2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Electrical System Problems

PROBLEMAS ELCTRICOS

Mileage: 16,301

IN APPROXIMATELY JULY OF 2014 MY VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STARTED EXPERIENCING ON AND OFF AGAIN PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE FIRING. I HAD RECENTLY RETIRED AND WAS NOT DRIVING THE CAR DAILY, AND SO I WAS UNABLE TO ASSOCIATE THE PROBLEM WITH ANY RECENT DRIVING EVENT. HOWEVER, ONE MORNING WHEN THE HESITATION WAS VERY PRONOUNCED I POPPED THE HOOD TO HAVE A LOOK. WATER WAS STANDING ALMOST LEVEL WITH THE TOP OF THE BATTERY IN THE AREA HOUSING THAT PART. I USED MY INDOOR/OUTDOOR VACUUM TO PUMP OUT AS MUCH WATER AS POSSIBLE. WHEN I THOUGHT THE AREA WAS THOROUGHLY DRIED OUT I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. HE DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO DETERMINE THAT DRAINAGE HOLES ON BOTH SIDES UNDER THE HOOD WERE CLOGGED. HE WAS ABLE TO UNCLOG THE HOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IMMEDIATELY, BUT THE HOLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS LOCATED BENEATH PARTS THAT HAVE TO BE MOVED FOR ACCESS. I RECALLED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE YEARS WHEN I WAS CERTAIN I WAS HEARING THE SOUND OF WATER SLOSHING AROUND UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD ASKED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AT TIME OF SERVICE FOR THE SOUND TO BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER. I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THE SAME THING: THERE WAS NOTHING TO EXPLAIN THE SOUND I WAS HEARING. I NOW BELIEVE THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM OVER THE YEARS I'VE OWNED THE CAR, AND MIGHT HAVE IMPACTED MORE THAN JUST THE BATTERY AT ANY TIME. I THOUGHT THERE SHOULD BE MORE THAN ONE REPORT OF THIS PROBLEM ON FILE.

MY HUSBAND PICKUP WOULD NOT START, SO I LIFT MY HOOD OF MY PASSAT TO GIVE HIM A JUMP AND THE WHOLE SECTION ALL THE WAY ACROSS THAT HOLDS THE BATTERY HAVE AT LEAST 6 INCHES OF WATER JUST STANDING IN THERE. WE HAVE HAD SOME DOWN POURS OF RAIN,BUT RAIN WATER SHOULD NEVER BE STANDING ON THE INSIDE OF MY HOOD. THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY KILLED ME IF I NEVER HAD TO LIFT MY HOOD AND TRY TO DRIVE THIS WITH WATER STANDING AROUND ALL OF MY ELECTRICAL WIRES AND BATTERY. I HAVE TAKEN TWO PICTURES FOR VISIBILITY, BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW I AM GOING TO GET THAT WATER OUT WITHOUT ELECTROCUTING MYSELF. SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME.

Mileage: 138,179

I HAVE HAD MY 2000 VW PASSAT SINCE 2006 AND HAVE HAD ONLY REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR UNITL ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO. I WAS DRIVING ON 95 IN FORT LAUDERDALE, FL MOVING AT ABOUT 65-70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, POWER STEERING WAS GONE AND PUSHING BRAKES TOOK ALL I HAD TO TRY AND SAFELY STEER AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP CROSSING OVER 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE BREAK-DOWN LANE. ONCE I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. ASIDE FROM THE ENGINE, STEERING AND BRAKES ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS WERE OR AT LEAST SEEMED TO STILL BE WORKING (IE: DASH LIGHTS, RADIO, WINDOWS) THE VEHICLE DID THIS 4 MORE TIMES WHILE I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE TO THE NEAREST EXIT AND CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. I TESTED ALL THE FUSES AND THEY ALL WERE IN WORKING ORDER AND THE NEXT SET OF SYMPTOMS OCCURRED A WEEK LATER. I WAS TRYING TO UNLOCK THE CAR WITH THE REMOTE AND THERE WAS NOT CONNECTION BEING MADE BETWEEN THE KEY AND THE CAR, I MANUALLY UNLOCKED THE DOORS AND PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE ENGINE DIDNT START OR EVEN ATTEMPT TO TURN OVER. ALL DASH LIGHTS WERE ON AS WELL AS THE RADIO, HOWEVER, I HAD LOST THE POWER WINDOWS, LOCKS, TRUNK, GAS LID AND ALL INTERIOR LIGHT FUNCTIONS. I CURRENTLY HAVE THE VEHICLE BEING LOOKED AT AND HOPE TO GIVE AN UPDATE WHEN I FIND OUT THE ISSUE. UPDATED 12/1/2014 *JS

