39 of the 558 complaints about the 2001 Volkswagen Passat are about the lighting — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 59,100 miles.
39
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SENDING THIS E-MAIL TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE ABS MODULE ON MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THEY ARE NO REASON WHY IT SHOULD BE OUT , I BELIEVE ITS A DEFECTIVE PART, SHOULD LAST LONGER OTHER PEOPLE I TALK WITH SAY THEY HAVE BEEN THRU THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE VOLKSWAGEN NEED TO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS ABS MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #10504325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SAME TURN SIGNAL ISSUE AS 04V584000 RECALL - TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARDS WORKED PERIODICALLY. NOW THEY HAVE STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER.. NHTSA RECALL 04V584000 FOR OTHER VW MODELS OF THIS YEAR, BUT NOT PASSAT. IS COMMON FOR THIS YEAR OF VW PASSAT ALSO PER MY INTERNET RESEARCH. VW PASSAT NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THIS RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10440206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
SAME TURN SIGNAL ISSUE AS 04V584000 RECALL - TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARDS WORKED PERIODICALLY. NOW THEY HAVE STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER.. NHTSA RECALL 04V584000 FOR OTHER VW MODELS OF THIS YEAR, BUT NOT PASSAT. IS COMMON FOR THIS YEAR OF VW PASSAT ALSO PER MY INTERNET RESEARCH. VW PASSAT NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THIS RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10440206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WIRING AND CONNECTORS FOR BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE MELTED UNDER NORMAL USAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10394068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLAMP WIRING HARNESS MELTS.
NHTSA complaint #10383165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE LENSES OF BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES OF MY 2001 VW PASSAT STATION WAGON HAVE BECOME VERY CLOUDED. THE RESULT IS THAT THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE HEADLIGHT IS GREATLY DIMINISHED LEADING TO UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS AT NIGHT. I HAVE CLEANED AND POLISHED THE EXTERIOR OF THE LENSES AND THAT HELPED SOMEWHAT BUT CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE INTERIOR. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10355263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW PASSAT. THE HEADLIGHT LENSES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR HAVE CLOUDED SO MUCH THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BARELY ILLUMINATE THE ROAD. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER PASSAT OWNERS FROM THE SIMILAR YEARS AND THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. I BELIEVE VW SHOULD BE FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHT LENSES, AND OFFER TO REPLACE THEM FOR FREE. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT SEEING THE ROAD WELL AT NIGHT. THE DATE BELOW REFLECTS WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE CLOUDING IN THE LENSES.
NHTSA complaint #10259576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST HEADLIGHTS, THE PLASTIC GEARS BREAK EASILY RENDERING THE HEADLIGHTS NON-ADJUSTABLE. THE HEADLIGHT LENS ALSO DISCOLORS EASILY REDUCING TRANSMITTED LIGHT LEVEL. THE ELECTRICAL SUPPLY ALSO APPEARS INFERIOR AS BULBS BLOW VERY QUICKLY. THE BULBS LAST LESS TIME THAN ANY OTHER VEHICLE KNOWN IN 30 YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10249185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I HAVE SUFFERED THE SAME ISSUES AS OTHERS CONCERNING THE HEADLIGHTS FOR MY 2001.5 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS. I HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVERS SIDE LIGHT ON 3 OCCASIONS. I HAVE REPLACED IT MYSELF ON ALL OCCASIONS. THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS COMPLETELY MELTED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE BULB IS REPLACED, IT USUALLY LASTS A WEEK BEFORE GOING OUT AGAIN. MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT LAST NIGHT. WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE THE BULB, I AGAIN FOUND A MELTED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THIS ONE IS NOT AS SEVERE AS THE DRIVER SIDE BUT ALSO POSES A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS WILL RESULT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $1,000 IN REPAIRS. VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO STEP UP AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10223615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARDS WORKED PERIODICALLY. NOW THEY HAVE STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. WENT TO VW BUT WAS TOLD THAT NHTSA RECALL 04V584000 DOESN'T COVER MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE VIN NUMBER AND THEY COULDN'T TELL ME FOR SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH OUT MY PAYING THE 150.00 DIAGNOSIS FEE FIRST, THEN I WOULD HAVE TO PAY ALMOST 100.00 AN HOUR FOR THEM TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10222099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
FLASHER SWITCH IS FAILING. TURN SIGNALS BLINK ONCE OR TWICE AND THEN STOP. SAME WITH HAZARD LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10210944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
FLASHER SWITCH IS FAILING. TURN SIGNALS BLINK ONCE OR TWICE AND THEN STOP. SAME WITH HAZARD LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10210944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CONNECTOR AND WIRING HARNESS PROVIDING POWER TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHTS ON THE 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS MELTED AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. IF I DID NOT TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION THE ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THESE CONNECTORS MAY HAVE TRIGGERED A FIRE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SOCKET/WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED IN OCTOBER OF 2004. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SOCKET/WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2007. WHILE AT THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE PASSENGER SIDE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED I OBSERVED ANOTHER PASSAT OWNER COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET RESULTED IN FINDING MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAD THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10191133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT AND CONSTANTLY NEED REPLACING, ONLY PROBLEM IS IT MUST BE COMPLETED AT THE DEALERSHIP. HAVE REPLACED AT LEAST 7 LIGHTS SINCE PURCHASE OF CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10160634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL 04V584000 REGARDING THE HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER AND REPAIRED AS INSTRUCTED IN THE RECALL. *AK UPDATED 2/24/2005 - THE TURN SIGNAL MADE A TICKING NOISE ALTHOUGH IT WASNT ACTIVATED.
NHTSA complaint #10147255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY VW PASSAT IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE ALREADY REPLACE MY EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS/TAILIGHTS REPLACED 9 TIMES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THE DEALER ALONG WITH THE VW CUSTOMER CARE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. BASICALLY, I HAVE TO KEEP PAYING TO GET NEW HEADLIGHTS THAT ONLY LAST ABOUT A YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10137490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DT: 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE PLUG IN THE BULB FAILED. THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT WAS TO BUY A HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. ALL CONNECTORS DON'T RESIST HEAT. CALLED DEALER, CONSUMER DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10137432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
FUNCTION OF TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS ON MY 2001 PASSAT (40,000 MILES) HAS BEEN DEGRADING OVER TIME. BOTH SYSTEMS ARE NOW COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. VW (800-822-8987) CLAIMS THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH THERE IS AN ACTIVE VW RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 2000-2002 GOLF, GTI AND JETTA, AND THE NHTSA REPRESENTATIVE TO WHOM I SPOKE HAS TOLD ME THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON 2001 PASSATS (BUT NO CURRENT RECALL). OBVIOUSLY, WE WILL BE GETTING THIS FIXED ASAP. HOWEVER, I WOULD REQUEST THAT 1) A RECALL BE INITIATED AND 2) VW PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT TO ALL OWNERS SUCH AS MYSELF WHO WILL HAVE PAID FOR THIS REPAIR OUT OF THEIR POCKETS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT IS CLEARLY WIDESPREAD ON 2000-2002 VW VEHICLES OF ALL MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #10132251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:UNIT
FUNCTION OF TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS ON MY 2001 PASSAT (40,000 MILES) HAS BEEN DEGRADING OVER TIME. BOTH SYSTEMS ARE NOW COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. VW (800-822-8987) CLAIMS THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH THERE IS AN ACTIVE VW RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 2000-2002 GOLF, GTI AND JETTA, AND THE NHTSA REPRESENTATIVE TO WHOM I SPOKE HAS TOLD ME THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON 2001 PASSATS (BUT NO CURRENT RECALL). OBVIOUSLY, WE WILL BE GETTING THIS FIXED ASAP. HOWEVER, I WOULD REQUEST THAT 1) A RECALL BE INITIATED AND 2) VW PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT TO ALL OWNERS SUCH AS MYSELF WHO WILL HAVE PAID FOR THIS REPAIR OUT OF THEIR POCKETS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT IS CLEARLY WIDESPREAD ON 2000-2002 VW VEHICLES OF ALL MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #10132251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
CONTACT STATES: TURN SIGNAL/ HAZARD SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. HAD PROBLEM FOR TWO WEEKS. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER TO CALL VOLKSWAGEN. THERE WERE RECALLS ON OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SAFETY RECALL 15.
NHTSA complaint #10119527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:UNIT
FAILURE OCCURRED SPONTANEOUSLY. AFTER TURN SIGNAL (LEFT OR RIGHT) WAS DEACTIVATED (WHETHER MANUALLY OR AUTOMATICALLY AFTER COMPLETING TURN, PROMINENT SCRATCHING OR "SHORTING" NOISE COULD BE HEARD AND VIBRATION FELT UNDERNEATH THE FLASHER SWITCH FOR VARYING PERIODS OF TIME. DEALER REPLACED SWITCH, HOWEVER, A NOISE CONTINUED FROM BEHIND THE FLASHER SWITCH AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS. DEALER SAID THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY DEFECT IN TURN SIGNAL MECHANISM IN STEERING COLUMN. THAT REPAIR IS PENDING. CONCERN IS FOR FAILURE OF EITHER THE FLASHERS OR TURN SIGNALS AND/OR ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE SYSTEM WHICH COULD LEAD TO OTHER PROBLEMS. THE SITUATION BEARS SIMILARITY TO THE EXISTING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V584000 INVOLVING SOME OF THE SAME COMPONENTS IN VW JETTAS OF THE SAME MANUFACTURING YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10110517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THE OWNER STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE THROUGH STATE INSPECTION THE VEHICLE FAILED BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT ADJUST. THE ADJUSTMENTS WERE DONE FROM THE REFLECTOR. THE ADJUSTMENT SCREW VIBRATED, AND EVENTUALLY FELL OFF, MAKING THIS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PLASTIC GEAR VIBRATED. THE LIGHT FELL OUT OF THE ADJUSTMENT. THE PLASTIC GEAR FELL OFF AND THE LIGHTS WENT OUT OF ALIGNMENT. ON FEB 4 THE VEHICLE FAILED A STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND COULD NOT BE CORRECTED. *TC BOTH HEAD LAMPS WERE DEFECTIVE DUE TO A SMALL ADJUSTMENT SCREW ON THE LAMP ASSEMBLY. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10111253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THE OWNER STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE THROUGH STATE INSPECTION THE VEHICLE FAILED BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT ADJUST. THE ADJUSTMENTS WERE DONE FROM THE REFLECTOR. THE ADJUSTMENT SCREW VIBRATED, AND EVENTUALLY FELL OFF, MAKING THIS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PLASTIC GEAR VIBRATED. THE LIGHT FELL OUT OF THE ADJUSTMENT. THE PLASTIC GEAR FELL OFF AND THE LIGHTS WENT OUT OF ALIGNMENT. ON FEB 4 THE VEHICLE FAILED A STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND COULD NOT BE CORRECTED. *TC BOTH HEAD LAMPS WERE DEFECTIVE DUE TO A SMALL ADJUSTMENT SCREW ON THE LAMP ASSEMBLY. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10111253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
THE TURN SIGNAL /HAZARD SWITCH RELAY FAILED ON MY 2001 PASSAT GLX 4MOTION TWICE ON 11/20/2003 (REPLACED ON 11/23/2004) AND 12/19/2004. IT CAUSED TURN SIGNAL TO MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #10104118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE HEADLIGHTS OF MY 2001.5 PASSAT HAVE BURNED OUT AT A RATE THAT IS MUCH HIGHER THAN NORMAL. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ONE HEADLIGHT TWICE AND THE OTHER FOUR TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED MY CAR. BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS THAT ONLY A DEALER REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT THERE ARE MANY TIMES WHEN I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH ONE OR THE OTHER LAMP OUT. FORTUNATELY THEY HAVE NOT FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. DURING A VISIT TO MY LOCAL DEALER WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AT THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR HEADLIGHTS TO BE REPLACED THIS FREQUENTLY. SINCE THAT VISIT, AND SEVERAL MORE LIGHT REPLACEMENTS, THEY HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING TO THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY AND HAVE SINCE REPLACED IT, ALTHOUGH THEY CHARGED ME FOR THE REPAIR. GIVEN THE NUMBER OF PASSATS THAT I SEE WITH ONE HEADLIGHT OUT, I SUSPECT THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND THIS PROBLEM IS CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10098308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP ("PROJECTOR TYPE") FAILED WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF REPLACEMENT. ASKED DEALER TO FIND SOURCE OF PROBLEM. DEALER FOUND LAMP SOCKET MELTED AND WIRING BURNED. REPLACED WIRE HARNESS AND SOCKET AND BULB. VW TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 9404-01, "HEADLAMP ELECTRICAL CONNECTION REPAIR", ISSUED 3/11/04, SUGGESTS THIS IS A RECOGNIZED DEFECT IN AFFECTED CARS. THIS ALSO SUGGESTS THAT REPLACEMENT HARNESSES MAY BE A REDESIGNED PART (E.G. HEAVIER WIRE, IMPROVED MATERIALS, ETC.). IT IS NOT CLEAR WHETHER THE HARNESS USED RESOLVES THE PROBLEM FOR BOTH SIDES OF CAR OR NOT. CHARGED $54.45 FOR HARNESS, $188.30 FOR ENTIRE JOB. THIS WAS PARTIALLY COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY. REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM BOTH DEALER AND VWOA FOR OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES FOR REPAIRS TO APPARENT DEFECTIVE COMPONENT, BUT WAS DENIED BASED ON AGE / MILEAGE (86,485) OF VEHICLE. CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: POTENTIAL UNDERHOOD FIRE HAZARD. LOSS OF VISIBILITY FOR DRIVER/ONCOMING VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10096478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERIOR LIGHTING
UPPER CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH SIDES ARE WORN OUT. TIE RODS ARE WORN OUT ON BOTH SIDES. CATALYTIC CONVERTERS NEEDED REPLACED. I PAID FOR THE TIE RODS, WARRANTY COVERED CONVERTERS, AND I HAVE NOT HAD THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS REPLACED. OIL LEAKS ON ENGINE. INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT ACTIVATE WHEN DRIVERS DOOR IS OPENED.
NHTSA complaint #10058454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERIOR LIGHTING
POLLEN FILTER SEAL FAILURE. THIS PROBLEM IS DOCUMENTED IN MANY INTERNATIONAL PASSAT OWNER GROUPS. THE SEAL AROUND THE POLLEN FILTER FAILS. THE CAR'S INTERIOR BECOMES FLOODED IN RAIN. ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT GET WET FAIL OVER TIME AT ACCELERATED AND UNPREDICTABLE RATE. SAFETY CONCERN: IT IS DIFFICULT TO OPERATE AUXILLIARY COMPONENTS (DEFROSTER, RADIO, ETC WHEN INTERIOR LIGHTS FAIL) EMERGENCY FLASHER AND ASR BREAKERS ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO MOISTURE-RELATED ACCELERATED DECLINE AS A RESULT OF POLLEN FILTER LEAKAGE. OUR VW DEALER AND VWOA STATED THAT POLLEN FILTER SEAL FAILURE AND ASSOCIATED FLOODING DAMAGE AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE WERE PART OF "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". VW SERVICE ADVISORS IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA HAVE SAID THEY SEE "SEVERAL OF THESE EACH WEEK" IN RAINY SEASONS. THE FILTER DESIGNED TO REDUCE ALLERGENS IN THE AIR HAS THE PERVERSE CONSEQUENCE OF ACCELERATING THE GROWTH OF MOLD INSIDE THE CAR BECAUSE IT SEAL FAILS, CREATES (IN OUR CASE 2" OF STANDING WATER) MOISTURE IN THE CAR THAT PROMOTES UNPLEASANT, UNHEALTHY, EXPENSIVE-TO-REMIDIATE MOLD GROWTH IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10058114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
VEHICLE WAS PURCHUSED IN JULY 2001. SINCE THEN, A HEADLIGHT HAS BURNED OUT 4 TIMES ON THE VEHICLE, WITH THE LAST HEADLIGHT GOING DEC 2003, FOR AN AVERAGE HEADLIGHT LIFETIME OF 15 MONTHS. THE PROBLEM IS NOT ON ONE SIDE; THE HEADLIGHT ON EACH SIDE HAS BEEN LOST AT LEAST ONCE. THE PREVIOUS HEADLIGHT LOSS (THE 3RD), I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC AT THE DEALER (CASEY VW, IN NEWPORT NEWS, VA) THAT THEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM, BUT THEY WERE NOT AUTHORIZED TO FIX IT. THE ARGUMENT (WHICH I DID NOT UNDERSTAND AND CANNOT REPLICATE HERE) WAS SOMETHING LIKE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRENTY, THEY COULDN'T USE THEIR NON-STANDARD FIX. I WAS NOT CHARGED FOR THE FIRST THREE HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENTS, WHICH GOES AT LEAST PART OF THE WAY TO MAKING UP FOR THE FACT THAT NONE WAS ACCOMPLISHED IN LESS THAN ONE HOUR. ON MY MOST RECENT TRIP TO THE DEALER TO HAVE MY HEADLIGHT REPAIRED, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RATE OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE WAS "NORMAL". THERE WAS NO OFFER TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACEMENT. THE CAR IS NOW OFF THE COMPREHENSIVE STANDARD WARRENTY, BUT COVERED THROUGH THE VW OPTIONAL EXTENDED WARRENTY PROGRAM. THIS WARRENTY DOESN'T DO A LOT OF GOOD IF VW CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM FOR THEM TO FIX (BEYOND A BURNED-OUT BULB).
NHTSA complaint #10050646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
REAR LIGHTS SIMULTANEOUSLY GO OUT, THEY INCLUDE TAIL/BRAKE/ REVERSE, AND STOP LIGHTS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS UNDETERMINED, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED 9 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10047990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.