MyCarTSB

1999 Volkswagen Passat Electrical Problems

39 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

39
Complaints
6
Fires
Jan 2008Dec 2005
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (39)

mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
Filed: Jun 2013

CAR WAS HAVING A FOUL ODOR. DEALER DID NOT HAVE INFORMATION FOR OTHER COMPLAINTS. AFTER WORK, CAR WOULD NOT START, ALARM WOULD NOT STOP. ALARM KILLED BATTERY. DEALER SAID LEAK IN SUNROOF CAUSED MODULE TO CORRODE AND LEAK INTO INTERIOR. $1,440.00 TO REPAIR. PROBLEM IS IDENTIFIED IN CLASS ACTION BUT OUR CAR IS NOT INCLUDED. I AM LEASING A CAR FOR MY SON TO DRIVE BUT NOW HIS DAUGHTER HAS ECZEMA AND ASTHMA FROM THE MOLD. HOW CAN I GET VW TO FIX MY CAR TOO? *TR

NHTSA #: 10520532
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Dec 2012

PURCHASE VEHICLE ON NOVEMBER 23,2012 AFTER GETTING THE MECHANICS APPROVAL THAT IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE (OIL PRESSURE LIGHT WAS ON) SUPPOSEDLY THE VEHICLE PASSED EMISSIONS,AND DROVE 17 MILES AWAY FROM DEALERSHIP APPLE AUTO IN WALLINGFORD,CT WHEN THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. NO POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP AT MY EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10486641
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Feb 2009

ELECTRICAL FIRE IN A 1999 VW PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING, I HAD TO TOGGLE THE FAN SWITCH TO GET THE FAN TO TURN OFF. THIS SLIGHT MALFUNCTION WAS FOLLOWED BY A PUFF OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE CENTER DASHBOARD VENT, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY MORE AND MORE SMOKE. I PULLED OVER AT A AUTO DEALERSHIP/SERVICE STATION AND ASKED EMPLOYEES FOR ASSISTANCE. BY THE TIME THEY BEGAN SPRAYING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER INTO THE VENTS (ABOUT A MINUTE OR TWO AFTER THE INITIAL PUFF OF SMOKE), FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE CENTRAL DASH VENT. THE FIRE MELTED THE A/C BLOW CONTROL ASSEMBLY, 3 ELECTRICAL PIGTAILS AND SOME CONNECTORS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10260227
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Filed: Feb 2009

AT RANDOM INTERVALS WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, AND ASR LIGHT FLASH WITH ACCOMPANYING WARNING BEEPS AND THE TACHOMETER GOES TO ZERO. THESE WARNING EVENTUALLY GO AWAY ON THEIR OWN. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL INTERMITTENTLY PRESENT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10257957
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2008

1999 PASSAT 4 CYL HAS A FLASHING BRAKE AND A CONSTANT ABS ALARM LIGHT ON ALMOST ALL THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA #: 10229446
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2008

OVER TIME LEAVES COLLECTED IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT OF MY '99 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. THIS LED TO RAIN WATER LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CORRODING THE ECU UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE ALARM AND LOCKS STARTED WORKING ON THEIR OWN, SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER START. THE INITIAL REACTION FROM VOLKSWAGEN WAS TO "CHEAPLY FIX" AND THE SELL THE CAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE LIFELONG PROBLEMS WITHOUT A "PROPER FIX" WHICH WOULD COST MORE THAN THE CAR WAS WORTH (~$6-$8K). *TR

NHTSA #: 10223841
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2008

VEHICLE:1999 VW PASSAT 4 CYLINDER 1.8TURBO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE 2005. DEALER WOULD NOT CONSIDER IT PART OF THE WARRANTY AND TOOK 2 YEARS BEFORE THE PROBLEM WAS RECTIFIED. BUT TILL TODAY, STILL GET THE LIGHT AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO RECTIFY IT. ON 2 OCCASSIONS THE VEHICLE STALLED AT MAJOR INTERSECTION, AND WAS A POTENTIAL HAZARD TO OTHER VEHICLES. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE VW DEALER. I MET AN OWNER OF A VW GOLF 1999 AT THE DEALER (YESTERDAY JAN 3RD, 2008) AND HE GAVE ME TO UNDERSTAND THAT HE WAS TOLD HIS CHECK ENGLINE LIGHT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE SEARCHED THE WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/RECALLS SITE AND THERE ARE NONE RECALLS REPORTED AND YET HIS CAR WAS BEING FIXED. LISTED BELOW ARE THE COST TOTAL $727 6/29/2005 REPLACED SECONDARY STAGE LIGHT $415 8/08/2005 CONSIDER SPORADIC AND RESET BUT DETERMINED CAMSHAFT $0 8/16/2006FAULTY MASS AIR FLOW$232 8/18/2006REPLACE ELBOW$80 THOUGH I HAVE DONE THE ABOVE, I STILL GET THE LIGHT AND SINCE THEY CANNOT TRACK THE SYMPTONS, THEY JUST RESET THE LIGHT. THIS IS A HAZARD AND COULD ENDANGER LIVES OF OTHER DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. 'THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT WOULD ENDANGER OTHER LIVES 'I REQUEST THIS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND SUBSEQUENTLY DOCUMENTED 'I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COSTS THAT I HAVE INCURRED. I WOULD LIKE VW TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AND MAKE DO WHAT THEIR CUSTOMERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED. *CN

NHTSA #: 10213760
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2007

ABS, BRAKE, AND OIL LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. IT STARTED TODAY, AND IT LOOKS LIKE FROM MY RESEARCH IT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL I SPEND CLOSE TO 2K ON AN ENTIRE MODULE WHEN ONLY ONE SMALL CHIP SOLDER FAILED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10206358
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2007

1999 VW PASSAT, 1.8T ENGINE: IGNITION COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 76,000 MILES.*AK

NHTSA #: 10186382
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2007

OVER TIME LEAVES COLLECTED IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT OF MY '99 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THIS LED TO RAIN WATER LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CORRODING THE ECU UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE ALARM AND LOCKS STARTED WORKING ON THEIR OWN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER START. THE INITIAL REACTION FROM VOLKSWAGEN WAS TO "CHEAPLY FIX" AND THE SELL THE CAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE LIFELONG PROBLEMS WITHOUT A "PROPER FIX" WHICH WOULD COST MORE THAN THE CAR WAS WORTH (~$6-$8K). *JB

NHTSA #: 10177917
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2006

THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY PEOPLE, AND VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD OWN UP TO IT. WATER IS GETTING INTO MY CAR THROUGH SOMETHING UNDER THE HOOD AND SOAKING MY CARPETS. IT HAS FRIED MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS. THE COMFORT CONTROL MODULE NEEDS REPLACING AS WELL AS THE CORRODED WIRES. THE ESTIMATED COST IS ABOVE $2000. *NM

NHTSA #: 10163411
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 20 MPH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM RETURNED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE SAME COMPONENT WAS REPLACED AGAIN. UPDATED 06/07/2006. *AK *TS

NHTSA #: 10157799
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LAMPS DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, THE DEALER CONCLUDED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS THE PROBLEM AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. UNFORTUNATELY, THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT PERFORM ANY REMEDY TO THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 4/19/2006 - *NM

NHTSA #: 10154282
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2005

I OWN A 1999 VW PASSAT V6. IT CURRENTLY HAS APPROX 67,975 MILES. FROM THE FIRST YEAR OF PURCHASE TO THIS CURRENT DATE, I'VE EXPERIENCED THE SUNROOF OPENING ON IT'S OWN DURING WINTER MONTHS. THIS SUNROOF HAS A MANUAL DIAL CONTROL, AND THEREFORE IT MYSTIFIES ME THAT THIS CAN OCCUR. MY RATE OF SPEED HAS NO IMPACT ON THE OCCURANCE, SINCE I COULD BE MERELY TRAVELLING AT 45 50 MPH WHEN IT HAPPENS. I'VE REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO THE DEALER,BUT OF COURSE IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT REPLICATED WHEN THEY TEST DRIVE THE CAR, IT IS CONSIDERED NON-EXISTENT (IN THEIR OPINION). I AM TIRED OF THE MULTIPLE PREMATURE COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE AND AT THIS POINT, I'M CONSIDERING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS IS WHAT MY TIME LINE LOOKS LIKE: 48,824 MILES REPLACED ALL UPPER LINKS REPLACE V BELT 49,576 MILES REPLACED WATER PUMP AND BATTERY 53,629 MILES REPLACED CV BOOT JOINTS AND BOTH FRONT AXELS 57,512 MILES REPLACED UPPER LINKS AGAIN 61,972 MILES, BEING TOLD THAT ALL GASKET SEALS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I'M CURRENTLY DRIVING WITH THE FOLLING CONDITIONS: NO HEAT AT MY FEET IF MY HEAT SETTING IS FOR BOTH BODY AND FEET. MY KEY KEEPS COMING APART AND GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. MY SUNROOF OPENS ON ITS OWN WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE. MY LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK WOULDN'T LOCK WHEN I LOCK THE CAR. THE TRUNK LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IT FEELS LIKE. I HAVE TO FILL UP ON COOLANT EVERY 700 MILES OR SO. *NM

NHTSA #: 10144844
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Aug 2005

DT: WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS A JERKING OF THE CAR AS IF THE TIRE WAS FLAT. PULLED OVER , INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR A FLAT AND NONE WAS FOUND. CONSUMER GOT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE MALFUNCTION ENGINE LIGHT WAS BLINKING. AT THIS POINT CONSUMER CONTINUED TO DRIVE DOWN THE SERVICE ROAD OF THE HIGHWAY OF ABOUT 15 MPH. THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING, NO SMOKE WAS SEEN. THIS SMELL WAS LIKE BURNED RUBBER. CONSUMER CALLED VOLKSWAGEN, AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT IF THE MALFUNCTION ENGINE"LIGHT WAS BLINKING TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY. AFTER PULLING OVER, CONSUMER CALLED TOW TRUCK. TOW TRUCK ARRIVED , INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS FIRE FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE ITSELF. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TRIED TO EXTINGUISH FIRE WITH WATER AND LATER A FIRE EXTINGUISHER-THIS DID NOT PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO BE CALLED.,IN THE MEANTIME THE FIRE GREW LARGER. AT THAT TIME, FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT FIRE OUT. FIRE CREW NOTED THIS WAS MOST LIKELY AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, PERHAPS DUE TO THE INTENSITY OF THE HEAT FROM SUMMER AND A MIX OF ELECTRICAL WIRING STARTED THE FIRE. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY LOT FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. CURRENTLY, THE CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW WHY THIS H HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 60,500 MILES. THE WAS THE FIRST PROBLEM EXPERIENCED WITH THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA #: 10133294
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2005

I PURCHASED A NEW 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FROM THE DEALER IN 10/99. APPROX 2 YEARS AGO THE INTERIOR ROOF STARTED LEAKING THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RAINED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE WELLS WERE CLOGGED. APPROX 1 YEAR LATER I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS TOLD THE WELLS WERE CLOGGING AGAIN. I REPAIRED IT AGAIN. JULY 05 THE DOOR LOCKS STARTED CYCLING WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD COME ON WHILE DRIVING, THE TRUNK WOULD OPEN WHILE DRIVING, THE LIGHTS WOULD FLASH PERIODICALLY WHILE PARKED AND I WAS UNABLE TO USE THE REMOTE TO OPEN/LOCK THE DOORS OR ACTIVATE THE ALARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DIAGNOSIS IS THAT THE COMFORT CONTROL MODULE UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT IS CORRODED. WATER HAS BEEN POOLING THERE WHEN IT RAINS. THE DEALER OF PURCHASE & REPAIR IS AWARE THAT THERE IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THAT VEHICLE MODEL FOR THAT YEAR AND THE NEXT FEW YEARS. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIR FOR LABOR & PARTS IS APPROX $500.00. VOLKSWAGON'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AT THIS POINT IS NOT WILLING TO FINANCIALLY ASSIST IN REPAIR. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT $700.00 FOR THIS REPAIR AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *JB

NHTSA #: 10132012
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2004

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING AND CAR IDLE BECAME EXTREMELY ROUGH - HAD TO DRIVE HOME FROM HIGHWAY USING REDUCED POWER - ENGINE WOULD ONLY WORK WHEN DRIVEN AT SPECIFIC RPM. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES OF EXTREMELY ROUGH RUNNING, CAR ENGINE WOULD NOT START AT ALL. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, BOSCH PART NUMBER 4D0 905 351 FAILED. PART WAS REPLACED AND ENGINE BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. CAR WAS NOT SAFELY DRIVEABLE WHEN THIS PART HAD FAILED.*AK

NHTSA #: 10100299
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2004

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE IN LEFT LANE ON THE HIGHWAY. AT 65 MPH, ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING AND ENGINE POWER DROPPED OUT. ENGINE STALLED COMPLETELY - I HAD TO PULL OVER THROUGH TRAFFIC LANES TO COME TO A STOP IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE OF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT THE AID OF POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES, BOTH OF WHICH WERE DISABLED ONCE THE ENGINE CUT OUT. ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART - AFTER 30 MINUTES AND SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, GOT ENGINE TO START AND IDLE WAS EXTREMELY ROUGH - DROVE CAR DOWN THE STREET AND BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE A FAILURE OF THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE (BOSCH PART NUMBER 4D0 905 351). REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART RESTORED THE ENGINE TO NORMAL FUNCTION. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE REPLACED THIS EXACT SAME PART. THIS PART HAD BEEN REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 24 MONTH EARLIER.*AK

NHTSA #: 10100300
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2004

CAR WOULD LOSE POWER WITH A BLINKING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THEN THE CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT QUIT BLINKING AND IT WOULD SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD. I ALMOST REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR WHEN IT SURGED. DEALER DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE.

NHTSA #: 10096111
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2004

80330 MILES ON CAR. ENGINE LIGHT STARTING FLASHING AND ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH. CAUSE WAS FAILURE OF IGNITION MODULE P/N 4D0-905-351 WITHOUT WARNING. CAUSED REDUCED ENGINE SPEED AND DANGER DRIVING TO REPAIR SHOP APPROX. 10 MILES. PARTS WERE REPLACED.....

NHTSA #: 10090985
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2004

50993 MILES ON CAR. ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLALSHING AND ENGINE IS RUNNING ROUGH: CAUSE WAS FAILURE OF IGNITION MODULE P/N 4D0-905-351 WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSED REDUCED ENGINE SPEED AND DANGER DRIVING TO REPAIR SHOP APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES. PARTS REPLACED BY VW AFTER 2(TWO) WEEKS.

NHTSA #: 10090980
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2004

ENGINE BEGAN TO SERIOUSLY MISFIRE - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON VEHICLE BECAME UNDRIVEABLE -- DANGEROUR LACK OF POWER REPLACED IGNITION CONRTOL MODULE INTERNET IF FULL OF DESCRIPTIONS OF THIS KIND OF FAILURE -- VW DOES NOTHING. *AK

NHTSA #: 10080672
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2004

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IGNITION COIL PACK FAILED. AS A RESULT, ENGINE BECAME INOPERATIVE. *AK

NHTSA #: 10067236
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2004

IGNITION COILS FAIL ON MY 1999 PASSAT V6 2.8L ...VW CONSUMER OFFICE CLAIMS THAT ONLY 2001 AND 2002 VEHICLES WERE PART OF A RECALL CAMPAIGN...BUT THOUSANDS OF OTHER VW'S OUTSIDE OF THESE YEARS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM...PROBLEM: POWER FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD...I REPORTED TO VW AND HAD THEM NOTE IT IN MY CASE FILE FOR MY VEHICLE...COMPLAINT IS THAT VW SHOULD COVER THE CHARGE OF IGNITION COIL REPLACEMENT FOR CARS EXPERIENCING THESE TYPE OF POWER FAILURES. *AK

NHTSA #: 10058127
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2003

SPARK PLUG IGNITION MODULE FAILURE. CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND CAUSED A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MY WIFE AND CHILDREN. *LA

NHTSA #: 10043294
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2003

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION COIL. *AK *TT *JB

NHTSA #: 10022563
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,INTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: May 2003

I HAD SHUT OFF MY CAR AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN IT BACK ON I HAD NO LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, DOME LIGHT, HORN, CLIMAT CONTROL OR RADIO. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME IT HAPPENS ON BEETLES AND GOLFS ALL THE TIME AND THAT IT WAS THE IGNISION SWITCH. THEY SHOWED ME THE SWITCH WHEN THEY PULLED IT OUT. IT HAD GOTTEN SO HOT IT MELTED RIGHT THROUGH THE WIRES. THERE IS NO SAFETY RECALL ON THIS BUT IF IT GETS HOT ENOUGH TO MELT METAL IT COULD START THE CAR ON FIRE.