Mileage: 130,000

A RAINY NIGHT, 10:30 PM., ON THE FREEWAY RETURNING HOME FROM A SYMPHONY CONCERT, THE ENGINE SIMPLY QUIT. I, HUSBAND/DRIVER, TRIED THREE TIME TO RESTART IT BEFORE YELLING TO MY WIFE TO TURN ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS WHICH SHE DID. AS WE SLOWED, I REMEMBER SEEING ALL ICONS ON DASH BLINKING. BOTH OF US WERE KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND DO NOT REMEMBER BEING HIT BY THE CAR BEHIND. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INJURIES SUSTAINED: A CONTUSION AND MINOR WHIPLASH BY HUSBAND; FRACTURED C-7 AND T-1 VERTEBRATES AND CONCUSSION BY MY WIFE. SHE HAS BEEN IN A NECK-TO-WAIST BRACE FROM NOV. 10, 2013 UNTIL PRESENT. WE ALWAYS MAINTAINED OUR PASSAT SCRUPULOUSLY ACCORDING TO VW STANDARDS AT THEIR SERVICE CENTERS BY THEIR TRAINED MECHANICS. ONE MONTH EARLIER WE HAD BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO BE CHECKED BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT WOULD NOT START AFTER DRIVING IT SOMEPLACE. TWICE HAD TO WAIT FOR AAA TOWING. AAA ABLE TO START IT RIGHT UP AS THOUGH NOTHING WAS WRONG. VW RAN "FAULT CODES" BUT FOUND NO PROBLEM.WE BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY AT VW'S SUGGESTION. SOMETHING WENT HORRIBLY WRONG WITH OUR CAR INSPITE OF OUR RESPONSIBLE MAINTENANCE. WE WERE EXTREMELY LUCKY NOT TO BE KILLED. WE WISH TO KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHER CASES LIKE OURS. AT THE VERY LEAST, WE WANT OTHERS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS POSSIBLE DANGER. I WILL APPRECIATE YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THIS REPORT. *TR

Mileage: 137,700

MY 2000 VW PASSAT GLS WAGON BEGAN EXHIBITING A FLASHING/BEEPING RED BRAKE LIGHT ACCOMPANIED BY A SOLID YELLOW ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TO INDICATE A FAILURE IN THE ABS SYSTEM. ALSO AT THIS TIME THE INFORMATION HUD HAS "STOP, BRAKE FAULT, SERVICE MANUAL" FLASHING. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE, IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS FAILURE IS FAIRLY COMMON ON 1998-2001 PASSATS, BUT NO ACTION HAS EVER BEEN TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER. I INTEND TO HAVE THE ABS MODULE REBUILT AND DO THE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION WORK MYSELF; THE RESULT SHOULD BE AROUND $220 OUT OF POCKET. HOWEVER, MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOUGHT DEALERSHIP SERVICE WORK FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM HAVE SPENT WELL IN EXCESS OF $1,000. GIVEN THE APPARENT FAILURE RATE OF THIS MODULE AND THE FACT THAT IT IS A CORE SAFETY FEATURE OF THE CAR, IT IS MY OPINION THAT IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR RECALL (INCLUDING COMPENSATION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY MADE THE REPAIR). THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 190,000

WHEN MY CAR HAS A PROBLEM THERE IS A SCREEN THAT WILL TELL YOU WHAT IS WRONG. WHEN IT GETS MORE THAN 65 DEGREES OUTSIDE THE SCREEN QUITS WORKING, IT GOES BLANK. FIRST TIME I HAD PROBLEMS MY CAR WAS OVER HEATING, IT WAS BEEPING AT ME. I COULDN'T MAKE OUT WHAT IT WAS SAYING ON THE SCREEN. I HAD TO PULL OVER CUFF MY HANDS AROUND THE SCREEN TO SEE STOP OVER HEATING. I LOOKED AT MY DASH SAW THAT IT WAS OVER HEATING. THAT HAPPENED TWICE OFF AN ON WITH IN A FEW WEEKS. MY DAD AN I FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH OVER HEATING. ANOTHER TIME WAS JUST RECENT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AN ONCE AGAIN COULDN'T READ THE SCREEN. I CUFFED MY HANDS AN WAS ABLE TO SEE EMISSION CHECK. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ME BUT WHEN MY CAR OVER HEATED I USED GOOGLE TO SEARCH THIS SCREEN PROBLEM. TO CHECK TO SEE IF IT WAS ON RECALL OR ANYTHING,THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE.THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM I THINK VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD PAY THE $400 IT TAKES TO REPLACE IT. THIS IS THEIR PRODUCT THAT IS DEFECTED! WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR PROBLEM, SOME POINT THE LACK OF THIS WORKING COULD HURT SOMEONE. I'M WRITING TO MAKE SURE THIS GETS FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. *TR

