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.
The consumer replaced the oil pump on the vehicle three times. The oil pump has damaged the engine and the dealer has refused to replace the oil pump because it damaged the engine.
In July 2003 my 2001 Volkswagen new Passat 1.8L turbo had symptoms related to oil pressure problems. As I was traveling on vacation the car gave warning of this situation and the system advised that the car be stopped immediately. I stopped the car and began pursuing options to get the car to the nearest dealership. The dealership diagnosed the problem as oil sludge. The repair was as simple as cleaning the oil pump strainer and oil pan. The repair cost approximately $500. Now, some 20K miles later my car had another oil related issue. This time the oil cooler malfunctioned and ruptured causing $8,000 - $10,000 in repair cost. Of course the car is not under warranty and recent actions by Volkswagen to extend warranties for oil sludge do not include the oil cooler. The oil sludge issue has been identified as a major concern of Volkswagen of american by their actions toward the warranty extension, but they are avoiding parts and the mechanical operations that could lead to the problem being corrected. Obviously oil that is not properly cooled will break down quicker than oil running at more acceptable temperatures. Currently, Volkswagen can make no conclusive analysis as to the relationship between an oil cooler malfunction and oil sludge. This would be key in determining the responsibility for the car repairs. Volkswagen of America's customer care advocates have referred me to my dealership on two occasions and my dealership seems to be unable to make 100% conclusive decisions. I believe it is Volkswagen responsibility to guarantee their products. They are in no position to avoid responsibility especially after allowing the oil sludge issue to continue from 1998 models cars to current 2004 models without offering consumer assistance. Six years is a long time to have potentially serious mechanical issues unaddressed. Thank you.
2001 Volkswagen Passat - oil sludge - my car had a stop low oil pressure warning light. I pulled over, checked oil and oil pressure was not low. Proceeded and car lost power on the highway. It was very dangerous pulling over. Volkswagen will not pay for the $6000 repair. Engine seized. 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.
The engine light intermittently turns on and off in my 2001.5 Passat V6. The car was purchased in Jan 2001 and currently has 32K miles. The car has been in service for this problem a half dozen times, in the last 6 months, without resolution of the problem. The first time, a comupter chip was replaced (over $100), but the problem persisted. Each additional time, the service dept. Stated they could not find a problem and reset the car's computer. It may be a coincidence, tut the light seems to come on in cold weather.
The consumer stated that the vehicle burned oil too fast. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the gaskets were leaking. Consumer made two oil repairs and headlights needed replacement on vehicle. Also, vehicle's rear brakes needed replacement.
- Great Neck, NY, USA
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Upper control arms on both sides are worn out. Tie rods are worn out on both sides. Catalytic converters needed replaced. I paid for the tie rods, warranty covered converters, and I have not had the upper control arms replaced. Oil leaks on engine. Interior lights do not activate when drivers door is opened.
2001.5 new Passat 1.8 turbo I purchased in may of 04 with 26 K miles replaced the oil pump at 35000 and I picked the car up from the dealership yesterday and drove a block noticed a new noise went back to the dealership they say it needs a new turbo unit.
Consumer noticed engine consumed and leaked an excessive amount of oil. While under warranty, dealer had inspected several times but couldn't find anything wrong. Now it's out warranty and they have a kit to fix the problem.
While driving at 60mph the stop engine oil pressure indicator light illuminated. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, technician inspected vehicle and didn't find anything wrong. Then, consumer drove vehicle and it stalled. Dealer indicated engine needed to be replaced.
At about 61000 miles my 2001 Volkswagen Passat displayed a "check engine" symbol and a dashboard message indicating a problem with the emissions control system. I took the car to my local dealer. I was told that the light and message were related to a service campaign relating to a vacuum line and that the issue was addressed. At about 74K miles, the same light and emissions control message reappeared. I returned to the same dealer and was told that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle, that it was tested and everything worked fine. The codes were reset and the vehicle was returned to me. Shortly thereafter, however, the light and emissions control message reappeared. This time, the shop foreman at the dealership suggested that I arrange to leave the vehicle for extended testing. I agreed to do so. After a day or two of tests, it was determined that the catalytic converters on the vehicle were malfunctioning. I was told, however, that despite the 7 year/70,000 mile federally mandated emissions system warranty, Volkswagen would not pay for the repair, because the vehicle now had about 79K miles on it. From speaking with several sources, including the dealership's foreman and a representative of Volkswagen, I learned that the vacuum line repair performed at 61K miles was not related to the emissions message that first appeared at that time. It appears that, although the vechile has clearly indicated a problem with the emissions control system since the incident at 61K miles, no one took the time to diagnose the problem until, unfortunately, after the warranty period had run.
On three occasions oil pan was punctured while going up an incline of driveway, believed oil pan was too close to ground. Dealer / manufacturer notified, and no concern was given. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Delran, NJ, USA