2004 Volkswagen Passat Transmission Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

10359476

Incident

Sep 8, 2008

Mileage

100,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10357896

Incident

Jan 11, 2010

Mileage

95,000 mi

TRANSMISSION ON 2004 VW PASSAT HARD DOWNSHIFTS FROM 5TH TO 4TH AT 30 MPH WHEN TRANSMISSION IS WARM. FIRST OCCURRED AT 90K MILES. TOOK TO TWO VW DEALERSHIPS BOTH INDICATED CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE THAT THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO REPAIR FOR $4000. DIDN'T FIX, RESEARCHED WEB AND FOUND THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW TRANSMISSIONS. CALLED VW, THEY KNEW ABOUT IT BUT DIDN'T CARE SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10339155

Incident

May 1, 2010

Mileage

90,000 mi

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HARD DOWNSHIFTS FROM 5TH TO 4TH. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE. THEY CLAIMED TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING. CALLED MANUFACTURER TO REQUEST THEY TAKE OWNERSHIP OF ISSUE. THEY DECLINED ANY RESPONSIBILITY BUT DID NOT DENY ISSUE. TRANSMISSIONS IN MODERN CARS RARELY BREAK POINTING TOWARDS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OR DESIGN FLAW. SAFETY HAZARD IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION COULD BREAK, LOCK UP OR SEIZE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10330776

Incident

May 15, 2010

Mileage

95,000 mi

2005 PASSAT WAGON - 38000 MILES BLOCKED DRAINS AROUND THE SUNROOF CAUSED RAIN WATER TO LEAK INTO THE FLOOR BOARDS OF THE CAR. THE BUILD-UP OF WATER CAUSED THE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE) TO MALFUNCTION. THE (AUTOMATIC) CAR WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN ONLY WITH HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN GEARS AND NOW WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. (UNDRIVABLE). REPLACEMENT OF THE TCM WILL COST $3210. THE CAR WAS A GARAGED CAR UP UNTIL A FEW MONTHS AGO. IT WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE DRAIN TUBES CAN GET CLOGGED WITH "ONE LEAF" AND THE NEXT RAIN CAN CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED TO PARK IN A COVERED AREA AND NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAW THAT ONE LEAF FOLLOWED BY ANY RAIN CAN CAUSE THE TCM TO FAIL AND NEED REPLACING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10292407

Incident

Nov 16, 2009

Mileage

38,000 mi

2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT: FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE LOCATED UNDER PASSENGER SEAT IN FLOOR BOARD DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT. CAUSED BY WATER INTO VEHICLE AFTER HEAVY RAIN. VOLKSWAGEN HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2000 AND HAS FAILED TO MAKE CHANGES. FAILURE OF THE CONTROL UNIT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT SHOULD THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT GEARS DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING OR A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10280633

Incident

Aug 14, 2009

Mileage

84,000 mi

1. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR (2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS, 1.8 L TURBO), AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR TO SUBSEQUENT GEARS. IT WAS SUDDEN, NOT GRADUAL BY ANY MEANS - THE CAR JUST STARTED TO HESITATE WHEN SHIFTING, AND THE MIL LAMP WAS LIT...THIS HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE DETROIT SUBURBS - NOT AN IDEAL TIME TO NOT BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE. 2. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY (IT'S MY OPINION THAT THIS WAS AN UNNECESSARY REPLACEMENT). UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WAS A WATER LEAK IN THE VEHICLE, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD WAS FILLED WITH WATER, INUNDATING THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THIS DAMAGED THE MODULE, AND EFFECTIVELY RENDERED THE CAR IS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. 3. THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE IS BEING REPLACED, AS WELL AS A "SEAL" THAT CAUSED THE WATER INTRUSION (I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET OUT OF THEM WHICH SEAL WAS REPLACED - THIS CAN BE ADDRESSED WITH A FOLLOW-UP). *TR

NHTSA ID

10221320

Incident

Feb 25, 2008

Mileage

53,000 mi

1. NEW 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, V6 SEDAN. RETURNED CAR SEVERAL TIMES UNDER WARRANTY FOR MANY TYPES OF REPAIRS. VOLKSWAGEN UNABLE TO REPAIR CAR. BOTH THE DEALER AND VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA WERE MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS. 2. SEVERAL FAILURES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, LOSS OF POWER AND ACCELERATION, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, FAILURE TO START, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP CONSTANTLY ON, BRAKING PROBLEMS, CLIMATE CONTROL PROBLEMS, AND SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING FAILED BRAKE LIGHTS. 3. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BY VOLKSWAGEN HAS FAILED TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. THEY ARE UNWILLING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS ADEQUATELY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10216738

