6.0

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
13,519 miles

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problem #5

Oct 252004

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,595 miles
Vehicle serviced by findlay VW on sat 10/16/2004- 30,000 mile service. 3 days later the brake fault warning sounded. I thought perhaps because of the slick road conditions. On sat 10/23/2004 it sounded again. At this point, I did not drive my car until bringing to dealership on mon 10/25/2004. I reviewed manual and had surmised that possibly not enough brake fluid had been put in. I was informed that at only 30, 600 miles, car needed rear brakes and rotor-down to 2%. I was also informed that VW ships cars with minimal amount thickness rotor and any wear at all requires replacement. This is my 3rd consecutive VW, I never experienced this problem. 30,000+ miles should not warrent rear brakes / rotors, even in tough city conditions. I did not experience any squeaking or rubbing nor did brakes require added pressure to adequately slow or stop the vehicle. I don't believe this is necessary work or if true of rotor ship conditions is unfair. At this point, I will not purchase a 4th VW.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #4

Oct 102003

Passat

  • 22,000 miles
Brake failure at 22,000 miles. My car was just under 2 years old with 22,000 miles when I was told that I needed new rear brakes. The car was redesigned with "soft" brake pads to reduce noise, so this is considered "normal wear". no it isn"T! also, the rotors must be replaced when you put on new pads; they cannot be machined. This car is designed to have pads and rotors replaced every 22,000 miles! this is unacceptable service and disgraceful design.

- Owings Mills, MD, USA

problem #3

Jul 242003

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have a 2002 Volkswagen Passat wagon. The mileage at the time of the repair was 35,369 miles. In may, I was on a road trip with highway speeds and hill climbs and decents. It felt like the rear of the car would shake. It became progressively worse. When I took it into the dealership, they told me that my rear brakes needed to be replaced. It was because of the design of the parking brake and the rear brakes. In the winter, the parking brake cable is grabbing. Well, I never use the parking brake. Afew times I have had a valet parking service maybe they used it. So, I just had the rear brake pads and rotors replaced on my car.it was $461.26 cents. If brakes would go in this car, I felt it should be the front brakes not the rear. If there is a design flaw Volkswagen should know about it and I am not happy with this bill with a fairly new car.brakes are an important safety feature to a vehicle. The warrenty is for 12 months or 12,000 miles.

- Spokane, WA, USA

problem #2

Jun 032003

Passat

  • miles
Dealer will do major repairs on brakes, replace back and front brakes and rotors.

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #1

Apr 022002

Passat 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles
Manufacturer is refusing to properly repair faulty brakes. Rear rotors were replaced 5000 miles ago because of over heating and scoring. On April 2, the front rotors were replaced for the same reason, and the rear rotors were again identified by the dealer tech with the same problem. However, the manufacturer would only replace the front rotors. With 20000 miles total on the car, my front brake pads have 60% left, my rear 30%. I suspect a malfunction with the brake calipers and / or brake rotor design.

- San Diego, CA, USA