2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
348 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 33 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 22 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 22 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 21 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER | 20 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 18 |
| ENGINE | 18 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 16 |
| SEATS | 15 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) | 9 |
| STRUCTURE | 9 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 7 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH | 7 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 6 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 6 |
Recalls (4)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HIGH PRESSURE DIESEL PUMPS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPER FASTENER, WHICH COULD ALLOW DIESEL FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE PUMP.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/s
Recent Complaints
WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, THE DRIVER SEAT SUDDENLY OVERHEATED (THE SEAT WARMER WAS TURNED ON). IT STARTED WITH A BURNING SMELL. EXCESSIVE HEAT BURNED MY LEG A BIT (SOME SKIN REDNESS), BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT IS HAPPENING AND TURNED THE SEAT WARMER OFF. THE SEAT LEATHER NOW APPEARS STIFF AND WRINKLED (NOT SOFT AND SMOOTH LIKE THE REST OF THE LEATHER) IN THE AREA WHERE I FELT THE HEAT.
Mileage: 132,400
THE PASSAT IGNITED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AT 4:00 A.M. IT HAD NOT BEEN STARTED/DRIVEN IN A WEEK. WE WOKE TO THE SOUND OF THE TIRE BURSTING. THERE IS A HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT /ARSON CASE # [XXX] - PHONE # [XXX]. INSPECTOR [XXX]. HE SAID THE IGNITION AREA OF THE CAR WAS THE START OF THE FIRE. I THINK HE WAS ARSON DEPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. WE ARE LUCKY WE DID NOT LOOSE OUR HOUSE AND NEIGHBOR'S IF WE HAD NOT HEARD THE TIRE BLOW. I AM NOT EXACTLY SURE OF THE MILEAGE BUT KNOW IT WAS LOW FOR
Mileage: 85,000
THE PASSAT IGNITED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AT 4:00 A.M. IT HAD NOT BEEN STARTED/DRIVEN IN A WEEK. WE WOKE TO THE SOUND OF THE TIRE BURSTING. THERE IS A HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT /ARSON CASE # [XXX] - PHONE # [XXX]. INSPECTOR [XXX]. HE SAID THE IGNITION AREA OF THE CAR WAS THE START OF THE FIRE. I THINK HE WAS ARSON DEPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. WE ARE LUCKY WE DID NOT LOOSE OUR HOUSE AND NEIGHBOR'S IF WE HAD NOT HEARD THE TIRE BLOW. I AM NOT EXACTLY SURE OF THE MILEAGE BUT KNOW IT WAS LOW FOR
Mileage: 85,000
THE PASSAT IGNITED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AT 4:00 A.M. IT HAD NOT BEEN STARTED/DRIVEN IN A WEEK. WE WOKE TO THE SOUND OF THE TIRE BURSTING. THERE IS A HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT /ARSON CASE # [XXX] - PHONE # [XXX]. INSPECTOR [XXX]. HE SAID THE IGNITION AREA OF THE CAR WAS THE START OF THE FIRE. I THINK HE WAS ARSON DEPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. WE ARE LUCKY WE DID NOT LOOSE OUR HOUSE AND NEIGHBOR'S IF WE HAD NOT HEARD THE TIRE BLOW. I AM NOT EXACTLY SURE OF THE MILEAGE BUT KNOW IT WAS LOW FOR
Mileage: 85,000
MARCH 8 AT APPROXIMATELY 10PM: ON A TRIP BACK FROM OUT OF TOWN WITH MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN AND PUPPY, THE RPMS IN THE VW PASSAT BEGAN ESCALATING YET NO ADDITIONAL POWER WAS COMING INTO THE ENGINE. I TRIED SHIFTING TO A LOWER GEAR AND ALSO ATTEMPTED CRUISE CONTROL TO MINIMIZE THE RPM RACING. CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT RESPOND AND THE CHANGE IN GEAR DID NOTHING FOR THE RACING RPMS. A FEW MORE MILES DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR BEGAN LOSING MOMENTUM -? IT WAS SIMILAR TO THE FEELING OF RUNNING OUT OF GAS T
Mileage: 81,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, AN UNUSUAL SOUND WAS HEARD AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD BECOME FRACTURED AND THE CAM SHAFT PULLEY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
Mileage: 128,000
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO HAVE DINNER WITH MY DAUGHTER AND THE CAR STARTED LOSING POWER. IT WAS ONLY A 4 MINUTE TRIP AND BY THE TIME I GOT TO MY DAUGHTER'S DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE WAS SMOKING. AFTER USING A HOSE TO COOL OFF THE HOOD, THE HOOD WAS POPPED AND THERE WAS A FIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. AFTER WE GOT THE FIRE OUT, LOT OF HOSES AND THE WIRE ASSEMBLY WERE BURNED BADLY. *TR
Mileage: 80,000
THE SEAT WARMER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STARTED A FIRE THAT BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT AND ONTO MY LEG. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY AND TURN OFF THE CAR FOR IT TO STOP BURNING. *TR
THE SEAT WARMER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STARTED A FIRE THAT BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT AND ONTO MY LEG. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY AND TURN OFF THE CAR FOR IT TO STOP BURNING. *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT FIRE CAUSING A HOLE TO BE BURNT THROUGH THE LEATHER SEATS CAUSED SCORCHING TO PANTS AND A MINOR BURN TO THE BUTTOCKS. A MODERATE AMOUNT OF SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE BURNING SEAT AND FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER, PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE SEAT CONTINUED TO SMOKE PROFUSELY; I SMOTHERED THE FIRE AND CONTACTED MY LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ADVI
Mileage: 101,938
I WAS DRIVING MY PASSAT ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 60MPH, SUDDENLY AN OTHER DRIVER CUT ME OFF. TO AVOID HIM I SWITCHED LANE BUT THE TRAFFIC WAS MOVING SLOW AS I WAS APPROACHING A CONSTRUCTING SITE. I HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHICH CAUSED OTHER 2 CARS AHEAD TO BE INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE DAMAGE WAS SEVERE AS THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS CRASHED INCLUDING THE ENGINE AND THE PASSENGER WAS FATALLY INJURED, HE HAD A SHOULDER DISLOCATION. WHAT SURPRISED ME ARE THE AIRBAGS, THEY NEVER DEPLOYED EVEN
Mileage: 85,000
I WAS DRIVING MY PASSAT ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 60MPH, SUDDENLY AN OTHER DRIVER CUT ME OFF. TO AVOID HIM I SWITCHED LANE BUT THE TRAFFIC WAS MOVING SLOW AS I WAS APPROACHING A CONSTRUCTING SITE. I HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHICH CAUSED OTHER 2 CARS AHEAD TO BE INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE DAMAGE WAS SEVERE AS THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS CRASHED INCLUDING THE ENGINE AND THE PASSENGER WAS FATALLY INJURED, HE HAD A SHOULDER DISLOCATION. WHAT SURPRISED ME ARE THE AIRBAGS, THEY NEVER DEPLOYED EVEN
Mileage: 85,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SMOKE AND FLAMES BEGAN TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WHICH ORIGINATED WITHIN THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED AS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO SAVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE M
Mileage: 96,000
I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY CAR FOR FEWER THAN 15 MINUTES WITH THE SEAT HEATING ELEMENT ON. I NOTICED AN ACUTE BURNING HEAT NEAR MY UPPER LEFT LEG, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER NOTICED A HOT/BURNING/MELTING SMELL. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT AND PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT. AFTER BEING TURNED OFF FOR 10 MINUTES, THE BURNING SMELL WAS STILL HANGING IN THE CAR AND MY SEAT WAS STILL EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE GRAY LEATHER NEAR THE OUTER LEFT EDGE OF THE SEATING SURFACE IS EMBLAZONED WIT
Mileage: 85,400
I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY CAR FOR FEWER THAN 15 MINUTES WITH THE SEAT HEATING ELEMENT ON. I NOTICED AN ACUTE BURNING HEAT NEAR MY UPPER LEFT LEG, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER NOTICED A HOT/BURNING/MELTING SMELL. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT AND PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT. AFTER BEING TURNED OFF FOR 10 MINUTES, THE BURNING SMELL WAS STILL HANGING IN THE CAR AND MY SEAT WAS STILL EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE GRAY LEATHER NEAR THE OUTER LEFT EDGE OF THE SEATING SURFACE IS EMBLAZONED WIT
Mileage: 85,400
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Mileage: 105,000
1. ON THE EVENING OF FRIDAY OCTOBER 24, 2008 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND THE CAR STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. 2. ON THE MORNING OF SATURDAY OCTOBER 25, 2008 I BROUGHT THE CAR TO SOUTHPOINT VOLKSWAGEN IN BATON ROUGE, LA. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY #4 ENGINE COIL. THEY REPLACED THE COIL, TESTED THE CAR AND RETURNED IT TO ME. THE CAR SEEMED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED OFF. 3. THE NEXT DAY, SUNDAY OCTOBER 26, 2008, AFTER DRIVING ONLY 28 MILES, THE CH
Mileage: 94,109
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AROUND 40 MPH IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES IN THE AFTERNOON AND I WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN. I PRESSED THE BRAKES HARD BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP AND I TRIED TO SWERVE TO THE SHOULDER BUT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM. I REAR-ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS PUZZLED AND BEWILDERED WHY THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKES. I COULD SEE MYSELF APPROACHING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND WONDERING WHY I AM NO
Mileage: 59,000
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AROUND 40 MPH IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES IN THE AFTERNOON AND I WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN. I PRESSED THE BRAKES HARD BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP AND I TRIED TO SWERVE TO THE SHOULDER BUT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM. I REAR-ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS PUZZLED AND BEWILDERED WHY THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKES. I COULD SEE MYSELF APPROACHING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND WONDERING WHY I AM NO
Mileage: 59,000
1)MY HEATED SEATS GOT SO HOT THEY BURNED A HOLE IN MY SEAT AND BURNED MY LEG. I'M NOT SURE HOW THAT HAPPENED WITHOUT ME NOTICING, BUT IT DID. THE BURN WAS NOT SEVERE BUT IT DID HURT FOR A DAY OR TWO. 2. THE SEATS CONTINUE TO GET THAT HOT WHEN TURNED ON.... I NO LONGER USE THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION. 3. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET, I WILL HAVE TO BUY A NEW SEAT CUSHION, NEW CLOTH FOR THE SEAT AND HAVE SOMEONE FIX THE HEATED SEAT. *TR
Mileage: 81,000