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 contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a strong fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted while the vehicle was parked and turned off. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the strong fuel odor had caused her to have headaches while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump module had failed, causing the fuel pump to leak. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had failed to start and was undrivable. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to bring the vehicle to their location for the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V509000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) had already been completed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.
Drove the car to and from work that day with no problems. Also, went back to work a 2nd side job that evening with no issues. Got home, shut the car off and when my wife and I went out to go to work the next morning at 5 a.m., the car wouldn't start at all. Wouldn't even click. Did a lot of research because I had the starter replaced about 2 weeks before and knew it couldn't be the starter and also had bought a new battery when I had the starter replaced as well, so knew it wouldn't be the battery. After a lot, I mean a lot of research online, finally came to the decision it was the timing chain tensioner was faulty. When I went to replace the tensioner for the timing chain, I took my camera and put it in the cylinder heads and found out that there was 2 broken valves in the number 3 piston. One was broken and sideways in the piston and the other just broken. I'm not sure whether a rod has gone through the bottom of the head or not, couldn't get my camera to go that far down. So now I have no vehicle what-so-ever to drive back and forth to work. My wife had to resign from her job because she had no way to get there everyday and I have to pay someone gas money weekly to pick me up and bring me home from work so needless to say, we are currently struggling, can't pay our bills because my wife cannot get a job and now I have to figure out how to repair this damage that should have been made a recall for these volkswagens because by the looks of things, there are over 100 people that have had this same problem. An engine is going to be between $4,000 and $6,000 to repair and I have no way to fix this at that price. So now I am probably going to have to just junk the car.
I got all types of misfires and fuel pump and electrical problems the car almost has me in car wrecks every time I drive it the speed thermometer jumps up and down causing me to have no push in the gas I have to turn the car on and off on the highway
faulty timing chain tensioner caused catastrophic engine failure. resulting in ~$4000 repair cost. i have read about alot of other Volkswagens having this same issue. VW has redesigned this part several times, i did not recive a TSB stating there was an issue with an internal component of my engine even though VW knows this issue will result in engine failure.
108K miles. Got off of work and I went to start the vehicle. I started the vehicle the battery light started to flash and the check engine light came on and started flashing I just did a quick loop and put it right back into the parking spot that I was in. I took it into a shop they found that the starter was getting way too hot. They took the starter out and put in a new one and when they went to start the vehicle the engine seized
- Sandy, UT, USA
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While driving the vehicle looses power, I can stop shut it down and it runs fine for a period. The problem is unpredictable, I am afraid to drive the vehicle on on interstate highways, because a serious accident would occur.
My Volkswagen Passat has fallen to an issue many others have fallen. It appears the timing-chain tensioner failed causing the timing-chain to jump. When this happens the valves can bend and also ruin the cylinders. The error code is P0016. VW West broad is recommending a repair of $5,100 dollars. After discussing with VW of America they will not cover as it is outside of their extended warranty 100,000 miles or December of 2019. My car is approximately 111K miles and 6 months past the date. I was not made aware of this issue so I could not be proactive in fixing the tensioner. They even redesigned the timing-chain tensioner because the old one is faulty. I am lucky I was able to make it home from my day trip this past weekend and that the issue did not take place while driving. I was in a parking lot on top of a mountain. It took 4 or so seconds to start which was abnormal, but proceeded to run. The check engine light came on, but I was able to proceed home. Several days later I tried starting the car to bring to the shop, but it no longer starts and I had to get it towed. At this point, I am prepared to send it to the junk yard because the cost of the repair is beyond the value of the vehicle. More information about this issue can be found at this litigation website where they settled. Https://www.timingchainlitigation.com/
Driving home from work on a busy road when all the sudden my car starts to shake and then the epc light came on engine started flashing. I've read a bunch of threads with Volkswagen having this issue. [xxx] vehicles. You were funded by [xxx] hitler no wonder. Y'all have to take some responsibility once in a while for all the shady [xxx] Y'all are trying to pull. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
VW found out that the timing chain is defective in their VW cc 2.0 T engine. This part can go out at anytime. If you are traveling at a high speed you can be fatally injured if this timing chain goes out. It hasn't happened but I was warned. With the solution of a $3800 repair.
Timing chain broke resulting in catastrophic engine failure. This vehicle has had numerous recalls and is the subject of multiple class action lawsuits. If you have the option to purchase a VW cc do not do it. These vehicles are complete garbage and should be recalled completely by the manufacturer.
Drove car without problems. Came back an hour later and it started, but engine was shaking. Moved it across parking lot and shut engine off. Next time I tried to turn it on, would not start. Took it to mechanic, said that timing chain broke and ruined the rest of the engine. Did research and found this to be a common issue with VW engines. Faulty timing chains are used which cause catastrophic engine failure leaving driver at risk if this happens when driving. Even when not driving, the possibility of such a common occurrence from one of their products failing and ruining the rest of the car is unfair to consumers and Volkswagen should be held accountable beyond warranty liabilities for any of their vehicles that this happens to. They should not be allowed to build faulty engines and leave consumers to foot the bill for their shoddy designs and workmanship.
The timing chain was part of a class-action lawsuit in 2018 by VW owners. My 2010 Passat was part of that, but we didn't have any problems with it. Now, the timing chain failed at 115K miles on the car. It would not start. It tried to, but would never catch. I now need a brand new engine. I had two mechanics look at it. I also called VW both local and national to see if my timing chain had been replaced. They said they don't keep track of that information. I bought the car used in 2017. Carfax doesn't show service records for a timing chain replacement, so I assume this is the original.
I have owned this car for beraly one month. 2 days after purchasing the 02 sensors went bad. 1 week later my PCV valve went bad. And 2 days after that my car stalled on me while driving down a canyon and would not start again. I lost control and ended up on the side of the road. I though I was going to kill myself. After sitting there for about an hour the car turned on but was extremely shaky and would stall the minute I slowed down or came to a stop. I managed to get the car to a repair shop only to have the engine die on me. The car cannot be turned on or moved. I was told it might be the timing chain which is a common issue in this engine. I'm being told I need to practically replace the engine which will cost more than what the car is worth. If I try to turn the car on. It hesitates a lot and once it turns over it immediately shuts off. I have beraly made 1 payment on this vehicle and it already died on me. Was excited about such a nice looking car only to have fall under the lemon car category in my opinion. I am now left with a car payment. A huge repair bill and no mode of transportation all due to Volkswagen faulty design.
Informed that timing chain broke spreading metal bits throughout turbo engine and engine needs to be replaced. VW will cover timing chain installation but remainder of repair will be our responsibility. The car had 72,000 miles and under the 10yr/100,000 mile warranty. We believe that dealership should have informed us about the timing chain drive failure and advised us to replace before it disintegrated! the vehicle had been back and forth to the dealership three previous times because of the jerking of the issue so that should have been a clue to the service department. After a 10-day holiday where the car stayed in the driveway, when we started it a terrible noise occurred and we could not start it so it was towed to dealership. Fortunately, when the incident happened, we were not driving on a crowded, busy city street or the freeway. We have been loyal VW owners for 50+ years and used our local dealership for 21+ years. We just purchased a new car and it's not a VW. I will get in touch with our lawyer if the dealership will not cover all repairs and labor.
Service engine notification came on in late December. I called the dealership for an appointment. The person who answered told me my vehicle didn't need a 100K check up but it was due for an oil change and I could just walk in without an appointment. I walked in a few days later and they told me I needed an appointment for the oil change. I just had it at the dealership for an inspection and recall in October; the guy waiting on me wondered why they didn't do the oil change and 100K check up then. I couldn't get an appointment until after the holidays. I dropped it off January 2. January 3 at 3:30 pm I got a text stating they needed to keep it until the next day to figure everything out. I picked it up on the 4th. After driving straight home and locally, not more than 10 miles, the engine light started flickering and I parked it at home. It was a Saturday. I tried to get in touch with someone but no one responded until Monday. They told me to bring it back in. I called aaa; they sent a tow truck; he tried to start it to get it out of the driveway but it wouldn't turn over; I had it towed. They told me it was the timing chain and it would be over $5,000 to fix it.
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- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA