The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Passat. The vehicle was serviced for a routine tune-up and a Honda dealer wrote on the invoice that the control valve joints and boots were torn, in addition to the shaft. The contact stated that the failures were related to several complaints on the NHTSA website. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 56,511. Updated 05/08/09. The consumer stated the cv joints were replaced. Updated 05/08/09.

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

1. front and rear brakes inadequate for vehicle--had to have brake work at ~20,000 miles and again at just under 42,000 miles (this has never been a problem with any other car). Brakes repaired/parts replaced twice. Car should be recalled by manufacturer for brakes 2. sunroof +/- windshield drain(s) became blocked and leaked and flooded passenger footwells, with risk of damage to transmission. This is a manufacturing defect with this make and model and has been widely reported on the web. VW needs to recall cars for the problem with blocked drains/leakage and damage to vehicles. Cost to vacuum water out of footwells below the carpet > $600 with no guarantee that problem will not recur 3. VW Passat has a known problem with sludge build up in engine and consequent engine failure--I have not (?yet) had the problem but feel that VW guarantee to repair problem only if owner can prove oil changes every 3000 miles in an unreasonable abnegation of duty. This is a design flaw and the company should have to recall all cars with the problem and repair at no charge without being able to shift blame to consumer. Now having to use expensive synthetic oil for oil changes on a very frequent basis.

- Winchester, MA, USA

- the contact took the 2001 Volkswagen Passat to a dealer, and they stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. All 8 tie rods and the one link arm were showing excessive wear. The dealer and the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was out of warranty so the repair would be at contacts expense. The current and failure mileage were both 79200. The right outer cv boot was torn and the left outer tie rod end was worn. The ABS control module was replaced. Updated 03/30/07.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

I own 2001 VW Passat with 43200 miles. This past year I noticed failures of outer cv joint boot both sides and rubber dust boots on all ball joints which causes a dirt and water to destroy ball joints. I changed outer cv join boot both sides and one upper control arm ball joint and others will fail soon.

- New Britain, CT, USA

After the car has been picked up for 6 days, the front left cv boot wore out due to loose installation. This problem was not found by dealer before delivery. The cv boot is now replaced by dealer.

- Somerville, MA, USA