1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Complaints

CAR OWNER HAS CALLED 3 DEALERS AND VOLKSWAGAN CONSTANTLY SINCE OCTOBER 99.NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

AT APPROX. 30,000 MILES, RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING BEGAN TO INTERMITENTLY EMIT A DRY, DRONING, WHINING SOUND. SOUND BECAME LOUDER AND MORE REGULAR OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. AT 37,000 MILES, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS WORN OUT. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR AT THEIR EXPENSE. I DON'T FEEL THAT A WHEEL BEARING SHOULD FAIL AFTER JUST 37,000 MILES. THE OTHER THREE WHEEL BEARINGS SEEM TO BE FINE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF JUST ONE OF FOUR BEARINGS FAILS, IT IS REASONABLE TO ASSUME THAT BEARING IS DEFFECTIVE. I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR. *AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON FRONTAL COLLISION AT 45 MPH DURING WHICH BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

RECALL # 99V248000 VW/TIE RODS; OWNER HAS CONTACTED DEALER/ MANUFACTURER TWICE ABOUT RECALL NOTICE. MANUFACTURER OR DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. DEALER TELLS OWNER TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. MANUFACTURER, IN TURN, TELLS OWNER TO CONTACT DEALER. OWNER RECEIVED NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER 1999. *AK

LOOSE SHIFTER CAUSING SPORADIC SHIFTING FROM AUTOMATIC TO MANUAL TRANSMISSION CONTROL. NLM

VW HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSATS ELECTRICAL. VERY DANGEROUS. CAR STALLS INTERMITTENT. ALMOST GOT HIT MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN THE CAR STALLED. ALMOST LOST CONTROL ON THE FREEWAY WHEN CAR LOSS ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE ENGINE. *AK

ONGOING DISPUTE WITH VCI AND VW OVER LEASE PAYMENTS AND RECALL AND DAMAGES. NO SAFETY DEFECTS MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AN HIT CONSUMER ON FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER'S SIDE. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CAR IS NOW AT BODY SHOP. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE CONTROL ARM WHICH BROKE CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, PRIOR TO INCIDENT VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR NOISE, NO REPAIR MADE AT THAT TIME, RECALL CAMPAIGN (99V-248)WAS NOT COMPLETED, WHICH WOULD POSSIBLY HAVE PREVENTED THE INCIDENT. *MJS

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER 99V248000. CONTACTED DEALER , NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR 6 CYLINDER VEHICLES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK