Engine Failure problems of the 2004 Volkswagen Passat

"oil sludge" related repairs on '98-04 model year vw Passat equipped with 1. 8l turbo engines. Was not notified until engine light came on March 2010. Letter from vw of America did not prescribe 3000 mile oil change, but when contacted, said in order for "extended warranty to be enforced" vehicle must have 3000 mile oil change. Letter from vw subsequently faxed over on 3/22/10 does not state rules regulating oil change or subsequent limitations on "extended warranty". My 04 vw Passat with 35k miles had to have a new engine, and had I seen the August '04 letter prior to 03/10 would have gotten rid of car as soon as I read letter. The engine is clearly defective, and vw has an obligation to inform all vw owners of these vehicles to inform them of this deformity. I bought the car new in 2004 and never saw a copy of this letter until my engine failed. The letter states 5000 mile oil change intervals, but when I presented proof to gunther vw of coconut creek florida, that my car was in compliance, they stated that it had to be 3000 mile intervals. There are over 197000 websites, and blogs dealing with the vw 1. 8 turbo, but no one has addressed this problem, and people continue to buy these cars off used car lots, unaware that they are buying a car with limited expectations, and possible engine replacement. Please feel free to contact me at [xxx]. So that we can discuss saving someone's life before this car's engine failure in heavy traffic. You have officially been notified of the dangers of this engine. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

2004 Volkswagen Passat. Consumer writes in regards to engine failure and unsatisfactory customer service at dealership. The consumer was informed it would cost 8,000 to replace the engine. She discovered a recall was issued for wagons for engine oil sludge. The dealer then stated, they would replace the engine for $4,000. The consumer stated the mileage was well within range, for the engine to be covered under the 65,000 mile warranty.

The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Passat. While driving 50 mph, the stop warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. Within seconds, the contact was unable to accelerate. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the engine failed due to a massive oil deposit. The engine was replaced. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 77,000 and current mileage was 89,000.

I have a 2004 vw Passat 1. 8 t. I have a complaint with this whole oil sludge issue. Although I do not have a problem yet but I want to be prepared in the advent of mechanical failure. The problem I have is that I received a letter in the mail 2 years ago about the possibility of engine failure do to oil sludge. I since then have been taking the car to the dealer and paying 80 dollars to get the oil changed with the full synthetic oil. Now I am reading that even when using the synthetic oil there are numerous cases of engine failures do to oil sludge. Not to mention the dealer will not cover costs of engine replacement if all receipts of oil changes are not shown. Which is not fair because up until 2 years ago I did not even think we had a problem. So vw has a defect with there unsafe engines and on top of it they scare people into getting the oil changed with full synthetic and then come up with an excuse like you were late on an oil change therefore you have to pay $5,000. 00 for engine replacement. I still owe $12,000. 00 on the care and I owe more then the car is worth so I cannot sell it, please tell me what can I do to protect myself. Had I have known this in 2004 I would never have purchased the vehicle. I just don't that this is the american way to sell people a inferior product and then make money off there turmoil.