OPENED UNEXPECTEDLY THREE TIMES WHILE VEHICLE UNDER WAY. WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS WITH TEMPERATURE SWINGS. TWICE HAD UNRELATED FAILURE TO LATCH, BUT THOSE CASES WERE OBVIOUS. IN THESE THREE CASES, THE DOOR CLOSED AND LATCHED, BUT WOULD NOT LOCK MANUALLY OR BY ELECTRIC CONTROLS OR BY AUTOMATIC SPEED-RELATED LOCKING PROGRAM. THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING FEATURE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LOCK THE CAR REPEATEDLY. THE DOOR WAS CLOSED SECURELY AND TESTED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE DURING EPISODES TWO AND THREE. DURING TURNS, THE DOOR POPPED OPEN FULLY, WITH FORCE, WITHOUT WARNING. NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. *TR

(1) TURNED ON DRIVERS-SIDE SEAT HEATER WHILE DRIVING (2) SMOKE BEGAN FILLING THE VEHICLE, AND (3) I TURNED OFF THE HEATER, BUT A HOLE WAS BURNED THROUGH THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THROUGH MY LEFT REAR PANT POCKET AS WELL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THERE IS A FIRE REPORT BUT THE CONTACT DOES NOT HAVE A COPY. THERE WERE NO DEATHS, INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES ARE 40000.

I HAVE A 2005 VW PASSAT TDI WHICH HAS RUSTING AROUND THE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. MY DEALER PLUS VW REFUSE TO REPLACE AS THEY SAY IT'S NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. I FEEL IT MUST BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I'M AFRAID THE RUSTY LIQUID WILL HARM MY ENGINE IN TIME. *TR

WATER LEAKS INSIDE PASSENGER FLOOR

WHEN MAKING A TURN FROM A STOP POSITION, THE CAR STALLS. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN GOING FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *JB THE MECHANIC WENT ON A TEST DRIVE WITH THE CONSUMER AND HE NOTICED THAT SHE DROVE WITH BOTH FEET, THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE SHOULD SSTOP OR GO FORWARD WHEN TURNING, AND THEREFORE IT STALLED. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS MADE AN EFFORT TO USE ONLY ONE FOOT AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE RESOLVED. UPDATED 10/31/07. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. THE REAR BUMPER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,700 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700.

AUGUST 2007 I GOT AN OIL CHANGE FROM THE 10 MINUTE OIL CHANGE PLACE IN NORTH ARLINGTON, NJ. THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER MY ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO SLUDGE. I ALWAYS GET MY OIL CHANGED ON A REGULAR BASIS (3,000 MILES) NOT THE SUGGEST 5,000 IN MY CAR MANUAL. THE 10 MINUTE OIL CHANGE PLACE DOES NOT HAVE A COMPUTER SYSTEM TO PRODUCE RECORDS AND UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE ONLY ONE RECEIPT FROM THE AUGUST 2007 OIL CHANGE. SO I WENT THROUGH ALL MY OLD CHARGE CARD RECEIPTS AND DEBIT RECEIPTS FROM MY BANK TO PROVE THAT I DID GET MY OIL CHANGED. HOWEVER GENSINGER VOLKSWAGEN IN CLIFTON, NJ AND VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA THE CORPORATE OFFICE SAID THAT MY RECEIPTS WERE NOT "PROOF ENOUGH" THAT IT WAS MY CAR EVEN THOUGH SOME OF MY RECEIPTS HAD THE OIL CHANGE PLACE TWICE IN ONE MONTH WHICH PROVES THAT I GOT AN OIL CHANGE & MY HUSBAND GOT AN OIL CHANGE. SO SINCE OCTOBER 2007 MY CAR HAS BEEN UNDRIVEABLE AND HAS SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY EVER SINCE. I HAVE CONTINUED PAYING FOR MY LEASE AND MY INSURANCE ON THIS CAR EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE. THIS 2005 PASSAT HAS ONLY 25,500 MILES ON IT AND THIS ENGINE SHOULD HAVE NEVER SEIZED. VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS ARE KNOWN FOR HEAVY SLUDGE IN THEIR ENGINES AND YET THIS COMPANY DOES NOTHING ABOUT IT! I NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE BEFORE I TURN THIS LEASED CAR BACK. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AWFUL COMPANY. *TR

