2001 Volkswagen Passat engine problems

ENGINE

TOOK CAR TO VW DEALER TO HAVE TIMING BELT REPLACED AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL OPEN RECALLS AND THEY OFFERED TO TAKE CARE OF THEM FREE OF CHARGE. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO PERFORM RECALL #08V156. MANUFACTURER #26E5. THEY INSTALLED THE HEAT SHIELD BUT COULD NOT PERFORM SOFTWARE UPGRADE. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES IN THE MAIL. NOW VW WANTS TO BUY THE CAR BACK BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIX IT. IT'S A 2001 VW PASSAT WITH 25K MILES IN SHOWROOM SHAPE. WAS NEVER DRIVEN IN SNOW AND GARAGED IT'S ENTIRE LIFE. THEY OFFERED ME $1500 OUT OF WHICH I OWE $1300 FOR THE TIMING BELT. THEY SAID IT MAY NEED A ECU BUT THEY ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM VW BUT REFUSE TO INSTALL A USED ONE. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE VW DEALER SINCE 12/28/2020. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT RECALLS NEVER EXPIRE.

NHTSA complaint #11389398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

FAULTY CAM CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED AND CAUSED SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE TO VALVES, PISTONS, CAMSHAFT, CAM TIMING CHAIN. I WAS STATIONARY WAITING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN I HEARD A SUDDEN LOUD GRINDING NOISE FROM INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SPUTTER. THE CAR LOST MOST OF ITS POWER AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS CLEAR TO SEE THAT THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER HAD SELF DESTRUCTED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL.

NHTSA complaint #11046400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING COOLANT. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEATER CORE WAS BAD. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE INSIDE COMPUTER ALREADY AND PROBABLY ALL THE CARPET SINCE THE WATER HAS BEEN LEAKING INTO THE CAR. I SUFFER FROM ASTHMA AND CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THIS CAR SINCE IT SMELLS LIKE COOLANT/MOLD AND NOT TO MENTION WATER LEAKING ON MY FOOT AS I DRIVE (VERY UNSAFE SINCE THE PEDAL GETS SLIPPERY.) I HAVE READ ONLINE ON MANY SITES THAT THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THIS MATTER AND THE OWNERS WERE NEVER NOTIFIED. I NEED THIS FIXED BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS; EITHER I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT OR I END UP IN THE HOSPITAL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR GETTING BACK TO ME AND GETTING THIS MATTER FIXED PROMPTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10500670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

"OIL PRESSURE. STOP ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER SEVERAL MILES DRIVING AND LOT OF NOISE FROM BACK OFF THE ENGINE. NEED NEW OIL PUMP PASSABLE REBUILT ENGINE. IT IS SITTING PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10373775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT SETTLED WITH VW FOR OIL SLUDGE. THIS MAKES NO SENSE BY THE TIME THE SETTLEMENT WAS REACHED MY 2001 VW PASSAT, 1.8 TURBO WAS NOT COVERED. 7 OR 8 WEEKS AGO I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE VW DEALER (HALMARK VW OF MADISON) THEY TOLD ME I HAD A SLUDGE PROBLEM AND DID NOT EVEN MENTION THAT IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM OR THAT THE LAW SUIT WAS UNDERWAY- VERY SNEAKY. THEY TOLD ME TO REPLACE MY ENGINE OR TO CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 1000 MILES FOR AWHILE. MY ABS AND COMPUTER MODULE FAILED AT THE SAME TIME WITH NO ONE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. NOW I HAVE THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NO WAY TO GET IT RESOLVED.

NHTSA complaint #10372686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONTACT STATED HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND HE WAS TOLD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACING. THE FAILURE WAS CONSTANT SINCE JULY 1, 2008. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. VWB

NHTSA complaint #10339849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VW ENGINE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10321628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

HEATER CORE FAILURE,PLUGGING UP. VEHICLE HAS NO HEAT UNABLE TO CLEAR WINDSHIELD TO SEE. HEATER CORE PORSES TOO SMALL AND CLOGGED FROM REACTION FROM ANTI FREEZE CALCIFIED REACTION WITH METAL USED IN CORE.

NHTSA complaint #10289209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO FIRESTONE FOR A ROUNTINE TUNE-UP AND TO REPLACE MY AXLE. BECAUSE OF FIRESTONES MIS-DIAGNOSIS OF THE TUNE-UP, THEY DETERMINED IT WAS THE ENGINE COIL. MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO AUDI OF BROOKLINE FOR A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY FOUND THIS.....A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION - E.C.M..THE ENGINE COIL WAS ONLY A SYMPTOM OF THE BIGGER PROBLEM IN THE FAULTY E.C.M. MISFIRING. PRIOR TO BRINGING MY VEHICLE INTO FIRESTONE, IT WAS OPERABLE. BECAUSE OF THEIR TAMPERING WITH THE IGNITION COILS; MY VEHICLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED. REGARDING THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT, THE CURRENT AND PASSED CONDITION OF MY VEHICLE, WHICH IS NORMALLY A HEALTHY, SAFE, VEHICLE, IS AS FOLLOWS: "FUEL DELIVERY INSPECTION AT PRESENT TIME, IGNITION SYSTEM CHECK, AND POWER PROVIDED TO COILS TECH FOUND NO COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (E.C.M.) AND A.B.S. CONTROL MODULE BECAUSE A.B.S. CONTROL MODULE WAS DISCONNECTED. RECONNECT AND ACCESS A.B.S. SYSTEM AND FAULT DETECTED CUSTOMER AWARE OF THE A.B.S. PROBLEM AND WARNING HAS BEEN ON FOR A WHILE. THAT IS TRUE, AND NOT THE REASON FOR THIS LETTER. CONTINUED: FOUND E.C.M. FAULT FOR #3 IGNITION COIL OPEN CIRCUIT. PIN CHECK WIRES ON #3 IGNITION COIL PLUG #3 POST FROM CONNECTOR TO E.C.M. FOUND HEIGHT RESISTANCE IN WIRE, REPLACED #3 CONNECTOR AND RE-TESTED OK. ALSO CLEAN AND REPLACE TERMINAL ON TOP OF VALVE COVER FOR PROPER GROUND. START ENGINE AND ROAD TEST VEHICLE, FOUND ENGINE MISFIRE ON #1, #2, #3, #4 IGNITION COILS". I HAVE TO REPLACE ALL 4 IGNITION COILS, CATAYLTIC CONVERTER, AND E.C.M. THIS IS THE SECOND IGNITION COIL REPLACED IN THE 1 YEAR I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE. THIS CAR HAS MORE MECHANICAL ERRORS THAN IMAGINABLE. THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIRS IS IN THE THOUSANDS. I CAN'T AFFORD TO MAINTENANCE THIS TEMPERMENATL VEHICLE. I WILL HAVE TO JUNK THE CAR. I REFUSE TO FIX THIS VEHICLE. PUSHING FOR A RECALL!!

NHTSA complaint #10285456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1. DURING MY WIFE'S MORNING COMMUTE THE OIL LIGHT STOP ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN OUR 2001.5 VW PASSAT. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS IN A RURAL AREA AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY AND COASTED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. 2. THE FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF SEVERE OIL COKING WITH THE 1.8T ENGINE. VW ISSUED A NOTIFICATION LETTER DATED AUGUST 2004 ADVISING OF THE ?OIL SLUDGE? PROBLEM. THE LETTER STATES ?ENGINE OIL SLUDGE OCCURS WHEN OLD, DIRTY ENGINE OIL THICKENS AND CANNOT CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE ENGINE LUBRICATION.? THE LETTER IMPLIES THE ISSUE IS DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE. IN REALITY THE FAILURE IS DUE TO A LATENT DESIGN DEFECT OF IMPROPER HEAT REJECTION ATTRIBUTE OF THE ENGINE SUMP. BASICALLY NOT ENOUGH OIL QUANTITY AND OIL COOLING CAPACITY. THE OIL THEN COKES OVER TIME IN A SIMILAR MANNER AS IS ENCOUNTERED ON GAS TURBINE ENGINES UNDER EXTREME TEMPERATURES. EVENTUALLY THE COKED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE AND PLUGS THE SUMP SCREEN. THE OIL PUMP THEN RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND ENGINE FAILURE. THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AT A CRITICAL TIME IS A SAFETY CONCERN. 3. FORTUNATELY AS OUR CAR WAS NOT RUN WITHOUT OIL PRESSURE I WAS ABLE TO SAVE THE ENGINE. VW WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY DESPITE PROVIDING A LOG BOOK FROM ALL THE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED FROM NEW. THEY REQUIRED ALL RECEIPTS OF OIL CHANGES. I PERFORM ALL MY OWN MAINTENANCE. VW CLEARLY HAS GAMED THE WARRANTY AND MISREPRESENTED THE PROBLEM AS POOR MAINTENANCE AND SLUDGE. I HAVE ALWAYS CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 5K MILES. THIS COST ME NEARLY $2K IN PARTS NOT INCLUDING MY LABOR. THIS IS A MAJOR REPAIR. THE OIL PUMP, SUMP SCREEN, ALL CRANK CASE VENTILATION LINES, TURBO LINES, ETC. HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS COFFEE GROUNDS (COKED OIL) THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. WHAT A MESS. I HOLD A BS IN AERO ENGR TECH AND FAA A&P LICENSE. I RUN THE AFTERMARKET FOR A LARGE GAS TURBINE ENGINE MFG. I KNOW ENGINE DESIGN AND WARRANTY GAMING WHEN I SEE IT.

NHTSA complaint #10284689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE A 2001.5- 2.8 DOHC VW PASSAT WITH JUST OVER 106K MILES.AT AROUND 98K MILES I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF POWER IN THE ENGINE AND GOT MULTIPLE MISFIRES ON THE SCAN OF THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, ALTHOUGH MOSTLY WHEN I START THE CAR AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY, REGARDLESS OF TEMPERATURE. FAST FORWARD 6 MONTHS, AFTER ALREADY REPLACING THE COIL PACK TWICE, I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME OVER $600 DOLLARS TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT "MIGHT" BE THE PROBLEM. THEY'RE STILL NOT SURE. IF ANYONE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU'VE FIGURED OUT WHAT IT IS.

NHTSA complaint #10280415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2001 1/2 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGON, MANUAL, 1.8T PERSISTENT ISSUES WITH IGNITION COILS, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OVER 8 YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #10266083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR A ROUTINE TUNE-UP AND A HONDA DEALER WROTE ON THE INVOICE THAT THE CONTROL VALVE JOINTS AND BOOTS WERE TORN, IN ADDITION TO THE SHAFT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE RELATED TO SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,511. UPDATED 05/08/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE CV JOINTS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/08/09.

NHTSA complaint #10263713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE FAILED A ROUTINE INSPECTION BECAUSE THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE INSPECTOR ADVISED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL ON HER VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,004. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS EVERY TIME SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. UPDATED 02/24/09.

NHTSA complaint #10248291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY 2001 VW PASSAT ABS MODULE BECAME DEFECTIVE AFTER 1 YEAR OF OWNING CAR FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. NOT SURE IF ORIGINAL OWNER HAD DONE REPAIRS/REPLACEMENTS OF THE UNIT. NOW THERE IS NO COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CAR COMPUTER AND THE MODULE, THEREFORE NO ABS BRAKE IS ACTIVE. ABS LIGHT STAYS ON AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY. THERE ARE ALSO 3 BEEPS WHEN CAR HAS BEEN STARTED. I AM A VERY UNHAPPY CONSUMER OF VW DUE TO THEIR FAULTY VEHICLE EQUIPMENT AND HAS DETER ME FROM PURCHASING ANY VW IN THE FUTURE. I HAVE RECENTLY JUST HAD A REPAIR TO REPLACE MY MAF SENSOR, 2 IGNITION COILS, 4 SPARK PLUGS AGAIN AFTER PURCHASING BRAND NEW ONES JUST A MONTH PRIOR. IT WAS VERY COSTLY!!

NHTSA complaint #10245585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE "STOP VEHICLE DO NOT DRIVE", AND OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE ENGINE. THE PREVIOUS REPAIR REQUIRED THE VEHICLE TO REMAIN AT THE DEALER FOR ONE MONTH. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. IN ADDITION, DURING RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, FIVE INCHES OF WATER LEAKED ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANEL. THERE WAS ELECTRICAL FAILURE DUE TO THE WATER LEAKAGE THAT CAUSED GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT CONSISTS OF INSTALLATION OF A DRAINAGE FILTER AND FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THESE MALFUNCTIONS. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA complaint #10243564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING TO MY NEW EMPLOYMENT WHEN MY 2001.5 PASSAT LOST POWER. THE ENGINE RAN VERY ROUGH AND THE IDLE WAS STABLE. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO STALL AND RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNUSABLE. MY PASSAT WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE NEAR MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT AND I WAS TOLD THE CYLINDER #4 HAS FAILED. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME (90 MILES) TO MY LOCAL GARAGE TO BE TOLD THE SAME. CYLINDER #4 HAS NO COMPRESSION AND THE TURBO HAS ALSO FAILED AS A RESULT OF THE FAILING CYLINDER. I WAS TOLD BY VW THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE COIL PACKS AND SPARK PLUGS AND THE ERROR SHOULD CLEAR UP. I HAD THE MECHANIC REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS AND ALL FOUR COIL PACKS ON THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE REPAIR THE MECHANIC STATED TO ME THAT THE VEHICLE PERFORMANCE AND ISSUE WAS NOT FIXED WITH THE REPAIR AND THE CYLINDER #4 WAS STILL DOWN. I HAVE BEEN LEFT WITHOUT A VEHICLE NOW FOR ALMOST TWO MONTHS WHILE STILL HAVING TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE THAT I CAN NOT USE.

NHTSA complaint #10238979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I HAVE A '01 VW PASSAT. I HAD TO GO TO THE VW DEALER TODAY SINCE I WAS HEARING A PINGING NOISE WHEN I DRIVE. THEY CHECKED AND ADVISED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND TIE ENDS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED SINCE THEY WERE WORN OUT. THE CAR HAS 77K MILES AND ON RESEARCHING HAVE FOUND THAT OTHER VW PASSAT OWNERS FROM THE SAME TIME FRAME ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. IT HAS BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO DESIGN FLAWS. I AM WORRIED THAT THIS IS GOING TO DETERIORATE AND LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. ADDITIONALLY THEY IDENTIFIED A VALVE COVER CAMSHAFT SEAL LEAKAGE. THIS IS ANOTHER ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY OTHER OWNERS.

NHTSA complaint #10235852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

OWNER DRIVING THE CAR WHEN SMOKE BEGAN APPEARING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. FIRE DENSITY INCREASED RAPIDLY AND OWNER DROVE INTO A SAFEWAY PARKING LOT WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IMMEDIATELY FILLED WITH SMOKE. FIRE DEPT. WAS CALLED AND BROKE ALL WINDOWS CAUSING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SMOKE TO BE RELEASED. THE SMOKE WAS WHITE AND BLACK.

NHTSA complaint #10229012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

I HAVE HAD MY 2001 VW PASSAT FOR 7 YEARS NOW AND HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP MULTIPLE ISSUES INCLUDING WARPED ROTORS (FRONT AND BACK), CRACKED CHASSE, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND VARIOUS OTHER PROBLEMS. BEFORE HAVING THIS CAR, I HAD A TOYOTA FOR 8 YEARS AND IN THE 8 YEARS I HAD THE TOYOTA, I ONLY HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THIS CAR IS DISAPPOINTING AND EVERYONE I TALK TO WHO HAS A SIMILAR MODEL/YEAR SAYS THE SAME THING. I THINK THE 2001 VW PASSAT IS A LEMON.

NHTSA complaint #10223581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

I HAVE HAD MY 2001 VW PASSAT FOR 7 YEARS NOW AND HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP MULTIPLE ISSUES INCLUDING WARPED ROTORS (FRONT AND BACK), CRACKED CHASSE, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND VARIOUS OTHER PROBLEMS. BEFORE HAVING THIS CAR, I HAD A TOYOTA FOR 8 YEARS AND IN THE 8 YEARS I HAD THE TOYOTA, I ONLY HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THIS CAR IS DISAPPOINTING AND EVERYONE I TALK TO WHO HAS A SIMILAR MODEL/YEAR SAYS THE SAME THING. I THINK THE 2001 VW PASSAT IS A LEMON.

NHTSA complaint #10223581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

MY CAR JUST STOPPED. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT HAD I NOT GOTTEN OFF THE ROAD IN TIME. I WAS ON ROUTE 68, A 4 LINE HIGHWAY. COME TO FIND OUT THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING TENSIONER BROKE, WHICH THE MANUFACTURE KNEW WOULD HAPPEN BECAUSE ALL THE REPAIR BOOKS SAY TO HAVE IT CHANGED AT ABOUT 65,000 TO 75,000 MILES. NOBODY TOLD ME THAT. IF MY CHILDREN WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME NEEDLESS TO SAY IF MY WIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING INSTEAD OF ME WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. IT IS COSTING ME OVER $2,300.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. NEEDLESS TO SAY HAD I BEEN WARNED I WOULD HAVE HAD IT REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10222644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

I OWN A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH A 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINE AND 85,000 MILES. MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT TO THE VW DEALER RIGHT AWAY. THE DEALER CLAIMS MY MOTOR IS "SLUDGED". EVEN THOUGH VW HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR 8 YEARS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IT WILL NOT COVER MY VEHICLE REPAIRS OF OVER $2,000 AND GROWING. I HAVE KEPT EXCELLENT TRACK OF OIL CHANGES IN MY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE BOOK AND EVEN CHANGED EVERY 3,000 WHEN THE SERVICE CALLS FOR ONLY 5,000. I HAVE USE A GOOD QUALITY SAE VALVOLINE 5W-30 MOTOR OIL WHICH MY OWNERS MANUAL SAYS IS FINE. VW WILL NOT COVER MY REPAIRS SIMPLY BECAUSE I DID NOT KEEP EVERY SINGLE PURCHASE RECEIPT FOR MY OIL CHANGES. THEY CLAIM, WITHOUT RECEIPTS THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT I PUT IN APPROPRIATE OIL. MY RESPONSE IS, YOU SPEND $30,000 FOR A VEHICLE, I HAVE PROVEN I CHANGED OIL EVERY 3,000, WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD I PUT IN AN OIL THAT DID NOT CONFORM TO MY OWNERS MANUAL. THIS IS THE LAST VW MY FAMILY WILL PURCHASE.

NHTSA complaint #10215897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2001 PASSAT 1.8L TURBO. CAR'S ENGINE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DWIGHT HARRISON VOLKSWAGEN. THEY CHECKED THE OIL PRESSURE AND SAID IT WAS FINE. THEY CHANGED THE OIL AND SAID THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR MIGHT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY NOT USING A VW OIL FILTER. NOT ONE MENTION OF THE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN PREVALENT WITH THIS ENGINE. DROVE THE CAR FOR AROUND 5000 MILES WITHOUT ANY MORE PROBLEMS. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME BACK ON INTERMITTENTLY. I TOWED THE CAR INTO HERITAGE VW WHO SAID IT COULD BE AN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM BUT THAT I'LL HAVE TO AUTHORIZE 5 HOURS OF LABOR TO TELL FOR SURE (ABOUT $500). I CANNOT FIND ALL OF MY OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS AND VW WON'T ADVISE IF THEY WILL COVER ANY OF THE REPAIR UNTIL I SPEND THE $500. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO AFTER THEY'VE TAKEN MY CAR APART AND I'LL ALREADY SPENT $500 GETTING A DIAGNOSIS? I NEVER RECEIVED THE LETTER VW SAID THEY SENT ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN 2004. I'VE HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT VW DEALERSHIPS AFTER THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM IN 2004 YET THE DEALERSHIP NEVER ONCE ASKED IF I'D LIKE TO PUT IN SYNTHETIC OIL. DON'T THEY HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY DESIGN OF THE TURBO ENGINE? DON'T THE DEALERS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO TELL YOU OF THE PROBLEM WHEN YOU ARE GETTING THE OIL CHANGED? THIS IS TYPICAL OF VW DEALERSHIPS - THEY WANT YOU TO SPEND MONEY WHILE THEY HAVE A GUESSING GAME ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY DID THIS WITH A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I HAD, THE COOLING SYSTEM AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10208680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CHECK ENGINE AND OIL PRESSURE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND ENGINE MADE A WHINING NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #10209397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.