2001 Volkswagen Passat Electrical Problems
57 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (57)
SO I GOT REAR ENDED AT THE OTHER PARTY'S FAULT AT HIGH SPEED WHILE I WAS AT A STOP SIGN AND THEY NEGLECTED TO STOP PUSHING ME INTO AN INTERSECTION FULL OF TRAFFIC...NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED..AND SINCE MY HEATER DOESN'T WORK BUT PASSENGER SEAT HEAT BURNED MY 12 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS BUTT...ANYONE HELP? I JUST WANT HEAT FOR MY BABIES..BELOW ZERO HERE :( THANK YOU!! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 AT APPROX. 78 MPH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SAYS STOP! BRAKE FAILURE! SEE VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE. IN MY RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE, I'VE FOUND THIS HAPPENS ON ALMOST ALL 1998-2001 VW PASSATS AND AUDI A-4S. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
ROLLED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. NO DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE. CAR BURST IN TO FLAMES. TOTAL LOSS. *TR
ABS MODULE IS OUT, CAN'T GET EMISSIONS PASSED UNLESS I PAY OVER 600 DOLLARS. ALSO I DON'T HAVE ABS, CAN'T SEE IF MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MEANS ANYTHING BECAUSE I'M TOLD IT ALL GETS RE ROUTED THOROUGH THE ABS MODULE AND CAN'T GET PAST THAT PROBLEM. *TR
THE FIRST THINGS THAT IS HAPPEN IS THAT MY DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL BLINK IN AND OUT AND THE SECOND IS THAT WATER BE RUNNING IN THE CAR COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
2001 PASSAT GLX MY ABS LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT/ASL LIGHT FLASH ON MY DASH PANEL RANDOMLY DURING THE DAY WHICH POINTS TO ANOTHER FAILED ABS MODULE. I GET THE THREE BEEPS THAT ACCOMPANY THE FLASHING LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 10 TIMES A DAY OR MORE. I CAN FEEL A KICK FROM MY BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THIS HAPPENS DURING BRAKING. *TR
HEADLAMP WIRING HARNESS MELTS. *TR
IGNITION COIL FAILURE AFTER 13 MONTHS AFTER VW REPLACED ALL 4 COILS UNDER PRIOR RECALL. *TR
MY FOSTER SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2001 VW PASSAT WHEN HE NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT AND THERE WERE FLAMES ENGULFING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. FIRE AND POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE. IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND A MECHANIC THAT LOOKED AT THE CAR LATER THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE COMPUTER LOCATED IN THE DASH AREA OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS WITH THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT MELTED BEYOND REPAIR. WE HAVE A FIRE REPORT AND PICTURES. *TR
FAULTY WIRING FOR TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHT, TURN LIGHTS. REPLACED FUSE, REPLACED BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHT BULBS EIGHT TIMES, THIS CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR ONE DAY. BOUGHT NEW KIT TO REPLACE OLD BRAKE ,TAIL LIGHT , TURNING LIGHT. THIS WORKED FOR APPROX. TWO MONTHS NOW NOTHING WORKS. *TR
WARNING LIGHT AND BEEPING SOUND ON DASHBOARD COMES ON FREQUENTLY (ABOUT HALF THE TIME) SAYING STOP ABS BRAKE. ACCORDING TO MECHANIC, MANY MANY VWS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM (SOMETHING TO DO WITH ABS CONTROL MODULE) WHICH CAN COST $2,000 TO FIX AT A DEALER), AND HE'S SURPRISED THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR IT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD LIABILITY COVERAGE; THEREFORE, THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WILL GIVE THE MANUFACTURER A REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000.
DASHBOARD LIGHTS - FLICKER - TURN OFF AND TURN ON WHILE DRIVING. *TR
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CONNECTOR AND WIRING HARNESS PROVIDING POWER TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHTS ON THE 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS MELTED AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. IF I DID NOT TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION THE ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THESE CONNECTORS MAY HAVE TRIGGERED A FIRE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SOCKET/WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED IN OCTOBER OF 2004. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SOCKET/WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2007. WHILE AT THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE PASSENGER SIDE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED I OBSERVED ANOTHER PASSAT OWNER COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET RESULTED IN FINDING MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAD THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS WELL. *AK
I AM A PRIVATE FIRE INVESTIGATOR THAT RECENTLY INVESTIGATED A FIRE IN 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE FIRE WAS VERY MINOR ORIGINATING BELOW THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER AT THE IGNITION COIL MODULES AND PLUG CONNECTOR BETWEEN CYLINDERS #3 & 4. APPEARS TO BE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONNECTION AT THE PLUG CONNECTOR CAUSING THE PLUG CONNECTOR TO OVERHEAT AND IGNITE. *JB
CONSUMER HAS HAD THREE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS REPLACED IN HIS 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. *TS ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER THIS PROBLEM IS RARE AND IS LIKELY A WIRING PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HASN'T TAKEN ANY STEPS TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE PROBLEM, INSTEAD THEY JUST KEEP REPLACING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *NM
I HAVE NO HEADLIGHTS OR WIPERS ON THIS 2001 EUROVAN. IT SEEMS TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAD NOTICED THE 1996 PASSAT WAS RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. SEEM TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WHICH IS UNSAFE SINCE YOU HAVE NO LIGHTS OR WIPERS. WHY HASN'T THIS PROBLEM BEEN RECALLED FOR ALL OF THE SAME TYPE OF IGNITION SWITCHES???? BY VW.??? PLEASE INFORM ME IF THERE ARE ANY INVESTIGATIONS ON THIS PROBLEM. *NM
THE DASH MODULE BEGINS TO SMOKE AND BLOWS OUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. ALTHOUGH THE FIRE IS INSIDE THE DASH, IT CAUSES A SERIOUS DRIVING DISABILITY. IT HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR, AND VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO ASSIST. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ALSO REFUSES, THEY JUST KEEP REPLACING THE PART. *NM
COWL DRAIN BECAME CLOGGED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DURING HEAVY RAIN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BECAME FLOODED AND THE DASHBOARD ELECTRONICS BECAME FLOODED RESULTING IN OVER $2,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MY PARENTS WHO ARE ELDERLY AND FRAIL. *JB
AUTOMOBILE: 2001.5 VW PASSAT 1)THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING - BOTH THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT SIDE. THE DAYLIGHTS, THE FOGLIGHTS AND THE BRIGHTS CONTINUED TO WORK. 2) THE LEFT SIDE HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION HAD MELTED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. 3) WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO A SERVICE CENTER. THEY REPLACED THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT. UPON INSPECTION OF THE LEFT HEADLIGHT, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION HAD MELTED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. QUESTION: IF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION ON THE LEFT SIDE HAS MELTED, ISN'T THERE A GOOD CHANCE THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION ON THE RIGHT SIDE WILL ALSO MELT?
THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON, BUT THE CAR IS NOT DOING ANYTHING DIFFERENT, I ALSO GET THE EPO LIGHT ON, TOOK IT TO VW SERVICE CTR THEY SAID IT WILL COST $1500 + 2.5 HRS LABOR. I CALLED UP VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY SAID THEY CANNOT HELP, EVEN THOUGH 1000S OF OTHER VOLKSWAGENS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE 2001 VW PASSAT V6 GLS ENGINE AND ALL ELECTRICAL QUIT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ONE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE FAST LANE AND THE MOMENTUM ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE FORWARD ENOUGH TO GET THE VEHICLE RESTARTED WITHOUT COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC BECAUSE THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A DISASTROUS SITUATION. DURING THE INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED TODAY THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE BEING RESTARTED. *NM
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH VEHICLE SHOOK AND LOST POWER. THEN STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH LITTLE ROOM TO REACH THE SHOULDER. TWICE VEHICLE STAALED ON THE HIGHWAY. ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS CONSUMER COULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND REPLACED THE ENGINE COIL AND THE BATTERY.*AK
I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALER AND KNOW FROM CARFAX REPORT THE CAR WAS RECENTLY OFF LEASE. I PUT 15 MILES ON IT AND INTERNALLY INSIDE THE DASH BLACK SMOKE RADIATED FROM THE VENTS AND SPARKS FELL UNDER THE CAR. WITHIN SECONDS FLAMES SHOT OUT FROM UNDER THE DASH. THE FIRE COMPANY ARRIVED IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES BUT BY THEN THE CAR WAS AN INFERNO. *AK
2001.5 VW PASSAT GLX 2.8LV6. INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEM. WORSE WHEN COLD OUTSIDE. TURN KEY TO START, NO CRANKING, DRLS AND DASH LIGHTS DIM (RELAY CUTOUT DURING STARTER OPERATION), BUT WILL NOT TURN OVER. LEFT ME STRANDED AT HOME. HAS ALMOST LEFT ME STRANDED NUMEROUS TIMES, SOMETIMES IN TRAFFIC! I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR FAR FROM HOME (LONG TRIP). THIS IS NOT RIGHT ON A 2.5 YEAR OLD CAR THAT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. IT IS UNSAFE. I AM SO CLOSE TO SWITCHING BACK TO JAPANESE BRAND CARS, THOUGH I LOVE THE INTERIOR AND DRIVING DYNAMICS OF MY PASSAT. $1200 IN REPAIRS IN TWO MONTHS FOR A STARTER AND IGNITION LOCK/SWITCH ASSEMBLY. WORKS FOR A FEW DAYS THEN THE PROBLEM COMES BACK! DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL PASSATS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE. TODAY I WAS IN LINE FOR MY STATE EMISSIONS TEST AND IT WOUDL NOT START, TOOK 5 MINUTES, BLOCKING THE TEST LANE! MY 1978 LINCOLN IS MORE DEPENDABLE (BUT COSTS A FORTUNE TO DRIVE WITH GAS PRICES!). *AK
THE CAR SHUT OFF TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH. I WAS TOLD BY A VOKSWAGEN WARRANTY SPOKESPERSON THAT IT DOES NOT FALL UNDER A SAFTEY ISSUE. I DIAGREE. I LOST ALL BRAKING AND TURNING POWER AND WAS GLAD THAT I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. I AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR IT TO BE FIXED. I HAVE BEEN FOUR DAYS NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE. THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR A LOANER CAR.*AK
POLLEN FILTER SEAL FAILURE. THIS PROBLEM IS DOCUMENTED IN MANY INTERNATIONAL PASSAT OWNER GROUPS. THE SEAL AROUND THE POLLEN FILTER FAILS. THE CAR'S INTERIOR BECOMES FLOODED IN RAIN. ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT GET WET FAIL OVER TIME AT ACCELERATED AND UNPREDICTABLE RATE. SAFETY CONCERN: IT IS DIFFICULT TO OPERATE AUXILLIARY COMPONENTS (DEFROSTER, RADIO, ETC WHEN INTERIOR LIGHTS FAIL) EMERGENCY FLASHER AND ASR BREAKERS ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO MOISTURE-RELATED ACCELERATED DECLINE AS A RESULT OF POLLEN FILTER LEAKAGE. OUR VW DEALER AND VWOA STATED THAT POLLEN FILTER SEAL FAILURE AND ASSOCIATED FLOODING DAMAGE AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE WERE PART OF "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". VW SERVICE ADVISORS IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA HAVE SAID THEY SEE "SEVERAL OF THESE EACH WEEK" IN RAINY SEASONS. THE FILTER DESIGNED TO REDUCE ALLERGENS IN THE AIR HAS THE PERVERSE CONSEQUENCE OF ACCELERATING THE GROWTH OF MOLD INSIDE THE CAR BECAUSE IT SEAL FAILS, CREATES (IN OUR CASE 2" OF STANDING WATER) MOISTURE IN THE CAR THAT PROMOTES UNPLEASANT, UNHEALTHY, EXPENSIVE-TO-REMIDIATE MOLD GROWTH IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.*AK
