1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Recalls, Complaints & Safety

Just as I parked, the explosive seatbelt retractor for the rear passenger seat activated. There was a loud pop from the charge and the plastic seatbelt alignment clip flew off, and smoke came out from around the seatbelt. Had the vehicle been in motion there would have been a very serious safety hazard from the distraction, and if someone was in the back, there was the clip that flew off that could have struck them. No one was in the seat at the time of the incident. The seatbelt is now stuck in the retracted position. The component has not been inspected. There were no warning lamps before or after the failure. The climate control system does have an error and is not cooling. The error is for the A/C pressure sensor, so it does not seem related. I do have an appointment for the climate control system, so I can have the component inspected by the service center. Ambient temperature was approx 85F at the time of the incident. The sunroof was set to vent position while driving, and the climate control system fan was operating so interior temp should have been around 85F as well.

I WOS DRIVING FROM WORK TO HOME I TOOK THE PARKWAY I WOS GOING 60 MILES THEN IN HIS OWN THE CAR STARTING INCREASING SPEED SO I MOVE THE SHOULDER I PUT THE CAR NEUTRAL AND STOP THE CAR.THE TOOK ME 3 TRY TO THE CAR GO BACK TO NORMAL. I DONT KNOW IF THIS CAR GOT I RECALL.

AFTER STARTING AND BEGINNING MOTION THERE'S A SLOWING IN MOTION AS THOUGH THE BRAKES HAD BEEN SLIGHTLY TAPPED OR AS THOUGH THE ABS HAD TOLD THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER TO SLOW DOWN. GAS CONSUMPTION WAS 16MPG. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS ONE TECH LISTENED TO ME, ADJUSTED THE 'FEEDBACK' FROM ABS TO THE TRANSMISSION MODULE COMPUTER AND THE SENSATION OF BRAKED SLOWING WAS GONE! AND THE GAS CONSUMPTION BECAME 19MPG! SEVERAL YEARS LATER MY DOOR LOCKS SHORTED OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER DESTROYING TWO BATTERIES. THE TECH THEN REPORTED THAT HE HAD REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO 'FACTORY SPECS' AT THAT POINT THE 'SLOWING (BRAKED)' PROBLEM RECURRED AND THE GAS CONSUMPTION DROPPED BACK TO 16 MPG. HOW CAN I GET THE CAR READJUSTED TO GET RID OF THE 'SLOWING' PROBLEM AND RETURN TO 19MPG GAS USAGE??? [XXX] , [XXX] MY DEALER IS :CARTER VOLKSWAGEN,SEATTLE, WA MY E-MAIL IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FELL PARTIALLY INTO THE DOOR WHILE OPERATING WINDOW POWER CONTROL DURING DRIVING OPERATION ON HIGHWAY. UPON REACHING THE DESTINATION AND TOUCHING THE WINDOW POWER CONTROL, THE WINDOW COMPLETELY FELL DOWN INTO THE DOOR. THIS EVENT IS THE SECOND TIME IT'S HAPPENED ON THIS VEHICLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING A ROUTINE SERVICE PERFORMED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE WATER PUMP WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.

