2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Electrical System Problems

SO I GOT REAR ENDED AT THE OTHER PARTY'S FAULT AT HIGH SPEED WHILE I WAS AT A STOP SIGN AND THEY NEGLECTED TO STOP PUSHING ME INTO AN INTERSECTION FULL OF TRAFFIC...NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED..AND SINCE MY HEATER DOESN'T WORK BUT PASSENGER SEAT HEAT BURNED MY 12 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS BUTT...ANYONE HELP? I JUST WANT HEAT FOR MY BABIES..BELOW ZERO HERE :( THANK YOU!! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 180,220

I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 AT APPROX. 78 MPH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SAYS STOP! BRAKE FAILURE! SEE VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE. IN MY RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE, I'VE FOUND THIS HAPPENS ON ALMOST ALL 1998-2001 VW PASSATS AND AUDI A-4S. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

Mileage: 104,435

ABS MODULE IS OUT, CAN'T GET EMISSIONS PASSED UNLESS I PAY OVER 600 DOLLARS. ALSO I DON'T HAVE ABS, CAN'T SEE IF MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MEANS ANYTHING BECAUSE I'M TOLD IT ALL GETS RE ROUTED THOROUGH THE ABS MODULE AND CAN'T GET PAST THAT PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 152,000

THE FIRST THINGS THAT IS HAPPEN IS THAT MY DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL BLINK IN AND OUT AND THE SECOND IS THAT WATER BE RUNNING IN THE CAR COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

2001 PASSAT GLX MY ABS LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT/ASL LIGHT FLASH ON MY DASH PANEL RANDOMLY DURING THE DAY WHICH POINTS TO ANOTHER FAILED ABS MODULE. I GET THE THREE BEEPS THAT ACCOMPANY THE FLASHING LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 10 TIMES A DAY OR MORE. I CAN FEEL A KICK FROM MY BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THIS HAPPENS DURING BRAKING. *TR

Mileage: 157,000

HEADLAMP WIRING HARNESS MELTS. *TR

CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT SETTLED WITH VW FOR OIL SLUDGE. THIS MAKES NO SENSE BY THE TIME THE SETTLEMENT WAS REACHED MY 2001 VW PASSAT, 1.8 TURBO WAS NOT COVERED. 7 OR 8 WEEKS AGO I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE VW DEALER (HALMARK VW OF MADISON) THEY TOLD ME I HAD A SLUDGE PROBLEM AND DID NOT EVEN MENTION THAT IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM OR THAT THE LAW SUIT WAS UNDERWAY- VERY SNEAKY. THEY TOLD ME TO REPLACE MY ENGINE OR TO CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 1000 MILES FOR AWHILE. MY ABS AND COMPUTER MODULE FAILED AT THE SAME TIME WITH NO ONE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. NOW I HAVE THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NO WAY TO GET IT RESOLVED. *TR

Mileage: 165,000

IGNITION COIL FAILURE AFTER 13 MONTHS AFTER VW REPLACED ALL 4 COILS UNDER PRIOR RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

MY FOSTER SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2001 VW PASSAT WHEN HE NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT AND THERE WERE FLAMES ENGULFING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. FIRE AND POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE. IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND A MECHANIC THAT LOOKED AT THE CAR LATER THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE COMPUTER LOCATED IN THE DASH AREA OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS WITH THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT MELTED BEYOND REPAIR. WE HAVE A FIRE REPORT AND PICTURES. *TR

Mileage: 175,000

FAULTY WIRING FOR TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHT, TURN LIGHTS. REPLACED FUSE, REPLACED BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHT BULBS EIGHT TIMES, THIS CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR ONE DAY. BOUGHT NEW KIT TO REPLACE OLD BRAKE ,TAIL LIGHT , TURNING LIGHT. THIS WORKED FOR APPROX. TWO MONTHS NOW NOTHING WORKS. *TR

Mileage: 51,323

FRONT BALL JOINT FAILURE AT APPROX. 35,000 MILES. THEN A LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE AT 95,000 MILES. OLD CONTROL ARM IS AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

DEC 12TH 2008 THE INTERIOR OF MY PASST WAS FLOODED WITH WATER, VW SERVICE REMOVED 10 + GALLONS OF WATER WHICH ENTERED FROM AIR PLENUM /POLLEN FILTER HOSING(CABIN AREA). SERVICE INFORMED ME OF THE P9 RECALL FOR THE PASSATS MANUFACTURED NOV '00 TO DEC '05. BUT, VW OF AMERICA WILL NOT HELP ME THEY SAID MY VIN # IS NOT IN THE RECALL. THE COMPUTERS ARE ON THE FLOOR OF CAR. AIR BAG IS IN DEFAULT DAMAGE FROM ELECTRICAL DAMAGE FROM WATER DAMAGE.. MY TRANS MOD IS WRECKED FROM THE WATER DAMAGE, JUST THE PART ALONE WILL COST $1,300. I HAVE LOST WORK AND CAN NOT DRIVE. THE MAKE OF CAR & YEAR IS IN RECALL SO WHY IS MY VIN NOT INCLUDED?! SOMEONE PLEASE, PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

Mileage: 64,445

MY 2001 VW PASSAT ABS MODULE BECAME DEFECTIVE AFTER 1 YEAR OF OWNING CAR FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. NOT SURE IF ORIGINAL OWNER HAD DONE REPAIRS/REPLACEMENTS OF THE UNIT. NOW THERE IS NO COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CAR COMPUTER AND THE MODULE, THEREFORE NO ABS BRAKE IS ACTIVE. ABS LIGHT STAYS ON AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY. THERE ARE ALSO 3 BEEPS WHEN CAR HAS BEEN STARTED. I AM A VERY UNHAPPY CONSUMER OF VW DUE TO THEIR FAULTY VEHICLE EQUIPMENT AND HAS DETER ME FROM PURCHASING ANY VW IN THE FUTURE. I HAVE RECENTLY JUST HAD A REPAIR TO REPLACE MY MAF SENSOR, 2 IGNITION COILS, 4 SPARK PLUGS AGAIN AFTER PURCHASING BRAND NEW ONES JUST A MONTH PRIOR. IT WAS VERY COSTLY!! *TR

