Front Seat Head Restraint Problems of Volkswagen Passat

Recently I drove several new cars (the latest being the 2012 Passat) and found one common complaint: the headrest on these cars are tilted forward way too much with no adjustments available. My understanding is that NHTSA requires vehicles headrests to be higher and close to the head to reduce whiplash injuries. How do you improve safety if it's impossible to find a comfortable driving position? the new headrest regulation forces the driver to slouch forward (and looking down) while driving, causing fatugie to set quickly. For me, the only way to find a comfortable position while driving these new cars are by reclining the seat back excessively (so my head don't tilt forward). This, in my opinion, aren't safe since this position reduces the driver's alertness. With the active headrest technology, why can't car manufacturer's set the headrest at a normal angle? in my opinion the new head rest regulation is an easy and lazy way to reduce whiplash injury without proper research (I. E only based on measurements with no regards to driver's comfort).

See all problems of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

2003 vw Passat driver leather seat caught on fire while operating car. It burned through the seat & scorched/damaged my coat. Fortunately, I was only driving a few blocks & had pulled into a parking lot. I contacted vw consumer relations & was shocked at the response. It seemed routine to the manager. They "may give me the replacement value of my coat if it needs to be replaced". I was told that a car would be given to me to drive at no charge while mine is being repaired. I explained that I do not feel safe to drive my car with an electrical malfunction under me and I was told that a tow would be provided at no charge. I will hold vw responsible the repair/replacement of the front seats & warmer electrical system, the costs of a rental or loaner car while mine is in repair, the cost to replace any damaged clothing, & any other costs associated with the incident yet to be determined. It is very upsetting to me to think that I was sitting on a fire while operating my car. What if my coat caught on fire??? I drive a very busy interstate to & from work. It was fortunate that I was on my lunch break driving a very short distance & not driving home.

See all problems of the 2003 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

There is a manufacturer's defect in material for the leather seats and headrest. Volkswagen is not willing to honor the warranty for the limited new vehicle. I wanted to a independent auto interior specialist, who said it needs to be replaced. Yet, Volkswagen said it's normal and said the other vehicles are the same. However, when asked to see the other vehicles there was none available.

See all problems of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.