2014 Volkswagen Passat Owner Complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING AND POPPING NOISE WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH NOTIFIED THE CONTACT OF AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHEN THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING A FRACTURED CLOCK SPRING THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V483000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,500. UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT NO COST. UPDATED 11/21/2017*JS

1/6/2016

TAKATA RECALL. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. EVERY TIME I AM ON THE ROAD I FEEL ANXIETY THINKING ABOUT EXPLODED AIRBAG WITH SHRAPNEL. WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR DANGEROUS VEHICLE?

3/28/2016

EXITING INTERSTATE AND MERGING ONTO STATE ROUTE, VEHICLE LOST POWER, COULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED IN TRAFFIC. TOWED TO DEALER NEXT DAY, FOUND TURBOCHARGER HAD FAILED WITH NO WARNING. *TR

3/15/2014

TURBOCHARGER FAILED. STARTED MAKING NOISES, THEN POWER LOSSES, THEN DASHBOARD LIGHTS. BY THE TIME I GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED TURBOCHARGER FAILURE DUE TO 'INTERNAL MALFUNCTION' AND STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY DRIVING STYLE, EXTERNAL FACTORS. *TR

3/26/2014

PURCHASED 2014 FULLY LOADED PASSAT ON 10/26/13, SAFETY ISSUE WITH CAR DUE TO MY 1.5 HR DAILY COMMUTE. EXTREMELY POOR QUALITY WHEN USING BLUETOOTH THROUGH CARE STEREO, NOT RECOGNIZING NAMES ON IPHONE 4S CAUSING DRIVER TO REMOVE EYES FROM ROAD TO LOOK UP NUMBER WHICH IS A MAJOR DISTRACTION ESPECIALLY DURING NIGHT DRIVING. *TR

12/30/2013

WHENEVER OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE REACHES BELOW 20 DEGREES F THE DRIVER SIDE LOCK FREEZES MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THIS DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, AS THE ONLY MEANS OF ENTRY AND EGRESS IS THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, SUBMERGING IN WATER, FIRE, OR OTHER TYPE INCIDENT, THERE IS SIGNIFICANT RISK, SHOULD THE DRIVER NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CALLED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARE ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS (CASE NUMBERS ARE DOCUMENTED, CALLS RECORDED), ONLY TO BE REASSURED THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER CALLS REGARDING THIS. THE SOLUTION (HELP) THAT THEY OFFER IS TO HAVE ME BRING THE VEHICLE TO MY DEALERSHIP WHEN THE LOCK IS FROZE, SO THE DEALER CAN SEE THE LOCK WHEN IT IS IN THIS CONDITION. IN ESSENCE, THEY ARE ASKING ME TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THEY MANUFACTURED WITH A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN TO MY DEALERSHIP WHEN IT IS THE MOST UNSAFE TO DRIVE. SHOULD I OR ANYONE ELSE HAVE A NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE LOCK IS FROZEN, THERE IS NO WAY TO DO THIS. THIS POSES AN IMMINENT HEALTH THREAT, AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF LIFE OR LIMB. AS I STARTED INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE FOUND COUNTLESS WEBSITES AND FORUMS THAT ADDRESS THIS SAME CONCERN WITH DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FREEZING ON VOLKSWAGEN PRODUCTS, TO THE EXTENT THAT IT REALLY MAKES ME WONDER WHY OUR GOVERNMENT IS NOT ENTRENCHED IN THIS ISSUE. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RESPONSE TO THIS CONCERN THAT I RAISE. IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD ABOUT THIS ISSUE PRIOR TO MY WRITING, PLEASE CONSIDER THIS AS OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION THAT I HAVE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN THAT WARRANTS GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION. FURTHERMORE, THIS ISSUE PRESENTS A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER, AND IMMANENT RISK TO CONSUMER HEALTH AND SAFETY, AND NOW YOU HAVE NOTIFICATION. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, AND LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

3/15/2014

EXPLODING SUNROOF WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS; GLASS WAS PUSHED OUTWARD.

12/18/2015

NO HEAT FROM PASSENGER HVAC VENTS. VEHICLE DEFROST/VISIBILITY CAPABILITY SERIOUSLY COMPROMISED. HEATER CORE CLOGGED, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.

2/3/2016

WHEN DRIVING CAR LOSS OF POWER HAD TOWED TO VW DEALER TURBO FAILURE WITH JUST 9700 MILES. *TR

1/23/2015

MILES ON CAR AT FAILURE: 21,755 CORRECTIVE ACTIONS FROM DEALERSHIP: REPLACED TURBO, GASKETS, REFLASH, CHECK PARTICULATE FILTER AND REPLACE. OUTSIDE AIR TEMPS AT FAILURE:20S 30S FAILURE WARNING SIGNS, IF ANY: TURBO BEGAN MAKING HORRIBLE WHINING SOUND ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON MARCH 8, 2015. CALLED VW 3/9/15 AND TOOK TO DEALER 3/10/15 FOR EMERGENCY APPOINTMENT PRIOR TO 3/12/15 FIRST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATORS EVEN AFTER 3 DAYS OF DRIVING WITH HORRIBLE NOISE. WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH/MFI: NO LIGHTS OR INDICATORS PROBLEMS SINCE REPLACEMENT: NOW AT 25,766 MILES. CHECKED OIL CAP TO CHANGE OIL EVERY 5K INSTEAD OF 10K NOW THAT OUT OF SERVICE CONTRACT AND NOTICED PARTICLES AROUND OIL CAP. GOT MAGNET AND FOUND THAT MANY WERE MAGNETIC. I HAVE VIDEOS OF THE TURBO WHINING BEFORE REPLACEMENT AND THE MAGNETIC PARTICLES IDENTIFIED LAST EVENING. OIL WAS NOT CHANGED AS PART OF TURBO REPLACEMENT NOR WERE THE HIGH PRESSURE LINES TO/FROM TURBO. PRIOR OIL CHANGE AT 19,146 FOR 20K SERVICE. NO PARTICLES AROUND OR IN OIL CAP AFTER THAT SERVICE. TURBO OCCASIONALLY MAKES A DISTANT WHINING NOISE UPON STARTUP BUT STOPS WITHIN A COUPLE OF SECONDS. DID THE DEALERSHIP PERFORM ALL MAINTENANCE AND ON SCHEDULE: YES (2 DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR MAINTENANCE. ONE DID 10K AND TURBO, THE OTHER DID THE 20K). IF NOT DEALERSHIP, WHAT OIL WAS USED/MILES ON OIL: OIL WAS NOT CHANGED AS PART OF THE TURBO FAILURE/REPLACEMENT. OIL LINES WERE NOT REPLACED EITHER. 5W40 WAS USED FOR 20K SERVICE AT VW DEALER PRIOR TO TURBO FAILURE. DO YOU INTERRUPT DPF REGENERATORS: TRY NOT TO AS MOST TIMES I CAN SMELL THE REGEN AND NOTICE THE HIGHER RPMS AND WILL CONTINUE DRIVING. HAVE INTERRUPTED A COUPLE THAT COULD NOT BE AVOIDED DUE TO PAYING TO PARK IN A GARAGE FOR WORK.

5/12/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS SLOW TO START UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND WOULD ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT WHEN TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT CENTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT AN ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED. THE DEALER REPLACED FOUR TIRES BUT THE FAILURE STILL RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS THEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7.

3/27/2014

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40MPH WHEN A CAR TRIED TO MERGE INTO MY LANE. I TRIED TO BLOW THE HORN AND THE HORN FAILED TO WORK. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BUT NOT AT A POINT WHERE I HAVE BEEN THIS CLOSE TO BEING CRASHED INTO. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CHANGE TRACK AND VOLUME BUTTONS DO NOT WORK, AS WELL AS THE HANDS FREE CALLING BUTTON. IT'S LIKE THE WHOLE STEERING WHEEL GOES DEAD. *TR

4/10/2014

THE CAR TENDS TO HAVE JERKING MOVEMENTS DURING SLOW TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. THE CAR WILL NOT STOP SMOOTHLY AND GIVES WHIP LASHES AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKES PEDAL TWICE TO ENSURE THE CAR STOPS. THE DSG SYSTEM FAILS TO ENGAGE SMOOTHLY WHILE IN AUTOMATIC BUT RUNS SMOOTHLY WHILE IN "SPORT" MODE. WE HAVE ALMOST REAR ENDED SEVERAL CARS WHILE DRIVING IN AUTOMATIC DUE TO THE JERKY DSG GEAR SHIFTING AND POOR RESPONSE TIME IN THE BRAKING SYSTEMS WHILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. A VW SALES PERSON INFORMED ME YESTERDAY THAT THE CAR IS DESIGNED FOR FULL TIME "SPORT" MODE ON OPEN HIGHWAYS. THIS IS NOT REALISTIC AS LARGE CITIES NATURALLY HAVE HORRIFIC TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. I FEAR THAT THIS DSG SYSTEM WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS OR EVEN DEATHS DUE TO THE "JERKY" RESPONSE IN AUTOMATIC MODE. I HAVE CONTACTED VW CORPORATE AND LOCAL DEALERSHIPS TO CHECK THE CAR BUT THE DEALERSHIP MAINTAINS THE CAR IS WORKING AS IT WAS DESIGNED. THIS IS A NEW CAR AND THE FIRST CAR I FEARED DRIVING. *TR

5/1/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,400.

9/30/2014

VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT CONTROL SPEED DOWNHILL WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS SET. VEHICLE SPEED KEEPS INCREASING WHILE GOING DOWNHILL. *TR

10/22/2013

I RENTED A 4 DOOR VW PASSAT (LICENSE PLATE[XXX]; MVA #[XXX]) FROM AVIS AT THE BATON ROUGE AIRPORT ON TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014. TODAY, APRIL 11, 2014, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FROM NEW ORLEANS TO BATON ROUGE MY CAR ACCELERATED TO 80 MILES AND STAYED AT THAT RATE (WITHOUT ME HAVING MY FOOT ON THE GAS), APPROXIMATELY 7 OR 8 TIMES. MY SPEED DID NOT GO DOWN UNLESS I PRESSED ON THE BREAKS, SIMILAR TO WHAT OCCURS WHEN SOMEONE ENGAGES CRUISE CONTROL (BUT I HAD NOT ENGAGED CRUISE CONTROL). ALTHOUGH THIS ISSUE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, I COULD NOT POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE MOVEMENTS NECESSARY TO RECREATE THE EFFECT. HOWEVER, I DO KNOW THAT IT OCCURRED AT LEAST SOME OF THE TIMES (AND POSSIBLY EVERY TIME) WHEN I WAS ACCELERATING TO PASS A CAR *AND* MOVED TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE. TOWARDS THE END OF MY DRIVE I MADE SURE TO ONLY BE TOUCHING THE STEERING WHEEL AT THE BOTTOM, THEREFORE IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE THAT I ACCIDENTALLY ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL VIA ANY OF THE SIDE LEVERS, AND ON MY MODEL THE ONLY BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL ITSELF WERE FOR RADIO VOLUME AND STATION. I DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT, BUT I COULD IMAGINE DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES HAD THIS ISSUE ARISEN DURING DENSER TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

4/12/2014

WHILE GOING AROUND A RIGHT CORNER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A DRY DAY AND OTHER VEHICLES GOING MUCH FASTER THAN MY VEHICLE. THE CAR APPLIED THE BRAKES IN AN AGGRESSIVE MANNER IN THE OPPOSING DIRECTION OF THE TURN AS IF IT WANTED ME TO GO STRAIGHT I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE IN THE LEFT LANE. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN ABOUT THE ISSUE. I FIRST BROUGHT THE CAR IN ON 1/13/14 AND WAS TOLD NO MALFUNCTIONS FOUND. I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN ON 2/15/14 AND WAS TOLD VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN ON 3/14/14 TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP AND THIS TIME THEY FOUND THAT THE TIRES WERE SET AT 41.5 PSI. THE RECOMMEND PRESSURE IS 30PSI. I WAS TOLD THAT WITH HIGHER PSI THE WHEELS WOULD BOUNCE AND COULD LOOSE TRACTION. I NEVER HAD TO A AIR TO ANY OF MY TIRES SINCE PURCHASE. DURING THESE OCCASION MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR A NUMBER OF REASON ALONG WITH A SQUEAKING SUSPENSION AND BACKUP CAMERA ISSUES AND AT NOT TIME NO ONE NOTICED THE ADDITIONAL 11 PSI. AFTER DRIVING FOR A WEEK IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN ON 3/21/14 EVEN AFTER THE TIRE PRESSURE ADJUSTMENT. I AM SCHEDULE TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER 3/27/14. ALL THIS TIME I'M LEFT TO DRIVE THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE BECAUSE VOLKSWAGEN WANTS TO TRY AGAIN AND FIX THE PROBLEMS WITHOUT GIVING ME A LOANER TO AVOID THE LEMON LAW OF 30 OUT OF USE IN MARYLAND. SO FAR IT'S BEEN 20DAYS OUT OF USE BECAUSE OF THE REPAIRS. *TR

3/26/2014

I PURCHASED A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI SEL ON 03-31-2014. I WAS DRIVING IT HOME WHEN I WENT THROUGH A FREEWAY INTERCHANGE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE ROAD WAS DRY AND OTHER VEHICLES WERE GOING THROUGH THE INTERCHANGE AT A SPEED FASTER THAN ME. THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) APPLIED THE BRAKES IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT TRIED TO STRAIGHT MY VEHICLE OUT INTO THE TURN, CAUSING ME TO NEARLY HIT THE GUARD RAIL. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE VW DEALER THE NEXT MORNING AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE ESC ISSUE AND THE FACT THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT (ALIGNMENT ISSUE). THEY CHECKED IT AND FOUND NOTHING AND EVEN SAID THE ALIGNMENT WAS FINE. THEY SAID THE ESC SOUNDED NORMAL TO THEM. I'VE BEEN DRIVING THE SAME ROADS FOR 20 YEARS AND I KNEW THIS WASN'T NORMAL. I MADE VIDEOS OF THE ESC CAR SLOWING ME DOWN BELOW HIGHWAY SPEEDS AROUND SWEEPING CORNERS. I WAS TAKING MY DAUGHTER HOME ONE DAY AND A FORD EXPLORER NEARLY REAR ENDED ME. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES, DURING WHICH THEY CORRECTED THE ALIGNMENT AND FIXED A TRIM PANEL THAT WAS FALLING DOWN. THE ESC THEY MAINTAIN IS WORKING PERFECTLY. THE FUNNY THING IS I ALSO HAVE A 2014 VW JETTA TDI THAT NEVER ENGAGES THE ESC, THOUGH IS EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME SYSTEM. I DROVE A 2014 VW CC AS A LOANER AND THE ESC NEVER ENGAGED. THIS SYSTEM IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE IF VW IS ALLOWED TO TELL CONSUMERS THERE ISN'T A PROBLEM WITH THEIR PROGRAMMING OR HARDWARE. *TR

5/5/2014

AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY A WEEK I REALIZED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A SLIGHT INCONVENIENCE TURNS OUT TO BE A MAJOR VISIBILITY ISSUE. I HAD NOTICED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THAT IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC THE INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR CAUSES BLIND SPOTS. AT FIRST I NOTICED THAT THIS WAS BLOCKING THE UPPER SECTIONS OF MOST SEDAN TYPE VEHICLES. HOWEVER ON THE DATE IN QUESTION I WAS IN MAJOR TRAFFIC THERE WAS A DELIVERY TRUCK WITH A HIGHER ROAD CLEARANCE. THIS VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING LEFT INTO MY LANE. THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS BLOCKING MY ABILITY TO SEE THE TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS ON THE REAR OF THE DELIVERY TRUCK. AFTER NOTICING THIS ISSUE I TOOK GREATER CONCERN WHEN DRIVING AND LOOKING AT THE VISIBILITY. THEN ON THE 27TH WHILE DRIVING TO A LOCAL PARK THE INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR ONLY ALLOWED ME TO SEE ABOUT A SMALL PORTION OF THEIR LOWER TORSO. THE CYCLIST WAS IN THE BIKE LANE JUST OFF MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. THIS WAS STILL THE ISSUE WHEN THE CYCLIST WAS SLIGHTLY AHEAD OF MY CAR. IF THE CYCLIST HAD SIGNALED HE WAS MERGING INTO MY LANE FOR THE UPCOMING INTERSECTION I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THE HAND SIGNAL. LUCKILY BECAUSE I KNOW THERE IS A BLIND SPOT BASICALLY IN FRONT MY CAR I WAS ABLE TO AVOID ANY INCIDENT. THESE ISSUES WOULD NORMALLY NOT BE AN ISSUE AS MOST REAR VIEW MIRRORS HAVE BOTH THE ABILITY TO TILT (UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT) HOWEVER ALSO CAN BE MOVED AROUND TWO INCHES UPWARD, DOWNWARD , LEFT AND RIGHT. THIS IS DUE TO THE BALL JOINTS AT BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER (BASE) OF THE INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR. HOWEVER ON A NUMBER OF VW VEHICLES THEY DO NOT HAVE THE LOWER (BASE) BALL JOINT. THUS I AM UNABLE TO POSITION THE INTERNAL REARVIEW MIRROR TO AN APPROPRIATE LOCATION. HOPEFULLY I CAN HAVE THIS RESOLVED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. *TR

10/29/2014

MY CAR SUFFERED A CLOGGED HEATER CORE WITH 25K MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE RESULT WAS LOW CABIN HEAT AND AN INABILITY TO MAINTAIN WINDSHIELD VISIBILITY USING THE DEFROSTER SETTING WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES DROPPED DURING WINTER. SYMPTOMS OCCUR WHEN STATIONARY OR MOVING.

1/30/2016

THE LAMP FOR SIDELIGHTS FRONT RIGHT WAS DEFECT. *TR

8/15/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INDICATING THAT THE HEADLAMP WAS OUT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

6/21/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE GLASS ON THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,300. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

12/24/2014

THE SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. NOTHING HIT THE VEHICLE YET VW REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGED SUNROOF. THREE PASSENGERS CAN ATTEST TO THE FACT NOTHING HIT THE VEHICLE AND NOTHING ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SUNROOF. IT SIMPLY SHATTERED. *TR

1/28/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT, WHO WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER, SUSTAINED RIB INJURIES, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HAND INJURIES, AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANT SUSTAINED MINOR ABRASIONS. ALL PASSENGERS REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED, BUT WAS TOWED AWAY FROM THE CRASH SCENE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

10/6/2015

EXCESS VIBRATIONS WHILE BRAKING ON VEHICLE WITH 30K MILES. DEALER CLAIMS THAT ISSUE IS IN THE BREAKING SYSTEM, PROBABLY DEFORMATION OF ROTOR CAUSING UNSAFE AND EXCESS VIBRATIONS WHILE BREAKING. THE VIBRATION IS BIG ENOUGH TO MOVE THE STEERING WHILE BREAKING CAUSING SAFETY ISSUES. THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR A CAR WITH LOW MILEAGE. PROBABLY ROTOR DESIGN NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ROAD CONDITIONS AT US.

11/16/2015

I WAS DRIVING ON THE NORTHERN STATE PARKWAY GOING EAST AROUND 8 AM. THERE WAS CONSTRUCTION ALONGSIDE THE ROAD, AS WELL AS MANY POTHOLES. AS I WAS EXITING FOR THE LIE, THERE WAS A BIG POTHOLE THAT I COULD NOT AVOID. I HIT THE POTHOLE AND MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *JS

6/13/2014

I WAS DRIVING ON THE NORTHERN STATE PARKWAY GOING EAST AROUND 8 AM. THERE WAS CONSTRUCTION ALONGSIDE THE ROAD, AS WELL AS MANY POTHOLES. AS I WAS EXITING FOR THE LIE, THERE WAS A BIG POTHOLE THAT I COULD NOT AVOID. I HIT THE POTHOLE AND MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *TR

6/19/2014

SINCE PURCHASED WE HAVE FOUND THE RNS-510 RADIO NAVIGATION ASYSTEM TO BE A DANGEROUS ITEM THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. THEIR TECH TIPS NUMBER, TT 91-13-01 DATED 2/8/2013, UPDATED ON 5/9/2014 BASICALLY TELLS THE CAR OWNER TO JUST LIVE WITH IT. I THINK NOT SINCE IT IS DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING. IN SPEAKING WITH VW TECHS AT A NUMBER OF DEALERSHIPS I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS SYSTEM IS , "CRAP', "SUCKS", " IS UNDERPOWERED", "HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS INTRODUCED", "IS A PAIN IN THE [XXX]", "WILL NEVER WORK RIGHT BECAUSE IT IS UNDERPOWERED". MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF CONCERNS WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED RADIO NAVIGATION SYSTEM. WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND WAITING FROM 3-7 SECONDS THE REARVIEW CAMERA SHOWS A PICTURE.WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE THE REARVIEW CAMERA STAYS ON THE SCREEN FOR AROUND 8-9 SECONDS. MY WIFE HAS FOUND THIS DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS IN MOVING FORWARD BUT HAVING A REAR VIEW STILL VISIBLE ON THE SCREEN TAKING THE DRIVERS ATTENTION FROM CONCENTRATING ON THE ROAD AHEAD. THE RADIO TOUCH SCREEN IS ALSO A PROBLEM THAT AT TIMES REQUIRES MULTIPLE TOUCHES TO GET A CHANNEL CHANGE, AGAIN A DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVE. NOW THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM IN THIS UNIT ALSO IS A PAIN. WHEN MY WIFE WOULD USE THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM THE MAP WOULD FREEZE UP ON THE ORIGINAL STREETS AND NOT PROGRESS AS SHE WENT FORWARD. I TRIED ALL OF THESE THINGS AND AGREE COMPLETELY. THIS UNIT IS GARBAGE THAT IS A BIG DISTRACTION THAT VW HAS KNOWN ABOUT SINCE THE RNS-510 WAS FIRST INTRODUCED. THE RNS-510 CAME IN MY PASSAT SEL PREMIUM WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE TOP END PASSAT. ONE WOULD THINK THAT SUCH A VEHICLE WOULD CONTAIN A UNIT THAT WOULD FUNCTION IN A SAFE MANNER. I THINK THIS IS THE TYPE OF DEFECTIVE PART THAT SHOULD REQUIRE A RECALL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

8/17/2014

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT THAT SCARED THAT[XXX] OUT MY FAMILY AND ME. VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE AN OUTSIDE SOURCE HIT IT. FIRST THERE WAS NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME AT LEAST FOR 200 METERS. SECOND IT LOOKS LIKE THE GLASS PUSHED OUT FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I ASKED IF THEY HAD ANY PROOF AND TOLD ME THAT THE GLASS WAS PUSHED OUT AND THAT SOMETHING HAD TO HIT IT. THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY HALF THE COST BUT I BELIEVE THEY DON'T WANT TO PAY THE FULL COST BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT ADMIT TO FAULT. IF A SUNROOF JUST DOES NOT EXPLODE, WHY ON YOU TUBE A CAMERA CAUGHT VOLKSWAGEN EXPLODING SUNROOF. VW JUST DOES NOT WANT TO REPORT PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF RECALLS. I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE FROM YOUR AGENCY INVESTIGATE, I HAVE NOT YET ORDERED THEM TIP FIX THE SUNROOF. IT'S AT THE DEALER IN UNION, NJ IF ARE WILLING TO INSPECT. THERE IS NO SCUFF MARK FROM AN OBJECT HITTING IT. I AM 99.9 SURE NOTHING HIT THE SUNROOF. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

2/2/2015

TAKATA INFLATORS, AIRBAG INFLATED ON IT'S OWN WHILE TURNING LEFT INTO A PARKING LOT AND CAUSED MY WIFE TO LOOSE CONTROL AND HIT A STATIONARY OBJECT-SIGN POLE CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE ($8,000) TO THIS VEHICLE. VEHICLE IN REPAIR FACILITY FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS AWAITING REPLACEMENT AIRBAG AND SEATBELT PART FROM VW. AIRBAG INFLATED AND SEATBELT LOCKED UP ON PASSENGER SIDE.

