1993 Volkswagen Passat

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/29/2002· VISIBILITY

  AFTER DRIVING FROM CT TO WASH, D.C., I WAS PARKING MY 1993 VW PASSAT. I HEARD A "POP" SOUND, AND IN < 5 SECONDS, THE CAR FILLED WITH ANTIFREEZE STEAM & SCALDING ANTIFREEZE POURED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE COMPARTMENT. AS THE CAR WAS NEARLY PARKED, WE WERE ABLE TO JUMP OUT OF THE CAR. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE WHEATON SERVICE CENTER IN WHEATON, MD. VIA PHONE, THE MECHANICS IMMEDIATELY SUSPECTED THE HEATER CORE. IRONICALLY, THERE WAS ANOTHER 1993 PASSAT GETTING FIXED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WHEN I GOT THERE. ONCE INVESTIGATED, MY HEATER CORE HAD CRACKED. THEY NOTED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM IN VWS. I CALLED THE VW CONSUMER CARE LINE. AFTER LENGTHY NEGOTIATION, VW AGREED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE $788 REPAIR, IF I BROUGHT THE BROKEN PART AND THE NEW PART'S PACKAGING TO THE CAR'S HOME DEALERSHIP, RIVERSIDE MOTORS, IN CT. I WAS REIMBURSED SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, AFTER WEEKLY FOLLOW UP PHONE CALLS TO "REMIND" VW OF THEIR REIMBURSEMENT COMMITTMENT. I AM UPSET AND CONCERNED ABOUT THIS MATTER FOR SEVERAL REASONS: 1) I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN 1998. THE ONLY ISSUE WITH THE CAR WAS THAT THE WINDOWS TENDED TO "FOG UP", PARTICULARLY WHEN THE A/C OR HEAT WAS ON, WHICH HAD BEEN LOGGED AT SERVICE VISITS. AT NO TIME WAS THE HEATER CORE LOOKED AT. BUT, THERE ARE NUMEROUS HEATER CORE AND "DEFOGGING" CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. FURTHER, I BEGAN THE REVIEW OF COMPLAINTS AFTER LISTENING TO A RECENT NPR CAR TALK SHOW, B/C THEY REFERENCED THE PROBLEM WITH VW HEATER CORES. WHAT IS CONSPICUOUSLY MISSING IS A SAFTEY BULLETIN FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. 2) AS MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS NOTED, (SEE OID ID 755858 FOR EXAMPLE), THEY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED, AS WAS THE CASE FOR ME. 30 MINUTES EARLIER & I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAT EVERY COMPLAINT CANNONT BE INVESTIGATED, THIS IS A FAILURE THAT CAN RESULT IN A LIFE-OR-DEATH SITUATION. I EXPECT THAT YOU WILL INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM FURTHER, AND AT MINIMUM ISSUE A SAFETY BULLETIN.

• 12/26/1995· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING, IN FOR REPAIR 4 TIMES. TT

• 12/22/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTINGFire

  THE LEFT FOG LIGHT STARTED SMOKING, AND THEN ON FIRE. I WAS SITTING INSIDE THE VEHICLE, CLEANING IT. THE LIGHTS WERE ON, INCLUDING THE FOG LIGHTS. I SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC, AND DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AT FIRST, IT GOT WORSE, SO I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM AROUND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BUMPER. I GOT UNDER THERE TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON, AND SECONDS LATER A PIECE OF BURNING PLASTIC WITH THE BULB STILL IN IT FELL INTO THE INSIDE OF THE BUMBER, APPARENTLY IT SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN UNIT OF THE LIGHT. I HAD TO STUFF IT WITH SNOW TO STOP THE FIRE. THERE WAS NO SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE BEYOUND THE LIGHT ITSELF. LATER ON I PURCHASED A PAIR OF USED FOG LIGHTS FROM EBAY TO REPLACE MINE. WHEN TRYING TO REPLACE THEM, IT TURNED OUT THAT THE LEFT LIGHT ON MY VEHICLE WAS ALSO BURNT, AND THE PIECE WITH THE BULB FELL OUT OF IT TOO. THE LIGHTS I BOUGHT ALSO TIRNED OUT TO BE DAMAGED IN SIMILAR WAY, BUT JUST MELTED. THE REASON I MARK PROPERTY DAMAGE ON THIS FORM, IS BECAUSE TO REPLACE ONE OF THE UNITS COSTS $135, WITHOUT ANY GUARANTEE THAT THIS SAME THING WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN OBVIOUS AND HAZARDOUS DESIGN FLAW, AND VW SHOULD REPLACE THE UNITS WITH FIRE PROOF ONES. VW SHOUD ALSO PAY FOR THAT, NOT I.*AK

• 12/20/2001· VISIBILITY

  THE HEATER COIL BLEW AND CAUSED THE CAR TO RAPIDLY FILL UP WITH STEAM TO THE POINT THAT DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT ANY WINDOWS. DRIVER WAS TRAVELING IN THE FAST LANE OF INERSTATE 285 IN THE ATLANTA AREA AND AMAZINGLY WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND JUMP OUT WITHOUT BEING KILLED. THIS FAILURE OF THE HEATER COIL AND SUBSEQUENT RELEASE OF STEAM INTO THE VEHICLE IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY HAZARD THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF THE DRIVER.

• 12/14/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TIMING BELT FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL OUT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND DESTROYED ALL THE VALVES. NLM

• 12/13/2000· TIRES

  I HAD TWO BLOWOUTS OF THIS GOODYEAR EAGLE GA TOURING TIRE OVER A PERIOD OF 10 MONTHS DRIVING FREEWAY SPEED OF 70 WHEN ONE BLOWOUT OCCURRED AND 50 MPH WITH THE OTHER. EVEN THOUGH I ACCEPTED A SETTLEMENT OF $176.04 FROM GOODYEAR, THIS AMOUNT WAS SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THE COST OF ONE TIRE. I HAD 4 GOODYEARS ON THE CAR. (TIRESIZE: 215/50R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 215/50R15 )

• 12/13/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE ABS BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR, OWNER ALSO NOTES THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS FLASH. *AK

• 12/07/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHEN DECELERATING WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THE ENGINE WOULD FALTER AND DIE, OFTEN LEAVING ME EXPOSED TO ONCOMMING TRAFFIC. ONCE THE CAR HAD COME TO A STOP IT COULD BE RESTARTED AND WOULD PERFORM PERFECTLY. THIS WOULD HAPPEN CONSTANTLY AND THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM IT WITH A ROAD TEST. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND QUOTED A PRICE. WHILE CALLING AROUND FOR A REALISTIC PRICE I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM SOUNDED LIKE WATER WAS IN THE UNIT AND WAS SHORTING THINGS OUT. I OPENED THE UNIT AND FOUNG A TABLE SPOON OR SO OF WATER SLOSHING AROUND ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD. EVERY TIME THE CAR DECELLERATED AND TURNED LEFT THE WATER WOULD MOVE OVER ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE SENSOR TO COMMAND A SHARP REDUCTION IN FUEL TO THE ENGINE. I DRAINED THE WATER AND DRIED IT OUT WITH A HAIR DRIER AND RE-SEALED THE BOX WITH RTV AND IT HAS PERFORMED FLAWLESLY. THE WATER APPEARS TO HAVE ENTERED THROUGH THE SENSOR PROBE OPENING AND NOT THROUGH THE COVER. I TOLD THE LOCAL VW SERVICE DEPT. AND THEY WERE UNINPRESSED.

• 12/04/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION.

• 12/03/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  HEATER CORE BAD IN 1993 VW GLX, VERY COMMON IN MY EXPERIENCE. *TR

• 11/30/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  FAULTY HEATER CORES/HEATER EXCHANGERS LOCATED BEHIND THE DASHBOARD IS A PERVASIVE PROBLEM. HEATER CORE LEAKED. *BF ANTI FREEZE LEAKED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AROUND THE FEET OF THE PASSENGER. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. RECALL# 98V295000. *SC

• 11/25/1997· VISIBILITY

  REPLACED BROKEN HEATER CORE. *AK

• 11/21/1997· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  ORIGINAL FACTORY INSTALLED FOG LIGHT REFLECTORS ARE INJECTION MOLDED PLACTIC. ONE FOG LIGHT BURNE DOUT AND ANOTHER PARTIALLY MELTED. *AK

• 11/15/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WOULD STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP BUT VEHICLE WON'T STOP. *AK

• 11/13/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFire

  92V05800; WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING, AND UNDERHOOD THE CABLES MELTED, AND THE HOOD WOULD NOT OPEN. VEHICLE HAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO FRONT/INTERIOR, AND MOTOR COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED BACK,. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED, AND STATED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY TO RECALL. *AK

• 11/07/2001· VISIBILITY

  115F DEGREE DAY. USED A/C. PARKED CAR. RETURN 15 MIN LATER. FLOOR/DASH/INSTRUMENTS WET/FOG/HOT.*AK

• 09/17/1996· EQUIPMENT

  THE CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AS A RESULT THE FAN SPEED KNOB HAS MELTED BECAUSE OF THE HEAT.*AK

• 09/13/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TURN ON AIR CONDITIONER, OR HEATER, AND A STEAM OF ANTIFREEZE COATS WINDSHIELD, AND IT GETS COMPLETELY FOGGED OVER TO THE POINT WHERE I CANNOT SEE. HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. 1993, PASSAT GLX. VR6. *AK

• 09/09/2003· VISIBILITY

  WHILE DRIVING HEATER CORE WAS STEAMING THE ENGINE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

• 09/07/1999· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHEN GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING CONSUMER CAN SMELL FUMES WITHIN THE VEHICLE. WHEN CHECKING OUT THE PROBLEM, CONSUMER NOTICED A FUEL LEAKAGE COMING FROM THE DISTRIBUTION RAIL NEAR THE ENGINE BEYOUND THE CLAMP. *AK

• 09/06/1995· TIRESCrash

  CONTINENTAL TIRE FAILURE CAUSED ACCIDENT. *DSH

• 09/03/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  IGNITION SWITCH DEFECT.

• 08/30/2000· VISIBILITY

  THE HEATER CORE RUPTURED AND FLOODED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITH STEAM AND HOT COOLANT. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR HAD JUST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS OCCURED IN THE ONLY OTHER VW VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED, A 1986 JETTA GL. THAT VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. I FIND IT VERY DISTURBING THAT THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE AFFECTED BY SUCH AN EQUIPMENT FAILURE. I CAN ACCEPT THE HEATER CORE LEAKING IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, BUT NOT EXPLOIDING LIKE A BOMB. WITNESSESS THOUGHT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. LUCKILY, MY WIFE AND CHILD WERE NOT CRUISING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH.

• 08/19/1998· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND OTHER CARS NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FOG LIGHTS OF THE CAR. PULLED VEHICLE OVER , TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF AND PUT THE FLAMES OUT. FIREMAN DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE CAME FROM THE FRONT LEFT FOG LIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. *AK

• 08/16/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TIMING BELT BROKE WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD. *AK

• 08/13/2001· VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT

  WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, STEAM AND HOT ENGINE COOLANT FLUIDS STARTED COMING OUT OF VENTILATION SYSTEM, BURNING DRIVERS FEET AND LEGS, AND REDUCING VISIBILITY OUT OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND MADE REPAIRS TO HEATER CORE. THEN ON AUGUST 2, 2001, AIR CONDITIONING STARTED MAKING A STRANGE NOISE, AND STARTED PRODUCING STEAM AND HOT FLUIDS FROM THE VENTILATION AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

• 08/12/1999· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  FOG LIGHTS BURNED A HOLE IN THE FINDER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

• 07/31/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEAKS AT THE END OF THE HOSE AND HE SMELLED GAS. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RUN AS EFFECTIVELY WHEN THE FUEL BEGAN LEAKING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,000.

