Owners have filed 476 complaints
about the 1998 Volkswagen Passat with NHTSA between 1998 and 2017.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 16 of 30 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 70
Against the median year of the Volkswagen Passat. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 24
4.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 7
4% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1998 compares with every other Volkswagen Passat
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
10.6%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
42.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
117.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
4629.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
5937.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
2717.3%
150,000+ miles
85.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 1998peak 18Oct 2017
NHTSA investigations into the 1998 Volkswagen Passat
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA04017Opened 30 Jun 2004Closed 10 Feb 2005FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE
VWOA HAS RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 28,300 MY 1998-99 A6 VEHICLES IN COLD WEATHER STATES THAT EXPERIENCED THE HIGHEST RATE OF THROTTLE ICING INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (04V-495).THE FAILURE RATE IN THE A4 AND PASSAT VEHICLES IS MUCH LOWER THAN IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE EXPERIENCE IN THE A4 AND PASSAT VEHICLES.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS FOR THE AUDI A4 OR VW PASSAT VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY A CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR FURTHE...
EA03020Opened 7 Oct 2003Closed 23 Apr 2004AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE
THIS INVESTIGATION INVOLVES THE VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (PSIR) LID UTILIZED IN MY 1998-2002 VW PASSAT.THE PSIR LID MAY DETACH FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) OPENED THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION ON MAY 23, 2003 TO DETERMINE WHETHER ALLEGED PSIR LID DETACHMENT PRESENTS AN UNREASONABLE SAFETY RISK TO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE.ODI?S INVESTIGATION REVEALS THAT DETACHMENT OF THE PSIR LID DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT MAY OCCUR FOR TWO REASONS: 1) T...
PE03021Opened 23 May 2003Closed 7 Oct 2003AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
PASSENGER SIR DOOR MOUNTING STUD FAILURE
ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE03-021) BASED ON TWO REPORTS OF FAILED BOLT STUDS THAT ATTACH THE PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (PSIR) DOOR COVER TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (IP) ON THE VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSAT (MODEL YEARS 2000, 2002).VW HAS INDICATED TO ODI THAT IT HAS NO ADDITIONAL REPORTS.VW IMPLEMENTED A PROCESS CHANGE ON MARCH 1, 2002.THIS PROCESS CHANGE CONSISTED OF CHANGING THE BOLT APPLICATION THAT FASTENS THE PSIR DOOR TO THE IP FROM A WELD ON APPLICATION TO A PRESS ON APPLICATION.VW ALSO CHANGED THE MATERIAL OF THE BOLT.VW STATED THAT THE CHANGES WERE MADE TO EASE PRO...
EA00028Opened 28 Dec 2000Closed 29 Jan 2002VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
PE00033Opened 10 Aug 2000Closed 28 Dec 2000VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON AUGUST 10, 2000 BASED ON 9 REPORTS REGARDING PUNCTURED FUEL TANKS INVOLVING THE JETTA, PASSAT, AND CABRIO MODELS.THE REPORTS INDICATE ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.
RQ99008Opened 1 Jun 1999Closed 14 Nov 2000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASS
Recalls on the 1998 Volkswagen Passat
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19991954,900 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, the steering assembly tie rod seals do not seal properly. If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing may wear over time to a point where the steering begins to feel "loose" and could diminish the steering control of the vehicle with the potential for a vehicle crash. Correction: Tie rods will be replaced on affected vehicles.
Recall 19990959,000 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, a control valve in the vacuum hose connecting the brake booster to the intake manifold may not open or close fully at temperatures below -4 degrees F. This condition could cause insufficient vacuum to be provided to the brake booster resulting in possible loss of power brake assist. Correction: A vacuum by-pass system will be installed on affected vehicles.
Recall 19981261,437 units in Canada
Engine
IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE BACKFIRE DURING COLD START, AN AIR SCREEN WHICH IS LOOSELY SEATED IN THE AIR FLOW METER COULD BECOME DAMAGED. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION. CORRECTION: A SCREEN RETAINING RING WILL BE INSTALLED AND DAMAGED SCREENS WILL BE REPLACED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 81,000 milesUrbana, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FIRE IN RUBBER BOOT HOUSING BETWEEN LEFT REAR DOOR AND CAR FRAME. PRECEDING EVENTS, LEFT REAR DOOR SPEAKER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING, LEFT REAR WINDOW FUNCTIONED SOMETIMES. DOOR WAS CLOSED AFTER RETURNING HOME AND PARKING GARAGE. ARCING WAS HEARD AND SMOKE CAME FROM DOOR. OWNER REMOVED MANY FUSES FROM DRIVERS SIDE FUSE PANEL AND THEN REMOVED CONNECTIONS TO MAIN BATTERY. DOOR PANEL COVER WAS REMOVED AND BOOT REMOVED TO FIND HOUSING ON 5 OF THE 8 WIRES BURNT AND MOST OF THE WIRE BURNT THROUGH THE WIRE. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10355489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesClear Lake, MNCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS MODULE IN OPERATIVE ABS SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10246458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesClear Lake, MNCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS MODULE IN OPERATIVE ABS SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10246458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seekonk, MAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
OWNER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES, PARKED IT, AND THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HEATER AND ALSO NOTICED THE HOOD LIGHT GOING ON AND OFF. FIRE BURNED THROUGHOUT THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND PART OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE. CAUSE UNDETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10178188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,500 milesAuburn, WACrash
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM
HAD A CREAKING SOUND IN THE FRONT END OF MY 1998 VW PASSAT 1.8T. TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE LEFT FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM TIE RODS WERE BAD (AND DANGEROUS) AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST. DID THIS AND 6 WEEKS LATER THE UPPER CONTROL ARM ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE FAILED WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER "FIXED" THIS PROBLEM AT NO CHARGE AND NOW 4 MONTHS LATER THE SAME SOUND IS BACK AND NOW THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION MUST BE REPLACED AND EXPECTS ME TO PAY FOR IT.
NHTSA complaint #10152692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesUnion City, CAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN MY 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, 3 EVENTS OCCURRED SIMULTANEOUSLY: A 'POP' SOUND FROM THE ENGINE AREA, COPIOUS WHITE SMOKE (NOT STEAM) FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ACTIVATION. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER, AND WHITE SMOKE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY FROM (CLOSED) HOOD, FOLLOWED WITHIN 5 MINUTES BY OPEN FLAMES FROM THE PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL WELL. FIRE CREWS WERE ON SCENE WITHIN 10 MINUTES, BUT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED AND A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #10146655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 105,090 milesHahira, GA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE AND THEY KNOW IT. WHY DIDN'T THEY INFORM ME OF THIS.MAYBE BECAUSE THEY HAVE HANDS FULL WITH THE EMISSION CHEATING SCANDAL. OR IF THEY DID THEM THEY WOULD BE LIABLE FOR ALL THE COMPLAINTS BEFORE. PLEASE PUTVOUTCA RECALL. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS !!!!!
NHTSA complaint #11033311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,090 milesHahira, GA
STEERING
THE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE AND THEY KNOW IT. WHY DIDN'T THEY INFORM ME OF THIS.MAYBE BECAUSE THEY HAVE HANDS FULL WITH THE EMISSION CHEATING SCANDAL. OR IF THEY DID THEM THEY WOULD BE LIABLE FOR ALL THE COMPLAINTS BEFORE. PLEASE PUTVOUTCA RECALL. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS !!!!!
NHTSA complaint #11033311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,090 milesHahira, GA
ENGINE
THE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE AND THEY KNOW IT. WHY DIDN'T THEY INFORM ME OF THIS.MAYBE BECAUSE THEY HAVE HANDS FULL WITH THE EMISSION CHEATING SCANDAL. OR IF THEY DID THEM THEY WOULD BE LIABLE FOR ALL THE COMPLAINTS BEFORE. PLEASE PUTVOUTCA RECALL. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS !!!!!
NHTSA complaint #11033311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,800 milesFederal Heights, CO
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
DRIVING BACK HOME FROM STORE AND CAR JUST DIED OUT THAN SMELT LIKE GAS.
NHTSA complaint #11030747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 223,434 milesBakersfield, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CABIN SMELLS LIKE FUMES FOR STARTERS AN GAS GAUGE IS OFF CAR SAYS IT HAS QUARTER OF A TANK AN THAN I RUN OUT OF GAS ALMOST HAD A ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS ! ALSO CAR HAS TONS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IF IT SITS FOR MORE THAN THREE DAYS BATTERY DIES BUT MY MAIN CONCERN IS MY FUEL GAUGE.
NHTSA complaint #10615211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesHendersonville, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS MODULE APPEARS TO BE FAULTY. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT REMAIN ON/FLASHING. LOSS OF ABS COULD CAUSE COLLISION, DEALER WANTS $1000+ FOR THE PART AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10373962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesUrbana, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FIRE IN RUBBER BOOT HOUSING BETWEEN LEFT REAR DOOR AND CAR FRAME. PRECEDING EVENTS, LEFT REAR DOOR SPEAKER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING, LEFT REAR WINDOW FUNCTIONED SOMETIMES. DOOR WAS CLOSED AFTER RETURNING HOME AND PARKING GARAGE. ARCING WAS HEARD AND SMOKE CAME FROM DOOR. OWNER REMOVED MANY FUSES FROM DRIVERS SIDE FUSE PANEL AND THEN REMOVED CONNECTIONS TO MAIN BATTERY. DOOR PANEL COVER WAS REMOVED AND BOOT REMOVED TO FIND HOUSING ON 5 OF THE 8 WIRES BURNT AND MOST OF THE WIRE BURNT THROUGH THE WIRE. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10355489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesSkokie, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON,FOLLOWED BY THE BRAKE LIGHT BLINKING THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE TACHOMETER GOES TO 0 AND STOPS WORKING EVEN THOUGH I AM ACCELERATING. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE IT CAN BE RESEARCHED ON HTTP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA?THREADID=2447&TSTART=0.
NHTSA complaint #10255101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesSkokie, IL
PARKING BRAKE
THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON,FOLLOWED BY THE BRAKE LIGHT BLINKING THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE TACHOMETER GOES TO 0 AND STOPS WORKING EVEN THOUGH I AM ACCELERATING. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE IT CAN BE RESEARCHED ON HTTP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA?THREADID=2447&TSTART=0.
NHTSA complaint #10255101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesSkokie, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON,FOLLOWED BY THE BRAKE LIGHT BLINKING THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE TACHOMETER GOES TO 0 AND STOPS WORKING EVEN THOUGH I AM ACCELERATING. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE IT CAN BE RESEARCHED ON HTTP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA?THREADID=2447&TSTART=0.
NHTSA complaint #10255101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesSkokie, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON, THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES, THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE TACHOMETER GOES TO 0 AND STOPS WORKING EVEN THOUGH I AM ACCELERATING. THE CONTROL MODULE WAS THE CULPRIT AND IT WOULD COST $1450.00 AND THERE WAS NO USED PART AVAILABLE AND IT IS A DEALER ONLY PART.
NHTSA complaint #10255095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesSAN Lorenzo, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS MODULE FAILURE. WAS DRIVING SHORTLY AFTER HAVING FRONT END WORK DONE AND LIGHT WHEN ON. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. BRAKING IS AFFECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10246538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesClear Lake, MNCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS MODULE IN OPERATIVE ABS SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10246458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesClear Lake, MNCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS MODULE IN OPERATIVE ABS SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10246458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 175,000 milesSierra Vista, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE ABS MODULE IN MY 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T HAS GONE BAD. THIS FAULT CAME WITHOUT NOTICE OF ANY SYMPTOMS AND COMPLETELY UNPROVOKED. THE WARNING LAMP AND TONE APPEAR EVERY TIME I START THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MANY INDEPENDENT VOLKSWAGEN MECHANICS AND MANY PASSAT OWNERS.
NHTSA complaint #10244177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OH
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON MY 1998 VW PASSAT ARE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. VW REFUSES TO REPLACE THEM EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THESE PARTS. THE REASONING IS THAT: - I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL AT THEIR DEALER IN 2005 AND AT THE TIME THE PARTS SEEMED OK. - AT THIS TIME, THEIR DEALER HAS REINSPECTED THE CAR. THE VW DEALER THINKS THAT BOTH LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARMS ON THE CAR NEED REPLACEMENT. HOWEVER THE PARTS ARE NOT ABOUT TO FAIL AND THE CAR IS STILL DRIVABLE AND THUS VW WILL NOT PAY FOR THEIR REPLACEMENT. MY MECHANIC STATES THAT THE CAR NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. PLEASE ADVISE WHETHER VW IS RESPONSIBLE UNDER THE "REVISED-VM (40G3) - DECEMBER 2004" RECALL CAMPAIGN TO FIX THESE. THANKS
NHTSA complaint #10243345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Port Richey, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
AS AN OEM SAFETY FEATURE, NOW I BELIEVE REQUIRED, THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ON MY 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, HAS FAILED, LEAVING THIS FEATURE INOPERATIVE. LUCKILY FOR MY SELF THIS HAS NOT BECOME A BURDEN OR CAUSED INJURY, BUT I'M SURE THAT OTHERS ARE NOT AS LUCKY AS I HAVE BEEN.
NHTSA complaint #10243246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesChicago, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
MY ABS COMPUTER FAILED ON MY 1998 V6 PASSAT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS DEFECTIVE PART. IT IS DANGEROUS AND CAUSES IRREGULAR BRAKING AND FLASHING DASHBOARD LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10243130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesCleveland, OH
SUSPENSION
NOISE FROM LEFT SIDE CONTROL ARM OF A 1998 VW PASSAT 1.8T.
NHTSA complaint #10242691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesBirmingham, AL
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
MY 1998 VW PASSAT GLX BEGAN EXHIBITING A FLASHING/BEEPING RED LIGHT TO INDICATE A FAILURE IN THE ABS SYSTEM. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE, IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS FAILURE IS FAIRLY COMMON ON 1998-2001 PASSATS, BUT NO ACTION HAS EVER BEEN TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER. I HAD THE ABS MODULE REBUILT AND DID THE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION WORK MYSELF; THE RESULT WAS $220 OUT OF POCKET. HOWEVER, MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOUGHT DEALERSHIP SERVICE WORK FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM HAVE SPENT WELL IN EXCESS OF $1,000. GIVEN THE APPARENT FAILURE RATE OF THIS MODULE AND THE FACT THAT IT IS A CORE SAFETY FEATURE OF THE CAR, IT IS MY OPINION THAT IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR RECALL (INCLUDING COMPENSATION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY MADE THE REPAIR). THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10240189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesVentura, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
ABS/ BRAKE LIGHT ARE ON, CHIMES SOUND WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED ON AND WON'T TURN OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10238666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesSacramento, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS COMPUTER FAILURE 98 VW PASSAT... COMPLETE ABSFAILURE ALL THE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10237631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS BRAKES CEASED TO FUNCTION AFTER APPROX 60K MILES. BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE TO FIX (DEALER QUOTED $2400, INDIE MECHS ABOUT $1400), THEY REMAIN NON-FUNCTIONAL (MY CAR IS NOW 95K MILES).
NHTSA complaint #10237521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesBolingbrook, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS/ BRAKE LIGHT ARE ON AND 3 CHIMES SOUND WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED ON.
NHTSA complaint #10236957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesGalesville, MD
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY OPENS AND CLOSES WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN IT OPENS, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IT CLOSED WITH THE SWITCH AS IT NEVER RETURNS TO A PREDICTABLE POSITION BASED ON THE MARKINGS ON THE SWITCH. ONCE OPEN, IT MAY CLOSE ITSELF AT RANDOMLY AND UNPREDICTABLY. WHEN IT IS OPEN, I'M AFRAID TO GET MY HAND NEAR IT FOR FEAR IT WILL CLOSE AND PINCH ME. IT HAS ALSO SPONTANEOUSLY OPENED DURING RAINSTORMS WHICH CAUSES ME TO DIVERT MY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE IT. THE RAIN ENTERING MY CAR WHILE IT HAPPENS IS ALSO A MAJOR DISTRACTION. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNIQUE TO JUST MY CAR. NEARLY EVERYONE I KNOW WITH A 98 OR 99 PASSAT HAS THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10204329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.