2001 Volkswagen Passat Fuel system Problems

TOOK CAR TO VW DEALER TO HAVE TIMING BELT REPLACED AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL OPEN RECALLS AND THEY OFFERED TO TAKE CARE OF THEM FREE OF CHARGE. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO PERFORM RECALL #08V156. MANUFACTURER #26E5. THEY INSTALLED THE HEAT SHIELD BUT COULD NOT PERFORM SOFTWARE UPGRADE. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES IN THE MAIL. NOW VW WANTS TO BUY THE CAR BACK BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIX IT. IT'S A 2001 VW PASSAT WITH 25K MILES IN SHOWROOM SHAPE. WAS NEVER DRIVEN IN SNOW AND GARAGED IT'S ENTIRE LIFE. THEY OFFERED ME $1500 OUT OF WHICH I OWE $1300 FOR THE TIMING BELT. THEY SAID IT MAY NEED A ECU BUT THEY ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM VW BUT REFUSE TO INSTALL A USED ONE. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE VW DEALER SINCE 12/28/2020. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT RECALLS NEVER EXPIRE.

NHTSA ID

11389398

Incident

Dec 28, 2020

Mileage

25 mi

STARTED SMELLING GAS AND MILEAGE STARTED DROPPI G BAD AROUND THE END OF NOVEMBER. WE SEE THAT THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS ON THE GAS TANK AND FUEL LINES FOR 01 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS BUT UNFORTUNATELY NOT FOR THIS VIN # WHICH HAPPENS TO BE MY SONS CAR. NOW ITS AT THE SHOP BECAUSE ITS GAS MILEAGE WENT WAY DOWN AND AND SMELLS LIKE GAS AND HE WAS TOLD THAT HE WAS DRIVING A BOMB BASICALLY. IT COULD BE AROUND $1000 TO FIX IT. NONE OF US HAVE THAT KIND OF $ AND HES STILL HAS $800 LEFT OWEING ON IT. HELP

NHTSA ID

11054149

Incident

Nov 27, 2017

MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS HAD AN R5 RECALL FOR FUEL LINES, FUEL TANK, AND A HEAT SHIELD. THE HARD (LOW PRESSURE FUEL RETURN?) LINE, THE MIDDLE ONE OF THE MOUNTING BRACKET ATOP THE FIREWALL, HAS FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY. IT NOW SPRAYS GASOLINE DIRECTLY DOWN ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HEAT SHIELD. THIS IS THE SAME FAILURE IN THE SAME EXACT POINT THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD. THIS PART IS DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE KILLED ME AND DESTROYED MY CAR. VOLKSWAGEN REFUSED TO FIX IT. I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE AND MY LOCAL DEALER, BOTH TOLD ME THAT ONCE THE RECALL IS CLOSED ON MY VEHICLE THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY'LL DO. THEY WANTED ME TO TOW MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PAY $135 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC UNTIL I SHOWED THEM A VIDEO OF THE FUEL LINE UNDER PRESSURE SPRAYING EVERYWHERE.

NHTSA ID

11012185

Incident

Aug 1, 2017

Mileage

240,000 mi

VWOFA HAVE NOT TAKEN STEPS NECESSARY TO FACILITATE THIS FIRE HAZARD RECALL!

NHTSA ID

10806596

Incident

Feb 16, 2015

Mileage

90,000 mi

I NOTICE THAT FUEL IS LEAKING FROM MY VW PASSAT 2001'S FUEL TANK. I FILL OUT THIS COMPLAINT IN ORDER TO SEEK A HELP FROM AUTHORITIES ON THESE MATTERS AND ALSO KNOWING IF MY ISSUES CAN BE HANDLED BY VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA. *TR

NHTSA ID

10560737

Incident

Jan 21, 2014

Mileage

175,000 mi

2001 PASSAT 1.8T MANUAL TRANSMISSION DEVELOPED FUEL LEAK ON THE FIREWALL ATTACHMENT AREA, ON THE MIDDLE LINE DIRECTLY OVER CATALYTIC CONVERTER; CAR COMPARTMENT SMELLED HEAVILY OF GASOLINE. STOPPING CAR AND INSPECTING THE FUEL LINE SHOWED THE CRACK. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND WAS VERY LUCKY IN THIS CASE NOT TO HAVE CAR ON FIRE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AS THERE SEEMS TO BE RELATED RECALLS FROM VW ON THIS ISSUE. I'M SCARED TO HAVE KIDS ON BOARD THE PASSAT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10512737

Incident

May 18, 2013

Mileage

176,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD MORE FUEL THAN WHAT WAS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC FOUND THE FAILURE IN THE FUEL TANK LEVEL SENDING UNITS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V157000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,370.

NHTSA ID

10463542

Incident

Jun 23, 2012

Mileage

78,370 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE WOULD SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. HE THEN INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FUEL LEAK. HE LATER DISCOVERED A TRAIL OF GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 198,000. UPDATED 07/21/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRACTURE OCCURRED WITHOUT EXTERNAL STRESS OF ANY KIND. IT DEVELOPED WITHOUT WARNING AND GIVEN THE POSITION WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IT COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN A FIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 02/03/12

NHTSA ID

10401255

Incident

May 16, 2011

Mileage

198,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER INSPECTED AND ADJUSTED THE FUEL LINE ROUTING AS WELL AS THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE BUT DID NOT REPLACE ANY COMPONENTS. AFTER REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SPRAYING FUEL ONTO THE ENGINE AND WAS CAUSING OVERPOWERING GASOLINE FUMES TO EMIT THROUGH THE DEFOGGER SYSTEM. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO INFORMED HER THAT THEY MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL AND THEY ONLY HAD TO INSPECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT ANY FURTHER REPAIRS WOULD BE AT HER EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE DEALER REPAIRED THE EXACT COMPONENTS LISTED UNDER RECALL AND NOTHING MORE. THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

NHTSA ID

10380080

Incident

Feb 3, 2011

Mileage

137,000 mi

KEPT SMELLING GAS THREW THE VENTS, STRONG ODOR OF GAS WHEREVER IT WAS PARKED WHEN YOU APPROACHED OR GOT DOWN FROM THE VEHICLE. THE LAST FEW TIMES BEFORE THE FUEL LINE SNAPPED THERE WERE SMALL PUDDLES OF GAS UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WHEN ONE DROVE AWAY FROM A PARKED POSITION. WHEN I NOTICED THE PUDDLES I OPENED THE HOOD AND REALIZED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL LINES HAD SNAPPED, WENT TO THE AUTO PARTS STORE AND BOUGHT RUBBER FUEL LINE AND CLAMPS TO TEMPORARILY PATCH THE LEAK. STILL SMELLING STRONG GAS ORDER EVEN THOUGH DOES NOT SEEM LIKE LINE IS STILL LEAKING BUT CANNOT GET IT TO THE MECHANIC AGAIN UNTIL THE WEEKEND. *TR

NHTSA ID

10290286

Incident

Oct 25, 2009

Mileage

131,356 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE R5 RECALL CAMPAIGN. SHE WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER ONLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FLEX PIPE MUST BE DISENGAGED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. IF ANY DAMAGES OCCUR DURING THE DETACHMENT OF THE COMPONENT, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THAT THE RECALL REMEDY COULD POSSIBLY BE EXPENSIVE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 101,803. UPDATED 04/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 04/27/09.8JB

NHTSA ID

10261619

Incident

Feb 24, 2009

Mileage

101,803 mi

DRIVE THE CAR FOR LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND THE OUTSIDE START SMELL LIKE OIL IT BE SMOKING. THE EMISSION WORKSHOP LIGHT IS ON AND SMELL LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE HEAT AND AIR BE OFF AND DRIVE THE CAR FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME HEAT START COMING OUT. ALSO WHEN DRIVE ALONG TIME THE NUMBERS IN FRONT BROAD START LOOKING LIKE IT GOING WAY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10260996

Incident

Feb 4, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 65 MPH SHE SMELLED GAS. SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING WHILE FUEL WAS ESCAPING FROM THE FUEL LINE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD NOT TOW THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT SHE NEEDED APPROVAL FROM THE FIRE MARSHALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHICH REPLACED THE FUEL LINE FOR $700. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 40,000. UPDATED 01/14/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/21/09. *JB

NHTSA ID

10250363

Incident

Aug 18, 2004

Mileage

40,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE FILLING THE FUEL TANK WITH GASOLINE, THE CONTACT OBSERVED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL SPILLING ON THE GROUND FROM THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

NHTSA ID

10249711

Incident

Nov 15, 2008

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE FAILED A ROUTINE INSPECTION BECAUSE THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE INSPECTOR ADVISED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL ON HER VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,004. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS EVERY TIME SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. UPDATED 02/24/09. *JB

NHTSA ID

10248291

Incident

Nov 3, 2008

Mileage

62,004 mi

I WAS DRIVING HOME AND MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNKNOWN DEFECT MY LIFE WAS IN BIG DANGEROUS.*TR

NHTSA ID

10243870

Incident

Sep 2, 2008

Mileage

99,800 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE "STOP VEHICLE DO NOT DRIVE", AND OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE ENGINE. THE PREVIOUS REPAIR REQUIRED THE VEHICLE TO REMAIN AT THE DEALER FOR ONE MONTH. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. IN ADDITION, DURING RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, FIVE INCHES OF WATER LEAKED ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANEL. THERE WAS ELECTRICAL FAILURE DUE TO THE WATER LEAKAGE THAT CAUSED GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT CONSISTS OF INSTALLATION OF A DRAINAGE FILTER AND FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THESE MALFUNCTIONS. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID

10243564

Incident

Sep 10, 2005

Mileage

36,000 mi

FUEL LEAKING NEAR A REAR WHEEL FROM A SMALL HOSE CONNECTING THE FUEL FILTER TO THE FORWARD FUEL LINE WHEN STARTING IN COLD WEATHER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10239196

Incident

Jul 10, 2008

Mileage

76,000 mi

THE FUEL SENSOR FAILS AFTER ABOUT ONE YEAR OF USE. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE FAILURE MODE IS THAT IT ALWAYS REPORTS TWICE THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF FUEL AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10233160

Incident

Jan 2, 2007

Mileage

50,000 mi

THE HARD LINE MOUNTED ON THE FIRE WALL THAT GUIDES THE THREE FUEL LINES BROKE OR FAILED. PLASTIC FUEL LINE WHICH CRACKS OR IS DEFECTIVE LOCATED AT THE SITE WHERE THE LINES ARE CLAMPED BY A PLASTIC HOUSING. GASOLINE SPRAYS ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK.

NHTSA ID

10230005

Incident

Jun 2, 2008

Mileage

158,000 mi

I OWN A 2001 VW PASSAT AND I NOTICED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED IN TEMPERATURES OF 17 DEGREES. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE ALEXANDRIA VW DEALERSHIP (ALEXANDRIA, VA) TWICE AND THEY KEPT IT FOR A FEW DAYS BUT FOUND NOTHING. AFTER READING THROUGH THE OTHER REPORTS ONLINE, I FEEL THAT VW CORPORATION OF AMERICA SHOULD REPLACE ALL ASSOCIATED PARTS THAT COULD CAUSE THIS AND AVOID POTENTIAL VEHICLE EXPLOSIONS AND LOSS OF LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10223549

Incident

Jan 13, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 67 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRASTICALLY DECELERATE AND THEN COASTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRESENT. TEN SECONDS LATER, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM DELIVERY PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED FOR FREE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

NHTSA ID

10205724

Incident

Oct 12, 2007

Mileage

140,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. HE STATED THAT THE MAIN FUEL LINE RUPTURED, WHICH CAUSED GAS TO COVER THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE RUPTURED AND THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE FAILURE, HOWEVER, THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10198903

Incident

Jun 28, 2007

FUEL LINE ON FIREWALL CRACKED AND SPRAYING FUEL OVER ENGINE

NHTSA ID

10191671

Incident

May 24, 2007

Mileage

97,550 mi

FAILURE TO START WHEN IT DOES THE FUMES RESEMBLE PAINT THINNER VERY CONCERNED WITH POSSIBLE EXPLOSION. *NM

NHTSA ID

10151374

Incident

Apr 1, 2005

Mileage

40,000 mi