2004 Volkswagen Passat

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

• 12/29/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE A BRAND NEW 2004 VW PASSAT TDI WAGON THAT HAS NO TAIL LIGHTS. SIGNALS WORK, BRAKE LIGHTS WORK BUT, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT AND REAR PARKING/DRIVING LIGHTS DON'T WORK. CAR HAS NO BURNED OUT BULBS OR FUSES. MY CONCERN IS IF THE CAR HAS WIRING HARNESS PROBLEMS, IS THIS SOMETHING THAT OTHERS HAVE HAPPENING. ALSO ON A RAINY DAY THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM IN THE SAME CAR FAILED BUT, WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED AND RESTARTED THE COMPUTER RESET AND PROBLEM DISAPPEARED. IS THIS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM? *NM

• 12/28/2013· VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

  THE PLASTIC CLIPS HOLDING THE WINDOW IN PLACE BROKE AND WINDOW FALLS DOWN. IT COSTS $350 TO REPLACE THE $1.50 CHEAP PLASTIC PART. *TR

• 12/28/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATSFire

  THE SEAT WARMER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STARTED A FIRE THAT BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT AND ONTO MY LEG. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY AND TURN OFF THE CAR FOR IT TO STOP BURNING. *TR

• 12/28/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  IN THE 2004 VW PASSAT TDI (DIESEL ENGINE) THE BALANCE SHAFT & OIL PUMP ARE DRIVEN BY A CHAIN. THE CHAIN FAILED AT 101,000 MILES AND STOPPED ENGINE LUBRICATION INSTANTLY. REQUIRED UNSAFE MANEUVER IN TRAFFIC TO GET OFF ROAD TO A SAFE STOPPING SPOT. *TR

• 12/28/2006· SEATSFire

  STARTED CAR, HEATED SEAT SETTING WAS ON 1 (LOWEST SETTING). ONE OF THE HEATERS MUST OF SHORTED, I FELT SOMETHING ON THE SIDE OF MY THIGH RIGHT AWAY BUT DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. WITHIN ONE MINUTE, NOTICED BURNING SMELL, SMOKING. LOOKED DOWN, SAW SMOKE AND SMALL FLAME. IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF SEAT HEATER, JUMPED OUT OF CAR. SEAT HAD BURN HOLE SIZE OF SILVER DOLLAR AND WAS HOT IN THAT AREA ONLY. SINCE IT WAS CHRISTMAS, I COULDN'T TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. WHEN I GOT INTO CAR LATER, EVEN THOUGH SEAT HEATER WAS OFF, I GOT A SMALL SHOCK WHEN I STARTED CAR. CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL AND WAS QUITE CONCERNED, BUT CAN'T REPLACE PARTS RIGHT AWAY (PARTS HAD TO BE BACK ORDERED FROM GERMANY). THEY DISCONNECTED THE HEATERS FOR ME BECAUSE I PREFER DRIVING MY CAR AROUND INSTEAD OF THE RENTAL THEY OFFERED. BUT WILL NOT BE REPLACING PASSENGER HEATING ELEMENT FOR ME. *NM

• 12/27/2010· SEATS

  HEATED SEAT COILS OVERHEATED AND BURNT SEAT ON DRIVER SIDE. *TR

• 12/27/2006· SEATS

  DRIVER SEAT HEATER SHORTED OUT AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER OF THE CAR SEAT. MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPLACE. *JB

• 12/21/2010· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  DRIVING ALONG CAME UP TO A STOP SIGN AND CAR SPUTTERED THEN DIES AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED TOWED TO DEALER. ADVISED OF BAD FUEL PUMP. $800.00 FOR REPAIR. SAME AS SEVERAL OTHER 2004 COMPLAINTS AND CHECKING TO SEE IF THIS SHOULD BE TIED TO THE 2003 RECALL. *TR

• 12/21/2005· STRUCTURE

  WHEN IT RAINS, WATER LEAKS INTO AND FLOODS THE FOOT WELL ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. *NM

• 12/20/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  MY 2004 VW PASSAT HAD 13,823 WHEN THE REAR BRAKE PADS COMPLETELY WORE OUT. THE FRONT HAVE ONLY WORN OUT 8% TO THIS DAY (12/20/04). FIRST, THE CAR PULSATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. SO, I PERSONALLY WENT TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS; WHICH WAS NO HELP. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WORNG. LATER, TO NO SUPRISE OF MINE; THERE WAS. THE BRAKE LAMPS TURNED ON AND DIDNT GO OFF. EVEN WITH THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF. WITH THIS, I WENT TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME MY REAR BRAKE PADS WERE WORN. AT THE DEALERS, THE REAR ROTORS WERE REPLACED FOR FREE, BUT THE PADS WERE NOT. THIS IS SIMPLY DISRESPECTFUL, AS I AM NOT A CRAZY DRIVER AND HAD TO PAY $220 TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE BRAKE PADS. *AK

• 12/17/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STOP WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WITHIN SECONDS, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO A MASSIVE OIL DEPOSIT. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

• 12/16/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE

  WE HAVE A 2002 AND A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SEDAN AND WAGON. BOTH HAVE SUFFERED MOTOR MOUNT LEAKAGE AND BOTH HAVE BROKEN WATER PUMP DISPELLERS. WE HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP PARTS AND ARE SAVING UP TO REPLACE MOUNTS ON BOTH VEHICLES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WEAK PART FOR VOLKSWAGEN. WE ARE CONSTANTLY GOING TO GET SOMETHING FIXED WHICH IS NOT A TYPICAL REPAIR FOR AUTOMOBILES FROM OTHER COMPANIES. *TR

• 12/15/2015· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT JERKED AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE AND COOLING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E007000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

• 12/15/2006· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  ODOR ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHEN THE RECIRCULATION BUTTON FOR THE A/C IS TURNED OFF. THE LOCAL DEALER ATTEMPTED, WITH OUR SUCCESS, 5 TIMES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ODOR WILL HAVE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS. *JB

• 12/15/2004· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BETWEEN 60-70 MPH VEHICLE WILL DOWN SHIFT. WHEN SITTING IN TRAFFIC VEHICLE WILL SURGE FORWARD. CONSUMER WAS VERY CONCERNED. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK WHEN DRIVING 65 THE VEHICLE WILL UPSHIFT OR DOWNSHIFT ON ITS OWN. *TC

• 12/14/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 VW PASSAT 1.8L TURBO HAS CAUSED IRREVERSIBLE ENGINE PROBLEMS. *TR

• 12/13/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I HAVE SENT INFORMATION REGARDING TO NHTSA ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO REGARDING MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT AND ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH OCCURRED SEPTEMBER 25, 2004 ON A MAJOR BRIDGE IN NEWPORT NEWS VA. MY CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA IS AWARE THAT THEY HAVE ENGINE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEMS (2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T ENGINES. HOWEVER, THERE POSITION IS THAT I NEGLECTED THE CAR. I HAVE HAD FOUR -FIVE OIL CHANGES. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO JOE PECHELES, GREENVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, AUGUST 25 DUE TO THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR BACK AUGUST 26, 2004. I DID SO. I WAS GIVEN MY CAR BACK AND TOLD THE OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED. THEREFORE, I THOUGHT MY CAR WAS IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION. I HAVE TALKED TO THE AREA SERVICE REPRESEENTATIVES AND I WAS TOLD VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. I WILL BE HAPPY TO FORWARD YOU CORRESPONDENCES. HOWEVER, I HAVE SENT YOU INFORMATION AS STATED.*AK

• 12/11/2014· ENGINEFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, AN UNUSUAL SOUND WAS HEARD AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD BECOME FRACTURED AND THE CAM SHAFT PULLEY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

• 12/10/2008· VISIBILITY

  MY LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT LIGHT KEPT CHIMING IN MY CAR EVEN THOUGH THE DOOR WAS SHUT. I RECENTLY TOOK MY VW PASSAT TO A DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A $400 COST. THE WIPER MOTOR THAT BROKE, WAS LEAKING FLUID INTO THE LOCK, WHICH I HAD TO REPLACE 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I NOTICED RECALLS FOR THE SAME PART IN NEWER MODELS. MY CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

• 12/09/2018· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IN THE CAR REGARDLESS OF BEING PARKED OR MOVING. NOTICED PUDDLE OF GAS ON THE GROUND UNDER THE FUEL TANK. FUEL WAS DRIPPING DOWN OFF THE FUEL TANK AND THE HEAT SHIELDS. FOLLOWED DRIP TO THE ROLLOVER VALVE NIPPLE WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE GAS TANK.

• 12/07/2006· TIRES

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THIS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER EACH TIME, WHO DETERMINED THE PASSENGER FRONT AND BOTH REAR TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE COOPER DOMINATOR P195/65R15.

• 12/05/2006· POWER TRAIN

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD A SLUGGISH RESPONSE WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING UPHILL, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

• 12/04/2009· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION. SUDDENLY, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR UNLATCHED WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE DOOR FAILED TO SECURE IN A CLOSED POSITION. WHENEVER THE POWER LOCK WAS ENGAGED THE DOOR OPENED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000. THE VIN WAS REJECTED FROM THE SYSTEM WHICH WILL BE UPDATED UPON RECEIPT OF THE SAFETY COMPLAINT FILING.

• 12/04/2006· SEATS

  2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI - SEAT HEATER WIRE IN PASSENGER SEAT, SIDE BOLSTER IGNITED SEAT MATERIAL. NO OPEN FLAME - POLYESTER MATERIAL SMOLDERED, PRODUCING A DIME-SIZED HOLE, THROUGH WHICH THE RED-HOT WIRE COULD BE SEEN. CAUSED PASSENGER DISCOMFORT, SPREAD SMELL OF SMOKE THROUGHOUT CABIN, ALARMED PASSENGERS AND DRIVERS. NO MEDICAL ATTENTION REQUIRED. *JB

• 12/01/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MY 2004 VW PASSAT HAS 23,700 MILES ON IT WHEN THE STOP ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. I HAD IT TOWED TO EAST COAST VW WHERE I HAD LEASED IT. THEY TOLD ME I HAVE THE WELL KNOWN 'ENGINE SLUDGE' PROBLEM AND IT WILL COST BETWEEN $2700 AND $5000 TO REPAIR IT. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED MY OIL CHANGE HISTORY DOCUMENTATION. I PRODUCED 5 INVOICES FOR THE TIME I HAD THE CAR (DEC. 3, 2003). I WAS TOLD MY INVOICES WERE NOT GOOD ENOUGH AND VW WILL NOT HONOR MY WARRANTY. *JB

• 11/30/2017· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  THE CAR DIED AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY ROAD, I WAS ABLE TO VEER THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS IT WAS ROLLING BEFORE IT STOPPED COMPLETELY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE AND AFTER TESTING ALL COMPONENTS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAR WASN'T GETTING ANY FUEL DUE A FAULTY FUEL PUMP.

• 11/30/2008· STRUCTURE

  WATER INTRUSION IN PASSENGER SIDE REAR FOOTWELL. ANYTIME IT RAINS. I HAVE CLEANED SUNROOF DRAINS, BATTERY COMPARTMENT DRAINS, CABIN FILTER AREA AND PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. *TR

• 11/29/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I OWN A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, WHICH I LEASE FROM VW. I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AT NO MORE THAN THREE MILES PER HOUR INTO THE STREET. AS I CUT THE WHEEL TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON MY SIDE OF THE TRAFFIC LANES, I RAN ASKEW OF THE DRIVEWAY AND OVER THE RISING EDGE WHERE THE DRIVEWAY RISES TO MEET THE CURB - A MERE 6". I HAVE PICTURES. I HEARD A FAINT SCRAPING NOISE AND LAMENTED THE FACT I SCRAPED THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR, BUT GIVEN THE MINISCULE HEIGHT OF THE DROP FROM MID-CURB EDGE TO THE STREET, I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT AND PROCEEDED TO MY DESTINATION AND THEN BACK HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE NEXT TIME I USED MY CAR I NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL AND WAS SHOCKED TO FIND THAT THE OIL PAN, WHICH WAS STRATEGICALLY ENGINEERED TO RESIDE AT THE LOWEST AND MOST SUSCEPTIBLE PLACE ON THE ENGINE, HAD THE TINIEST CRACK AND WAS LEAKING OIL. I CALLED VW TO INQUIRE ABOUT A NEW PART WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE OIL PAN IS ALUMINUM AND COST $158 FOR A NEW ONE, BUT THAT BECAUSE IT IS BOLTED TO THE VEHICLES SUB-FRAME IT WILL COST ME $650 IN LABOR TO REPAIR THE PART. NEARLY $800 TO FIX AN OIL PAN? THIS IS CLEARLY AN ATTEMPT BY VW TO EXTORT MORE MONEY FROM ITS CUSTOMERS. WHO WOULD DESIGN A VEHICLE IN SUCH A MANNER AS THIS OTHERWISE? TO PLACE AN ALUMINUM OIL PAN AT THE LOWEST POINT OF THE ENGINE WITH NO PROTECTION IS CRIMINAL. LUCKILY I NOTICED THIS LEAK, BUT OTHERS WHO MAY BE LESS OBSERVANT COULD EASILY RUPTURE THIS OIL PAN AS INNOCUOUSLY AS I DID AND FAILING TO NOTICE THE LEAK, CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR AS IT LEAKS OIL - POTENTIALLY BURNING UP THE MOTOR AND CAUSING DANGEROUS ENGINE FIRES OR WORSE, THE ENGINE SEIZING AT HIGH SPEEDS. I CONTACTED VW ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THAT THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME RECOUP THE COSTS OF THIS REPAIR. THIS CAR HAS A MAJOR SAFETY FLAW THAT COULD MAKE MILLIONS OF MOTORISTS SUSCEPTIBLE TO SERIOUS HARM AND I HOPE THAT THE NHTSA WILL FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND HELP SAVE ANY FUTURE LOSS OF MONEY OR LIFE. *JB

