2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Recalls, Complaints & Safety

A fuel leak has developed from the top side of the fuel tank on the drivers side of me vehicle. A fuel leak in this manner is a serious critical and immediate safety risk. Recall 08V156000 was 'performed' on my vehicle back in 2008 but the exact same fuel system safety defect has returned. VW acknowledges the recall and claims it was completed while only an inspection to check for fuel leaks was performed at the time. VW Care and my local dealership refuse to address the ongoing issue. This poses a continued fire risk, and I am now being told to pay out of pocket for a known safety recall that clearly failed to remedy the original defect.

There was a recall reported by the manufacturer, Volkswagenm in 2008. There were multiple Fuel System issues: A Heat Shield that may contact the exhaust system and result in a vehicle fire; a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire. In 2008, my car was inspected and the recall was deemed "complete." However, the car was only 4 years old at the time and no repairs were made. Only a visual inspection was done. I bought the car used 6 years ago, and it has been diagnosed as having a defective fuel tank ventilation valve. VW should pay for the parts and labor to have this fixed because it was never fixed. I've been told there's no statue of limitations on recalls. VW claims that because the recall was deemed "Complete" that they "fixed" the issue but they didn't.

The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that there was gasoline leaking in his driveway where the vehicle was parked, after he had refueled the vehicle the day before. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic informed the contact that it was a known failure related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V156000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the failure was addressed in 2012 and the recall was closed on the VIN. The failure mileage was 97,361.

WHEN YOU FILL UP THE FUEL TANK IT LEAKS IT LEAKS A QUARTER OF A TANK OF FUEL ROUGHLY 4 TO 5 GALLONS OF FUEL DRIP OUT THERE'S A FACTORY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE I TOOK IT TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER PAID MONEY TO HAVE THEM INSPECT IT AND THEY SAID YES IT'S LEAKING AT THE FACTORY RECALL I'VE HAD AN INDEPENDENT DEALER CONFIRM THAT! VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT DO ANYTHING DUE TO WHAT THEY CLAIM A REMEDY WAS DONE BY MOVING FUEL LINES 10 YEARS AGO, OBVIOUSLY IT WAS NOT OR I WOULD NOT HAVE 4 GALLONS OF FUEL SPILL IN MY DRIVEWAY VEHICLE IS BASICALLY IN OPERABLE AND THEY WANT $3000 TO PUT A NEW FUEL TANK IN WHEN IT'S A FACTORY RECALL WHICH NEVER EXPIRES I HAVE TALK TO THE VOLKSWAGEN REP AND THE ONLY THING I HAVE FOUND IN FORUMS IS DO YOU HAVE TO GO TO VOLTS WAGON OF AMERICA AND FIGHT THEM AND THIS IS RIDICULOUS WHEN THEY KNOW THEY HAVE AN ISSUE!! TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WE NEVER FILL IT OVER A HALF A TANK OF FUEL SO WE DO NOT LEAK FUEL OR EXPLODE WHILE WE'RE DRIVING HOPEFULLY PLEASE HELP IN ANYWAY YOU CAN THANK YOU

A COIL FOR HEATED SEATS HAS MELTED A HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THIS CAUSED PAIN AND CONFUSION WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SEAT NOW HAS AN UGLY MELTED HOLE IN IT.

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.

1 injured

THE CAR STALLED IN THE ROAD. PULLED OVER. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART FULL TANK OF GAS.

MY CAR 2004 VW PASSAT ALMOST GETT ON FIRE FRONT PASSANDER SEAT HAVE START TO BURN BUT WAS OK AFTER I SHUTT OFF THE CAR AFTER THAT NOW I CAN DRIVE BUT THE SEAT ITS DEMAGED

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT STALLS AND THE EPC LIGHT COMES ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES WHILE MERGING WITH OTHER TRAFFIC AND CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $1000 TRYING TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED, AND THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. EVEN THE VW DEALERSHIP DOSE NOT HAVE AN ANSWER.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. AFTER REFUELING AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED FUEL HAD LEAKED OUT FROM THE VEHICLE ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE GARAGE. FUEL WAS ALSO VISIBLE UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL VALVE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

STANDING WATER IN DRIVER SIDE AND REAR DRIVER SIDE AREA.

GAS TANK/ FUEL LINE FRACTURE, LEAKING GAS WHEN I FILL IT UP, STRONG GAS SMELL/ODOR. STOPS LEAKING AT AROUND 3/4 TANK. VERY DANGEROUS FOR MY 16 YEAR OLD TO DRIVE. VW DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO CORRECT, WANTS TO CHARGE ME 2600, TO FIX I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR 4200 3 MONTHS AGO.

GAS FUEL LINE/TANK LEAKING GAS

FUEL TANK LEAK. THERE IS NO DAMAGE NO IMPACT NO VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF ANY MISUSE OF CAR. FUEL TANK LEAKS WHEN FILLED ABOVE 3/4 OF A TANK. THIS IS UNSAFE AND VERY DANGEROUS THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY VOLKSWAGEN. IN ALL MY LIFE AS A MECHANIC I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING THIS UNSAFE. IF MY LOVED ONES WERE TO GET HURT I WILL HOLD VOLKSWAGEN ACCOUNTABLE. THIS NEEDS TO FIXED NOW!..

LEAKING AT VENT/TOP OF GAS TANK. EXACTLY THE SAME DESCRIPTION OF THAT PAST HEAT SHEILD/VENT GAS LEAKING RECALL FROM ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO

BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM ORIGINAL OWNER EXACTLY TWO YEARS AGO. ALL RECEIPTS FOR UPKEEP & MAINTENANCE WERE AVAILABLE. CAR RAN GREAT FOR 30,000 MILES. ONE DAY IT STARTING RUNNING BAD WITHIN 30 MINS WHOLE MOTOR SHUT DOWN. MOTOR JUST SHUT DOWN IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. PIECE OF METAL FOUND UNDER VALVE COVER AND NOW FOR NO REASON NEEDS A WHOLE NEW MOTOR!!!! THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE! VERY DISSATISFIED! I HAVE OWNED THREE VEHICLES ALL FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS UNTIL THIS VW AND NOW AM WITHOUT A CAR. NEVER WILL BUY OR MENTION ANYONE ELSE BUYING A VW. CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND $3,000 FOR ANOTHER MOTOR AFTER ONLY OWNING FOR 2 YEARS! NOW THE CAR SITS AT A MECHANIC SHOP WITH NEW TIRES AND NEW VALVE COVER GASKETS AND A POS MOTOR.

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.

TAKATA RECALL COOLANT FLENCH LEAKING, AIR VALVE COVER CAME OFF( LEAKING) AND WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT AND THERMOSTAT NOT WORKING, CANNOT SMOG CAR. ENGINE TROUBLESHOOTING LIGHT COMES BACK ON ALL THE TIME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND "OIL PRESSURE" AND "STOP ENGINE" MESSAGES DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS OIL SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE, BUT THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000. ..UPDATED 06/27/17 *BF *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

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.

TIRE BUBBLE, 2" WIDE, 2" LONG, 1/2" HIGH

I START THE CAR UP AND IT STARTED MAKING FUNNY NOISE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGH CAME ON THE ENGINE SHAKING ACT LIKE IT'S GOING TO CUT OFF

THE PLASTIC UNDERDASH COWLING CAN BECOME WARPED OVER TIME AND FALL DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP OR TRIGGER THE ABS SYSTEM WHEN NOT NEEDED.

MY GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING AND I ALWAYS SMEEL GAS WHILE RIDING IN MY CAR.

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE! FIRST THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING BROKE GOT THAT FIXED AND THEN EVERYTHING ELSE WENT DOWN HILL! OIL PRESSURE LIGHT STARTED GOING AND THEN IT STARTED OVERHEATING. THE HOSES ALL BREAK AND LEAK THE COOLANT OUT PLUS THE TRANSMISSION CODE P742 WHICH THE TRANSMISSION IS STUCK OFF IS ON . I CAN'T AFFORD THE CAR WORST CAR EVER. IT IS FINE IF IDLE BUT ONCE YOUR DRIVING EVERYTHING STARTS BEEPING AND WHEN I'M TURNING YOU HEAR A NOISE ON THE SIDE THAT YOUR TURNING!

PURCHASED A USED 2004 VW PASSAT GLX 4MOTION WITH 91K MILES AND NO ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE HISTORY PER CARFAX.. FIRST FILL OF THE GAS TANK REVEALED A SEVERE LEAK OF GREATER THAN 180 DROPS PER MINUTE. THE LEAK OCCURRED AT ALL TIMES WITH THE CAR RUNNING OR TURNED OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE LEAK STOPPED AFTER THE GAS GAUGE MOVED BELOW F. REMOVED REAR SEAT AND NOTICED FUEL WETTING ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE TANK ADJACENT TO THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. USING A MIRROR FUEL WAS VISIBLE COMING FROM THE VENT BOSS ADJACENT TO THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THIS EXACT ISSUE IS COVERED UNDER VWOA RECALL 26E5/R5 NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 08V156000. I CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY INFORMED ME MY VEHICLE VIN [XXX] IS NOT ELIGIBLE HOWEVER THEY DID NOT SAY WHY. THE CARFAX REPORT STATES THAT A HEAT SHIELD WAS REPLACED 8/11/2008. RECALL 26E5/R5 INVOLVES A HEAT SHIELD AS WELL AS THE FUEL TANK. IT'S POSSIBLE THE TANK WAS OK AT THE TIME. IF THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD THE RECALL AND THE FUEL TANK DEVELOPED THE PROBLEM AFTER IS THERE ANY RECOURSE UNDER THIS RECALL? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

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.

THE PASSAT IGNITED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AT 4:00 A.M. IT HAD NOT BEEN STARTED/DRIVEN IN A WEEK. WE WOKE TO THE SOUND OF THE TIRE BURSTING. THERE IS A HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT /ARSON CASE # [XXX] - PHONE # [XXX]. INSPECTOR [XXX]. HE SAID THE IGNITION AREA OF THE CAR WAS THE START OF THE FIRE. I THINK HE WAS ARSON DEPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. WE ARE LUCKY WE DID NOT LOOSE OUR HOUSE AND NEIGHBOR'S IF WE HAD NOT HEARD THE TIRE BLOW. I AM NOT EXACTLY SURE OF THE MILEAGE BUT KNOW IT WAS LOW FOR THE YEAR AND THINK IT WAS BELOW 90,000...UPDATED 05/02/16 *BF INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Fire

THE PASSAT IGNITED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AT 4:00 A.M. IT HAD NOT BEEN STARTED/DRIVEN IN A WEEK. WE WOKE TO THE SOUND OF THE TIRE BURSTING. THERE IS A HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT /ARSON CASE # [XXX] - PHONE # [XXX]. INSPECTOR [XXX]. HE SAID THE IGNITION AREA OF THE CAR WAS THE START OF THE FIRE. I THINK HE WAS ARSON DEPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. WE ARE LUCKY WE DID NOT LOOSE OUR HOUSE AND NEIGHBOR'S IF WE HAD NOT HEARD THE TIRE BLOW. I AM NOT EXACTLY SURE OF THE MILEAGE BUT KNOW IT WAS LOW FOR THE YEAR AND THINK IT WAS BELOW 90,000...UPDATED 05/02/16 *BF INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Fire

THE PASSAT IGNITED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AT 4:00 A.M. IT HAD NOT BEEN STARTED/DRIVEN IN A WEEK. WE WOKE TO THE SOUND OF THE TIRE BURSTING. THERE IS A HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT /ARSON CASE # [XXX] - PHONE # [XXX]. INSPECTOR [XXX]. HE SAID THE IGNITION AREA OF THE CAR WAS THE START OF THE FIRE. I THINK HE WAS ARSON DEPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. WE ARE LUCKY WE DID NOT LOOSE OUR HOUSE AND NEIGHBOR'S IF WE HAD NOT HEARD THE TIRE BLOW. I AM NOT EXACTLY SURE OF THE MILEAGE BUT KNOW IT WAS LOW FOR THE YEAR AND THINK IT WAS BELOW 90,000...UPDATED 05/02/16 *BF INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PUMPING FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE, THE STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ODOR WAS STILL PRESENT. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

IGNITION COIL HAS FAILED 3 TIMES IN LAST 12 MONTHS.

MARCH 8 AT APPROXIMATELY 10PM: ON A TRIP BACK FROM OUT OF TOWN WITH MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN AND PUPPY, THE RPMS IN THE VW PASSAT BEGAN ESCALATING YET NO ADDITIONAL POWER WAS COMING INTO THE ENGINE. I TRIED SHIFTING TO A LOWER GEAR AND ALSO ATTEMPTED CRUISE CONTROL TO MINIMIZE THE RPM RACING. CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT RESPOND AND THE CHANGE IN GEAR DID NOTHING FOR THE RACING RPMS. A FEW MORE MILES DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR BEGAN LOSING MOMENTUM -? IT WAS SIMILAR TO THE FEELING OF RUNNING OUT OF GAS THOUGH I HAD A FULL TANK. I MOVED THE CAR INTO THE SERVICE LANE BEFORE THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. WITHIN SECONDS OF PULLING OVER, THE ENGINE BEGAN SMOKING. I FELT THE NEED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY LATE AT NIGHT, PREGNANT, WITH 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND A PUPPY. WE LEFT EVERYTHING IN THE CAR, GOT OUT (I CALLED 911) AND WERE ABOUT 8 FEET AWAY WHEN FLAMES BECAME VISIBLE ESCAPING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. A STATE TROOPER WAS PASSING THROUGH AT THE TIME AND NOTICED THE STRONG SMELL; HE QUICKLY CIRCLED BACK AND THEN SAW THE FIRE.TWO FIRE TRUCKS AND 2 MORE STATE TROOPERS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE -?? BUT BY THAT POINT -?? THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS IN FLAMES. THE TIRES WERE SO HOT FROM THE FIRE THAT THEY HAD MELTED TO THE ROAD. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, THE DRIVER'??S SIDE WINDOW WAS BLOWN OUT, AND THE DASHBOARD MELTED. EVERYTHING IN THE CAR EXPERIENCED CHEMICAL SMOKE DAMAGE AND/OR WATER DAMAGE FROM THE FIRE TRUCKS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY ??TOTALED?? THE CAR THIS MORNING. SUNDAY NIGHT I NOTICED THAT NHTSA WAS AT ONE POINT INVESTIGATING VW PASSAT ENGINE FIRES. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE THAT INVESTIGATION. THOUGH MY CHILDREN AND PUPPY WERE NOT PHYSICALLY INJURED (I DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE SUFFERED MENTAL TRAUMA) -?? I AM PREGNANT AND DO NOT KNOW IF THE FUMES WILL BE TOXIC TO MY UNBORN CHILD. *TR..UPDATED 06/01/16 *BF UPDATED 9/27/2017*CN

Fire

I NOTICED THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CARPETING. I CHECKED ALL DRAINAGE LOCATIONS FOR BLOCKAGE (I.E. PLENUM, SUNROOF). ALL WERE CLEAR. THE WATER FOUND IT'S WAY INTO THE VEHICLE BY WAY OF A FAULTY (DISINTEGRATED) SEAL BENEATH THE POLLEN FILTER HOUSING. THE CAR HAD 92,000 AND WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE ACTION P9/66C8 APPLICABLE TO MY VEHICLE FOR WHICH I WAS TO BE NOTIFIED BY VW IN 2008. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR AND RESIDE IT THE SAME ADDRESS SINCE 1978. THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD DIRECTLY TO ME BY A VW DEALER BRAND NEW IN OCTOBER 2004 AND REGISTERED TO ME AT MY HOME ADDRESS. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION. THE CORRECTIVE ACTION NOTED ON THE P9/66C8 INCLUDED DIRECTING THE DEALER TO "INSTALL AN IMPROVED SEAL FOR THE POLLEN FILTER". I CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE SERVICE ACTION EXISTED AND CONSEQUENTLY THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THEM TO CONTACT ME IN 2008. THEY LIED AND I HAVE A DAMAGE VEHICLE THAT GETS FLOODED WHENEVER IT RAINS. I WAS COMPELLED TO MAKE THE IMMEDIATE REPAIRS AT MY OWN EXPENSE SINCE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) IS LOCATED BENEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT OF THIS CAR. SHOULD THE WATER GET INSIDE, IT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION FUNCTION. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, A POTENTIAL FOR PERSONAL INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS EXISTS ALONG WITH ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE ITSELF. VW HAS FAILED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DEFECT KNOWN TO THEM. VW HAS INSTEAD CHOSEN NOT ONLY TO HOLD ME FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECT OF THEIR PRODUCT BUT TO ALSO EXPOSE ME (AND OTHER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS OF THIS VEHICLE) TO POTENTIAL HAZARDS AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH A FLOODED TCM. *TR

2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4MOTION, THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER/VENT VALVE ON THE TOP OF THE TANK HAS CRACKED AND IS LEAKING GASOLINE ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE TANK WAS FILLED UP ON 2/22/2015 AND STARTED LEAKING LARGE AMOUNTS OF FUEL FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK OVER THE EXHAUST. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL THE TANK REACHED 3/4 FULL. IF THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED ABOVE 3/4 IT WILL LEAK FUEL UNTIL IT GETS TO 3/4. IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE FRONT DOWNHILL, IT CONTINUES TO LEAK BEYOND THE 3/4 POINT. THIS FAILURE WAS PART OF A PREVIOUS VW 2008 NHTSA MANDATED RECALL 08V156000, BUT ONLY REQUIRED DEALER INSPECTION OF THE ROLLOVER/VENT VALVE AND NOT REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK WITH A FUNCTIONAL PART, IF IT WAS NOT LEAKING WHEN INSPECTED THEN DO NOTHING. THE ROLLOVER/VENT IS INTEGRAL TO THE VW PASSAT AWD TANK, AND THE COMPLETE FUEL TANK HAS TO BE REPLACED. VW CLAIM AS THE CAR WAS INSPECTED IN 2008, THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE ROLLOVER/VENT VALVE. *TR

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.

Fire

FUEL BEGAN LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AFTER FILL UP. MY DAUGHTER WAS HEADING BACK TO COLLEGE, AND AS SHE PULLED AWAY I NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF GASOLINE IN THE STREET. NHTSA HAD PREVIOUSLY RECALLED THE VEHICLE IN 2008 (26E5/R5) ACTION NUMBER (PE08008). VW DEALER INSPECTED AND INSTALLED HEAT SHIELD. NO FUEL LEAK AT THIS TIME. IN SEPTEMBER 2012 FUEL TANK BEGAN LEAKING, VW DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK, WASHER, GASKET AND CLAMP UNDER THE RECALL. IN SEPTEMBER 2014 I BROUGHT CAR BACK TO VW DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY ARE ONLY RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE CAR ONCE. FED UP WITH VW, I BROUGHT CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC, AND UPON INSPECTION HE FOUND THE NIPPLES ON THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE WERE AGAIN CRACKED. I HAD HIM REPLACE THE TANK. OBVIOUSLY VW DIDN'T PROPERLY FIX THE PROBLEM, AND OR REPLACED THE TANK WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND THE TANK CRACKED AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND I FEEL THAT VW SHOULD PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. IF IT WAS DONE RIGHT AND CORRECTED, THE TANK WOULD NOT BE LEAKING AGAIN AFTER LESS THAN 2 YEARS, AND 20,000 MILES. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR, AND THAT IS VERY UPSETTING TO ME. *TR

VEHICLE: 2004 VW PASSAT 4MOTION SEDAN W/1.8L TURBO, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FILLED VEHICLES FUEL TANK, NOTICED STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE, NOTICED FUEL DRIPPING FROM FUEL TANK OF VEHICLE TO GROUND. CANNOT FILL TANK WITHOUT GAS DRIPPING TO GROUND; FUEL LEAK IS NEXT TO EXHAUST SYSTEM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE (VERY DANGEROUS). FOUND FOLLOWING INFORMATION: MANUFACTURER: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC SUMMARY: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A FUEL LINE (1.8T ENGINES ONLY) OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) THAT CAN LEAK DUE TO FRACTURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE RADIATOR, THE WATER PUMP, AND THE TIMING BELT. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

POSSIBLE CAM TENSIONER THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO MAKE A LOUD CLICKING NOISE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AS A RESULT. TOOK IT TO 3 MECHANICS AND DID A DIAGNOSTIC BUT COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. HELP ME PLEASE! *TR

I BEGAN NOTICING A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING THROUGH THE VENT WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD, I NOTICED THAT THE RIGID FUEL LINE HAD CRACKED WHERE IT PASSED THROUGH A MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE UPPER REAR OF THE ENGINE BAY. THE CRACK WAS EMITTING A STEADY FLOW OF FUEL ONTO THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WE DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR ANY FURTHER AND HAD THE LINE REPAIRED WITH A PATCH OF FLEXIBLE FUEL LINE MATERIAL. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO HAVE DINNER WITH MY DAUGHTER AND THE CAR STARTED LOSING POWER. IT WAS ONLY A 4 MINUTE TRIP AND BY THE TIME I GOT TO MY DAUGHTER'S DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE WAS SMOKING. AFTER USING A HOSE TO COOL OFF THE HOOD, THE HOOD WAS POPPED AND THERE WAS A FIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. AFTER WE GOT THE FIRE OUT, LOT OF HOSES AND THE WIRE ASSEMBLY WERE BURNED BADLY. *TR

Fire