1996 Volkswagen Passat Problems & Complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR TO WIND THE WINDOW DOWN TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN MY 1996 VW PASSAT AT 65 MPH AND THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF MY CAR WAS ENGULFED WITH WATER AND ANTI FREEZE STEAM AND VAPOR. IT WAS QUICKLY AND WITH OUT WARNING IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS A DEFECTIVE HEATER CORE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD HAVE LEAD TO A MAJOR ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

HEATER CORE FAILED WHILE DRIVING, BLOWING HOT STEAM OUT OF THE VENTS, DUMPING HOT COOLANT ONTO MY FEET AND FOGGING UP THE WINDSHIELD INSTANTLY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE SELLER STATED THAT IT WAS A MINOR ISSUE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS RESET AND ILLUMINATED AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSTANTLY OVERHEAT. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF THE VEHICLE OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING; HOWEVER, RADIATOR FLUID WOULD SPILL OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS PARKED. THE RADIATOR, TIMER, WATER PUMP, AND SENSORS WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE, BUT NONE OF THE REPAIRS REMEDIED THE FAILURE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95V178000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN) FOR THE 1995 PASSAT IS IDENTICAL TO THE FAILURE SHE IS EXPERIENCING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/16/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHILE THE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND HEADLIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AT NIGHT, THE EXTERIOR HEADLAMPS FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V256000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS AT THE COST OF $250. HE IS CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

HEATERCORE FAILED FOGED UP ALL MY WINDOWS,SOAKED CARPET AND FILLED CABIN WITH TOXIC ANTIFREEZE VAPOR ON MY WAY HOME FROM MY UNCLES FUNERAL. *CN

THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 1996 VW PASSAT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, WHICH SHUT DOWN THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V256000 I WAS INFORMED BY VW CUSTOMER SERVICE THIS RECALL DIDN'T APPLY TO MY VIN#, DESPITE IT BEING A 1996 PASSAT. I THINK IT SHOULD. *TR

HEATER CORE FAILURE. VENTING OF NOXIOUS FUMES INTO PASSANGER COMPARTMENT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START SOMETIMES AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 02V256000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT PREVIOUS RECALL REPAIR INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DEALER. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT CONTACTED.

I HAVE HAD ONGOING ISSUES WITH ELECTRONIC AND EMISSIONS SENSORS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND RECENTLY SPENT $756.54 TO (AGAIN!) REPLACE SENSORS SO THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PASS ITS ANNUAL EMISSIONS TEST (AS MANDATED BY THE EPA). I WROTE TO VW CUSTOMER CARE TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT OF THIS (AND PAST) CHARGES AND WAS TOLD TODAY (7/13/06) THAT NO RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS WERE ISSUED, SO NO REIMBURSEMENT WILL BE MADE. I TOLD THEM THAT NHTSA ISSUED RECALL 99V131 (WHICH ADDRESSES SOME OF THE AREAS) BUT VW TOLD ME THAT IT DID NOT APPLY, AS ALL REIMBURSEMENTS ARE VIN-SPECIFIC. CAN ANYONE PLEASE HELP? THANK YOU. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE, THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC. THE RECALL, #02V256000 CONCERNING THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2002. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

HEATER CORE IS LEAKING, AND MAKES DRIVING IMPOSSIBLE DUE TO DECREASED VISIBILITY, AND THE FUMES COMING OFF THE HEATER CORE CAUSE ME TO COUGH FOR A FEW DAYS IF I ACTUALLY DRIVE MY CAR. *NM

CONSUMER HAD 1996 VW PASSAT IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *TS THE FIRST TIME THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED IT WAS FREE OF CHARGE AND NOW THAT IT HAS FAILED AGAIN THE DEALER DOESN'T WANT TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH UNDER THE RECALL AGAIN BECAUSE THEY STATED THE VEHICLE WAS MORE THAN 8 YEARS OLD. *JB

1996 CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY FAILED ON THE 1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PART WAS POORLY DESIGNED.*JB

MY 1996 VW PASSAT HAS LOST ITS ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, VERY UNSAFE WITH NO BACKING FROM VW. *JB

MY 1996 VW PASSAT HAS AN IGNITION SWITCH IS FAULTY. MY FIRST TIME WAS AT NIGHT AND MY LIGHTS WENT OUT. I PULLED OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE LIGHTS CAME ON. THE NEXT TIME THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND THE WIPERS STOP. I HIT EVERY SWITCH AND WHEN I HIT THE IGNITION SWITCH EVERYTHING CARE ON. I CALLED DEALER AND HE SAID MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. IF MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE RECALL WHY CAN'T THIS BE COVERED BY THE SAFETY RECALL?

REAR DOOR LATCH FAILED AND DOOR FLEW OPEN AND 10 YEAR OLD CHILD FELL OUT OF THE CAR. THE DOOR APPEARS TO CLOSE NORMALLY BUT IT IS NOT LATCHED. AFTER CLOSING THE DOOR MULTIPLE TIMES , IT DOES CATCH BUT IT IS NOT OBVIOUS WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. LUCKILY, THERE MINOR INJURIES DUE TO THE LOW SPEED OF THE CAR.*AK

IN JANUARY 2004 I DROVE BACK TO SCHOOL IN VIRGINIA AFTER SPENDING CHRISTMAS WITH MY FAMILY. ON THE WAY BACK WHILE I WAS ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURN PIKE MY HEATER CORE BURST, SPRAYING BOILING HOT COOLANT (BOTH LIQUID AND STEAM) INTO THE VEHICLES INTERIOR. THE LIQUID FOR THE MOST PART CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CARPET, AND FORTUNATELY ANY THAT WAS SPRAYED ON MY SIDE OF THE COMPARTMENT WAS BLOCKED BY MY PANTS. THE STEAM HOWEVER FILLED MY COMPARTMENT, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE AND CAUSING A NEAR COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO OPEN MY WINDOWS AND CLEAR IT OUT. THE INJURY LISTED AS SUCH IS IN REGARDS TO MY BREATHING THE COOLANT IN, WHICH IS HARMFUL TO ONES HEALTH. MAINTENNANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED PREVIOUSLY ON MY VEHICLE JUST BEFORE THAT REPLACING THE AUX WATER PUMP, AND I HAD THE COOLANT SYSTEM FLUSHED AND MAINTENNANCE DONE ON IT AT THAT TIME AT AN AUTHORIZED VW DEALERSHIP. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY COOLING SYSTEM, THE AUX WATER PUMP, THE HEATER CORE, AND THE THERMOSTAT. FORTUNATELY POLICE WERE PASSING BY AT THE TIME AND GAVE ASSISTANCE, AS WELL AS CALLING A TOW TRUCK.*AK

THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES TEND NOT TO OPERATE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR CHECK UP AND, RESULTS SHOWED THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER. *AK *NM

DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS NOISY WHEN CLOSING, NOW HAS FAILED SUCH THAT WINDOW DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY, SLIDES DOWN ALLOWING WATER AND WIND TO ENTER VEHICLE. MOTOR WILL FUNCTION, BUT MAKES SOUNDS AS THOUGH COGS IN REGULATOR ARE STRIPPED. MANY OTHER OWNERS ON VARIOUS DISCUSSION FORUMS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS. *AK

IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED IN A 1996 PASSAT VR6. WAS A RECALL ON SWITCH. I WOULD LIKE A REFUND ON PARTS AND LABOR. *JB

OWNER OF 1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX. DRIVING LOW SPEED WHEN I HEARD A POP & HISS SOUND. TONS OF STEAM CAME THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS & UNDER THE DASH. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND FOUND LEAKING COOLANT UNDER VEHICLE ON PASSENGER SIDE. HEATER CORE FAILED. I HAD TO TOW MY VEHICLE BACK TO MY HOUSE AND CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA TO REPAIR. NO RESPONSE FROM VWOA AS OF YET AS I CONTACTED THEM VIA EMAIL A COUPLE DAYS AGO.*AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS STATED IN NHTSA RECALL 02V256000. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ELECTRICAL PORTION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL, CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. DEARSHIP INDICATED TO CONSUMER SORRY THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK

NO EVENT LEADING TO THE FAILURE... I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN MY HEATER CORE FAILED.. CAUSING SOLDING HOT COOLANT TO RUSH ONTO MY FEET WHILE DRIVING.. I HAD TO BRAKE WHILE COOLANT WAS ALL OVER MY FEET...BURNING THEM...NEARLY CAUSING AND ACCIDENT!*AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A DOOR LOCK PROBLEM. CURRENTLY, THREE OF THE FOUR DOOR LOCKS BROKE. DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT THEY WILL DO NOTHING. CONSUMER PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, IT DID NOT COVER THE PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD THE VERY SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 02V256000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. ALSO, THE ELECTRICAL PART OF THE SWITCH SHORTED OUT THE LIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND RADIO. TOOK VEHICLE DEALER, AND CONSUMER WAS GRANTED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

TRANSMISSION BROKEN AT 60,000 MILES, ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIS UNABLE TO FIX PROPERLY, THEY HAD TO REPLACE IT UNDER THERI WARANTEE WITHIN 12,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION LASTED 8 MONTH WITH SHAKEY SHIFTING THEN WENT AGAIN. NOW 4TH TRANMISSION DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY . *AK

DOOR HANDLES WORE OUT WITHIN THREE YEARS OF THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD TWO VEHICLES THAT HAD DEFECTIVE DOOR HANDLES. NOT LONG AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE. *AK DEALER FOUND THE WORN DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BROKEN OUTSIDE MIRROR SWITCH REPLACED. TRUNK LOCK WAS LOOSE. *TT *JB

THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT STARTED WITH THE LEFT REAR DOOR WHICH I TRIED TO REPAIR MYSELF. THEN IT WAS THE DRIVER DOOR. IT WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER AT A HIGH COST. NOW IT IS THE PASSENGER DOOR. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE THE OBJECT OF A RECALL.*AK

WHILE DRIVING FOR OVER TWO HOURS VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, REVVING UP WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE AND STALLED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS BLEW OUT WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO ABRUPTLY PULL OVER. *JB

THE PASSENGER DOOR POWER WINDOW DOES NOT WORK MOST OF THE TIME - TRUNK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY, CRUISE CONTROL ONLY WORKS SOMETIMES.*AK

HEADLIGHTS CONTINUALLY GO OUT. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP SUPPOSEDLY DID ELECTRICAL PART OF IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT, BUT HEADLIGHTS STILL DID NOT WORK. FURTHER REAIRS BY AN INDEPENDANT MECHANIC WORKED FOR A SHORT TIME, THEN ONE OF THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR OVER A YEAR. DEALERSHIP COMPLETELY UNINTERESTED.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE CAME ON AND WENT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. *AK WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECTS AS STATED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. *PH. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED UNDER THE RECALL REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH. *JB

WHILE TRAVELING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON AND OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. *AK

DOOR HANDLE PROBLEM. HANDLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES ON DIFFERENT DOORS. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.*AK

1. MY CAR HAD IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL ON IGNITION SWITCH FAILURES FOR THE YEAR/MAKE/MODEL OF MY CAR. WHEN I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER THEY SAID THE RECALL DOESN'T APPLY TO MY VIN. 2. DRIVERS DOOR WINDOW REGISTER HAS FAILED. MANY OWNERS OF SIMILAR VEHICLES HAVE REPORTED SAME.

WHILE DRIVING THE WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. NHTSA RECALL 02 V 256 000 WAS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM BUT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *NLM

INSTRUMENT DISPLAY CLUSTER ON 96 PASSAT WAGON GLX TOTALLY FAILED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF ODOMETER AND TACHOMETER READINGS. PANEL WAS REPLACED FOR $500. WRITTEN LETTER TO VWOA WENT UNANSWERED. *JB

ENTIRE DASH BOARD WENT DEAD AFTER A FEW DAYS OF EXTREME COLD WEATHER. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING WITH MANY OTHER VOLKSWAGEN'S AND FEEL THAT MANUFACTURER HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM PROPERLY. *JB

ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL (FUEL, TEMP, SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND ODOMETER DISPLAYS) FAILED DURING COLD WEATHER. MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM CAN BE FOUND VIA A GOOGLE NEWSGROUP SEARCH.

THE DASHBOARD AND ELECTRICAL WIRES HAVE BURNT. CONSUMER STATES' NONE OF THE GAUGES ARE WORKING AND BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

CONSUMER STATES THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL. SPEEDOMETER IS NOT SHOW ACCURATE SPEED, NEITHER THE GASOLINE GAUGE AND OTHER PANEL INSTRUMENTS. POR FAVOR ENVIE EL CUESTIONARIO. TS

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING THE HEADLIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND TURN SIGNALS WILL GO OUT. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

CONSUMERS NOTICE THE ELECTRICAL PORTION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY HAS FAILED CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION AND COULD BE INOPERATIVE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR JG *JB

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE RESULTS IN WINDSHIELD WIPER, WINDOWS, AND BLINKER FAILURE AS WELL AS THE ENGINE NOT STARTING OR STOPPING ONCE STARTED. VERY DANGEROUS AND PRONE TO SERIOUS ACCIDENT. MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY AND HARM AND INJURY TO OTHERS IN AN HIGHWAY ACCIDENT. DT

BOTH POWER WINDOWS FAIL. DRIVER'S WINDOW CIMPLETELY FAILED. MUST TRY AND OPEN DOOR IF STOPPED BY POLICEMAN OPENING YOUR DOOR IS NOT ACCEPTABLE BY POLICEMAN. AS WITH OTHER VOLKSWAGEN MODELS, THIS MODEL HAS MAJOR POWER WINDOW FAILURE WHICH POSSES A SAFETY THREAT BECAUSE OF INABILITY TO OPERATE BOTH FRONT WINDOWS. DT

BOTH POWER WINDOWS FAIL AND WINDOW DEFOGGER DOESN'T WORK. SO WHEN THIS OCCURS I DON'T EVEN HAVE THE OPTION OF ROLLING DOWN MY WINDOWS TO CLEAR THE CAR SO THAT I CAN OPERATE THE VEHICLE. VERY DANGEROUS AND HAS LED TO NEAR ACCIDENTS ON 4 OCCASIONS. DRIVER'S WINDOW COMPLETELY FAILED. MUST TRY TO OPEN DOOR WHILE DRIVING TO CLEAR AIR. MUST TRY AND OPEN DOOR IF STOPPED BY POLICEMAN OPENING YOUR DOOR IS NOT ACCEPTABLE BY POLICEMAN. AS WITH OTHER VOLKSWAGEN MODELS, THIS MODEL HAS MAJOR POWER WINDOW FAILURE WHICH POSSES A SAFETY THREAT BECAUSE OF INABILITY TO OPERATE BOTH FRONT WINDOWS. DT

TRUNK LOCKING MECHANISM AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENT FAILURE. RESULTS IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN THE TRUNK WILL OPEN WHILE DRIVING AND NOT CLOSE AND LOCK. MAY CAUSE A HIGHWAY ACCIDENT WHEN THE TRUNK POPS UP, COMPLETELY BLOCKING DRIVER REAR VIEW CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DT

NHTSA# 15255-02-V-256-000 IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE HEAD LIGHT, WIDSHIELD AND WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON SIMILAR MAKES AND MODELS, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDE TO VIN# DEALER NOTIFIED TS

THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN IN PROGRESS FOR PASSAT IGNITION SWITCH WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V256000. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS CAMPAIGN EXTENDED TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE AS I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME SAFETY DEFECT THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF THE CURRENT CAMPAIGN. DT

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING ALL VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS FAIL W/O WARNING. TS

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE WITH FAILURE OF WINDSHIELD WIPER, HEADLIGHTS, TURNING SIGNALS AND AC/HEAT FAN. ALL EXCEPT FOR THE LETTER I CONSIDERED A SAFETY CONCERN. NHTSA POSTED A RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL BUT VWOA DO NOT HAVE RECORDS OF SUCH RECALL AND CHARGE FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR OF REPLACEMENT. DT

THE IGNITION SWITCH CUTS OUT INTERMITTENTENTLY. ENGINE STILL RUNS BUT NO LIGHTS, WIPERS, ABS BRAKING, AND OTHER SAFETY FEATURES OPERATE. DT

CONSUMER STATES HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. MR

CONSUMER STATES WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. MR

CALLED VW - NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 02V256000 DESCRIBING RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY CAR?! RIDICULOUS! I HAD THIS EXACT THING HAPPEN TO ME, IN SNOWY WEATHER. I DROVE 60 MILES WITH MY HAND ON THE KEY SWITCH TWISTING IT SO LIGHTS AND WIPERS WOULD STAY ON! THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED! MR

RE: NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 02V256000 STATES THAT "ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ELECTRICAL PORTION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. IF SUCH FAILURES OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE AT NIGHT OR IN A RAINY OR SNOWY WEATHER, A CRASH COULD OCCUR. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL PART OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOFA AT 1-800-822-8987. WELL, AT THIS WRITING IT IS OCTOBER 14, 2002 I HAVEN'T RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION. THE PROBLEM STATED ABOVE HAPPENED TO MY CAR. BUT I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT BECAUSE MY VIN DOES NOT MATCH THEIR LIST. DUH, PUT IT ON THE LIST BECAUSE IT HAPPENED. THE MORONIC "CUSTOMER ADVOCATE" AS THEY CALL THEMSELVES KEPT REPEATING THAT THE VIN IS NOT ON THE LIST SO HE CANNOT DO ANYTHING. CAN NHTSA DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? MR

HEADLIGHT BULB IS YELLOW ON THE OUTSIDE OF LENSE. CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO SEE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

PASSENGERS COULD NOT GET IN OR OUT OF VEHICLE BECAUSE DOOR WAS BOLTED SHUT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION AND TURNED, THE ENGINE DOES NOT START, WHICH ALSO CAUSED OTHER COMPONETS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, CONSUMER HAD THE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, CONSUMER WAS STILL EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES IN STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY, ALSO THE BATTERY WAS EPLACED.*JG

WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR, THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. MECHANIC AT VOLKSWAGEN SAYS THAT THE ABS PUMPS NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1700. SINCE THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTEN, I DECIDED NOT TO SPEND THE MONEY FOR REPAIR SINCE I CAN STILL BRAKE THOUGH WITHOUT ABS. BUT I EXPLAINED TO FRONT DESK CUSTOMER SERVICE (AT DAVID MICHAEL VW IN FREEHOLD, NJ) THAT ABS FAILURE IS NOT PART OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THAT THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD COVER THE COST, BUT THEY DID NOT ACCEPT THAT ARGUMENT.*AK

THE DAYTIME AND NORMAL HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. SOMETIMES I WOULD SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT AND THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON. ANOTHER TIME, I JUST TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND LET THE CAR SIT IN MY GARAGE FOR A FEW DAYS. THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON WHEN I START IT. AT OTHER TIMES, IN ADDITION TO THE HEADLIGHT NOT COMING ON, THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE IGNITION IS STARTED. THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY PASSAT, WHICH I HAVE FIXED AND REPORTED HERE. NAMELY, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED.

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

THERE IS A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH OF THE 1996 AUDI A4. THIS IS THE SAME VEHICLE AS THE VW PASSAT. WHEN THIS PART FAILS, IT CAUSES THE RUNNING OR HEADLIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DEFROSTER, AND HEATER BLOWER TO FAIL. ALL OF THESE ELECTRICAL TOOLS ARE NECESSARY FOR DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN BAD WEATHER. MY DEALER SEEMS TO BE UNAWARE OF THE AUDI RECALL AND ALSO DID NOT SEE WHY I FELT THIS INTERMITENT PROBLEM MADE MY VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST TWO WEEKS I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET THIS PROBLEM RECTIFIED...ONCE THE SWITCH DID FAIL COMPLETELY AND WAS NO LONGER AN INTERMITENT PROBLEM, THE ELECTRICIAN WAS ABLE TO PIN POINT THE CAUSE. *AK

COMPLETE SHUT DOWN OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND LIMITED CONTROL OF THE CAR. A SEARCH OF THE WEB INDICATES THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED OCCURANCE. VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NON EXISTENT. AS FOR THE DOOR HANDLE AND WINDOW PROBLEM, AGAIN THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. SO FAR NO ONE HAS LOST THEIR LIFE AT LEAST IN OUR CASE. M. *AK

LOST POWER ASSIST AND HAD TO USE HAND BRAKE TO STOP. VACUUM LINE WAS REPLACED AND FAILED AGAIN AT 79363 MILES.

INTERMITTENT POWER WINDOW FAILURE COULD CAUSE VEHICLE INHABITANTS TO NOT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. *AK

RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING IS BROKEN IN ONE SECTION, CAUSING FREQUENT CREAKING NOISE. VW SERVICE KEEPS TELLING MY AUTO REPAIR GUY THAT THEY ARE ORDERING IT. THEY NOW SAY THEY CANNOT LOCATE THE PART; PUT OUT NATIONWIDE SEARCH!I'M WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY.ORIGINAL. *AK

OUR MAIN COMMENT IS THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO OUR DAUGHTER ILLEGALLY. WE THEN FOUND THAT THE MILEAGE INDICATOR HAD BEEN ROLLED BACK. THIS CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN HER DRIVEWAY BECAUSE IT WILL NOT RUN, ALL THE HARDWARE IS FALLING OFF. AFTER FINALLY IN. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****743725

FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER. DOOR OPENS BUT UNABLE TO CLOSE. DOOR MUST BE HELD CLOSED WITH CORD OR HELD CLOSED BY DRIVER, CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION.*AK

CAR BEGAN FAILING TO START. BATTERY REPLACED. SYMPTOMS REAPPEARED IN 2 WEEKS. CAR RUNNING ROUGH, DIFFICULT TO START. STALLING DURING HIGHWAY OPERATION. REQUIRED TOW TO DEALER. DEALER REPORTED THAT COMPUTER MODULE WIRING HARNESS RUSTY AND CORRODED REQUIRING REPLACEMENT.*AK

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SHORTAGES. VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND THE PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

THE DOORS DO NOT LATCH PROPERLY. YOU MUST SLAM THEM AT TIMES TO MAKE THEM CLOSE, THEN THEY WILL WORK OK AT OTHER TIMES. THE TRUNK LOCK DOES NOT WORK WITH OR WITHOUT THE KEY. IT MUST BE OPENED FROM INSIDE WITH THE RELEASE BUTTON. *AK

THE CAR BLOWS SMOKE SO BAD I CANNOT KEEP THE WINDOWS OPEN. I HAVE THE DEALER GET THE CAR PAST EMISSIONS BECAUSE IT FAILS EVERY TIME. THIS NOT ONLY EFFECTS MYSELF BUT EVERY PERSON IN THE AREA THAT I HAPPEN TO BE PASSING THROUGH. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR EVEN A DIESEL. THIS IS A HEALTH PROBLEM. A RAW FUEL SMELL IS ALSO PRESENT, THERE ARE NO VISIBLE LEAKS.

WHEN AT FREEZING TEMP, PASSENGER'S DOOR LATCH PARTIALLY FROZE OPEN CAUSING DOOR TO OPEN WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER DOOR LATCH FROZE PREVENTING DOOR TO BE CLOSED. *AK

SPEEDOMETER/TACHOMETER AND FUEL GAUGES WENT CRAZY. WITH ENGINE OFF SPEEDOMETER READS 80 MPH AND TACHOMETER READS 4000 RPM. THIS OCCURRED AFTER A COLD START-UP AND IS KNOWN TO BE AN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. IT APPEARS TO BE SPECIFIC TO 1996 MODEL VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX MODELS AND IS REPORTED TO BE A $600. OR MORE DEALER REPAIR WITH A NEED TO SPECIAL ORDER THE REPLACEMENT GAUGE/CLUSTER ASSEMBLY FROM GERMANY REQUIRING 4-6 WEEKS FOR PARTS DELIVERY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE ! PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS ARE NOT WEAR ITEMS AND SHOULD NOT FAIL UNDER NORMAL OPERATION. I AM NOT ABOUT TO PAY VW $600. OR MORE TO FIX A KNOWN DEFECT. IT IS CERTAINLY POSSIBLE TO USE THE VIN NUMBERS TO DETERMINE IF THIS DEFECT IS LIMITED TO A CERTAIN PRODUCTION TIME PERIOD. PERHAPS THE VENDOR SUPPLIER TO VW HAD SOME PRODUCTION PROBLEMS THAT WERE DISCOVERED AND CORRECTED. OWNER'S OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT PAY FOR A KNOWN DEFECT THAT RESULTS FROM NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. *AK

FUEL GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER NEEDLE WILL NOT SET AT ZERO EVEN WHEN IGNITION IS OFF. *AK

FRONT RIGHT TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING (DOTAN7JT451179 - BF GOODRICH 185-6514). NLM

I CANNOT GET INTO MY CAR DRIVER/PASSENGER SIDE WITHOUT ROLLING ALL MY WINDOWS DOWN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE REPLACED ALL DOORS ONCE BEFORE AND THEN THE FRONT TWO DOORS BROKE ONCE AGAIN MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN, I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD, IF I WERE TO WRECK AND BECAME UNCONSIOUS IN A BURNING CAR THE PERSON ON THE OUTSIDE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET INTO THE FRONT OF THE CAR.

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AFTER CAR LEFT OUT IN COLD. HAD TO GET REPLACEMENT ACCORDING TO DEALER FROM GERMANY. TOOK 4-6 WEEKS TO GET REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY LEFT DRIVERS DOOR LOCK MECHANISM FAILED AND WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR. THE ONLY WAY INTO THE DOOR WAS EITHER FROM PASSENGERS SIDE DOOR, OR ROLL DOWN THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS. IF CAR LEFT OUT IN COLD, WINDOWS WILL NOT ROLL DOWN. LOCK COME UNLOCKED WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. DEALER SAID WOULD COST BIG BUCKS TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE DOOR HANDLE MECHANISM. I PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THEY SAID NOT COVERED. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES AS WE ARE RAISING MY GRANDCHILD AND SHE RIDES IN THE BACK SEAT WHILE THESE LOCK MECHANISMS FAIL.

DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY OR LOCKS ARE NOT SECURING PROPERTY. DOOR OCCASIONALLY WOULD FLY OPEN. CONSUMER HAS TO USE A BUNGY CORD & SEAT BELT TO KEEP SHUT. MANUFACTURER DENIED THE CLAIM. VEHICLE CAN'T BE SECURED TO KEEP OTHERS FROM GETTING IN. CONSUMER IS WAITING FOR THE PART TO ARRIVE AT THE DEALER. *AK

THE DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN 4 TIMES AND I REALLY FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM.*AK

NOT ABLE OT OPEN DOOR. HANDLE MECHANISM BROKEN. FIRST HANDLE MECHANISM BROKEN IN DEC 1999. BECAUSE CHILD LOCK WAS ON, MAJOR SERVICE WAS NEED TO GET INTO DOOR. JUNE 2000 THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE MECHISM BROKE, BUT CAN GET INTO THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR . THE LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE APPEARS LOOSE AND READY TO BREAK. *AK

INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS BEEN OUT FOR A WHILE. LIGHT HAS BEEN ON/OFF ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC INDICATOR. TOWED TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT INSTRUMENT PANEL: CLUSTER MODULE HAD A SHORT. *AK

NO SUMMARY

THE INSTRUMENT SPEEDOMETER WILL NOT SET AT 0, AND THE REV COUNTER ALSO WILL NOT SET AT 0. *AK

DESIGN FLAW? ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES HAVE FAILED (CAR LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD) AND CAR CANNOT BE LOCKED WHEN THEY FAIL.

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON THE ROAD AND ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. MECHANIC AT DEALERSHIP TOLD CONSUMER THAT ABS BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED A COMPUTER MODULE REPLACED. *AK

THE INSIDE TRUNK RELEASE HAS FAILED TWICE. BOTH REAR DOOR LATCHES HAVE FAILED. REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. PASSENGERS IN THE REAR CAN NOT OPEN THE REAR CAR DOORS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY: DIGITAL DISPLAYS FLASHED ON AND OFF SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER GAUGES MOVING CLOCKWISE AND COUNTER-CLOCKWISE OUT OF CONTROL, THIS PATTERN CONTINUED WHEN VEHICLE IGNITION TURNED OFF. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REGULAR SERVICE AND CURRENT PROBLEM. SERVICE ADVISOR SAYS BATTERY OK, NEEDS NEW INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. JAN.06 VEHICLE FAIL TO START, CHECKED BATTERY, BATTERY BURNED UP,CELLS DRY. REPLACED WITH NEW BATTERY, INSIDE OF 2 WEEK PERIOD FAILURE TO START AND NO POWERCONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER FOR 6 WEEKS. DEALER INSTALLS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, GO TO PICK UP CAR AND IT FAILS TO START. CAR REMAINS AT DEALERSHIP. *AK

ELECTICAL CLUSTER FOR INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. YH

INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. DEALER HAS CONSUMER'S CAR BECAUSE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE. PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. *AK

WHEN THE CAR IS COLD OR IN THE FIRST 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING, HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. SOME OF THE DASHLIGHTS STAY ON, HOWEVER THE HEADLIGHTS, BLOWER MOTOR, TURNSIGNAL, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, POWER WINDOWS AND A/C DO NOT WORK. DEFECTIVE SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED. *AK *ML

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-40 MPH THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE ROUGH ON SPEED SHIFTING. CONSUMER SAID IT FELT LIKE TRANSMISSION KICKED IN. *AK

THE IGNITION SWITCH PREMATURELY MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO THE DESIGN WHICH CAUSED THE HEADLGHTS AND THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND THE WINDSHEILD WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. *AK

DIAGNOSIS NOT COMPREHENSIVE, POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE, TOO MUCH WAITING TO GET PARTS FROM GERMANY, IRRESPONSIBLE AND INSENSITIVE VW MANAGEMNENT AND CUSTOMER SERVICE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

WHENEVER THE WEATHER IS COLD, THE DOORS FAIL TO CLOSE PROPERLY. THE LOCKS FAIL TO WORK ALSO. THE DOORS WOULD POP OPEN AFTER BEING CLOSED. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & INFORMED BY MECHANIC EVERYTHINGS WORKS FINE. WAS INFORMED LUBRICATION WAS PROBLEM FIRST 2 TIMES. THE THIRD TIME TOLD LOCKS WERE THE PROBLEM. HAVE CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. *AK

WHENEVER FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM ACCELERATOR PEDALTRANSMISSION WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS. WOULD NEED TO DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKES & ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IT WAS HARD TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED. BUT, PROBLEM SEEMS TO REAPPEAR EACH TIME. *AK

VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERINCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH DAY RUINNING LIGHT/ HEAD LIGHT, HEATER / COOLING SYSTEM WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT OR STOP OPERATING. SOMETIMES IF KEY IS JIGGLED IT WOULD CAUSE IT TO COME BACK ON OR OPERATE AGAIN. ASLO, SPEEDOMETER / ODOMETER FAIL EDTO OPERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK

DRIVER'S SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOORS DO NOT OPEN AT ALL FROM THE OUTSIDE, AND SOMETIMES THEY WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. DEALER HAS SEEN AND GREASED THE DOORS. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NONE OF THE DOORS BEING ABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME, IN ORDER TO GET INTO MY CAR I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN ALL THE WINDOWS FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE AND OPEN THE DOOR OR DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE, ANYONE COULD JUMP INTO MY CAR FROM THE PASSANGER SIDE AT THIS TIME. TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WE WERE QUOTED AN EXTREMELY HIGH AMOUNT BY THE DEALER WHICH I THINK ISNT RIGHT BECAUSE THIS IS FAULTY CRAFTMANSHIP NOT FAULTY OWNERSHIP. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 60MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIED FOR NO REASON. THIS CAUSED A TRAFFIC HAZARD. HAD NO WARNING. TOWED TO DEALER. INFORMED BY MECHANIC THE PROBLEM WAS ALTERNATOR. THE BATTERY WAS ALSO DEFFECTIVE. BOTH ALTERNATOR & BATTERY NEEDED REPLACING. WAS GIVEN NO REASON CONCERNING ALTERNATOR. *AK

FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, AND THE ABS SYSTEM IS LOCKING UP. ALSO, HORN KEEPS GOING OFF, AND CRUISE CONTROL KEEPS COMING ON. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL COMES ON, AND THE ABS SYSTEM LOCKS UP. WHEN CONSUMER GETS OUT OF VEHICLE, HORN WILL KEEP BLOWING. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND SHIFTS GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY FAILED, CAUSING PIECES OF INTERNAL COMPONENTS TO CUT THROUGH DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING ON TRANSMISSION CASE. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE IN THIS VEHICLE. FIRST CAUSED VEHICLE TO BE IMMOBILIZED IMMEDIATELY IN TRAFFIC. SECOND AND MOST RECENT, RENDERED VEHICLE UNABLE TO MOVE UNDER IT'S OWN POWER, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ALSO, SINCE TRANSMISSION CASE WAS PENETRATED IN NO LESS THAN SIX LOCATIONS, GEAR OIL WAS RELEASED ONTO ROADWAY, CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE HAZARD FOR OTHER DRIVERS. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN AMONG OTHER OWNERS OF THIS AND SIMILAR MODELS. THERE IS SPECULATION AMONG ENTHUSIASTS THAT IT IS DUE TO THE USE OF RIVETS INSTEAD OF BOLTS TO SECURE THE RING GEAR (CROWN WHEEL) IN THE DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY. THIS IS APPARANTLY A COST-CUTTING MEASURE. VOLKSWAGEN MAKES AVAILABLE A KIT THAT INCLUDES BOLTS TO REPLACE THOSE RIVETS. STANDARD VW WARRANTY REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR SUCH A FAILURE CALLS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION WITH A REBUILT UNIT, BUT THE REBUILT UNITS ALSO USE RIVETS INSTEAD OF BOLTS. FOR THIS FAILURE, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA'S DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER IS DENYING WARRANTY REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF AFTERMARKET (NON-VW) PARTS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE WHICH ARE NOT RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. *AK

THE VACUUM HOSE BROKE AT 55000 MILES, WAS REPAIRED AND FAILED AGAIN AT 60000. SINCE A DEALER WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME IT WAS REPAIRED WITH DUCT TAPE. (THE DUCT TAPE PROVED TO BE MORE RELIABLE). THE HOSE WAS THEN REPAIRED AT 70000 MILES AND FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME AT 72500 MILES. IT IS CURRENTLY REPAIRED WITH DUCT TAPE. THIS PROBLEM IS FURTHER AGREVATED BY THE FACT THAT NONE OF THE THREE DEALERS I HAVE CONTACTED HAVE HAD THE PART. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED IN RAPID CITY, SD. THE DEALER THERE DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND THE NATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR DID NOT HAVE THE PART. ONE WAS FINALLY LOCATED IN TEXAS AND FED-EXED TO RAPID CITY. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED IN NORTHERN CALIF. THE DEALER IN PALM SPRINGS DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND THE NATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND HE COULD NOT LOCATE A DEALER THAT HAD ONE. I DROVE BACK TO FL WITH THE DUCT TAPE REPAIR. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER IN TALLAHASSEE, FL HE DID NOT HAVE THE PART BUT HE ORDERED ONE FROM JACKSONVILLE. I RETURNED TO THE TALLAHASSEE DEALER AFTER THE THIRD FAILURE ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON. HE DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND COULD NOT GET ONE UNTIL THE NEXT TUESDAY. I HAVE NOT RETURNED! I ACTUALLY FEEL SAFER WITH THE DUCT TAPE THAN I WOULD WITH THEIR REPAIR PART. *AK

ON THIS MODEL VW--I.E., DIESEL, FAILURE OF IGNITION SWITCH RESULTS IN PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER BRAKING, HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTION--THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. PROBLEM WAS CALLED TO MANUFACTURER'S ATTENTION VIA LETTER AND VIA BRINGING INTO A VW DEALER FOR REPAIR. DEALER WAS NOT SELLING DEALER MENTIONED ABOVE. *AK

ON TUESDAY, OWNER NOTICED THAT THE DRL WERE NOT WORKING AS WELL AS THE INTERIOR A/C FAN. DRIVER HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED BY DEALER TO 'JIGGLE' SWITCH IN ORDER TO GET BOTH WORKING. INSTRUCTIONS DID NOT MAKE EITHER TO WORK. DRIVER SWITCHED OFF ENGINE WHILE MOVING, TRYING TO GET EITHER TO WORK. AFTER TRYING THIS SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO LUCK, ONE INCIDENT CAUSED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO 'SET'. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL EITHER BY SWITCH, BRAKE PEDAL OR CLUTCH PEDAL. DRIVER ENDED UP TURNING OFF CAR IN ORDER TO CANCEL THE CRUISE CONTROL. AFTER LETTING CAR SIT FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, BOTH ITEMS WORKED AGAIN, BUT AFTER THE CAR SAT OVERNIGHT, BOTH ITEMS DID NOT WORK AGAIN. *AK

LOCKING MECHANISMS ON VEHICLE IS BAD. ALL FOUR DOORS GET STUCK. CONSUMER HAS HAD TO GET A MECHANIC TO GET THE DOORS OPEN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING A MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, CAUSING THE SPEED OR FUEL NOT TO REGISTER, AND OTHER FUNCTIONS BECAME INOPERABLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

ODOMETER REPLACED: NEW MILAGE IS ZERO(0): USED-CAR BUYERS BEWARE OF THIS PROBLEM... INACCURATE MILAGE READINGS

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEP COMING ON, AND NOW THE GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD DON'T WORK, INCLUDING THE SPEED GAUGE/GAS GAUGE, AND ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT ARE OPERATED BY THE COMPUTER. CONSUMER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILED INTERMITTANTLY CAUSING LOUDNESS AND VIBRATION, MAKING CAR UNDRIVABLE AND TO FAIL STATE INSPECTION.

GAUGE CLUSTER AND HVAC CONTROL UNIT BOTH FAILED AT STARTUP. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE CAUSE OF FAILURES. *AK

ALL DOORS AT 32 DEGREES AND BELOW INTERMITENTLY WILL NOT STAY CLOSED/ INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITENTLY WOULD NOT SHOW MILAGE 1 YEAR AGO BUT NOW THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INCLUDING SPEED,FEUL LEVEL, AND TACH DO NO WORK AT ALL

"O" RING AND SEAL WERE CRACKED, CAUSING OIL LEAKAGES. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPLACE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAILED PARTS FOR NO CHARGE. *AK *ML

THE DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT ALWAYS CLOSE. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR PASSENGER'S DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DOOR LATCH ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS REPLACED IN DEC OF 1996. THE MANUFACTURE/DEALER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH BOTH DOORS. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. SEEMS TO BE MORE OF A PROBLEM IN THE COLDER MONTHS. *AK

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN THE OFF POSITION THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DIE OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

ABS FAILURE.

RIGHT REAR AND RIGHT FRONT DOOR LOCK AND LATCH HAS FAILED. THE DRIVER AND FAMILY WENT OUT OF TOWN WHEN THE RIGHT REAR DOOR CAME OPEN WHILE THE DRIVER WAS ON A BRIDGE, ON A MIXMASTER ABOUT 75 FT. IN THE AIR. THE DRIVER PULLS THE CAR OVER TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND THE DOOR CAME OPEN AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY.

WHEEL BEARING FAILED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CAUSING VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL.

ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED REAR WINDOWS OPEN BY THEMSELVES. IN ORDER FOR WINDOWS TO REMAINED CLOSED, THE CONTROL BUTTON MUST BE DEPRESS UNTIL WINDOWS ARE CLOSED AND VEHICLE TURNED OFF. WINDOWS REOPEN WHEN VEHICLE IS RE-STARTED.

ALTERNATOR FAILED. QCAW

CONSUMER BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING OR SMOKE. HE CHECKED AND FOUND OUT THAT THE SCENT WAS THE BRAKES LEFT REAR WHEEL. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED BRAKES TWICE AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. LEE HIGH VALLEY VOLKSWAGEN--ALLENTOWN, PA. *AK

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED.

PARKING LIGHT BULBS FAILED.

THE LATCH FAILED ON THE DRIVER SIDE SAFETY BELT. WHILE BRAKING, THE LATCHING DEVICE ABOVE DRIVER'S LEFT SHOULDER FAILED CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT THEIR HEAD ON THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS IN TURN CAUSED REPEATED FAILURE OF THE SPIRAL SPRING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM - THE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUES TO ACTIVATE ON AN IRREGULAR BASIS.

THE LATCH FAILED ON THE DRIVER SIDE SAFETY BELT. WHILE BRAKING, THE LATCHING DEVICE ABOVE DRIVER'S LEFT SHOULDER FAILED CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT THEIR HEAD ON THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS IN TURN CAUSED REPEATED FAILURE OF THE SPIRAL SPRING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM - THE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUES TO ACTIVATE ON AN IRREGULAR BASIS.

COOLING SYSTEM/RADIATOR HOSE DEFECTIVE.

GEAR BOX POPPING OUT OF GEAR.

GAUGES FAILED.

TRUNK LEAKS.

OVER TIME GAS MILEAGE TRANSMISSION PERFORMANCE DIMINISHED. THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED AND SHIFTED IMPROPERLY.

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF.

DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SCREW LOOSENED.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF FOR UNKNOWN REASONS.

BRAKE PADS NEED TO BE REPLACED.

AIR BAG SPIRAL SPRING ASSEMBLY FAILED, FOR UNSPECIFIED REASONS.

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WIRING HARNESS FAILED.

VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED.

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN REAREND COLLISION TRAVELING ABOUT 15 MPH AND BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE FRONT END HAS LITTLE OR NO DAMAGE.

AIR CONDITIONER FAN FAILED.

UPON PLACING TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE GEAR WITH BRAKES APPLIED, ENGINE SURGED, THEN ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, OVERPOWERING BRAKES, RESULTING IN A CRASH, VEHICLE HIT A BUILDING, DEALER REPLACED THROTTLE HOUSING TO CORRECT. *AK

INTERMITTENT STALLING DUE TO ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. *AK

ENGINE STALLS SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING.

TRUNK SWITCH FAILED 2 TIMES.

WAS DRIVING AND TRANSMISSION JUMPED INTO THIRD GEAR AND WOULDN'T MOVE, PUT INTO NEUTRAL SO CONSUMER COULD DRIVE . *AK

WINDSHIELD SEALS LEAK.

DOOR SEALS LEAK.

MANUAL TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF 3RD GEAR AND INTO NEUTRAL, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL UNTIL MANUALLY PUT BACK INTO GEAR. *AK

WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED MALFUNCTION IN TRANSMISSION WHEN AT 60 MPH VEHICLE SHIFTS ON IT'S OWN FROM THIRD GEAR TO NEUTRAL, RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO ACCELERATE.*AK

VACUUM PIPE BROKE, CAUSING PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER ASSIST DURING BRAKING. POWER LOSS INCREASES GREATLY WITH EACH SUCCESSIVE STOP.

PLASTIC SHROUD ON TOP OF ENGINE IS CHAFFING THE FUEL LINE. *SD

WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT, WIRE TO THE CORE WAS LOOSE. *AK