PASSAT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNDER NO PRESSURE TO PEDAL. PASSAT STARTED TO ACCELERATE FAIRLY SLOWLY BUT STEADILY AT FIRST, THEN IT INCREASED. IT WASN'T POSSIBLE TO DECELERATE/NO PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL STOPPED THE ACCELERATION. IT BEGAN TO REACH AN UNSAFE SPEED THEN I BEGAN TO DOWNSHIFT AND TO APPLY THE BRAKE IN SEQUENCE TO SLOW THE PASSAT, THEN I TRIED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO COAST IT ONTO THE SHOULDER, BUT THE SPEED REMAINED TOO HIGH TO HALT THE CAR. HAVING NO OTHER WAY TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, I STARTED TO DOWNSHIFT AND TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BREAKS, AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE ENOUGH AFTER SEVERAL MILES OF DOWNSHIFTING AND RIDING THE BREAKS TO REACH A POINT AT WHICH I COULD SHIFT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, THEN BEGAN COASTING IT UP A LONG DRIVEWAY WHILE THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE AND REV. I THEN DROPPED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BREAK, THEN FORCED THE TRANS INTO PARK AND SHUT THE PASSAT OFF. THE FRONT BREAKS WERE BOTH GLOWING, WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAVING BURST INTO FLAMES AS A RESULT OF THE FRICTION AND HEAT FROM HAVING RIDDEN THEM FOR SEVERAL MILES. SHOP THAT EXAMINED THE PASSAT ASSESSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED AND WASN'T COMMUNICATING WITH THE MAIN ON-BOARD COMPUTER, AND THAT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM HAD BEEN SEEN BEFORE ON OTHER VOLKSWAGEN MODELS OF THE SAME ERA. TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THAT HE'D SEEN THIS FAILURE. IT APPARENTLY USUALLY RESULTS IN THE CAR COMING TO A STOP ALTHOUGH THERE ARE OTHER CASES CUSTOMERS REPORTED THAT RESULTED IN THE UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION THAT I EXPERIENCES. THE BREAKS AND OTHER INTERNAL COMPONENTS WERE SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT/THROTTLE BODY FAILURE, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SCRAPPED. SOMEONE SHOULD RESEARCH THIS FURTHER AS THIS IS A POTENTIALLY FATAL ISSUE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF ANY FURTHER INFORMATION IS REQUIRED TO INVESTIGATE. *TR

Fire

PASSAT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNDER NO PRESSURE TO PEDAL. PASSAT STARTED TO ACCELERATE FAIRLY SLOWLY BUT STEADILY AT FIRST, THEN IT INCREASED. IT WASN'T POSSIBLE TO DECELERATE/NO PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL STOPPED THE ACCELERATION. IT BEGAN TO REACH AN UNSAFE SPEED THEN I BEGAN TO DOWNSHIFT AND TO APPLY THE BRAKE IN SEQUENCE TO SLOW THE PASSAT, THEN I TRIED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO COAST IT ONTO THE SHOULDER, BUT THE SPEED REMAINED TOO HIGH TO HALT THE CAR. HAVING NO OTHER WAY TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, I STARTED TO DOWNSHIFT AND TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BREAKS, AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE ENOUGH AFTER SEVERAL MILES OF DOWNSHIFTING AND RIDING THE BREAKS TO REACH A POINT AT WHICH I COULD SHIFT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, THEN BEGAN COASTING IT UP A LONG DRIVEWAY WHILE THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE AND REV. I THEN DROPPED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BREAK, THEN FORCED THE TRANS INTO PARK AND SHUT THE PASSAT OFF. THE FRONT BREAKS WERE BOTH GLOWING, WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAVING BURST INTO FLAMES AS A RESULT OF THE FRICTION AND HEAT FROM HAVING RIDDEN THEM FOR SEVERAL MILES. SHOP THAT EXAMINED THE PASSAT ASSESSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED AND WASN'T COMMUNICATING WITH THE MAIN ON-BOARD COMPUTER, AND THAT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM HAD BEEN SEEN BEFORE ON OTHER VOLKSWAGEN MODELS OF THE SAME ERA. TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THAT HE'D SEEN THIS FAILURE. IT APPARENTLY USUALLY RESULTS IN THE CAR COMING TO A STOP ALTHOUGH THERE ARE OTHER CASES CUSTOMERS REPORTED THAT RESULTED IN THE UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION THAT I EXPERIENCES. THE BREAKS AND OTHER INTERNAL COMPONENTS WERE SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT/THROTTLE BODY FAILURE, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SCRAPPED. SOMEONE SHOULD RESEARCH THIS FURTHER AS THIS IS A POTENTIALLY FATAL ISSUE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF ANY FURTHER INFORMATION IS REQUIRED TO INVESTIGATE. *TR

