When acceleration and engaging passing mode, vehicle continues to accelerate even when pedal released. Very difficult to control speed and brake. Have done internet search on problem and find it fairly common with VW Passat and certain Audi models that use same throttle body. This device apparently requires regular servicing to avoid sticking problem. There is no doubt this is a dangerous condition and in my own instance, could easily have led to a highspeed accident. This vehicle was just purchased by me and went through md motor vehicle inspection in December, 2011.

- Evanston, IL, USA

The heater core started to leak and my windows fogged up while driving on freeway. I almost got into a car crash because I lost my visibility.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

2000 Volkswagen Passat. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle that die unexpectedly at various speeds the consumer stated the vehicle has stalled while making turns across highways and entering freeways. The vehicle was taken to the dealer numerous times where different components were replaced, but the stalling continued.

- Warren, OR, USA

While stopped at a red light, the engine accelerated by itself (computer failure?). my husband, who was driving, had to use both feet, pressing down as hard as he could, to stop the car. Fortunately, no one was in front of us and we were far enough back that we did not accelerate into the intersection. The engine sound returned to normal after 15-30 seconds and we drove it home without further incident but we have stopped driving the car for safety reasons. In addition, the ABS computer module has also failed, though we have not had any incidents related to that failure as the brakes are otherwise fine.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

Bought a VW Passat used from private dealer~I owned the car for exactly 1 year, turbo failed ~ check engine light has been on since owning vehicle. Car has been diagnosed with oil sludge issues from previous owners. Just paid for turbo and two oil lines to be replaced. VW of America stated they would take responsibility ~ never heard from them, I keep calling ~ check engine light has been on since day one ~ no one wants to help me on this quest to seek action. I owe $11,000 more on the vehicle car was smoking severely ~thought it was an undercarriage~but it is near the turbo line so it could be mistaken.

- Scituate, RI, USA

I have had my 2000 VW Passat for a little over two years and it has been a money pit! I have had so many problems since a month or so after I bought my car. I bought the car from a private party, test drove the car, had it checked out by a mechanic, and I have put thousands of dollars into the car. I bought the car just before my senior year in high school thinking I made a wonderful choice, and I had to replace a new right side boot just after a month of owning the car. The check engine light/ABS/airbag kept coming on and beeping at me, and I had to buy a whole new brain to the car over $1500. I had to replace the timing belt way before the mile warranty, oil leaks which ruined some wires, new shocks/shock absorbers, now the window will go part way down, but will no longer go up... and my headlights are fogged up which I have noticed on all other 2000 Passats...! many things have gone wrong with this car. I am so frustrated with the car. I do not recommend a VW to anyone! I am going into the second year of college and have spent most of my savings on this piece of junk. I think after fixing a part of the car that it should run without any problems. Since I have put so much money into this car I cannot afford to get a reliable car. There is something seriously wrong with VW and the recalls! as far as I am concerned the whole car should be recalled!!!!

- Fallbrook, CA, USA

Owner was driving and noticed a smell, then he saw smoke coming out of the dash vents. He then saw fire on the passenger-side footwell area. The fire was first observed on the floor where it sloped upward, where the passenger would place their feet. He pulled over, got out, and threw some snow on the passenger-side floor area. He opened a rear door and took some personal belongings out and then observed the dash break out into flames.

- Seekonk, MA, USA

2000 Passat gls 4-motion V6 has been regularly serviced. Oil changes every 3000 miles. At appx 65000 miles, with no warning, the car overheated while idling (it had been idling for less than 8 minutes, it was only 50 degrees outside, the coolant had been checked a few weeks previous at the car's last oil change). The temperature gauge in the dash maxed out and steam and smoke started issuing from under the hood. Turned the car off & let it cool for appx 20 minutes before opening hood. Checked coolant, it had completely boiled away. Replaced coolant, let car continue to cool for appx another 1.5 hrs. Started car and drove it (slowly) to a garage specializing in european cars. (my regular mechanic.) replaced the water pump and thermostat, both of which had stopped working. VW recommends that the timing belt be replaced at 80000 miles. Mechanic told me that the timing belt looked significantly worn and that it should be replaced now for fear it might break before the regularly scheduled replacement. Replaced timing belt. Total cost of replacing water pump, thermostat and timing belt: $725. Due to excessive engine temperature from the water pump and thermostat failure, pistons and valves in engine now knock and engine is noisy, particularly when first started. Engine no longer seems to be as responsive, power wise, as it was previously. 65000 miles seems a bit young to be experiencing a water pump failure. The fact that the engine overheated so quickly and with no prior indication of an impending problem, and that this resulted in such stress to the engine leads me to believe that there may have been a design flaw involved. (have had water pumps go out in other cars, but never prior to 80000 miles, never in under 8 minutes and never with such dire results and high repair costs.

- Bountiful, UT, USA

I am the original owner of a 2000 VW Passat, 4 cyl. On 3/24/06, the defrost no longer worked properly in the vehicle. Pinkish-orange coolant started spraying out on my feet while driving, white smoke came spilling out of the vents & the coolant spread itself thick on the interior of the windshield & windows. This left it cloudy & I had to pull the vehicle over and wipe the windows with cleaner and paper towels. With it becoming immediately cloudy, I lost visibility of the cars in front of me. Coolant also leaked onto the passenger floor board/mat. I immediately looked online for feedback and found it could possibly be a cracked heater core (which is not covered under my extended warranty). I took it by a VW dealer for a drive by diagnosis, it was confirmed it was the heater core. I contacted VW of America immediately to notify them of this problem and asked if they could assist with 50%-100% of the repairs because it was a reported problem everywhere. VW customer care said I needed to set up a diagnosis appt with the VW dealer, which was on 4/24/06. 10 minutes after I dropped my car off, my service consultant russell dilley w/miramar VW in san diego, ca called my cell phone and said "yes it is the heater core". prior to leaving my car with him, he believed it to be a cracked heater core, just with my few symptoms explained and he said he has seen this problem many times before and he confirmed VW of America had covered the cost of the repairs. I notified VW of America customer care that the diagnosis was performed and ready. I had to pay $99 for the so called one hour diagnosis appt, even though it was confirmed in 10 minutes. Customer care said they would contact me within 48 hours to let me know their decision w/the assistance of the repair. I received a call yesterday 5/1/06 from marlina, she said VW of America will not be able to assist with the repair of the cracked heater core because of the age of the vehicle & the mileage. Year 2000, mileage 89K.

- Fallbrook, CA, USA

1. brought 2000 Passat glx to dealer twice to fix 'smoke coming from engine compartment and accompanying burning smell.' Dealer charged $430 to replace "in/out transmission cooler lines" the first time in the shop, and "tightened the cams" the second time. 2. less than 3 weeks after the second service 'tightening the cams', car caught fire while traveling northbound on I-95 at mile marker 8 in NY. After being notified of smoke coming from the car by another motorist, we pulled over. Shortly thereafter, the entire car was engulfed in flames. 3. nothing was done to correct the failure as the car was totaled. Investigation may or may not be conducted by insurance company to find the cause of the fire.

- Haverford, PA, USA

While driving check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic informed consumer that the problem could not be duplicated.

- Wake Forest, NC, USA

Complete engine failure check oil pressure light appeared at 38000 miles; brought to VW dealer - told that the sensor light was stuck on car is taken to VW dealer at 40444 for 40000 mile maintenance check oil pressure light appears at 44578 miles; car taken to another dealer and dealer claims engine is total loss.

- Wheaton, IL, USA

I have a 2000 VW Passat gls sedan (automatic) 1.8T engine. I have taken the car to service every 5K miles to VW and then to a reputable mechanic (have all the service records). It is currently at 82,000 miles. 2 months ago the car stalled on the road. The oil check light had been on for awhile. I had called VW regarding the sensor light and they said that it is only a sensor problem, and not worry about it. After investigation, the car is in need of a new engine. Cam shafts 3 and 4 were dry and not receiving oil. I submitted the car to VW to claim under the 10 year/100K mile powertrain warranty. After 2 months of investigations, VW usa has denied my claim and states that this is due to poor maintenance. The mechanic shop I take my car to is very reputable. My family and friends have and continue to go to this shop and have never had a problem. I am in the stages of legal action against VW usa.

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

I drive a 2000 volkswagon Passat glx 4motion. I have felt that I got a bad car since very early on in my lease (I now have 8 months left). On this particular occaision, I had a severe oil leak. The dealer informed me that there was a hole in my oil pan that must have been caused by a rock (I don't recall feeling anything hit the car hard enough to put a hole in anything). I was told that this was not a warranteed item, rather normal wear and tear. I have owned 5 other cars and never had this problem. I also noticed that the car was shaking when the breaks are applied. I was told by the dealer that this is due to warped rotors. I only have 20,000 miles on the vehicle and have never heard of any kind of break problems with that few miles. I was also told that is not covered by warrantee either, again, normal wear and tear. The other 5 cars that I owned easily had over 20,000 miles on them and never had a problem with brake rotors. This seems to be a trend with this vehicle. Early on in my lease, I had multiple problems with my car not starting. Each time it was due to carbon buildup on my spark plugs. The first time it happened there was only 2,000 miles on the car and the dealer had the nerve to tell me that spark plugs were standard maintenenance items and I must not be taking care of my car properly. 2 years later, there was an emission controls recall which fixed this problem, which the dealer initially called driver error, not a vehicle problem.

- Denver, CO, USA