VW Passat windshield shatters for no apparent reason. This seems to be a trend that I discovered while talking with other VW owners and searching the web....this has happened to people while driving. Time bomb waiting to happen and money out of peoples pockets!!

- Warwick, RI, USA

When front/left door was closed, glass for the window of right/rear door shattered. The problem has not been examined by dealership. Consumer stated the window was replaced under warranty.

- Pleasantville, NY, USA

I need to know if this defect as a hazard. My new 2001.5 Passat wagon has a perceptible distortion, or rippling effect, in the front windshield; e.g., when seeing poles, trees, or building sidings while making a turn, or when viewing parkway exit signs while passing them. There's an accordion effect; vertical objects inchworm; letters expand and contract. Just moving my head from side to side by a few inches can produce this effect. I can't say yet that it's hazardous but it's certainly distracting. Meanwhile, I can't get the dealer to even sit in the driver's seat and tell me it's my imagination. when posted to Passat users group following messages resulted:  (1) I've seen several reports of this. Time to get a new dealer. You should get new glass under warranty. (2) my '99 was 5000 miles new when I realized the windshield had a distortion and ripple effect. They replaced it no charge, but the second one is as bad as the first one. (3) has anyone with a '99 B5 noticed distortions in the front and rear glass? I've had my windshield and rear glass replaced under warranty, and the new glass is also distorted - although not quite as bad as the original. (4) when I recently had a genuine new VW windscreen installed after damage I noticed an optical distortion right of my straight ahead vision. This is disgraceful quality control from a major motor manufacturer and their authorized repair dealer. (5) there appears to be a defect in the passenger side of the windshield. A wavy, vertical line. The service manager looked at mine and found it right away, he also told me it was noted on several new 2000's on the lot, and that another customer has a really serious problem with it. Check the windshield by looking out at a straight line, the side of a building or a pole, and moving your eyes up and down as well as right and left. VW is aware of the problem. IM not having the windshield replaced, especially after their mess made on a simple oil change.

- Fairfield, CT, USA

Purchased car brand new and noticed distortion on front windshield later that day. Contacted dealership and they replaced it with one that has even more distortions. I stressed strongly to examine prior to putting in and they didn't. after much complaining to VW of America they agreed to put in windshield #3 but can not promise it won't have bad distortions. They say Passat windshield are just that way. I have never had such poor qaulity glass in any previously owned vehicles. I'm also disappointed that they don't care. I posted on VW board and received many responses from other Passat owners who also have this problem across the usa. At this point don't want my car torn apart for another defective piece of glass. I could get a generic windshield (haven't looked into that yet) but prefer a VW windshield for warranty and looks without vertical distortions causing things to appear wavy while driving.

- Rocky Hill, CT, USA

While driving consumer noted a blurred vision on right side of glass, making everything distorted. Horizontal lines look choppy and guard rails look wobbly. Contacted dealer, and dealer replaced windshield on July 5th and had same problem. Also, dealer wanted to replace windshield again. Consumer states windshield also has stress fractures that look like strands of a cobweb, dealer states this is not a defect and that this is normal.

- Rocky Hill, CT, USA

See ODI 746847: Connect error on following. my new 2001.5 Passat wagon has a perceptible distortion, or rippling effect, in the front windshield; e.g., when seeing poles, trees, or building sidings while making a turn, or when viewing parkway exit signs while passing them. There's an accordion effect; vertical objects inchworm; letters expand and contract. Just moving my head from side to side by a few inches can produce this effect. I can't say yet that it's hazardous but it's certainly distracting. Meanwhile, I can't get the dealer to even sit in the driver's seat and tell me it's my imagination. when posted to Passat users group following messages resulted:  (1) I've seen several reports of this. Time to get a new dealer. You should get new glass under warranty. (2) my '99 was 5000 miles new when I realized the windshield had a distortion and ripple effect. They replaced it no charge, but the second one is as bad as the first one. (3) has anyone with a '99 B5 noticed distortions in the front and rear glass? I've had my windshield and rear glass replaced under warranty, and the new glass is also distorted - although not quite as bad as the original. (4) when I recently had a genuine new VW windscreen installed after damage I noticed an optical distortion right of my straight ahead vision. This is disgraceful quality control from a major motor manufacturer and their authorized repair dealer. (5) there appears to be a defect in the passenger side of the windshield. A wavy, vertical line. The service manager looked at mine and found it right away, he also told me it was noted on several new 2000's on the lot, and that another customer has a really serious problem with it. Check the windshield by looking out at a straight line, the side of a building or a pole, and moving your eyes up and down as well as right and left. VW is aware of the problem. IM not having the windshield replaced, especially after their mess made on a simple oil change.

- Fairfield, CT, USA

After I posted the following message to the Passat users group: My new 2001.5 Passat wagon has a perceptible distortion, or rippling effect, in the front windshield. For example, when seeing poles, trees, or building sidings while making a turn, or when viewing highway exit signs while passing them on the parkway. There's an accordion effect; vertical objects inchworm; letters expand and contract. Just moving my head from side to side by a few inches can produce this effect. I can't say yet that it's hazardous but it's certainly distracting. Meanwhile, I can't get the dealer to even sit in the driver's seat and tell me it's my imagination. I was referred to the following messages: (1) I've seen several reports of this. Time to get a new dealer. You should get new glass under warranty. (2) my '99 was 5000 miles new when I realized the windshield had a distortion and ripple effect. They replaced it no charge, but the second one is as bad as the first one. (3) has anyone with a '99 B5 noticed distortions in the front and rear glass? I've had my windshield and rear glass replaced under warranty, and the new glass is also distorted - although not quite as bad as the original. (4) when I recently had a genuine new VW windscreen installed after damage I noticed an optical distortion right of my straight ahead vision. This is disgraceful quality control from a major motor manufacturer and their authorized repair dealer. (5) there appears to be a defect in the passenger side of the windshield. A wavy, vertical line. The service manager looked at mine and found it right away, he also told me it was noted on several new 2000's on the lot, and that another customer has a really serious problem with it. Check the windshield by looking out at a straight line, the side of a building or a pole, and moving your eyes up and down as well as right and left. VW is aware of the problem. I am not having the windshield replaced, especially after the mess they made on a

- Fairfield, CT, USA

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

- Westwood, MA, USA

There is a defect and distortion in my windshield in my line of vision. I believe ( after inspecting similar Passats ) that this defect and distortion is present on a number of vehicles that VW produced. At this time, the manufacturer is unwilling to authorize a replacement. I am sending in this complaint to see if others have made a similar complaint. I believe the problem can be a potential safety hazard that VW is not willing to solve.

- Rochester, NY, USA