After rainstorm, our 2003 Passat wagon began developing a musty odor with no apparent water inside the vehicle. For a couple of days, the alarm also would go off for no reason. Eventually, the odor subsided and we thought nothing of it until the next major rainstorm a few months later. After this event, water apparently leaked into the front passenger side of the car through a sunroof drain and caused the electrical system in the car to go haywire. My wife had to drive the car 20 minutes with our 4-month old baby while the alarm system went off, lights flashing on and off, and all of the electrical system generally going haywire. The locks ceased to work, the windows could not be put up, and the trunk couldn't be opened. The dealer told us that the leak was caused by clogging in the sunroof drain, which they said is very common. While my wife was at the dealer, 3 other people came in with the same problem. As a result of the water, the comfort and control module is being replaced. It is unclear yet whether we will also need to replace the carpeting for odor issues. The total cost so far is about $1,000.

- Alexandria, VA, USA