2004 Volkswagen Passat Fuel System Problems

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.

The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that there was gasoline leaking in his driveway where the vehicle was parked, after he had refueled the vehicle the day before. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic informed the contact that it was a known failure related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V156000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the failure was addressed in 2012 and the recall was closed on the VIN. The failure mileage was 97,361.

WHEN YOU FILL UP THE FUEL TANK IT LEAKS IT LEAKS A QUARTER OF A TANK OF FUEL ROUGHLY 4 TO 5 GALLONS OF FUEL DRIP OUT THERE'S A FACTORY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE I TOOK IT TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER PAID MONEY TO HAVE THEM INSPECT IT AND THEY SAID YES IT'S LEAKING AT THE FACTORY RECALL I'VE HAD AN INDEPENDENT DEALER CONFIRM THAT! VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT DO ANYTHING DUE TO WHAT THEY CLAIM A REMEDY WAS DONE BY MOVING FUEL LINES 10 YEARS AGO, OBVIOUSLY IT WAS NOT OR I WOULD NOT HAVE 4 GALLONS OF FUEL SPILL IN MY DRIVEWAY VEHICLE IS BASICALLY IN OPERABLE AND THEY WANT $3000 TO PUT A NEW FUEL TANK IN WHEN IT'S A FACTORY RECALL WHICH NEVER EXPIRES I HAVE TALK TO THE VOLKSWAGEN REP AND THE ONLY THING I HAVE FOUND IN FORUMS IS DO YOU HAVE TO GO TO VOLTS WAGON OF AMERICA AND FIGHT THEM AND THIS IS RIDICULOUS WHEN THEY KNOW THEY HAVE AN ISSUE!! TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WE NEVER FILL IT OVER A HALF A TANK OF FUEL SO WE DO NOT LEAK FUEL OR EXPLODE WHILE WE'RE DRIVING HOPEFULLY PLEASE HELP IN ANYWAY YOU CAN THANK YOU

STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IN THE CAR REGARDLESS OF BEING PARKED OR MOVING. NOTICED PUDDLE OF GAS ON THE GROUND UNDER THE FUEL TANK. FUEL WAS DRIPPING DOWN OFF THE FUEL TANK AND THE HEAT SHIELDS. FOLLOWED DRIP TO THE ROLLOVER VALVE NIPPLE WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE GAS TANK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. AFTER REFUELING AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED FUEL HAD LEAKED OUT FROM THE VEHICLE ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE GARAGE. FUEL WAS ALSO VISIBLE UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL VALVE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

GAS TANK/ FUEL LINE FRACTURE, LEAKING GAS WHEN I FILL IT UP, STRONG GAS SMELL/ODOR. STOPS LEAKING AT AROUND 3/4 TANK. VERY DANGEROUS FOR MY 16 YEAR OLD TO DRIVE. VW DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO CORRECT, WANTS TO CHARGE ME 2600, TO FIX I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR 4200 3 MONTHS AGO.

GAS FUEL LINE/TANK LEAKING GAS

FUEL TANK LEAK. THERE IS NO DAMAGE NO IMPACT NO VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF ANY MISUSE OF CAR. FUEL TANK LEAKS WHEN FILLED ABOVE 3/4 OF A TANK. THIS IS UNSAFE AND VERY DANGEROUS THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY VOLKSWAGEN. IN ALL MY LIFE AS A MECHANIC I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING THIS UNSAFE. IF MY LOVED ONES WERE TO GET HURT I WILL HOLD VOLKSWAGEN ACCOUNTABLE. THIS NEEDS TO FIXED NOW!..

LEAKING AT VENT/TOP OF GAS TANK. EXACTLY THE SAME DESCRIPTION OF THAT PAST HEAT SHEILD/VENT GAS LEAKING RECALL FROM ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO

THE CAR DIED AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY ROAD, I WAS ABLE TO VEER THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS IT WAS ROLLING BEFORE IT STOPPED COMPLETELY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE AND AFTER TESTING ALL COMPONENTS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAR WASN'T GETTING ANY FUEL DUE A FAULTY FUEL PUMP.

MY GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING AND I ALWAYS SMEEL GAS WHILE RIDING IN MY CAR.

PURCHASED A USED 2004 VW PASSAT GLX 4MOTION WITH 91K MILES AND NO ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE HISTORY PER CARFAX.. FIRST FILL OF THE GAS TANK REVEALED A SEVERE LEAK OF GREATER THAN 180 DROPS PER MINUTE. THE LEAK OCCURRED AT ALL TIMES WITH THE CAR RUNNING OR TURNED OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE LEAK STOPPED AFTER THE GAS GAUGE MOVED BELOW F. REMOVED REAR SEAT AND NOTICED FUEL WETTING ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE TANK ADJACENT TO THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. USING A MIRROR FUEL WAS VISIBLE COMING FROM THE VENT BOSS ADJACENT TO THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THIS EXACT ISSUE IS COVERED UNDER VWOA RECALL 26E5/R5 NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 08V156000. I CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY INFORMED ME MY VEHICLE VIN [XXX] IS NOT ELIGIBLE HOWEVER THEY DID NOT SAY WHY. THE CARFAX REPORT STATES THAT A HEAT SHIELD WAS REPLACED 8/11/2008. RECALL 26E5/R5 INVOLVES A HEAT SHIELD AS WELL AS THE FUEL TANK. IT'S POSSIBLE THE TANK WAS OK AT THE TIME. IF THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD THE RECALL AND THE FUEL TANK DEVELOPED THE PROBLEM AFTER IS THERE ANY RECOURSE UNDER THIS RECALL? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

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 PURCHASED A 2004 VW PASSAT 1.8 LITER TURBO 4MOTION STATION WAGON ON AUGUST 12, 2015. WITHIN ONE HOUR OF PURCHASING I TOOK IT TO FILL IT UP WITH FUEL. THE FUEL TANK BEGAN LEAKING IMMEDIATELY. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT BY REPLACING AN O-RING ABOUT THREE WEEKS LATER, MEANWHILE ADVISING ME TO NOT FILL THE TANK PAST THE 3/4 FULL MARK UNTIL THEY FIXED IT. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, IT STILL LEAKED WHEN IT WAS FILLED ABOVE THE 3/4 TANK LEVEL. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO REINSTALLED THE SAME O-RING, AGAIN UNSUCCESSFULLY, AT MY EXPENSE. I SUBSEQUENTLY LEARNED OF A RECALL REGARDING THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL TANK AND THE VENTING SYSTEM. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY HAD "FIXED" THE RECALL ISSUE IN 2008 AND THAT ANY FURTHER ACTION WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE AND COULD INVOLVE REPLACING THE FUEL TANK, A VERY EXPENSIVE PROPOSITION. I FIND THIS RESPONSE INADEQUATE AND, IN LIGHT OF READING MANY OTHER POSTS DESCRIBING SIMILAR OR IDENTICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED FUEL LEAK, BELIEVE THAT VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE BY NHTSA FOR CORRECTING A RECURRING, DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PUMPING FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE, THE STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ODOR WAS STILL PRESENT. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4MOTION, THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER/VENT VALVE ON THE TOP OF THE TANK HAS CRACKED AND IS LEAKING GASOLINE ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE TANK WAS FILLED UP ON 2/22/2015 AND STARTED LEAKING LARGE AMOUNTS OF FUEL FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK OVER THE EXHAUST. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL THE TANK REACHED 3/4 FULL. IF THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED ABOVE 3/4 IT WILL LEAK FUEL UNTIL IT GETS TO 3/4. IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE FRONT DOWNHILL, IT CONTINUES TO LEAK BEYOND THE 3/4 POINT. THIS FAILURE WAS PART OF A PREVIOUS VW 2008 NHTSA MANDATED RECALL 08V156000, BUT ONLY REQUIRED DEALER INSPECTION OF THE ROLLOVER/VENT VALVE AND NOT REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK WITH A FUNCTIONAL PART, IF IT WAS NOT LEAKING WHEN INSPECTED THEN DO NOTHING. THE ROLLOVER/VENT IS INTEGRAL TO THE VW PASSAT AWD TANK, AND THE COMPLETE FUEL TANK HAS TO BE REPLACED. VW CLAIM AS THE CAR WAS INSPECTED IN 2008, THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE ROLLOVER/VENT VALVE. *TR

FUEL BEGAN LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AFTER FILL UP. MY DAUGHTER WAS HEADING BACK TO COLLEGE, AND AS SHE PULLED AWAY I NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF GASOLINE IN THE STREET. NHTSA HAD PREVIOUSLY RECALLED THE VEHICLE IN 2008 (26E5/R5) ACTION NUMBER (PE08008). VW DEALER INSPECTED AND INSTALLED HEAT SHIELD. NO FUEL LEAK AT THIS TIME. IN SEPTEMBER 2012 FUEL TANK BEGAN LEAKING, VW DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK, WASHER, GASKET AND CLAMP UNDER THE RECALL. IN SEPTEMBER 2014 I BROUGHT CAR BACK TO VW DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY ARE ONLY RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE CAR ONCE. FED UP WITH VW, I BROUGHT CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC, AND UPON INSPECTION HE FOUND THE NIPPLES ON THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE WERE AGAIN CRACKED. I HAD HIM REPLACE THE TANK. OBVIOUSLY VW DIDN'T PROPERLY FIX THE PROBLEM, AND OR REPLACED THE TANK WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND THE TANK CRACKED AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND I FEEL THAT VW SHOULD PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. IF IT WAS DONE RIGHT AND CORRECTED, THE TANK WOULD NOT BE LEAKING AGAIN AFTER LESS THAN 2 YEARS, AND 20,000 MILES. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR, AND THAT IS VERY UPSETTING TO ME. *TR

VEHICLE: 2004 VW PASSAT 4MOTION SEDAN W/1.8L TURBO, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FILLED VEHICLES FUEL TANK, NOTICED STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE, NOTICED FUEL DRIPPING FROM FUEL TANK OF VEHICLE TO GROUND. CANNOT FILL TANK WITHOUT GAS DRIPPING TO GROUND; FUEL LEAK IS NEXT TO EXHAUST SYSTEM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE (VERY DANGEROUS). FOUND FOLLOWING INFORMATION: MANUFACTURER: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC SUMMARY: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A FUEL LINE (1.8T ENGINES ONLY) OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) THAT CAN LEAK DUE TO FRACTURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT COULD SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

I FILLED MY GAS TANK UP ON A FRIDAY AND DROVE IT HOME AND PARKED IT IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE NEXT DAY NOTICED A FAIRLY LARGE PUDDLE OF GASOLINE UNDER MY CAR. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL CAR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE FUEL LINE THAT WAS LEAKING AND THAT HE CALLED A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT EXACT PART OF THE CAR. I WAS TOLD TO CALL VOLKSWAGEN AND SEE IF THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL WAS ALREADY FIXED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF MY CAR. IF IT WAS ALREADY FIXED THEN THE SAME PROBLEM SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING AGAIN. *TR

APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO I LEFT MY PARENTS' HOUSE IN THIS VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, AND QUICKLY FOUND THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE RIGID LINE WHERE IT IS FASTENED TO THE FIREWALL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE METAL TUBE HAD CRACKED INSIDE THE RUBBER LINED BRACKET THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE. AT THE TIME I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ODD BUT ISOLATED INCIDENT; I HAVE SINCE SEEN OTHER REPORTS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR FAILURES, SO IT SEEMS WORTH DOCUMENTING CONSIDERING THE HIGH RISK OF FIRE INVOLVED. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 VW PASSAT W8 4-MOTION AND I FILLED THE TANK THE OTHER DAY AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT AND WHEN I OPENED THE INTERIOR GARAGE DOOR IN THE MORNING THE FUMES WERE SO STRONG I EVACUATED MY WIFE AND 4 MONTH OLD BABY FORM THE HOUSE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES, BOTH WERE WHEN I FILLED THE FUEL TANK. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL THAT ADDED A HEAT SHIELD AND INSPECTED THE 4 MOTION VW PASSAT PURGE/ROLLOVER VALVE. THEY STATED THAT THE HEAT SHIELD WAS REPLACED BUT DID NOT SHOW THE VALVE BEING REPLACED. I CALLED VW AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IS NO LONGER COVERED. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY ESPECIALLY SINCE I LIVE IN A 3 STORY TOWN-HOME AND THE GARAGE IS AT THE BOTTOM OF OUR MAIN FLOOR. I WOULD LIKE THE CAR INSPECTED ASAP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND INJECTORS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL DRAGGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING THROUGH SNOW. THE CONTACT IN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT A FRACTURED PLASTIC COMPONENT AND THE ZIP TIE HOLDING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL WAS CONSUMING PREMATURELY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL) WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR MAINTENANCE WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE VEHICLE WAS LISTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. VOLKSWAGEN INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS NO LONGER AN OPEN RECALL IN THEIR SYSTEM, AND THEY WOULD NOT HONOR IT. UPDATED 12/04/13

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM) AND HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTINUED TO LEAK AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE REMEDY PROVIDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR

FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE IS LEAKING FUEL. VW DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER THE EXISTING RECALL: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V156000 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE08008 I HAVE VW PASSAT 2004 GLS 4 MOTION W/MANUAL TRANSMISSION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

WE HAVE BEGUN TO NOTICE THE SMELL OF FUEL IN THE CABIN OF OUR CAR. THE SMELL OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS FULL OF GAS; OTHERWISE, WITH A HALF TANK OF GAS, THERE ARE NO ODORS. THE CAR IS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 1.8T 4MOTION WITH THE 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC. VW HAS MADE NO PROMISES TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE. *TR

PURCHASED CAR USED. FIRST TIME I FILLED THE GAS TANK STRONG SMELL OF RAW GAS WAS PRESENT DURING THE NEXT SEVERAL MILES OF TRAVEL. WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE STORE FROM PAYING FOR THE SECOND FILL UP THERE WAS A BIG PUDDLE OF RAW FUEL ALL OVER THE GROUND DIRECTLY UNDER THE CAR. I DID SOME RESEARCH & DISCOVERED A MANUFACTURE RECALL FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION INDICATED THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. AFTER EXPLAINING MY DILEMMA TO THE APPROPRIATE CORPORATE DEPARTMENT I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THEY COULD/WOULD DO TO REMEDY THIS VERY HAZARDOUS DEFECT. MY FEELING IS THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER PROPERLY ADDRESSED, IN SPITE OF THE RECALL, & IS THEREFORE STILL A HAZARD. I HAVE DISCOVERED BY KEEPING THE LEVEL OF THE GAS TANK BELOW 1/2 IT DOESN'T LEAK. OUT OF NECESSITY FOR TRANSPORTATION THIS IS HOW I'VE BEEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. DUE TO THE MAJOR EXPENSE OF PROPERLY REPAIRING THIS, AND THE POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC HAZARD IT PRESENTS, I FEEL THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE COMPLETE, AND PROPER REPAIR OF THIS ADMITTED DEFAULT IN THE CAR. WHAT, IF ANYTHING, CAN YOUR ORGANIZATION DO TO ASSIST ME IN THIS MATTER? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS AWAY, HE LEFT THE VEHICLE PARKED IN AN AIRPORT PARKING GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER IMPOUNDED BY THE POLICE DUE TO FUEL LEAKAGE IN WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE POLICE REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO BE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT A HEAT SHIELD THAT MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. IN ADDITION, A FUEL LEAK FROM A FUEL LINE OR THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY) AND 04V586000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,529.

FUEL LINE BROKE AND LEAKED GAS ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE FUEL LEAK WAS FROM A FUEL HOSE ON THE FIREWALL. THE FUEL LINES ARE LEAKING IN SEVERAL OTHER AREAS UNDERNEATH THE CAR. *TR

FUEL LINE LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FUEL LINE MATERIAL WAS DEFORMED AND RESULTED IN A SMALL HOLE WHERE FUEL WAS SPRAYING DIRECTLY ON THE TURBO, CAT AND RELATED EXHAUST COMPONENTS. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN AND DID NOT SHUT DOWN OR SHOW SIGNS OF A FUEL LEAK. *TR

1. ON THE EVENING OF FRIDAY OCTOBER 24, 2008 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND THE CAR STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. 2. ON THE MORNING OF SATURDAY OCTOBER 25, 2008 I BROUGHT THE CAR TO SOUTHPOINT VOLKSWAGEN IN BATON ROUGE, LA. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY #4 ENGINE COIL. THEY REPLACED THE COIL, TESTED THE CAR AND RETURNED IT TO ME. THE CAR SEEMED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED OFF. 3. THE NEXT DAY, SUNDAY OCTOBER 26, 2008, AFTER DRIVING ONLY 28 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE CAR BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AGAIN. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD INTO A GAS STATION. AT THIS TIME I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND A FIRE NEAR THE LOWER PART ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO SOUTHPOINT VOLKSWAGEN. 4. SOUTHPOINT REPLACED THE OTHER 3 COILS AND OTHER PARTS THAT WERE DAMAGED BY THE FIRE. 5. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2008 SOUTHPOINT VW MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO MEET IN ORANGE, TX, TO RETURN MY PASSAT AND PICK UP THE RENTAL CAR. AFTER THIS EXCHANGE, AND APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING TIME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS STEADY. 6. I THEN LEARNED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS CAUSED BY AN ISSUE WITH THE EMISSION SYSTEM. THE COIL FAILURE ALLOWED UNBURNED GAS TO GO INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM DAMAGING THE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. VW HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED BUT HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO MY EMISSION SYSTEM. DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT THE TIME OF THE COIL REPLACEMENT SHOW THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY PRIOR TO THE FIRE.

DRIVING ALONG CAME UP TO A STOP SIGN AND CAR SPUTTERED THEN DIES AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED TOWED TO DEALER. ADVISED OF BAD FUEL PUMP. $800.00 FOR REPAIR. SAME AS SEVERAL OTHER 2004 COMPLAINTS AND CHECKING TO SEE IF THIS SHOULD BE TIED TO THE 2003 RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH HE SMELLED FUMES IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO TESTED THE VEHICLE LEAKS AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE WAS LEAKING DUE TO A FRACTURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT NHTSA RECALL #08V15600; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY AND VWOA RECALL NO. 26E5/R5 WERE RELATED TO THE FAILURE; YET, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

A CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL PUMP LED TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

2004 VW PASSAT 4-MOTION WAGON WITH 1.8T ENGINE. TOP OF FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AT THE POINT WHERE A BREATHER HOSE CONNECTS (WHICH IS UNDER THE LEFT REAR SEAT). REPLACED BREATHER HOSE. GAS CONTINUES TO LEAK OUT. THE CONNECTION POINT ITSELF IS CRACKED AND A NEW FUEL TANK IS REQUIRED. THIS MUST BE A DESIGN FLAW OR DEFECT. THE CAR HAS LITTLE OVER 71,000 MILES. CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER. NO UNUSUAL OR HARD IMPACTS TO THE CAR (IT HAS ONLY SCRAPES FROM ANONYMOUS, UNSCRUPULOUS BAD DRIVERS IN PARKING LOTS). VW OF AMERICA REFUSES TO COVER THE COST FOR REPLACEMENT (CONVERSATION WITH CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE "NINA" ON JULY 6, 2010). THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT OR FLAW. RAW GAS SHOULD NOT SPILL OUT OF CAR -- PARTICULARLY IN THIS LOCATION, UNDER A PASSENGER'S SEAT. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD POST A RECALL AND REPLACE THIS PART WITH A SAFER TANK. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 101 IN SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY CALIFORNIA WHEN MY CALL STALLED IN THE FAST LANE. MY FUEL PUMP WENT OUT. I HAVE A 2004 VW PASSAT. THE 2003 PASSAT'S FUEL PUMPS WERE RECALLED JAN 2006 AND AUGUST 2007. AFTER MY CAR WAS MADE WHICH MAKES ME WONDER WHY MY CARS FUEL PUMP WASN'T RECALLED SINCE IT WAS MADE AFTER RECALL DATE. *TR

2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH RECALL FOR FUEL TANK INSPECTION. CUSTOMER STATES THAT HE HAD GOTTEN THE COMPONENT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE BEFORE THE RECALL. HE WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT. *KB VOLKSWAGEN STATED THE REPAIR INVOICE THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED DID NOT CONTAIN THE PARTS THAT MATCHED THE PARTS IDENTIFIED IN THE RECALL. *JB

OUR 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FUEL PUMP FAILED AT AROUND 52,000 MILES WHICH CAUSED OUR CAR TO STOP DEAD IN THE ROAD. LUCKILY IT WASN'T ON A HIGH TRAFFIC ROAD. SINCE THERE WAS A FUEL PUMP RECALL IN 2003 FOR PASSATS, HOW DO I KNOW THAT ONE OF THOSE FUEL PUMPS DID NOT END UP IN OUR CAR? WHEN WE HAD THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, THE FIRST ONE THEY PUT IN WAS DEFECTIVE. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE ORIGINAL PART , WHICH I HAVE. THE PART NUMBER IS 8E0 906 087E . PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU. *TR

IDENTICAL TO 07V375000, BUT 2004 NOT 2003 MODEL YEAR 1. NONE 2. FIRST TIME. 3. TOWED CAR TO DEALER, IDENTIFIED BROKEN FUEL PUMP. 3A. REPLACING FUEL PUMP. *TR

WHILE STOPPED AT LIGHT, CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT START. FUEL PUMP FAILED. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP TO FIX PROBLEM. VERY SIMILAR TO 07V375000 BUT FOR 2004 MODEL PASSAT. *TR

NO REAL WARNING--MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR PASSAT AND THE ENGINE STALLED. ATTEMPTS AT RESTARTING THE VEHICLE FAILED. I AM THANKFUL THAT MY WIFE WAS IN A PARKING LOT INSTEAD OF A BUSY HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS AT FAULT. I HAD TO PAY OVER $500.00 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PUMP. WHAT'S MORE FRUSTRATING IS THAT A RECALL WAS APPARENTLY ORDERED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM ON 2003 MODEL YEAR PASSATS (SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V375000). *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE THE CAR STALLED OUR AND WOULD NOT START. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD GONE OUT. THE CAR HAD 58K MILES. THIS HAPPENED JUST THREE WEEKS AFTER AN ENGINE COIL HAD TO BE REPLACED. I NO LONGER OWN A VW.*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.