1999 Volkswagen PASSAT: complaints, problems and recalls

THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE IS NOT POSTED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL OR ON THE VEHICLE, AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 110.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000481 at NHTSA ↗

COILPACK FAILURE IN VOLKSWAGEN 2.8 LITER V6 AND 1.8 LITER INLINE FOUR CYLINDER ENGINES

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000750 at NHTSA ↗

I PURCHASED A 1999 VOLKSWAGAN PASSAT IN APRIL OF 2002 WITH 49,000 MILES ON IT THE TIMING BELT BROKE ON IT AT 58,000 MILES IN SEPTEMBER OF THAT SAME YEAR. AS PER VOLKSWAGON, THE BELT IS NOT DUE TO BE CHANGED UNTIL 105,000 MILES. IT RUINED THE TOP END OF MY ENGINE, COST TO REPAIR IS 3,000-4,000 DOLLARS. VOLKSWAGAN WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY OF THE COST, I FIND THIS TO BE UNFAIR THAT I SHOULD GET ONLY 6 MONTHS USE OUT OF A CAR THAT I STILL OWE 17,000 DOLLARS ON.

Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002948 at NHTSA ↗

CREAKING/SQUEAKING NOISE FROM FRONT-RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE OF FRONT CONTROL ARMS. DEALER INDICATED NEED OF REPLACING CONTROL ARMS FOR WEAR. VEHICLE MANUFACTURED IN 99 WITH 92414 MILES, MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES, DOES NOT GIVE A REASON FOR THESE TO FAIL AS MOST CARS HAVE CONTROL ARMS TO LAST A LIFETIME OF A VEHICLE HENCE FAILING AT THE CAR'S CURRENT CONDITION SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 92,353 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003592 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING AT 25MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TOTAL BRAKE LOSS. CAUSING A FIRE TO THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND WILL COST $2,8000 TO REPLACE THE ABS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003694 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT BROKE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FREEZE UP. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003897 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON THEN ENGINE WOULD FAIL. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004175 at NHTSA ↗

FAILURE OF COIL PACK WITHIN EPA EMISSIONS WARRANTY PERIOD NOT COVERED BY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. AT 3.5 YEARS/78402 MILES AFTER PURCHASE, ONE OF THE 4 COIL PACKS ON MY 1999 VW PASSAT FAILED, LEAVING THE VEHICLE RUNNING ON 3 CYLINDERS TO TRANSPORT ME TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT. THE COST WAS $174.25, BUT FORTUNATELY THERE WAS A REPLACEMENT COIL IN STOCK, SO THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE BUT FOR 1 DAY. I HAVE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT VW IS PAYING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART ON 2001 AND 2002 PASSATS, BUT WHY NOT MY 1999?

Owner-reported narrative. 78,402 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005409 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2000-12-06 (December 6, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.

Consequence: IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

Reported: 2002-01-25 (January 25, 2002)

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Reported: 2008-04-07 (April 7, 2008)

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A FUEL LINE (1.8T ENGINES ONLY) OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) THAT CAN LEAK DUE TO FRACTURE.

Consequence: A HEAT SHIELD THAT MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. IN ADDITION, A FUEL LEAK FROM A FUEL LINE OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS TO COVER THE POSSIBLY DAMAGED AREAS AND FLASH ALL 1.8T ENGINES WITH A PRECAUTIONARY SOFTWARE UPDATE. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT AND ADJUST THE FUEL LINE ROUTING ON 1.8T VEHICLES AND THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE ON 4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES, AND REPLACE COMPONENTS IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Reported: 1999-05-21 (May 21, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A CONTROL VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTING THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FULLY AT TEMPERATURES BELOW -4 F UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A VACUUM BY-PASS SYSTEM INTO VEHICLES OPERATED IN THESE STATES WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VACUUM FOR FULL BRAKE ASSIST UNDER ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Reported: 1999-09-13 (September 13, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.

Consequence: IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.