10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
98,154 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #20

Apr 192016

Passat

  • 59,200 miles
I own a 2012 VW Passat tdi (diesel). Check engine light is on. The fix apparetly is over $1000 and it seems to be the same problem for many 2012 VW Passat tdi vehicles which are right out of warranty. The fix is a kit for the adblu emissions system. This vehicle should be recalled and fixed free of charge from VW. Code P203B reductant level sensor circuit range/performance

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #19

Jun 152014

Passat

  • 50,000 miles
Vehicle developed a, " loss of power" issue at approximately 1.5 years ago around 50,000 miles. It usually occurs within the first 10- 15 minutes after cold start up and when vehicle is traveling between 10 and 40 mph. The vehicle will be operating normally, then instantly lose power and start shuddering. When merging onto a highway on numerous occasions since then, the sudden loss of power has nearly caused me to be struck by other vehicles. Along with loss of power, there has been a noticeable odor of diesel fuel which comes from the observed fuel pooling on the top of the engine. This is a fire hazard only waiting to happen. I will not let any other members of my family drive this vehicle for fear of their safety. Manufacturer dealer has been able to duplicate the issue but not resolve it. The manufacturer engineering and technical dept has been involved but still not able to solve after 1.5 years and numerous shop visits.

- Hull, MA, USA

problem #18

Oct 062015

Passat

  • 78,994 miles
Turbo failure, was driving down the road and turbo failure. Was able to get to side of road safely.

- Whittier, NC, USA

problem #17

Nov 082014

Passat

  • 112,000 miles
Despite performing the regularly scheduled (very expensive) maintenance for this vehicle, we had many issues with our 2012 Volkswagen Passat tdi. This car was a commuter vehicle and was driven 110 miles/5 days per week at 55-65 mph. We thought that with proper care and maintenance this car with its diesel engine would last more than 111,000 miles... we are so disappointed and frankly irate. What a waste of money. Our issues were: At numerous mileages, our head, tail and running lights had to be replaced at about $50/instance. At 104,738 miles, the passenger window would not go up or down. The window pin was replaced for $184.05. At 101,019 miles, the timing belt was replaced at a cost of $1,260.76. At 111,166 miles, our 2012 Volkswagen Passat tdi began to run very rough and loud on trip. We made it home and my husband brought the car to the Volkswagen shop where we were told that bearings broke off and destroyed the interior of our engine. We replaced the engine at a whopping $6,865.76. At 127,115 miles the car would not start. We towed it to the dealer where we were told the starter had gone out and needed to be replaced. We sold the Passat on the spot to the dealer before fixing this issue. We could not bear to sell this car to a private party.

- Sweet Home, OR, USA

problem #16

Aug 112015

Passat

  • 27,811 miles
Was on ramp entering I-5 South off clairemont (san diego) when engine completely died with no warning light or previous signs. Steering and brakes stopped but I was able to pull to side. The car did not start right up right away. My daughter-in-law and I had just stopped to get gas; she got out of car to check gas cap. It was on tightly. She got back inside car and the car started again. A couple days later, doors unlocked on it's own while driving. I took it to dealer 8.21.2015 and they could find nothing wrong and nothing recorded in the car's system. They know I am very concerned and this is very disturbing.

- La Jolla, CA, USA

problem #15

Aug 062015

Passat

  • 1,284,000 miles
The car was on cruise control then engine light came on and glow plug light started flashing. Also a winding noise was heard when accelerating which did not accelerate very well. I took it to the dealer and they said it would need a turbo which was just replaced 20,000 miles ago, mechatronic unit, , ad blue hester kit, particulate filter part. The car is 3 years old I put about 35K miles on a year. I service the car religiously never have missed required service. Over $6,000 dollar repair

- Cherry Hill, NJ, USA

problem #14

Jan 202015

Passat 5-cyl

  • 27,500 miles
2012 VW Passat with no previous signs of problems begins sputtering/flashing engine light. Car was driven apx. 1/4 mile back home, where it began smoking and caught fire. Entire engine burnt out. Car was under warranty. NHTSA investigated Passat's faulty ignition coils yet did not issue a safety recall because there was no safety issue...but if the engine catches on fire...with all the combustibles in a car...one would think that was a little unsafe. Glad my 4 year old was not with me.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #13

Feb 222014

Passat 5-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, all of the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel and the horn became inoperable. The problem recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown...updated 03-11-15 updated 6/18/2015

- Corona , CA, USA

problem #12

Aug 152014

Passat 5-cyl

  • 48,000 miles
I was driving down the street and heard a loud pop like a tire blew or belt broke or something, then I saw a lot of smoke, so I pulled in a party store parking lot and it was engulfed in flames burnt the entire engine up to a crisp. I have video and pictures of this traumatic event. So please investigate to see if this is a manufacture defect. I need another car as soon as possible. Thanks. The car has been towed to vyletel Volkswagen dealership in sterling heights, Michigan.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #11

Jul 162014

Passat 4-cyl

  • 44,800 miles
On July 16, 2014 at approximately 5:00 pm, my 2012 Volkswagen Passat tdi sel premium lost power on the highway. The engine failed and shut off while I was traveling on interstate 95 North and left me stranded on the highway surrounded by cars traveling at speeds greater than 65 mph. The engine failure put my life, my colleague's life and my fetus'' life in danger and could have been disastrous for other motor vehicles as well. My car was towed to a Volkswagen service center, where they inspected the fuel system and found a broken bolt. This bolt held the fuel rail and fuel injectors in place and when it broke, caused the injectors to pop out of the cylinder head and the subsequent engine failure. The installed bolt was part of the fuel system replacement repair that another dealership service center, closer to my home, performed back in April 2014. I''ve had three major incidents with my VW now, all within the last 3 months and it seems to be stemming from the fuel system replacement. When the fuel system was replaced, the service center blamed it on a "bad batch of diesel fuel" from a local gas station. They said that within 3 weeks, they've had around 25 cars come in with the same problem. My car is not even 3 years old and has only 44,000 miles on it. This is completely unacceptable. Because of these incidents, the last one of which put my life as well as 2 other lives in grave danger, I would like to submit this complaint, in case it is a more wide spread problem.

- Montgomery Village, MD, USA

problem #10

Mar 152013

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 14,609 miles
Whining sound when driving forward not when it's coasting and it sounds like slipping. Caught before complete turbo failure. Cause reported by dealer: Verified, found metallic whine noise under boos. Ran gff an found P02900 - turbo under boost.

- Ithaca, NY, USA

problem #9

Mar 252014

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 32,000 miles
Heard a whistle sound followed by some sort of puff and loss of power. Ton of white smoke, thought car on fire, pulled over. People passing by called fire department due to the amount of smoke from the exhaust pipe. After car smelled like burned oil, exhaust pipe covered in oil, and oil drops on the exhaust pipe. Told by the dealership new turbocharger is needed.

- Bartlett , IL, USA

problem #8

Mar 222014

Passat

  • 46,000 miles
I was driving when suddenly my car started surging and revving high. Check engine light and epc light came on. Its drivable but not safely and needs fixed asap.

- Williamsport , MD, USA

problem #7

Feb 262014

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 38,200 miles
I left my home and drive my vehicle approximately 1.5 miles at speeds at or under 25 mph. I stopped at a stop sign before making a right turn onto another road. When I accelerated the car had a sudden loss of power and I could not maintain speed. I was able to go approximately 10 mph and I was able to get my car out of traffic. Later the dealer diagnosed the problem as a premature turbo failure. If this type of failure had occurred at highway speeds I may have been in danger or endangered other motorists. I have found that this problem is being more frequently reported on internet forums and many people are experiencing turbo failures at low miles.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

problem #6

Jul 012013

Passat 5-cyl

  • 18,000 miles
I was in very slow bumper to bumper traffic when the battery light came on and there was a significant loss of power in the engine and no power steering or brakes. I was able to coast to the shoulder and turn off the car. Lights, radio and ventilation systems did not seem to be impacted. After a minute, I turned the car on and everything appeared to be back to normal. This has happened twice in 3 months.

- San Rafael, CA, USA

problem #5

Sep 122013

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 26,412 miles
I driving through my neighborhood when I got a flashing light on my dash, quickly the engine began to feel shaky and the vehicle shut off completely. I was able to pull to the side of the street but the car would no longer start. The car had to be towed to the closest VW dealership. The next day I received a call from the dealership telling me it was a high pressure fuel pump failure (hpfp) that caused the issue and that because a part had to be ordered and the work required was extensive, it would take them about a week. I did get my car in about 5 days and all repairs were covered under warranty. I asked the service manager how much the job would have cost without warranty and he said it was about a $5,700 job! it appalled me that he had no explanation for why the hpfp failed so early into the car's life. Needless to say, there is a sense of uneasiness that I have now wondering if this could happen again when the vehicle is no longer under warranty.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #4

May 082013

Passat 4-cyl Diesel

  • 29,000 miles
I was driving down the highway going approximately 67 mph in the middle lane. The battery light flashed once, no other warning other lights flashed and there were no previous warning lights to flash. Suddenly the car hesitated and then my speed dropped to 0 in a matter of seconds. Luckily, the Transport trucks behind me were paying attention and actually blocked the traffic until I could get the car in neutral to safely roll onto the shoulder. This is a huge safety issue; I was lucky. What good is it to have a car that you now feel is unsafe to drive! VW should have to buy this car back.

- Piedmont, SC, USA

problem #3

Feb 152013

Passat 5-cyl

  • 11,000 miles
If I am driving with no acceleration (coasting) and step on the gas to enter traffic there is no power; nothing happens when you push on the gas. This has happened numerous times both in town when trying to enter traffic, as well as on the freeway trying to cut in between cars. This is very dangerous if one does not have lots of room between cars. The Volkswagen dealer claims this is only a problem for me because I am not used to driving a car with a digital throttle.

- Hesperia, CA, USA

problem #2

Jan 082013

Passat

  • 14,000 miles
Vehicle has stalled out four times on two different occastions when I come to a stop. Took vehicle in and VW reports car checks out fine. ## VIN failed ##

- Brentwood, CA, USA

problem #1

Jul 222012

Passat 5-cyl

  • 1,052 miles
In the morning, I went downstairs to my 2012 VW Passat S. I noticed a pool of fluid that smelled like gasoline on the asphalt underneath the vehicle. I entered the front driver's side and turned the key from the off to on position. When I turned the key to on, a sound of draining fluid could be heard and a strong odor of gasoline could be smelled. I attempted to start the car, and it does turn over, but will not start. I decided not to attempt to start it again, afraid that the ignition would start a fire. Since this occurred on a Sunday morning, all service departments at VW dealerships are closed. About 5 hours later, I unlocked the Passat and opened the door to get some items from the car. Again, the sound of draining fluid could be heard and a strong odor of gasoline emitted from the vehicle. I checked underneath the car again, and a fresh pool of gasoline has formed. The gas is dripping from the passenger side, near the rear wheel. Needless to say, this is very disappointing, as the vehicle has only been driven for a little more than 1,000 miles.

- Brea, CA, USA