Complain about a product or service

Volkswagen Passat

Save up to $379 on Your Auto Insurance. Compare Quotes from Top Providers Now! Find the Best Deal and Apply! - Adv.

Volkswagen • Beetle • Cabrio • Jetta • Jetta Windows • Passat • Toureg • Windows - All Models --- • Engine Sludge • Ignition Coils • Oil Burning • Engine Fires • Paint • Automan's Advice --- News • VW Rabbit Tops Affordable Hatchback Tests • VW Fined $1.1 Million for Clean Air Violations • VW Admits Sludge Problems

Timothy of Westerlo, NY April 1, 2009

Timothy of Westerlo NY (04/01/09)
HEATER CORE FAILURE. I own a 2002 Passat. When I purchased the car used it had a musky smell inside. I asked if it had been in a flood and they assured me it had not been. Windows seem to have a film on them at that time. I was told the previous owner was a smoker. The smell continued to get worse. The car is now undriveable due to antifreeze vapor filling the passenger compartment. There is also hot antifreeze dripping onto the passengers legs.

When the heater core failed I was driving the car at 55mph.I had a near miss of a head on collision. I have had severe nerve damage to my spinal cord fo 8 years and this incident has aggravated it tremendously. This car is unuseable.The carpeting is damaged and I am losing the electrical components below the heatercore. There are thousands of complaints for this issue.PLease help as Volkswagon won't.

Vincent of Webster, NY March 23, 2009

Vincent of Webster NY (03/23/09)
I am the original owner and have had the car on the road now for just over 3 1/2 years. The following problems occurred inside of 50k mi. * Ignition coils replaced (3x) - this ridiculous issue is well documented on this forum and others. * ECM firmware upgrade (3x) - I am told the electronic control module (car's brain) needed upgrades. Similar to a patch being applied to Windows XP. OK. So how, I ask, do I know when VW has released a new patch so that I can monitor the situation and bring the car in for it's upgrade before it starts to run like crap w/ CEL on? Answer: You can't. VW does not publish that information.

And when the vehicle is out of warranty that'll be 200 a pop. Gee maybe they might have tested the ECM's a little more before moving the system to production. Sound system switches to CD mode at will. They never could fix this. Only happens in cold temps. Indeed this car's primary problems occur in cold temps (under 25 deg F). It's just not a good cold weather vehicle. Interior lighting problems. Drivers side window regulator. This happened 600 mi out of warranty. 463.00 OUCH!

My conclusion is that the vehicle provides a highly satisfying driving experience and is great looking. However, my overall satisfaction is largely dampened due to it's highly unreliable nature. My new policy for driving a VW is: 1. Have a good service center close to home. With wireless internet. You'll be spending alot of time there. Make good friends w/ the Service Mgr. 2. DO NOT own the vehicle out of warranty. Consider a lease.

Theresa of Waltham, MA March 20, 2009

Theresa of Waltham MA (03/20/09)
We have a 2002 1.8L Passat that had its ignition coils fail just as the recall in 2003/2004 happened. We had them all replaced. Now, less than 5 years later, two coils failed and all four needed to be replaced. Were the replacement coils also defective? I know there was a rush to get replacements out but did VW cut corners?

The car suddenly lost power and shook terribly (just as happened when the coils last failed). Luckily we were 2 miles away from the dealership so limped in. The bill is 800.

Sherry of Unionville, NY March 9, 2009

Sherry of Unionville NY (03/09/09)
I have a 2006 VW Passat an the transmission when on 2/8/09. This car has been a headache since we got it in 2006. It has been it the garage more then it's been out. You offered a 1000 to have this vehicle repaired and we found a transmission for it and we need an answer to my question. I am not happy with the results that VW gave us an I will probably never buy another VW. We have had beetle and the bus that VW made and we were very happy with them, but this Passat it really sucks in plain English. Thanks.

Transmission went on it. With only 64000 miles on it an we brought with 1200 miles already on it.

Fred of Asheboro, NC February 25, 2009

Fred of Asheboro NC (02/25/09)
I have had continous issues with the CEL in my 2007 Passat 2.0L turbo. The last episode had similar symtoms as yours. It turned out to be an exessive cam wear issue. The cam had to be replaced at a cost of 2400 at 72,000 miles. I had the oil changed every 5,000 to 6,000 miles using the VW spec oil and filter bought from the dealership. Also had major scheduled maintenance as prescribed in the owners manual done at the dealership. There is a technical service bulletin out on this although VW would not admit it, but the technician at the dealership informed that there was recommending a different cam than the OEM.

VW refused to pay a dime on this. This is my 17th and final VW since getting my license in 1966. Thought I would mention this as you might want to get this checked. But this is just on isse in a long line of issues with this car. I have spent over 4,000 in 8 months since this car has been out of warranty. It now makes sense why VW has less than 2% of the U.S. market and the Japanese have over 50%. After I bought the car, I accidentally ran across a website that claimed the VW in the top five most expensive cars to maintain. I am now a believer. There is a Toyota in my future. I would love to participate in a class action lawsuit against VW. Thanks

Repair costs of over 4000

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Share		Follow us on Twitter.

Back to the top |