10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
12,821 miles

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problem #7

Jul 072007

Passat 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 55,000 miles
The 2002 volkwagen Passat 1.8T problem started with the car stalling while driving on the road on Saturday July 1 2007, and the epc light coming on. I took it to the dealership the following Monday, and they ended up replacing a faulty engine RPM sensor. The following Saturday I picked up the car and drove off. Exactly 12 miles from the dealership the car stalled with the same epc light. The only consequences of this incident were me stranded on the side of the road for almost an hour with slightly charred engine. I coasted off the road and smelled smoke. Needless to say the dealership stated that it was short coil-packs and not their responsibility, so I was stuck with a $3,000 repair bill. After researching online I know there have been several similar instances and am wondering why it was never recalled.

- Wyoming, MI, USA

problem #6

Oct 142006

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,750 miles
Right daytime driving light burned out on 3 occasions. Last incident included a melted wiring harness as well

- Worthington, OH, USA

problem #5

Aug 312002

Passat

  • miles
Vehicle had been in for an oil change about 8 days ago. Vehicle was sitting in garage, when it caught on fire. House could have burned down.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #4

Aug 312002

Passat 4WD

  • miles
At approximately 9 pm on 8/31/02, a fire starting beneath the hood destroyed the vehicle as it sat in the driveway of our home. The car had been operating normally, with no sign of overheating, smoke, etc., and had been parked in driveway 5-10 minutes before flames were seen blazing from under hood. Only prior service on car was oil change, by VW, 8 days earlier. In fact, we had not had any engine trouble of any kind since purchasing the car. We had been using the car virtually daily since the birth of our son in May. I doubt overheating was to blame, since in fact that day was the coolest in months, and we had been driving the car in temperatures in the 90S and even above 100, including a long-distance trip to/from Vermont, without incident.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #3

Sep 152001

Passat

  • miles
Fire in engine compartment (approximately 2"-3" high 6"-12" inches wide) no action taken by factory after 10 days of having the car in the dealer. We bought the car with 14 miles on it and it was on fire within 59 miles on it and factory & dealer told me nothing is wrong with the car and told me to drive it home. After my persistance that fire does not just starts on it's own and problem needs to be identified, dealer now after 10 days is trying to identify the problem mean while I purchased the most expensive car volks wagen sells in U.S.a. and only had it for less than 20 hours. Because of the instant problem and their less than interested to address the problem I asked for my trade in back and recind the deal, also I asked for new car and both the dealer & factory representative told me no! now after tech. Finally taking car for a 15-20 min. Test drive( I've been told) they realized smell and dripping of substance (what I was told by service manager) still no new car and no reselotion. Please let me know what I can do.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #2

Sep 152001

Passat

  • miles
Fire in engine compartment (approximately 2"-3" high 6"-12" inches wide) no action taken by factory after 10 days of having the car in the dealer. We bought the car with 14 miles on it and it was on fire within 59 miles on it and factory & dealer told me nothing is wrong with the car and told me to drive it home. After my persistance that fire does not just starts on it's own and problem needs to be identified, dealer now after 10 days is trying to identify the problem mean while I purchased the most expensive car volks wagen sells in U.S.a. and only had it for less than 20 hours. Because of the instant problem and their less than interested to address the problem I asked for my trade in back and recind the deal, also I asked for new car and both the dealer & factory representative told me no! now after tech. Finally taking car for a 15-20 min. Test drive( I've been told) they realized smell and dripping of substance (what I was told by service manager) still no new car and no reselotion. Please let me know what I can do.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #1

Sep 262001

(reported on)

Passat

  • miles
While driving fire started in vehicle. Cause unknown.

- Portland, OR, USA