2007 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

HERE IS PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING WITH MY 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE I AM DRIVING THE CAR SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT THREE TIMES THIS YEAR . IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE IN 3 ACCIDENTS AND TO HAVE TO QUICKLY PULL OFF THE ROAD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED 3 TIMES TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CAR LOCKS DOWN AND I CANT PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO TOW IT. IT TAKES AN EXPERIENCE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TO GET IN ON A FLAT BED WITH THE WHEELS LOCKED. THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THEY CANT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT AND THEY CAN NOT GET THE CAR TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE, FROM THE FORUMS I HAVE BEEN READING VW TELLS EVERYONE THE SAME THING. I HAVE ALREADY PAID 2000 TO GET THIS CAR FIX AND VW STILL HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT FROM WHAT I AM READING IT SOUNDS LIKE IT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK ISSUE. VW NEEDS TO RECALL THIS, IT NOT MY FAULT THAT THIS CAR HAS THIS ISSUE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. EVERYONE DRIVING THIS CAR LIFE COULD BE AT RISK, THIS CAR SHOULD NOT SHUT OFF AT 70 MILES HOUR WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND YOU... THIS COULD CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT AND IT WOULD BE VW FAULT! *TR

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT AIR CONDITIONER QUIT WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, WHERE ALL THE SERVICE HAS BEEN PERFORMED SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. THEY CALL AND TELL ME THAT THE COMPRESSOR HAS GONE BAD, AND WHEN IT FAILED IT CONTAMINATED THE WHOLE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM, WHICH INCLUDE THE EVAPORATOR, COMPRESSOR AND FLUID AND THAT THEY ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED AND SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE FLUSHED. OUR CAR HAS ABOUT 43000 MILES AND HAS BEEN "IN SERVICE" FOR 4 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS, WHICH IS THREE MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAID THEY HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF THESE REPAIRS. I THINK IT IS WAY TO EARLY FOR THESE COMPONENTS TO FAIL. MY TRUCK IS 10 YEARS OLDER AND STILL HAS ALL THE ORIGINAL AIR CONDITIONING PARTS AND WORK PERFECTLY. I THINK THEY NEED TO RECALL THESE COMPRESSORS AND TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

WENT TO GO GRAB LUNCH YESTERDAY. AS I PARKED I PLACED THE PARKING BRAKE ON. HOWEVER ONCE I CAME BACK TO THE CAR. THE BRAKE WOULD NOT REMOVE ITSELF. THE SYSTEM KEPT READING PARKING BRAKE FAULT. I HAD TO WAIT THERE UNTIL A TOW TRUNK CAME TO TOW ME TO THE DEALER. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. I HAVE ALSO CAME TO PARK A FEW TIMES IN THE BRAKE PLACED ITSELF ON. *TR

I TOOK MY VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND CHECK UP AND WAS INFORMED THAT I HAVE A BAD FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO RISK OF THE BEARING LOCKING UP THE WHEEL. THE WHEEL BEARING IS CURRENTLY ON A NATIONWIDE BACK ORDER DUE TO EXCESSIVE DEMAND. THE WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT PART WAS RECENTLY MODIFIED DUE TO A KNOWN PROBLEM. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT IS UNKNOWN WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT. MY VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IS A 2007 AND ONLY HAS 29,000 MILES. IT IS UNHEARD OF FOR A WHEEL BEARING TO FAIL WITH MILEAGE THAT LOW, SINCE WHEEL BEARINGS ONLY WEAR OUT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR (IE 80,000 MILES OR MORE) OR FLOOD. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A FLOOD AND I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT ALL THE CARS NEEDING REPLACEMENT WHEEL BEARINGS AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A FLOOD. THE WHEEL BEARINGS ARE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY AND THE FACT THAT THEY CANNOT BE REPLACED IN A TIMELY MANNER IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *KB

THIS PASSAT CONTINUES TO HAVE AIR BAG ISSUES. THE AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT HAS GONE ON MULTIPLE TIMES IN LAST 12 MONTHS. PER THE VW TECH'S, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON. THE AIR BAGS, WIRES, HARNESSES AND COMPONENTS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED. AT LAST VISIT TO VW, THEY STATED NOTHING ELSE CAN GO WRONG BECAUSE IT HAS ALL BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN FOR SAME REPAIR. THE ABOVE DATE IS AN ESTIMATE. BUT, IT HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR THIS ISSUE BY CURRENT DEALER SINCE 8/11/11. *TR

I HAVE EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE HESITATION (OR MISFIRE ISSUE ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP) AND LOSS OF POWER AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA ACTION # EA11002. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS TO TRY AND CORRECT THE ENGINE FAULTS.

