1997 Volkswagen Passat

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

• 12/29/2002· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

  I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY 97 JETTA SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 1999. IT BEGAN WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN 2000 WHEN THE CAR HAD ONLY 35,000 MILES. THE DEALER IN NAPA REBUILT MY TRANSMISSION. EVER SINCE THEN, MY GEARS HAVE SEEMED UNUSUALLY STIFF AND TIGHT. ONLY 3 MONTHS LATER, MY IGNITION FAILED AND THE DEALER IN NAPA REPLACED THAT. THIS PAST SUMMER (2002) I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ONE OF MY AUTOMATIC WINDOWS. IT WAS GETTING STUCK AND LATER FELL INTO THE DOOR WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO RAISE IT WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY. WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH TWO OF THE OTHER WINDOWS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACE 3 OF THE 4 REGULATORS/LIFTS. THIS COST ME QUITE A BIT OF MONEY AS THE WARRANTY ON THE CAR IS GONE. OVER THIS CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CLUTCH/GEAR BOX/ TRANSMISSION AGAIN. I AM TAKING MY CAR TO THE DEALER TOMORROW FOR A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK (12/30/02). NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MY VW JETTA. THIS IS THE FIRST CAR THAT I HAVE PURCHASED AND HOPED IT WOULD BE A GREAT STARTER. I WILL NEVER BUY A VW AGAIN. SCC ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****770794

• 12/27/2005· VISIBILITY

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEATER CORE WAS LEAKING COOLANT ONTO THE FLOOR, NOT ALLOWING THE WINDSHIELD TO COMPLETELY DEFROST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK UPDATED 01/19/06. *JB

• 12/26/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  WHILE EN-ROUTE BETWEEN DEXTER, MICHIGAN AND GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, CABIN BEGAN TO SMELL OF SMOKE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH A HALON EXTINGUISHER PROMPTLY. EXAMINATION OF THE COMPONENTS POST-FIRE REVEALED A DEFECTIVE CENTER CONDUCTOR. CIRCUIT WAS FUSED AT 10 AMPS WHICH WAS FOUND TO BE BLOWN, POST FIRE. NO INJURIES, NO DAMAGE TO PERSONAL GOODS, DAMAGE WAS CONFINED TO CIGARETTE LIGHTER ASSEMBLY, WHICH IS POORLY DESIGNED. *NM

• 12/18/2000· TIRES

  LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE FOR CHECK UP AND FOUND THAT ALL TIRES HAD CRACKS IN SIDEWALLS THAT MADE TIRES GO FLAT, SIZE 195/60R14, CONSUMER STATES THAT IN 1998 A TIRE BLEWOUT DUE TO SIDEWALL FAILURE. *SLC

• 12/16/2005· VISIBILITY

  HEATER CORE FAILURE. INITIALLY I ONLY SMELL THE RADIATOR FLUID. THEN IT QUICKLY CHANGES OVER TO STEAM ACTUALLY COMING OUT OF YOUR VENTS. THIS CAUSES YOUR WINDOWS TO FOG UP. RADIATOR FLUID CAME SHOOTING OUT OF THE DASH BUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS PROBABLY WOULD HAVE SCALDED SOMEONE IF THEY WERE SITTING THERE. *JB

• 12/14/2004· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT DOOR LOCKS AND LATCHES. THE DOOR LOCKS AND LATCHES FROZE IN COLD WEATHER. CONSUMER HAD TO TIE A BELT FROM THE DOOR TO DRIVER'S LEG TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM OPENING WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE LOCKS, AND IT HELPED FOR ONLY TWO WEEKS AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED. MANUFACTURER WAS NO HELP. *AK

• 12/14/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT IGNITION SWITCH AND HEADLIGHTS PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING ON A WINDING ROAD THE HEADLIGHTS JUST TURNED OFF, AND CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO WIGGLE THE IGNITION TO GET THE LIGHTS TO TURN BACK ON. CURRENTLY, MANUFACTURER WAS RECALLING VEHICLES WITH THIS DEFECT. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE HAD AN EXCESS OF 125,000 MILES IT WAS 25,000 MILES PAST THE CUT OFF POINT. *AK ALSO, HEADLIGHTS WILL SOMETIMES GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE A DEFINITIVE RECALL WITHOUT MILEAGE LIMITATIONS. *AK