THIS IS THE LETTER I SENT TO VW. THEY ARE MAINTAINING "THE VEHICLE NOW OPERATES ACCORIND TO MAUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS" AND ARE REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING. HELP!!WHAT DO I DO NOW???*AK VW CUSTOMER CARE 3499 W. HAMLIN ROAD ROCHESTER HILLS, MICHIGAN 48309 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO OUR 2001 VW PASSAT, . IF YOU REVIEW THE FILE, YOU WILL FIND THAT THIS CAR HAS NOW FAILED THREE TIMES. THE FAILURES ARE SUCH THAT ALL POWER CUTS OUT AND CREATES A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS DRIVING SITUATION. WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE IN THAT SO FAR IT HAS NOT HAPPENED WHEN TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. WE FEEL THAT THERE IS AN INHERENT DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE. IDEALLY, WE WOULD EXPECT REPLACEMENT OF THE VEHICLE OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM AND WIRE HARNESS. IF YOUR COMPANY IS UNWILLING TO COMPLY, WE WOULD LIKE A LETTER ACKNOWLEDGING THE PAST FAILURES AND OUR CONCERN THAT WE HAVE A VEHICLE WE FEEL IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. FURTHERMORE, WE WOULD LIKE WRITTEN CONFIRMATION OF OUR INFORMING YOU THAT WE HOLD YOUR CORPORATION LIABLE IF THE VEHICLE FAILS AND THE END RESULT IS AN ACCIDENT. FRANKLY, THIS IS A NIGHTMARE. WE ONLY WISH THAT WHEN WE HAD THE CHOICE OF TOYOTA, VOLVO OR VW, THAT WE HAD NOT CHOSEN VW. STEPHEN MCCHRYSTAL
VEHICLE'S DRAINAGE HOLE WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, CAUSING A BLOCKAGE. ALSO, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ONE NIGHT BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS BURNED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM BOTH OF THE HEAD LIGHT WIRING HARNESS' FAILED AND CAUSED MULTIPLE HEAD LIGHT FAILURES. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR 3 OF THE 4 FAILURES OUT OF POCKET. *SCC *NLM
LTR RE HIS DISSATISFACTION WITH THE WAY NHTSA HANDLED SITUATION RE OPENING AN INVESTIGATION ON DEFECTIVE IGNITION,...*MR FAILURE OF THE IGNITION COILS IN CERTAIN 2001, 2002, AND EARLY 2003 AUDI AND VW OF AMERICA VEHICLES. REFER TO 10011100 AND 10022428. *SCC ALL OF THE IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED PRIOR. *PH *JB
OWNER OF A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE AND PARKING CAR WILL NOT RESTART. HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES; REPLACED ELECTRICAL RELAY AND PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES.*AK
HEADLIGHT BUILD CONNECTOR SHORTED AGAINST ADJACENT METAL DUE TO EXPOSED WIRE. CHARRING AND MELTED HARNESS CONNECTOR RESULTED. POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THIS TO CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE WITH POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. HEADLIGHT IS INOPERABLE UNTIL WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN BE REPLACED. *TT
CONSUMER WAS DISSATISFIED WITH NHTSA'S RESPONSE TO SENATOR LARRY CRAIG IN REFERENCE TO THE DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS IN THIS VEHICLE, AND QUESTIONED WHY THE DEFECT WAS NOT A MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE, ES03-001397/S/BRENNER. MR SCC *JB....*AK
THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE IGNITION COILS REPLACED EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. *PH *JB
2001.5 PASSAT GLS 1.8T THE COIL PACK FOULED AND CAUGHT THE COIL ON FIRE. HAD I NOT OPENED IT UP AND REMOVED THE VALVE COVER ALONG WITH THE COIL PACK ITSELF, THE CAR WOULD HAVE WENT UP IN FLAMES. I FEEL SORRY FOR THOSE WHO DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT CARS. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH VW COIL PACKS. VW CLAIMS THAT IF THEY GO BAD YOU CAN STILL DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I DONT BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFE IDEA.
CONCERNED WITH DEFECTS ON IGNITION COIL. TS
FAILING COIL PACK IN 2001.5 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
FAILED IGNITION COIL ON 2001 VW PASSAT... THIS PART AND CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!! THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE IN ALL 2001 AND 2002 VOLKSWAGENS AND AUDIS WITH 1.8-LITER, 4-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED ENGINES. THOSE ENGINES ARE FOUND IN AUDI A4S AND TTS AND IN VOLKSWAGEN JETTAS, PASSATS, NEW BEETLES, AND GOLF GTIS. WE HAVE HAD 2 COILS FAIL IN 2 SEPERATE INSTANCES, IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. IN ADDITION TO BEING AN INCONVENIENCE, BOTH INSTANCES WERE DANGEROUS AS THE CAR EITHER LOST POWER OR SHUT DOWN WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. VW DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN UNWILLING TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE COIL UNTIL IT ACTUALLY FAILS (WHICH IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME). THEY SAY UNTIL THE PRODUCT IS OFFICIALLY RECALLED, THEY CAN AND WILL DO NOTHING BUT THE BARE MINIMUM.
I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN WHAT I NOW KNOW AS ONE OF MY IGNITION COILS FAILED. THE CAR INITIALLY LOST SIGNIFICANT POWER AND THEN FROM THERE CONTINUALLY DROVE AS THOUGH IT WAS MISFIRING. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR I WAS TURNING IN FRONT OF HAD TIME TO SLOW DOWN. I NOW WONDER IF VW IS JUST WAITING AROUND UNTIL SOMEONE ACTUALLY GETS HURT FROM SOMETHING THEY CALL "NOT A SAFETY ISSUE." THEY PROBABLY HOPE THAT THE PEOPLE THIS HAPPENS TO DON'T COMPLAIN AT ALL AND THAT THIS WILL DIE DOWN UNNOTICED AS TO NOT HURT THEIR PRECIOUS REPUTATION. I DROVE IT SLOWLY TO THE VW DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. THEY ONLY REPLACED ONE OF THE COILS. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, EVEN THOUGH MY CAR HAS LONG BEEN OUT OF WARRANTY AS A RESULT OF MILES, VW PAID FOR THE PART AND THE LABOR. IF THAT ISN'T A SIGN THE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED, THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE 3 MORE TIMES THAT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY HAPPEN. I WOULD LIKE IMMEDIATE RESULTS IN HAVING THE OTHER 3 REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN. WHAT COMPANY ADMITS THEY KNOWINGLY HAVE PARTS THAT ARE EXPIRING EARLIER THAN THEY SHOULD (IN MOST CASES AFFECTING 1/2 POWER LOSS IN A CAR) AND THEN ONLY REPLACES THE ONES THAT GOES BAD?????
VW PASSAT 2001 1.8T IGNITION COIL FAILURE. THIS HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED, AND COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE BEEN A SAFETY HAZARD, AS THE CAR LOST POWER SUDDENLY.
FAILED COIL PACK
SINCE 10/15/02, I HAVE HAD 3 COIL PACKS FAIL ON MY 2001 PASSAT 1.8T WAGON. ON 10/15/02 A COIL PACK FAILED AND THEY REPLACED IT THAT DAY. ON 12/16/02, ANOTHER COIL PACK FAILED AND I DIDN'T GET THE CAR BACK UNTIL 12/30/02. ON 1/8/03, A THIRD COIL PACK FAILED, AND I DIDN'T GET THE CAR BACK UNTIL 1/20/03. IN EACH CASE, THE CAR DROPPED DEAD WITHIN 2 MILES OF A DEALERSHIP. AT THIS POINT, I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE CAR BEYOND THE 5 MILES IT TAKES ME TO GET TO WORK. I'VE SPOKEN WITH VW NORTH AMERICA ABOUT REPLACING THE FOURTH (AND FINAL) COIL PACK, BUT THEY ARE UNWILLING TO DO SO UNTIL IT, TOO, FAILS. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THAT WILL EXPIRE IN ANOTHER 1000 MILES.
VW AUTHORIZED THE DEALER TO REPLACE ONE OF THE FOUR COIL PACKS ON THE CAR, THOUGH FAILURE OF THESE COIL PACKS ARE A KNOWN PROBLEM. WITH THE INCREASED PROBABILITY THAT ANY ONE OR ALL THE REMAINING THREE COIL PACKS MIGHT FAIL AT ONE TIME, I CANNOT RELY ON THIS VEHICLE FOR LONG TRIPS OR NIGHT DRIVING. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**770856
ONE OF THE FOUR COILPACKS ON MY 1.8T ENGINE HAS FAILED. IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT VW HAS REDESIGNED THE PART. VW WILL ONLY REPLACE THE PART THAT FAILED. ONCE THE PART FAILS THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. VW SHOULD RECALL ALL OF THE PASSATS WITH THIS ENGINE AND REPLACE THE FAULTY PARTS.
IGNITION COIL FAILURE. *JB ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****770843
WHILE DIVING THE VEHICLE AT 45MPH SUDDENLY LOSS POWER DUE TO A FAULTY COIL DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
FAILURE OF IGNITION COIL PACK. VERY ROUGH IDLE, LOSS OF POWER, STALLING. CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP OVER 2 WEEKS STILL AWAITING PARTS TO REPAIR. NO DEFINITIVE TIME SCHEDULE GIVEN BY DEALER OR VW OF AMERICA AS TO WHEN PARTS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE AND REPAIR CAN BE MADE.
RE COIL PACKS. VW HAS SUPPLIED THE CARS WITH DEFECTIVE COIL PACKS THAT CAN FAIL WITHOUT WARNIHG AT ANY TIME.I HAD ONE FAILED AT 18000 MILES. THE OTHER THREE CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME. CAN'T TAKE THE CAR ON LONG TRIPS WITHOUT TAKING A CHANCE OF A COIL PACK FAILURE.DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IF THERE WAS A FAILURE. VW NEEDS TO RECALL THE CARS AND REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS. AND IF YOU ARE UNLUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A FAILURE YOU CAN WAIT FOR PARTS FOR MONTHS AND IN TURN NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DRIVE.
NO SUMMARY. DT
CONSUMER HAS HAD FOUR RECURRING IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS.
CONSUMER STATES THAT WATER GOT INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AS A RESULT OF THE MANUFACTURER FAILING TO SEAL THE FRESH AIR FILTER AT TIME OFF VEHICLE BEING MANFACTURE. WHICH CAUSE SMOKE TO COME FROM THE INTERIOR VENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ALMOST CAUSING A FIRE. TS
A CHECK OF THE VOLKSWAGEN FORUM SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. *AK
CONSUMER STATED THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT, DEALER REPLACED A BAD BULB, ALSO THE HEADLIGHTS WERE SHINING LOW, DEALER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE OUT OF RANGE.*JB
THIS VEHICLE HAS BROKEN DOWN 4 TIMES WITHIN 11 MONTHS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. EACH TIME IT NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER KEEPS CLAIMING THEY FIXED IT, BUT AFTER 4 TIMES I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR. I AM PURSUING THE LEMON LAW CURRENTLY. I COMMUTE A VERY WINDY HIGHWAY FOR WORK AND SHOULD THE CAR BREAK DOWN WITH THE PROBLEM AGAIN I COULD BE KILLED. 4 TIMES IS TOO MANY FOR THE DEALER TO SAY IT'S FIXED. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE THAT THIS CAR IS REALLY FIXED. THEY HAVE FIXED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT 2X, THE PEDAL 3X, AND THEN THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNES ONCE. SINCE THEY KEEP REPLACING THE SAME PARTS OVER AND OVER I HAVE NO WAY OF REALLY KNOWING THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN.*AK
THE HORN ON MY 2001 VW PASSAT (AND MY 1998 VW PASSAT) DOES NOT WORK WHEN THE CAR IS NOT ON. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE CONFIRMED WITH THE DEALER THAT THIS IS INDEED THE DESIGN OF THE CAR. I DISCOVERED THIS DESIGN FLAW WHEN PARKED IN A GAS STATION WITH THE CAR TURNED OFF GETTING GAS. ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED INTO THE STATION AND APPARENTLY DIDN'T SEE ME. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO LEAN ON THE HORN. I TRIED BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. LUCKILY, THE OTHER CAR NARROWLY MISSED ME. HOWEVER, I CAN THINK OF PLENTY OF SCENARIOS WHERE ONE WOULD ABSOLUTELY NEED AN OPERATIONAL HORN WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION TO THOSE INVOLVING POTENTIAL VEHICULAR ACCIDENT SITUATIONS, THERE ARE ALSO PERSONAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS (E.G. MY WIFE GETS IN THE CAR AND IS ATTACKED BY AN INDIVIDUAL PRIOR TO STARTING THE CAR). I DID CONTACT VW THROUGH THEIR ONLINE CUSTOMER CARE SITE. WHILE A CUSTOMER CARE CASE WAS OPENDED (#10644291), I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION OF THE HORN DESIGN. BY THE WAY, IT APPEARS THAT MERCEDES AND BMW HAVE A SIMILAR HORN DESIGN. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY SAFETY STANDARDS FOR THE MANUFACTURERS REGARDING HORN DESIGN. *AK
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN ENGINE. NO PRIOR WARNINGS . CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK