2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Electrical System Problems

To start off, this car has common failures of the High Pressure Fuel Pump Cam Follower. This poses serious risk of damage to the engine when the follower is blown throw and the car goes into limp mode and if this happens on road it could be catastrophic. There were no warnings that this was the issue besides researching videos on YouTube while getting a fuel pressure code to find out the cam follower was completely blown throw which means my engine has MANY METAL pieces inside of my engine. If I did not catch this soon the next failure would’ve been the CAMSHAFT. The camshaft going bad at and given moment could also be catastrophic on the road and possibly even spark a fire. Another issue is with the timing chain on specific FSI engines. If this chain snaps mid drive then your engine could potentially blow in the middle of the road causing an accident. This problem is known by Volkswagen and they have yet to take serious action in regards to this safety hazard. Another potential for catastrophic events is the wiring harness specifically the one that runs under the Vacuum pump. These wires are covered in oil from the vacuum pump being prone to leaking and any fluid that goes on top of it. I also discovered that near my ECU to that wiring harness there was a spot of gasoline in which I was able to determine when I smelt the fluid with a glove on of course. This year make and model of Volkswagen can cause serious harm to those driving ESPECIALLY on the high way. The wiring harness and all components around it soak with oil and when you take off the manifold fuel also gets all over it even when you try to prevent it as much as you can. This has caused increased idle in my vehicle while driving with and EPC light that makes the car stall out of no where. If it happened when I was turning my wheel it could’ve caused an accident on the road or even a driver to have road rage behind me. Please help myself and fellow Passat owners of this year stay safe.

I WAS DRIVING AND 2 LIGHT CAME ON , THE BATTERY LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I RAN IT THOUGH A SCANNER AND THE CODES THAT POPPED UP WERE CODE P0087 AND P2293

Mileage: 160,000

JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR AND AT 94206 MILES ON IT I CAN'T SEE HOW THE AIR COMPRESSOR WOULD GO OUT AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT I WANT TO SEE IF THERE IS RECALL ON THIS AT ALL IT'S A 2007 PLUS THERE 2 RECALLS NUMBER ARE 1ST ONE IS 20AE- NHTSA RECALL NUMBER IS 17V509 AUGUST 16 2017 AND NOW 2ND ONE IS MARCH 15 2018 MANUFACTURER RECALL # 69Q9 NHTSA RECALL # IS 18V148 I DON'T SEE ANYWHERE IF THE RECALL WERE FIXED

Mileage: 90,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE MESSAGE "STEERING LOCK MODULE FAILURE" HAD DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE RANDOM STALLING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. DURING THE FAILURES THE MESSAGE "STEERING LOCK MODULE FAILURE" HAD DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE LOCAL DEALER SERRA OF TRAVERSE CITY(1747 S GARFIELD TRAVERSE CITY MI.) WHO DIAGNOSE STEERING LOCK MODULE FAULTY. THE MODULE WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

Mileage: 137,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTION INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, A SPEED WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HANLEES HILLTOP VOLKSWAGEN (LOCATED AT 3255 AUTO PLAZA, RICHMOND, CA 94806, (510) 283-6300), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,700. *BF CONSUMER STATED AIR BAG SIGN IS ON WAS TOLD NEEDS $2,000 REPAIRS CATALYTIC CONVERTER NOT ABLE RE PAIR $2500 REPAIRS THE BRAKE SYSTEM ALWAYS ON. NOT ABLE TO SUSTAIN REPAIRS ON THE CAR AND FEEL MY SAFETY IS IN DANGER.*JB

Mileage: 171,700

2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION *JS

THERE IS AN ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN DEFECT WHICH MAKES THE CAR STOP ALL OF A SUDDEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVE. AFTER THAT, THE CAR WOULD NOT START EVEN AFTER TRYING FOR AT LEAST A MINUTE. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS THE CAR JUST STOPS WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING.

Mileage: 78,700

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A GLITCH ACROSS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE DUE TO THE REMEDY NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL BACK IN A FEW WEEKS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 170,000

CURRENTLY MY 2.0T 4 CYLINDER ENGINE IS EXPERIENCING FAILURES NOTED BY THE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM WITH FAULT CODE P2181 COOLING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE ALONG WITH A CYLINDER 1 AND CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE. THE SUGGESTED REMEDY FOR THE P2181 ERROR IS TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT AND/OR THE WATER PUMP. IN RESEARCHING COMMUNITY FORUMS, THIS PAIRING OF ISSUES APPEARS WIDESPREAD. THERE IS A POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING DESIGN FLAW THAT CORRELATES THE FAILURE OF ENGINE COILS AND/OR PLUGS WITH FAILURE OF THE WATER PUMP AS THE WATER PUMP IS DRIVEN BY THE TIMING BELT. FURTHERMORE, THE FUNCTIONS ARE LINKED IN THIS WAY ALLOWING ONE TO CAUSE THE OTHER TO FAIL. THIS IS EVIDENT WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AT ALL TIMES AND WHILE DRIVING THE MISFIRE WILL OCCUR BETWEEN 2000-3000 RPM AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND STUTTER. THE MISFIRE CAUSES LOSS OF POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES.

Mileage: 106,400

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER TO FIX PROBLEM THE NEXT DAY. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE INSULATION CAME OFF THE WIRES INSIDE THE DRIVER HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE 2 EXPOSED WIRES TOUCHED AND SHORTED OUT THE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE A HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY 3C0-941-005-AE AND CONTROL MODULE 3C8-937-049-AC REPLACED FOR THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT TO WORK.

Mileage: 101,275

THIS CAR IS OUT RIGHT DANGEROUS.MY WIFE IS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESS WAY 70 MILES AN HOUR THE EMERGENCY BRAKES COME ON TO HER SURPRISE AND LOCK UP.THANK GOODNESS IS WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE OFFSIDE WITHOUT INCIDENT.IT SEEMS THIS A COMMON THING WITH THIS MODEL, THE GAS PEDAL ALSO CUTS IN AND OUT UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK VIOLENTLY IN TRAFFIC. IVE JUST ABOUT HAD IT WITH THIS THING.

Mileage: 150,222

TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT IS ON NON-STOP, A RECALL FOR AIRBAG IS ISSUED, CONCERNED THAT IF AIRBAG DEPLOYS I WILL BE KILLED BY THE SHRAPNEL. CAR IS NOT WORTH THE REPAIR TO THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT, AS THE AIRBAG IT WILL DEPLOY IS DANGEROUS. VW OF USA CANNOT HELP ME. CAN'T SELL THE CAR AS IS...TOO DANGEROUS. ALSO A WANDERING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT CAUSES DOORS TO BE UNOPENABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE...NEVER KNOW WHICH DOOR OR HOW MANY WILL NOT OPEN. TODAY IT IS THE DRIVER'S DOOR.HAVE BEEN PAYING ON IT, BUT HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT (OUT OF FEAR) SINCE AUGUST '15. I OWE $2045 ON IT...WANT VW TO BUY ME OUT AND SCRAP IT. CAR WOKE UP WITH THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT ONE DAY. VW USA IS VERY SORRY FOR MY PROBLEM, BUT NO FIX AVAILABLE/NO BUYOUT.

Mileage: 147,300

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WOULD NOT BE SECURED UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED RANDOMLY. ALSO, THE GEARS RANDOMLY SHIFTED OUT OF PARK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. WHILE PARKED AND UNATTENDED, THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY ROLLED IN REVERSE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE DOWN THE STREET. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON INFORMATION FROM A REPAIR SHOP OR THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/27/16*LJ *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 155,000

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON. THERE MIGHT BE A RESISTANCE ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAUSING IT TO TURN ON. I READ THAT THE RESISTANCE VARIANCE WITHIN A FRONT SEAT SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG CONNECTOR CAN CAUSE THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

STARTED MY CAR TO WARM IT UP, CAME OUT TO DRIVE IT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. DEALER TURNED IT OFF TWICE BEFORE THE WIRING HARNESS AND AIRBAG HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR AND I FEEL IT SHOULD'VE BEEN VOLKSWAGENS BILL, NOT MINE AS I DID NOTHING TO CAUSE THIS AND IT WAS CAUSED BY POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP, WHICH I DID NOT PAY FOR. *JS

Mileage: 80,000

THE PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTIONS DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE ELECTRONICS SYSTEM BOARD. THIS ISSUE IS SEVERELY UNDER-REPORTED AS A LARGE PORTION OF CARS AFFECTED IGNORE OR RESET THE ERROR BY DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY EACH TIME IT APPEARS. THIS NEEDS TO BE AN OFFICIAL RECALL BUT VW REFUSES TO DO IT BECAUSE THEY CLAIM "NOT ENOUGH CARS ARE AFFECTED". *TR

Mileage: 70,000

CAR WOULD NOT START TOWED TO INDEPENDENT VW REPAIR SHOP. WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK IS DEFECTIVE AND IT IS COVERED BY VW RECALL, HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR RUNNING. NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT EMITTED 3 BEEPS AND STALLED OUT WHILE IN MOTION UNABLE TO GET CAR RUNNING HAD IT TOWED HOME. CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA WAS TOLD THE IS AN OUTDATED SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH EXPIRED AS 02/2013 ALL REPAIRS ARE NOW ON THE CAR OWNER. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CAR STALLING OUT WHILE IN MOTION. *TR

Mileage: 153,200

ON 4/92014 THE AIR-BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. MANUAL STATES THAT THIS INDICATES THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY WHEN THEY SHOULD BUT THAT THEY MIGHT DEPLOY RANDOMLY WHILE THE CAR WAS DRIVEN.I TOOK THE CAR TO OPEN ROAD VW IN MANHATTAN A VW DEALERSHIP & SERVICE FACILITY WHERE THEY FOUND "FAULT 2513" FOR SEATBELT SENSOR AND REPLACED IT UNDER THE CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED WARRANTY WITH WHICH THE CAR WAS SOLD. OPEN ROAD VW STATED THAT THIS REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER THEIR 1 YEAR WARRANTY ON PARTS & LABOR AS WELL AS VW'S CPO WARRANTY. ON 5/14/2014 (MILEAGE 25,280), THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. AGAIN I TOOK IT TO OPEN ROAD VW. THEY FOUND A FAULT FOR THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FORCE RECOGNITION SENSOR G453. FOUND DEFECTIVE BUCKLE AND REPLACED IT.THIS REPAIR WAS COVERED ONLY BY VW'S CPO WARRANTY AS, THE SERVICE REP SAID IT INVOLVED A DIFFERENT PART THAN THE FIRST REPAIR AND WAS THEREFORE NOT COVERED BY THE PARTS & LABOR WARRANTY PROVIDED BY THE DEALER. ON 6/23/2014, AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. FOUND 1 FAULT N200 FOR RESISTANCE TOO LOW, REPLACED CONNECTORS FOR BOTH FRONT SEATS., CHARGED $50.00 DEDUCTIBLE AS, AGAIN, THIS WAS A DIFFERENT REPAIR THAN THE LAST. I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA'S CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY SAID I WOULD HEAR FROM A SUPERVISOR. THE SUPERVISOR E-MAILED THAT SHE WOULD CALL ME TODAY, JUNE 30, BUT I HAVE RECEIVED NO CALL. ON 6/28/2014 AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AT 10:PM COULD NOT TAKE IT THE DEALERSHIP ON SUNDAY BECAUSE IT IS CLOSED, BUT WROTE TO THE SUPERVISOR ON SUNDAY. CALLED VW CUSTOMER CARE THIS MORNING. SAID SUPERVISOR WOULD CALL ME, BUT ALSO THAT MY CPO WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AT MIDNIGHT JUNE 29, 2014. AS THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT BEGAN IN APRIL I EXPECT IT TO BE COVERED. IT SEEMS POSSIBLE THAT THIS RECURRENT ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT MAY INDICATE A POTENTIAL DANGER TO ME AND OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 24,721

PUT KEYFOB IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH ILLUMINATED BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN. ALSO STEERING LOCK WARNING LOCK KEEPS BLINKING. CAR IS STUCK IN PARK, MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE IT TOWED, BEFORE FINALLY HAVING AN EXPERIENCED TOW TRUCK DRIVER DRAG IT ON TO A FLAT BED BECAUSE OF CAR BEING STUCK IN PARK, KEY FOB LOCKED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, HAS BEEN TOWED TO 3 DIFFERENT SHOPS WHO HAVE YET TO PINPOINT THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. ONE SHOP CLAIMED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND THAT IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH HOWEVER WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT. HAS SPENT XXX AMOUNT OF MONEY HAVING IT TOWED TO SEVERAL SHOPS AND STILL NOT FIXED. FRUSTRATED!!!!!! *TR

