5.2

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,753 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #12

Jun 152008

Passat

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Volkswagen Passat. Immediately after the vehicle was serviced by the dealer, it was then serviced by an auto detailer. The air bag indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and remained lit. When the contact took the vehicle to a mechanic for inspection, he was informed that the issue could not be repaired. A Volkswagen dealer stated that the air bag light was illuminated because there was too much resistance in the wiring for the air bags. They further stated that the contact would have to replace the air bags. The vehicle has four air bags: Two in the instrument panel and two in the seat backs. The cost to repair them would be $600 per air bag. The contact refused the repair. The vehicle has never been involved in a crash and the air bags have never deployed. The contact feels that the failure should be Volkswagen's responsibility. The failure mileage was 98,000 and current mileage was 106,000.

- Sherrills Ford, NC, USA

problem #11

Dec 012001

Passat 4-cyl

  • miles
1999 Passat engine seized due to a oil pump failure. The consumer had the oil leak repaired on 5 different occasions. The consumer had other problems with the vehicle such as a faulty drive shaft, right cv joint, the glove compartment latch, the control knob for the side view mirrors, the heater control unit, engine control unit, water pump seal rings, a power steering leak which was had to be fixed twice, the coolant pump, O-rings and the oil pump and pump rod bearings. There is a noise coming from the rear right wheel, oil is leaking from the valve covers.

- Hamden, CT, USA

problem #10

Mar 282006

Passat 4-cyl

  • 44,532 miles
1999 Volkswagen Passat tie rods and driver side airbag were bad. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for it's 40000 miles checkup when the problems were found. The air bag light was on when the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The consumer contacted the manufacturer but since the vehicle was no longer under warranty they refused to pay for any of the repairs. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility. The independent tech could not repair the air bag therefore the air bag light was still illuminated. The consumer looked on the internet and found out that 1999 Passats were recall for tie rod issues in 1999 and notification were sent out in October 1999, one month before the consumer purchased her vehicle. The consumer also found several complaints in reference to the air bag light illuminating.

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #9

Sep 011999

Passat

  • miles
Air bag light came on and did not go out. Repaired and recurred eight times.

- Southington, CT, USA

problem #8

Sep 242004

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles
While driving the air bag warning light continuously illuminated on the dashboard. As a result, air bags became inoperative, and wouldn't deploy when needed. Dealership inspected vehyicle at least 10 times, and lately dealer charged to the consumer every time vehicle had a problem.

- Southington, CT, USA

problem #7

Sep 152003

(reported on)

Passat

  • 27,000 miles
Air bag warning light stayed illuminated while driving. This was caused by a bad sensor that rendered the air bags inoperative.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #6

Apr 062003

Passat 6-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
When maintenance was being performed on the vehicle, the air bags deployed.

- Richboro, PA, USA

problem #5

Dec 172001

(reported on)

Passat

  • miles
Air bag indication light stays illuminated whiile driving. Dealer has been notified.

- Mc Clain, VA, USA

problem #4

Jan 091999

Passat

  • miles
After purchase consumer took vehicle in to the dealership to diagnosis and repair of the air bag malfunction light signal or system, repair completed on the spiral ring assembly, however the malfunction light continued to indicate problems, several other repairs until the final repair of the whole system for remedy due to negligence and repair issues.

- Elizabeth, NJ, USA

problem #3

Jun 011999

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Airbag light is on, dealer has replaced airbag sensor 5 times. Did not remedy problem. Volkswagen rep had dealer rewire entire vehicle. Airbag light is on again at this time. Please add further comments.

- Rochester, MI, USA

problem #2

Apr 152001

Passat

  • miles
SRS instrument panel light remains on. Car was not in an accident. Car owned less than 24 months but SRS not covered under warranty simply due to mileage being over 24,000. If SRS is safety related why doesn't the government hold manufacturers more responsible as with emissions? there should be a separate government standard, as with emissions. Holding manufacturers more accountantable for SRS with stricter requirements, as with emissions, will help ensure public safety. I took this vehicle in for a recall repair (steering tie-rods) and no sooner than a week later, the SRS light went on and now I must pay to determine what exactly is wrong with the system. This seems rather unfair for a new car less than 24 months old. And since the work performed was in that quadrant of the car where the recall work was done, I am wonder if this is somehow related.

- South Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #1

Aug 092000

(reported on)

Passat

  • miles
Airbag light has come on 5 times. It seems that all 5 times have happened on the highway whie driving over 55 mph. First time, the dealer reset the airbag sensors. Second, third, and fourth time, according to the dealer invoice, the airbag/SRS control module has been replaced. I have written to Volkswagen of America informing them that I believe my car to be a lemon and am demanding relief under the lemon law of my state (MA).

- Swampscott, MA, USA