OVER 2 YEARS SINCE NEW, CAR HESITATES WITH SOFT THROTTLE ACCELERATION LIKELY BETWEEN 1 AND 2 GEAR, NO THROTTLE RESPONSE FOR UP TO 5 SECONDS, VERY DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS ACROSS TRAFFIC OR JOINING TRAFFIC FROM A STOP. 2005 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT TDI MOST RECENT DATE GIVEN, HUNDREDS OF INCIDENTS OF SAME. VW DEALER SAYS NORMAL, HE EXPERIENCES IN MOVING CARS AROUND HIS LOT. I SAY NEEDS FIXING AND VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH: MY BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE BRAKE. THIS LEAVES THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT. I CALLED MY DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL. I LOOKED AT THIS WEB SITE AND IT DESCRIBES THE VERY SAME SYMPTOMS THAT MY CAR IS EXHIBITING. *JB

HEAT SHIELD IS HELD BY PLASTIC SCREWS WHICH EASILY BECOME DAMAGED, FALL OFF, OR ARE NOT REPLACED AFTER SERVICE. HEAT SHIELD WHICH PROTECTS THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE ENGINE FROM ROCKS AND OTHER DEBRIS, CAME OFF ON THE INTERSTATE. THE FRONT OF IT WAS SCRAPING THE PAVEMENT. I HAD PART REPLACED FOR $287.82. NOW VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PART, BUT ONLY FOR THE GASOLINE VERSION. SINCE I OWN A TDI, I AM OUT OF LUCK. IT IS THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR. *TR

THE FIRST PROBLEM I NOTICED WAS WHEN I EXITEDTHE VEHICLE WAS THAT THE REMOTE CONTROL WOULD NOT LOCK THE DOORS. I THOUGHT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD SO I MANUALLY LOCKED THEM. I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS TO THE VEHICLE WITH THE REMOTE AS WELL, SO I MANUALLY UNLOCKED THEM, STARTED THE CAR AND PROCEEDED ON. I STOPPED FOR FUEL, TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, REMOVED THE KEY AND REALIZED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. *AK I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF BUT IT WOULD NOT. I CONTINUED ON TO MY RESIDENCE WHERE AGAIN THE ENGINE FAILED TO STOP RUNNING WITH THE KEY OFF AND OUT OF THE IGNITION. I CALLED VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHO PUT ME IN TOUCH WITH A DEALER WHO TALKED ME THROUGH STALLING THE ENGINE BY CUTTING OFF THE AIR SUPPLY. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DEALER THE NEXT DAY WHICH WAS A SATURDAY. THERE THE ENGINE WOULD AGAIN NOT STOP RUNNING, AND I SHOWED THE TECHNICIAN HOW I HAD CHOCKED IT PREVIOUSLY. FOLLOWING SEVERAL HOURS OF TROUBLESHOOTING, THE DEALER TRACED THE PROBLEM BACK TO THE SUN VISOR. THEY BELIEVED THAT THE HOME LINK SYSTEM BUILT INTO THE VISOR WAS CREATING A REVERSE CURRENT FLOW WHICH WAS ENOUGH TO KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING EVEN WITH THE KEY OFF AND REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. WITH THE VISOR DISCONNECTED, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT REPEATED. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH ONE ADDITIONAL PERSON WITH THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR OF VEHICLE THAT HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

FAILURE OF CAR TO SHUT ENGINE OFF WHEN KEY SWITCHED TO OFF. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE LEAD TO A FIRE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. PROBLEM TRACED TO SHORT IN WIRING ASSOCIATED WITH DRIVER'S SUN VISOR AND 'VANITY' LIGHTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO SOLVE PROBLEM. TECHNICIAN FOUND SOLUTION BY CHANCE. *TR

