2002 Volkswagen Passat Electrical Problems

WHILE DRIVING AT 75MPH OR IN CITY TRAFFIC I GET AN ALARM WARNING THAT MY DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPEN. TO SHUT THE LOUD WARNING OFF, I MUST OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR WHILE GOING 75MPH OR IN TRAFFIC. EITHER I OPEN THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING OR PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH TRAFFIC, I FIND THIS VERY DANGEROUS!!! THIS HAPPENS DAILY THIS IS MY SECOND VW PASSAT THAT THE DOOR LATCH HAS FAILED AND WAS TOLD THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGENS THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE OF THE DANGERS OF HAVING TO OPEN THE DOOR TO RESET THE LATCH ELECTRICAL SWITCHES THAT ARE DEFECTIVE!!!

NHTSA ID

10764641

Incident

Sep 16, 2015

Mileage

122,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO INCIDENT TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR AND WITHOUT WARNING OF ANY KIND MY CAR SHUTS OFF AND I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED . I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK TRIED STARTING THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED RIGHT AWAY . I DROVE VEHICLE HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT . I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM NO ENGINE CODES WHERE PRESENT . I DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK AND THIS SAME SCENARIO PLAYED OUT AGAIN I WASN'T DRIVING THE CAR ANY FURTHER AT THIS POINT BECAUSE AGAIN I HAD MY CHILD IN THE CAR AND AGAIN ALSO GOT REAR ENDED . HAD IT TOWED TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC AND THEY TO WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY ENGINE CODES OR PROBLEMS . I HAD MY BOYFRIEND DRIVE THE CAR HOME AND IT STALLED ON HIM AT A RED LIGHT . CAR WOULDN'T RESTART SO HE HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE ACROSS A LANE OF TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD . WHEN THE CAR COOLED DOWN FOR 2 HOURS IT RESTARTED AND DROVE FINE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR CODES PRESENT .. AFTER A MONTH OF HEADACHES WITH THE CAR WE DISCOVERS IT WAS A FAULTY ENGINE SPEED SENSOR THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PART TO FAIL WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING THE CAR POWERLESS IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY I IMAGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10664459

Incident

Aug 28, 2014

Mileage

125,000 mi

CAR BEEPS AND DISPLAYS THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT. AT FIRST THEY APPEAR AND THEN DISAPPEAR. ON 6/12/2014 THE ABS IS ON EACH TIME I START THE VEHICLE PLUS THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE DRIVE. ON TWO OCCURRENCES THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. THE FEAR IS THAT I HAVE LOST ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL, AND ALSO THAT THE E-BRAKE OR BRAKES WILL ENGAGE WHILE IN MOTION. MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES OF THIS HAVE OCCURRED IN VW PASSAT FORUMS AND MOST SUGGEST TAKING OUT THE ABS MODULE AND HAVING IT REFURBISHED DUE TO A HAIR SENSOR THAT GOES FAULTY ON THE PASSAT. MANY REQUESTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO HAVE THIS PART RECALLED AND FIXED, I AM ADDING MY REQUEST TO THE OTHER PARTIES INVOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10597963

Incident

Jun 2, 2014

Mileage

135,000 mi

IN AUGUST OF 2013, WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, I EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING. AFTER EXAMINING THE CAR, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PLENUM THAT HOLDS THE BATTERY AND BRAKE BOOSTER WAS NEARLY FILLED WITH RAIN WATER. IT WAS NECESSARY FOR ME TO REMOVE ONE OF THE DUCK-BILLED DRAIN PLUGS IN THE PLENUM AS ALL WERE CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS, PREVENTING WATER FROM DRAINING OUT. THE FLOODED PLENUM APPEARS TO HAVE RESULTED IN WATER BEING DRAWN THROUGH THE VACUUM LINES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. THIS, IN TURN, CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WATER TO BE DRAWN INTO THE CRANKCASE. WATER WAS ALSO DRAWN INTO THE CYLINDERS RESULTING IN MISFIRING. AFTER REMOVING AT LEAST ONE DRAIN PLUG IN THE PLENUM FOR PROPER DRAINAGE, AND DOUBLE FLUSHING THE CONTAMINATED OIL IN THE CRANKCASE, I EXPERIENCED NO FURTHER BRAKING PROBLEMS UNTIL FREEZING WEATHER IN NOVEMBER 2013. IN NOVEMBER, WHILE BRAKING NEAR THE BOTTOM OF A HILL, I AGAIN EXPERIENCED A HARD PEDAL WITH NO DEPRESSION AND ALMOST NO BRAKING ABILITY, RESULTING IN THE CAR GOING INTO THE INTERSECTION BEFORE FULLY STOPPING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. TWO WEEKS LATER, THERE WAS AGAIN THE SYMPTOM OF A HARD PEDAL? WITH NO DEPRESSION AND NEAR LOSS OF ALL BRAKING. THE CAR WAS AGAIN RETURNED TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THIS TIME, THE VACUUM BOOSTER, THE VACUUM PIPES, AND THEIR RELATED ITEMS WERE REPLACED. AS NOTED IN THE DEALERSHIP INVOICE, EVIDENCE OF WATER WAS FOUND IN THE REPLACED VACUUM BOOSTER. THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE PLENUM HAD A SIGNIFICANT HIGH-WATER POLLEN LINE, INDICATING FLOODING OF THE PLENUM. IT WAS BELIEVED BY THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT STAFF THAT THE BRAKE FAILURES IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2013 WERE LIKELY THE RESULT OF RESIDUAL WATER FREEZING IN THE VACUUM BOOSTER, CAUSING THE BOOSTER TO BE INOPERATIVE. ALSO, THE IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 01/30/14 THE CONSUMER STATED THE INSUFFICIENT FIX DURING THE 2008 CAMPAIGN DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT ALLOWED FOR CONTINUED FLOODING OF THE PLENUM COMPARTMENT A

NHTSA ID

10560909

Incident

Aug 14, 2013

Mileage

128,800 mi

I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND PULLED OVER BECAUSE MY CAR HAD NO OPERATING TAIL LIGHTS (THE HEADLIGHTS AND OTHER FRONT LIGHTS WERE WORKING PROPERLY). TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON SOLVED THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY, BUT FURTHER TESTING WHEN I RETURNED HOME REVEALED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT ALWAYS TURNING ON WITH THE REST OF THE LIGHTS. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THIS IS A RELATIVELY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS AND THAT A FAILED HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS THE CULPRIT. REPLACING THE SWITCH SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10436159

Incident

Jan 27, 2011

Mileage

125,000 mi

IGNITION COILS CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. MECHANIC STATES THAT THEY "CATCH FIRE ALL THE TIME". *KB

NHTSA ID

10425618

Incident

Sep 14, 2011

Mileage

62,000 mi

I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 VW PASSAT 1.8T/AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH 97,500 MILES WHICH HAD UNDERDASH ELECTRICAL FIRE WHILE RUNNING THE CAR AND NOW IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE CAR WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION PRIOR TO THE EVENTS. ELECTRICAL UNDERDASH FIRE STARTED VERY FAST WITH SMOKE COMING FROM DRIVER VENT. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET APPEARS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AN NOT MANY PEOPLE REALLY REPORT THE CAR FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10410803

Incident

May 15, 2011

Mileage

97,500 mi

TRAVELING DOWN THE STREET AND SMELLED SMOKE. SMOKE BEGAN EMITTING FROM UNDER THE DASH AND VEHICLE CUT OFF. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10406295

Incident

May 25, 2011

Mileage

120,000 mi

MY COMPLAINT IS MORE GENERAL IN NATURE. I PURCHASED A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IN 2001. THIS WAS THE FIRST CAR I PURCHASED BRAND NEW. AS I THINK BACK OVER THE TIME THAT I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE AND READING THE COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN LOGGED IN ON THIS SITE, I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK THAT VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD OFFER SOME TYPE OF SUBSTANTIAL "HARDSHIP" REIMBURSEMENT BESIDES REPAIRS AND SUCH. IN THE TIME THAT I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE, I'VE HAD THE FOLLOWING INCIDENTS OCCUR: 1. HAVE A CONTROL UNIT REPLACED (HORN NOT WORKING, UNABLE TO ROLL DOWN WINDOWS, ETC..) 2. REPLACE IGNITION COIL (STOP MOTOR STATUS LIGHT COMING ON AS I'M DRIVING IN THE MIDST OF TRAFFIC) 3. HAD UNDERSHIELD FALL FORWARD AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE STATE HIGHWAY, PRETTY MUCH SCOOPING UP POTENTIAL DEBRIS FROM THE ROADWAY SURFACE. 4. DAMAGE TO ENGINE FROM OIL SLUDGE AND OIL PUMP REPLACEMENT NO LESS THAN THREE TIMES. (STOP MOTOR LIGHT AGAIN) 5. INTERIOR OF CAR FLOODED AND FROZEN OVER FROM SUNROOF FLAW AND ELECTRONICS ARE AFFECTED... JUST ON MERITS OF BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE PROOF OF OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOWING THAT THESE SERVICES WERE INDEED RENDERED AT A VOLKSWAGEN AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITY, I BELIEVE THAT AT MINIMUM, VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD AGREE TO REIMBURSE ALL EXPENSES, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. IT'S BECOME CLEAR THAT THE QUALITY OF THESE VEHICLES WAS SUBSTANTIALLY SUB-PAR AND POORLY DESIGNED ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN MY PARENTS DRIVEWAY, AS THE LAST TIME THE OIL PUMP WENT CAUSED SO MANY ISSUES THAT I ENDED UP NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR (LIVE AND WORK OUT OF STATE NOW AND REGISTRATION EXPIRED THE SAME MONTH THE PUMP WENT THEN COULDN'T AFFORD INSURANCE AFTER REPAIRS). TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, I DIDN'T RECEIVE THE CLAIM NOTICE ABOUT FIXING THE SUNROOF ISSUE UNTIL A YEAR LATER, AS IT WENT TO MY OLD ADDRESS AND NOW IT'S TOO LATE TO EVEN FILE THE CLAIM. ALL I WANT IS HAVE A RELIABLE CAR TO OPERATE WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT IF I'M GONNA HAVE SKIP LUNCH BECAUSE I SPENT ALL MY MONEY ON REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10386525

Incident

Mar 5, 2011

2002 VW PASSAT 2.8 V6 . IGNITION COIL PACK SHORTING OUT( CAN SEE STREAKS OF ELECTRICITY ON ALL THREE COILS AT NIGHT ALONG SIDES OF COILS - - WHEN LOOKING INTO DARK ENGINE COMPARTMENT ) . CAR MISFIRES UPON ACCELERATION AND AT IDLE . IT HAS STALLED TWICE AND SEEMS TO BE VERY UNRELIABLE . I HAVE ORDERED A NEW COIL PACK AND WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL I REPLACE THIS COIL PACK . I CALLED THE LOCAL V.W. DEALER AND THEY SAID NO RECALL FOR THE 2.8 V6 30 VALVE ENGINE - CALLED V.W. OF AMERICA AND I WAS TOLD THE SAME THING . I WILL KEEP THE OLD COIL PACK IN HOPE THAT V.W. WILL RE-IMBURSE ME THE PRICE OF MY NEW COIL PACK - IT IS VERY EASY TO CHANGE . *TR

NHTSA ID

10375340

Incident

Jan 2, 2011

Mileage

159,056 mi

WE OWN A 2002 VW PASSAT WAGON AND ARE SO HAPPY WITH IT WE BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE WITH LOWER MILEAGE. SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THE SECOND VW THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE FIRST VEHICLE. OUR MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION COIL PACK - $600 TO REPLACE. CAR HAD OVER 120,000 MILES SO WE WEREN'T UNDULY ALARMED, AND PAID IT. THREE WEEKS LATER ENGINE WARNING CAME ON AGAIN. TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT GARAGE - ONE THAT USED TO BE THE LOCAL VW DEALER - AND THEY SAID THE IGNITION COIL WAS BAD AGAIN. WE ASSUMED THE REPLACEMENT PART HAD TURNED OUT TO BE BAD SO PAID ANOTHER $600 TO HAVE IT FIXED. TOOK THE OLD PART BACK TO THE ORIGINAL GARAGE BUT THE MECHANIC DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. 'CHALKED IT UP TO EXPERIENCE. THREE MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE SECOND VW. TOOK IT TO THE SECOND MECHANIC AND HE SAID - VOILA! - IGNITION COIL BAD AGAIN! PAID ANOTHER $600 TO GET IT REPLACED, AND THEN WENT HOME TO RESEARCH IT ONLINE. WAS STUNNED TO SEE ALL THE PROBLEMS LISTED ABOUT THE IGNITION COIL PACK. CALLED VW AND ASKED FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR TWO OF THE THREE IGNITION PACKS BUT WAS TOLD OUR VWS WERE NOT LISTED IN THE CORRECTION BULLETINS. THEY ALSO DENIED THERE WAS A RECALL EVEN THOUGH THEIR OWN PR DEPARTMENT HAD SENT OUT A PRESS RELEASE SAYING ALL 2002 V6 PASSATS HAD BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE CALLED VW SEVERAL TIMES AND FOUND THEIR 'CUSTOMER ADVOCATES' TO BE VERY COURTEOUS AND POLITE BUT ABSOLUTELY STONEWALLING ANY REIMBURSEMENT. WHEN PRESSED WAS FINALLY TOLD I NEEDED THE OLD IGNITION PACKS, THE REPAIR BILLS (ORIGINAL ONLY, NO COPIES) AND COULD SEND ALL TO THEM AND THEY WOULD CONSIDER IT BUT WOULD PROBABLY NOT MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT! *TR

NHTSA ID

10368277

Incident

May 10, 2010

Mileage

48,946 mi

2002 VW PASSAT ENGINE FIRE WHILE DRIVING. SHOP SAID IT LOOKS LIKE IT STARTED IN THE WIRING HARNESS. NO INJURIES, VEHICLE TOTAL LOSS. ONE OWNER, WELL CARED FOR. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW, INTENDING TO DRIVE IT A LONG TIME. NOT A GOOD INVESTMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10352745

Incident

Aug 25, 2010

Mileage

140,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED FROM 70 MPH TO 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE IGNITION COIL SPRING FAILED. THE COIL SPRINGS AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT STATED THIS WAS THE FIFTH TIME THE IGNITION COIL SPRINGS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

NHTSA ID

10351308

Incident

May 20, 2008

Mileage

161,000 mi

TURN SIGNAL PRODUCES CONTINUOUS TURN SIGNAL NOISE AFTER USE OF THE TURN SIGNAL. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING AND DISCOURAGES USE OF THE TURN SIGNAL. THIS HAS BEEN A PERSISTENT PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10346015

Incident

Jul 10, 2010

Mileage

70,100 mi

2002 PASSAT WAGON, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHILE GETTING ON HIGHWAY DURING A COLD MORNING. BRAKES WERE NON-RESPONSIVE EVEN WHEN CAR WAS PUT INTO NEUTRAL. CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, DRIVER PUT CAR INTO A LOWER GEAR WHICH SLOWED DOWN THE CAR A BIT AND FINALLY PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN "PARK". THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO EVENTUALLY STOP. TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY, DRIVER SLOWLY DROVE OFF ONTO THE EXIT RAMP AFTER CALLING 911 AND BEING ADVISED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WHICH HAD NO SHOULDER. AFTER THAT THE CAR AND BRAKES APPEARED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE NEXT MORNING CAR WOULD NOT START DUE TO THE BATTERY BEING DRAINED AND WAS TOWED TO VW MECHANIC. AFTER BEING INSPECTED FOR 2 DAYS THE MECHANIC DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ACCELERATOR OR THE BREAKS AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE PEDAL GOT STUCK ON THE FLOOR MAT. NO ERROR CODES WERE FOUND ON CAR'S COMPUTER. WE HAD HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR OTHER THAN A DASH MESSAGE INDICATING A BREAK FAULT WOULD OCCASIONALLY LIGHT UP ON COLD WET DAYS. THE VW MECHANIC COULD NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BREAKS AFTER REPEATED VISITS AND ATTRIBUTED THE MESSAGE TO A COMPUTER GLITCH. AFTER THE INCIDENT WITH THE ACCELERATOR WE TRADED THE CAR IN FOR A NEW ONE OF A DIFFERENT MAKE SINCE WE DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT, DESPITE ASSURANCES THAT NOTHING UNUSUAL WAS FOUND WITH THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10311920

Incident

Jan 30, 2010

Mileage

55,000 mi

2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS ENGINE PROBLEMS. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN A YEAR AND A HALF DUE TO THE OIL SLUDGE AND MISFIRING PROBLEMS. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND THE SPARK PLUGS AND COIL PACKS WERE CONSTANTLY BEING REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10284308

Incident

Dec 1, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS A LEMON WHEN SHE PURCHASED IT IN 2002. WATER ENTERS THE VEHICLE FROM THE SUN ROOF WHENEVER IT RAINS. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN FIFTEEN TIMES, BUT IT HAS NEVER BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 MILES. UPDATED 8/24/09 *CN THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE WATER LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE AFTER MARKET SPEAKER. THE HEADLIGHT TAIL LIGHT AND FOG LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE COOLANT BOTTLE HAD A HAIRLINE CRACK. THE HEAT IN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THE HEATER CORE HAD A BLOCKAGE. THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. BOTH OUTER CV BOOTS WERE REPLACED. THERE WAS A LARGE EVAP LEAK AT THE PURGE VALVE WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON. THE RIGHT SIDE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 08/26/09. *JB

NHTSA ID

10278698

Incident

Jul 26, 2002

Mileage

500 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 PASSAT 1.8T FOR A APPROXIMATELY 30, REACHING MY HOUSE THE CAR STARTED SPUTTERING AND ACTING WEIRD. ONCE I PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND OPEN THE HOOD THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAR WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY FINE FOR THE FIRST 30 MINUTES AND THEN WAS ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10278501

Incident

Jul 27, 2009

Mileage

126,945 mi

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON I SHUT ENGINE OFF ONE IGNITION COIL STARTS TO SMOKE AND START ON FIRE ALONG WITH COIL ELECTRICAL LEAD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10263560

Incident

Mar 29, 2009

Mileage

93,000 mi

I WAS AT THE TRYING TO FIND A PARKING SPOT WHEN SUDDENLY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED BLINKING. I LOST ALOT OF POWER AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE. I THEN HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOME BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID OF CAUSING ANY FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. THEY THEN INFORMED ME THAT MANY OF THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE PROARISING FROM A FAULTY IGNITION COIL OR COIL PACK AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE COST TO REPAIR IT WOULD BE BETWEEN $350-$500 TO REMOVE AND REPLACE FAULTY IGNITION COILS (4). AFTER FURTHER LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM THROUGH NUMEROUS WEBSITES I NOTICED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM HAPPENING CONSISTENTLY TO MANY OWNERS OF SUCH VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10248679

Incident

Oct 25, 2008

Mileage

104,000 mi

TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD RELAY SWITCH FAILED WHILE DRIVING, NO TURN SIGNALS...FIND OUT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE 2002 JETTA AND GOLFS BUT NOT ON THE PASSAT, SAME SWITCH IN ALL THE CARS MADE BY VW...THIS IS A HUGE HAZARD, WHY HASN'T VW RECALLED THE 2002 PASSATS AS WELL? *TR

NHTSA ID

10244558

Incident

Oct 5, 2008

Mileage

68,000 mi

MY 2002 VW PASSAT INITIALLY BLEW THE #5 FUSE WHICH CONTROLS THE A/C, STEERING WHEEL ITEMS (HORN, VOLUME CONTROL, ETC.) AND ITEMS ON THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR. THE FUSE WAS REPLACED AND SUBSEQUENTLY I EXPERIENCED SMOKING IN THE AREA OF THE SUN VISOR. REMOVING THE VISOR, I NOTICED FRAYED WIRING AND BURNT WIRING INSULATION. IN ADDITION THERE WAS SPARKING INSIDE THE ROOF AREA. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY CUT THE FRAYED WIRE AND TAPED IT UP, WITH A MORE COMPLETE REPAIR TO COME IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. DRIVING THE CAR HOME LATER THAT DAY THE CAR STARTED SMOKING AGAIN WITH THE ADDITION OF CRACKLING SOUNDS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER THAT EVENING. THE DEALER IS NOW LOOKING AT THE WIRING AND HAS FOUND AT LEAST ONE WIRE LEADING FROM THE VISOR AREA ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FUSE BOX WHICH IS BARE BECAUSE IT'S INSULATION HAS BEEN BURNED OFF. THE FUSE THAT SHOULD HAVE BLOWN WAS MELTED INTO THE FUSE BOX. THE BURNED WIRE HAS ALSO BURNED OFF INSULATION ON OTHER WIRES WHICH WERE TOUCHING THE DAMAGED WIRE. THE DEALER IS TRYING TO TRACK DOWN ALL THE WIRES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. CURRENT COST IS APPROXIMATELY $2400 WITH VOLKSWAGEN AGREEING TO PICK UP $900 OF THE COST. BASED ON INTERNET RESEARCH, THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER REPORTS OF FRAYED WIRING IN THE VISOR AREA OF THE 2002 PASSAT. I HAVE NUMEROUS POSTINGS BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BLOWN THE FUSE AND HAD THEIR VISORS REPLACED. OTHERS HAVE PULLED DOWN THE VISOR AND TAPED UP THE FRAYED WIRING IN THEIR VISOR. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING FLAW AND I BELIEVE THAT MY VISOR WIRING HAS BEEN FRAYING FOR SOME TIME PRIOR TO THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10233579

Incident

Jun 25, 2008

Mileage

79,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE THEN SKIDDED INTO AN INTERSECTION AND ALMOST STRUCK A CHILD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION COIL HOUSING BURNED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE OR ALLOW HIM TO PAY $785 WITH A CREDIT CARD TO REPAIR THE IGNITION COIL. THE TURBO COIL ALSO FAILED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER DOES NOT AGREE WITH THIS DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE CONTACT ALSO SMELLED ELECTRICAL WIRING BURNING. HE STATED THAT OIL BREAKS DOWN PREMATURELY, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED IN WRITING THAT THEY SEE NO REASON WHY THEY SHOULD OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE, AND THAT THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS RELATED TO OTHER ENGINE FAILURES. THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION COMPLAINT NUMBER WAS 13323205. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,222 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ID

10221970

Incident

Mar 13, 2008

Mileage

86,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITH FLAMES RISING APPROXIMATELY THREE FEET ABOVE THE HOOD. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,000. UPDATED 01-15-08. * BF THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE GROUND OF AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS. THE WIRING SHORTED OUT AGAINST THE VEHICLE'S STEEL COWL WITH TEMPERATURES HIGH ENOUGH TO WELD THE 12 GAUGE AGAINST THE BODY PANEL . UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ID

10205407

Incident

May 8, 2007

Mileage

91,000 mi

THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED ON MY CAR CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM AND THE ASR (ANTI-SLIP REGULATION) TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS TO NO LONGER FUNCTION. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING WITH NO SIGNS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. THIS HAS ALSO CAUSED OTHER STRANGE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WHERE MY KEYLESS ENTRY WILL NO LONGER WORK. ALSO, THE ERROR LIGHTS CONTINUE TO FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE RADIO REMAINS TURNED ON (UNLESS I MANUALLY TURN IT OFF) EVEN AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND THE KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THIS CAUSED A DEAD BATTERY AFTER 4 DAYS OF FLASHING (RADIO WAS OFF). IT HAS ALSO CAUSED AN ERROR BETWEEN THE COMMUNICATION PATHS FROM MY TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) AND MY ENGINE'S ECU AND INSTRUMENT PANEL AS EVIDENCED BY THE ERROR CODES PRODUCED. THE LAST ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN CAUSED BY THE ABS FAILURE IS THAT THE CAR CONTINUES TO RUN FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND THE KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED. IT WILL THEN SPUTTER OUT AND TURN OFF. FROM MY RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS: HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=173334 *TR

NHTSA ID

10205178

Incident

Oct 3, 2007

Mileage

78,800 mi