Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
200241905/24/200710021958Intermittent windshield wiper, wipes across windshield once then stops. *kb06/27/2007

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
VISIBILITY
01/01/201130000
 2002 vw passat plastic lens cover over the head lights are so filmy, cloudy can hardly see at night..the lens covers have been cloudy for years, i notice lots of cars with cloudy lens cover not just vw...should be saftey recall..... do we wait like we did on no doc loans until we admit we have a ptoblem.........no exact incident but i'm sure they have happened
06/05/200755000
 The headlight lens on my passat have become clouded over time resulting in reduced brightness from the headlamps and creating an unsafe driving condition at night. in discussing the issue with other passat owners, it's clear that this is a common problem. the reduced brightness has become a true safety hazard over time as visibility at night is severely affected. the lens is actually opaque at this point. volkswagen denies responsibility as the car is out of warranty.
12/01/20027000107/31/2002
 Nar 3-10-03 with the consumer vehicle having less than 7000 miles, many problems occurred, the front and rear windows froze from the inside, the vehicle began to stall, the ignition coil needed to be replaced, the glove compartment flooded when it rained or snowed, also the carpets and pollen filter were damaged due to the flood. the consumers was very disappointed and suggested that a full refund be given or have volvo to give them a new 2003 passat, equally equipped as the 2002 at the same purchase price. *cb *jb
VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM
08/01/20024000108/01/2002
 Consumer stated when defrosting front windshield, the defroster was blowing air from outside of the vehicle. *jb
VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - HEATER CORE
07/26/2002500301/01/2002
 Tl*the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen passat. the contact stated that her vehicle was a lemon when she purchased it in 2002. water enters the vehicle from the sun roof whenever it rains. she received a recall notice, but the vehicle was not repaired according to the recall. the vehicle was taken to the dealer more than fifteen times, but it has never been repaired. the failure mileage was 500 miles. updated 8/24/09 *cn the consumer was told the water leak was coming from the after market speaker. the headlight tail light and fog light bulbs were replaced. the check engine light illuminated and the coolant bottle had a hairline crack. the heat in the vehicle was not working properly. the technician discovered the heater core had a blockage. the water pump was leaking. both outer cv boots were replaced. there was a large evap leak at the purge valve which was replaced. the cruise control light was on. the right side valve cover gasket was leaking oil and the alternator was replaced. updated 08/26/09. *jb
03/01/200657700109/15/2001
 Dt*: the contact stated while driving a terrible smell was present and white gases started coming from the vents. it was taken to an independent repair shop where the mechanic determined the heater core needed to be replaced. the manufacturer has been alerted. 04/11/06. *jb
02/26/200652250106/29/2002
 Car is 3 1/2 years old. 52,500 miles. (2500 miles out of warranty) engine coolant flushed/replaced at 40,000 miles as required. heater core just failed while on the freeway, blowing vapor into the cabin and steaming up the windows to the point the car was barely drivable. vw america would not assist with the repair citing the age of the vehicle. i guess vw considers a car that's less than 4 years old to have significant problems. repair cost is close to $1300. i will never buy a vw again, and i have already dissuaded a colleague at work from buying one as he was in the market for a new car. *jb
03/05/2002803/02/2002
 There were numerous problems with this vehicle. the filter and carpet on the back passenger side was replaced. the mlp light had come on and the dealer installed a new vacuum hose. the radio did not work, standing water was found in the back right side of the vehicle under the front seat, the pollen filter was clogged and the air pollen filter was cracked due to the factory, the back door locks refused to open and could not be opened from the inside or out, a bumping noise was heard coming from under the vehicle, the engine revved, the vehicle lurched forward and accelerated at rapid speed all while the brakes were pumped with no response. the vehicle hit a curb doing over 50 mph all while pumping the brakes until it finally stopped 20-30 yards into a field damaging tires, rims and the bumper. *sc *jb
VISIBILITY - GLASS, SIDE/REAR
03/29/20041
 I was driving on the freeway when my driver side window shattered and imploded for no explainable reason. dealership refused to replace window as manufacturer defect. the service dealer said he had never heard of this happening before and that there had been no other complaints regarding this. *ak
VISIBILITY - POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
03/10/200890000210/15/2006
 This is the second time that the window regulator has gone out on my 2002 vw passat 4motion glx.
09/15/200317952
 Four ignition coils defective - replaced defective ignition - key stuck in car for over nine days defective stereo - replaced twice to date defective electrical - windows and locks go up and down while driving, gas cap pops open unexpectedly computer problem - computer blacks out at times defective wheel bearing - replaced at 17,952 miles defective motor blower - replaced defective rear wheel lining - replaced
09/05/200313000205/31/2002
 Automatic lock and power window on rear passenger side door are inoperative. dealer took two attempts to fix it. on the first, they applied some electrolytic grease in the hope that it would be enough. the next time they replaced the motor and lock unit. *ak
VISIBILITY - SUN ROOF ASSEMBLY
07/28/2008750001
 Water leakage from sunroof to floor boards. the sunroof has drainage tubes, that can and will become clogged. water on floorboard can lead to transmission problems. tubes had to be unclogged, located on front door frames. *tr
12/21/200995000
 Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen passat. while driving on the highway at 70 mph the sun roof exploded. fragments of glass fell all over of the vehicle. a representative from the manufacturer stated that they are not aware of this type of failure. the failure mileage was 95,000.
07/26/2002500301/01/2002
 Tl*the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen passat. the contact stated that her vehicle was a lemon when she purchased it in 2002. water enters the vehicle from the sun roof whenever it rains. she received a recall notice, but the vehicle was not repaired according to the recall. the vehicle was taken to the dealer more than fifteen times, but it has never been repaired. the failure mileage was 500 miles. updated 8/24/09 *cn the consumer was told the water leak was coming from the after market speaker. the headlight tail light and fog light bulbs were replaced. the check engine light illuminated and the coolant bottle had a hairline crack. the heat in the vehicle was not working properly. the technician discovered the heater core had a blockage. the water pump was leaking. both outer cv boots were replaced. there was a large evap leak at the purge valve which was replaced. the cruise control light was on. the right side valve cover gasket was leaking oil and the alternator was replaced. updated 08/26/09. *jb
12/01/2006521071
 2002 volkswagen passat defective sunroof. consumer states that she didn't drive the vehicle for one week and when she started driving it, there was a sloshing noise. she noticed the entire rear floorboard was flooded with water. *kb the dealer informed the consumer the problem was inherent and there was definitely a defect in the sunroof design. *jb
09/21/200648000612/23/2005
 Sun roof cycles on its own to raise and lower aftter end (in the moon roof mode). *jb
09/20/200645000109/02/2001
 Dt*: the contact stated there was a leak from the sunroof that went under the floor mat on the passenger side affecting the computer that controlled the vehicle. it was taken to the service dealer, who determined a new computer was needed.
06/06/200655000106/15/2005
 Dt*: the contact stated the passenger side floor board flooded. then while traveling at 35 mph, numerous warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealership where it was determined the sunroof drains had clogged, causing the flooding and a short in a module in the wiring system. the debris in the drains was blown out. updated 6/19/2006 - this has continued to be a problem. *nm
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD
07/12/20024000101/01/2002
 There is a crack in windshield starting in front of driver below wiper blade, up 5 inches and over 3 feet. the crack appeared when the car was parked in direct sun on a hot day in a parking lot pointed away from other moving vehicles. there is only one shared of glass missing from behind the wiper that is perhaps 1/4 inch long and 1/8 inch deep. vw maintains this is an impact point as determined by running a ballpoint pen along the crack. my position is that this is a defect. the heat and expansion caused the crack. in order for this to be impact related, a tiny stone would have to hit behind the wiper from directly overhead. the laws of physics rules out that an object with so little mass could have had enough energy to cause this much damage. *la
02/22/2003134751
 The windshield cracked, while the vehicle was parked, the dealer indicated it was caused by the weather.*jb
 Windshield at an acute angle has a distortion or loss of clarity. blur starts in corners and edges of glass one end to the other. problem is very noiiceable. dealer was notified. please provide more information.*ak
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
01/18/20045000101/26/2002
 Automobile requires special windshield wipers which are only available through dealers. these are currently on national backorder with no time to fulfill. wipers are generally of poor quality anyway and thus the need to replace to maintain visibility is imperative. *cb
11/06/2003102/13/2002
 Windshield wipers bounce/stutters across the wind shield in light to mild rain causing unsafe visibility while driving the vehicle. manufacturer warrants wipers for period of 12,000 miles, dealer was told about the unsafe conditions, however they did not document my complaint. they always told me that they were ok. *la
04/03/2003010/06/2001
 Whenever you use the windshield washer, some of the fluid gets into the vent and you can smell it in the cabin and even sometimes taste it as you are driving. i believe windshield washer fluid is toxic. i have two late model volkswagens, they both do this everytime. i've never experienced this with any other car i've driven before.
09/29/2002
 Consumer states that while driving and when wipers are in motion the wiper arm is causing a crack to appear on the front windshield. dealer will be notified. mr