• 07/27/1997· SEAT BELTS

  DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILURE. STILL FAILS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AFTER REPAIRS.

• 07/20/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. FIRE STARTED FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

• 07/15/2004· VISIBILITY

  VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN STEAM STARTED COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS AND THE WINDOWS FOGGED UP. HOT ANTI FREEZE LEAKED IN AND SCORCHED THE DRIVER'S FEET. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE HEATER CORE CAME APART AT THE SEAM. *AK *JB

• 06/28/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY DUE A DEFECTIVE TIMING BELT AND RUINED ENGINE COMPARTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 06/23/1995· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. TT

• 06/16/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY

  TRANSMISSION/HEATER CORE/ FAN SWITCH AND ENGINE COOLING T SYSTEM WATER PUMP MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND HESITATE. DEALER REPLACED HEATER CORE/WATER PUMP ETC. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 06/16/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ORIGINAL BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, POWER ASSIST WENT, MAKING PEDAL HARD, MANAGE TO GET THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL, REPLACE LOCK CYLINDER. TT

• 06/13/1995· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, BRAKE LIGHT DON'T TURN ON, HORN WOULD BLOW BY ITSELF. TT

• 06/06/2006· SEAT BELTS

  FRONT SEAT BELTS FAIL TO POWER, MUST USE EMERGENCY BELTS. *JB

• 06/05/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND NOISY FAN MOTOR SHAFT. FOUND TWO RECALLS REFERRING TO THESE TWO PROBLEMS. NEVER RECEIVED RECALL LETTERS FROM MANUFACTURER. *JB

• 05/31/1995· TIRES

  BLISTER FORMS ON INSIDE SIDWALL OF THE TIRES. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURANCE. TT

• 05/21/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY,SEAT BELTS,EQUIPMENTCrash

  IGNITION : FOR THE LAST 9 MONTHS, INTERMITTENTLY, CAR WILL CONTINUE TO RUN AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND KEY IS REMOVED... BEEN TO 3 VW DEALERSHIPS 5 TIMES TOTAL. ABS BRAKES NEVER WORKED SINCE NEW, WOULDN'T STOP ON SNOW OR ICE LIKE OTHER ABS BRAKE SYSTEMS .. AFTER MANY COMPLAINTS FOR 4 YEARS VW FIXED SOME OF THE ABS PROBLEMS BUT ABS WARNING LIGHT STILL COMES ON SOMETIMES. ALSO, PEDAL INTERMITTENTLY WILL GO TO FLOOR, AND SNOW AND ICE PERFORMANCE IS MUCH WORSE THAN OUR OTHER ABS PASSATS . SEAT BELTS: LAP BELT BUCKLE SEEMS LIKELY TO CAUSE INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT . AIR CONDITIONER : $150 SWITCH IN DASH HAS FAILED 3 TIMES (COMMON ON 1993-94 PASSATS). SUNROOF: SMALL PART BREAKS ON TRACK REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE EXPENSIVE SUNROOF MECHANISM ... (SEEMS TO HAPPEN MANY 1993-94 PASSATS). FOG LIGHTS: CORRADO AND PASSAT LENSES FOG UP OR FILL UP WITH WATER AND THEN CRACK FROM HEAT. VW AND HELLA REDESIGNED LENS ON CORRADO MODEL BUT NOT ON PASSAT $26 TO $50 PER LENS, 11 LENSES SO FAR. *AK

• 05/17/2001· EQUIPMENTFire

  AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. MECHANIC HAS ADVISED THAT AIR CONDITIONER'S WIRING MELTED AND GLUED TO EACH OTHER. A MINOR FIRE ERRUPTED, CAUSING MELTING. PLEASE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

• 05/09/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED CONSUMER TO SMELLED GAS FUMES, MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. NLM

• 05/07/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  WHILE STOPPING FOR RED LIGHT SMELLED STRONG ODOR. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.

• 04/24/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  LEAKAGE OF HOT ENGINE COOLANT FROM THE HEAT EXCHANGER LOCATED IN THE VEHICLES PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSED MINOR BURNS TO DRIVER'S LOWER LEG AREA. ADDITIONALLY, STEAM FROM THIS EVENT FILLED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE THE VEHICLE. THIS EVENT REQUIRED THE DRIVER TO EXECUTE EMERGENCY ACTIONS TO AVOID A COLLISION AND SAFETY STOP THE VEHICLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICAN, INC. IMPLEMENTED A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE 1992-1994 VR6 CORRADO WHICH EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR FAILURE (NHTSA INVESTIGATION/ACTION NO. EA98-012). *NLM

• 04/20/1995· POWER TRAIN

  FAULTY STUB AXLE CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR OF TIRES. *TW

• 04/18/1999· VISIBILITY

  HEATER CORE FAILURE WAS SEVERE SCOLDING COOLANT BLEW THROUGH DASH VENTS OVER HANDS AND FLOODED CAR WITH COOLANT AND TOXIC FUMES

• 04/16/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY

  THE POWER WINDOWS OPERATE BY THEMSELVES-NEED TO PULL FUSE TO STOP THIS, BUT THEN THEY ARE NOT OPERABLE AT ALL--THIS COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN TERMS OF ESCAPE FROM VEHICLE, AND IS VERY INCONVENIENT FROM A VENTILATION STAND POINT. THE ENGINE STALLS WHEN CORNERING AND BRAKING, CREATING VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****760759

• 04/07/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  MILES:1,519- DOESN'T TURN OVER - REPLACED BATTERY: 8602- CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON- REPL BAD HOUSING CONNECTION:11,672-CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON-RPL CAM POSITION SENSOR&ECM&AC CONTROLS:22,013-RATTLING WHINING NOISE-REPL FROZEN RADIATOR FAN MOTOR, BURNT FAN CONN/REPRODUCED WRING, O/RING, DEFECTIVE CAM POSITION, SENSOR;25,763 REPLACE BATTERY;34,677-SERPENTINE BELT REPL;36,800-REPL HALL/TCI CONTROL UNIT;50,610- REPL BATTERY, ALTERNATOR HARNESS;51,070 REPL AUXILIARY WATER PUMP;CONNECTOR,HOSES;53,190-AC CONTROL WITH OPEN CONNECTION & WIRING OVERHEATED,REPL CONTROLS & REPAIRED WIRING, HEATERCONTROL, CONNECTOR:60,523-REPL HEATER CORE, SEALS, THERMOSTATE, HOUSING, SEAL RING, 3 O-RINGS, SERPINTINE BELT; 63,782-REPL BATTERY, CRUISE CONTROL & SUNROOF NO LONGER WORK TOO COSTLY TO REPAIR, 66,035- REPL POWER SUPPLY RELAY, FUEL PUMP;71,000 TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DEALER INDICATES FULL REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION. PURCHASED '88 JETTA. IN '97 DECIDED TO UPGRADE TO PASSAT GLX. WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE BUY A VOLKSWAGEN. *AK

• 04/06/2004· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *MR

• 03/25/2002· VISIBILITY

  WAS DRIVING 25MPH WHEN FILM STARTED DEVELOPING ON WINDOWS. DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE OUT OF WINDSHIELD. HAD SMELLED ANTIFREEZE INSIDE VEHICLE. DROVE TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT HEATER CORE HAD FAILED, CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK, WHICH CAUSED THE FILM ON WINDOWS. *AK