2005 PASSAT AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE, BLOWS COLD AIR INTERMITTENTLY. CUSTOMER STATES THAT IT BLOWS COLD AIR INTERMITTENTLY THEN WILL STOP FOR NO REASON AND BLOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AIR. **NAR**KB THE DEALER REPLACED VARIOUS PARTS WITHIN THE AC UNIT, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE AC FAILURE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OR THE WIRING HARNESS. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED HE REPLACED TWO TIRES DUE TO EXTREME CUPPING. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR MOLDING HAS WARPED TWICE NOW AND FIRST REPLACEMENT DONE MONTHS AFTER LEASE INCEPTION, HAVING BEEN TOLD IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY BY POTAMKIN VW IN MANHATTAN, NY. CALLED VW AND POTAMKIN ABOUT SECOND WARPING ON REPLACED MOLDING, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT I MUST HAVE HIT IT AND THAT I PULLED IT OFF (WHICH I DID TO KEEP IT FROM FURTHER SCRATCHING THE FRONT DOOR)...JUST READ ZILLIONS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CAR, SOME CITING THAT IT COULD BE DOOR'S ALIGNMENT AND OTHERS THAT IT COULD BE MOLDING ALIGNMENT...DON'T KNOW, BUT NEITHER DEALER NOR VW CUSTOMER SERVICE COOPERATING. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE IN RAINY WEATHER, WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WEATHER STRIPPING ALONG THE SUNROOF AND LEAKED ONTO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHO DETERMINED THE DRAIN LINE ALONG THE SUNROOF WAS CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS AND NEEDED TO BE CLEANED OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR REPAIRS AT 42K MILES, WHILE UNDER THE WARRANTY IN 2004. THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK AND THE CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH. THEY STATED THEY REPLACED A FLANGE THAT WAS CRACKED, THE OIL PUMP/BALANCE SHAFT SPROCKET, CHAIN TENSIONER. WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK IT WASN'T RUNNING RIGHT, VERY, VERY ROUGH AND LOUD (IT'S A DIESEL BUT USED TO BE QUIET). IT TURNS OUT THEY DID NOT BALANCE THE BALANCE SHAFT WITH THE ENGINE, THEY ORDERED THE PART/TOOL TO DO THIS. NEARLY 1K MILES LATER, AFTER THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, THEY CALLED ME TO COME IN AND HAVE IT BALANCED, WHICH I DID. AT 65K MILES, ROUGHLY 9-10 MONTHS AFTER THIS INITIAL REPAIR, THE CHAIN SNAPPED FOR THE OIL PUMP. THE SPROCKET ON THE OIL PUMP THAT THEY REPLACED ALONG WITH THE CHAIN TENSIONER WERE DESTROYED. THE SPROCKET HAD OLD AND NEW WEAR, THE CHAIN TENSIONER ENDED UP IN PIECES, AND THE CHAIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED THE INITIAL TIME BUT WAS NOT. THE CHAIN SNAPPED. THE ORIGINAL FLANGE THAT WAS LEAKING WAS ALSO LEAKING AGAIN. THIS CATASTROPHE LED TO THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE TURBO WHICH WAS IMMEDIATELY STARVED FOR OIL AND BURNED UP TOO. THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT (BOTTOM END), TURBO REPLACED, NEW CRANK, AND CURRENTLY IT STILL CANNOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPAIR AND FAILURE. VW OF AMERICA STATED THE PARTS THEY REPLACED DID NOT FAIL, AND IF THEY DID THEY ONLY HAVE A 12MO/12K MILE WARRANTY ON THEM. THE WARRANTY FOR THE CAR WAS UP AT 50K MILES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE FORUMS AND MESSAGE BOARDS IN REGARDS TO THE BALANCE SHAFT AND COMPONENTS (CHAIN, TENSIONER, SHAFT, HEX SHAFT, SPROCKET) BEING FAULTY OR FAILING. MANY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY IS UP. *TR

SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, DESPITE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AND REAR DOORS FROM A DIRECT IMPACT. ALSO DAMAGED WAS THE "B" POST, ALONG WITH 12" INTRUSION INTO PASSENGER SPACE. *JB

GOING HOME FROM WORK NEAR DUSK ON THE FREEWAY, MY CAR BEGAN TO VEER TO THE LEFT THEN THE RIGHT MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR. I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR (ONLY A YEAR AND A HALF OLD) SO I HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT COULD BE. I BEGAN TO GET VERY NERVOUS ESPECIALLY WITH TRAILER TRUCKS DRIVING NEAR ME. AS I BEGAN TO PULL OVER I HEARD A LOUD NOISE COME FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. ONCE STOPPED, I QUICKLY WENT TO INSPECT THE PASSENGER SIDE WHERE I SAW THAT MY TIRE HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE TREAD. AT THIS POINT, I REALLY GOT SCARED JUST THINKING OF WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ME IF I HAD COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL. THE GOOD THING IS THAT I AM USUALLY A SAFE DRIVER. I ASSUME THAT IF I WERE DRIVING IN EXCESS OF SPEED I WOULD NOT BE HERE NOW. AFTER TEN MINUTES OF RECOVERY, I PROCEEDED TO CHANGE THE TIRE. I WAS NEAR A SAM'S SO I DECIDED TO SEE IF I COULD HAVE SOMEONE LOOK AT THE TIRE AND HAVE IT CHANGED BUT IT WAS LATE (8 PM) AND THEY WERE CLOSED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH UPHILL, THERE WAS POPPING NOISE FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF ALL POWER. AFTER THE INITIAL ENGINE STALL, THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED, BUT STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS A FAILED CONNECTION OF THE INTER-COOLER HOSE AND PRESSURIZED HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE TURBO CHARGER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HOSE FITTINGS ON THE TURBO CHARGER. UPDATED 6/27/2006 - THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE HOSE CONNECTION MECHANISM WASN'T SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT THE HIGH PRESSURE CREATED BY THE TURBO. *NM

2005 VW PASSAT, REPEATED TOTAL FAILURE OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS. DOES NOT SEEM TO BE PREDICATED ON ANY SPECIFIC EVENTS. THE DEALERSHIP (DUKE GOLD'S SPEEDWAY VOLKSWAGEN) IS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM AND DOES NOT SEEM TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. *NM

THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELTS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY PASSAT ARE DEFECTIVE. THE DRIVERS BELT HAS BEEN 'LAZY' IN RETRACTING FROM TIME TO TIME BUT IT'S 'NORMAL' NOW. HOWEVER, MY LEFT REAR SEAT BELT HAS BEEN LAYING DETRACTED ON MY SEAT FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS NOW SIMPLY BECAUSE NOBODY EVER SITS BACK THERE AND I'M ALWAYS DRIVING THIS CAR FOR WORK. BY READING MESSAGE BOARD SUCH AS WWW.TDICLUB.COM THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT FOR THE 2004 AND 2005 VW PASSAT. TOMORROW MORNING I AM GOING TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL VW FOR EVERY SEAT BELT IN THIS CAR TO BE REPLACED. IF THEY DO NOT COMPLY I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH ANOTHER COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL! *NM

ON NOVEMBER 4,2005, AROUND 7:30 PM WHILE A I WAS DRIVING MY CAR FROM NEW JERSEY TO NEW YORK CITY, A NEW JERSEY TRANSIT AUTHORITY BUS DANGEROUSLY CUT IN FRONT OF MY CAR. MY WIFE WAS ACCOMPANYING ME. AS I STOPPED TO AVOID THE BUS, THE BUS MADE A SUDDEN AND FULL STOP ABOUT 15 FEET IN FRONT OF ME. INSTINCTIVELY, I PUT THE CAR GEAR IN NEUTRAL. ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY CAR ENGINE STARTED ACCELERATING AT A VERY HIGH SPEED WITHOUT TOUCHING ANY PEDAL. I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SEE IF THE ACCELERATION WOULD STOP. WHEN I RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL , THE CAR STARTED RUNNING TOWARD THE STATIONARY BUS, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE CAR GEAR WAS IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION. AS A RESULT, MY CAR MOVED FORWARD AND HIT THE BACK OF THE BUS. THE BUS DRIVER GOT OUT AND ASKED IF WE WERE OK. SHE SAID SHE WAS FINE AND WERE NO PASSENGERS IN THE BUS. WE WERE ALL RIGHT TOO. THERE WERE NO POLICEMEN TO MAKE A REPORT. THE BUS GET A MINIMAL DAMAGE. MY CAR WAS MOSTLY DAMAGE ON THE FRONT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE, BUT WAS DRIVABLE. ABOUT TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, I WAS DRIVING THE SAME CAR ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AND EXPERIENCE THE SAME SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF THE CAR ENGINE. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE CAR CONTINUED RUNNING NORMALLY. IN VIEW OF THE SERIOUS EVENTS WITH THIS 2005 PASSAT WHICH HAS ONLY AROUND 10,000 MILES, I CONCLUDE THAT THIS VEHICLE IS PRONE TO FAULTY PERFORMANCE AND IS DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE ON THE ROAD. I PARTICULARLY BLAME VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AS THE DIRECT RESPONSIBLE PARTY FOR THE ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON 11-04-05, AROUND 7:30 PM, NEAR THE LINCOLN TUNNEL , ON THE NEW JERSEY SIDE, WHEN A CLEAR MALFUNCTION OF THE 2005 PASSAT THAT I LEASED FROM VOLKSWAGEN, PROVOKED AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED AND THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN MORE SERIOUS. CAR REFERENCE: 2005 VW PASSAT GLS, 1,8 SEDAN. SERIAL NUMBER: [XXX], LEASED FROM THREE COUNTY VOLKSWAGEN, 701 RIVERSIDE AVENUE, LYNDHURST, NJ 07071. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

