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.
On 6-9-15 this diesel vehicle would not start. Mileage is approximate as I do not have the vehicle (it is at the dealer). Taken to VW of North attleboro, MA for diagnosis and repair. Dealer stated fuel was contaminated and cleaned out fuel lines and replaced filter. Dealer stated vehicle still would still not start. Dealer then stated they investigated fuel down-line of filter and found contaminated fuel in the common fuel distribution rail just before the fuel injectors. Dealer stated they did not retain the fuel filter which would have shown a filter breach/rupture that allowed the contaminated fuel to go beyond the filter causing this additional mischief. Request further investigation of VW Passat diesel fuel filters and the fuel filtration system that may cause sudden engine failure because of passing through contaminated fuel, rather than filtering as it should which would cause a slower decrease in engine power because of restricted fuel flow. The whole purpose of diesel fuel filtration is to prevent introduction into critical engine components contaminates often found in diesel fuel. Dealer estimates repair cost of $7,236.25, the bulk of which is for damage to critical engine components downstream of the diesel fuel filter resulting in sudden engine stoppage. This vehicle was refueled only at diesel fuel stations for which receipts were obtained, so no gasoline or other improper fuel was introduced into this vehicle.
The check engine light came on and I had codes read. The code was P205C and this indicates the emissions adblue heater and sensor had a problem. The unit (heater and sensor) in the adblue tank is a non serviceable unit and must be replaced. Over $750 to replace. All the efficiency of tdi just went up in smoke. Happened at 4,000 miles past warranty and dealer had no help even though a lot of tdi's are having identical problems. Seems to be a defect in design, many many tdi's are having the same problem.
This vehicle has stalled periodically (once a month?) at low speeds every since I purchased it new in (August?) 2012. Often the stall occurs at times in traffic when oncoming traffic makes it dangerous. I love this car, but this problem has often motivated me to sell it. It is a diesel. I have read online that this is possibly caused by diesel fuel contaminated with gasoline or other material. Some think it is caused by the Bosch high pressure fuel pump.
Following a 40K service for my 2012 Passat tdi my wife called me and said when she pushed the start button, it took an extra try before it started. I dismissed this as I thought maybe she didn't have her foot all the way down on the brake. Then later in the week she said it took 4 pushes of the button before the car would start. I told her next time video tape the issue. The following week her car broke down at the mall - nothing would work. When I got there, I played with the parking lever, no good. Then I put in neutral and the car started. I drove to VW and they said the clean all the connecters on the start/stop switch and didn't see issue as car was working fine, but would order new switch and cover for me. The next day the car did it again, and I video taped the incident as well to share with the dealer. Again, it started in neutral. I took a chance and went out again that evening figuring this neutral thing would work and guess, what - was completely stuck after the dealer told me the issue was repaired and the replacement of the part was just precautionary. The car has been in shop for a week. They changed the switch this morning and guess that didn't resolve the issue. They are now ordering a hpfp!!!! I know it is possible that 2 issues could have been going on, but the whole time I told them I didn't think the switch made sense. Anyway, chalk up another hpfp for VW. Frustrated customer!
- Garden City, NY, USA
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Engine light came on at 36900 miles, 900 miles passed the manufacture warranty. The error code read: P205C (reductant tank temperature sensor). It was a faulty sensor in the adblue tank from a tdi car. Already lots of owners had the exact same problem according to the dealership.
Tdi engine check light came on, had the dealership check it out, it indicated a sensor failure. The cost to repair was $1,100 dealership reduced it to $430, said VW pitched it because it may end up as a recall and we would receive our money back if that happens.
On July 16, 2014 at approximately 5:00 pm, my 2012 Volkswagen Passat tdi sel premium lost power on the highway. The engine failed and shut off while I was traveling on interstate 95 North and left me stranded on the highway surrounded by cars traveling at speeds greater than 65 mph. The engine failure put my life, my colleague's life and my fetus'' life in danger and could have been disastrous for other motor vehicles as well. My car was towed to a Volkswagen service center, where they inspected the fuel system and found a broken bolt. This bolt held the fuel rail and fuel injectors in place and when it broke, caused the injectors to pop out of the cylinder head and the subsequent engine failure. The installed bolt was part of the fuel system replacement repair that another dealership service center, closer to my home, performed back in April 2014. I''ve had three major incidents with my VW now, all within the last 3 months and it seems to be stemming from the fuel system replacement. When the fuel system was replaced, the service center blamed it on a "bad batch of diesel fuel" from a local gas station. They said that within 3 weeks, they've had around 25 cars come in with the same problem. My car is not even 3 years old and has only 44,000 miles on it. This is completely unacceptable. Because of these incidents, the last one of which put my life as well as 2 other lives in grave danger, I would like to submit this complaint, in case it is a more wide spread problem.
I was in very slow bumper to bumper traffic when the battery light came on and there was a significant loss of power in the engine and no power steering or brakes. I was able to coast to the shoulder and turn off the car. Lights, radio and ventilation systems did not seem to be impacted. After a minute, I turned the car on and everything appeared to be back to normal. This has happened twice in 3 months.
Vehicle stalled on busy surface street, lost all power. Refused to restart. Towed to local dealer who diagnosed the issue as failed high-pressure fuel pump.
In the morning, I went downstairs to my 2012 VW Passat S. I noticed a pool of fluid that smelled like gasoline on the asphalt underneath the vehicle. I entered the front driver's side and turned the key from the off to on position. When I turned the key to on, a sound of draining fluid could be heard and a strong odor of gasoline could be smelled. I attempted to start the car, and it does turn over, but will not start. I decided not to attempt to start it again, afraid that the ignition would start a fire. Since this occurred on a Sunday morning, all service departments at VW dealerships are closed. About 5 hours later, I unlocked the Passat and opened the door to get some items from the car. Again, the sound of draining fluid could be heard and a strong odor of gasoline emitted from the vehicle. I checked underneath the car again, and a fresh pool of gasoline has formed. The gas is dripping from the passenger side, near the rear wheel. Needless to say, this is very disappointing, as the vehicle has only been driven for a little more than 1,000 miles.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- New Braunfels, TX, USA