Mileage: 156,000

ONE OF THE PASSENGER REAR WINDOWS INTO FELL INTO THE DOOR RANDOM ON DAY, HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDOW REGULATOR. EVENTUALLY WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AND DRIVER REAR WINDOW ALSO BECAME DEFECTIVE, FALLING INTO THE DOOR AND THEIR REGULATORS HAD TO BE REPLACE. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED, CLEARLY THIS IS A DEFECT VW NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF AS MANY OTHERS WITH SAME CAR ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

THE CAR WAS PARKED. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE, BUT IT DID NOT TURN OVER. I TRIED A SECOND TIME AND NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE HOOD. BY THE TIME I WENT INSIDE TO CALL FOR ROAD SERVICE AND RETURNED TO THE PARKING LOT, THERE WERE FLAMES SHOOTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. *TR

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TODAY 8/9/10 IN MY 2000 V W PASSAT AND MY CAR STARTED SMOKING THROUGH THE VENTS. NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE SMOKE. FLAMES BEGAN SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD TOTALLY ENGULFING THE ENTIRE CAR WITHIN MINUTES RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL THIS EVENT. *TR

Mileage: 201,700

2000 VW PASSAT ABS/BRAKE LIGHTS ON. PROBABLY BAD ABS MODULE. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

MY 2000 VW PASSAT WAS PARKED FOR APPROX. 45 MINUTES THEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE ONLY "PROBLEM" I HAD WITH THE VEHICLE WAS WHEN I WAS TRYING TO LOCK IT WITH THE ELECTRONIC KEY IT WOULD NOT "BEEP". I MOVED CLOSER TO THE VEHICLE TWO TIMES AND ONLY THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAINTLY FLICKERED. NO BEEP. OTHER THAN THAT THERE WERE NOT PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. THE FIRE WAS IN THE ENGINE. THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WAS NOT DAMAGED EXCEPT FOR WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND BROKE OUT THE WINDOWS. TIRES AND ENGINE MELTED. I HAVE PICTURES I CAN SEND. *TR

Mileage: 89,000

ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. INTERMITTENT BUT OFTEN. SEEMS A SYSTEMIC SAFETY ISSUE IN VW PASSAT. *TR

Mileage: 74,000

1. I HAVE A 2000 VW PASSAT AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT SINCE 2000 WITHOUT ISSUES. 2. IN MARCH 2004, SOON AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, THE ABS LIGHT WENT ON AND DIDN'T TURN OFF. 3. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A FAULTY ABS CONTROL MODULE AND REPLACED IT FOR $1500. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH FAULTY ABS CONTROL MODULES. I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID THAT THEY DO GET A LOT OF THEM BUT VW HASN'T YET ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE PART. I ALSO CALLED VW AND THEY DECLINED TO COVER THE PART. I'VE RECENTLY LOOKED INTO THIS AND APPEARS THAT IT'S HAPPENING TO MORE AND MORE PASSATS. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

MY CAR HAS BEEN RECALLED 3 TIMES, TO WHICH I ADHERED. TWO MONTHS AFTER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED, WITH 45,000, THE ABS SENSOR MODULE FAILED. I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S FAILED AS THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS INFREQUENTLY RETURN TO NORMAL STATE; WITH NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM, ONLY TO RETURN TO ABS, BRAKE FAILURE, STOP, SERVICE MANUAL, LIGHTS FLASHING. VW OF AMERICA OFFERED $300 TOWARDS A $1024.00 REPAIR ONLY TO RETRACT OFFER WHEN I VOICED I COULD NOT BUY ANOTHER VW NOR RECOMMEND TO ANYONE. *TR

