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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

Laura of Farmingdale, NY September 21, 2006

Laura of Farmingdale NY (09/21/06)
My Passat's oil and check engine light would go on and off periodically. Then the car overheated and said to stop, which I did. When I opened the hood, there was sludge all over the engine and I had to have it towed to my mechanic. My mechanic advised that he had never seen anything this bad before. It cost 1,600 (that time)to fix it. Two days after I picked up the car, it happened again!

Another 1,600 to fix it plus 500 in rental fees that were not covered by my insurance. I contacted VW about the sludge problem and I come to find out that most 2001 Passats have an inherent sludge problem and VW has extended the warranty for 8 years with regard to his problem. VW has ignored me and a rep. from VW told my mechanic not bother towing my car to a VW because she knows VW won't cover it. No one from VW would even look at it or has returned my calls. How does VW know I'm not covered? They wouldn't even look at it. I tried, believe me. And now I'm sure they'll say, we have no way of knowing because the car is fixed.

VW has been blowing me off for a month and I can get no help from them. (I know they are trying to wear me down but that's not going to happen. I have faithfully changed my oil every 3000 miles and have all the receipts. I have never used my Certified Pre_Owned warranty. We bought the car from Donaldsson VW in Sayville NY in 2003 w/34,000 miles on it. I spoke with Bill the service manager at Donaldsons VW who treated like some dumb bimbo!! He also refused to look at it. It cost 3300 to fix the sludge problem, which is inherent in many 2001 Passats. I was told VW extended the warranty for this problem for 8 years, but NO ONE will even talk to me.

Timothy of Houston, TX August 31, 2006

Timothy of Houston TX (08/31/06)
I have a '99 Passat that I bought with a 100 year/100,000 mile drive train warranty. I haven't passed either of those marks. The oil changes have been maintained according to manufacturers guidelines. Recently the oil pump went out which should be covered by the warranty as a lubricated part. The problem was oil sludge. The dealership where I bought the car and where all but a few the most recent oil changes and other maintenance have been performed has been sold twice since I bought the car. Some of my maintenance records were purged.

Between the stamped maintenance manual, printouts of the records that were not purged, and receipts for work preformed outside of the dealership, I can show all maintenance was performed in accordance with the warranty requirements. In fact, the records still in their system show that warranty work was performed well after the dates of the purged records. Volkswagen still declines to pay for the work unless I can produce the paper receipts for each oil change. Customer service informed me that that is Volkswagen's official policy in oil sludge cases.

Patricia of New Milford, CT August 30, 2006

Patricia of New Milford CT (08/30/06)
I brought my 2001 Passat in with 50,000 miles. My car is kept in a garage and has maintenece every 3000 miles. The engine light came on. My car was diagnosed with clogged water drains under my rugs causing my computer on my Transmission to fail. New part 1200 plus labor. Dealership says it is a design defect but VW America wont stand behind their product. I have called VW America about 9 times, my car is still not fixed a week later. VW America says it is due to outside forces so not covered. Meaning my car was out in the rain!!!

I've checked with three other VW Mechanics at other garages they all are seeing the same problems with the Passats.  The corporate office refuses to help with what is a design defect. Note the new Passats have been changed the water lines are no longer done like in my vehicle. My lines are hidden under the roof liner and carpets. Nothing in their manual says to keep them clear and there was no TSB.

Mary of Manchester, PA August 22, 2006

Mary of Manchester PA (08/22/06)
I took my 2003 Passat in because, while driving down the highway, a red light came on, saying STOP MOTOR, OIL PRESSURE. So, I took it to the nearest gas station, and it was checked. It had oil, which was fairly clean. Nevertheless, I got an oil change anyway. The car ran fine for several days but then the light came back on. I took it to the Volkswagen dealer in York, PA. They informed me that unless I could produce EVERY receipt for EVERY oil change I had, the warranty was null and void.

I appealed to the VW headquarters and they said the same thing as the dealer. The dealer said that it would cost between 1500 and 8000. This is absolutely ridiculous for a car with only 45,000 miles on it. A mechanic told me that VW engines are known to have sludge problems. This is the biggest ripoff I've ever heard of. A warranty should be a warranty, period.

The economic consequences are devastating--anywhere from 1500 to 8000 for a car with only 45,000 miles on it. There is no choice, either, because this is a leased car.

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