4/30/2016

TAKATA RECALL: VW TRAVELING IN RIGHT MOST LANE OF 4 LANE CITY STREET WHEN VEHICLE IN OPPOSING LANE MADE AN ILLEGAL LEFT ON TURN IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT OF VW. VW IMPACTED TURNING VEHICLE IN MIDDLE OF PASSENGER SIDE. ACCIDENT REPORT ATTACHED. DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER/STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG RESULTED IN SEVER GASH TO DRIVER'S LEFT HAND - PHOTOS ATTACHED.

11/5/2016

TAKATA RECALL: VW TRAVELING IN RIGHT MOST LANE OF 4 LANE CITY STREET WHEN VEHICLE IN OPPOSING LANE MADE AN ILLEGAL LEFT ON TURN IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT OF VW. VW IMPACTED TURNING VEHICLE IN MIDDLE OF PASSENGER SIDE. ACCIDENT REPORT ATTACHED. DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER/STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG RESULTED IN SEVER GASH TO DRIVER'S LEFT HAND - PHOTOS ATTACHED.

11/5/2016

TWICE, ON MAY 12 AND ON OCTOBER 22, WHILE IN A PARKING LOT AND PULLING INTO A VERTICAL PARKING SPOT AT VERY LOW SPEED, I TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR, AND SUDDENLY THE CAR RAPIDLY SPED UP. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND I HIT A BRICK PLANTER THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, AND I HIT THE POST HOLDING UP THE FRONT OF A BUILDING THE SECOND TIME. THE BRAKE PEDAL ON THE PASSAT IS APPROXIMATELY 3" WIDE AND LOCATED ONLY AN INCH OR SO FROM THE ACCELERATOR. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT I HIT BOTH PEDALS WHILE TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT THAT DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO JUMP THE CURB AND HIT THE PLANTER AND THE BUILDING. FRIGHTENING SITUATION. I WASN'T INJURED THE FIRST TIME BUT WAS FAIRLY WELL SHAKEN UP THE SECOND. THE BODY SHOP SAID THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME EACH TIME. I TOOK THE CAR TO T HE VW DEALER AFTER THE FIRST ACCIDENT, BUT THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG.

11/6/2016

AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY A WEEK I REALIZED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A SLIGHT INCONVENIENCE TURNS OUT TO BE A MAJOR VISIBILITY ISSUE. I HAD NOTICED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THAT IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC THE INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR CAUSES BLIND SPOTS. AT FIRST I NOTICED THAT THIS WAS BLOCKING THE UPPER SECTIONS OF MOST SEDAN TYPE VEHICLES. HOWEVER ON THE DATE IN QUESTION I WAS IN MAJOR TRAFFIC THERE WAS A DELIVERY TRUCK WITH A HIGHER ROAD CLEARANCE. THIS VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING LEFT INTO MY LANE. THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS BLOCKING MY ABILITY TO SEE THE TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS ON THE REAR OF THE DELIVERY TRUCK. AFTER NOTICING THIS ISSUE I TOOK GREATER CONCERN WHEN DRIVING AND LOOKING AT THE VISIBILITY. THEN ON THE 27TH WHILE DRIVING TO A LOCAL PARK THE INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR ONLY ALLOWED ME TO SEE ABOUT A SMALL PORTION OF THEIR LOWER TORSO. THE CYCLIST WAS IN THE BIKE LANE JUST OFF MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. THIS WAS STILL THE ISSUE WHEN THE CYCLIST WAS SLIGHTLY AHEAD OF MY CAR. IF THE CYCLIST HAD SIGNALED HE WAS MERGING INTO MY LANE FOR THE UPCOMING INTERSECTION I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THE HAND SIGNAL. LUCKILY BECAUSE I KNOW THERE IS A BLIND SPOT BASICALLY IN FRONT MY CAR I WAS ABLE TO AVOID ANY INCIDENT. THESE ISSUES WOULD NORMALLY NOT BE AN ISSUE AS MOST REAR VIEW MIRRORS HAVE BOTH THE ABILITY TO TILT (UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT) HOWEVER ALSO CAN BE MOVED AROUND TWO INCHES UPWARD, DOWNWARD , LEFT AND RIGHT. THIS IS DUE TO THE BALL JOINTS AT BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER (BASE) OF THE INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR. HOWEVER ON A NUMBER OF VW VEHICLES THEY DO NOT HAVE THE LOWER (BASE) BALL JOINT. THUS I AM UNABLE TO POSITION THE INTERNAL REARVIEW MIRROR TO AN APPROPRIATE LOCATION. HOPEFULLY I CAN HAVE THIS RESOLVED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. *TR

10/29/2014

2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO TURN OFF AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO ACTIVATE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JUMP A CURB AND RUN OFF THE ROAD, INJURING THE CONSUMERS WIFE. *TA

12/16/2014

2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO TURN OFF AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO ACTIVATE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JUMP A CURB AND RUN OFF THE ROAD, INJURING THE CONSUMERS WIFE. *TA

12/16/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE DIRECTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000. UPDATED 4/6/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE GPS DIRECTED HER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE GPS CONSTANTLY GAVE OUT INCORRECT INFORMATION. UPDATED 07/07/15*JB

1/20/2015

2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION AND REQUESTS A BUY BACK OF VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST STEERING MALFUNCTION OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 8, 2014, WHICH CAUSED HER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN HER AND ANOTHER VEHICLE RUNNING OFF THE ROAD. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE ISSUE WAS DUE TO CORRODED WIRES IN THE STEERING BOX, A COMPUTER UPDATE WAS NEEDED AND IT WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. ON OCTOBER 22, 2014, THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED OCCURRED AGAIN AND SHE ALMOST HIT A PARKED VEHICLE AND A LIGHT POLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RACK AND HARNESS. ON NOVEMBER 6, 2014, THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION AGAIN. HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN ON DECEMBER 18, 2014. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE AMPLIFIER AND RADIO WERE REPLACED. *JB

3/10/2015

I BOUGHT A 2014 PASSAT TDI AND SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT I HAD MISALIGNMENT PROBLEM. I TRIED EVERYTHING AND JACK DANIELS VW DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO REPAIR IT. I HAVE BEEN TAKING VW TO CLAIM THE LEMON LAW IN THIS VEHICLE. I TRIED TO REPAIR MANY TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. FINALLY I MET A MECHANIC THAT MAYBE FOUND THE PROBLEM.HE TRIED TO BALANCE ALL 4 TIRES, ONCE HE BALANCED THE TIRE HE REMOVED THE TIRE FROM THE BALANCE MACHINE AND AGAIN PUT THE SAME SET WHEEL AND TIRE AGAIN TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE SAME EXACTLY TIRE HE JUST BALANCED TURNED UNBALANCED, AND THAT APPLIED TO EVERY WHEEL AND TIRE. HIS CONCLUSION WAS THAT EVERY WHEEL HAD A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND NOT THE ALIGNMENT. BUT NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER. THE WHEELS AND TIRES WERE ROTATED AND BALANCED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT ONCE IS SHOWS THAT IS BALANCED AND YOU RUN AGAIN THE SANE TIRE, IT GIVES AN ERROR THAT THE TIRE IS UNBALANCED

9/23/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE HEATER STOPPED AND THE WINDOWS FOGGED UP. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING AND THE HEATER STARTED NORMALLY AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY TIME THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

5/19/2016

2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FUEL LINE ODORS AND AIRBAG RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING A FUEL PROBLEM, TWO WEEKS LATER. ALSO, THE PARTS FOR THE AIR BAG WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB

6/13/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED EXTREME HEADACHES AND NAUSEA CONTINUOUSLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED CARBON MONOXIDE. THE DEALER REPLACED A HOSE, BUT THE ISSUE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

11/22/2016