Fire

PASSAT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNDER NO PRESSURE TO PEDAL. PASSAT STARTED TO ACCELERATE FAIRLY SLOWLY BUT STEADILY AT FIRST, THEN IT INCREASED. IT WASN'T POSSIBLE TO DECELERATE/NO PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL STOPPED THE ACCELERATION. IT BEGAN TO REACH AN UNSAFE SPEED THEN I BEGAN TO DOWNSHIFT AND TO APPLY THE BRAKE IN SEQUENCE TO SLOW THE PASSAT, THEN I TRIED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO COAST IT ONTO THE SHOULDER, BUT THE SPEED REMAINED TOO HIGH TO HALT THE CAR. HAVING NO OTHER WAY TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, I STARTED TO DOWNSHIFT AND TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BREAKS, AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE ENOUGH AFTER SEVERAL MILES OF DOWNSHIFTING AND RIDING THE BREAKS TO REACH A POINT AT WHICH I COULD SHIFT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, THEN BEGAN COASTING IT UP A LONG DRIVEWAY WHILE THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE AND REV. I THEN DROPPED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BREAK, THEN FORCED THE TRANS INTO PARK AND SHUT THE PASSAT OFF. THE FRONT BREAKS WERE BOTH GLOWING, WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAVING BURST INTO FLAMES AS A RESULT OF THE FRICTION AND HEAT FROM HAVING RIDDEN THEM FOR SEVERAL MILES. SHOP THAT EXAMINED THE PASSAT ASSESSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED AND WASN'T COMMUNICATING WITH THE MAIN ON-BOARD COMPUTER, AND THAT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM HAD BEEN SEEN BEFORE ON OTHER VOLKSWAGEN MODELS OF THE SAME ERA. TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THAT HE'D SEEN THIS FAILURE. IT APPARENTLY USUALLY RESULTS IN THE CAR COMING TO A STOP ALTHOUGH THERE ARE OTHER CASES CUSTOMERS REPORTED THAT RESULTED IN THE UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION THAT I EXPERIENCES. THE BREAKS AND OTHER INTERNAL COMPONENTS WERE SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT/THROTTLE BODY FAILURE, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SCRAPPED. SOMEONE SHOULD RESEARCH THIS FURTHER AS THIS IS A POTENTIALLY FATAL ISSUE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF ANY FURTHER INFORMATION IS REQUIRED TO INVESTIGATE. *TR

Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, FUEL FUMES EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, FUEL WAS DISCOVERED LEAKING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SUB FRAME. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

CAR WAS HAVING A FOUL ODOR. DEALER DID NOT HAVE INFORMATION FOR OTHER COMPLAINTS. AFTER WORK, CAR WOULD NOT START, ALARM WOULD NOT STOP. ALARM KILLED BATTERY. DEALER SAID LEAK IN SUNROOF CAUSED MODULE TO CORRODE AND LEAK INTO INTERIOR. $1,440.00 TO REPAIR. PROBLEM IS IDENTIFIED IN CLASS ACTION BUT OUR CAR IS NOT INCLUDED. I AM LEASING A CAR FOR MY SON TO DRIVE BUT NOW HIS DAUGHTER HAS ECZEMA AND ASTHMA FROM THE MOLD. HOW CAN I GET VW TO FIX MY CAR TOO? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS IN ACTIVATION, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY BECAME DIM. THE CONTACT DECELERATED TO 40 MPH DUE TO THE DISTORTION OF HIS VISIBILITY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT BOTH PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES EXHIBITED A BROWN FILM AND OXIDATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

PURCHASE VEHICLE ON NOVEMBER 23,2012 AFTER GETTING THE MECHANICS APPROVAL THAT IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE (OIL PRESSURE LIGHT WAS ON) SUPPOSEDLY THE VEHICLE PASSED EMISSIONS,AND DROVE 17 MILES AWAY FROM DEALERSHIP APPLE AUTO IN WALLINGFORD,CT WHEN THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. NO POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP AT MY EXPENSE. *TR

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY , THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN , I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY I SEEN SMOKE I OPENED THE HOOD AND IT WAS ON FIRE. I CALLED POLICE AND FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT THE FANS ARE MELTED AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE IS BURNED , I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT COULD HAVE STARTED THE FIRE THE VEHICLE IS TAKEN CARE OF AND THERE'S NO WARNING LIGHTS ON , ON THE DASH. *TR

Fire

CARS ABS MODULE HAS FAILED, AND CANT AFFORD THE ESTIMATED PRICE OF 1500$ TO GET IT REPAIRED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND STEPPED ON MY BRAKES. I NOTICED MY CAR WAS NOT STOPPING AND THE BRAKE WAS VERY LOW TO THE FLOOR. I GOT SO SCARED. THANK GOD I WAS GOING AT A VERY VERY SLOW SPEED. MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME FLASHING ON AND BEEPING LIKE CRAZY. THIS CAR SEEMS TO BE A LEMON LATELY. I ALREADY HAVE ISSUES WHEN I START MY CAR. AT TIMES IT JUST DOESN'T START SO I HAVE TO KEEP THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND WAIT ABOUT 35 SECONDS AND FINALLY THE CAR TURNS OVER. ALSO I HAVE GRAY SMOKE THAT COMES OUT OF MY TAIL PIPE UPON DRIVING AT TIMES. ALSO MY SUN ROOF, THE MATERIAL GOT CAUGHT AND ITS ALL RIPPED. AND. MY OIL DISAPPEARS ON ME. I CAN PUT TWO NEW QUARTS OF OIL IN MY CAR WITH IN TWO WEEKS ITS GONE BONE DRY WITH NO OIL LEAKS. VERY VERY WEIRD. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME OUT. ARE THERE ANY RECALLS FOR ANY OF THIS. I ALREADY BOUGHT ROTORS, BRAKE PADS FOR THE BACK BRAKES AND BUYING CALIPERS THIS WEEK. NOW THIS HAPPENS WHERE I HAVE NO BRAKES. I AM SO DEPRESSED ABOUT THIS. PLEASE HELP ME! I COULD OF GOTTEN INTO A BAD ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED ON ME TODAY. GO VOLKSWAGEN. UNREAL. :( *KB

WHEN WE BOUGHT IT THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON AND BRAKE LIGHT BLINKS, WHEN BAKING UP TO THE LEFT IT CLICKS. *TT

WAS DRIVING MY 1999 VW PASSAT. WHILE IN MOTION THE DRIVER SEAT STEEL BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE SEAT IN PLACE SHEARED OFF. I WAS THEN FLIPPED 180 DEGREES BACK INTO THE REAR SEAT. LOST CONTROL OF STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES SINCE IT FLIPPED ME. CONTACTED VW TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS SINCE THE PART IS NOT EXPOSED TO WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE STEEL SHOULD NOT SHEAR OFF LIKE THAT. VW STATED NO RECALL AND THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR REPAIR DUE THE AGE OF CAR AND NO WARRANTY. I HAD IT REPAIRED AT VW SERVICE CENTER ($860) SINCE NEEDED A CAR FOR TRANSPORTATION. I HAVE THE DEFECTED PART AND PICTURES. SENT UP COMPLAINT TO VW AMERICA AND THEY SAID THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT BUT NOT ABLE TO KEEP ME POSTED, LEAVING ME TO FEEL THAT THEY MIGHT NOT SEE THE URGENCY TO THIS TERRIBLE INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED TO ME. IF MY TODDLER KIDS WERE IN THE CAR I COULD HAVE CRUSHED THEIR LEGS WHEN THE DRIVER CHAIR FLIPPED. MY HUSBAND AND I REALLY COULD HAVE DIED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE PRIOR, AND BOTH OCCURRENCES TOOK PLACE DURING RAINY WEATHER. THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WATER DAMAGE. TWO YEARS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAILED AGAIN AFTER A STORM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,859 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

WATER IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE, FROM ANY SOURCE (INCLUDING THE SUNROOF DRAINS THAT WERE RECALLED BUT NOT EFFECTIVELY FIXED) OR SNOW FROM BOOTS THAT HAS MELTED... DRAINS TO THE LOWEST POINT, WHICH IS WHERE VW PUT THE TCM (AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT HIGHLY SENSITIVE TO MOISTURE) THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO SLAM INTO LIMP MODE AT 65 MPH WITH 2 KIDS IN THE BACK SEAT. VOLKSWAGEN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS ARE THOUSANDS OF 1500$ POORER VW OWNERS WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE TCM AND HOPE THAT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

1999 VW PASSAT GLX ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND WOULD NOT STOP WHEN BRAKES WERE PRESSED OR CAR WAS PUT INTO NEUTRAL. CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND SPEED KEPT INCREASING. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY PRESSING THE BRAKES. CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. *TR

VW PASSATS 1.8 TURBO I OWNER TWO VW PASSATS AND JUST RECEIVED A SLUDGE NOTICE BUT ON THESETTLEMENT STATES THAT 10 YEAR WARRANTY STARTED THE DAY THE CAR LEFT THE DEALER WHAT HAPPENS TO US THAT ARE CARS HAVE 135 K AND JUST FOUND OUT THAT IS WHAT IS CAUSING MY LITE TO BE ON AND THE MOTOR TO MAKE LOUD NOISE AND I BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR A LONG TIME ALWAYS CHANGING THE OIL BEFORE THE 5000 AND STOPPING THE CAR FOR HOURS AT A TIME FOR THE NOISE OF THE ENGINE TO GO AND THE LIGHT TO GO OFF SAME THINK IS HAPPENING TO MY OTHER 2001 VW PASSAT 1.8 T VIN# [XXX] CAN YOU HELP US BECAUSE I AM SURE WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES AT THE END OF THE VW STICK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

MY 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS BAD IGNITION COILS. MY SON WAS DRIVING THE PASSAT. WHEN HE GOT HOME FROM SCHOOL HE INFORMED ME THE CAR WAS SLUGGISH AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS BLINKING. I WENT OUT AND DROVE IT TO SEE WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT. I NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT IF I DROVE IT, IT COULD CATCH FIRE. IT DIDN'T. I WAS TOLD THAT AFTER THE DISCOVERY OF BAD COILS. THAT WAS WHEN A FAMILY FRIEND LOOKED AT IT AND TOLD ME THAT IT HAD BAD IGNITION COILS. FORTUNATELY SCHOOL IS ONLY A MILE AWAY. I WAS TOLD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MY NEAREST DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR (EACH COIL COSTING OVER $100 TO REPLACE - NOT INCLUDING LABOR) BECAUSE THE ENGINE COULD CATCH FIRE IF I DROVE IT. I CHECKED ONLINE AND I SEE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. I SAW VW IS DOING A VOLUNTARY RECALL BUT ON 2001-2007. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH THIS WAS GOING TO COST ME THEY EVEN TOLD ME THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING ALL 4 (IT IS A 4 CYL) BECAUSE IF EVEN ONE IS BAD, THE OTHERS WILL FOLLOW. THIS IS NOT JUST ME. THIS IS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME YEAR SAME MODEL AS MINE. ALL SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS THE IGNITION PACK. THAT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM PEOPLE AS WELL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS CAR MANUFACTURE CAN PUT PARTS OUT THERE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED POTENTIAL HARM TO MY SON. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. AND THEY WANT ME TO GO IN AND PAY FOR ALL OF THIS, WHEN THEY PUT THOSE BAD PARTS IN THE CAR. *TR

ABS LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, BLINKING AND THE BRAKE LIGHT BLINKING ARE SIMULTANEOUSLY ON. I CAN HEAR BEEPING AND THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT TURNS OFF (BUT THE FAN STILL RUNS) WHEN APPROACHING A COMPLETE STOP, THEN THE OIL LIGHT STOPS BLINKING THEN WHEN ACCELERATING, I CAN HEAR THE AC UNIT CLICK BACK ON AND THE OIL LIGHT STARTS BLINKING AGAIN. MAJOR RECALL NEEDED FROM OTHER SIMILAR RESPONSES ONLINE. *TR

ABS MODULE FAILED ON 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. ABS NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. *TR

I HAD MY CAR DIAGNOSED AT THE VW DEALER, AND THEY SAID THERE ARE EMISSION PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE RECALL I RECENTLY FOUND ON MY CAR, WHEN I CALLED THE NUMBER ON THE RECALL, VW CUSTOMER SERVICE INSISTED I WAS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER HADN'T BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS CAR REGULARLY SMOKES, LETS OFF HUGE SMOG CLOUDS WHEN I PUT GAS AND IS A FIRE RISK ACCORDING TO THEIR RECALL. I DON'T DRIVE IT BECAUSE I'M AFRAID IT IS GOING TO EXPLODE INTO FLAMES. *TR

WINTER 2008-2009 HAD SEVERAL TIMES WHEN CAR WOULD ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN. BRAKES DID NOT HELP. ONLY WAY TO STOP IS TO APPLY BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET AND SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO PULL OVER AND PUT IN NEUTRAL, WHICH MAKES TAC GO OVER 7000 RPM'S. HAD THROTTLE BODY CLEANED AND RESET IN SPRING OF 2009 BUT PROBLEM RECURRED AGAIN THIS YEAR. ON MONDAY, FEB. 8, 2010 TEMPERATURE WAS IN LOW TEENS. WARMED CAR FOR APPROX. 7 MIN. DROVE SLOWLY DUE TO BAD ROAD CONDITIONS AND AT APPROX. 3 MILES INTO DRIVE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING AGAIN ON ITS OWN AND NO PLACE TO PULL OFF. HAD TO STOP IN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS POSITION AND PRAY I WASN'T HIT BEFORE I COULD SAFELY START CAR AGAIN. FINALLY ABLE TO RESTART ENGINE AFTER APPROX. 5 MIN. WITHOUT REVVING PROBLEM BUT APPROX. 2 MILES LATER CAR AGAIN ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY DID A GENERAL DIAGNOSIS WHICH SHOWED NOTHING. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND MAKES ME EXTREMELY NERVOUS TO DRIVE MY CAR. VW OF AMERICA STATES THAT MY CAR WAS NOT IN ANY RECALL AND THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND COULD NOT DIVULGE IF THEY RECEIVED ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS. *TR

2PM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WITH PERFECT DRIVING CONDITIONS.... DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH DOWN CITY SURFACE STREET - WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED TO 60MPH - VERY SCARY - 1999 VW PASSAT GLX CAR IS A BIT OVER 115K MILES IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. CAR WAS PULLED OVER AFTER BRAKING AND PULLING UP EMERGENCY BRAKE - CAR CONTINUED REVVING UNTIL CAR WAS QUICKLY TURNED OFF. POPPED HOOD - LET ENGINE COOL FOR 10 - 15 MINUTES - TRIED TO RESTART BUT CAR REVVED AGAIN SO SHUT IT OFF AND WILL HAVE REPAIR SHOP RETRIEVE IT & BRING TO SHOP TO GET LOOKED AT. TOO SCARED TO DRIVE AGAIN. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED SINCE PURCHASING CAR A FEW MONTHS AGO. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN HE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW AND THE ENTIRE WINDOW FELL OFF TRACK INSIDE THE DOOR. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CLOSE THE WINDOW WITH THE AUTOMATIC SWITCH AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE THIS AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE, I BOUGHT 4 NEW CONTINENTAL CONTIPROCO TIRES IN JUNE 2009 FOR A 99 VW PASSAT. AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN 7K MILES, WHILE TRAVELING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY ABOUT 65 MPH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED INTO 3 PIECES. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING THAT I KNOW OF AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY. IT WAS SIMILAR TO A TRUCK RETREAD TIRE THAT SEPARATES AND YOU SEE ON THE ROAD ALL THE TIME. CONTINENTAL WILL REPLACE THE TIRE BUT QUITE HONESTLY I DON?T TRUST THEIR PRODUCTS AT THIS TIME. IF THIS OCCURRED ON A FRONT TIRE, I WOULD HAVE ROLLED OVER. *TR

I HAVE A 1999 VW PASSAT. I HAD MY BRAKE PAD REPLACED IN MARCH 2009, SINCE THAT TIME MY ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. IN CHECKING REPORT FOR RECALL NOTICE. I SEE WERE NHTSA.DOT.GOV.HAS A REPORT DATE AUGUST 2009, CONCERNING A PROBLEM WITH LONG-TERM EFFECT OF ABS IN PASSENGER CARS AND LTVS. IT WILL COST ME $200. AND SOMETHING DOLLARS ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. *TR

THE ENGINE IN MY 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T APPEARS TO BE DEAD. OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON AND WON'T GO OFF. VOLKSWAGEN IS AWARE THAT THEY PROVIDED BAD INFORMATION ON OIL CHNAGE INTERVALS FOR THIS CARS, BUT STILL INSISTS OWNERS HAVE DOCEMENTS FOR EVERY OIL CHANGE EVER ON THE CAR. AS THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR, THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO PROVE. ALSO, I CHANGE MY OWN OIL, AGAIN MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PROVE THE INTERVALS TO THEIR SATISFACTION. MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT AT MINIMUM, THEY HAVE TO PULL THE ENGINE TO REPLACE THE OIL PUMP, BUT THAT THE ENGINE IS LIKELY SO FULL OF SLUDGE THAT THE ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED, TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $8000. VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS THIS IS A DEFECT THAT IS THEIR FAULT, LOOK FOR A MEMO TITLED: AUGUST 2004 SUBJECT: WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR 1998 - 2004 MODEL YEAR VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SEDAN OR WAGON EQUIPPED WITH TURBO ENGINE NOTE THAT AFTER REPAIR THE OIL SPEC HAS CHANGED FROM THE ORIGINAL AND THE INTERVAL BETWEEN CHANGES IS SHORTER - AN OUTRIGHT ADMISSION THAT THEY DESGINED THE ENGINE INCORRECTLY IF EVER I'VE SEEN ONE. *TR