Mileage: 115,000

WARNING LIGHT AND BEEPING SOUND ON DASHBOARD COMES ON FREQUENTLY (ABOUT HALF THE TIME) SAYING STOP ABS BRAKE. ACCORDING TO MECHANIC, MANY MANY VWS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM (SOMETHING TO DO WITH ABS CONTROL MODULE) WHICH CAN COST $2,000 TO FIX AT A DEALER), AND HE'S SURPRISED THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR IT. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE "STOP VEHICLE DO NOT DRIVE", AND OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE ENGINE. THE PREVIOUS REPAIR REQUIRED THE VEHICLE TO REMAIN AT THE DEALER FOR ONE MONTH. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. IN ADDITION, DURING RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, FIVE INCHES OF WATER LEAKED ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANEL. THERE WAS ELECTRICAL FAILURE DUE TO THE WATER LEAKAGE THAT CAUSED GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT CONSISTS OF INSTALLATION OF A DRAINAGE FILTER AND FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THESE MALFUNCTIONS. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 36,000

I HAVE HAD MY 2001 VW PASSAT FOR 7 YEARS NOW AND HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP MULTIPLE ISSUES INCLUDING WARPED ROTORS (FRONT AND BACK), CRACKED CHASSE, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND VARIOUS OTHER PROBLEMS. BEFORE HAVING THIS CAR, I HAD A TOYOTA FOR 8 YEARS AND IN THE 8 YEARS I HAD THE TOYOTA, I ONLY HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THIS CAR IS DISAPPOINTING AND EVERYONE I TALK TO WHO HAS A SIMILAR MODEL/YEAR SAYS THE SAME THING. I THINK THE 2001 VW PASSAT IS A LEMON. *TR

Mileage: 6,000

I HAVE HAD MY 2001 VW PASSAT FOR 7 YEARS NOW AND HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP MULTIPLE ISSUES INCLUDING WARPED ROTORS (FRONT AND BACK), CRACKED CHASSE, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND VARIOUS OTHER PROBLEMS. BEFORE HAVING THIS CAR, I HAD A TOYOTA FOR 8 YEARS AND IN THE 8 YEARS I HAD THE TOYOTA, I ONLY HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THIS CAR IS DISAPPOINTING AND EVERYONE I TALK TO WHO HAS A SIMILAR MODEL/YEAR SAYS THE SAME THING. I THINK THE 2001 VW PASSAT IS A LEMON. *TR

Mileage: 6,000

I HAVE HAD MY 2001 VW PASSAT FOR 7 YEARS NOW AND HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP MULTIPLE ISSUES INCLUDING WARPED ROTORS (FRONT AND BACK), CRACKED CHASSE, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND VARIOUS OTHER PROBLEMS. BEFORE HAVING THIS CAR, I HAD A TOYOTA FOR 8 YEARS AND IN THE 8 YEARS I HAD THE TOYOTA, I ONLY HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THIS CAR IS DISAPPOINTING AND EVERYONE I TALK TO WHO HAS A SIMILAR MODEL/YEAR SAYS THE SAME THING. I THINK THE 2001 VW PASSAT IS A LEMON. *TR

Mileage: 6,000

I HAVE HAD MY 2001 VW PASSAT FOR 7 YEARS NOW AND HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP MULTIPLE ISSUES INCLUDING WARPED ROTORS (FRONT AND BACK), CRACKED CHASSE, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND VARIOUS OTHER PROBLEMS. BEFORE HAVING THIS CAR, I HAD A TOYOTA FOR 8 YEARS AND IN THE 8 YEARS I HAD THE TOYOTA, I ONLY HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THIS CAR IS DISAPPOINTING AND EVERYONE I TALK TO WHO HAS A SIMILAR MODEL/YEAR SAYS THE SAME THING. I THINK THE 2001 VW PASSAT IS A LEMON. *TR

Mileage: 6,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD LIABILITY COVERAGE; THEREFORE, THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WILL GIVE THE MANUFACTURER A REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000.

Mileage: 87,000

MY CAR IS A 2001 V6, WE HAD HEAVY RAIN DURING THE PAST WEEK AND ONE MORNING MY CAR HAD A PUDDLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND FAILED TO START OR EVEN PUT IN GEAR THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER WAS FLOODED AND IT TOOK 4 DAYS FOR THEM TO TAKE ALL WATER OUT OF THE CAR AND TEST ALL SENSORS . *TR

I HAVE A 2001 VW PASSAT, IN THE PAST MONTH, MY ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND E-BRAKE LIGHT, HAVE BEEN COMING ON RANDOMLY. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES AND BEEPS/RINGS FOR A FEW SECONDS. HALF OF THE TIME THE LIGHTS GO OUT AFTER A FEW SECONDS, SOMETIMES THE ONLY WAY THEY GO OUT IS TO STOP, TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART. AND THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THIS DOESN'T WORK EITHER. THERE HAVE BEEN SUGGESTIONS BY VW DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE ABS CONTROL MODULE WHICH IS APPROX, $1350-1400. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT THOUSANDS OF VW OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THE REPLACEMENT OF CONTROL MODULE HAS NOT CORRECTED PROBLEM, NEITHER HAS REPLACING IGNITION SWITCH. *TR

Mileage: 77,730

2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CHECK ENGINE AND OIL PRESSURE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND ENGINE MADE A WHINING NOISE. *KB

DASHBOARD LIGHTS - FLICKER - TURN OFF AND TURN ON WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 12

I OWN A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGEN AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE DUE SLUDGE AND VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME BECAUSE I WAS MISSING ONE OIL CHANGE RECEIPT THE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON IN THE CAR TELLING ME I HAVE ENGINE PROBLEMS ONCE AGAIN, AND I BRING IT IN FOR REGULAR REPAIRS AND CHECK UPS. CURRENTLY THE SUSPENSION PART OF THE CAR HAS GONE AND THAT WILL COST ANOTHER $2000 ON TOP OF THE $7000 I ALREADY PUT INTO IT. THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE NEW TIRES AND OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE GONE WRONG WITH THIS IDIOT CAR. VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT STAND BY ITS CUSTOMERS AT ALL AND I WILL NEVER EVER BUY FROM THEM AGAIN AND WILL TELL PEOPLE I KNOW THE CAR IS A PIECE OF CRAP. THE PLACE I BRING IN MY CAR TO FOR REPAIR ALREADY KNOWS THAT. DO NOT BRING IT INTO A VOLKSWAGEN REPAIR PLACE TO HAVE IT FIXED> THEY ARE THE BIGGEST RIPP OFFS AND SO TOTALLY DISHONEST!!!! I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM JACK DANIELS IN FAIRLAWN, NJ AND HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED AT TREND MOTORS, IN DENVILLE, NJ *JB

I OWN A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGEN AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE DUE SLUDGE AND VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME BECAUSE I WAS MISSING ONE OIL CHANGE RECEIPT THE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON IN THE CAR TELLING ME I HAVE ENGINE PROBLEMS ONCE AGAIN, AND I BRING IT IN FOR REGULAR REPAIRS AND CHECK UPS. CURRENTLY THE SUSPENSION PART OF THE CAR HAS GONE AND THAT WILL COST ANOTHER $2000 ON TOP OF THE $7000 I ALREADY PUT INTO IT. THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE NEW TIRES AND OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE GONE WRONG WITH THIS IDIOT CAR. VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT STAND BY ITS CUSTOMERS AT ALL AND I WILL NEVER EVER BUY FROM THEM AGAIN AND WILL TELL PEOPLE I KNOW THE CAR IS A PIECE OF CRAP. THE PLACE I BRING IN MY CAR TO FOR REPAIR ALREADY KNOWS THAT. DO NOT BRING IT INTO A VOLKSWAGEN REPAIR PLACE TO HAVE IT FIXED> THEY ARE THE BIGGEST RIPP OFFS AND SO TOTALLY DISHONEST!!!! I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM JACK DANIELS IN FAIRLAWN, NJ AND HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED AT TREND MOTORS, IN DENVILLE, NJ *JB

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CONNECTOR AND WIRING HARNESS PROVIDING POWER TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHTS ON THE 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS MELTED AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. IF I DID NOT TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION THE ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THESE CONNECTORS MAY HAVE TRIGGERED A FIRE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SOCKET/WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED IN OCTOBER OF 2004. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SOCKET/WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2007. WHILE AT THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE PASSENGER SIDE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED I OBSERVED ANOTHER PASSAT OWNER COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET RESULTED IN FINDING MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAD THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS WELL. *AK

Mileage: 82,095

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE AIRBAG AND HARNESS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

Mileage: 111,000

I AM A PRIVATE FIRE INVESTIGATOR THAT RECENTLY INVESTIGATED A FIRE IN 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE FIRE WAS VERY MINOR ORIGINATING BELOW THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER AT THE IGNITION COIL MODULES AND PLUG CONNECTOR BETWEEN CYLINDERS #3 & 4. APPEARS TO BE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONNECTION AT THE PLUG CONNECTOR CAUSING THE PLUG CONNECTOR TO OVERHEAT AND IGNITE. *JB

Mileage: 171,410

MECHANIC REFUSES TO REPAIR 2001 PASSAT ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN MIS-DIAGNOSED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL HOSE LEAK. *JB

CONSUMER HAS HAD THREE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS REPLACED IN HIS 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. *TS ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER THIS PROBLEM IS RARE AND IS LIKELY A WIRING PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HASN'T TAKEN ANY STEPS TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE PROBLEM, INSTEAD THEY JUST KEEP REPLACING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *NM

THE DASH MODULE BEGINS TO SMOKE AND BLOWS OUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. ALTHOUGH THE FIRE IS INSIDE THE DASH, IT CAUSES A SERIOUS DRIVING DISABILITY. IT HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR, AND VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO ASSIST. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ALSO REFUSES, THEY JUST KEEP REPLACING THE PART. *NM

Mileage: 68,000

COWL DRAIN BECAME CLOGGED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DURING HEAVY RAIN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BECAME FLOODED AND THE DASHBOARD ELECTRONICS BECAME FLOODED RESULTING IN OVER $2,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MY PARENTS WHO ARE ELDERLY AND FRAIL. *JB

Mileage: 28,360

AT APPROX. 74,300 MI. OUR 2001 VW PASSAT GLS V6 AUTOMATIC HAD AN ABS FAILURE. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM A VW DEALER IN 2001 AND HAVE IT SERVICED BY VW DEALERS. OTHER VW OWNERS I HAVE SPOKEN TO (SOME WHILE IN THE SERVICE AREA OF THE DEALERSHIP!) HAVE ALSO HAD ABS FAILURE. THE ABS UNIT IS BACK-ORDERED AND WAIT LISTED BECAUSE SO MANY HAVE FAILED AND BEEN REQUESTED. I AM ON MY 4TH WEEK OF WAITING FOR THE PART, AFTER HAVING TO PAY FOR IT IN FULL UP FRONT. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PART: REBUILD KIT IS $650 WHILE THE UNIT ITSELF IS APPROX. $1,100. I BELIEVE THIS PART SUFFER CHRONIC FAILURE AMONG VW'S AND AUDI'S. I ALSO BELIEVE THE IGNITION COILS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS MINE ARE FAILING AND SO MANY OTHERS ARE FAILING.*JB

Mileage: 74,300

AUTOMOBILE: 2001.5 VW PASSAT 1)THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING - BOTH THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT SIDE. THE DAYLIGHTS, THE FOGLIGHTS AND THE BRIGHTS CONTINUED TO WORK. 2) THE LEFT SIDE HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION HAD MELTED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. 3) WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO A SERVICE CENTER. THEY REPLACED THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT. UPON INSPECTION OF THE LEFT HEADLIGHT, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION HAD MELTED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. QUESTION: IF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION ON THE LEFT SIDE HAS MELTED, ISN'T THERE A GOOD CHANCE THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION ON THE RIGHT SIDE WILL ALSO MELT?

ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUALLY GOES ON AND OFF, WHEN BLINKING ON, THE CAR SHAKES, AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO STALL, AND A BAD ODOR EMITS. WHEN DRIVING , THE CAR WOULD NOT EXCEED 20-30 MPH, EVEN WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR. BROUGHT THE CAR TO VW FIRST TIME, THEY SAID THE LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE THE CAR WAS IDLE FOR A DAY OR SO. THE 2ND TIME, AFTER GOING TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND HAVING ALL THE PLUGS REPLACED AND A COMPLETE TUNE-UP, SAME THING HAPPENED THE NEXT DAY. INDEPENDENT SHOP SAID THE ONLY OTHER THING WAS THE IGNITION COILS AND THAT THEY WERE EXPENSIVE. CALLED VW DEALERSHIP(CAR IS ON EXTENDED WARRANTY-LESS THAN 30 THOUSAND MILES & A 2001), WAITED 9 DAYS BEFORE THEY COULD LOOK AT THE CAR, HOWEVER, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS OUT AGAIN. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THE PROBLEM, AND ALL THEY SAID WAS THAT VW DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THE IGNITION COILS, THEY REPLACED THE NEWLY PURCHASED PLUGS AGAIN, AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE COILS??? COST ME $261.00 PLUS A RENTAL CAR, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG.*AK

ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUALLY GOES ON AND OFF, WHEN BLINKING ON, THE CAR SHAKES, AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO STALL, AND A BAD ODOR EMITS. WHEN DRIVING , THE CAR WOULD NOT EXCEED 20-30 MPH, EVEN WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR. BROUGHT THE CAR TO VW FIRST TIME, THEY SAID THE LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE THE CAR WAS IDLE FOR A DAY OR SO. THE 2ND TIME, AFTER GOING TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND HAVING ALL THE PLUGS REPLACED AND A COMPLETE TUNE-UP, SAME THING HAPPENED THE NEXT DAY. INDEPENDENT SHOP SAID THE ONLY OTHER THING WAS THE IGNITION COILS AND THAT THEY WERE EXPENSIVE. CALLED VW DEALERSHIP(CAR IS ON EXTENDED WARRANTY-LESS THAN 30 THOUSAND MILES & A 2001), WAITED 9 DAYS BEFORE THEY COULD LOOK AT THE CAR, HOWEVER, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS OUT AGAIN. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THE PROBLEM, AND ALL THEY SAID WAS THAT VW DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THE IGNITION COILS, THEY REPLACED THE NEWLY PURCHASED PLUGS AGAIN, AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE COILS??? COST ME $261.00 PLUS A RENTAL CAR, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG.*AK

THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON, BUT THE CAR IS NOT DOING ANYTHING DIFFERENT, I ALSO GET THE EPO LIGHT ON, TOOK IT TO VW SERVICE CTR THEY SAID IT WILL COST $1500 + 2.5 HRS LABOR. I CALLED UP VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY SAID THEY CANNOT HELP, EVEN THOUGH 1000S OF OTHER VOLKSWAGENS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

Mileage: 45,500

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE 2001 VW PASSAT V6 GLS ENGINE AND ALL ELECTRICAL QUIT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ONE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE FAST LANE AND THE MOMENTUM ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE FORWARD ENOUGH TO GET THE VEHICLE RESTARTED WITHOUT COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC BECAUSE THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A DISASTROUS SITUATION. DURING THE INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED TODAY THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE BEING RESTARTED. *NM

Mileage: 46,309

CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING ON 55 MPH ROAD. STARTER WORKED AND ENGINE WOULD TURN, BUT WOULD NOT RUN. DEALER FOUND NO CODES IN COMPUTER. ENGINE AND HORN FUSES BLOWN AND DEALER REPLACED HORN RELAY. I ASKED THE DEALER WHY THERE WERE NO CODES IN THE COMPUTER AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW THE ANSWER. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE COMPUTER. CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 7 DAYS. INCIDENT HAPPENED OVER 100 MILES FROM HOME AND DEALER FINALLY AUTHORIZED LOANER AFTER 2 DAYS. DEALER WAS VERY RUDE DURING THE WHOLE INCIDENT AND CONSTRUCTION MADE IT DIFFICULT TO COMMUNICATE. PHONE LINES WERE DISCONNECTED PART OF THE TIME.

Mileage: 14,362

CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING ON 55 MPH ROAD. STARTER WORKED AND ENGINE WOULD TURN, BUT WOULD NOT RUN. DEALER FOUND NO CODES IN COMPUTER. ENGINE AND HORN FUSES BLOWN AND DEALER REPLACED HORN RELAY. I ASKED THE DEALER WHY THERE WERE NO CODES IN THE COMPUTER AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW THE ANSWER. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE COMPUTER. CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 7 DAYS. INCIDENT HAPPENED OVER 100 MILES FROM HOME AND DEALER FINALLY AUTHORIZED LOANER AFTER 2 DAYS. DEALER WAS VERY RUDE DURING THE WHOLE INCIDENT AND CONSTRUCTION MADE IT DIFFICULT TO COMMUNICATE. PHONE LINES WERE DISCONNECTED PART OF THE TIME.

Mileage: 14,362

VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING ON 45 MPH ROAD. STARTER AND ENGINE TURN, BUT WOULD NOT RUN. ADVISED DEALER THAT THIS HAPPENED 1 YEAR AGO AND ENGINE FUSE AND HORN FUSE HAD TO BE REPLACED. NO CODES WERE IN THE COMPUTER. DEALER REPLACED FUSE S232 AND CAR STARTED. DURING ROAD TEST, CAR DIED AGAIN. FUSE S232 BLEW AGAIN AND DEALER FOUND ECM AND HARNESS MELTED AND WAS SMOKING. DEALER REPLACED ECM, HARNESS AND FUSE AND CAR RAN. WHEN CUSTOMER RECEIVED THE CAR, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND DASH LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. DEALER REPROGRAMMED CRUISE AND FIXED WIRING OF DASH LIGHTS UNDER WARRANTY AFTER MUCH ARGUMENT. DEALER DID NOT KNOW CAUSE OF MISHAP. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THE CAR HAS DIED WHILE TRAVELLING ON BUSY ROADS. I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED TWICE AS I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY.*AK

Mileage: 45,658

VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING ON 45 MPH ROAD. STARTER AND ENGINE TURN, BUT WOULD NOT RUN. ADVISED DEALER THAT THIS HAPPENED 1 YEAR AGO AND ENGINE FUSE AND HORN FUSE HAD TO BE REPLACED. NO CODES WERE IN THE COMPUTER. DEALER REPLACED FUSE S232 AND CAR STARTED. DURING ROAD TEST, CAR DIED AGAIN. FUSE S232 BLEW AGAIN AND DEALER FOUND ECM AND HARNESS MELTED AND WAS SMOKING. DEALER REPLACED ECM, HARNESS AND FUSE AND CAR RAN. WHEN CUSTOMER RECEIVED THE CAR, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND DASH LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. DEALER REPROGRAMMED CRUISE AND FIXED WIRING OF DASH LIGHTS UNDER WARRANTY AFTER MUCH ARGUMENT. DEALER DID NOT KNOW CAUSE OF MISHAP. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THE CAR HAS DIED WHILE TRAVELLING ON BUSY ROADS. I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED TWICE AS I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY.*AK

Mileage: 45,658

VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING ON 45 MPH ROAD. STARTER AND ENGINE TURN, BUT WOULD NOT RUN. ADVISED DEALER THAT THIS HAPPENED 1 YEAR AGO AND ENGINE FUSE AND HORN FUSE HAD TO BE REPLACED. NO CODES WERE IN THE COMPUTER. DEALER REPLACED FUSE S232 AND CAR STARTED. DURING ROAD TEST, CAR DIED AGAIN. FUSE S232 BLEW AGAIN AND DEALER FOUND ECM AND HARNESS MELTED AND WAS SMOKING. DEALER REPLACED ECM, HARNESS AND FUSE AND CAR RAN. WHEN CUSTOMER RECEIVED THE CAR, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND DASH LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. DEALER REPROGRAMMED CRUISE AND FIXED WIRING OF DASH LIGHTS UNDER WARRANTY AFTER MUCH ARGUMENT. DEALER DID NOT KNOW CAUSE OF MISHAP. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THE CAR HAS DIED WHILE TRAVELLING ON BUSY ROADS. I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED TWICE AS I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY.*AK

Mileage: 45,658

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH VEHICLE SHOOK AND LOST POWER. THEN STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH LITTLE ROOM TO REACH THE SHOULDER. TWICE VEHICLE STAALED ON THE HIGHWAY. ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS CONSUMER COULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND REPLACED THE ENGINE COIL AND THE BATTERY.*AK

Mileage: 17,000

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH VEHICLE SHOOK AND LOST POWER. THEN STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH LITTLE ROOM TO REACH THE SHOULDER. TWICE VEHICLE STAALED ON THE HIGHWAY. ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS CONSUMER COULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND REPLACED THE ENGINE COIL AND THE BATTERY.*AK

Mileage: 17,000

I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALER AND KNOW FROM CARFAX REPORT THE CAR WAS RECENTLY OFF LEASE. I PUT 15 MILES ON IT AND INTERNALLY INSIDE THE DASH BLACK SMOKE RADIATED FROM THE VENTS AND SPARKS FELL UNDER THE CAR. WITHIN SECONDS FLAMES SHOT OUT FROM UNDER THE DASH. THE FIRE COMPANY ARRIVED IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES BUT BY THEN THE CAR WAS AN INFERNO. *AK

Mileage: 87,000

2001.5 VW PASSAT GLX 2.8LV6. INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEM. WORSE WHEN COLD OUTSIDE. TURN KEY TO START, NO CRANKING, DRLS AND DASH LIGHTS DIM (RELAY CUTOUT DURING STARTER OPERATION), BUT WILL NOT TURN OVER. LEFT ME STRANDED AT HOME. HAS ALMOST LEFT ME STRANDED NUMEROUS TIMES, SOMETIMES IN TRAFFIC! I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR FAR FROM HOME (LONG TRIP). THIS IS NOT RIGHT ON A 2.5 YEAR OLD CAR THAT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. IT IS UNSAFE. I AM SO CLOSE TO SWITCHING BACK TO JAPANESE BRAND CARS, THOUGH I LOVE THE INTERIOR AND DRIVING DYNAMICS OF MY PASSAT. $1200 IN REPAIRS IN TWO MONTHS FOR A STARTER AND IGNITION LOCK/SWITCH ASSEMBLY. WORKS FOR A FEW DAYS THEN THE PROBLEM COMES BACK! DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL PASSATS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE. TODAY I WAS IN LINE FOR MY STATE EMISSIONS TEST AND IT WOUDL NOT START, TOOK 5 MINUTES, BLOCKING THE TEST LANE! MY 1978 LINCOLN IS MORE DEPENDABLE (BUT COSTS A FORTUNE TO DRIVE WITH GAS PRICES!). *AK

Mileage: 58,500

THE CAR SHUT OFF TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH. I WAS TOLD BY A VOKSWAGEN WARRANTY SPOKESPERSON THAT IT DOES NOT FALL UNDER A SAFTEY ISSUE. I DIAGREE. I LOST ALL BRAKING AND TURNING POWER AND WAS GLAD THAT I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. I AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR IT TO BE FIXED. I HAVE BEEN FOUR DAYS NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE. THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR A LOANER CAR.*AK

POLLEN FILTER SEAL FAILURE. THIS PROBLEM IS DOCUMENTED IN MANY INTERNATIONAL PASSAT OWNER GROUPS. THE SEAL AROUND THE POLLEN FILTER FAILS. THE CAR'S INTERIOR BECOMES FLOODED IN RAIN. ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT GET WET FAIL OVER TIME AT ACCELERATED AND UNPREDICTABLE RATE. SAFETY CONCERN: IT IS DIFFICULT TO OPERATE AUXILLIARY COMPONENTS (DEFROSTER, RADIO, ETC WHEN INTERIOR LIGHTS FAIL) EMERGENCY FLASHER AND ASR BREAKERS ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO MOISTURE-RELATED ACCELERATED DECLINE AS A RESULT OF POLLEN FILTER LEAKAGE. OUR VW DEALER AND VWOA STATED THAT POLLEN FILTER SEAL FAILURE AND ASSOCIATED FLOODING DAMAGE AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE WERE PART OF "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". VW SERVICE ADVISORS IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA HAVE SAID THEY SEE "SEVERAL OF THESE EACH WEEK" IN RAINY SEASONS. THE FILTER DESIGNED TO REDUCE ALLERGENS IN THE AIR HAS THE PERVERSE CONSEQUENCE OF ACCELERATING THE GROWTH OF MOLD INSIDE THE CAR BECAUSE IT SEAL FAILS, CREATES (IN OUR CASE 2" OF STANDING WATER) MOISTURE IN THE CAR THAT PROMOTES UNPLEASANT, UNHEALTHY, EXPENSIVE-TO-REMIDIATE MOLD GROWTH IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.*AK

Mileage: 38,000

THIS IS THE LETTER I SENT TO VW. THEY ARE MAINTAINING "THE VEHICLE NOW OPERATES ACCORIND TO MAUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS" AND ARE REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING. HELP!!WHAT DO I DO NOW???*AK VW CUSTOMER CARE 3499 W. HAMLIN ROAD ROCHESTER HILLS, MICHIGAN 48309 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO OUR 2001 VW PASSAT, . IF YOU REVIEW THE FILE, YOU WILL FIND THAT THIS CAR HAS NOW FAILED THREE TIMES. THE FAILURES ARE SUCH THAT ALL POWER CUTS OUT AND CREATES A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS DRIVING SITUATION. WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE IN THAT SO FAR IT HAS NOT HAPPENED WHEN TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. WE FEEL THAT THERE IS AN INHERENT DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE. IDEALLY, WE WOULD EXPECT REPLACEMENT OF THE VEHICLE OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM AND WIRE HARNESS. IF YOUR COMPANY IS UNWILLING TO COMPLY, WE WOULD LIKE A LETTER ACKNOWLEDGING THE PAST FAILURES AND OUR CONCERN THAT WE HAVE A VEHICLE WE FEEL IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. FURTHERMORE, WE WOULD LIKE WRITTEN CONFIRMATION OF OUR INFORMING YOU THAT WE HOLD YOUR CORPORATION LIABLE IF THE VEHICLE FAILS AND THE END RESULT IS AN ACCIDENT. FRANKLY, THIS IS A NIGHTMARE. WE ONLY WISH THAT WHEN WE HAD THE CHOICE OF TOYOTA, VOLVO OR VW, THAT WE HAD NOT CHOSEN VW. STEPHEN MCCHRYSTAL

Mileage: 21,050

VEHICLE'S DRAINAGE HOLE WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, CAUSING A BLOCKAGE. ALSO, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

Mileage: 34,000

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ONE NIGHT BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS BURNED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM BOTH OF THE HEAD LIGHT WIRING HARNESS' FAILED AND CAUSED MULTIPLE HEAD LIGHT FAILURES. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR 3 OF THE 4 FAILURES OUT OF POCKET. *SCC *NLM

Mileage: 17,173

LTR RE HIS DISSATISFACTION WITH THE WAY NHTSA HANDLED SITUATION RE OPENING AN INVESTIGATION ON DEFECTIVE IGNITION,...*MR FAILURE OF THE IGNITION COILS IN CERTAIN 2001, 2002, AND EARLY 2003 AUDI AND VW OF AMERICA VEHICLES. REFER TO 10011100 AND 10022428. *SCC ALL OF THE IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED PRIOR. *PH *JB

OWNER OF A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE AND PARKING CAR WILL NOT RESTART. HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES; REPLACED ELECTRICAL RELAY AND PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES.*AK

Mileage: 9,900

HEADLIGHT BUILD CONNECTOR SHORTED AGAINST ADJACENT METAL DUE TO EXPOSED WIRE. CHARRING AND MELTED HARNESS CONNECTOR RESULTED. POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THIS TO CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE WITH POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. HEADLIGHT IS INOPERABLE UNTIL WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN BE REPLACED. *TT

Mileage: 30,000

CONSUMER WAS DISSATISFIED WITH NHTSA'S RESPONSE TO SENATOR LARRY CRAIG IN REFERENCE TO THE DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS IN THIS VEHICLE, AND QUESTIONED WHY THE DEFECT WAS NOT A MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE, ES03-001397/S/BRENNER. MR SCC *JB....*AK

THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE IGNITION COILS REPLACED EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. *PH *JB

2001.5 PASSAT GLS 1.8T THE COIL PACK FOULED AND CAUGHT THE COIL ON FIRE. HAD I NOT OPENED IT UP AND REMOVED THE VALVE COVER ALONG WITH THE COIL PACK ITSELF, THE CAR WOULD HAVE WENT UP IN FLAMES. I FEEL SORRY FOR THOSE WHO DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT CARS. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH VW COIL PACKS. VW CLAIMS THAT IF THEY GO BAD YOU CAN STILL DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I DONT BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFE IDEA.

Mileage: 41,000

CONCERNED WITH DEFECTS ON IGNITION COIL. TS

FAILING COIL PACK IN 2001.5 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

Mileage: 27,000

FAILED IGNITION COIL ON 2001 VW PASSAT... THIS PART AND CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!! THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE IN ALL 2001 AND 2002 VOLKSWAGENS AND AUDIS WITH 1.8-LITER, 4-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED ENGINES. THOSE ENGINES ARE FOUND IN AUDI A4S AND TTS AND IN VOLKSWAGEN JETTAS, PASSATS, NEW BEETLES, AND GOLF GTIS. WE HAVE HAD 2 COILS FAIL IN 2 SEPERATE INSTANCES, IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. IN ADDITION TO BEING AN INCONVENIENCE, BOTH INSTANCES WERE DANGEROUS AS THE CAR EITHER LOST POWER OR SHUT DOWN WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. VW DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN UNWILLING TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE COIL UNTIL IT ACTUALLY FAILS (WHICH IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME). THEY SAY UNTIL THE PRODUCT IS OFFICIALLY RECALLED, THEY CAN AND WILL DO NOTHING BUT THE BARE MINIMUM.

Mileage: 14,500

I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN WHAT I NOW KNOW AS ONE OF MY IGNITION COILS FAILED. THE CAR INITIALLY LOST SIGNIFICANT POWER AND THEN FROM THERE CONTINUALLY DROVE AS THOUGH IT WAS MISFIRING. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR I WAS TURNING IN FRONT OF HAD TIME TO SLOW DOWN. I NOW WONDER IF VW IS JUST WAITING AROUND UNTIL SOMEONE ACTUALLY GETS HURT FROM SOMETHING THEY CALL "NOT A SAFETY ISSUE." THEY PROBABLY HOPE THAT THE PEOPLE THIS HAPPENS TO DON'T COMPLAIN AT ALL AND THAT THIS WILL DIE DOWN UNNOTICED AS TO NOT HURT THEIR PRECIOUS REPUTATION. I DROVE IT SLOWLY TO THE VW DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. THEY ONLY REPLACED ONE OF THE COILS. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, EVEN THOUGH MY CAR HAS LONG BEEN OUT OF WARRANTY AS A RESULT OF MILES, VW PAID FOR THE PART AND THE LABOR. IF THAT ISN'T A SIGN THE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED, THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE 3 MORE TIMES THAT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY HAPPEN. I WOULD LIKE IMMEDIATE RESULTS IN HAVING THE OTHER 3 REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN. WHAT COMPANY ADMITS THEY KNOWINGLY HAVE PARTS THAT ARE EXPIRING EARLIER THAN THEY SHOULD (IN MOST CASES AFFECTING 1/2 POWER LOSS IN A CAR) AND THEN ONLY REPLACES THE ONES THAT GOES BAD?????

Mileage: 42,600

VW PASSAT 2001 1.8T IGNITION COIL FAILURE. THIS HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED, AND COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE BEEN A SAFETY HAZARD, AS THE CAR LOST POWER SUDDENLY.

Mileage: 17,900

FAILED COIL PACK

Mileage: 18,500

I HAVE VW PASSAT, 2001. IT HAS AROUND 30 000 MILES ON IT. THE CLUTCH HAS GONE DOWN ON THIS CAR AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PARTS AND LABOR FOR THIS REPAIR ARE MORE THAN $2200. THIS CAR HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ALSO. THE WARRANTY IS GONE AFTER 24000K OR 2 YEARS. I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS CAR, BUT THEY DON'T COVER ANYTHING FROM THE LONG LIST OF REPAIR. I CALLED TO VW CUSTOMER CARE AND ASK TO REIMBURSE ME FOR CLUTCH REPAIR, SINCE IT MUST BE AFTER 10 YEARS/100 000 MILES POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THEY REFUSED TO PARTICIPATE. I COMPLAIN ABOUT VW QUALITY ( I HAVE FRIENDS HAVING TROUBLE WITH VW AS WELL). I BELIEVE THAT MANUFACTURE HAS TO TAKE CARE OF BAD PRODUCT AND COVER THE REPAIR COST. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND I EXPECT TO HAVE A QUALITY ITEM, NOT THE JUNK FOR MORE THAN $25K. I ALSO COMPLETELY DISSATISFIED WITH VW SERVICE!!!!

Mileage: 30,000

I HAVE VW PASSAT, 2001. IT HAS AROUND 30 000 MILES ON IT. THE CLUTCH HAS GONE DOWN ON THIS CAR AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PARTS AND LABOR FOR THIS REPAIR ARE MORE THAN $2200. THIS CAR HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ALSO. THE WARRANTY IS GONE AFTER 24000K OR 2 YEARS. I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS CAR, BUT THEY DON'T COVER ANYTHING FROM THE LONG LIST OF REPAIR. I CALLED TO VW CUSTOMER CARE AND ASK TO REIMBURSE ME FOR CLUTCH REPAIR, SINCE IT MUST BE AFTER 10 YEARS/100 000 MILES POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THEY REFUSED TO PARTICIPATE. I COMPLAIN ABOUT VW QUALITY ( I HAVE FRIENDS HAVING TROUBLE WITH VW AS WELL). I BELIEVE THAT MANUFACTURE HAS TO TAKE CARE OF BAD PRODUCT AND COVER THE REPAIR COST. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND I EXPECT TO HAVE A QUALITY ITEM, NOT THE JUNK FOR MORE THAN $25K. I ALSO COMPLETELY DISSATISFIED WITH VW SERVICE!!!!

Mileage: 30,000

SINCE 10/15/02, I HAVE HAD 3 COIL PACKS FAIL ON MY 2001 PASSAT 1.8T WAGON. ON 10/15/02 A COIL PACK FAILED AND THEY REPLACED IT THAT DAY. ON 12/16/02, ANOTHER COIL PACK FAILED AND I DIDN'T GET THE CAR BACK UNTIL 12/30/02. ON 1/8/03, A THIRD COIL PACK FAILED, AND I DIDN'T GET THE CAR BACK UNTIL 1/20/03. IN EACH CASE, THE CAR DROPPED DEAD WITHIN 2 MILES OF A DEALERSHIP. AT THIS POINT, I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE CAR BEYOND THE 5 MILES IT TAKES ME TO GET TO WORK. I'VE SPOKEN WITH VW NORTH AMERICA ABOUT REPLACING THE FOURTH (AND FINAL) COIL PACK, BUT THEY ARE UNWILLING TO DO SO UNTIL IT, TOO, FAILS. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THAT WILL EXPIRE IN ANOTHER 1000 MILES.

Mileage: 20,844

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2001 VW PASSAT. PROBLEMS BEGAN AT 16000 MILES AND HAVE CONTINUED UP TO THE CURRENT DATE AND MILEAGE OF 33000 MILES. CAR HAS BEEN SEEN IN VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT 11 TIMES SINCE NOVEMBER 2001. LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED AGAINST VW AMERICA.

Mileage: 16,000

VW AUTHORIZED THE DEALER TO REPLACE ONE OF THE FOUR COIL PACKS ON THE CAR, THOUGH FAILURE OF THESE COIL PACKS ARE A KNOWN PROBLEM. WITH THE INCREASED PROBABILITY THAT ANY ONE OR ALL THE REMAINING THREE COIL PACKS MIGHT FAIL AT ONE TIME, I CANNOT RELY ON THIS VEHICLE FOR LONG TRIPS OR NIGHT DRIVING. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**770856

Mileage: 16,041

ONE OF THE FOUR COILPACKS ON MY 1.8T ENGINE HAS FAILED. IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT VW HAS REDESIGNED THE PART. VW WILL ONLY REPLACE THE PART THAT FAILED. ONCE THE PART FAILS THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. VW SHOULD RECALL ALL OF THE PASSATS WITH THIS ENGINE AND REPLACE THE FAULTY PARTS.

Mileage: 21,000

IGNITION COIL FAILURE. *JB ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****770843

Mileage: 32,000

WHILE DIVING THE VEHICLE AT 45MPH SUDDENLY LOSS POWER DUE TO A FAULTY COIL DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

FAILURE OF IGNITION COIL PACK. VERY ROUGH IDLE, LOSS OF POWER, STALLING. CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP OVER 2 WEEKS STILL AWAITING PARTS TO REPAIR. NO DEFINITIVE TIME SCHEDULE GIVEN BY DEALER OR VW OF AMERICA AS TO WHEN PARTS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE AND REPAIR CAN BE MADE.

Mileage: 18,500

RE COIL PACKS. VW HAS SUPPLIED THE CARS WITH DEFECTIVE COIL PACKS THAT CAN FAIL WITHOUT WARNIHG AT ANY TIME.I HAD ONE FAILED AT 18000 MILES. THE OTHER THREE CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME. CAN'T TAKE THE CAR ON LONG TRIPS WITHOUT TAKING A CHANCE OF A COIL PACK FAILURE.DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IF THERE WAS A FAILURE. VW NEEDS TO RECALL THE CARS AND REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS. AND IF YOU ARE UNLUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A FAILURE YOU CAN WAIT FOR PARTS FOR MONTHS AND IN TURN NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DRIVE.

Mileage: 18,000

NO SUMMARY. DT

CONSUMER HAS HAD FOUR RECURRING IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS.

CONSUMER STATES THAT WATER GOT INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AS A RESULT OF THE MANUFACTURER FAILING TO SEAL THE FRESH AIR FILTER AT TIME OFF VEHICLE BEING MANFACTURE. WHICH CAUSE SMOKE TO COME FROM THE INTERIOR VENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ALMOST CAUSING A FIRE. TS

A CHECK OF THE VOLKSWAGEN FORUM SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. *AK

CONSUMER STATED THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT, DEALER REPLACED A BAD BULB, ALSO THE HEADLIGHTS WERE SHINING LOW, DEALER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE OUT OF RANGE.*JB

THIS VEHICLE HAS BROKEN DOWN 4 TIMES WITHIN 11 MONTHS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. EACH TIME IT NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER KEEPS CLAIMING THEY FIXED IT, BUT AFTER 4 TIMES I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR. I AM PURSUING THE LEMON LAW CURRENTLY. I COMMUTE A VERY WINDY HIGHWAY FOR WORK AND SHOULD THE CAR BREAK DOWN WITH THE PROBLEM AGAIN I COULD BE KILLED. 4 TIMES IS TOO MANY FOR THE DEALER TO SAY IT'S FIXED. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE THAT THIS CAR IS REALLY FIXED. THEY HAVE FIXED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT 2X, THE PEDAL 3X, AND THEN THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNES ONCE. SINCE THEY KEEP REPLACING THE SAME PARTS OVER AND OVER I HAVE NO WAY OF REALLY KNOWING THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN.*AK

THE HORN ON MY 2001 VW PASSAT (AND MY 1998 VW PASSAT) DOES NOT WORK WHEN THE CAR IS NOT ON. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE CONFIRMED WITH THE DEALER THAT THIS IS INDEED THE DESIGN OF THE CAR. I DISCOVERED THIS DESIGN FLAW WHEN PARKED IN A GAS STATION WITH THE CAR TURNED OFF GETTING GAS. ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED INTO THE STATION AND APPARENTLY DIDN'T SEE ME. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO LEAN ON THE HORN. I TRIED BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. LUCKILY, THE OTHER CAR NARROWLY MISSED ME. HOWEVER, I CAN THINK OF PLENTY OF SCENARIOS WHERE ONE WOULD ABSOLUTELY NEED AN OPERATIONAL HORN WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION TO THOSE INVOLVING POTENTIAL VEHICULAR ACCIDENT SITUATIONS, THERE ARE ALSO PERSONAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS (E.G. MY WIFE GETS IN THE CAR AND IS ATTACKED BY AN INDIVIDUAL PRIOR TO STARTING THE CAR). I DID CONTACT VW THROUGH THEIR ONLINE CUSTOMER CARE SITE. WHILE A CUSTOMER CARE CASE WAS OPENDED (#10644291), I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION OF THE HORN DESIGN. BY THE WAY, IT APPEARS THAT MERCEDES AND BMW HAVE A SIMILAR HORN DESIGN. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY SAFETY STANDARDS FOR THE MANUFACTURERS REGARDING HORN DESIGN. *AK

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN ENGINE. NO PRIOR WARNINGS . CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK