26 of the
558 complaints about the 2001 Volkswagen Passat are about the
airbag system — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
64,445 miles.
The driver's side airbag of my 2001 VW Passat spontaneously deployed while I drove on Hwy 494 in Woodbury MN. Sometime within 24 hours before the airbag deployed, the airbag fault light turned on in the car's dashboard display. Within 15 minutes before the incident, the car's automatic locking locks unlocked twice while I was driving the car. After the second time, I tried to lock the car doors by pressing the lock button on the driver's door console but the doors would not locked. At that time I noticed that the two interior lights in the back seat area were turned on. All the doors of the car were properly shut. When the airbags deployed I was driving on the smooth 1 year old concrete section of Hwy 494. I did not hit anything on the highway. After the deployment, I parked on the shoulder, shut off the engine and opened the passenger door to air out the car. After about 5 minutes, I got back in the car and drove home. The automatic locks worked again. The interior lights automatically turned off. The drive home was uneventful.
NHTSA complaint #11422304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
AIR BAGS
MY CAR IS A 2001 MODEL, AND I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF IT HAS TAKATA AIRBAGS IN IT, EVEN IF IT ISN'T COVERED BY THE RECALL. DEALER DOESN'T KNOW IF THE AIRBAGS ARE TAKATA OR NOT. CAN YOU GIVE ME THIS INFORMATION?? I HOPE SO, OTHERWISE I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIND OUT. THANKS [XXX] *DL INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10955699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,220 milesWatertown, SD1 injured
AIR BAGS
SO I GOT REAR ENDED AT THE OTHER PARTY'S FAULT AT HIGH SPEED WHILE I WAS AT A STOP SIGN AND THEY NEGLECTED TO STOP PUSHING ME INTO AN INTERSECTION FULL OF TRAFFIC...NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED..AND SINCE MY HEATER DOESN'T WORK BUT PASSENGER SEAT HEAT BURNED MY 12 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS BUTT...ANYONE HELP? I JUST WANT HEAT FOR MY BABIES..BELOW ZERO HERE :( THANK YOU!! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10658597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,400 milesSAN Pedro, CACrash
AIR BAGS
I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT THAT WAS OUT OF ORDER. THE DRIVER OF THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND I ASSUMED SHE WAS GOING TO SUBSEQUENTLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR, SO I INSTINCTIVELY PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR TO EASE FORWARD. UNFORTUNATELY, I MISCALCULATED AS THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME DID NOT MOVE FORWARD. AS A RESULT OF MY ACTIONS, I REAR-ENDED THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS GOING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH. MY CAR SUSTAINED ABOUT 90% OF THE DAMAGE. MY COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE DEPLOYMENT OR LACK THEREOF OF THE AIRBAGS. THEY NEVER DEPLOYED. MAYBE I WAS WRONG TO ASSUME THAT THEY WOULD DEPLOY ON SUCH A LOW SPEED. PLEASE ADVISE AS THE IMPACT FROM THE ACCIDENT WAS RATHER STRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10509501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesPark City, UTCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
RECENTLY I WAS IN A REAR END COLLISION (I WAS CAR IN THE BACK) AND I TOTALED MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITH NO PASSENGER AND MY DRIVER AIRBAG FAILED TO GO OFF AT ALL. THIS WORRIES ME AS TO THINK IF I HAD BEEN GOING FASTER THEN 20MPH WHETHER THE AIRBAG WOULD'VE GONE OFF AT ALL. MY FATHER IN LAW WHO IS A MECHANIC SAYS HE HAS NEVER IN HIS LIFE SEEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG BUT NOT THE DRIVERS GO OFF. HE HAS SEEN IT THE OTHER WAY AROUND BUT NOT THIS WAY.
NHTSA complaint #10289774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,300 milesPhilomath, ORCrash
AIR BAGS
WE HIT A DEER HEAD-ON AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. WE WERE TRAVELLING ABOUT 60 MPH AND DID NOT BRAKE. THE CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE TO REPAIR. THIS SEEMS UNUSUAL BECAUSE AIR BAGS ARE DESIGNED TO GO OFF AT VERY LOW SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #10285523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,445 milesWilmington, DE
AIR BAGS
DEC 12TH 2008 THE INTERIOR OF MY PASST WAS FLOODED WITH WATER, VW SERVICE REMOVED 10 + GALLONS OF WATER WHICH ENTERED FROM AIR PLENUM /POLLEN FILTER HOSING(CABIN AREA). SERVICE INFORMED ME OF THE P9 RECALL FOR THE PASSATS MANUFACTURED NOV '00 TO DEC '05. BUT, VW OF AMERICA WILL NOT HELP ME THEY SAID MY VIN # IS NOT IN THE RECALL. THE COMPUTERS ARE ON THE FLOOR OF CAR. AIR BAG IS IN DEFAULT DAMAGE FROM ELECTRICAL DAMAGE FROM WATER DAMAGE.. MY TRANS MOD IS WRECKED FROM THE WATER DAMAGE, JUST THE PART ALONE WILL COST $1,300. I HAVE LOST WORK AND CAN NOT DRIVE. THE MAKE OF CAR & YEAR IS IN RECALL SO WHY IS MY VIN NOT INCLUDED?! SOMEONE PLEASE, PLEASE HELP ME.
NHTSA complaint #10252063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,650 milesElkridge, MDCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I HAVE A VW PASSAT 2001 MODEL. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO OFFICE. AT AROUND 8.10 AM ON 09/24/2008, A CAR COLLIDED FROM BACK WHILE I WAS WAITING AT A SIGNAL. MY BUMPER WAS DAMAGED A LITTLE AND MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COVER HAD POPPED OUT. IMMEDIATELY I CALLED MY INSURANCE AND REPORTED THE ACCIDENT EXPLAINING THE SERIES OF EVENTS. THE OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT COMPLAINED HIS ACCIDENT TO HIS INSURANCE COMPANY AND ACCEPTED HIS FAULT, AS PER WHICH THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY AGREED ON TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES. A ESTIMATOR TOOK AN ESTIMATE AFTER VIEWING THE DAMAGED CAR. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER THERE WAS A CHECK ISSUED ON MY NAME AND ALSO LIST OF REPAIRS TO BE DONE. THE POPPED OUT AIRBAG WAS NOT CONSIDERED A PART OF ACCIDENT BY THE ESTIMATOR. I TRIED TO CLEARLY EXPLAIN HIM SAYING THAT HIS CLIENT HAS SEEN THE POP OUT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT AND HAS AGREED ON TO PROCEED THROUGH HIS INSURANCE. WHEN I EXPLAINED ALL THIS ESTIMATOR WAS ADAMANT THAT IT WAS NOT A PART OF ACCIDENT AND SAID IT WOULD TAKE 25-30 $ TO FIX IT AND AS PER WHICH I TOOK TO A FEW MECHANICS TO GET IT DONE AND NO ONE WAS WILLING TO TOUCH THE AIR BAG SAYING IT IS VULNERABLE AND NEEDS TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER. WHEN I TOOK TO THE DEALER HE WAS SAYING ITS GOING TO INCUR A HUGE COST AS IT IS AIRBAG AND THE ENTIRE DASH BOARD NEEDS TO BE REMOVED TO GET THIS THING FIXED. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS AND NEEDED HELP IN THIS ASPECT. I HAVE ALL THE CLAIM NUMBERS AND ALSO THE REQUIRED INFORMATION IN THIS ASPECT. I DON'T THINK MY CAR IS SAFE ENOUGH TO DRIVE AS THE AIRBAG CAN DEFLATE ANY TINE. PLEASE GUIDE ME IN THIS ASPECT.
NHTSA complaint #10245869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesKensington, NH
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 148,000.
NHTSA complaint #10199931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,580 milesToms River, NJCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW PASSAT DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT DURING A CRASH. WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH ON A COLD DRY DAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND SHE HIT ANOTHER HEAD ON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT NO ONE WAS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE CONTACT HAD POLICE AND INSURANCE REPORTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 85,580 .
NHTSA complaint #10185490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,400 milesSacramento, CA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG INFLATER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 10/31/06.
NHTSA complaint #10172261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,000 milesHolbrook, NY
AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE AIRBAG AND HARNESS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10171160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,300 milesSAG Harbor, NY
AIR BAGS
2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT LOW MILEAGE OF 21,000 MILES. NORMALLY GARAGED AND MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE. AFTER RAIN, FOUND AN INCH OF WATER IN REAR PASSENGER FLOOR. TRANSMISSION NON-FUNCTIONAL, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS ON. DEALER SAID THE POLLEN FILTER SEAL WAS NO GOOD AND THAT WATER LEAKED IN AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE FLOOR BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT. COST OF REPAIR IN EXCESS OF $3,100. VW REFUSES TO COMPENSATE IN ANY WAY BECAUSE WARRANTY WAS ONLY FOR TWO YEARS. TRANSMISSION AND POWER TRAIN ARE COVERED FOR 5 YEARS, BUT VW SAYS THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO "OUTSIDE INFLUENCE". I HAVE READ MANY ACCOUNTS ON THE INTERNET FROM MANY ANGRY OWNERS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHERE LEAKS FROM THIS SEAL HAVE CAUSED CATASTROPHIC REPAIRS. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE VW DEALER TOLD ME THAT CHECKING THE POLLEN FILTER SEAL IS NOT PART OF ANY REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND THAT IN ORDER TO CHECK IT, YOU'D NEED TO DISASSEMBLE QUITE A FEW THINGS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN I ASKED HIM HOW AN OWNER COULD POSSIBLY KNOW IF THE SEAL NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND HE REPLIED "YOU FOUND OUT HOW". I AM CLEARLY NOT ALONE IN HAVING EXPERIENCED A FAILURE FROM A PART THAT IS NOT IN ANY WAY MAINTAINABLE (THE POLLEN FILTER SEAL) AND THAT HAS CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I FEEL THIS IS A CONSUMER ISSUE AND THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE PASSAT THAT VW SHOULD COMPENSATE OWNERS FOR. THERE IS NO WAY FOR AN OWNER TO BE ABLE TO AVOID THIS SITUATION -- IT IS NOT A MATTER OF MAINTENANCE. IT GOT TO DO WITH THE PASSAT LEAKING WATER AND THE LOCATION OF AN EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE COMPONENT IN THE REAR PASSENGER FLOOR, THE AREA WHERE ANY WATER THAT LEAKS MIGRATES TO. IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED DURING DRIVING, I MIGHT HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10147412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 milesPlymouth, MN
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DT: CALLER SAID THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE DRIVING CALLER SAID BOTH CURTIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED OVER THE DOORS. CALLER SAID HE DID NOT HAVE A CRASH OR HIT A BUMP. CALLER SAID AN ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ,AND THERE WA SA BLINKING WARNING LIGHT. CALLER MADE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, BUT DID NOT MAKE IT BEFORE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.
NHTSA complaint #10129291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmingdale, NY
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
I,M SENDING THIS COMPLAIN ON BEHALF OF MY BROTHER-IN-LAW WHO WILL NOT PURSUE THIS MATTER.HOWEVER, I'M ADIMANT AS TO THE NATURE OF THIS COMPLAINT.HE HAS A 2001 VW PASSAT.AFTER HITTING A BUMP AT NORMAL SPEEDS, TWO OF HIS AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VW SAID THIS IS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE AS THE SENSOR DECIDED IT WAS THE THING TO DO. HE'S LUCKY HE DIDN'T LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. OBVIOUSLY IF THIS WERE A COMMON MALADY IN VEHICLES TODAY, I DARE SAY MANY ACCIDENTS WOULD OCCUR. VW WILL HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT SINCE HE'S OUT OF WARRANTY. SIMPLY SPEAKING, THIS AIN'T RIGHT!! DON BROWN.
NHTSA complaint #10093650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,119 milesPalo Alto, CA
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE O-RING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG.
NHTSA complaint #10067206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,256 milesUpland, CA
AIR BAGS
2/18/03 - REPORTED AIR BAG LIGHT ON TO DEALER. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM AND RESET LIGHT. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME BACK ON AGAIN IN MAY '03. RETURNED TO DEALER ON 6/28/03 FOR SERVICE. TOLD THAT AIRBAG SPIRAL SPRING AND HARNESS BE REPLACED. COULD NOT CHANGE ON THAT DAY (SATURDAY) DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS. RETURNED TO DEALER ON 8/26/03 TO REPLACE SPIRAL SPRING AND HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10036663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesSterling Heights, MI
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF, THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *PH
NHTSA complaint #10022511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesRosedale, NYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK ON RAINY DAYS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD. A LADY HIT MY CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE COLLAPSING THAT SIDE ALONG THE DOORS AND SOME OF THE REAR AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I PUT MY FEET ON ACCELERATOR FOR SPEED AND THE CAR REFUSES TO RESPOND. THE MORE I ACCELERATE THE SLOWER THE CAR GOES. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10010846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesHelena, MTCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AS CONSUMER ENTERED THE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATED, CONSUMER HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED THROUGH SOME LARGE BOULDERS AND INTO A DITCH, THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, HOWEVER THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT, CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES. MR
NHTSA complaint #8022071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manhasset, NY
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS ILLUMINATING. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8020345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Floral Park, NYCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AT HIGHWAY SPEED CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN BRAKES FAILED TO STOP. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8019007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sayreville, NJCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FRONT CRASH AT 50 MPH AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #8015503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plymouth, MA
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ON 9 MAY, REPLACED CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ON 16 MAY, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM. AIRBAG LIGHT ON AGAIN ON 23 MAY, DEALER REPLACED 1 AIRBAG AND CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY.AIRBAG LIGHT ON AGAIN ON 3 JUNE, AND DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH AIRBAGS. VEHICLE STILL AT DEALER AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #889976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Timonium, MD
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON STARTING 02/12/2001. IT WAS CHECK BY THE DEALER ON 03/06/2001 BUT NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND AND CLEARED CODE. THREE DAYS LATER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON AGAIN WITH AIRBAG FAULT SIGN WAS ALSO ON. TOOK TO DEALER ON 03/22/2001 ALONG WITH THE NEW TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS TOWED IN BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION PAN, GASKET PUNCTURED AND OIL LEAKING. THE DEALER SERVICE REPLACE THE AIRBAG AND UPPER HARNESS UNDER WARRANTY OF THE CAR, WHILE TRANSMISSION REPAIR WAS CHARGE TO MY INSURANCE. MY SAFETY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION PAN IS MAYBE TOO LOW TO THE GROUND THAT IT CAN EASILY BE PUNCTURED, WHICH MAY CAUSE SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. AND FOR THE AIRBAG WARNING SIGN TURNED ON, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF ACCIDENT OCCURS OR MAY ACCIDENTALLY DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #744398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mountainview, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 65 MPH WITH ABOUT 400 MILES ON VEHICLE, AND BRAKES DID NOT TURN OFF CRUISE CONTROL . VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. DRIVER HAD TO USE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE, AND CRASHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS. *AK VW DID NOT GIVE CONSUMER A LOANER CAR AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #876645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.