Incident

Oct 12, 2005

Mileage

10,000 mi

THE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE) FAILED DUE TO A LEAK,THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ,I NOW FIND OUT $1300.00 LATER ON THIS 2004 GLX PASSAT. AFTER SEARCHING FOR 4 MONTHS FOR A TCM I LEARN THAT THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM 2001-2004, THAT VW HASN'T ADDRESSED ,BUT IS AWARE OF DUE TO THE CONFIGURATION OF A DRAINAGE SYSTEM THAT CAUSES WATER TO ENTER THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD AND FRY THIS TCM .WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN INJURY OR FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE,DUE TO TRANSMISSION SHIFTING SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY INTO 3RD GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10216230

Incident

Oct 14, 2007

Mileage

67,976 mi

TRANSMISSION ON CAR "SHUDDERS" WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 50 MPH AND 75 MPH CREATING UNSAFE DISTRACTION AND PERFORMANCE LIABILITY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10200431

Incident

Aug 15, 2007

Mileage

52,000 mi

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATING SEAT MALFUNCTIONED. THE HEATING COIL BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT, AND BURNED THE CONTACT'S LEG. THE DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT HAD A SILVER DOLLAR SIZE HOLE IN IT, WITH A WIRE STICKING OUT OF THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE'S SEAT BEGAN SMOKING AND SHE TURNED OFF THE CAR IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 02-09-07. ALSO, THE CONTACT HAD A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT USUALLY WHEN DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, AND AS SHE BEGAN BRAKING THE CAR JERKED OR THREW THE CONTACT AS IF SOMEONE HAAD REAR ENDED HER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. SHE HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. IN BOTH INSTANCES NEITHER WEATHER NOR SPEED WERE FACTORS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10181988

Incident

Jan 7, 2007

Mileage

82,100 mi

MY CAR, A 2004 VW PASSAT GLX AUTOMATIC, HAS HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT, WHEN THE SALESPERSON TOLD ME IT JUST NEEDED TO ADJUST TO MY DRIVING STYLE. MONTHS LATER, IT WAS CLEAR THAT IT WASN'T ADJUSTING TO MY DRIVING STYLE. I TOOK IT IN AND IT WAS "FIXED." ABOUT MAY OR JUNE OF 2006, IT BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS AGAIN, E.G., SLAMMING, SURGING, DELAYED ENGAGEMENT, ETC. I GAVE IT SOME TIME, HOPING IT WOULD "READJUST," THEN TOOK IT IN NOVEMBER OF 2006, WHEN THE PROBLEMS HAD BECOME MORE ACUTE. IN A 4-5 MINUTE TEST DRIVE WITHIN A MILE OF THE DEALER, THE MOST WORRISOME MALFUNCTIONS COULD NOT BE REPEATED. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE TIME SAID THE MINOR ISSUES WERE NORMAL, AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO "WRITE A LETTER" TO GET THE PROBLEM ADDRESSED. ON SATURDAY, 2/3/07, A TRANSMISSION SURGE PROPELLED MY CAR OVER A SPEED BUMP AND INTO THE CONCRETE, CAUSING WHAT I PRESUMED WAS AN OIL LEAK. THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE PRESENTS OBVIOUS HAZARDS TO PEOPLE, IN ADDITION TO PROPERTY. AS OF TODAY (2/6/07), THE DEALER IS REQUESTING THAT I PAY APPROXIMATELY $900 TO FIX THE OIL PAN SO THEY CAN DRIVE THE CAR AND ADDRESS THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10181819

Incident

Feb 3, 2007

Mileage

35,787 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD A SLUGGISH RESPONSE WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING UPHILL, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ID

10175236

Incident

Dec 5, 2006

Mileage

35,000 mi

CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL HAD TO BE REPLACED ON 2004 PASSAT WAGON WITH ONLY 45K MILES. *JB

NHTSA ID

10166576

Incident

Aug 22, 2006

Mileage

45,000 mi

WATER COMING INTO FRONT PASSENGER SEAT RESULTING IN DAMAGES TO THE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE), WET CARPETING, AND RUST UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE TRANSMISSION MODULE FAILURE RESULTED IN VEHICLE NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO HIGHER GEAR, AND DELAY ACCELERATION. THE TCM AND CARPETING WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

10128426

Incident

Dec 1, 2004

Mileage

30 mi

JUST ABOUT EVRERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR THERE SEEMS TO BE A LURCHING IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN I START DRIVING AND WHEN I START TO SLOW DOWN(5-15MPH). THE DEALER(COOLEY MAZDA, VW IN EAST GREENBUSH,NY) SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, BUT AFTER CHECKING WITH YOUR SITE I FOUND OUT I WASN'T ALONE. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10116431

Incident

Oct 9, 2004

Mileage

120 mi

(1) SLIGHT PULSATION WAS FELT IN CLUTCH PEDAL. ASSUMED CLUTCH RELEASE BEARING FAILED. 2) TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHO CLAIMED THE CLUTCH FAILED PREMATURELY AND DAMAGED THE FLYWHEEL AS WELL. (3) HAD CAR REPAIRED BY DEALER. CLUTCH APPARENTLY IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER 12000 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ID

10116291

Incident

Jan 5, 2005

Mileage

34,240 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BETWEEN 60-70 MPH VEHICLE WILL DOWN SHIFT. WHEN SITTING IN TRAFFIC VEHICLE WILL SURGE FORWARD. CONSUMER WAS VERY CONCERNED. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK WHEN DRIVING 65 THE VEHICLE WILL UPSHIFT OR DOWNSHIFT ON ITS OWN. *TC

NHTSA ID

10101147

Incident

Jun 1, 2004

Mileage

1,290 mi

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH CLUTCH FAILED. VEHICLE LOST POWER. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID

10099650

Incident

Sep 5, 2004

Mileage

4,940 mi

CLUTCH FAILED THREE TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. CONSUMER FIRST HAD IT REPLACED AT 3000 MILES. THE SECOND TIME AT 30,000 MILES, AND THEN AT 40,000 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ID

10099307

Incident

Jun 15, 2004

Mileage

3,000 mi

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LURCHED ON DOWN SHIFT WHEN COMING TO A STOP. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED MOMENTARY HESITATION PARTICULARLY IN AN INTERSECTION. THE DEALERSHIP HAS INSPECTED ON SEVERAL TIMES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB DEALERSHIP CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE AND CONSUMER WISHED TO RESCIND REPORT FROM COMPLAINT DATABASE. *MJJ

NHTSA ID

10092210

Incident

Aug 4, 2004

WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT TRAFFIC LIGHT CAR HESITATED AND THEN JERKED FOWARD, AS IF I HAD BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. IT WAS ENOUGH TO MAKE MY BACK AND NECK SORE. I TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO GIVE THE CAR SOME GAS AND THE ENGINE FREELY REVVED, EVEN THOUGHT THE TRANSMISSION INDICATED IT WAS IN 'DRIVE'. THE CAR HAS DEVELOPED A HESITATION TO ACCELRATE BEFORE THE INCIDENT, AND AFTER. THE CAR HAS ALSO BEEN SHOWING SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION.*AK

NHTSA ID

10093236

Incident

Sep 28, 2004

Mileage

1,220 mi

WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP TRANSMISSION/DRIVE TRAIN OCCASIONALLY WILL DEMONSTRATE A JARRING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS "CLUNK" AS IF THE TRANDMISSION IS DROPPING OUT OF THE CAR. THE CAR ALSO LURCHES FORWARD SLIGHTLY. WE HAVE READ THAT SOME DEALERS TELL THEIR CUSTOMERS THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO A FAULTY TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. OUR DEALER, RUSSEL VW IN CATONSVILLE MD SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING, DENYING EVER HEARING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WE CONTACTED VW-USA AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH A PROBLEM. THIS IS CLEARLY UNTRUE!!! THERE ARE COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM ALL OVER THE INTERNET. VW IS SETTING ITSELF UP FOR TREMENDOUS LIABILITY ISSUES SHOULD INJURIES OCCUR BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

10088967

Incident

May 27, 2004

I OWN A 2004 VW PASSAT WAGON V-6 AND THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR BUCKS/JUMPS WHEN DECELERATING INTO LOWER OR ACCELERATING INTO HIGHER GEAR. IT CAUSES JERKING OF THE VEHICLE AT TIMES. DEALER CHECKED THE CAR ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS BUT CLAIMED THAT IT FOUND NOTHING WRONG WHEN A SYSTEMS CHECKED WAS RUN. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM ON A TEST RIDE. CONTACTED VW TO NO AVAIL. *LA

NHTSA ID

10082392

Incident

Jul 3, 2004

MY TRANSMISSION ON A 2004 PASSAT WAGON ALL WHEEL DRIVE (V6) ENGINE SLIPS AND STARTLES ME VERY FREQUENTLY. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SLOWED DOWN IT BUCKS VIOLENTLY AS IF I WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. SO FAR, VOLKSWAGON GAVE ME A REPLACEMENT CAR (SINCE IT WAS A BRAND NEW CAR). HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT CAR IS DOING THE VERY SAME THING. THIS PROBLEM IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT FEELS AS IF YOU'RE BEING REAR ENDED. ALSO, IT CREATES A POTENTIAL DANGER ON THE ROADS. VOLKSWAGON ORIGINALLY SAID IT WAS THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE (BUT THIS IS SIMPLY NOT THE CASE). NOW, THEY'RE SAYING THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE "FLASHED"? I WILL BE FILING A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT AGAINST THE COMPANY. I FEAR THAT MANY OTHER VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY'RE BEING IGNORED OR SWEPT UNDER THE CARPET. I WOULD REALLY HOPE THAT SOMEONE IN YOUR ORGANIZATION WOULD INVESTIGATE THIS COMPLAINT AND WILL BRING THIS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF VOLKSWAGON. AT AT MINIMUM PERHAPS, THEY SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND SEND OUT A NOTICE TO OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE TYPE. PLEASE PLEAD MY CAUSE WITH VIGOR AND DETERMINATION. SINCERELY, DAVID DEBOSKEY *LA

NHTSA ID

10080893

Incident

Feb 22, 2004

Mileage

2,200 mi