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Volkswagen Passat

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Volkswagen • Beetle • Cabrio • Jetta • Jetta Windows • Passat • Toureg • Windows - All Models --- • Engine Sludge • Ignition Coils • Oil Burning • Engine Fires • Paint • Automan's Advice --- News • VW Rabbit Tops Affordable Hatchback Tests • VW Fined $1.1 Million for Clean Air Violations • VW Admits Sludge Problems

Chris of Knoxville, TN January 21, 2008

Chris of Knoxville TN (01/21/08)
I purchased a 2000 Passat 1.8L Turbo,new and thought it was the most well built car i had seen. I did began to notice that repairs even minor ones were a bit pricey but I attribute that to the cost of owning a foreign car. However at about 60k miles I got a STOP message stating that I should not drive the car any more as my brakes could fail at any time. upone going to the shop they said and doing some research ..this turned out ot be a known issue but if the warranty is out, i am out of luck..estimated cost to repair (a faulty sensor)nearly 2k. Needless to say if its only a sensor, i did not get it repaired and the car ran fine..i just had to live with the STOP error on the dash! which is not something i really want to have to wander about..what if there were another real issue? would i get the message?. Now at 90k miles the oil lamp comes on and it appears to be a compression/sludge problem. From my research this looks like a known issue as well.VW wants 2300 to fix a problem with a defect in THEIR workmanship and even more money of course if i have an engine failure . I cant afford this..and like everyone else in the forum, i dont have every receipt for oil changes..I have moved several times since we purchased the car. Asking us to produce the receipts is just wrong..they know it to be a sludge problem no amount of changing the oil would prevent it. If there is a an existing or new class action suit..count me in!! Chris Fox

Joe of Hudson, MA January 21, 2008

Joe of Hudson MA (01/21/08)
My 2005 Volkswagen Passat's engine caught on fire after driving 2 miles. My check enging light started to blink and then I saw my hood start to melt. There was black smoke bellowing from under my hood and I called 911 before my car even stopped. I was on a busy interstate and I thought my car is going to explode and/or be struck by an on coming vehicle. My car is 2 years old. I am renting a car that I am not sure if Volkswagen will pay for. I am surprised that Volkswagen would not recall something like this. I am looking around on the web and I am not the first nor will I be the last to have this happen to.

Mike of Commerce, MI January 9, 2008

Mike of Commerce MI (01/09/08)
I purchased a 2001 vw Passat from a dealership with about 60,000 miles on it. I am 22 years old and this is the first car I bought on my own. I drove it for about two years and one day when I was driving to school the oil light went on followed by a horrific grinding noise. I had it towed to Howard Cooper VW in Ann Arbor, Mi and they told me the engine was shot and a new one would cost 8,000-9,000. The problem the dealership told me was thats its an engine sludge problem and VW offers an extended warrenty for the problem. HAHA yea right. I submitted all the maintence paperwork I had since I bought the car I kept everything. Of course VW denied my claim because I bought it used from a dealership and did not have the previous owners maintence records my mistake right?. So here I sit still oweing about 7,000 on the car making my payments but have no car to drive! I cant go to school next semister if this doesnt get taken care of. What do I do now?

Jeffrey of Haddonfield, NJ November 26, 2007

Jeffrey of Haddonfield NJ (11/26/07)
Oil Pressure Low warning light on my 2002 Passat came on. Took car to nearest dealer right away. Sludge buildup in engine found. Am told I need engine replaced at cost of 9000. Have changed oil as recommended, including at VW dealer 8 weeks ago! No sludge problem ever mentioned! Dealer and VW Customer Care center informed me that I am covered under an 8-year extended warranty on engine, but they will not honor since I cannot produce all dated/numbered receipts showing oil changes since Dec. 2001! Two of the places I have had oil changed at cannot give me records prior to 2005! I am stuck -- and I am guilty, in VW's eyes, unless I can prove myself innocent. Ridiculous -- they know they have a faulty engine/oil pump problem that causes sludge, otherwise, why did they automatically extend the 4-year warranty to 8 years for EVERY Passat owner?

Raymundo of San Antonio, TX November 9, 2007

Raymundo of San Antonio TX (11/09/07)
We too have had lots of problems with my 1999 Passat (Turbo). The car has had the turbo replaced, valve work, and gasket work. All this and we're still < 100K miles. VW 'says' oil consumption on this car is typical. EHHH!? We have a Toyota Tundra with 150K miles; 5 quarts go in. 4.99 quarts come out. I found this on the web: http://www.shulaw.com/unfair/vw-audi.asp We called them and plan on getting on their list. We figure what do we have to lose beside just more oil??? Sincerely, Raymundo Rivera, P.E. Electrical Engineer Alane Rivera, P.E. Civil Engineer San Antonio, TX

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