ABS MODULE FAILURE, RANDOM DRIVING STYLE/CONDITIONS. *TR

FAULT FOUND WITH AIRBAG. CLOCKSPRING LOCATED IN STEERING WHEEL HAS CONNECTION FOR AIRBAG. IGNITER COULD CORRODE AND CAUSE AIRBAG TO FAIL IN EVENT OF HEAD ON COLLISION. *TR

I OWN A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IN WHICH THE CONTROL ARMS, TIE ROD ENDS, BALL JOINTS, AND BUSHINGS ARE FAILING. BASED ON SOME INTERNET RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE FOR SIMILAR MAKES, MODELS, AND YEARS. THE PROBLEM OCCURS EVERY DAY, AND IF LEFT UNATTENDED, RESULTS IN SAFETY PROBLEMS AT HIGHER SPEEDS. PARTS WILL BE REPLACED IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND OLD PARTS WILL BE RETAINED, IF IT IS FEASIBLE. *TR

ABS, BRAKE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT INDICATORS ON - APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PASSATS. FAULTY ABS MODULE ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP, $900 PART. VEHICLE HAS 67,000 MILES AND DEALERSHIP SERVICED. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AND A RECALL SHOULD BE MADE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALER, IT WAS THEN SERVICED BY AN AUTO DETAILER. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ISSUE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED BECAUSE THERE WAS TOO MUCH RESISTANCE IN THE WIRING FOR THE AIR BAGS. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE HAS FOUR AIR BAGS: TWO IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TWO IN THE SEAT BACKS. THE COST TO REPAIR THEM WOULD BE $600 PER AIR BAG. THE CONTACT REFUSED THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE FAILURE SHOULD BE VOLKSWAGEN'S RESPONSIBILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

OUT OF THE BLUE, MY CAR STARTS "DINGING" AND I LOOK DOWN TO SEE THE ABS LIGHT ON, ALONG WITH A FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT. I DID A SEARCH AND THE FIRST THING I SEE IS THAT YOU SHOULD CHECK THE SENSORS AT EACH TIRE. THIS MAKES ME THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT JUST BEFORE MY PROBLEM OCCURRED, I HAD JUST HAD MY TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED. WAS WONDERING IF MAYBE THE SENSORS HAD BEEN DAMAGED/BROKEN WHEN THOSE THINGS WERE REPLACED, BUT WHO KNOWS. DOUBTFUL THAT THE MECHANIC THAT DID THAT WORK WOULD OWN UP TO THAT ANYWAYS. UPON MORE RESEARCH, EVERYONE IS POINTING TO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND QUOTING ANYWHERE FROM $100-600 FOR REBUILT MODULES TO $1500-3500 FOR BRAND NEW ONES. MY HUSBAND WANTS ME TO DROP THE MONEY ON SOMETHING THAT'S NOT GUARANTEED TO WORK. THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS, THOUGHT I'D ADD TO THIS WITH MY OWN COMPLAINT. I'M CALLING VOLKSWAGEN MONDAY TO SEE WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO SAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FLOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY AN INCH TO 1.5 INCHES OF WATER. SHE NOTICED THE ISSUE APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES WITHIN ONE MONTH, ESPECIALLY IN RAINY CONDITIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE CAUSED BY THE SUNROOF, ALTHOUGH THE SUNROOF WAS NEVER WET AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A DEFINITE DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELEVANT TO THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ABS INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. SHE WAS UNSURE IF THIS FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE WATER ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,320 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,115.

ABS BRAKE MODULE DEFECT. *TR

ABS CONTROL MODULE: THIS COMPLAINT PERTAINS TO MY 1999 VW PASSAT TURBO. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE CAR AND A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *TR