Mileage: 45,232

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE ALARM IN HER VEHICLE WOULD GO OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. SHE HAD TO UNPLUG THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO SHUT OFF THE ALARM. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT COULD NOT CONTROL THE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING OF THE DOORS OR THE WINDOWS GOING UP AND DOWN. THE ONLY WINDOW SHE COULD CONTROL WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. THERE WAS ALSO APPROXIMATELY FOUR INCHES OF WATER UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. SHE BELIEVED THAT IT WAS COLLECTIVE RAIN WATER THAT DID NOT DRAIN, BUT RATHER ESCAPED INTO THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD COST OVER $4,000. THE MANUFACTURER CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED THEM WHY IT WOULD COST SO MUCH FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT'S CASE WAS FILED BY THE MANUFACTURER. SHE ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE ISSUES WERE COMMON AMONG VOLKSWAGEN OWNERS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000.

Mileage: 102,000

HEAT SHIELD CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR FROM CARMAX WHO HAD LIED ABOUT THE AUTO FROM THE BROKEN SEATBELTS FORWARD ON THE DAY OF SALE. VW DEALERSHIP REPAIRED AUTO AFTER FIRE BUT ANOTHER MISHAP WITH HEATSHIELD WHEN IT FELL OFF AND UNDER THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE @ 65 MILE PER HR, WHILE DRIVING DOWN TURNPIKE. I WAS NOT INJURED THANKS TO A TRUCK DRIVER WHO ASSISTED MY NAVIGATION TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CUT OFF THE SHIELD SO I COULD RETURN HOME. THE TIE ROD WAS DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, SINCE THE FIRE THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN THE SAME AND HAS BEEN A HAZARD, STALLING ON A BELTWAY, ETC... NO APPARENT REASON FOR THIS WAS FOUND ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AS IT HAS BEEN CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES..IT IS WHEN THE EMISSION LIGHT COMES ON AND A BAD SENSOR NEEDS REPLACED OR SWITCH. BUT NOTHING FIXES THIS CAR FOR LONG. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

AT JUST OVER 90,000 MILES, A WARNING MESSAGE CAME UP STATING: STOP! BRAKE FAILURE. SEE SERVICE MANUAL. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I IMMEDIATELY HAD MY BRAKE SYSTEM CHECKED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES OR THE ABS. ACCORDING TO VW IT IS A ABS CENTRAL MODULE FAILURE. REPLACING IT WILL COST OVER $1000. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT THAT VW SHOULD CORRECT. IT IS INCREDIBLE THAT VW IS ALLOWED TO SCARE ITS CUSTOMERS INTO THINKING THEY ARE IN SERIOUS DANGER OF BRAKE FAILURE JUST TO GET THEM TO CORRECT AN ELECTRONIC DEFECT. CHECKING THE INTERNET I DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2000 PASSAT. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. FIRST THE FUEL TANK DOOR SWITCH BECAME INOPERABLE FORCING ME TO REMOVE THE OPENING MECHANISM WHICH ALLOWED ME TO OPEN IT MANUALLY. TWO DAYS LATER THE ALARM BEGAN TO SOUND ON IT'S OWN, AND DID SO FOR AT LEAST 8 HOURS OR MORE. BY THE END OF THE NIGHT THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND ALL THE FUNCTIONS IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AS WELL AS THE ALARM, CEASED TO OPERATE APART FROM THE LOCKS. I HAD TO REMOVE THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT AND CARPET TO ACCESS THE CONVENIENCE CONTROL MODULE AND SUBSEQUENT WIRING, WHILE UNDERNEATH THE CARPET I TRIED TO SUCTION UP AS MUCH MOISTURE AS I COULD OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOOR AND OUT OF THE PADDING. AS OF KNOW I AM QUOTED TO PURCHASE A NEW CONVENIENCE CONTROL MODULE TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. *TR

Mileage: 113

BOUGHT A VW PASSAT USED FROM PRIVATE DEALER~I OWNED THE CAR FOR EXACTLY 1 YEAR, TURBO FAILED ~ CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE OWNING VEHICLE. CAR HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH OIL SLUDGE ISSUES FROM PREVIOUS OWNERS. JUST PAID FOR TURBO AND TWO OIL LINES TO BE REPLACED. VW OF AMERICA STATED THEY WOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY ~ NEVER HEARD FROM THEM, I KEEP CALLING ~ CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE DAY ONE ~ NO ONE WANTS TO HELP ME ON THIS QUEST TO SEEK ACTION. I OWE 11,000.00 MORE ON THE VEHICLE CAR WAS SMOKING SEVERELY ~THOUGHT IT WAS AN UNDERCARRIAGE~BUT IT IS NEAR THE TURBO LINE SO IT COULD BE MISTAKEN. *TR

