1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Latches/locks/linkages Problems

1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR LOCKS, AND SIDE DOOR HANDLE.*MR *NM

DRIVER'S POWER WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM HAS REPEATED FAILURES DESPITE REPLACEMENT/REPAIR ON SIX OCCASIONS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, SINCE THE WINDOW MUST BE CLOSED BY GRASPING THE GLASS AND MANIPULATING IT WHICH CAN RESULT IN FINGERS BEING TRAPPED AND BROKEN. ALSO, ONCE THIS FAILURE HAS HAPPENED, THE WINDOW MAY DROP DOWN INTO THE DOOR UNEXPECTEDLY AT HIGH SPEED CAUSING DRIVER DISTRACTION, OR FAIL TO OPEN IN AN EMERGENCY PRECLUDING AN ESCAPE PATH. THIS IS COMPOUNDED BY FAULTY DOOR LATCH MECHANISM ACTUATORS WHICH PRECLUDE DOOR OPENING FROM OUTSIDE BY RESCUE PERSONNEL. THE FAILURE IS CAUSED BY A FAULTY ROLL PIN SLIPPING OUT OF THE DOOR LATCH TRIGGER MECHANISM CAUSING FAILURE OF AND BINDING OF THE LINKAGE WHICH CAUSES THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATING MECHANISM TO FAIL, TRAPPING PASSENGERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. PLEASE NOTE THAT PER THE GE INFORMATION SERVICES, JAPAN ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.*AK

Mileage: 79,000

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT DOOR LOCKS AND LATCHES. THE DOOR LOCKS AND LATCHES FROZE IN COLD WEATHER. CONSUMER HAD TO TIE A BELT FROM THE DOOR TO DRIVER'S LEG TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM OPENING WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE LOCKS, AND IT HELPED FOR ONLY TWO WEEKS AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED. MANUFACTURER WAS NO HELP. *AK

Mileage: 45,000

1997 VW PASSAT TDI: RR DOOR LOCK CANNOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE. PROBLEM DEVELOPED OVER PERIOD OF TIME, SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE A PASSENGER WOULD BE UNABLE TO ESCAPE. LF DOOR AND RF DOOR DEVELOPING DIFFICULT OPENING. DOOR CAN BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE WITH DIFFICULTY. LF DOOR WILL OPEN ONLY BY POWER.*AK

Mileage: 96,000

3 DOOR LATCHES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY, AND CURRENTLY ARE COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE. HAVE TO PULL WITH EXTREME FORCE IN ORDER TO OPEN DOORS. *AK *YH

CONSUMER STATES THE PIVOT AND PLUNGER PIVOT POINT OF THE DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES.*JB

DOOR LATCHS THAT FAILED WOULD NOT BE REPLACED BY MANUFACTUER DO TO THE MILAGE ON THE CAR. WHAT MY DOOR HANDLES HAVE TO DO WITH THE MILAGE I DON'T KNOW!!!. *AK

DUE TO POORLY DESIGNED DOOR LATCHES ON FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE/PASSENGER'S SIDE, AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE, DOORS DO NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. DEALER SAID VEHICLE NEEDED NEW DOORS IN ORDER TO FIX THE LATCH PROBLEM. *AK *ML

THE DOOR LOCKS AND LATCHES INTERMITTENTLY HAVE FAILED TO SECURE THE DOORS FROM OPENING,

ALL 4 DOOR HANDLES WILL QUIT WORKING INTERMITTENLY , CONSUMER THEN WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN DOOR OR UNLOCK DOOR. DEALER HAS REPLACED ALL 4 HANDLES, BUT DEFECT KEEPS OCCURRING. *AK