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.
Engine occassionally stalls when shifting from a gear into neutral (for the purpose of braking). Today it happened 3 times stopping at stop lights, and 2 times in parking lots. This has been happening, often, all week (once at highway speeds, slowing for an exit ramp - engine stalls, power steering and braking goes out, not good). This problem was 'fixed' at around 40K miles when a 'waste solenoid gate' and a 'turbo valve' were replaced at the dealership over 3 separate visits. The stalling was gone for about 6000 miles, but now it has returned. This may be connected with the 'check engine light' which was on at that time, and has flashed on recently. I'm planning on taking it to a local VW shop soon to get thier opinion.
I bought my 2000 Volkswagen Passat from Georgia auto square in athens, ga. It was brand new with no miles. I have had all service requirements & recommendations done at this dealer. My car hesitates & loses power when trying to pass other cars on two lane roads, accelerating onto the expressway or accelerating while on the expressway. I have taken my car to the dealer one hour away six to seven times over a year (not including the times it was in for routine maintenance). They have kept my car over 50 days trying to find the problem, which they claim, is a wet air filter. They told once that they had to remove the snow guard, which worked with other cars experiencing this problem (obviously I am not the only one). This seems bizarre since it doesn't appear to be weather related. How does water get into an air filter (if that in fact is the problem) and why after all this time haven't they been able remedy it? I have had numerous close calls involving my family & other drivers unfortunate enough to be near me during these power failures. Being in several life threatening situations after being assured that my car was fixed, their service manager apologized for "my inconvenience". three weeks ago while driving to a funeral, my car stalled while merging at I-985 & I-85. After suddenly losing power & terrifying me and the driver behind me, who saw that I experiencing trouble, the car finally started jerking, let out a billow of smoke & finally (and thankfully) caught & drove on. I have been forced to drive a Nissan with 240,000 miles on it while I pay for a Volkswagen with a little over 40,000 miles, which once again sits at the dealer's. this time he has had it for over a week (test driving, yet again) the car I am paying for. He has admitted previous times experiencing the exact problems I reported while driving the vehicle. Yet, the dealer and the Volkswagen rep continue to exercise reckless disregard for my life, my family's lives, and others on the road.
Consumer stated the vehicle hesitated during start up in cold weather, and also there was a rough start at times, also the water pump seized, causing the timing belt and the hydraulic tensioner to be damaged.
The engine starts to stall when you accelerate at higher speeds. Every time taken to the dealer, he says the air filter is soaked w/water. He has no explaination. Finally admitted that there are "several" cars throughout the country w/this problem. His last solution (from VW) was to remove the snow grill (which makes no sense & did not correct the problem). It is terrifying to try & pass a car on a 2 lane road or in the middle of a 5 lane expressway & have your car start to stall. The airbag default light has also come on twice. Please help.
The problem resulted in engine shut down without warning. Potential for catastrophic failure. Technicians worked for nearly two weeks - problem not resolved.
Consumer states vehicle shakes when idle at a light, consumer states vehicle has been in for service many times and the problem contiues to exist, possibly engine related.
Car wouldn't start. When brought to the dealership, we were told that there was a design defect in the V6 model Passat engines. They are not properly burning any of the U>S> available gasolines, which is causing a carbon build-up on the valves. This will be an ongoing problem with the vehicle. Their solution is to adjust the engine so it burns hotter and this might allieviate the problem. They are also supplying dealers with a machine to clean the carbon off the valves, but these machines are not available at this time.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Silver Spring, MD, USA