: the contact stated an independent mechanic determined the vehicle had oil leaks from every seal and gasket. Oil was all over the entire bottom of the vehicle. The dealership was not contacted.

- Celebration, FL, USA

We have a 2001 Passat and put about 10K miles/year. The car has been serviced about twice every year at our local VW dealership since we bought it new. We originally bought the car with safety in mind. While driving on the interstate about a week ago, the engine light came on. The car seized/stalled as I was getting off the interstate. This could easily have led to a serious accident. I had the car towed to our dealership. Once they realized what had happened, they became very hostile. They asked us for all of our records. They had incomplete ones for us as the dealership had changed hands a few years ago. We have almost every record but this will not suffice for them. They are asking for half of the 11K repair bill (and suggested that we repair it and trade in for one of their used cars). What really bothers us is that part of the problem of missing records is due to the dealership. The other issue is that when the car had failed, the tow guy showed me that the oil cap was encrusted with sludge. When I pointed this out to the dealership and that while they probably would have seen this at the last oil change, that they are under no obligation to inform the customer of such a potential hazard. This is a major safety concern and VW/VW dealerships should be obliged to watch for this and at least suggest an engine flush. After too much trust, we are very disappointed with VW for this. They should know better.

- Charlottesville, VA, USA

My 2001 Passat------my husband and I were driving on the freeway, the stop engine light appeared in big red lettering and proceeded to say that the oil pressure was low. We got to a gas station and checked the oil and it looked fine. Got home and looked again with better lighting, still the same. We had the vehicle towed to the dealership. There the service center had told us that this was due to "oil sludge" and will be covered under our extended warranty if documentation was provided for all oil change services. Not to mention the vehicle was purchase in 2001 with 6 miles and has only got 53000 now in 2006. I have gotten the routine oil changes up to date and they are requiring me to show proof of all oil changes. I would like to know who keeps every oil change receipt!!! this is insane. I am so fed up with the way VW is taking care of this issue, they are using this as an excuse so that they do not have to repair my vehicle. I am still in the process of trying to find all the "documentation" that is needed. I can not believe that less than 3 weeks of my last oil change VW still will not provide me with moderate service. I will never, repeat never buy another vehicle or recommend VW to anyone!! I have read all other similar complaints and I can see that VW has no remorse for the fishy service it is providing. I will take this action further. I just wonder how many people got there vehicles with the "sludge" covered under warranty"?? why even purchase the warranty if it is not covering the problem??"

- Corona, CA, USA

Engine oil sludge- I have been reading about Volkswagen problem with 1.8 turbo engines creating a sludge that results in low to no oil pressure. I have one of the cars affected, a 2001 Passat. Recently my "stop engine" light came on. I did stop and changed the oil and filter immediately. I called a Volkswagen dealer and he said that yes my car was covered for 8 years from in service date. He did say however that trying to get everyone to "sign off" might pose some difficulty when the problem actually arises. My friend has a 2003 Audi with the same 1.8 T and he has had his car in for this problem twice. I think there need to something from a government Agency to document this problem and hold Volkswagen accountable. I can't believe that they are still allowed to make these same engines.

- Essex, CT, USA

Since buying the car, there has been an odor from the heater vents. On February 25, when using the heater, my son reported large amounts of mist coming from the vents. The dealer checked and foudn that there is a crack in the heater core, and the mist was from pooled antifreeze. The mist is clearly toxic, yet we were breathing it for weeks, only noticing when the crack worsened. The car has only 17,500 miles on it. Why did the heater core crack?

- Bloomington, IN, USA

Identical to complaints 10089069 and 10097846. Sudden warning light appearance while driving in highway. Indicated "low oil pressure -- stop motor". by the time an exit was reached engine was sputtering and knocking. Mileage is approximate -- car is at dealer about 50 miles distant. Ar is within warranty mileage and years (7 years/70,000 miles for power train). Volkswagen is refusing to provide warranty coverage because mileage was not recorded on receipts at time of oil changes. Have tried to work with both the VW dealer receiving the car as towed, and Volkswagen customer service.

- Shelton, CT, USA

Oil sludge builds up in the engine. The oil is breaking down which is clogging the engine. While driving a light illuminated the dashboard, stating stop do not drive the vehicle oil pressure problem, and could damage the engine. There was no warning until it actually happened. Consumer contacted Volkswagen.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

2001 Volkswagen Passat - oil sludge - my car had a stop low oil pressure warning light. I had it towed to the dealer and was told I needed a new oil pump for $900. Volkswagen would not pay for the repair, so I did. 10,000 miles later my engine failed and I was informed by the dealer I needed a new engine for $11,000. Again VW would not cover this fialure.. Volkswagen is trying to look like the nice guy with their extended warranty. The big catch--must have every receipt for every oil change to prove they were done every 5,000 miles. Volkswagen is not standing by their car. Horrible to deal with. This is a huge problem with many Passat owners affected.

- Asbury, NJ, USA

I leased a 2001 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T in Feb. 2001, which I am currently having problems with. The vehicle jumps when driving and/or when stopped. It also jumps forward when stopped. This is a accident hazard since I have had instances when stopping at a traffic light/stop sign, the vehicle jumps forward thereby causing it to come to a complete stop after the stop sign and/or traffic light. I immediately took it in for service at the dealership, and I was told that the air flow sensor had to be replaced, but at my expense. Unforunately, my car's warranty expired, but my car only has 30,000 miles. I later found out from the dealer that there was a bulletin out for an extension of the warranty only on the 2002 Passat 1.8T, since these types of vehicles are having the same problems as my vehicle. My question to you is that how come the 2001 and 2002 Passat 1.8T vehicles are having the same problems with the mass airflow sensor, but only the 2002 Passat has an extended warranty on it. I find this very upsetting, since I now have to personally pay for the service, but yet owners of the 2002 Passats do not. This was the first time leasing a Volkswagen vehicle, and it will be my last. My car has been in for service several times for different repairs and also had 3 recalls. I will be turning in my vehicle in 5 months and am so looking forward to it, since I was not happy with the vehicle nor Volkswagen service.

- Colonia, NJ, USA

While driving the vehicle the engine light had come on and there was a heavy vibration that forced vehicle out of the road. The engine coil pack was found to be faulty. The dealer changed the coil pack but the incident happened again in which the dealer refused to change. Ts VW admitted that the coil pack(s) were defective, but stated that the could not repair due to the lack of parts. Scc

- Rye, NY, USA

Consumer stated that while driving engine constantly overheats and check engine light continously illuminates. Problems have been occuring since 1000 miles.

- Riverside, CA, USA