• 11/28/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

• 11/25/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM MY HOUSE CAR INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL PRESSURE ISSUE AND DISPLAYED "STOP ENGINE". PROCEEDED TO DRIVE HOME AND LET THE CAR COOL OFF AND CHECKED OIL LEVEL. OIL LEVEL WAS FINE, BASED ON THE DIP STICK. STARTED THE CAR UP AND THE CAR WAS VERY LOUD AND EXHIBITED A ROUGH AND IRREGULAR IDLE. "STOP ENGINE" INDICATOR CAME ON AGAIN. DID RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER ISSUES WITH EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE. ISSUE APPARENTLY SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT REPAIR SHOP AND I HAVE NO FAITH THAT THIS WILL BE RESOLVED IN A POSITIVE WAY (IE NOT COSTING ME AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY) AS APPARENTLY THERE IS A DESIGN ISSUE WITH THIS ENGINE AND MANUFACTURER, REPAIR SHOP RECOMMENDED CHANGING THE OIL FILTER AND OIL, YET THE MOST RECENT OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED JUST ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO. NEXT THEY ARE RECOMMENDING THAT THEY TAKE THE OIL PAN OUT AND LOOK FOR "REPAIRABLE CULPRITS", WHICH I BELIEVE IS JUST NONSENSE AS I'M SURE THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THEY'VE DEALT WITH THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE. THIS IS A CASH COW FOR THE REPAIR SHOPS/DEALERS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IF ANY RECOURSE I HAVE. I'VE SEEN OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AS WELL, HAS VOLKSWAGEN ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE? I'VE STUCK WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED SERVICE INTERVAL AND PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS, SO I AM AT A LOSS IF THIS IS NOT BEING INVESTIGATED AS SOME FORM OF NEGLIGENCE ON VW'S PART. *TR

• 11/21/2006· FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

  I HAVE A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0L TDI DIESEL CAR. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP STARTED LEAKING DIESEL FUEL ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I CHECKED ON-LINE TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. AFTER CHECKING ON-LINE I LEARNED THAT THERE WAS IN FACT A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED BOTH VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND A LOCAL DEALER. BOTH INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT THAT THE VIN NUMBER ON MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. I HAD TO HAVE THE PUMP REPLACED AT A COST OF $750.00. I BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM INCURRED IS THE SAME PROBLEM FROM THE RECALL AND THAT THE DEFECTIVE PART INCLUDES MORE THAN JUST THE VIN NUMBER VEHICLES THAT VOLKSWAGEN ADMITS. WHEN I HAD THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACED, I ADVISED THAT I WANTED TO OLD PUMP. I HAVE THE OLD PUMP IN MY POSSESSION. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE MORE VEHICLES THAN INDICATED IN THE RECALL THAT MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE POSSIBLE FIRE PROBLEMS THAT COULD BE CAUSED. I BELIEVE THAT THIS REPAIR SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY VOLKSWAGON. *NM

• 11/21/2006· SEATSFire

  WIFE WAS DRIVING 2004 VW PASSAT SEDAN WITH HEATED SEATS TURNED ON. SHE FELT A SHARP BURNING IN THE SIDE OF HER LEG THAT SLOWLY INTENSIFIED. AS SHE LOOKED DOWN AT HER LEG SHE SAW FLAMES COMING OUT FROM A DIME SIZED HOLE. THE SEAT WAS DAMAGED AND HER LEG WAS BURNED. *NM

