9.9

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

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problem #1

Jul 152017

Passat

  • 130 miles
Too sensitive ESC issue on 2017 Passat could cause safety hazard I have been experiencing the super sensitive ESC that engaged at 35 miles/hour or more at highway entrance and exit with 2017 Passat R line. This 35 miles limit is too low compared with VW 2014 jetta SE, 2016 jetta 1.8T, 2014 Subaru forester, 2017 Subaru outback, 2007 Mercedes C230, 2011 C300 I own/ed. Driver's perception is not much change due to the car model, especially within the same oem like VW, the corner is designed to support more than 50 miles/hour, but the Passat has super sensitive ESC that engaged unexpectedly at the such low speed and it could cause a sudden tire traction change that could trigger car spin or flip at worst case. My experiences were at dry road condition only and not been exposed to the wet or icy road in a past, but other consumer may facing the same issue at some other state by the different road condition. Local dealer and VW have help tested and try changing the symptoms by 1. change tire due to one of the tire's circumference was 1 inch off, 2. change speed sensor, 3. change bearing, and 4. change ABS ECU, but no improvement been observed. Although this might be contradicted, but one of the loner Passat R line have not showing the issue, and another brand-new Passat in a lot have the same symptoms. I understand that this sensitivity issue might different by the unit assembly/alignment, or depending on the parts been used for each unit. Tested at multiple locations: Ca 237 E to North 1st St exit, ca 85 N to el camino real N exit, us-101 & san tomas expy interchange X 4 corners, us-101 to N matilda South exit, I-280 & wolf rd entrance/exit VW should adjust the sensitivity to be same as other standard models. If they say this is the standard, then the car is useless. (especially for the R line that should support much sportier driving.)

- Cupertino, CA, USA