1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Complaints

WHILE DRIVING 5-10 MPH NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED OVER AND SAW BURNING LIQUID COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. PLEASE ADD FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

KNOWN ISSUE WITH VWOA, ALSO HAPPENS ON AUDI A4/A6. VW REFUSES TO REPAIR PROBLEM, BUT THEY HAVE A REPAIR KIT FOR THE CAONTROL ARMS, BUSHINGS AND BALL-JOINTS

I HAVE INFORMED THE DEALER AND I IMFORMED THEM ABOUT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE AND THERE WAS TSB CALL FOR THE ITEM THEY TOLD ME THAT I DONT QUAILIFY FOR THAT PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THEIR A BUSHING FAILURE ON BOTH SIDE OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IT MADE IT LOOSE AND YOU CAN FEEL IT IN THE WHEELS AND STEERING WHEEL. IT WOULD BE A EASY FIX IF THEY JUST REPLACE THE BUSHING BUT THEY DONT JUST SELL THE BUSHING THEY SELL THE WHOLE LOWER CONTROL ARM. I HAVE TECHNICAL KNOWLEGDE ABOUT THE CARS AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. ITS A SAFETY ISSUE TO ANYONE. IF THE PERSON DOES NOT KNOW WHAT GOING ON. THEY WILL CONTINUE DRIVING THEIR UNSAFE CAR. THE SUSPENSION TEST ON THE INSPECTION STATION WILL NOT DETECT THE PROBLEM. IT WILL AFFECT THE ALIGNMENT AND THE DRIVE SHAFT AND STEERING.*AK

BEING A MEMBER OF A VW PASSAT FORUM, I KNOW MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME FAILURE. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK

THE R/F AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED DUE TO AN UNDERSIDE IMPACT, THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE SIDE IMPACT BEAM OR ANYWHERE ON THE STRUCTURAL FRAME. NLM

WHILE TRAVLING NOTICED HOT STEAM COMING FROM ENGINE. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDERS AND NOTICED COOLING SYSTEM HOSE WAS CUT BY ENGINE COVER WHEN VIBRATING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED HOT STEAM COMING FROM ENGINE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, OPENED HOOD, AND NOTICED COOLING HOSE WAS CUT BY ENGINE COVER FROM VIBRATION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, DEALER HAS REPLACED AIRBAG SENSOR 5 TIMES. DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. VOLKSWAGEN REP HAD DEALER REWIRE ENTIRE VEHICLE. AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN AT THIS TIME. PLEASE ADD FURTHER COMMENTS. *AK

BRAKES STICKING TO DRUMS AND NO BRAKE LIGHT WARNING OF PENDING STOP. PROBLEM NEVER ADDRESSED BY VW, THE DEALERSHIP OR CORPORATE. THE PROBLEM CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND PREMATURELY CAUSED WEAR ON ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES TWICE IN 40,000 MILES. THE MOST RECENT AT 12,000 MILES USAGE. VW SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. *AK

CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO STEERING/SUSPENSION ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS, THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED RECALL SERVICE WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORIZATION WHICH COST THE CONSUMER ADDITIONAL MONEY AND REPAIR WORK, CONSUMER IS VERY UNSATISFIED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DEALERSHIP WHILE REPAIRING VEHICLE AND REQUEST ASSISTANCE. *MJS