Check engine light has been on since purchasing of car ~ electra auto sales was aware of this and noted this was their records they would be responsible. They have been given me the run around because of the faulty engine system. My daughter and I were subjected to almost being killed on the highway because of the car stalling and rough idliing ~ paul vargas owner of electra auto sales has not returned any called back.

- N Scituate, RI, USA

Purchased my 2000 Passat in 2003, had numerous problems since. It seemed like everything on the car had to be replaced. The control arms, O2 sensors, twice, belts, stereo didn't turn on, all new hoses right away, all 4 window regulators, and now to top it all off, the ABS lights kept coming on. My husband has a 2000 Audi A4, virtually the same car, and had to replace all of the same things. The ABS seemed to work fine, but the dealer said it would be $1800 to fix it. I looked at some online forums and found thousands of people with similar problems. The manufacturer, (Bosch or Volkswagen, should do something about this. My car has been parked since August 2006 because I don't have money to fix it! I am college student. Help!

- Highlands Ranch , CO, USA

The engine light has been on for a while. I had the catalytic converter replaced last year in 08/05 when it initially occurred. The problem went off. It came back on just yesterday 07/11/2006. The message says it is emission workshop. I have not taken it to a VW dealer, however, I suspect it is the same catalytic converter problem. Another problem I have had is the stop - brake fault message. The ABS light is on while the brake light is illuminating. I have taken my car to two different independent mechanics to check on the issues. They mentioned that the brake pads were all fine. And so was the fluid brake reservoir level. They were guessing it was electrical problem or ABS sensor problem.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

Problem extended over the period of about 2 years. The check emissions light came on sporadically, then stayed on at all times. The sensor was worked on by 3 mechanics : 1st time- diagnosis unsealed gas cap - stayed off for 6 months; 2nd time - 4th time- "just happens on vws" and computer reset - stayed off about average of 2-4 weeks before lighting up again; 5th time - on all the time, mechanic would reset, would take on test drive and it would come on again. At this point I had moved to nc where the car proceeded to fail inspection due to this issue. The second local mechanic managed to fix problem; car passed emissions inspection and light has been off for 6 months.

- Chapel Hill, NC, USA

2000 4-cyl VW Passat, 64000 miles: 2 emissions failures within 48 hrs: 1.) replaced defective evaporator check valve and hose, replaced fuel reg to manifold line and N249 valve line to manifold, replaced vacuum lines ($331); 2.) cleaned carbonated throttle body, replaced jet valve, repalced air filter. Replaced mass air flow meter (under extended warranty) ($236). At 50,000 miles: Replaced 2nd pump, N112 valve, cobi valve, cracked pipe, fuse set codes.

- Somerset, NJ, USA

Emissions workshop light is on.

- Trumbull, CT, USA

The engine check-emission light has come on five times. Each time the dealer made a different repair. 1) secondary air pump 2) check valve 3) mass air flow sensor 4) inlet hose for booster valve 5)combi valve and secondary air pump. The first time the secondary air pump was replaced was at 58000 miles. The second time at 72000 miles, only 14000 miles later. The dealer said the emission system is poorly designed.

- Asheville, NC, USA

If found on www.epa.gov a recall for emission on the Passat 2.8L. Mfr recall # we/lk, epa# 1694. The exact defect was found on my Passat 1.8L. Vacuum supply within the secondary air system is lost when the secondary air vacuum hoses disconnect from the system control valve. The rubber vacuum hose connectors split and separate from the vacuum connection the valve due to heat dissipation in that area. The secondary air hose part# 058133817D. I took my vehicle in after the check engine light went on for the emission workshop. My repair was not covered due to recall not covering my VIN.

- Lancaster, NY, USA

The mass air flow meter gave out on my 2000 Volkswagen Passat in August 2003. A couple of months later, the warranty for the part was extended to 70,000 miles. I received a rebate for the expense (five months after submitting it). Now, 16 months later, the air flow meter failed again, and my car is past the 70,000 mile warranty period (but the part is only 20,000 miles old). Volkswagen is clearly having a significant problem with this part, which has been confirmed by two different volkwagen dealerships.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

My check engine light comes on every 2 weeks, my transmission is jerking when gearing down. This is a new car and it should be more dependable. They reset my light and then we start over because it always comes back on.

- Lexington, KY, USA

For second time, in two months the emission check light has come on. This is on my VW Passat 2000, which has 43,000 miles. After taking the car to dealership, I was told that there are faulty vacuum hoses again in the engine that needs to be replaced. I was told by dealership that I should be expecting to change these vacuum hoses every 40,000 miles. This sounds like a manufacturing defect to me, as I have never replaced this component in my other cars, let alone on a regular basis. I had replaced other vacuum hoses a month ago.

- Los Altos, CA, USA

Analysis of system after check engine light showed one of two oxygen sensors defective. Item was replaced. No other codes indicated further problems..two days later, check engine light lit again. Second oxygen sensor replaced. Three days later, check engine light on again.. analysis determined air mass meter defective and was replaced. Repair costs = $841.25. Very reputable repair shop said this happens frequenly to VW's"?" VW will be notified and asked to compensate for repairs.

- Portland, OR, USA

I have had persistent emission problems with my 2000 V6 VW Passat since date of purchase. The maf/oxygen sensors have been replaced numerous times and now I have an emissions issue again (now outside of warranty) that traces back to something in my secondary air system (error codes 1411, 1423). These emission problems are regular and persistent and VW should take care of them without me spending hundreds/thousands of dollars time and time and time again!

- Waltham, MA, USA

My husband and I purchased a 2000 Passat with 927 miles on the odometer on July 21, 2000 (ancira, san antonio, tx). Three visits to the dealer three for a fluid leak (3/29/01, 2/13/02, 1/17/03). Each time, we were told that nothing was wrong. Four months ago- "emission control, " "check engine" light came on. Also the following quit working: Power mirrors, the travel computer, temperature sensor was erratic, fuel door quit and the fuel mileage gauge malfunctioned. Most recently, the car started running rough and a clear, viscous fluid appeared on my garage floor. The car has 25,000 miles. We change the oil regularly. It had a 15,000-mile check-up. We took the car to a reputable mechanic (mander automotive in helotes, Texas). The owner of mander (bob mander) was very concerned that this car had so many electrical and computer problems. Ancira informed (mander) that the car's warranty had expired by 900 miles (24,990) that visit (11/6/03). Computer scan and analysis showed several codes related to misfires and running lean. Also: Transaxle seal leak and battery failed the load test-would not hold acharge. Mander fixed: Seal leak, replaced the battery, changed the oil, replaced the actuator (fuel door), repaired vacuum leaks, reset the T.E.H. computer and corrected the faulty wiring to the mirrors. We spent $649. 24 hours later-"check engine" light re-appeared. The car began to vibrate hard. We took the car back to Mr. Mander (11/14/03). He found a defective oxygen sensor and problem with the coolant sensor- both replaced. That time we spent $358. My husband and I have an established relationship with mander automotive and trust their work and analysis. The "check engine" light and "emissions control" light is back on. The car is running hard, again. I have contacted VW (reference #30522917) and my husband was advised to take the car to a different dealer here in san antonio (rod East).

- San Antonio, TX, USA

3 emissions system failures in one year. Secondary air pump replaced twice and mass air flow sensor replaced once. Car has less than 24000 miles.

- Mequon, WI, USA

Mass air flow sensor needed to be replaced 4 months after having the secondary air pump and actuator valve on the back of the head replaced.

- Perrysburg, OH, USA

The vehicle has had three failures of the mass airflow sensor since it was purchased. In each instance the failure occurred while accelerating onto a freeway. Each failure resulted in a severe loss of power for several seconds that could have resulted in an accident. The dealer has only replaced the mass airflow sensor with no other cause found reported for the previous failures.

- Tracy, CA, USA