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.
Car was having a foul odor. Dealer did not have information for other complaints. After work, car would not start, alarm would not stop. Alarm killed battery. Dealer said leak in sunroof caused module to corrode and leak into interior. $1,440 to repair. Problem is identified in class action but our car is not included. I am leasing a car for my son to drive but now his daughter has eczema and asthma from the mold. How can I get VW to fix my car too?
Purchase vehicle on November 23,2012 after getting the mechanics approval that it is safe to drive (oil pressure light was on) supposedly the vehicle passed emissions, and drove 17 miles away from dealership apple auto in wallingford, ct when the car just shut down while driving. No power. The vehicle was towed back to dealership at my expense.
Electrical fire in a 1999 VW Passat. While driving, I had to toggle the fan switch to get the fan to turn off. This slight malfunction was followed by a puff of smoke coming from the center dashboard vent, which was followed by more and more smoke. I pulled over at a auto dealership/service station and asked employees for assistance. By the time they began spraying a fire extinguisher into the vents (about a minute or two after the initial puff of smoke), flames were coming out of the central dash vent. The fire melted the A/C blow control assembly, 3 electrical pigtails and some connectors.
At random intervals while driving, the ABS light, brake light, oil light, and asr light flash with accompanying warning beeps and the tachometer goes to zero. These warning eventually go away on their own. The instrument cluster has been replaced but the problem is still intermittently present.
- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
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Normal usage on the car. At ~75K miles, the emergency brake light, ABS light, and traction control light blink and the dashboard beeps any time the car drops below 15 miles per hour. ABS module is faulty, due to defective design. Well documented issue on Passats of this era.
Over time leaves collected in the battery compartment of my '99 Volkswagen Passat wagon. This led to rain water leaking into the passenger compartment and corroding the ECU under the driver's seat. The alarm and locks started working on their own, sometimes in the middle of the night, and the vehicle would no longer start. The initial reaction from Volkswagen was to "cheaply fix" and the sell the car as soon as possible because it would have lifelong problems without a "proper fix" which would cost more than the car was worth (~$6-$8K).
Vehicle:1999 VW Passat 4 cylinder 1.8turbo check engine light has been a problem since 2005. Dealer would not consider it part of the warranty and took 2 years before the problem was rectified. But till today, still get the light and they are unable to rectify it. On 2 occassions the vehicle stalled at major intersection, and was a potential hazard to other vehicles. Vehicle had to be towed to the VW dealer. I met an owner of a VW golf 1999 at the dealer (yesterday Jan 3rd, 2008) and he gave me to understand that he was told his check engline light was a known problem and it would be covered under warranty. I have searched the www-ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov/recalls site and there are none recalls reported and yet his car was being fixed. Listed below are the cost total $727 6/29/2005 replaced secondary stage light $415 8/08/2005 consider sporadic and reset but determined camshaft $0 8/16/2006faulty mass air flow$232 8/18/2006replace elbow$80 though I have done the above, I still get the light and since they cannot track the symptons, they just reset the light. This is a hazard and could endanger lives of other drivers and passengers. 'this is a major problem that would endanger other lives 'I request this to be investigated and subsequently documented 'I would like to be reimbursed for the costs that I have incurred. I would like VW to take responsibility for this and make do what their customers have encountered.
Over time leaves collected in the battery compartment of my '99 Volkswagen Passat. This led to rain water leaking into the passenger compartment and corroding the ECU under the driver's seat. The alarm and locks started working on their own and the vehicle would no longer start. The initial reaction from Volkswagen was to "cheaply fix" and the sell the car as soon as possible because it would have lifelong problems without a "proper fix" which would cost more than the car was worth (~$6-$8K).
: the contact stated the instrument cluster failed. The instrument panel lamps did not illuminate while driving, and the vehicle stalled after the failure. The vehicle did not restart and was towed to the local dealership. After diagnostic testing, the dealer concluded the instrument cluster was the problem and would have to be replaced. Unfortunately, the dealership can not perform any remedy to the vehicle without a certified technician. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 4/19/2006 -
: the contact stated the ABS, brake and oil lamps intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined the ABS module needs replaced although the repair was not made.
ABS warning light flashes constantly with chime sounding each time the car starts. Probably been ongoing for the last 6-8 months. Was told by independent repair shop the problem was just electrical, but now reading numerous other complaints I believe it to be the ABS module failing in so many other cars. Seems like Volkswagen needs to take care of this issue.
I own a 1999 VW Passat V6. It currently has approx 67,975 miles. From the first year of purchase to this current date, I've experienced the sunroof opening on it's own during winter months. This sunroof has a manual dial control, and therefore it mystifies me that this can occur. My rate of speed has no impact on the occurance, since I could be merely travelling at 45 50 mph when it happens. I've reported this issue to the dealer, but of course if the problem is not replicated when they test drive the car, it is considered non-existent (in their opinion). I am tired of the multiple premature complaints on this vehicle and at this point, I'm considering another vehicle. This is what my time line looks like: 48,824 miles replaced all upper links replace V belt 49,576 miles replaced water pump and battery 53,629 miles replaced cv boot joints and both front axels 57,512 miles replaced upper links again 61,972 miles, being told that all gasket seals have to be replaced. I'm currently driving with the folling conditions: No heat at my feet if my heat setting is for both body and feet. My key keeps coming apart and getting stuck in the ignition. My sunroof opens on its own when it's cold outside. My left rear passenger door lock wouldn't lock when I lock the car. The trunk light comes on when it feels like. I have to fill up on coolant every 700 miles or so.
Recall campaign 00414000 dealer notice too much play in upper control arms and tie rods. Recall campaign# 99V248000. The consumer was told that the VIN was outside of the VIN range. The second issue was with the output stage control module which was replaced due to the vehicle losing power and shuddering.
While driving at 30 mph and suddenly there was a jerking of the car as if the tire was flat. Pulled over, inspected the vehicle for a flat and none was found. Consumer got back into the vehicle and noticed the malfunction engine light was blinking. At this point consumer continued to drive down the service road of the highway of about 15 mph. There was a strong odor of something burning, no smoke was seen. This smell was like burned rubber. Consumer called Volkswagen, and they suggested that if the malfunction engine"light was blinking to shut off the engine immediately. After pulling over, consumer called tow truck. Tow truck arrived, inspected under the hood and discovered there was fire from underneath the engine itself. The tow truck driver tried to extinguish fire with water and later a fire extinguisher-this did not put the fire out. The fire department had to be called.,in the meantime the fire grew larger. At that time, fire department came and put fire out. Fire crew noted this was most likely an electrical fire, perhaps due to the intensity of the heat from summer and a mix of electrical wiring started the fire. The car was then towed to an insurance company lot for further investigation. Currently, the consumer did not know why this H happened. The vehicle was regularly serviced and maintained. The vehicle had only 60,500 miles. The was the first problem experienced with this vehicle.
I purchased a new 1999 Volkswagen Passat from the dealer in 10/99. Approx 2 years ago the interior roof started leaking throughout the vehicle when it rained. Vehicle was taken to dealer for repair, and I was told that the wells were clogged. Approx 1 year later I took the vehicle in for routine maintenance and was told the wells were clogging again. I repaired it again. July 05 the door locks started cycling while I was driving, the interior lights would come on while driving, the trunk would open while driving, the lights would flash periodically while parked and I was unable to use the remote to open/lock the doors or activate the alarm. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The diagnosis is that the comfort control module under the drivers seat is corroded. Water has been pooling there when it rains. The dealer of purchase & repair is aware that there is a chronic problem with that vehicle model for that year and the next few years. The total cost of repair for labor & parts is approx $500. Volkswagon's customer service at this point is not willing to financially assist in repair. I have already spent $700 for this repair and the problem still exists.
The 1999 Passat has had a number of problems from excessive oil consumption, electrical problems, water pump defects, front end assembly and transmission problems. (nar)
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Stone Mountain, GA, USA