• 11/19/2012· POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE

  POWER TRAIN ISSUE: BAD TORQUE CONVERTER (TC). WHY A SAFETY ISSUE? IT CAN FAIL WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY SENDING DEBRIS INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. CAUSED BY A BAD SEAL GASKET. TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 2011908 ADDRESS THE ISSUE IN 2007. BUT THE TDIS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE TB [SAME TC & TRANSMISSION], AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN MANY VW, AUDI AND BMW VEHICLES, INCLUDING TDIS. E.G. VW & AUDI: HTTP://KANSASCITYTDI.COM/AUDIPASSAT-P0741-17125-CODE/ BMW: HTTP://FORUMS.BIMMERFORUMS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=1601642 WITH A P0741 ERROR: DTC RESULTS: 17125 P0741 003 TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH CIRC. PERFORMANCE OR STUCK OFF INTERMITTENT IF YOU DO A WEB SEARCH FOR: P0741 ERROR CODE TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER THE RESULTS ARE STARTLING, IT SEEMS THAT VW, AUDI AND BMW ALL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH TCS, "MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE INTERNAL TC SEALS WERE NOT UP TO THE TASK ON THE ORIGINAL TCS OF THAT ERA. ...INCLUDING AUDI". HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM/SHOWPOST.PHP?P=3036384&POSTCOUNT=5 "IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT ADDRESSED THEN THE TRANSMISSION WILL OVER HEAT DUE TO THE SLIPPAGE AND YOU WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION." HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM/SHOWPOST.PHP?P=3038540&POSTCOUNT=11 IT SEEMS THAT THIS SHOULD OF BEEN FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR NON-DIESEL VEHICLES SERVICE BULLETIN: 2011908. THE TC IS THE SAME IN ALL B5 MODELS. HTTP://WWW.IMPORTDRIVETRAIN.COM/AUTOTRANSCROSSREF.HTML#VOLKSWAGEN SO WHY WAS THE TDI S NOT COVERED? ------------------------------------ BODY: DOORS: WON'T UNLOCK FROM OUTSIDE BY REMOTE OR UNLOCK BUTTON FROM INSIDE. *TR

• 11/18/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGSCrash

  I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AROUND 40 MPH IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES IN THE AFTERNOON AND I WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN. I PRESSED THE BRAKES HARD BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP AND I TRIED TO SWERVE TO THE SHOULDER BUT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM. I REAR-ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS PUZZLED AND BEWILDERED WHY THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKES. I COULD SEE MYSELF APPROACHING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND WONDERING WHY I AM NOT STOPPING BUT AT THE SAME TIME TRYING TO SWERVE TOWARDS THE SHOULDER. THE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO PASSENGER. *TR

• 11/17/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  2004 PASSAT 1.8T CAUGHT FIRE AFTER A COIL PACK FAILED AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED. I ONLY DROVE 5 MILES AFTER THE COIL PACK FAILED TRYING TO LIMP BACK TO THE DEALER WHEN THE FIRE STARTED. I PUT THE FIRE OUT MYSELF. *TR

• 11/16/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

  ABS UNIT FAILURE OF 2004 VW PASSAT MY ABS MODULE KEEPS FLASHING A BRAKE FAILURE ON MY DASHBOARD. I DON'T KNOW HOW SAFE IT IS TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH A FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH. SEEING HOW THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE SHOULDN'T THE MANUFACTURE FIX THIS BRAKE PROBLEM UNDER A RECALL? *TR

• 11/16/2009· POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE

  2005 PASSAT WAGON - 38000 MILES BLOCKED DRAINS AROUND THE SUNROOF CAUSED RAIN WATER TO LEAK INTO THE FLOOR BOARDS OF THE CAR. THE BUILD-UP OF WATER CAUSED THE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE) TO MALFUNCTION. THE (AUTOMATIC) CAR WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN ONLY WITH HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN GEARS AND NOW WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. (UNDRIVABLE). REPLACEMENT OF THE TCM WILL COST $3210. THE CAR WAS A GARAGED CAR UP UNTIL A FEW MONTHS AGO. IT WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE DRAIN TUBES CAN GET CLOGGED WITH "ONE LEAF" AND THE NEXT RAIN CAN CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED TO PARK IN A COVERED AREA AND NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAW THAT ONE LEAF FOLLOWED BY ANY RAIN CAN CAUSE THE TCM TO FAIL AND NEED REPLACING. *TR

• 11/09/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTINGCrash

  KNOWN ISSUE "VIBRATING HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY", DESPITE NUMEROUS REPAIRS AT DEALERSHIP CONTINUES TO VIBRATE CAUSING REPEATED HEADLAMP BULB FAILURE. ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR

• 11/09/2004· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH CLUTCH FAILED. VEHICLE LOST POWER. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 11/08/2016· SEATS

  MY CAR WAS PART OF A RECALL BECAUSE THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER WAS OVERHEATING AND MELTING THROUGH THE SEAT. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL AND THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED. BUT YESTERDAY I HAD THAT EXACT ISSUE - WITHIN 4 TO 5 MINUTES OF TURNING ON MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER IT BURNED/MELTED THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED ME.

