Owner was driving vehicle for approximately 5 minutes, parked it, and then noticed smoke coming from the heater and also noticed the hood light going on and off. Fire burned throughout the passenger compartment and part of the undercarriage. Cause undetermined.

- Seekonk, MA, USA

ABS and brake light intermittently light up and sound an emergency. I've taken the car to two garages, and neither place can determine the problem. Sometimes I cani feel my ABS system lock up if I am turning (not in any wet conditions); and in those occasions, I was fortunate that no cars had been coming toward me B/C I was unable to gain control. Neither mechanic saw any fault in my brakes, brake pads, shoes, etc., so there is something electrical to blame; and this is a complaint heard often with 1998-1999 VW Passats. Either way, nothing has been done to correct the failure, only $300 in diagnostics.

- Plainsboro, NJ, USA

Consumer states instrument panel was going out or not coming on while driving at night. Bulb needs to be replaced.

- Bahrain, 00, USA

I have had numerous problems with the various electrical components in my VW passta. I have had the radio pick the turn signal while listening to am stations. The lights in the airconditiong component stopped working. The passaenger dr behind the drivers side locking mechanism is still broken (even after 4-5 trips to the dealer). The passenger door behing the front passenger had to be completely replaced because it would no lock. The truck mechanism stopped locking and had to be replaced. The lights in the back fell out. The car simply cut off while driving for no apparent reason. The security system went haywire for no reason.

- Columbia, SC, USA