Mileage: 78

FAX FROM CONGRESSMAN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH HER VW PASSAT. *KB IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. SHE WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED, HOWEVER THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 8-10 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR

I HAVE HAD MY 2000 VW PASSAT FOR A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS AND IT HAS BEEN A MONEY PIT! I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS SINCE A MONTH OR SO AFTER I BOUGHT MY CAR. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A PRIVATE PARTY, TEST DROVE THE CAR, HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC, AND I HAVE PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THE CAR. I BOUGHT THE CAR JUST BEFORE MY SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL THINKING I MADE A WONDERFUL CHOICE, AND I HAD TO REPLACE A NEW RIGHT SIDE BOOT JUST AFTER A MONTH OF OWNING THE CAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/ABS/AIRBAG KEPT COMING ON AND BEEPING AT ME, AND I HAD TO BUY A WHOLE NEW BRAIN TO THE CAR OVER $1500. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT WAY BEFORE THE MILE WARRANTY, OIL LEAKS WHICH RUINED SOME WIRES, NEW SHOCKS/SHOCK ABSORBERS, NOW THE WINDOW WILL GO PART WAY DOWN, BUT WILL NO LONGER GO UP... AND MY HEADLIGHTS ARE FOGGED UP WHICH I HAVE NOTICED ON ALL OTHER 2000 PASSATS...! MANY THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG WITH THIS CAR. I AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH THE CAR. I DO NOT RECOMMEND A VW TO ANYONE! I AM GOING INTO THE SECOND YEAR OF COLLEGE AND HAVE SPENT MOST OF MY SAVINGS ON THIS PIECE OF JUNK. I THINK AFTER FIXING A PART OF THE CAR THAT IT SHOULD RUN WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. SINCE I HAVE PUT SO MUCH MONEY INTO THIS CAR I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET A RELIABLE CAR. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH VW AND THE RECALLS! AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED THE WHOLE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED!!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER. HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES LATER HE NOTICED FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THERE IS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION OPEN FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH (NHTSA ACTION # PE07024). THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A POLICE REPORT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

I'VE HAD MY 2000 PASSAT NOW FOR 3 YEARS, MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF SEE TO IT THAT OUR CARS HAVE ANNUAL TUNE-UPS AND REGULAR OIL CHANGES. FOR THE PAST MONTH THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING NON-STOP. DURING MY MOST RECENT TUNE UP, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. MY MECHANIC WAS CONVINCED THAT A RECALL HAD TO BE IN PLACE BECAUSE HE WAS SEEING THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING FREQUENTLY. I CALLED THE VW DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WAS INFORMED THAT $100 WAS NEEDED TO EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR. ALL OF THIS HAS ME FURIOUS. A RECALL IS NEEDED--RIGHT A WAY!!!!! *JB

9/2003: HEADLIGHTS AIMED INCORRECTLY; ROAD WASN'T ILLUMINATED. WITHIN 2 WKS, 1 OF THE BULBS BURNED OUT. WITHIN A WEEK OF THE 1ST, THE 2ND BULB BURNED OUT. COST TO HAVE HEADLIGHTS REPOSITIONED & BULBS REPLACED: $267. 9/2003: REAR TAIL LIGHT OUT. COST TO HAVE BULB REPLACED BY MECHANIC: $32.50. 11/2003: BOTH REAR WINDOWS OFF TRACK. COST TO TEAR DOORS APART & FIX: $159.75. 12/2003: ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH FRONT POWER WINDOWS. NEVER KNOW IF WINDOW WILL GO UP OR DOWN. 2004: HAD CAR IN FOR (AT LEAST) 3 DIFFERENT DASHBOARD WARNING CODES. ONE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH FUEL, OR THE FUEL TANK OR SOMETHING. AFTER SOME TRIAL AND ERROR ON MY MECHANIC'S PART, DISCOVERED THAT UNSCREWING AND TIGHTLY RESCREWING GAS CAP FIXED THE PROBLEM. COST TO DIAGNOSE AND "FIX": $165. HAD (AT LEAST) TWO OTHER WARNING CODES IN 2004 THAT REQUIRED ME TO TAKE THE CAR IN. 6/24/2005: HAD BEEN HEARING CRUNCHING SOUND FROM FRONT RIGHT PORTION OF CAR THAT WAS PARTICULARLY APPARENT WHEN HITTING A POTHOLE, A DIP IN THE ROAD OR ATTEMPTING A TIGHT 360 TURN. MECHANIC (SPECIALIZING IN EUROPEAN CARS) IDENTIFIED A BAD CONTROL ARM. COST OF REPAIR & ALIGNMENT: $713.70. COST OF RENTAL CAR: $100.88. TOTAL: $814.58. NOTE: THE LEFT SIDE HAS BEEN MAKING THE SAME SOUND SINCE 12/2005. HAVE NOT YET REPAIRED IT. 10/24/05: CAR STARTED GOING DEAD INTERMITTENTLY. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 60000 MILES ON IT. REPLACED BATTERY FOR $106.50. 1/2006: TEMP GAUGE MAXED OUT, COOLANT BOILED OVER, SMOKE & STEAM ISSUED FROM HOOD IN LESS THAN 8 MINUTES AT IDLE. COOLED CAR FOR 2L HOURS, REPLACED COOLANT AND DROVE TO MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP & TIMING BELT. COST: $725. 2/2006: BRAKES ARE SPONGY AND PROVIDE NO RESISTANCE UNTIL NEARING THE FLOOR. MECHANIC SAYS ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS ARE FINE. 6/2006: TRANSMISSION GETS STUCK IN 1ST GEAR. MUST STOP THE CAR, TURN IT OFF AND THEN RESTART. THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND IS GOVERNED BY THE COMPUTER. COST TO FIX: UNKNOWN. 6/2006: FRONT WINDOW NOW OFF TRACK. HAVE NOT YET FIXED IT. *NM

Mileage: 50,000

FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE ON THE RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE GARAGE WHERE THE CAR IS SERVICED INVESTIGATED AND SAID THAT THEY CANNOT SEEM TO FIND A CAUSE OTHER THAN IT MAY HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL. THE CAR IS A COMPLETE LOSS. *NM

Mileage: 135,000

I OWN A 2000 V6 PASSAT, WHICH I HAVE SERVICED REGULARLY AT A VW DEALERSHIP. ON MARCH 25, 2005, THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A 60K MILE MAINTENANCE CHECK ON MY PASSAT. THIS SERVICE INCLUDED A CHECK OF MY ORIGINAL VW BATTERY. THE BATTERY READOUTS INDICATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS FINE. ON MAY 13, 2005 (MILEAGE 61336), MY BATTERY COMPLETELY EXPLODED LIKE A BOMB WHEN I WENT TO RESTART MY CAR AFTER REFUELING AT A PETROL STATION. I CONTACTED VW USA AND THEY NOT ONLY DID NOT CARE ABOUT THE SITUATION BUT DID NOT SEE THAT ANY RESULTING DAMAGE SHOULD BE COVERED BY THEM. ULTIMATELY, I PAID FOR THE NEW BATTERY, MY INSURANCE CARRIER COVERED WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT AND MY VW DEALERSHIP COVERED THE REMAINING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. MY DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT I WAS THE 2ND CUSTOMER TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR DEALERSHIP.

Mileage: 61,336

AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE 5 TO 10 MINUTES CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE, THEN FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE FIRE CONSUMED THE VEHICLE,IT WAS TOTALLY DAMAGED. *AK

2000 VW PASSAT- WHEN YOU TRY TO LOCK THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IT WILL NOT LOCK WITH THE DOOR CONTROL UNLESS YOU OPEN ALL THE DOORS AND THEN PUSH THE LOCK BUTTON. THIS DOES NOT CONCERN ME AS MUCH AS WHEN YOU PUSH THE UNLOCK BUTTON AND OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR AND CLOSE IT BEIND YOU. THE DOOR WILL LOCK YOU IN AND THE PANIC ALARM STARTS GOING OFF. IF YOU ONLY HAVE ONE KEY IT WILL LOCK YOU OR YOUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND WILL SET THE PANIC ALARM OFF.

Mileage: 68,000

DEFECTIVE FUEL GAUGE AND TEMP. GAUGE CAUSING TO REPLACE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *AK

Mileage: 44,270

MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A 2000 PASSAT WITH 927 MILES ON THE ODOMETER ON JULY 21, 2000 (ANCIRA, SAN ANTONIO, TX). THREE VISITS TO THE DEALER THREE FOR A FLUID LEAK (3/29/01, 2/13/02, 1/17/03). EACH TIME, WE WERE TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. FOUR MONTHS AGO- "EMISSION CONTROL," "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO THE FOLLOWING QUIT WORKING: POWER MIRRORS, THE TRAVEL COMPUTER, TEMPERATURE SENSOR WAS ERRATIC, FUEL DOOR QUIT AND THE FUEL MILEAGE GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. MOST RECENTLY, THE CAR STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND A CLEAR, VISCOUS FLUID APPEARED ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. THE CAR HAS 25,000 MILES. WE CHANGE THE OIL REGULARLY. IT HAD A 15,000-MILE CHECK-UP. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A REPUTABLE MECHANIC (MANDER AUTOMOTIVE IN HELOTES, TEXAS). THE OWNER OF MANDER (BOB MANDER) WAS VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS CAR HAD SO MANY ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER PROBLEMS. ANCIRA INFORMED (MANDER) THAT THE CAR'S WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED BY 900 MILES (24,990) THAT VISIT (11/6/03). COMPUTER SCAN AND ANALYSIS SHOWED SEVERAL CODES RELATED TO MISFIRES AND RUNNING LEAN. ALSO: TRANSAXLE SEAL LEAK AND BATTERY FAILED THE LOAD TEST-WOULD NOT HOLD ACHARGE. MANDER FIXED: SEAL LEAK, REPLACED THE BATTERY, CHANGED THE OIL, REPLACED THE ACTUATOR (FUEL DOOR), REPAIRED VACUUM LEAKS, RESET THE T.E.H. COMPUTER AND CORRECTED THE FAULTY WIRING TO THE MIRRORS. WE SPENT $649. 24 HOURS LATER-"CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT RE-APPEARED. THE CAR BEGAN TO VIBRATE HARD. WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO MR. MANDER (11/14/03). HE FOUND A DEFECTIVE OXYGEN SENSOR AND PROBLEM WITH THE COOLANT SENSOR- BOTH REPLACED. THAT TIME WE SPENT $358. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE AN ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP WITH MANDER AUTOMOTIVE AND TRUST THEIR WORK AND ANALYSIS. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT AND "EMISSIONS CONTROL" LIGHT IS BACK ON. THE CAR IS RUNNING HARD, AGAIN. I HAVE CONTACTED VW (REFERENCE #30522917) AND MY HUSBAND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT DEALER HERE IN SAN ANTONIO (ROD EAST). *LA

Mileage: 20,000

I WAS DIRIVNG THE CAR WHEN SMOKE STARTED ENTERING THE CABIN AREA. PULLED OVER, AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGLUFED IN SMOKE. HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WAS NO FLAMES, BUT THE FIREFIGHTERS HAD TO USE A HOSE TO KILL THE SMOKE. VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IN TALLAHASSEE INDICATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR "MALFUNCTIONED". I'D LIKE AN INVESTIGATION INTO HOW A MALFUCNTION INT HE ALTERNATOR COULD CAUSE A NEAR FIRE HAZARD, AND IF IT WAS A MALFUCNTION -- WHAT CAUSED IT, AND A BULLETIN POSTED AS TO HOW TO AVOID IT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER AS THE CAR WAS PARACTICALLY IN FLAMES.*AK

Mileage: 111,000

FIRE: 2000 VW PASSAT GL - SEDAN/V6. SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED. CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR 3 HOURS. FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON RIGHT SIDE AND DESTROYED MAJOR COMPONENTS. FIRE WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL FUEL LINE BREACHED AT WHICH TIME FIRE CONSUMED VEHICLE. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION BY INSURANCE COMPANY INDICATED FAILURE OF AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT, HOWEVER EXACT CAUSE REMAINS UNDETERMINED.*AK

Mileage: 37,500

THE ENGINE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND CONTINUED DURING THE ENTIRE TIME THE ENGINE WAS ON. IT SEEMED TO START AT EVERY IGNITION ACTIVATION, THE PROBLEMS DOES NOT OCCUR WHILE DRIVING OR IDLE. IT HAPPENED EVERY TIME I AM READY TO GO TO WORK!! I TOOK THE CAR THREE TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE WARRANTY WAS STILL GOOD - THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG IN ALL THREE TIMES. THE MAIN INDICATOR HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE "ENGINE SYMBOL W/THE VOLT" SYMBOL THAT GOES ON IN THE DASHBOARD. THE FOURTH TIME IT HAPPENED (PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD, NOW), IT WENT AWAY WHILE THE DEALER WAS CHECKING IT OUT. AGAIN THE MECHANICS COULD NOT DETECT THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. ON JULY 11, AS I WAS COMING HOME THE PROBLEM AGAIN SHOWED UP. THIS TIME THE DEALER CHANGED AN ENGINE PART "COIL" AND SAID THAT THE COIL WAS THE PROBLEM AND THESE PASSAT CARS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ALL THE TIME. I AM REALLY MAD BECAUSE I DID NOT EXPECT THE ADDED EXPENSE $620 TOTAL, THE TIME LOST, THE INCONVENIENCE, AND THE LACK OF RESPECT BY THE DEALERS (THESE GUYS BEHAVE AS IF THEY ARE DOING ME A FAVOR, I AM PAYING DEARLY BY CHOOSING WV BRAND). *JB

Mileage: 37,400

I OWNED A 2000 VW PASSAT. MY CAR FAILED SEVERAL TIMES UPON ACCELERATION DURING PASSING OR ACCELERATING ONTO THE EXPRESSWAY. I HAD IT INTO THE SHOP AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES. THE VW REP INSINUATED THAT I WAS DOING SOMETHING TO THE VEHICLE. THEY FINALLY ALLOWED ME TO TRADE FOR A 2003. THERE IS NOW A RECALL ON THE IGNITION COIL STARTING WITH 2001. I THINK YOU HAD BETTER INCLUDE 2000 ON THAT RECALL. *NLM

INTERMITTENTLY CAR WILL NOT START. USUALLY I CAN MANEUVER THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTER FROM THE PARK POSITION DOWN THROUGH THE GEARS, (NEUTRAL, DRIVE, ETC...) THEN BACK TO THE PARK POSITION & THEN THE CAR WILL START. VW DEALER IS UNABLE TO ISOLATE THE PROBLEM BUT OFFERED TO REPLACE A PART FOR A FEE OF $400.00 BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB

Mileage: 42,000

THIS IS REGARDING A 2000 VOLKWAGEN PASSAT. I HAVE READ THAT THERE IS AN "ACTION PLAN" BY VOLKSWAGEN FOR 2001 AND NEWER PASSATS FOR COIL WIRES. I FEEL THAT VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD INCLUDE THE 2000 AS WELL. ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED I HAVE ALREADY HAD TWO COIL FAILURES. UNLIKE CARS WHICH ARE COVERED BY THE RECALL I HAVE TO GET THEM REPLACED AS THEY FAIL. I BELIEVE VW IS JUST TRYING TO SAVE MONEY BY NOT INCLUDING THE 2000 CARS. *JB

Mileage: 45,000

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE IGNITION COIL BROKE CAUSING LOST OF ACCELERATION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

NAR 1/15/2003. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AT A LOW MILEAGE. THE FIRST SIGN OF A PROBLEM WAS THE AIR BAG LIGHT WHICH HAD COME ON AND DID SO SPORADICALLY. THE PROBLEM PROGRESSED TO THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER WHICH BEGAN MOVING ERRATICALLY, TO THE POINT THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALL. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AGAIN AND THE MECHANIC THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE IGNITION. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND AFTER PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC THERE WAS A READING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STARTER. AS OF NOW THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *JB

Mileage: 19,000

WHILE DRIVING THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. IN THE OWNER MANUAL IT STATES WHEN THIS LIGHT COMES ON DON'T DRIVE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE SERVICE. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THEIRS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH COIL, AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM PER DEALERSHIP. TS

ONLY THE DRIVERS DOOR AND TRUNK LID HAVE A DASH LIGHT AND CHIME INDICATOR TO LET THE CONSUMER KNOW THAT THESE DOORS ARE OPEN, ON ONE OCCASION THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WITH THREE SMALL CHILDREN WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHT WAS ON, ONLY THEN DID THE DRIVER REALIZED THAT A REAR DOOR WAS AJAR, THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. NLM

CONSUMER STATED ON 2 OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, IT WAS FINALLY DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*JB

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL NOT START UP. DEALER HAS REPAIRED AND REPLACED VARIOUS PARTS, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK