Wiring problems of the 1999 Volkswagen Passat

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.

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.

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.

The car is on it's second transmission with only 47000 miles, and having problems with it. Doesn't want to shift into higher gear and clunks sometimes. Headlights did not work for first 4 months we owned the car. Dealer could not find the problem. Sunroof opens and closes by itself. Dealerships have not found the problem. Map light has started to do the same. Indicator lights go on and off. Dealer says he has never heard of a problem with the wiring on these cars and that it is safe to drive.

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.