Mileage: 108,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Mileage: 75,000

SUDDEN FAILURE OF STEERING WHEEL. DISPLAY SHOWS "STEERING WHEEL LOCK". THIS COULD BE SERIOUS ISSUE IF IT HAPPENED DURING DRIVING. UNABLE TO START THE CAR OR TO GET THE CAR IN NEUTRAL GEAR. HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO THE VW SERVICE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STEERING CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

DRIVING HOME WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT MY CAR FELT LIKE IT JERKED FORWARD THOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I STOPPED MY CAR BRIEFLY TO GET DINNER, TOOK A PHONE CALL AND DECIDED TO LEAVE. I PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE AND IT WOULD NOT TRAVEL FORWARD. I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. I LOOKED AT THE DISPLAY WHICH INDICATED I SHOULD DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, I DID. THE MESSAGE DISAPPEARED BUT THE CAR WOULD STILL NOT TRAVEL. I CHECKED THE PARKING BRAKE BUTTON, IT WAS ON. I DEPRESSED THAT BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. EVERYTIME I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE THE SAME DEPRESS THE BRAKE MESSAGE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. IT WAS SUGGESTED I KEEP TRYING TO DISENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE. "THE CAR THINKS THE PARKING BRAKE IS ON" I HAVE NEVER USED THE PARKING BRAKE ON THIS CAR. IT CAME OUT OF THE SHOWROOM. FINALLY THE BRAKE DISENGAGED. MY SECOND STOP RESULTED INTO THE SAME SCENARIO. MY FEAR IS THAT THIS HAPPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING. I AM TAKING MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP IN A FEW HOURS IF IT WILL MOVE IN. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IDEAL UP TO THIS EVENT. *TR

Mileage: 57,235

HERE IS PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING WITH MY 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE I AM DRIVING THE CAR SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT THREE TIMES THIS YEAR . IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE IN 3 ACCIDENTS AND TO HAVE TO QUICKLY PULL OFF THE ROAD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED 3 TIMES TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CAR LOCKS DOWN AND I CANT PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO TOW IT. IT TAKES AN EXPERIENCE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TO GET IN ON A FLAT BED WITH THE WHEELS LOCKED. THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THEY CANT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT AND THEY CAN NOT GET THE CAR TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE, FROM THE FORUMS I HAVE BEEN READING VW TELLS EVERYONE THE SAME THING. I HAVE ALREADY PAID 2000 TO GET THIS CAR FIX AND VW STILL HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT FROM WHAT I AM READING IT SOUNDS LIKE IT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK ISSUE. VW NEEDS TO RECALL THIS, IT NOT MY FAULT THAT THIS CAR HAS THIS ISSUE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. EVERYONE DRIVING THIS CAR LIFE COULD BE AT RISK, THIS CAR SHOULD NOT SHUT OFF AT 70 MILES HOUR WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND YOU... THIS COULD CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT AND IT WOULD BE VW FAULT! *TR

Mileage: 100,000

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE - CONSTANTLY A NEW LIGHT ON THAT NEVER STAYED ON. DRIVER'S AIRBAG ISSUE THAT VW SAYS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT - A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VW CHARGED US TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT CAME BACK WITH 12 FAILURE CODES, THE TWO MOST SEVERE BEING INTAKE RUNNER MOTOR AND HIGH PRESSURE PUMP. THEN, NOT LONG AFTER, THE CAR LITERALLY SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND WE COULD HARDLY GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (MIND YOU NO PRIOR WARNING LIGHTS WERE PRESENT). THE ONLY ONE THAT CAME ON FOR A SPLIT SECOND WAS THE EPC (ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL) LIGHT BEFORE THE CAR SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO VW DEALER WHO AFTER INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM, SAID THAT THE ENGINE WAS SHOT. AND, I ALMOST FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THE AIR HASN'T WORKED FOR 2 SUMMERS. VW CLAIMS THAT THIS IS BECAUSE A BAD COMPRESSOR WAS PUT IN THE PASSATS. $1800 TO FIX. THESE ISSUES ARE COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND WE DON'T THINK ANY OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS SHOULD BE OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY. VW NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY ENGINEERING. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED AND BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE STEERING COLUMN DEFECTIVE LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL AFTER TRYING TO INSERT THE KEY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

Mileage: 56,000

IN BELOW FREEZING WEATHER, I WAS TRYING TO LEAVE MY CHILD'S DAYCARE. WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED PROPERLY INTO THE IGNITION, THE CAR BEEPS AND PRESENTS A WARNING "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE!" IT WOULD NOT START FOR 45 MINUTES - JUST KEPT TURNING OVER AND IMMEDIATELY DIEING (LOST SPARK, PRESUMABLY, AS PART OF THE IMMOBILIZATION SYSTEM). TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AND JOKING SARCASTICALLY IMPLYING THAT THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME - THE STALLING AT STARTUP IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK PROBLEM. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH A NEW CONTROL MODULE (AROUND $200 IN PARTS) ALONG WITH 4 HOURS OF LABOR (QUOTED AROUND $375 FOR ME). THIS PROBLEM IS WIDELY REPORTED ON PASSAT MESSAGE BOARDS WITH INITIAL COSTS BEING AS HIGH AS $1,900 UNTIL VW OF AMERICA RECENTLY DISCOVERED A MORE COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO FIX THE ISSUE. ALSO, VW OF IRELAND HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AS A SOFTWARE DEFECT (SEE IRISH TIMES ARTICLE FROM 11/4/2009 ENTITLED "STARING PROBLEMS WITH A VW PASSAT"). THERE ARE REPORTS THAT VW OF CANADA ARE REPAIRING THIS FOR FREE ON OUT OF WARRANTIED VEHICLES AS WELL. HOW MANY HAVE TO FAIL IN AMERICA BEFORE IT'S A RECALL? WOULDN'T A COMPUTER FAULT KEEPING A CAR FROM STARTING BE A SAFETY ISSUE? WHAT HAPPENS IF THE MODULE FAILS WHILE DRIVING - EITHER THE CAR DETERMINING THE KEY ISN'T CORRECT WOULD STOP THE ENGINE, OR IF THE STEERING COLUMN DOES LOCK WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS? *TR

Mileage: 50,450

2007 VW PASSAT "STEERING COLUMN DEFECTED". MY KEY "FOB" TO THE IGNITION GETS STUCK INSIDE THE IGNITION SLOT. CAR WILL NOT START. SOMETIMES IT WILL START BUT THEN IMMEDIATELY DIE. I HAVE TO VERY SLOWLY PUSH THE FOB BACK AND FORTH TO FINALLY GET THE CAR TO START EVENTUALLY. PROBLEM IS, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OTHER 2006-2007 VW PASSATS AND JETTAS THAT HAVE THIS ISSUE. IT IS UNSAFE. THE VW DEALER IS CHARGING ON AVERAGE $1,400 TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUOUSLY STALL SPORADICALLY WITHOUT WARNING .THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A FAULTY ALTERNATOR, BATTERY OR BOTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE BOTH THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 20,000.

Mileage: 20,000

A NICE SUMMER DAY TRANSPORTING MY FAMILY, INCLUDING TWO SMALL CHILDREN TO A BASEBALL GAME. TEMP WAS 80 F, NO WIND, MOSTLY SUNNY. CAME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN, PUSHED ON ACCELERATOR. VEHICLE HESITATED, THAN ACCELERATED SLOWER THAN EXPECTED IN A HALTING, HERKY-JERKY WAY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE I CONTACT ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER REPORTED REPLACING THE COIL ON PLUG IGNITION. *TR

Mileage: 27,602

THE 2007 VW PASSAT WAGON 2.0T HAS BEEN RIDDLED WITH ELECTRONIC FAILURES WHICH CONTINUE TO ESCALATE. WE HAVE HONESTLY LOST COUNT OF THE AMOUNT OF DAYS THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE - AT LEAST 9 INCIDENTS, TWICE TOWED. INITIALLY THE PROBLEMS WERE BENIGN, SUCH AS THE HORN GOING OFF AT RANDOM INTERVALS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. THERE WERE TWO INCIDENTS OF THE CAR NOT BEING ABLE TO START AFTER SITTING FOR ONLY TWO OR THREE DAYS, WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY BATTERY. PROBLEM ESCALATED TO INOPERABLE WINDOW AND DOOR MECHANISMS, DELAYS UPON ACCELERATION, AIR CONDITIONER MALFUNCTION, AND MOST RECENTLY COMPLETE ENGINE SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. UPON HAVING VEHICLE TOWED IN TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WE WERE TOLD "THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP AND TESTED FINE ON THE COMPUTER" AND THAT THERE REALLY ISN'T ANYTHING MORE THE MECHANIC COULD DO WITHOUT A BETTER COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS. ATTEMPTS TO SPEAK WITH MANAGERS HAVE GONE IGNORED AND UNANSWERED. I AM CURRENTLY WAITING TO HEAR FROM VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA IN RESPONSE TO AN EMAIL I SENT TO THEIR ONLINE CUSTOMER CARE. *TR

Mileage: 37,562

ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT SET OR WILL NOT RELEASE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, BUT PROGRESSIVE, BEGINNING WITH FAILURE TO SET AND CULMINATING WITH FAILURE TO RELEASE, IN ONE INSTANCE TRIGGERING MASTER BRAKE FAILURE WARNING. FAILURE TO SET MAKES CAR ILLEGAL TO DRIVE AND DANGEROUS WHEN PARKED AS THERE IS NO BACK UP SYSTEM TO SET PARKING BRAKE. FAILURE TO RELEASE STRANDS DRIVER IN POSSIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. VW SAYS IN THIS INSTANCE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO CALL FOR TOW. FAILURES MAY AT TIMES BE CLEARED BY RESTARTING ENGINE, BUT PROGRESSIVELY LESS SUCCESSFUL. CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALER THREE TIMES SINCE PROBLEM AROSE. 3 DAYS IN JUNE, 2 DAYS IN EARLY JULY, AND MOST RECENTLY 35 DAYS AND COUNTING (SINCE JULY 22). DEALER HAS REPLACED MULTIPLE MODULES MULTIPLE TIMES, OVERLAID WIRING, ETC. WITHOUT SOLUTION. DESPITE A SENIOR MECHANIC BEING PLACED ON THE JOB, NO SOURCE OF FAULT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AND BY ALL APPEARANCE LOGICAL DIAGNOSTIC WORK HAS CEASED AND HAPHAZARD PARTS REPLACEMENT HAS BEGUN, I.E., "HOPE" IS THE ONLY REMAINING CORRECTIVE STRATEGY. DEALER IS SYMPATHETIC BUT OF NO BENEFIT. VW CUSTOMER CARE CONTACTED BUT PROMISED FOLLOW UP BY THEM HAS NOT BEEN MADE. AS CAR CAN STILL BE OPERATED WHEN ELECTRONIC BRAKE FAILS TO SET, THIS CREATES A POSSIBLY WIDESPREAD PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE SINCE CAR CANNOT BE PROPERLY PARKED AND MUST RELY SOLELY ON TRANSMISSION HOLDING CAR. *TR

Mileage: 43,000

MY VEHICLE'S GAUGE CLUSTER HAS RANDOM LIGHTS THAT COME ON AND CAUSE THE DOORS TO LOCK AND NOT OPEN AND IT RESETS ITSELF AFTER 1-2 HOURS AND IT CONTINUES TO DO IT. *TR

Mileage: 1,061

I STARTED MY VEHICLE, AND WITHIN 30 SECONDS I SMELLED BURNING. I SHUT DOWN ENGINE AND NOTICED SMOKE BELLOWING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. I LIFTED HOOD AND FOUND AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS ON TOP OF ENGINE WAS ON FIRE AND MELTING. I WAS ABLE TO BORROW PLIERS FROM SOMEONE AND DISCONNECTED BATTERY CABLE. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY CALLED ME THIS MORNING STATING THAT THE COIL HAD AN INTERNAL SHORT. I ASKED THEM HOW I CAN BE ASSURED THAT THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN WHEN PARTS ARE REPLACED AND THERE REPLY WAS " THIS IS VERY RARE". I HAVE A BABY LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD AND IT SCARES ME TO DEATH TO THINK WHAT MAY OF HAPPENED IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILD. *TR

Mileage: 23,000