5.3

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,675 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #20

Mar 122009

Passat

  • 35,000 miles
Front ball joint failure at approx. 35,000 miles. Then a lower control arm failure at 95,000 miles. Old control arm is available.

- Marion, NC, USA

problem #19

Dec 122008

Passat

  • 64,445 miles
Dec 12th 2008 the interior of my passt was flooded with water, VW service removed 10 + gallons of water which entered from air plenum /pollen filter hosing(cabin area). Service informed me of the P9 recall for the Passats manufactured Nov '00 to Dec '05. But, VW of America will not help me they said my VIN # is not in the recall. The computers are on the floor of car. Air bag is in default damage from electrical damage from water damage.. my trans mod is wrecked from the water damage, just the part alone will cost $1,300. I have lost work and can not drive. The make of car & year is in recall so why is my VIN not included?! someone please, please help me.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #18

Sep 102005

Passat

  • 36,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Passat. While driving approximately 55 mph, the "stop vehicle do not drive", and oil pressure warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The indicators remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and they repaired the engine. The previous repair required the vehicle to remain at the dealer for one month. On three separate occasions, the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for identical failures, but there were no resolutions. In addition, during rainy weather conditions, five inches of water leaked onto the front passenger side floor panel. There was electrical failure due to the water leakage that caused gear component damage. Recently, the contact received a recall notice that consists of installation of a drainage filter and fuel system component repair. The vehicle has not been repaired for these malfunctions. The NHTSA campaign id number was unknown. The failure mileage was 36,000 and current mileage was 85,000.

- Downey, CA, USA

problem #17

Jan 272008

Passat

  • miles
My car is a 2001 V6, we had heavy rain during the past week and one morning my car had a puddle in the passenger side and failed to start or even put in gear the mechanic explained the transmission computer was flooded and it took 4 days for them to take all water out of the car and test all sensors.

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

problem #16

Oct 152005

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles
I have a 2001 Passat with 66, xxx miles on it and the transmission went out. It is going to cost 4000.00-5000.00 to have this fix. I do not think a car with this many miles should have a transmission go out and to top it off when I purchased this car 6 months ago with 51,060 from walsher in bloomington, mn they said I had a 10yr/100,000 mile power train warranty on it, well come to find out since I am a second owner it only goes to 50,000 miles which means *jbwhen I purchased the car it didn't even have the warranty.

- Henderson, MN, USA

problem #15

Aug 092005

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,152 miles
Lack of power when pressing the accelerator may have caused an accident, pulling out in traffic. This was due to water leak in pollen filter box (cracked) which affected the shift lock solenoid, affecting the transmission control module.

- Lancaster, OH, USA

problem #14

Jun 062004

Passat 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles
I have a 2001 new Passat glx AWD sedan with 23,000 miles. The automatic transmission has multiple problems, at least two with safety ramifications: (1) from a standstill start, the transmission will often produce a several second lag before synchronizing with the engine - the safety concern is that the car does not move at a rate of speed the driver could normally expect and may leave the driver and occupants exposed to collision from on-coming cars at difficult traffic intersections and merges; (2) at low speeds, 15 mph and lower, the transmission often clunks into gear causing a forward surge of the vehicle, creating the risk of the VW rear ending a vehicle in stop and go traffic. VW has been unable to fix the problems.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

problem #13

Jul 082004

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,000 miles
While driving 70 mph the vehicle decelerated without warning. The consumer was able to coast to the side of the road. Please provide additional information.

- Summerfield, FL, USA

problem #12

Jan 122004

Passat

  • 39,000 miles
While at a stop vehicle jerked forward.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #11

Jun 152001

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,900 miles
Transmission replaced at 3000 miles. Car was stuck in first gear. Now there is an extreme turbo lag hesitation on acceleration. There is a good 1-2 second hesitation when accelerating from a complete stop.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #10

Aug 022001

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving vehicle will not change gears due to metal flaking in transmission. Dealer contacted.

- Gresham, OR, USA

problem #9

Sep 152001

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When at a stop or driving transmission will not shift to higher gear. Engine will race, RPM's go up, and vehicle will not accelerate. Vehicle has been taken to dealer 4 times, cannot remedy the problem.

- Greschen, OR, USA

problem #8

Apr 052002

(reported on)

Passat 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Acceleration hesitation especially in low gear - transmission winds into gear -

- Newport, RI, USA

problem #7

Feb 072002

(reported on)

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When cold, difficulty shifting into 1st or 2nd gears while rolling.

- Phila, PA, USA

problem #6

Sep 032001

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I purchased a 2001 VW Passat on August 21,2001 from patrick motors in auburn, mass. In the 5 weeks I have owed the car it has had been returned to the dealership 4 times ( 2 X towed) for the same related problem. Malfunction light has gone on each of those times. Car has driven in low gear and there is a problem with hesitation of the vehicle when you press on the gas. The transmission control module has been replaced as well as frayed wires repaired that came from the manufacturer. The car has be undriveable per the dealership during these times. I have safety concerns with the type of commute I do every day to work. I drive 50 mins one way down rt 2, 495 and rt 3. I have been in the position of concern if my car will make it home, to work, will I cause an accident with the cars continued problem with the hesitation when stepping on the gas. To me this has created a safety issue. Further info can be provided with more detailed information as well as copies of service repair order. Thank you.

- Leominster, MA, USA

problem #5

Jul 162001

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer was traveling outiside of driveway and the red light displayed on dashboard saying stop check cooliant, don't drive. She took the vehicle back to dealership, and kept vehicle over night. Mechanic told consumer that transmission had to be replaced. But, problem still exists.

- New Haven, CT, USA

problem #4

Mar 222001

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Airbag warning light turned on starting 02/12/2001. It was check by the dealer on 03/06/2001 but no problem was found and cleared code. Three days later airbag warning light turned on again with airbag fault sign was also on. Took to dealer on 03/22/2001 along with the new transmission problem. The car was towed in because of the transmission pan, gasket punctured and oil leaking. The dealer service replace the airbag and upper harness under warranty of the car, while transmission repair was charge to my insurance. My safety complaint is that the transmission pan is maybe too low to the ground that it can easily be punctured, which may cause serious transmission problem. And for the airbag warning sign turned on, the airbag will not deploy if accident occurs or may accidentally deploy while driving.

- Timonium, MD, USA

problem #3

Jan 052001

Passat

  • miles
The vehicle exhibited a transmission problem in which the automatic transmission dropped out of gear resulting in a total loss of power transmission to the drive wheels, upon depression of the accelerator pedal the RPM's would increase but the car would not move. Nlm

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #2

Jan 052001

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission was dropping out of gear at 2036 miles. Had it repaired. Currently, vehicle back in repair shop for same problem. The transmission had been failing even though the dealer kept puting in new one.

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #1

Dec 182000

Passat

  • miles
Transmission makes vibration noise when upshifting, the noise seems to be coming from the left rear, dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. Nlm

- Greenville, NC, USA