NHTSA #: 10020648
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2003

I HAVE A 1999 VW PASSAT, 1.8L TURBOCHARGED, MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE 40,500 MILES ON THE CLOCK. ONE OF THE 4 IGNITION COILS JUST FAILED. THIS IS COSTING ME ABOUT $550. I KNOW THERE ARE ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEMS WITH THE COILS ON LATER MODELS, WHICH VW IS 'RECALLING', BUT WANTED TO REGISTER MY PROBLEM FOR THE RECORD. ALSO THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE 40,000 MILE SERVICE AND STATE INSPECTION, WHICH I FIND 'IRONIC'?

NHTSA #: 10013883
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2003

FAILURE OF COIL PACK WITHIN EPA EMISSIONS WARRANTY PERIOD NOT COVERED BY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. AT 3.5 YEARS/78402 MILES AFTER PURCHASE, ONE OF THE 4 COIL PACKS ON MY 1999 VW PASSAT FAILED, LEAVING THE VEHICLE RUNNING ON 3 CYLINDERS TO TRANSPORT ME TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT. THE COST WAS $174.25, BUT FORTUNATELY THERE WAS A REPLACEMENT COIL IN STOCK, SO THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE BUT FOR 1 DAY. I HAVE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT VW IS PAYING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART ON 2001 AND 2002 PASSATS, BUT WHY NOT MY 1999?

NHTSA #: 10005409
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2003

I HAD SMELLED HOT ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR ABOUT A WEEK PRYOR TO LOOSING MY LIGHTS, HORN, TURN SIGNALS, TAIL LIGHTS, HEATER FAN, AND WIPERS. IT ENDED UP BEING THE IGNSION SWITCH ONCE REPACED THE SURGE OF ELECTRICITY CAUSED A SHORT UNDER MY DASH.

NHTSA #: 10005440
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2003

COILPACK FAILURE IN VOLKSWAGEN 2.8 LITER V6 AND 1.8 LITER INLINE FOUR CYLINDER ENGINES

NHTSA #: 10000750
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Oct 2002

CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE SHORTLY AFTER BEING DRIVEN. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHEN THE FIRE STARTED. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE REST OF THE HOUSE. THE FIRE WAS WITNESSED TO ORIGINATE ON THE RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER) OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT UNDER THE HOOD. DT

NHTSA #: 769060
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Oct 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE REAR COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. NLM

NHTSA #: 8020149
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2002

VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNIING, IT FORCES ANTIFREEZE DOWN WIRING HARNESS, AND SHORTS OUT COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WILL START TO SHAKE AND STALL OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA #: 8018688
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Aug 2002

UPON REPLACEMENT OF THE BATTERY THE RADIO LOCKS DOWN TO PREVENT THEFT. LOCK OUT RESET CODE FAILS AND STEREO CAN NOT BE RESET FOR USE.*AK

NHTSA #: 765690
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Aug 2002

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, ACID START LEAKING FROM THE BATTERY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE INVOICE STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS LEAKING ACID DOWN ON TO THE POWER STEERING RACK CAUSING THE BOOT TO SPLIT, THROWING FLUID OUT OF THE RACK. ALSO THE DIP STICK PLASTIC WAS BROKEN. *SCC

NHTSA #: 8015872
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Sep 2001

WHILE DRIVING 5-10 MPH NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED OVER AND SAW BURNING LIQUID COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. PLEASE ADD FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA #: 895742
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2001

DEALER STATES WIRING FOR FUEL GUAGE RUBBED THROUGH CAUSING SHORT. *AK

NHTSA #: 741625
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Jun 1999

EITHER A DROP OR TWO OR FUMES FROM A CONTAINER OF CONTAINERIZED CHOLORINE CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE TRUNK DUE TO MAKING CONTACT WITH AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP. *AK

NHTSA #: 839806

Other 1999 Volkswagen Passat Issues