• 11/06/2020· SEATS

  WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, THE DRIVER SEAT SUDDENLY OVERHEATED (THE SEAT WARMER WAS TURNED ON). IT STARTED WITH A BURNING SMELL. EXCESSIVE HEAT BURNED MY LEG A BIT (SOME SKIN REDNESS), BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT IS HAPPENING AND TURNED THE SEAT WARMER OFF. THE SEAT LEATHER NOW APPEARS STIFF AND WRINKLED (NOT SOFT AND SMOOTH LIKE THE REST OF THE LEATHER) IN THE AREA WHERE I FELT THE HEAT.

• 11/03/2004· POWER TRAIN

  CLUTCH FAILED THREE TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. CONSUMER FIRST HAD IT REPLACED AT 3000 MILES. THE SECOND TIME AT 30,000 MILES, AND THEN AT 40,000 MILES.*AK

• 10/28/2004· TIRES

  A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER CHANGED THE TIRE, AND DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE STEMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

• 10/27/2008· CHILD SEAT

  WEBBING INSTALLED INCORRECTLY THROUGH ADJUSTOR ON LATCH ON BOTH SIDES, WEBBING INSTALLED TWISTED MAKING ADJUSTMENT OF LATCH DIFFICULT (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2004, MAKE=VOLKSWAGEN, MODEL=PASSAT). *TR

• 10/27/2005· SEATSFire

  TURNED ON SEAT HEATER TO 1 WHILE WAITING FOR CAR TO WARM UP. NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND FELT A HOT BURNING SENSATION ON MY BUTTOCKS. TURNED OFF SEAT HEATER AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THERE WAS A 5/8' HOLE BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT WITH SOME SMOKE STILL COMING OUT OF IT. THE SEAT HEATER HAD BEEN ON LESS THAN 1 MINUTE. WILL CONTACT DEALER LATER TODAY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. CW. *NM

• 10/26/2010· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH HE SMELLED FUMES IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO TESTED THE VEHICLE LEAKS AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE WAS LEAKING DUE TO A FRACTURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT NHTSA RECALL #08V15600; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY AND VWOA RECALL NO. 26E5/R5 WERE RELATED TO THE FAILURE; YET, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

• 10/26/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE SLUDGE PROBLEM THAT IS COMMON IN VOLKSWAGEN 1.8 4 CYLINDER ENGINES HAS HAPPENED TO OUR CAR. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE PROBLEM BUT VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO HONOR THE WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE JUMPED THROUGH EVERY HOOP THEY CAN THINK OF. THE LAST ONE IS THAT THEY WANTED THE VIN NUMBER PRINTED OUT ON EVERY OIL CHANGE RECEIPT. *TR

• 10/25/2007· VISIBILITY

  REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES HAVE A SPECIALIZED ATTACHMENT AND ARE ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH VOLKSWAGEN NEW CAR DEALERS. THE BLADES ARE ALSO EASILY BENT BY SNOW BRUSHES, SCRAPERS AND THE LIKE. THE DIFFICULTY AND INCONVENIENCE OF OBTAINING REPLACEMENTS OF THIS CRITICAL SAFETY PART CAUSES VISIBILITY PROBLEMS AND AN UNKNOWN NUMBER OF WRECKS. THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT IS THE APPROXIMATE DATE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM VOLKSWAGEN. *TR

• 10/23/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH KEEPS FAILING. IT CAUSES THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL TO BE DISABLED AND KEEPS THE STOP LIGHTS ON, EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED. I'VE HAD THE BRAKE LIKE SWITCH REPLACED 6 TIMES NOW OVER THE PAST 2.5 YEARS. *NM

• 10/21/2008· VISIBILITY

  MY A/C BLOWER MOTOR WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO AND MOST OF THE TIME WHEN IT'S HOT IT DOES NOT BLOW. THE BLOWER MOTOR WILL START ON IT'S OWN SOMETIMES DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. OR IF I GO THROUGH A CAR WASH (DRYING CYCLE WITH THE BLOWER) IT WILL START UP. I HAD IT AT 2 VW SHOPS AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR