10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,947 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #4

May 112004

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,500 miles
For the third time in 6.5 months, the rear passenger window on my 2001 Volkswagen Passat wagon has shattered. The previous two occurrences were reported earlier. This time the car was parked in the parking lot at work and the window was open a few inches. Upon returning to my car after work around noon, I found the window shattered again and shards of glass all over the inside of the car. After the previous incident, the Volkswagen representative indicated that there was not a defect in the car. He felt that outside influences caused the problem. That is difficult to believe after the third occurrence.

- Audubon, PA, USA

problem #3

Mar 262004

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,788 miles
Rear passenger window shattered while parked in garage. This occurred twice within a 5 month period. This complaint is filed for the most recent event. The first event occurred on 10/30/2003. The first time the window shattered it was closed. The second time it shattered, the window was open a few inches.

- Audubon, PA, USA

problem #2

Jun 012003

Passat 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 25,500 miles
While driving, the passenger side door glass exploded into the vehicle. The sound was like a gun shot. There were thousands of glass pieces. The window was completely destroyed. Much of the glass fell in, causing minor cuts to the passenger. Some of the glass fell down inside the door. There were no visible defects in the window (cracks, stars, etc.) and nothing impacted the window to cause it to break.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #1

May 062001

Passat 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving rear passenger's window exploded without warning. Just prior to explosion, had just closed window.

- Westwood, MA, USA