CAR EITHER WILL NOT START OR SHUTS OFF. DISPLAY STATES "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECT". THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP, THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, AND HIGH PITCHED ALARMS SOUND. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER SERVICE BULLETIN 4815, AT NO CHARGE. THIS HAPPENED IN 2011. THIS WEEK, IN 2014 THE SAME EXACT STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECT REOCCURRED. DESPITE THIS BEING A KNOWN DEFECT AMONG VWS, AND THIS BEING A FAILURE OF THE PREVIOUS "FIX" VW REFUSES TO DO A WARRANTY REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS "OUTSIDE OF THE 12 MONTH 12,000 MILE" WARRANTY ON REPAIRS. THIS IS IN MY MIND, A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS AND THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, PEOPLE WOULD BE INJURED OR KILLED. *TT

FALSE EPC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS. WHEN CHECKED BY DEALER, THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND ONLY SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS NEEDED. I WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS A SOFTWARE GLITCH THAT WILL AFFECT THE CORRECT FUNCTIONING OF THE VEHICLE.

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE - CONSTANTLY A NEW LIGHT ON THAT NEVER STAYED ON. DRIVER'S AIRBAG ISSUE THAT VW SAYS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT - A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VW CHARGED US TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT CAME BACK WITH 12 FAILURE CODES, THE TWO MOST SEVERE BEING INTAKE RUNNER MOTOR AND HIGH PRESSURE PUMP. THEN, NOT LONG AFTER, THE CAR LITERALLY SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND WE COULD HARDLY GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (MIND YOU NO PRIOR WARNING LIGHTS WERE PRESENT). THE ONLY ONE THAT CAME ON FOR A SPLIT SECOND WAS THE EPC (ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL) LIGHT BEFORE THE CAR SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO VW DEALER WHO AFTER INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM, SAID THAT THE ENGINE WAS SHOT. AND, I ALMOST FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THE AIR HASN'T WORKED FOR 2 SUMMERS. VW CLAIMS THAT THIS IS BECAUSE A BAD COMPRESSOR WAS PUT IN THE PASSATS. $1800 TO FIX. THESE ISSUES ARE COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND WE DON'T THINK ANY OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS SHOULD BE OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY. VW NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY ENGINEERING. *TR

TWO REAR SEAT BELTS IN MY CAR STOP WORKING. I'M CONCERN THAT SINCE THIS CAR IS LESS THEN 5 YEARS OLD, THAT A DEVICE THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR IS MALFUNCTIONING. *TR

PROBLEM: HEADS UP DISPLAY IN CAR SAYS "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE." CAR STARTS UP, THEN STALLS AND THE ENGINE CUTS OFF. THIS WARNING IS DISPLAYED, ALONG WITH THREE LOUD BEEPS. AFTER THIS MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED, THE CAR WILL NOT START UP WITH REPEATED ATTEMPTS AT INSERTING THE KEY. TRIES TO START, STALLS, TRIES TO START, STALLS, ETC. SOMETIMES IT WILL START ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT, SOMETIMES I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE 30TH+ ATTEMPT. MAKE THE CAR VERY SPORADIC IN ITS DRIVING USE WITH WHETHER IT WILL EVEN TURN ON OR NOT! NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP THIS PROBLEM. TURNING THE STEER WHEEL DURING START, DEPRESSING THE BRAKE, HAVING THE PARKING BRAKE ON, ETC. IT SHOULD BE NOTED HOWEVER THAT SOMETIMES THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR AT ALL. I WILL INSERT THE KEY AND IT WILL START LIKE NORMAL. BUT THEN SOMETIMES I WILL GET THE ERROR ALONG WITH MULTIPLE FAILED ATTEMPTS AT STARTING THE ENGINE. PLANNING ON TAKING THIS CAR TO DEALER SOON AND HOPE THAT WARRANTY WILL COVER IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED AND BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE STEERING COLUMN DEFECTIVE LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL AFTER TRYING TO INSERT THE KEY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