REGARDING THE INCIDENT OF REFERENCE, REPORTED UNDER ODI NUMBER 10146004, I HAVE TO SAY THAT I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE AUTO MAKER, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, DATED JANUARY 11, 2006. IT IS MY OPINION THAT SUCH LETTER DOES NOT ADDRESS THE FUNDAMENTAL POINT OF THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF THE VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLE THAT I LEASED. IN THIS LETTER, VOLKSWAGEN ADMITTED "CONCERNS" ON SOME OF THE VEHICLES THEY MANUFACTURED AND THEIR INABILITY TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THOSE "CONCERNS". I REQUEST THE ASSISTANCE OF NHTSA IN PURSUING THIS MATTER AS AN ISSUE OF SAFETY AND DEFECTIVE PRODUCTION OF A VOLKSWAGEN AUTOMOBILE THAT MAY PROVE TO BE FATAL BECAUSE ITS MALFUNCTIONING HAS ALREADY PROVOKED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE, ADVICE ON THE COURSE OF ACTION I SHOULD TAKE VERSUS VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA. *JB

DT THE CONTACT STATED ON OCTOBER 9, 2005 THE VEHICLE LOST FORWARD POWER. PUSHED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE REVVED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, BUT WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE IT WOULD MOVE BACKWARD. THERE WAS NO PRIOR FOR WARNING ,AND NO TYPE OF ODD NOISES. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER, AND THERE WERE PUTTING IN A NEW TRANSMISSION . THE DEALER BELIEVED THIS HAPPENED DUE TO SOME TYPE OF SWITCH IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 8,000 MILES ON IT.*AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR STATE INSPECTION AND NO FAILURE CODES WERE PRESENT AT THAT TIME. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 32 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.

THE MOTORIZED SUNROOF ON MY 2005 VW PASSAT PULLS THE INTERIOR SUNSHADE OPEN WITH IT WHEN IT IS OPENED ELECTRICALLY. WHILE THE SUNROOF ITSELF HAS AN ANTI PINCH FEATURE, THE SUNSHADE HANDLES/VENTS REPRESENT A PINCH POINT AS THE SUNROOF OPENS. THE HANDLES/VENTS ARE HARD EDGED PLASTIC THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO MANGLE A FINGERTIP. I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER THE ANTI PINCH SYSTEM OPERATES IN THE "OPEN" DIRECTION OF MOTION, BUT SEEMS NOT TO BE ACTIVE (BASED ON MY BRUISED FINGER) *JB

TWICE THE FLOOR BOARD IN THE RIGHT BACK SEAT FLOODED DUE TO AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED POLLEN FILTER. THE SECOND FLOODING CAUSED MY AUTO TRANSMISSION MODULE TO SHORT AND PUT THE CAR IN LIMP MODE. *JB

2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH STALLING.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER, THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED.

CUSTOMER NOTICES A METAL ON METAL SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEATS. NOTICEABLE WHEN THERE IS ANY WEIGHT SHIFT OF THE OCCUPANT IN THE SEAT SUCH AS DURING ACCELERATION, BUMPS, CORNERS, ETC. CUSTOMER UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE METAL ON METAL NOISE IS FROM SEAT BACK, SEAT SPRINGS OR SEAT MOUNTING. CUSTOMER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL LEAD TO A WEAKENING OF THE METAL COMPONENTS AND THE SEAT WILL FAIL DURING AN ACCIDENT. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT'S FRIEND OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND DOES NOT DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

2005 VW PASSAT WITH RECALL FOR A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. CONSUMER TOOK THE CAR OVERSEAS. HE STATES THAT THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *KB THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE NOT HAVING THE PROBLEM IN EUROPE. *JB

LTR FROM SENATOR MURKOWSKI ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT WHO HAS CONCERNS RE THE SAFETY OF THE 2005 VW PASSAT TDI STATION WAGON. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A DESIGN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED VW USED AN UNUSUAL COMBINATION OF A CHAIN DRIVEN OIL PUMP (NORMALLY GEAR DRIVE) AND ASSOCIATED WITH THAT A COUNTER BALANCER TO REDUCE VIBRATION IN THE DIESEL ENGINE. THE OIL CHAIN IS PRONE TO FAILURE, AND THE BALANCER SHAFT IS NOT A TIGHT ENOUGH FIT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIR IS COSTLY AND THERE IS NO REAL FIX FOR THE ISSUE. *JB