2004 Volkswagen Passat Problems

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.

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.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER HAS ACCUMULATED IN THE SUN ROOF AND OVER TIME THE WATER HAS LEAKED DOWN TO THE TRANSMISSION MODULE CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THE TRANSMISSION MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE SUN ROOF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DISCOVERED WATER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE SUNROOF WAS DISENGAGED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE UNDER AN UNKNOWN RECALL CAMPAIGN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING AN ABNORMAL JERKING SENSATION WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SOILED CARPETING AND NOTICED EXTENSIVE WATER DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MODULE, WHICH WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE JERKING PERSISTED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000. UPDATED 1/19/2010 *CN UPDATED 01/27/11

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

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

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.

THE VEHICLE HEATED UP DUE TO A FAULT IN VW'S PASSAT COOLING SYSTEM AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 25 MILES / KM ONLY. I TOWED THE CAR TO MECHANIC AND HAD TO DO A COSTLY REPAIR FOR WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT, ETC. I SEE THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL FOR THIS KIND OF ISSUE IN WATER PUMP IN PASSATS, SO I TRULY BELIEVE THE WATER PUMP WAS FAULTY FROM MANUFACTURER SIDE. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REPAID FOR THE MONEY I HAVE ALREADY SPENT ON THIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING FOR TWO MINUTES WITH THE SEAT HEATER ACTIVATED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE SEATS: HEATING SYSTEM. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55,000. UPDATED 5/26/09 *CN UPDATED 05/28/09.*JB

INCIDENT DESCRIPTION = 2004 VW PASSAT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORT SEVERAL FUEL CONSUMPTIONS PROBLEMS AT HOY FOX VW AND GAS ENDED UP LEAKING OUT OF FUEL TANK AND CAUSE A SPILL IN MY GARAGE AND DRIVE. HAZARD WAS INHALATION GAS IN A CLOSED IN AREA CAUSED HEAD ACHES/ NAUSEA/DIZZINESS/ FOR MY FAMILY AND I I HAVE HAD MUTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE SINCE THEN HAS BROKE DOWN ON ME TWICE IN LESS THAN 1 DAY'S TIME. ON 01 SEP 08 MY WIFE NOTICED AND OIL SPOT IN DRIVEWAY AFTER I LEFT TO GO OUT OF TOWN GRANTED WE HAVE BRAND NEW HOME AND THE VW WAS ONLY VEHICLE PARKED IN THAT SPOT SHE COULD REACH ME BECAUSE NO SERVICE WITH MY CELL PHONE BUT I ENDED UP BROKE DOWN OUTSIDE BIG SPRING ,TX THE CARE WAS SLUGGISH AND LEAKING OIL THIS TIME AND ON 03 SEP08 IN /TEXARKANA AFTER BEING IN SHOP ALLDAY 2SEP08 IT BROKE DOWN FOR A PREVIOUS CONDITION WITH IGNITION COILS. HOY FOXVW NOT ADMITTING THAT MAY HAVE PUT THE NEW OIL FILTER TO TIGHT TO CAUSE TO BREAKDOWN AFTER HAVING THE OIL CHANGE ON 28AUG08/29AUG08 FOR OTHER NEGLECTED MAINTENANCE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER I'M SURE IT'S NOT JUST MY VEHICLE THEY TRYING TO ASSUME BECAUSE IT JUST HAD WENT OUT WARRANTY. THE ENGINE OIL COOLER WAS DAMAGED AND BURSTED WHEN PUT ON AT HOY-FOX VW BY A VW TECHNICIAN AFTER PUTTING THE OIL FILTER ON ENTIRELY TO TIGHT. LEAKED IN YARD AND I WAS NOT AWARE OF IT AND THE SPILLED OUT ALL OVER THE GROUND AT A HIGH TEMPERATURE VEHICLE (OVERHEATED) WHICH MAKE IT HARD FOR ME STOP WHILE DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE SLICKNESS OF MIXTURE BETWEEN THE COOLANT AND OIL. ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD BUT ENDED UP SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL AND LETTING COAST OVER TO MEDIAN. *TR

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.

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

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

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

THE DRAIN COMING DOWN FROM THE SUNROOF APPARENTLY BECAME CLOGGED CAUSING THIS VEHICLE TO SHORT OUT...HORN BLOWING, ALARM SYSTEM GOING OFF, ETC. THE WATERPROOF BLACK BOX, WHICH IS UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SEAT, WAS FULL OF WATER AND THE COMFORT CONTROL BOX WAS ALL BURNED. THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR IS SOAKING WET AND WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DRY IT OUT FOR 6 DAYS NOW. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE WHILE OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER CAR. PLEASE ADVISE..... *TR

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.

I WAS DRIVING MY PASSAT ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 60MPH, SUDDENLY AN OTHER DRIVER CUT ME OFF. TO AVOID HIM I SWITCHED LANE BUT THE TRAFFIC WAS MOVING SLOW AS I WAS APPROACHING A CONSTRUCTING SITE. I HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHICH CAUSED OTHER 2 CARS AHEAD TO BE INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE DAMAGE WAS SEVERE AS THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS CRASHED INCLUDING THE ENGINE AND THE PASSENGER WAS FATALLY INJURED, HE HAD A SHOULDER DISLOCATION. WHAT SURPRISED ME ARE THE AIRBAGS, THEY NEVER DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH. AFTER FEW DAYS VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA SENT AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE CAR. AFTER HE LEFT I NOTICED THE SEAT BELTS ARE LOOSE AND THE BOTTOM COVER IS OPENED, IT SEEMS LIKE HE DID IT IN PURPOSE. BEFORE HE CAME THE SEAT BELTS WERE FINE. WHAT MOST SURPRISED ME IS HIS DECISION THAT THE AIRBAGS CAN'T DEPLOYED IN THIS CASE. I SHOWED HIM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR WHERE IS THE CHASSIS, IT WAS BENT FROM THE DIRECT IMPACT OF THE FORCES THAT CAME THROUGH THE BUMPER WHICH ALSO CAUSE THE FRONT BEAM TO TWIST, BUT NEVER GAVE ME A SATISFIED EXPLANATION. PEOPLE WHO TRY TO BUY THIS CAR AND HAVE KIDS PLEASE BE AWARE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE, MY FAMILY WAS BLESSED TO GET OUT OF THIS ACCIDENT JUST WITH A SHOULDER DISLOCATION, WHICH COULD BE WORST. MY NEXT STEP IS LAWSUIT AGAINST VW. *TR

THE VEHICLE HEATED UP DUE TO A FAULT IN VW'S PASSAT COOLING SYSTEM AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 25 MILES / KM ONLY. I TOWED THE CAR TO MECHANIC AND HAD TO DO A COSTLY REPAIR FOR WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT, ETC. I SEE THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL FOR THIS KIND OF ISSUE IN WATER PUMP IN PASSATS, SO I TRULY BELIEVE THE WATER PUMP WAS FAULTY FROM MANUFACTURER SIDE. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REPAID FOR THE MONEY I HAVE ALREADY SPENT ON THIS. *TR

FLASHING ENGINE LAMP/MIL LIGHT, VIOLENT SHAKING, LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, FOUL ODOR, MISFIRING, PINGING. *TR

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE HAS SPECTOR Z100 TIRES, TIRE SIZE P225/40/18(NA). THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT AND EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CRACKING. THE TIRE WAS CHANGED AND REPLACED WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE OTHER THREE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED SEVERE CRACKS. THE FOUR DEFECTIVE TIRES WERE PURCHASED FOUR MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAS PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. THERE WERE CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISKS INVOLVED. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THE LOW-BEAM PORTION OF MY HEADLIGHT BULBS ON MY 2004 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE SEEM TO LAST ONLY ABOUT SIX MONTHS. I'VE BECOME AN EXPERT AT REPLACING THEM. I DRIVE THREE MILES TO WORK, SO THE LIGHTS ARE NOT LIT AN EXTRAORDINARY NUMBER OF HOURS/MILES. *TR

2004 VW PASSAT TDI. VW HAS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. THE SWITCH CONTINUES TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE CIRCUIT AFTER THE TURN SIGNAL IS IN THE OFF POSITION. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THEIR MODELS( JETTA, PASSAT BOTH GAS AND DIESEL). THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE PERSONNEL ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ARE REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH ONLY IF YOUR HAVE ALL YOUR MAINTENANCE DONE AT A AUTHORIZED VW DEALER. SO IF YOU DON"T HAVE ALL YOUR OIL CHANGES AND REPAIRS DONE BY A AUTHORIZED V W DEALER THERE IS NO ASSISTANCE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THIS DEFECTIVE SWITCH. THIS IS A COST OF $300.00 TO THE CONSUMER. THIS SURE IS SAFETY RELATED AND NEED TO BE RECALLED ASAP. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED FIRES UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *TR

THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED TWICE IN DECEMBER 2009. AFTER LIFTING MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING TO VERY HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP ACCELERATING WHEN I PUT MY FOOT UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND LIFTED UP. TO STOP, I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND BRAKE. DEALER SAID IT WAS A STUCK FLOOR MAT AND REMOVED THE MAT FROM THE VEHICLE. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL DEFECT. *TW

2004 VW PASSAT 4 SEDAN REAR CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND ASH TRAY ARE NOT SAFELY AND FUNCTIONAL INSTALLED WELL. HAVE THE TENDENCY TO KEEP COMING APART ENTIRELY EXPOSING ELECTRICAL WIRES LEADING TO BURN AND ELECTRICAL SHOCK OR POPPING OR BURNING OF WIRES. HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BY DEALER AS WELL AS BY MYSELF TO FURTHER PREVENT THE MISHAP SINCE OUT OF WARRANTY. MY CHILDREN BUMP THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND IT CAUSED SPARKS AND BURNING SMELL. I WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE ENCLOSURE AGAIN FOR THE 13TH OR SO TIME AND SINCE IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY IT'S NOT COVERED. CHILDREN SIT IN THE REAR MORE THAN ADULTS BUT THERE HAS BEEN TIME WHERE THE ADULTS HAVE CAUSD THE SAME ISSUE. IT'S THAT MY 9 YR OLD SON TRY TO REPAIR OR PUT BACK IN WHERE THE ENTIRE ENCLOSURE FELL OUT AGAIN. *TR

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

I OWN 2004 PASSAT AND RECENTLY HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT ON FREEWAY TRANSMISSION BECAME UNRESPONSIVE,AND ALMOST GOT ME WIPED OUT BY TWO TRAILER TRUCK GOING ABOUT 60! I WAS TOLD TO REPAIR IT WOULD BE 1200.00 TO 3000.00 DOLLARS. BUT FOR VOLKSWAGEN TO KNOW OF PROBLEM AND REFUSE TO FIX IS OUTRAGEOUS AND YOU PEOPLE NEED TO DO SOMETHING BEFORE INJURY;S OR MORE HAPPEN! IS THERE SOMEONE I CAN CONTACT TO GET HELP,I CANNOT AFFORD THAT,AND VW NEEDS TO REPAIR IF THEY ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT IT!! *TR

PASSAT 2004 ID [XXX] WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH - THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT SIMILAR TO A POSSIBLE FLAT TIRE. I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND CHECKED EACH TIRE WITH A FLASHLIGHT ' THEY WERE FINE. I RETURNED TO THE ROAD AND CONTINUED. THE STEERING QUICKLY BECAME STIFF, LESS RESPONSIVE, WITH A SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I DECREASED MY SPEED, PUT ON FLASHERS, AND VERY SLOWLY CONTINUED THE LAST MILE TO MY HOME WHEN A LOUD METAL-ON-METAL SCRAPING SOUND STARTED. THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO CONTROL BECAUSE THE STEERING WAS UNRESPONSIVE. HAD MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER BEEN DRIVING, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS, POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING PROBLEM. THIS IS INCONCEIVABLE. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO OUR VOLKSWAGEN DEALER TO BE EVALUATED AND WERE TOLD ' BOTH AXLES NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL THE STEERING PUMP. THIS IS NOT 'NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR'. THIS VEHICLE HAS 96,000 MILES, HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT, IS DRIVEN ONLY ON PAVED ROADS, AND IS KEPT IN THE GARAGE. MY SERVICEMAN REPORTED HE'D NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. PLEASE CHECK TO DETERMINE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

INCIDENT DESCRIPTION = 2004 VW PASSAT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORT SEVERAL FUEL CONSUMPTIONS PROBLEMS AT HOY FOX VW AND GAS ENDED UP LEAKING OUT OF FUEL TANK AND CAUSE A SPILL IN MY GARAGE AND DRIVE. HAZARD WAS INHALATION GAS IN A CLOSED IN AREA CAUSED HEAD ACHES/ NAUSEA/DIZZINESS/ FOR MY FAMILY AND I I HAVE HAD MUTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE SINCE THEN HAS BROKE DOWN ON ME TWICE IN LESS THAN 1 DAY'S TIME. ON 01 SEP 08 MY WIFE NOTICED AND OIL SPOT IN DRIVEWAY AFTER I LEFT TO GO OUT OF TOWN GRANTED WE HAVE BRAND NEW HOME AND THE VW WAS ONLY VEHICLE PARKED IN THAT SPOT SHE COULD REACH ME BECAUSE NO SERVICE WITH MY CELL PHONE BUT I ENDED UP BROKE DOWN OUTSIDE BIG SPRING ,TX THE CARE WAS SLUGGISH AND LEAKING OIL THIS TIME AND ON 03 SEP08 IN /TEXARKANA AFTER BEING IN SHOP ALLDAY 2SEP08 IT BROKE DOWN FOR A PREVIOUS CONDITION WITH IGNITION COILS. HOY FOXVW NOT ADMITTING THAT MAY HAVE PUT THE NEW OIL FILTER TO TIGHT TO CAUSE TO BREAKDOWN AFTER HAVING THE OIL CHANGE ON 28AUG08/29AUG08 FOR OTHER NEGLECTED MAINTENANCE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER I'M SURE IT'S NOT JUST MY VEHICLE THEY TRYING TO ASSUME BECAUSE IT JUST HAD WENT OUT WARRANTY. THE ENGINE OIL COOLER WAS DAMAGED AND BURSTED WHEN PUT ON AT HOY-FOX VW BY A VW TECHNICIAN AFTER PUTTING THE OIL FILTER ON ENTIRELY TO TIGHT. LEAKED IN YARD AND I WAS NOT AWARE OF IT AND THE SPILLED OUT ALL OVER THE GROUND AT A HIGH TEMPERATURE VEHICLE (OVERHEATED) WHICH MAKE IT HARD FOR ME STOP WHILE DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE SLICKNESS OF MIXTURE BETWEEN THE COOLANT AND OIL. ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD BUT ENDED UP SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL AND LETTING COAST OVER TO MEDIAN. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY PASSAT ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 60MPH, SUDDENLY AN OTHER DRIVER CUT ME OFF. TO AVOID HIM I SWITCHED LANE BUT THE TRAFFIC WAS MOVING SLOW AS I WAS APPROACHING A CONSTRUCTING SITE. I HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHICH CAUSED OTHER 2 CARS AHEAD TO BE INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE DAMAGE WAS SEVERE AS THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS CRASHED INCLUDING THE ENGINE AND THE PASSENGER WAS FATALLY INJURED, HE HAD A SHOULDER DISLOCATION. WHAT SURPRISED ME ARE THE AIRBAGS, THEY NEVER DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH. AFTER FEW DAYS VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA SENT AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE CAR. AFTER HE LEFT I NOTICED THE SEAT BELTS ARE LOOSE AND THE BOTTOM COVER IS OPENED, IT SEEMS LIKE HE DID IT IN PURPOSE. BEFORE HE CAME THE SEAT BELTS WERE FINE. WHAT MOST SURPRISED ME IS HIS DECISION THAT THE AIRBAGS CAN'T DEPLOYED IN THIS CASE. I SHOWED HIM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR WHERE IS THE CHASSIS, IT WAS BENT FROM THE DIRECT IMPACT OF THE FORCES THAT CAME THROUGH THE BUMPER WHICH ALSO CAUSE THE FRONT BEAM TO TWIST, BUT NEVER GAVE ME A SATISFIED EXPLANATION. PEOPLE WHO TRY TO BUY THIS CAR AND HAVE KIDS PLEASE BE AWARE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE, MY FAMILY WAS BLESSED TO GET OUT OF THIS ACCIDENT JUST WITH A SHOULDER DISLOCATION, WHICH COULD BE WORST. MY NEXT STEP IS LAWSUIT AGAINST VW. *TR

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

PASSAT 2004 ID [XXX] WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH - THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT SIMILAR TO A POSSIBLE FLAT TIRE. I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND CHECKED EACH TIRE WITH A FLASHLIGHT ' THEY WERE FINE. I RETURNED TO THE ROAD AND CONTINUED. THE STEERING QUICKLY BECAME STIFF, LESS RESPONSIVE, WITH A SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I DECREASED MY SPEED, PUT ON FLASHERS, AND VERY SLOWLY CONTINUED THE LAST MILE TO MY HOME WHEN A LOUD METAL-ON-METAL SCRAPING SOUND STARTED. THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO CONTROL BECAUSE THE STEERING WAS UNRESPONSIVE. HAD MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER BEEN DRIVING, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS, POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING PROBLEM. THIS IS INCONCEIVABLE. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO OUR VOLKSWAGEN DEALER TO BE EVALUATED AND WERE TOLD ' BOTH AXLES NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL THE STEERING PUMP. THIS IS NOT 'NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR'. THIS VEHICLE HAS 96,000 MILES, HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT, IS DRIVEN ONLY ON PAVED ROADS, AND IS KEPT IN THE GARAGE. MY SERVICEMAN REPORTED HE'D NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. PLEASE CHECK TO DETERMINE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING SOUND. FOLLOWING THAT STEERING FAILED. DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE ON MAY 12, 2004, AND NOTICED THAT POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE STEERING WAS REPAIRED THE FOLLOWING DAY ,AND WAS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP MAY 14, 2004. *AK