IN BELOW FREEZING WEATHER, I WAS TRYING TO LEAVE MY CHILD'S DAYCARE. WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED PROPERLY INTO THE IGNITION, THE CAR BEEPS AND PRESENTS A WARNING "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE!" IT WOULD NOT START FOR 45 MINUTES - JUST KEPT TURNING OVER AND IMMEDIATELY DIEING (LOST SPARK, PRESUMABLY, AS PART OF THE IMMOBILIZATION SYSTEM). TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AND JOKING SARCASTICALLY IMPLYING THAT THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME - THE STALLING AT STARTUP IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK PROBLEM. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH A NEW CONTROL MODULE (AROUND $200 IN PARTS) ALONG WITH 4 HOURS OF LABOR (QUOTED AROUND $375 FOR ME). THIS PROBLEM IS WIDELY REPORTED ON PASSAT MESSAGE BOARDS WITH INITIAL COSTS BEING AS HIGH AS $1,900 UNTIL VW OF AMERICA RECENTLY DISCOVERED A MORE COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO FIX THE ISSUE. ALSO, VW OF IRELAND HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AS A SOFTWARE DEFECT (SEE IRISH TIMES ARTICLE FROM 11/4/2009 ENTITLED "STARING PROBLEMS WITH A VW PASSAT"). THERE ARE REPORTS THAT VW OF CANADA ARE REPAIRING THIS FOR FREE ON OUT OF WARRANTIED VEHICLES AS WELL. HOW MANY HAVE TO FAIL IN AMERICA BEFORE IT'S A RECALL? WOULDN'T A COMPUTER FAULT KEEPING A CAR FROM STARTING BE A SAFETY ISSUE? WHAT HAPPENS IF THE MODULE FAILS WHILE DRIVING - EITHER THE CAR DETERMINING THE KEY ISN'T CORRECT WOULD STOP THE ENGINE, OR IF THE STEERING COLUMN DOES LOCK WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS? *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ALONE IN OUR 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH THE 3.6 LITER ENGINE ON A REMOTE, LONELY RURAL ROAD WHEN THE "CHECK ENGINE AND OIL" LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BUT WAS FRIGHTENED AT BEING ALONE AND STRANDED ON A REMOTE ROAD. FORTUNATELY A TEXAS STATE TROOPER DROVE BY, STOPPED AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK FROM THE NEAREST TOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A VW DEALERSHIP. THE ENGINE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS, APPARENTLY DUE TO LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. AN ESTIMATE OF $12,000 WAS QUOTED TO ME FOR REPLACING THE ENGINE. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA REFUSED TO AUTHORIZE REPAIRS UNDER THE 60,000 MILE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY IN SPITE OF THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGISTERED ON LINE FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS EXACT SAME YEAR, MAKE, MODEL AND ENGINE INCLUDING NHTSA ODI NUMBERS 10229007, 10203527, 10203183 AND 10193036 AND ADDITIONAL NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE VW VORTEX WEBSITE. I HAVE THE ORIGINAL ODOMETER DISCLOSURE STATEMENT SHOWING THAT VW HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE 195 MILES BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER OF PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS DUE TO FIRE OR HARM FROM PASSING MOTORISTS DUE TO BEING STRANDED IN A REMOTE LOCATION. VW HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME BUT HAS REFUSED TO TAKE ACTION TO REMEDY THE ISSUE PRIOR TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

MY 2007 PASSAT 2.0T WAGON CAR HAS DEVELOPED A SYMPTOM WHEN THE RPM GOES OVER 3000 SPECIALLY WHEN I NEED ACCELERATION AND IT CUTS OF THE POWER (FUEL OR SOMETHING ELSE I DON'T KNOW, THERE IS A TSB REGARDING TO CAM SHAFT LOBE WEAR THIS IS THE EXACT SYMPTOM I HAVE) THE MIL COMES ON WITH A CODE 2293. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY Y VEHICLE IS OVER WARRANTY MILEAGE AND THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. I NOTICED MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE ON THE INTERNET AND WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE ENGINE POWER CUTS OFF. BY THE DEFINITION OF THE TSB THIS IS APPARENTLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THEY EVEN RELEASE AN UPDATED PART AND ADVISE THE DEALERS TO USE THE UPDATED PART. I LIKE MANY OTHERS ARE FORCED TO PAY A HEFTY REPAIR SUM JUST AFTER COUPLE THOUSAND MILES OVER WARRANTY PERIOD. IN MY OPINION VW NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. *LN

WAS DRIVING 50 MPH ON HIGHWAY WHEN ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. SHIFTED CAR TO NEUTRAL UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE WHILE COASTING INTO A PARKING LOT. I WAS FIRST TOLD IT WAS A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THEN ON FURTHER INSPECTION I WAS NOTIFIED IT WAS A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THE OIL PUMP ASSEMBLY COMING UNBOLTED. CAR IS IN THE SHOP & VW HAS OFFERED TO REPLACE ENGINE WITH A REBUILT ENGINE. STILL BEING RESOLVED AT THIS TIME. *TR

2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4MOTION. LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN TWO DEALERS SERVICE CENTERS TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. A MONTH AGO IT WAS REPAIRED AND LASTED ONE BLOCK. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER TO CONTACT ME TO GET THIS RESOLVED. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY CONTACT FROM EITHER. I FEEL THAT SINCE THIS IS A FEDERAL MANDATE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. IT WAS NOT. *LN

THE CAR WILL IDLE AT 900-1000 RPM WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. BRAKE MUST BE HELD HEAVILY AND IF RELEASED, CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD WITHOUT DRIVER ENGAGING ACCELERATOR. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AFTER CAR HAS SAT IN THE HOT SUN. TEMPERATURES ARE NOT ABOVE NORMAL FOR THE AREA THIS SUMMER. TOOK CAR TO DEALER (MILEAGE 38,000). PROBLEM REPLICATED FOR DEALER AND SERVICE DEPT CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA (VWA) FOR ASSISTANCE. VWA CONTENDS THAT OPERATION IS WITHIN NORMAL SPECS AND THAT CAR IS COMMANDING THE HIGHER IDLE SPEED TO BUMP UP ALTERNATOR OUTPUT. VWA STATES THIS IS DUE TO HIGH SUMMER TEMPS ALTHOUGH SUMMER TEMPS FOR THE AREA ARE AVERAGE THIS YEAR. WE AND DEALER ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH ANSWER BUT VWA REFUSES TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER AND CLOSED THE ISSUE. DEALER REPORTS ANOTHER CAR OF SAME MAKE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

EXCESSIVE EXTERNAL CAR NOISE WHILE IDLE. LOUD NOISE IN MOTOR AREA WHEN STARTING CAR. NOTHING CAN BE DONE ACCORDING TO REYDEL VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND SHREWSBURY VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE AND HAS NOT BEEN HANDLED BY VOLKSWAGEN CORPORATION. *KB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUOUSLY STALL SPORADICALLY WITHOUT WARNING .THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A FAULTY ALTERNATOR, BATTERY OR BOTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE BOTH THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 20,000.

TIRE PRESSURE ISSUES WITH VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLES. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BACK IN 2007 AND ABOUT NEARLY A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH TIRE PRESSURE. NO ONE FROM THE VW DEALER I PURCHASE THE CAR FROM OR ANOTHER VW DEALER CAN TELL ME WHAT THE ISSUE IS. THE REFRAIN IS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES. EACH MONTH UP UNTIL JULY I HAVE TO PUT AIR IN MY TIRE, WHEN I REACHED THE 50K MARKER AND TIRES WERE ROTATED I HAVE TO INFLATE THE TIRE EVERY 3-4 DAYS. *TR

WE OWN A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. ON JUNE THE 15TH, 2010, WE STARTED GETTING AN ALARM INDICATOR SAYING THAT "THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED" AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. WE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP, WHERE WE WERE TOLD THAT IT IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM, AND THE PARTS TO FIX IT ARE ON "NATIONAL BACKORDER" WITH NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL EITHER LEAVE MY WIFE STRANDED SOMEPLACE UNSAFE, OR, THE PROBLEM WILL OCCUR WHILE SHE IS DRIVING AND AFFECT HER ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOUR AGENCY HAS RECEIVED OTHER COMPLAINTS, AND ARE YOU ABLE TO ASSIST IN EXPEDITING REPAIRS? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

A NICE SUMMER DAY TRANSPORTING MY FAMILY, INCLUDING TWO SMALL CHILDREN TO A BASEBALL GAME. TEMP WAS 80 F, NO WIND, MOSTLY SUNNY. CAME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN, PUSHED ON ACCELERATOR. VEHICLE HESITATED, THAN ACCELERATED SLOWER THAN EXPECTED IN A HALTING, HERKY-JERKY WAY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE I CONTACT ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER REPORTED REPLACING THE COIL ON PLUG IGNITION. *TR

THE CAR WOULD NOT START. TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. DEALER REPLACED A MODULE. PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER REPLACED RELAY. PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER NOW NEEDS TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING RACK FOR $2,000, BUT CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND VW WILL NOT COVER. MANY OWNERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS .

I AM WRITING YOU TO ASK FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN EXPEDITING THE REPAIR OR REPURCHASE BY VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA OF THE 2007 PASSAT VIN [XXX] OWNED BY MY COMPANY, THE LUNT MARYMOR CO., INC.. THIS VEHICLE HAS A MOLDY SMELL THAT IS PERSISTENT AND IS A LIKELY HEALTH HAZARD. WHEN ANYONE GETS INTO THE CAR THEY START TO COUGH. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AND UNSELLABLE. THE MOLDY CONDITION IS A RESULT OF PLUGGING OF BOTH THE A/C DRAIN SYSTEM AND THE SKYLIGHT DRAINS. THE OAKLAND VOLKSWAGEN REPAIR DEPT, LEAD BY LEE MOLINONI, HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITHOUT SUCCESS. THEY'VE TOLD ME THEY DON'T KNOW OF ANYTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IF IT CAN'T BE FIXED I AM DEPRIVED OF ITS USE. I DID NOT CREATE THIS PROBLEM. WHILE YOU HAVE READY ACCESS TO ALL THE SVC RECORDS AT OAKLAND VOLKSWAGEN ALLOW ME TO SHARE WITH YOU A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PROBLEM. THE MOLDY SMELL STARTED IN MAY OF THIS YEAR. THE PROBLEM WAS PROMPTLY DIAGNOSED BY OAKLAND VOLKSWAGEN AS A PLUGGED A/C DRAIN. THE DRAIN WAS CLEARED AND THE A/C DUCTING SYSTEM WAS TREATED BY A MACHINE DESIGNED TO CLEAN THE DUCTS. THE MACHINE BROKE WITHOUT COMPLETING THE TREATMENT AND A NEW MACHINE HAD TO BE ORDERED. THIS TOOK A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO GET AND I HAD TO DRIVE A MOLDY CAR WHILE OAKLAND VOLKSWAGEN WAITED FOR IT TO ARRIVE. ON RETURNING TO THE DEALER, WHEN THE NEW MACHINE ARRIVED, THE DUCTS WERE CLEANED BUT IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT SEVERAL VALVE OPERATED DUCTS HAD FAILED. THIS REQUIRED REMOVAL OF THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD TO REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP SUBSEQUENTLY THOROUGHLY CLEANED THE CAR. THE MOLDY SMELL PERSISTED. MY WIFE AND I THOROUGHLY CLEANED THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF THE CAR TO NO AVAIL. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY THEN FOUND 3 OF 4 SKYLIGHT DRAINS WERE PLUGGED. THESE WERE CLEARED. IN THE COURSE OF ALL THESE VISITS THE MECHANIC ALSO FOUND A FAULTY BRAKE MODULE (THE PRKG BRAKE WOULDN'T RELEASE) AND A FAILED BATTERY. THE DEALER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I HAVE A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT AND THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK IS NOW DEFECTIVE AND THE CAR WONT START THE CAR ONLY HAS 53000 MILES AND IT HAS ONLY BEEN OUT OF WARRANTY THREE THOUSAND MILES AND THIS IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR ABOUT TWO THOUSAND QUOTED BY THE DEALER. DEALER ALSO SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THAT THEY HAD SEEN A FEW CARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

LEAVING MY HOME ON MY WAY TO WORK IN THE AM MY BRAKES FAILED THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN PANIC AND PUMPING THEY RETURNED BEFORE I REACHED THE STOP SIGN, THE 2007 PASSAT WAGON HAS NO EBRAKE JUST A BUTTON FOR THE PARKING BRAKE, WHICH I DID NOT USE. I DROVE THE CAR FOR THE NEXT 2 WEEKS WITHOUT IT HAPPENING AGAIN, THEN AT THE SAME STOP SIGN (THE FIRST ONE I REACH WHEN I LEAVE MY HOUSE IN THE AM) IT HAPPENED AGAIN, PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, PUMP,PANIC & JUST BEFORE THE INTERSECTION THEY WORK. THE WEATHER ON BOTH OCCASIONS WAS RAINY, AND ABOUT 38 DEGREES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES, THE MECHANIC SAID IF I WAS DESPERATE I COULD PUSH AND HOLD THE PARKING BRAKE BUTTON THIS WOULD LOCK THE CARS BRAKES AND PUT IT INTO A SKID. I AM STILL DRIVING IT WITHOUT ANY MORE FAILURES BUT I FEAR ANOTHER ONE WILL. THE ONLY REASON I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO NOT HAVE A CRASH FROM THE FAILURES IS BECAUSE THIS IS RURAL DRIVING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHENEVER THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS IT BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND HESITATE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 38,000.

COIL PACK CRACKED AFTER 45,000 MILES AND CAUGHT FIRE. I CAUGHT IT IN TIME AND WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT. REPLACED COIL PACK AND ANY DAMAGED WIRES ASSOCIATED WITH THE FIRE. *TR

THE 2007 VW PASSAT WAGON 2.0T HAS BEEN RIDDLED WITH ELECTRONIC FAILURES WHICH CONTINUE TO ESCALATE. WE HAVE HONESTLY LOST COUNT OF THE AMOUNT OF DAYS THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE - AT LEAST 9 INCIDENTS, TWICE TOWED. INITIALLY THE PROBLEMS WERE BENIGN, SUCH AS THE HORN GOING OFF AT RANDOM INTERVALS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. THERE WERE TWO INCIDENTS OF THE CAR NOT BEING ABLE TO START AFTER SITTING FOR ONLY TWO OR THREE DAYS, WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY BATTERY. PROBLEM ESCALATED TO INOPERABLE WINDOW AND DOOR MECHANISMS, DELAYS UPON ACCELERATION, AIR CONDITIONER MALFUNCTION, AND MOST RECENTLY COMPLETE ENGINE SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. UPON HAVING VEHICLE TOWED IN TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WE WERE TOLD "THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP AND TESTED FINE ON THE COMPUTER" AND THAT THERE REALLY ISN'T ANYTHING MORE THE MECHANIC COULD DO WITHOUT A BETTER COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS. ATTEMPTS TO SPEAK WITH MANAGERS HAVE GONE IGNORED AND UNANSWERED. I AM CURRENTLY WAITING TO HEAR FROM VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA IN RESPONSE TO AN EMAIL I SENT TO THEIR ONLINE CUSTOMER CARE. *TR

WHEN UNDER 5MPH THE CAR WILL STALL OR IT WILL NOT START. IT SOMETIMES RUNS ME LATE FOR AN EVENT DUE TO IT WILL NOT START. I'M NOT SURE WHY IT DOES IT I'VE NOT NOTICED THE PATTERN YET. THE LCD SCREEN WILL READ DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN. I'VE CALLED VW AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRES AND THEY WANT NEARLY 3K TO REPLACE THE PRODUCT OF THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AND IMMOBILIZER. *TR

ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT SET OR WILL NOT RELEASE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, BUT PROGRESSIVE, BEGINNING WITH FAILURE TO SET AND CULMINATING WITH FAILURE TO RELEASE, IN ONE INSTANCE TRIGGERING MASTER BRAKE FAILURE WARNING. FAILURE TO SET MAKES CAR ILLEGAL TO DRIVE AND DANGEROUS WHEN PARKED AS THERE IS NO BACK UP SYSTEM TO SET PARKING BRAKE. FAILURE TO RELEASE STRANDS DRIVER IN POSSIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. VW SAYS IN THIS INSTANCE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO CALL FOR TOW. FAILURES MAY AT TIMES BE CLEARED BY RESTARTING ENGINE, BUT PROGRESSIVELY LESS SUCCESSFUL. CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALER THREE TIMES SINCE PROBLEM AROSE. 3 DAYS IN JUNE, 2 DAYS IN EARLY JULY, AND MOST RECENTLY 35 DAYS AND COUNTING (SINCE JULY 22). DEALER HAS REPLACED MULTIPLE MODULES MULTIPLE TIMES, OVERLAID WIRING, ETC. WITHOUT SOLUTION. DESPITE A SENIOR MECHANIC BEING PLACED ON THE JOB, NO SOURCE OF FAULT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AND BY ALL APPEARANCE LOGICAL DIAGNOSTIC WORK HAS CEASED AND HAPHAZARD PARTS REPLACEMENT HAS BEGUN, I.E., "HOPE" IS THE ONLY REMAINING CORRECTIVE STRATEGY. DEALER IS SYMPATHETIC BUT OF NO BENEFIT. VW CUSTOMER CARE CONTACTED BUT PROMISED FOLLOW UP BY THEM HAS NOT BEEN MADE. AS CAR CAN STILL BE OPERATED WHEN ELECTRONIC BRAKE FAILS TO SET, THIS CREATES A POSSIBLY WIDESPREAD PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE SINCE CAR CANNOT BE PROPERLY PARKED AND MUST RELY SOLELY ON TRANSMISSION HOLDING CAR. *TR

2007 VW PASSAT "STEERING COLUMN DEFECTED". MY KEY "FOB" TO THE IGNITION GETS STUCK INSIDE THE IGNITION SLOT. CAR WILL NOT START. SOMETIMES IT WILL START BUT THEN IMMEDIATELY DIE. I HAVE TO VERY SLOWLY PUSH THE FOB BACK AND FORTH TO FINALLY GET THE CAR TO START EVENTUALLY. PROBLEM IS, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OTHER 2006-2007 VW PASSATS AND JETTAS THAT HAVE THIS ISSUE. IT IS UNSAFE. THE VW DEALER IS CHARGING ON AVERAGE $1,400 TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR

THROTTLE NOT RESPONSIVE TO ACCELERATOR PRESSURE. VARIOUS RESPONSES -- SOMETIMES ACCELERATES NORMALLY, OTHER TIMES VERY LITTLE ACCELERATION. OCCURS WHEN ENGINE IS WARM AND AT SPEED ON EXPRESSWAY. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE WHEN I NEED TO, E.G., NEEDING TO ACCELERATE TO SWITCH LANES. IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK (MARCH 27-30, 2010). WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE "EPC" AND THE "SLIP CONTROL" SIGNALS ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHT UP, AS WELL AS AN "!" AND AN IMAGE OF A TACHOMETER. IN THE MORNING WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD, THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE NOT ON, OR WHEN THE CAR HAS BE TURNED OFF FOR A WHILE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IMMEDIATELY THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK (MARCH 30). THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM BETWEEN THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE ACCELERATOR. I DROVE THE CAR HOME THAT EVENING AND BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. I PICKED THE CAR UP THAT EVENING AND PAID $407 DOLLARS FOR THE REPAIR. I INDICATED THAT I THOUGHT THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT VW WOULD COVER THE EXPENSE. THEY SAID IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER CARS BUT THERE WAS NOT RECALL. THE SAME THING OCCURRED THE NEXT DAY (FRIDAY) ON MY WAY TO WORK, BUT NOT ON THE RETURN HOME. THE NEXT MONDAY (MARCH 29), IT OCCURED ON THE WAY HOME. I STOPPED AT THE VW DEALER AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT DAY. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE VW DEALER AND THEY INDICATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY PROGRAMMING WAS NOT WORKING AND THAT THEY WOULD INSTALL A NEW THROTTLE BODY ($400 PART PLUS $120 LABOR -- THE PART WOULD BE FREE SINCE I AM A GOOD CUSTOMER). I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS GOING TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA BECAUSE I THOUGHT THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND TO SEE IF THIS WAS OCCURRING WITH OTHER VW VEHICLES. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT VW DIRECTLY. I WILL DO THAT TODAY.

