Gasoline Engine Problems of Volkswagen Passat - part 1

Last Saturday (Feb. 9, 2008) around 11:00am, while I was picking up my two daughters from ballet school (boston ballet, 19 clarendon street, boston), the check engine lamp started to blink and I could feel my car (2002 Passat wagon, all wheel drive) was a little bit shaking. As the car manual says, I drove in low power to the closest Volkswagen dealership (boston Volkswagen, 168 western avenue, allston). While I was driving to the dealership, I saw some smoke coming out from the front hood (right front side). We (my daughters, my wife, and myself) got the dealership around 11:30am. A sales consultant (michael petersante) and another person there saw my car, and said that my car possibly would catch on fire. We evacuated from the car, they moved all the cars around my car to the other place. The dealer called for a fire department. Before the fire department came in, while I was looking at my car from the inside of the dealership building, I could see the flame coming out above the right front wheel in the car (somewhere the engine is located) and smoke filling up inside of my car. The fire department (boston fire-engine 41, ladder 14, unit d11) came and put out the fire. A police officer (boston police district 14, 301 washington street, brighton) came after the fire was extinguished (arrived at 11:53am), and checked out the scene and had my car, whose front part (engine compartment) was all broken and crushed while the wire was put out, be towed. It was hard to believe that a 5-6 years old car caught on fire while I was driving and in just 30 minutes reached to such situation. Fortunately, we were close to the dealership and were able to get there before the worst thing happens. And again, very fortunately, my family was able to get away to the safe place before the worst thing happens. But if it happened 10 minutes earlier or if it took 10 minutes longer than actually it did to get there, things that I dont ever want to imagine could happen to my family.

See all problems of the 2002 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

On hot days engine rpm's raise substantially, to the ~1k rpm range. Almost like it's racing. This also makes it difficult to hold the car stopped when this occurs.

See all problems of the 2007 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

There are no events leading up to failure. I didn't experience the symptom when I bought the car. The car had 71 miles at the time of purchase. I started experiencing the problem between 200-250 miles. Failure: the vehicle sometimes shakes mildly to violently when the ignition is on and the vehicle is in park or neutral. I serviced the vehicle with Volkswagen and they said this is normal.

See all problems of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

I purchased my vw 3. 6 4motion Passat with 71 miles. When the vehicle reached 200 to 250 miles, the engine started shaking when gently applying brakes at slow speeds. I also experience this when the gear is in drive and their is no gas being applied. I have serviced the vehicle with Volkswagen twice and they state that this is normal behavior. I have researched this through a internet forum and discovered that not all owners of the same vehicle type that I have experience this symptom. The shaking topic can be found at the following url. . Read more...

On the morning of January 26, 2006 I drove my 2003 vw Passat at short distance (approx) 3 miles. As I arrived at my destination and pulled into a parking place the car died on me. There did not appear to be anything that precipitated the failure. I did not understand what happened but I soon began to smell smoke. I got out of the car, opened the hood and saw that there was a fire in the engine compartment. From the front of the car, facing the engine compartment, the fire was located toward the upper left-hand corner of the compartment near the front passenger side. The fire was fairly far along before the fire department arrived. Ultimately, the car was totaled by my insurance company. A police report was filed with the local police, a claim was filed with my insurance company and a complaint was filed with Volkswagen customer service. There were no injuries or damage to any other property. The car was less than three years old with about 27,500 miles. The insurance investigation cleared me of personal responsibility but did not determine a cause for the fire. I eventually settled with my insurance company and turned the car over to them. I have heard nothing further until a friend gave me an ap article from 10/4/07 that reported NHTSA investigations of engine fires in Passats.

See all problems of the 2003 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

On November 4,2005, around 7:30 pm while a I was driving my car from new jersey to new york city, a new jersey transit authority bus dangerously cut in front of my car. My wife was accompanying me. As I stopped to avoid the bus, the bus made a sudden and full stop about 15 feet in front of me. Instinctively, I put the car gear in neutral. All of the sudden my car engine started accelerating at a very high speed without touching any pedal. I pushed the brake pedal to see if the acceleration would stop. When I released the brake pedal , the car started running toward the stationary bus, despite the fact that the car gear was in the neutral position. As a result, my car moved forward and hit the back of the bus. The bus driver got out and asked if we were ok. She said she was fine and were no passengers in the bus. We were all right too. There were no policemen to make a report. The bus get a minimal damage. My car was mostly damage on the front side of the driverã‚â´s side, but was drivable. About two weeks prior to the accident, I was driving the same car on the new jersey turnpike and experience the same sudden acceleration of the car engine. After a few seconds, the car continued running normally. In view of the serious events with this 2005 Passat which has only around 10,000 miles, I conclude that this vehicle is prone to faulty performance and is dangerous and unpredictable on the road. I particularly blame Volkswagen of America as the direct responsible party for the accident that occurred on 11-04-05, around 7:30 pm, near the Lincoln tunnel , on the new jersey side, when a clear malfunction of the 2005 Passat that I leased from Volkswagen, provoked an accident that could have been avoided and that might have been more serious. Car reference: 2005 vw Passat GLS, 1,8 sedan. Serial number: wvwad63b25e064933, leased from three county Volkswagen, 701 riverside avenue, lyndhurst, NJ 07071.

See all problems of the 2005 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

Vw Passat 2002. Malfunction indicator light indicating problem with engine. Returned to dealership for repair. Lease about to expire, brought in (3) prior times. . 2/21 towed to nearest dealer, being told don't know what is wrong, needs all oil change receipts, needs permission from manufacturer to ok repair under warranty. Warranty is extended for 8 years in writing. Manufacture blames dealer, dealer blames customer. Car is a lemon. See article autoweek 2/7/2005 and prior articles. Customers are well aware there is an engine problem and now causing oil sludge related problems. Absolutely outrageous. Since 2002 until now, payments being made for a defective car due to faulty engineering! and now the customers must pay for it! no way.

2003 Volkswagen Passat 1. 8l turbo 30000 miles, "oil pressure" indicator lighted, immediately stopped vehicle. After towing to dealership, was informed that the engine was "full of sludge" and that warranty would not cover unless I had proof of *every single oilchange* with vw synthetic oil. Oil changes have been regular in the vehicle, however I lack proof of every single one. Again, odometer only 30000 miles. Research leads me to believe this is a common problem with vw/Audi 1. 8l engines between 1998 and 2004.

Oil pan failed or was damaged by "outside influence" resulting in severe oil loss and risk of fire. Oil pan is constructed with a thin sheet of aluminum and is protected by a simple sheet of plastic.

The replacement ignition coil is on back order. The car has been sitting idle for 1 week. It is unknown when the replacement part will arrive possibly a week or two. This is not an isolated incident as I was told by the technician at the vw service department (new motors, erie PA) that 5 other cars were sitting waiting for a new ignition coil. This is also evidenced by the fact that I have to wait 2 weeks or more for the part to arrive. Dt.

Coil pack failure on new car with only 11k miles. Driving at 50 mph with 6month old child, left with little power has cylinders misfiring. Requested that all 4 be replaced. Vw denied request. Got car back after 12 days at dealership (12/1/02). 2 days later, (70 miles later) same problem. Car returned to on Dec 3rd. Vw has not issued recall. Safety issue!! being on boston highways with other drivers bearing down on you at 70 mph and you lose this type of power. Not to mention the other possible scenarios of being standed. Go to vwvortex forum. Many other owners having the same problem. Dt.

No summary. Dt.

Consumer states that the vehicle would intermittently loses accelertion while driving in low gear. Vehicle been to the dealer on two occasion and they are unable to locate the problem. Feel free to provide any further information.

Engine check light comes on and stayes on or flickeres on and off, indicating an engine problem, the component was reset on 4 occasions but the problem reoccurs.

Consumer stated the vehicle failed to start on 2 occasions and the dealer could not find the source of the problem.

See all problems of the 2001 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

See all problems of the 2000 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

I purchased a 2001 vw Passat on August 21,2001 from patrick motors in auburn, mass. In the 5 weeks I have owed the car it has had been returned to the dealership 4 times ( 2 x towed) for the same related problem. Malfunction light has gone on each of those times. Car has driven in low gear and there is a problem with hesitation of the vehicle when you press on the gas. The transmission control module has been replaced as well as frayed wires repaired that came from the manufacturer. The car has be undriveable per the dealership during these times. I have safety concerns with the type of commute I do every day to work. I drive 50 mins one way down rt 2, 495 and rt 3. I have been in the position of concern if my car will make it home, to work, will I cause an accident with the cars continued problem with the hesitation when stepping on the gas. To me this has created a safety issue. Further info can be provided with more detailed information as well as copies of service repair order. Thank you.

The engine uses too much oil prior to the recommended regular service changes, the vehicle has had 3 oil changes. Nlm.

While traveling on interstate 95 in the passing lane at 70 mph, the car engine suddenly died and would not restart for 30 seconds, necessitating quick manuevering to the break down lane to avoid an accident.

See all problems of the 1997 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

Consumer states vehicle shakes when idle at a light, consumer states vehicle has been in for service many times and the problem contiues to exist, possibly engine related.

When the engine dust cover loosens at high speed it's like an explosion occurs. This has happened after oil changes at 3 different vw service centers in houston. I advised gerd klauss, pres. Vw on 11-27-00. His associate joe bertrand called to suggest I ask a vw service manager what would resolve the problem - it's their design that's faulty and dangerous.

See all problems of the 1998 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

Engine check light intermittently came on. Vehicle would sometimes just stop. On October 18, 2000 while traveling at 65mph on freeway vehicle just stopped. Consumer almost got hit 3 times trying to get the vehicle off road. Vehicle has been taken to dealer 8 tmes. They have tried many things to rectify problem. Consumer has contacted arbitration for assistance. Once consumer had contacted them they tried unplugging computer and chips to see why light comes on. Volkswagen finally said to replace computer.

When starting the vehicle, both after it has been sitting for a while and when the engine is still warm, the engine revs up to about 2000 rpm and then after a few seconds drops back to normal idle speed. Then, almost immediately after the rpm drops back to normal idle speed, the "check engine" light will come on and stay on. This has been happening intermitantly over the past 2 months. The dealer has checked the vehicle twice and cannot stop it from happening again at a later date. I don't think they really know what's wrong with it.

See all problems of the 1999 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

Deadly fault at low mph, low rpm, emergency or lane change situation! no safety defect listed.

Vehicle failed to start.

Sudden loss of engine power/electrical systems while vehicle is moving. Loss of vehicle control with no engine systems and no power steering assist. Saftey concern from rear end accidents from other vehicles and no avoidance control. Also, regular loss of power steering fluid requires constant monitoring.

From stops, the engine experiences hesitation in accelerating. Regardless of the amount the gas pedal is depressed, the engine does not respond for about 3-5 seconds. This problem has occurred at least 5-10 times. It occurs only from a stop.

The engine is very rough and the malfunction indicator lamp illuminates intermittently when the vehicle is started and seems to have poor power. Nlm.

My car has a factory defect of coolant mixing with the engine oil and is in the dealer for its second attempt to repair the problem. The factory field representative did not pin point problem to be the cylinder head but is highly probable and is replacing that component only. My argument is that the car had been running with contaminated oil and premature wear had occurred to the other parts of the engine and turbo charger. I had cleveland tech center analyzed the oil and found abnormal and high traces of metal and gycol, thus, resulting in premature wear on the engine components. I purchased a new car and feel that the replacement of only the cylinder head is inadequate and unfair to a customer. I also feel that this is a safety issue and may seize the engine.

Engine experiences hesitation, repair attempt failed, continues to hesitate. Mjs.

When backing out of driveway or when making a left or right hand turn vehicle deaccelerated and cut off without prior warning. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has yet to replace parts. Please provide any further details.

Consumer states engine starts slowing. Oil spots on floor. Oil pan needs to be replaced.

While making a stop vehicle would idle intermittently. Occasionally, just at the point of coming to a stop, it will lunge forward while brakes are being applied. Happens in both hot and cold weather.

Car wouldn't start. When brought to the dealership, we were told that there was a design defect in the v6 model Passat engines. They are not properly burning any of the u>s> available gasolines, which is causing a carbon build-up on the valves. This will be an ongoing problem with the vehicle. Their solution is to adjust the engine so it burns hotter and this might allieviate the problem. They are also supplying dealers with a machine to clean the carbon off the valves, but these machines are not available at this time.

The consumer noticed the engine rpm's idling high while stopped at light, soon after the vehicle started smoking, the consumer turned the vehicle off but it would not shut off and was stilll idling high resulting in the engine catching on fire. Nlm.

See all problems of the 1996 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.