• 12/14/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY

  WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AT NIGHT IN INCLEMENT CONDITIONS HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER STATED, IF HE MOVED THE KEY BACK AND FORTH IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON. *AK

• 12/12/2003· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  1997 VW PASSAT TDI: RR DOOR LOCK CANNOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE. PROBLEM DEVELOPED OVER PERIOD OF TIME, SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE A PASSENGER WOULD BE UNABLE TO ESCAPE. LF DOOR AND RF DOOR DEVELOPING DIFFICULT OPENING. DOOR CAN BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE WITH DIFFICULTY. LF DOOR WILL OPEN ONLY BY POWER.*AK

• 12/06/1999· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE DOOR LOCKS AND LATCHES INTERMITTENTLY HAVE FAILED TO SECURE THE DOORS FROM OPENING,

• 12/05/1997· VISIBILITY

  REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER POWER BUTTON SPONTANEOUSLY FAILED, AND CURRENTLY WORKS ONLY WHEN HELD IN THE ON POSITION. THIS IS A FAFETY ISSUE WHEN DRIVING, AS ONE HAND IS REQUIRED TO HOLD THE BUTTON ON UNTIL DEFROSTER CLEARS, TAKING CONCENTRATION AND COORDINATION OFF DRIVING. *AK

• 11/08/2002· STRUCTURE

  OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES OF BOTH FRONT DOORS DO NOT WORK. REAR DOOR HANDLES MUST BE PULLED HARD TO WORK. DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE WORKS ONLY IF WINDOWS ARE LOWERED SIGNIFICANTLY, BUT NOT ALL THE WAY. DURING THIS CAR ENTRY PROCESS, I ALSO DISCOVERED THAT RIGHT REAR WINDOW WILL GO BACK UP WHEN I TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON. DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE PIN WAS REINSTALLED BY DEALER 4/18/2002, BUT IT FAILED AGAIN 2 MONTHS LATER. PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE FAILED ON 10/31/2002. IT DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE LOWERED WINDOWS. DT

• 10/30/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  COOLING FAN CONTROL MODULE FAILED.

• 10/24/2005· STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR LOCKS, AND SIDE DOOR HANDLE.*MR *NM

• 10/24/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENLY NOT START. DLR DETERMINED THE IGNITION SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE. TS

• 10/18/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  VARIOUS ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING--WINDSHIELD WIPERS, LIGHTS, DEFROST MOTOR--ON A VERY DARK, RAINY MORNING, CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND A NEAR-ACCIDENT. MANUFACTURER PREVIOUSLY WARNED OF 'IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE', BUT WOULD ONLY REPAIR AFTER FAILURE AND BEFORE 10 YRS OR 100,000 MILES. MY CAR HAS 100,600 MILES. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO BEAR THE REPAIR COST FOR THIS KNOWN DEFECT THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *NM

• 10/16/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKE SHOES MAKE NOISE.

• 10/14/2001· STRUCTURE

  RT FRONT PASSSENGER DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE SECURELY. I WILL BE BRINGING THE CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR THE 3RD TIME TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 10/04/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

  I PURCHASED A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT VR6 AT CHECKERED FLAG BMW IN JUNE 2004, AND SINCE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS HORRIBLE. FIRST, THE AIR CONDITIONER( A/C) QUIT WORKING, THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE AC STARTED WORKING FOR A DAY, THEN BLEW A CHEMICAL CLOUD INTO THE VEHICLE, WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. MY EYES WERE BURNING (AS WELL AS MY FACE) FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. FINALLY, I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, AND THERE'S A SLOW COOLANT LEAK. MAY I SUGGEST THAT WE REMOVE ALL VW'S FROM AMERICA'S STREETS? THEY ARE A TOTAL MENACE TO ANYONE WHO OWNS THEM! I WENT TO CHECKERED FLAG VW, TO HAVE IT SERVICED, AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE 89 DOLLARS A PROBLEM, JUST TO LOOK, THEN THEY SAID I COULD TRADE IT FOR A NEW ONE. WHY WOULD I WANT A NEW ONE? I DON'T NEED TO TRADE AN OLD PROBLEM FOR A NEW, MORE EXPENSIVE ONE, I JUST WANT A RELIABLE WORK VEHICLE, AND I WISH I HAD STUCK TO MY GUNS AND BOUGHT ANOTHER PRELUDE. THIS THING WILL SEE THE CRUSHER WHEN I'M DONE PAYING IT OFF! FOUR PROBLEMS IN NOT SO MANY MONTHS. ONLY ANOTHER VW OWNER WOULD KNOW THAT KIND OF FRUSTRATION!*AK

