This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The daytime and normal headlights don't work when engine is started. This problem is intermittent. Sometimes I would shut off the engine and restart it and the lights come back on. Another time, I just turned off the engine and let the car sit in my garage for a few days. The lights come back on when I start it. At other times, in addition to the headlight not coming on, the ABS light comes on when the ignition is started. There are a lot of other electrical problems with my Passat, which I have fixed and reported here. Namely, the instrument cluster failed.
Speedometer/tachometer and fuel gauges went crazy. With engine off speedometer reads 80 mph and tachometer reads 4000 RPM. This occurred after a cold start-up and is known to be an instrument cluster failure. It appears to be specific to 1996 model Volkswagen Passat glx models and is reported to be a $600. Or more dealer repair with a need to special order the replacement gauge/cluster assembly from germany requiring 4-6 weeks for parts delivery. This is unacceptable ! printed circuit boards and instrument clusters are not wear items and should not fail under normal operation. I am not about to pay VW $600. Or more to fix a known defect. It is certainly possible to use the VIN numbers to determine if this defect is limited to a certain production time period. Perhaps the vendor supplier to VW had some production problems that were discovered and corrected. Owner's of these vehicles should not pay for a known defect that results from normal vehicle operation.
Instrument panel has been out for a while. Light has been on/off onboard diagnostic indicator. Towed to dealer, and was told that instrument panel: Cluster module had a short.
While driving in a parking lot the instrument panel failed to function properly: Digital displays flashed on and off speedometer and tachometer gauges moving clockwise and counter-clockwise out of control, this pattern continued when vehicle ignition turned off. Car taken to dealer for regular service and current problem. Service advisor says battery ok, needs new instrument cluster. Jan.06 vehicle fail to start, checked battery, battery burned up, cells dry. Replaced with new battery, inside of 2 week period failure to start and no powercontacted Volkswagen of America. Vehicle towed to dealer. Vehicle has been at dealer for 6 weeks. Dealer installs instrument cluster, go to pick up car and it fails to start. Car remains at dealership.
- Princeton, NJ, USA
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Instrument panel cluster was not operating properly. Dealer has consumer's car because of the instrument panel failure. Parts are on back order for about two weeks.
While the vehicle was in park with the motor running a malfunction occurred within the instrument cluster, causing the speed or fuel not to register, and other functions became inoperable. Cause unknown.
Engine check light keep coming on, and now the gauges on the dashboard don't work, including the speed gauge/gas gauge, and all of the electrical components that are operated by the computer. Consumer can't determine the problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Chelmsford, MA, USA