9.7

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
600 miles

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problem #1

Jun 172010

Passat

  • 600 miles
Blinding glare problem: I purchased 2010 VW Passat komfort 2 weeks ago which has a silver shiny plate around the shifter. When sunshine hits this plate, it radiates lights into driver's eyes. If you happen to look at it, you get blinded for a few seconds like someone pointed the bright flash light into your eyes. I am still keeping the original plastic cover to reduce the brightness but eventually it will peel off. I cannot paint it in a dark color since it would void my warranty. The other part that produce glare is the silver portion of dashboard which is slightly tilted. When the sun is behind your back and hits a dashboard, the silver part of dashboard reflects on the sideview mirror creating an image that looks like someone put white tape on it. Half of the sideview mirror is blocked for a driver's view. Third problem is the night glare in the rearview and sideview mirror from the headbeams of the other car behind my car. If the rearview mirror is in a dimmed position, than a dashboard reflection is showing in it. And if you need to look at the sideview mirror, the headbeams light are shooting the extremely bright light straight into the eyes. This dark and bright contrast gets you blinded & disoriented. I am not sure is something wrong with the windows. I consider all of the above design feature very deadly. I am always driving with sun glasses, during a day drive, without them, it would be impossible. I complained to VW customer service & dealership, sent them an E-mail and a few pictures, the case manager did not offer any solution, only excuse that this is a VW design feature & as such they cannot change anything.

- Duarte, CA, USA