• 10/02/2007· VISIBILITY

  ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 5TH, 2007, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WITH MY 7 YEAR OLD SON IN THE BACK SEAT, DENSE, NOXIOUS 'STEAM'/SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT OF ALL VENTS AND AROUND THE DASH AREA IN MY WELL-MAINTAINED VOLKSWAGEN. HOT COOLANT ALSO LEAKED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF MY PASSAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. NOTE THAT THIS OCCURRED WHILE AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) WAS ON & CONTINUED TO POUR OUT OF VENTS WITHOUT A/C ON. MY 'LOW COOLANT' INDICATOR LIGHT (RED LED IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER) ALSO BEGAN FLASHING. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR (AND MY SON) HOME WITHOUT OVERHEATING AFTER STOPPING ON THE SIDE OF A BUSY WASHINGTON DC THOROUGHFARE (WISCONSIN AVENUE), OPENING THE FOGGED-UP WINDOWS, CLEANING THE INTERIOR OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, AND REFILLING THE COOLANT RESERVOIR/'OVERFLOW' TANK WITH ANTIFREEZE PURCHASED NEARBY. SINCE THE 'STEAM' SMELLED LIKE COOLANT/ANTIFREEZE, I IMMEDIATELY SUSPECTED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO A FAILURE OF MY CAR'S HEATER CORE. I SUBSEQUENTLY CONFIRMED THIS DIAGNOSIS AFTER DROPPING OFF THE PASSAT AT MY LONG-TIME, CERTIFIED, MECHANIC, BEAHM'S AUTO SERVICE OF SILVER SPRING MARYLAND. BEAHM'S DIAGNOSED, BUT DID NOT REPLACE MY HEATER CORE ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 7TH, 2007 (THE HEATER CORE HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY BYPASSED SO THAT THE CAR COULD BE DRIVEN WITHOUT ADDITIONAL COOLANT LOSS OR OF THE CAR'S WINDOWS/INTERIOR). MY PASSAT IS OTHERWISE IN EXCELLENT, WELL-MAINTAINED CONDITION WITH ONLY 116,000 MILES, NO ACCIDENTS, AND IT PASSED WASHINGTON DC SAFETY AND EMISSIONS INSPECTION IN AUGUST, 2007. *TR

• 10/02/2003· VISIBILITY

  WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CHEMICAL FUMES ARE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. DEALER STATED HEATER CORE FAILED. *AK

• 10/01/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE ENGINE CUTS OUT WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I AM DRIVING. I HAVE NOT BEE REAR ENDED BUT I'M AFRAID THAT I MIGHT BE. WHEN THE ENGINE DIES I PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH ANY REMAINING POWER. AFTER 30 SECONDS TO 1 MINUTE I'M ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND PROCEED. I HAVE HAD THE VECHICLE TOWED 2 TIMES TO THE VOLKSWAGEN AUDI DEALERSHIP HERE IN LAS VEGAS. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER DID RECALL WORK ON THE ENGINE, CHANGED THE TIMING BELTS AND AIR FILTER. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER BLAMED THE PROBLEM ON A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE STILL EXPERIENCED THE ENGINE CUTTING OUT. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM ESPECIALLY IN LAS VEGAS WHERE THE TRAFFIC IS INTENSE. I HAVE READ ONLINE AT A TDI FORUM THAT OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND THAT IT MAY BE DUE TO A FAULTY RELAY IN THE FUSE BOX. MR

• 09/30/1999· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  ALL 4 DOOR HANDLES WILL QUIT WORKING INTERMITTENLY , CONSUMER THEN WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN DOOR OR UNLOCK DOOR. DEALER HAS REPLACED ALL 4 HANDLES, BUT DEFECT KEEPS OCCURRING. *AK

• 09/29/1998· TIRES

  ORIGINAL TIRES ON VEHICLE GOODYEAR EAGLE GA M+ S SIZE 215-50R15 HAVE A FAILED RESULTING IN FLAT TIRES.

• 09/23/1997· STRUCTURE

  WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS THERE IS A LOUD CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE, IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH METAL IS CRACKING VERY LOUD. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO BODY: WHEEL WELL CRACKS. THE VEHICLE IS AT DEALERSHIP FOR PROLBEM. *AK

• 09/17/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  VEHICLE VOLKSWAGEN 1997 PASSAT GLX - V6 ENGINE. FULL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, DIGITAL CLOCK... EVERYTHING ON IT, DOES NOT OPERATE WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 50 DEGREES. CAR MUST BE DRIVEN FOR 10MIN., OR ABOUT 8-12 MILES, BEFORE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER RETURNS TO NORMAL FUCTION. CAR IS BEING DRIVEN WITHOUT FUNCTIONING SPEEDOMETER, AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE MY SPEED AND DOES NOT FEEL SAFE. THERE WERE NO SIGNIFICANT EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, EXCEPT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD MAKE A BUZZING NOISE WHEN CAR STARTED AND TRIP MILEAGE WOULD RESET. THIS STARTED A FEW MONTHS BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE BEGAN. THIS PROBLEM GETS WORSE AS TIME PASSES, AS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PROBLEM OCCURS IN WARMER WEATHER NOW. PROBLEM USED TO OCCUR WHEN TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 35 DEGREES. NOW HAPPENS AT 50 DEGREES. *TR

• 09/08/2005· TIRES

  DT: GOODYEAR TIRES EAGLE GPS , SIZE 195/60/R14 EXPERIENCED A LARGE CRACK IN THE SIDEWALL COMPLETELY AROUND LEFT FRONT TIRE RIM. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GOODYEAR DEALER, AND THEY URGED THE CONSUMER TO TAKE TIRE TO SEARS BECAUSE THESE TIRES CAME ON A USED VEHICLE, THESE WERE NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE CONSUMER WENT TO SEARS, WHO REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THERE WERE ONLY 1,000 MILES AND HARDLY ANY WEAR ON THEM. THE OTHER TIRES WERE ALSO CRACKED. THE SERVICE MAN AT SEARS ASKED THE CONSUMER TO RETURN THE NEXT DAY AND HE WOULD REPLACE THE OTHER TIRES. BUT WHEN CONSUMER RETURNED THE NEXT DAY A DIFFERENT PERSON WAS WORKING AND SAID THESE WERE NOT SEAR'S TIRES BUT SAMATAEA'S CLUB TIRES. THE CONSUMER WAS REFERRED TO SAMATAEA'S CLUB TO REPLACE ALL TIRES AND RETURN THE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED TIRE TO SEARS. SAMATAEA'S CLUB WOULD NOT HONOR THE TIRE WARRANTY BECAUSE THE CONSUMER WAS NOT A MEMBER, AND THAT WAS PART OF THEIR POLICY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED GOODYEAR, AND THEY SAID IT WAS UP TO SAMATAEA'S CLUB AS TO HOW THOSE TIRES SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE TIRES HAVE HARDLY ANY WEAR BUT CONTINUE TO CRACK. CURRENTLY ON THE SIDEWALL THE STEEL AND TREAD IS SHOWS THROUGH . NO ONE WILL REPLACE THESE TIRES AT THIS TIME. THE CONSUMER DOES PLAN TO REPLACE THESE TIRES, BUT FEELS HE SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. *AK

• 09/08/1999· VISIBILITY

  POWER WINDOW.

• 09/07/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  1997 VW PASSAT TDI. THE CAR HAD A "TV-12" RECALL, IN WHICH THE ECM AND INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED. WITHIN SIX (6) MONTHS, THE ECM WENT OUT AGAIN, AND VW "REFUSES" TO LIVE UP TO THE WARRANTY. 2) FAILURE OF THIS, DOES NOT DIMINISH IT'S "CRUSING" CAPACITY DOWN THE HIGHWAY. HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE NO POWER TO PASS SAFELY, AND MUCH LOSS OF POWER, WHEN ENTERING THE 'EXITS'. CONSEQUENTLY, A VERY POSSIBLE SITUATION RESULTS TO HAVE A TERRIBLE CRASH. VW KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND ONLY FIXES IT WHEN "THE CUSTOMER COMPLAINS". 3) THE ORIGINAL INTAKE WAS REPLACED, AND ECM. HOWEVER, VW WILL NOT PUT A 'NEW' ECM IN, RATHER, THEY PUT IN A "REBUILT" ONE. THIS IS PRONE TO HUMAN ERROR, AND THAT'S WHY MINE FAILED WITHIN FIVE (5) TO SIX (6) MONTHS. IT 'GOES OUT' CONSTANTLY. *JB

• 09/05/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  IGNITION SWITCH WORE OUT PREMATURELY. WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS AND OTHER ELECTRICAL PORTIONS HAD TURNED OFF, AFFECTING CONSUMER VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING LATE AT NIGHT. *AK

• 09/02/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OR HEADLIGHTS, THEY FAILED TO TURN ON. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

• 08/28/2003· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  ON AUGUST 16, 2003, WE WERE DRIVING ON THE NEW JERSEY PARKWAY IN OUR 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGON WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL BROKE. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC, HE CONFIRMED THAT THE CLUTCH WAS FINE BUT THAT THE PEDAL HAD BROKEN, A FAILURE HE HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

• 08/26/2002· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  3 DOOR LATCHES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY, AND CURRENTLY ARE COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE. HAVE TO PULL WITH EXTREME FORCE IN ORDER TO OPEN DOORS. *AK *YH

• 08/24/2001· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  CONSUMER STATES THE PIVOT AND PLUNGER PIVOT POINT OF THE DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES.*JB

• 08/17/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS

  AFTER PURCHASE IN 2/1997 ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FOUND TO BE CAUSED BY BAD IGNITION - IT WAS REPLACED. NOW HAVE TO REPLACE AGAIN B/C ENTIRE IGNITION MECHANISM IS DEFECTIVE. BAD WIRING UNDER THE REAR SEATS AND TRUNK CAUSED FUSES TO BLOW OUT REPEATEDLY LEAVING CAR INOPERABLE. THE SIDE MOLDINGS KEEP FALLING OFF.*AK

• 08/15/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE WHILE VEHICLE OPERATIONAL. SAME CONDITION WAS COVERED UNDER RECALL ON 1996 VW PASSAT MODELS, MANUFACTURER IS NOT OFFERING COVERAGE ON SAME BODY STYLE UNDER 1997 AND 1995 DESIGNATION. IMPACTED VEHICLE IS A 1997 VW PASSAT WAGON. *JB

• 08/13/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,PARKING BRAKE,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

  STARTED WITH AIRBAG LIGHT TURNING ON. A WEEK OR SO LATER THE PARKING BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS TURNED ON BUT ONLY FOR THE FIRST FEW MILES OF DRIVING. WHILE THESE WERE ON, THE AC FAN, WIPERS, AND HEADLIGHTS DO NOT OPERATE. THESE LIGHTS NOW STAY ON MOST OF THE TIME.

• 08/10/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCrash

  I WAS DRIVING MY 1997 PASSAT WHEN IT STARTED TO OVER HEAT. THE TEMPERATURE GAGE ROSE VERY QUICKLY AND I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE NEXT EXIT OFF OF THE FREEWAY ( 1/8 OF A MILE IN DISTANCE). WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GAGE REACHED 240 DEGREES MY RED DASHBOARD LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH. I DECIDED THAT I NEEDED TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY. WITHIN SECONDS, NOT MINUTES, I HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND, LIKE AN EXPLOSION. STEAM SHOT OUT AT MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER INSIDE THE CAR AND WE WERE SPRAYED WITH BOILING LIQUID ON OUR FEET AND LOWER LEGS. VISABLILITY WAS ALMOST ZERO FROM THE SPRAYING STEAM AS I SWERVED INTO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT. I TRIED TO COME TO A STOP IN THE NEAREST PARKING SPACE BUT I COULD NO LONGER KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAUSE MY FOOT WAS BEING SPRAYED WITH BOILING WATER. I THREW THE CAR INTO PARK AND TRIED TO GRAB THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT WE HAD ALREADY JUMPED THE PARKING SPACE CURB AND HIT A LARGE BUSH. THE ENTIRE FRONT INSIDE OF MY CAR IS DAMAGED FROM WATER AND COOLANT, AND THE FRONT OF MY CAR ON THE OUTSIDE HAS A DENT AND PUNCTURE IN THE BUMPER. THE MECHANIC THAT CAME TO MY AID TOLD ME THAT THE HEATER CORE HAD EXPLODED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD NOT NOTICED MY CAR OVER HEATING, AND I HAD STILL BEEN ON THE BUSY FREEWAY DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THIS EXPLOSION OCCURED! REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE. THE CAR IS AT A REPAIR SHOP. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NEXT.

• 08/04/1997· EQUIPMENT

  STOVE ON VEHICLE DOES NOT LIGHT AT HIGH ALTITUDES. 1

• 08/02/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  VEHICLE HAS A HESITATION PROBLEM AT SLOW OR HIGH SPEEDS. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLS AND THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER. *AK

• 07/19/2001· POWER TRAIN

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 07/17/2001· AIR BAGS,TIRES

  AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE CONSUMERS WERE CONCERNED WITH THE FACT THAT THE TIRES LOOKED DRY ROT AND THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF CRACKING RUBBER, ONE MONTH LATER ALL FOUR TIRES FAILED DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING, THERE WERE NO INJURIES, THE CAR WAS TOTALLED AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE GUARD RAIL THAT WAS HIT WHEN THE CAR LOST CONTROL AS A RESULT OF THE FLAT TIRES, NEITHER PASSENGER OR DRIVER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHEN THE VEHICLW HIT THE GUARD RAIL (GOODYEAR EAGLE GA 215 50R15). NLM

• 07/15/1997· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  DIESEL FUMES IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

• 06/19/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT, BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO MOVE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO TRAVEL INTO INTERSECTION. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT VACUUM LINE COMING OFF OF BOOSTER IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM RUPTURED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT VEHICLE CUTS OFF DUE TO THE FUEL SUPPLY RELAY BEING DEFECTIVE.*JB

• 06/09/2008· VISIBILITY

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE AND THE AIR CONDITIONING BEGAN TO BLOW HOT AIR. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED WATER LEAKING FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. HE BELIEVES THAT THE HEATER CORE MAY HAVE FAILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 157,000.

• 06/07/2007· VISIBILITY

  HEATER CORE FAILED- CLOUDING THE WINDOW TO A DEGREE THAT WE NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT BEFORE WE COULD GET THE CAR PULLED OVER.

• 06/03/2001· POWER TRAIN

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 06/03/1998· STEERING

  WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH AND WHEN TRYING TO TURN STEERING WHEEL, IT LOCKED UP. RACK AND PINION AND SOME OTHER PARTS WERE REPLACED BEFORE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

• 05/26/2006· VISIBILITY

  HOT COOLANT SUDDENLY STARTED COMING OUT OF THE VENTS AND CAUSED ALL THE WINDOWS TO FOG OVER. HAD TO PULL OF FREEWAY AND GET A TOW. NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. PROBLEM TURNS OUT TO BE A BAD HEATER CORE. HAD HEATER CORE BYPASSED BECAUSE OF THE COST OF THE REPAIR. *NM

• 05/23/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  LIGHTS, WIPERS AND HEATER FAN LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE, FIXING THE PROBLEM. THE IGNITION SWITCH PART NUMBER AS LISTED ON THE INVOICE (6NO-905-865) IS SIMILAR, IF NOT IDENTICAL, TO PART NUMBER 357-905-865 THAT FAILS IN THE 1996 VW PASSAT & JETTA, A VEHICLE SUBJECT TO A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SAME SYMPTOMS