Was driving vehicle on the highway, the vehicle's check engine light and brake light came on and the vehicle completely shut down, I pulled over to the side of the highway I seen smoke I opened the hood and it was on fire. I called police and fire. The fire was put out the fans are melted and I'm not sure what else is burned, I have no idea what could have started the fire the vehicle is taken care of and there's no warning lights on, on the dash.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

The engine in my 1999 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T appears to be dead. Oil pressure light comes on and won't go off. Volkswagen is aware that they provided bad information on oil chnage intervals for this cars, but still insists owners have docements for every oil change ever on the car. As the second owner of this car, this is impossible for me to prove. Also, I change my own oil, again making it impossible to prove the intervals to their satisfaction. Mechanic has told me that at minimum, they have to pull the engine to replace the oil pump, but that the engine is likely so full of sludge that the engine will need to be rebuilt or replaced, to the tune of about $8000. Volkswagen knows this is a defect that is their fault, look for a memo titled: August 2004 subject: Warranty extension for 1998 - 2004 model year Volkswagen Passat sedan or wagon equipped with turbo engine note that after repair the oil spec has changed from the original and the interval between changes is shorter - an outright admission that they desgined the engine incorrectly if ever I've seen one.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

ABS, brake light and oil light indicators on - apparently a common problem with Passats. Faulty ABS module according to dealership, $900 part. Vehicle has 67,000 miles and dealership serviced. This should not be happening and a recall should be made.

- Wayne, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Volkswagen Passat. While the dealer was repairing the exhaust system they observed that the engine cradle frame was corroded. The manufacturer stated that they would not assist with the repairs. The failure was mileage 85,000 and the current mileage was 87,000.

- Central Square, NY, USA

Oil sludge problem with my 1.8T engine in a 1999 VW Passat after getting oil changes with synthetic oil now I'm with out a vehicle and my job requires me to drive.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

- the contact stated that sometimes in June 2006 while driving on the highway at 65 mph the 1999 Volkswagen Passat started to lose power. Also, he heard a rapping sound coming from the engine of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed into a repair facility, where they determined that the engine completely ceased. The repair was not completed. The current and failure mileage were both 150000.

- North Eastham, MA, USA

1999 Passat engine seized due to a oil pump failure. The consumer had the oil leak repaired on 5 different occasions. The consumer had other problems with the vehicle such as a faulty drive shaft, right cv joint, the glove compartment latch, the control knob for the side view mirrors, the heater control unit, engine control unit, water pump seal rings, a power steering leak which was had to be fixed twice, the coolant pump, O-rings and the oil pump and pump rod bearings. There is a noise coming from the rear right wheel, oil is leaking from the valve covers.

- Hamden, CT, USA

Just before the expiration of my 100,000-mile, 6-year extended warranty at 99,938 miles (and 23 days before the end of 6 years) I took my 1999 1.8L turbo Volkswagen Passat (B5) to the dealership. I requested that they perform the 100,000-mile service and to thoroughly check the car for any repairs that may be required since it would soon be out-of-warranty. Four hours later when the shop was closing, I picked up my car. Upon checkout, the service rep stated that they did not find any problems, but that the service technician and Volkswagen recommend changing the timing belt, tensioner, and water pump at 105,000 miles. I thanked him and went home not realizing the importance of his comment. Three weeks later on June 2, 2006 at 102,088 miles (and 3 days past the six-year point), my tensioner broke which caused my timing belt to slip and strip the teeth intermittently off the belt. Since I was not aware that my timing belt was slipping (except for an increase in noise when I accelerated), the valves were bent during the event. I had my car towed the following morning to a local VW service shop, and they notified me that my timing belt was broken and that machining of the cylinder block was necessary since the valves were bent. The repair to my engine, including a water pump and faulty plastic hose, cost $2,342. In addition, I had to rent a car for one week for the duration of the repair ($225) and tow the car to the service shop ($28). Upon researching this issue, I realized it is a very common occurrence for the timing belt to fail prematurely on B5 Passats and that had either the dealership or VW notified me of this proclivity for failure (and change their servicing recommendation) this failure and associated $2600 expense would not have occurred.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

: 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.

- Spring Lake, NJ, USA

The contact took vehicle to dealer for recall repairs. Upon inspection the technician noticed the steering assembly came loose. The vehicle was being repaired at the dealership. They replaced both lower control arms and both tie rods. Also, the dealership also found there was an oil leak and the ABS was defective. The technician discovered the steering rack assembly was loose to the point it could have fallen of from the frame. Updated 11/29/05.

- Streator, IL, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Volkswagen Passat. The car has been T dealer, serviced as the original owner on a regular basis. The oil has been changed on schedule. The vehicle has 112,000 miles on it. The contact was informed on 9-30-05 that the engine needed an overhaul, and that it would cost in excess of $1000 to replace the valve rings/O-rings). The contact was told that if this was not done oil would leak, and the car could catch on fire. The contact's daughter has a friend who told her that this was a known problem with the 1999 Passat. The contact called the manufacturer, and was told the warrant expired, and they could not do anything about it. Also she called BBB and filed a complaint against Volkswagen..

- Katonah, NY, USA

I am writing about engine failure regarding a 1999 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T. I purchased the car in 2003 at 29,000 miles and the car currently has around 77,000. Volkswagen has an extended warranty that states (to some degree) that if the engine fails due to sludge and is under 80,000 miles the owner will be able to have their engine replaced, 'if' they have records of all oil changes (of not more than 5,000 miles). My complaint is this, I do not have all the records since one of the locations that I went to no longer has a record of oil changes due to a computer malfunction. Additionally, when I called Volkswagen's 'customer advocate' they indicated that the decision is really up to the area service manager who can arbitrarily decide to repair or not repair the vehicle. Thus, my complaint is that Volkswagen knows that their engine has a problem and will not fix it. I have asked to have them send me a copy of their warranty indicating this, but wanted to lodge a complaint against the company for the 1999 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T with the hopes of an investigation into the engine and whether it is faulty. Thank you.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Consumer noticed oil on top of the engine. After taking the vehicle to dealer for inspection dealer stated there was an oil leak from the gasket. The gasket needed to be replaced.

- San Diego, CA, USA

The oil light came on while driving. When consumer checked the oil level it was down a quart of a quart of oil. A quart of oil was added. Oil light come back on and the engine stalled within seconds of restarting and driving the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealership, who indicated that the engine head shut and was damaged beyond repair. This occurred because of fuel pump failure. Prior to this incident at 58, 510 miles the oil light came on, a diagnostic test was performed, but no failure were found. The dealership couldn't find the cause of problem, but changed the oil.

- Waterloo, NY, USA

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)

- Chicago, IL, USA

While driving at any speed and when the vehicle was parked there was excessive smoke coming out of the right front wheel well. Vehicle had been to the dealer four times for this particular problem. Dealer claimed that the problem originated from oils from the engine.

- Lynnwood, WA, USA

Electrical problems from the start, melting of plastic, lights in the car working sporadically at best. Oil, drain, oil pump, camshaft, all blamed on lack of verifiable oil changes. Timing belt - let go on highway at 85000 miles (warranty for 1999 Passat, 100,000 miles) blamed on oil changes. 82 days in shop steering goes during this time and I'm told I need an altenator [ 3rd one ] the story goes on and on......

- Westwood, MA, USA

While braking engine light came on. Vehicle jerked forward before stopping. Dealership replaced the oil pump and other engine components, but the problem still occurs.

- Irvington, NJ, USA

Numerous problems with 1999 Volkswagen Passat. When taken to the service dealer, the consumer claimed the car had problems with oil and coolant leaks. The problem was suppose to be fixed, however the dealer never gave the consumer a invoice because the work was never completed. While traveling, the oil light came on again. The consumer was unable to use the vehicle. Also the loss of fair market value. Consumer spent over a $1000 in repairs.. the air condition did cool the vehicle properly, and there was also a valve cover leak, and a power steering fluid leak, the dealer stated the power steering hose was bad, the glove box failed to open, the driver side vanity mirror was broke and the head light bulb was replaced.

- Houston, TX, USA

While driving the vehicle on September 2002 suddenly intermittently engine light and heavy vibration force to pull off the road. Due to a faulty engine coil pack. Dealer change the faulty coil pack. Dealer refuse to change the other three coil.

- Gorham, ME, USA