2007 VW PASSAT PASSENGER SEAT WARMER CAUGHT THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. *TR

VEHICLE LOW OIL PRESSURE ALARM CAME& STOP ENGINE ALARM, I STOPPED VEHICLE, NO OIL ON DIPSTICK, I PUT IN 4 QTS, OIL, STILL NOT FULL, TOOK TO DEALER, THEY SAID IT NEEDS PISTON RINGS, I ASKED ABOUT THE TURBO & INTERNAL PARTS POSSIBLY DAMAGED DUE TO OIL STARVATION, THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE RINGS, IF ANYTHING ELSE FAILS AFTER THE REPAIRS THEY WILL REPAIR IT AS LONG AS IT IS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, THE VEHICLE HAS APPROX 13000 MILES, I REQUESTED A NEW ENGINE SINCE THE VEHICLE IS NEW, NO HELP FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE OR DEALER, I AM AFRAID I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES DUE TO SOME INTERNAL PARTS PREMATURE WEAR DUE TO THE OIL CONSUMPTION WHICH WAS CONFIRMED BY VW DEALER, APPROX 1.9 QUARTS IN 662 MILES. *TR

2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING SO I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT ENDED UP NEEDING A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP PLUNGER FAILED AND SENT METAL INTO THE ENGINE DESTROYING IT. VW REFUSES TO PAY FOR IT. *TR

I STARTED MY VEHICLE, AND WITHIN 30 SECONDS I SMELLED BURNING. I SHUT DOWN ENGINE AND NOTICED SMOKE BELLOWING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. I LIFTED HOOD AND FOUND AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS ON TOP OF ENGINE WAS ON FIRE AND MELTING. I WAS ABLE TO BORROW PLIERS FROM SOMEONE AND DISCONNECTED BATTERY CABLE. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY CALLED ME THIS MORNING STATING THAT THE COIL HAD AN INTERNAL SHORT. I ASKED THEM HOW I CAN BE ASSURED THAT THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN WHEN PARTS ARE REPLACED AND THERE REPLY WAS " THIS IS VERY RARE". I HAVE A BABY LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD AND IT SCARES ME TO DEATH TO THINK WHAT MAY OF HAPPENED IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILD. *TR

WE HAD FEW FAILURES ON VW 2007 PASSAT WAGON; FIRST WAS A RECALL ON ONE OF THE SOFTWARE PARTS (APPROX 28 000 MILES); THEN AC PIPE SYSTEM RECALL; THEN WE HAD AN OIL LEAK (37 000 MILES-NO DAMAGE OR WARNINGS PRIOR TO THAT)-DEALERSHIP FIXED IT WITHOUT MUCH EXPLANATION; LAUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE- GASKET ON ONE OF THE VALES IN THE ENGINE FAILED (45 000 MILES)-NO PRIOR WARNINGS-FIXED WITHOUT MUCH EXPLANATION FROM THE DEALERSHIP EXCEPT THAT IF WE KEEP DRIVING? CAR WILL USE MORE GAS THEN USUAL... *TR

I OWN A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON WITH A 2.0 LITER TURBO ENGINE. IT WAS PURCHASED IN JULY 2008 AS A CERTIFIED PRE OWNED VEHICLE WITH ROUGHLY 8,000 MILES ON IT. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, I NOTICED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED HARD, THE PEDAL WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. VW INSPECTED THIS AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO FUNCTION THIS WAY. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS (AS I DISCOVERED LATER ON) IS THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL ARE VERY CLOSE TOGETHER. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED HARD, IT GOES PAST THE GAS PEDAL. ON TWO OCCASSIONS WHEN BRAKING HARD IN AN EMERGENCY, MY FOOT CAUGHT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND I WAS APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE. THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE VERY DANGEROUS. VOLKSWAGEN CONTINUES TO TELL ME THAT THIS IS HOW THE CAR IS AND THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE FOR ME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND EPC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A THUMPING SOUND. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER, AND THE ENGINE IS BEING REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 21,670.

OIL PUMP BOLT SHEARED, CAUSING ENGINE TO SEIZE AND STOP RUNNING. WAS STRANDED. NO WARNING GIVEN. DEALER REPLACES OIL PUMP BOLT AND RELATED DAMAGED PARTS (OIL PUMP, TIMING CHAIN). OVER 30 PEOPLE AT THIS FORUM HAVE EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZERO THREAD?ID=3462993 PLEASE MAKE VW OF AMERICA ISSUE A RECALL TO PREVENT THIS BOLT FAILURE FROM AFFLICTING OTHER OWNERS OF 2006 - 2007 3.6L PASSAT CARS. *TR

A BOLT IN THE OIL PUMP FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE ON HIGHWAY. ENGINE SHUT OFF AT SPEED IN MODERATE TRAFFIC. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AND THE RPM NEEDLE INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT THE TIME. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT SEEMED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. AFTER A FEW DAYS, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A RECALL ON THE ENGINE FOR UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT WAS ACTUALLY REPAIRED. THREE WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE FAILURE RECURRED, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE BUMPER OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE HAS REMAINED THERE EVER SINCE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE YET BECAUSE THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS INDICATE THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VIN AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,434.

A/C WAS NOT COOLING AS NORMAL THEN THE A/C WAS NOT COOLING AT ALL. THE DAY THE A/C SYSTEM FAILED I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED OF 70 MILES PER HOUR AND IT WAS RAINING HEAVILY. ALL WINDOWS TO THE VEHICLE FOGGED TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD NO VISIBILITY. I PULLED OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE STORM TO PASS TO OPEN MY WINDOWS AND BE ABLE TO SEE THROUGH ALL WINDOWS. I DROVE THE CAR HOME AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A VW SERVICE SHOP THE NEXT DAY. THE SHOP CHECKED THE A/C SYSTEM FOR REFRIGERANT AND FOUND THAT IT WAS CONTAMINATED. THEY VACUUM/DRAINED THE SYSTEM, REFILLED IT WITH NEW REFRIGERANT, AND REPLACED THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR FOR THE A/C SYSTEM. THE A/C WAS WORKING AS NORMAL FOR TWO MONTHS THEN WITHOUT WARNING MY A/C SYSTEM WAS NOT COOLING AT ALL. I TOOK IT BACK THE NEXT DAY TO VW SERVICE. THEY FOUND THAT THE A/C COMPRESSOR SHAFT WAS SEIZED TO THE COMPRESSOR HOUSING. TO REPAIR IT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE COMPRESSOR, EXPANSION VALVE, AND CONDENSER. THEY ALSO CLEANED TO A/C LINES, VACUUMED THE SYSTEM AND REFILLED IT WITH REFRIGERANT AFTER PUTTING ALL THE PARTS TOGETHER.I WAS WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR A WEEK. TILL THIS DAY MY A/C SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. FOR EXAMPLE, I DRIVE THE CAR ONE DAY, THE A/C WORKS AND NORMAL, AND THE NEXT DAY IT DOES NOT COOL AT ALL. IT WORKS AT RANDOM TIMES. TO ADD, THE SAME TIME MY A/C WAS BROKEN MY AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. VW CHECKED IT AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IGNITER HAD TOO MUCH RESISTANCE. TO FIX IT THEY REMOVED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND BYPASSED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG PLUG. THEN THEY CHECKED THE SEAT HARNESS AND REINSTALLED THE SEAT. MY AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. MOREOVER, THE SUNVISORS LIGHTS DIDN'T WORK, SHIFT KNOB WAS CORRODED, THE RUBBER SEAL TO THE SATELLITE ANTENNA ROTTED AWAY, AND BOTH TAIL LIGHTS ON THE INTERIOR STARTED TO BURN AND LOOK MELTED. ALL WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. GOOD FOR THAT BECAUSE I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PAY FOR ALL THE REPAIR COSTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR LIGHT ALSO WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE AND THE LIGHT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES AND MOST RECENTLY FAILED AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRAIN HAD TO BE CLEANED OF CONTAMINATED SOLVENT AND REPAIRS WERE ALSO MADE TO THE TEMPERATURE SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO ANY OF THE ABOVE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,578 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

I WAS DRIVING AND LOOKED OVER TO SEE SMOKE ROLLING UP FROM MY CENTER CONSOLE/ARM REST I LIFTED UP THE ARM REST AND SAW THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. I PUT MY HAND OVER IT WHICH STOPPED THE SMOKE AND I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE ONLY THING NEAR IT WAS 2 BOTTLES OF WATER. *TR

MY 2007 VW PASSAT WAGON HAS 3 TIMES ON TRIPS LONGER THAN 4 HOURS IN 0 DEGREE WEATHER STARTED CHUGGING AND SHAKING ON THE HIGHWAY. EACH TIME HAS BEEN WORSE AND LASTED LONGER. THE FIRST TIME A CALL TO A VW DEALER SAID IT WAS THE GAS CAP AND IT WOULD BE OK. THE SECOND TIME A SUBARU MECHANIC DIAGNOSED MISFIRING AND A BAD COIL SO I TOOK IT TO A VW DEALER WHO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD FIND WRONG TO FIX. THE THIRD TIME I WAS NEARLY STRANDED ON A REMOTE HIGHWAY. I EVENTUALLY GOT HOME TO MY PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO AGREED IT WAS MISFIRING AND A BAD COIL AND WILL FIX IT. *TR

TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS. FIRST OCCURRENCE 7/12/08., MILEAGE 18,185. OIL PUMP SOCKET BROKE RESULTING IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE WAS REPLACED. SECOND OCCURRENCE 1/27/09. COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES SLIP AND GRIP RAPIDLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND BELOW. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR THE THIRD TIME AND IS TAKING LONGER TO REPAIR THAN USUAL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 15,000.