Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||||
| TB-35-11-01 | 06/06/2011 | 10041250 | Ready | 09/21/2011 | |
| TB-35-11-01 | 06/06/2011 | 10041250 | Volkswagen: the gear box has a momentarily delay while accelerating. *rm | 09/21/2011 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) | |||||
| 0416 | 10/21/2005 | 0514 | 10009885 | When slowing to a stop, a harsh 3rd gear to 2nd gear downshift is felt and/or after slowing to a near stop then accelerating again, a clunk is felt. update programming (flashing) transmission control module (tcm) for harsh shifting. * | 11/01/2004 |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | |||
| 11/08/2012 | 114000 | ||
| Power train issue: bad torque converter (tc). why a safety issue? it can fail while on the highway sending debris into the transmission causing a catastrophic failure. caused by a bad seal gasket. technical bulletin # 2011908 address the issue in 2007. but the tdis were not included in the tb [same tc & transmission], and this is a very common problem in many vw, audi and bmw vehicles, including tdis. e.g. vw & audi: http://kansascitytdi.com/audipassat-p0741-17125-code/ bmw: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1601642 with a p0741 error: dtc results: 17125 p0741 003 torque converter clutch circ. performance or stuck off intermittent if you do a web search for: p0741 error code transmission torque converter the results are startling, it seems that vw, audi and bmw all have the same issue with tcs, my understanding is the internal tc seals were not up to the task on the original tcs of that era. ...including audi. http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=3036384&postcount=5 if the problem is not addressed then the transmission will over heat due to the slippage and you will need to replace the transmission. http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=3038540&postcount=11 it seems that this should of been fixed under warranty, there was a recall for non-diesel vehicles service bulletin: 2011908. the tc is the same in all b5 models. http://www.importdrivetrain.com/autotranscrossref.html#volkswagen so why was the tdi s not covered? ------------------------------------ body: doors: won't unlock from outside by remote or unlock button from inside. | |||
| 08/03/2011 | 104000 | ||
| I own 2004 passat and recently have had transmission problems. my biggest concern is that on freeway transmission became unresponsive,and almost got me wiped out by two trailer truck going about 60! i was told to repair it would be 1200.00 to 3000.00 dollars. but for volkswagen to know of problem and refuse to fix is outrageous and you people need to do something before injury;s or more happen! is there someone i can contact to get help,i cannot afford that,and vw need's to repair if they are kowledgable about it!! | |||
| 09/14/2009 | 116153 | 1 | |
| Sporadically the rear windows would not respond to the window up/down switch, then later without touching the switch the windows would open or close. the dealer found a cheap plastic cotter pin type instrument causing the problem. i have not had the chance to check out the repair since the dealer has my car going on 3 weeks for two other issues (transmission surge and engine light/p0101) for which they are having problems diagnosing the problem. *tr | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 09/08/2008 | 100000 | ||
| Tl. the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen passat. the contact stated that water has accumulated in the sun and over time the water has leaked down to the transmission module causing the transmission to malfunction. the contact took the vehicle to a dealer and the dealer stated the transmission module needs to be replaced. the contact stated this is a known issue for this year make and model. the contact stated the manufacturer should issue a recall for the sun roof. the failure mileage was 100,000. jo | |||
| 01/11/2010 | 95000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen passat. the contact stated that in january 2010, he noticed water in the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership who offered to inspect it for a diagnostic fee. the vehicle was not inspected at that time. the vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the sunroof was unplugged. he removed the excess water himself. the manufacturer called the contact and explained that there was a recall on the vehicle for the sunroof (recall was not under nhtsa campaigns) and the vehicle was taken back to the dealership. the contact also referenced a bumping, jerking sensation in the vehicle. the dealer replaced the carpeting and noticed extensive water damage to the transmission module which was replaced as well. although the module was replaced, the contact still noted that there were problems switching gears in the transmission. the contact went back to the dealership but the dealer could not find any codes. the failure progressed and the transmission completely failed. the dealer refused to place it. the manufacturer offered no assistance. the vehicle was repaired at the contact's expense. the current mileage was approximately 102,000. the failure mileage was approximately 95,000-bk | |||
| 05/01/2010 | 90000 | ||
| Transmission on 2004 vw passat hard downshifts from 5th to 4th at 30 mph when transmission is warm. first occurred at 90k miles. took to two vw dealerships both indicated catastrophic transmission failure that they would be happy to repair for $4000. didn't fix, researched web and found this a common problem with vw transmissions. called vw, they knew about it but didn't care since it is out of warranty. | |||
| 05/15/2010 | 95000 | ||
| Automatic transmission hard downshifts from 5th to 4th. took to dealership to investigate. they claimed transmission needed replacing. called manufacturer to request they take owership of issue. they declined any responsibility but did not deny issue. transmissions in modern cars rarely break pointing towards a manufacturing defect or design flaw. safety hazard is that the transmission could break, lock up or seize and cause an accident. | |||
| 11/16/2009 | 38000 | 1 | |
| 2005 passat wagon - 38000 miles blocked drains around the sunroof caused rain water to leak into the floor boards of the car. the build-up of water caused the tcm (transmission control module) to malfunction. the (automatic) car was able to be driven only with hard shifts between gears and now will not move out of park. (undrivable). replacement of the tcm will cost $3210. the car was a garaged car up until a few months ago. it was at the dealership for all scheduled maintenance. i was told by the dealership that the drain tubes can get clogged with one leaf and the next rain can cause this problem. i was advised to park in a covered area and never drive in the rain. this seems like a significant design flaw that one leaf followed by any rain can cause the tcm to fail and need replacing. *tr | |||
| 08/14/2009 | 84000 | 1 | |
| 2004 volkswagen passat: failure of transmission control module located under passenger seat in floor board due to manufacturer defect. caused by water into vehicle after heavy rain. volkswagen has known of this problem since 2000 and has failed to make changes. failure of the control unit has the potential to cause a fatal accident should the transmission shift gears during highway driving or a high rate of speed. *tr | |||
| 10/12/2005 | 10000 | 35 | 11/30/2003 |
| 1. new 2004 volkswagen passat, v6 sedan. returned car several times under warranty for many types of repairs. volkswagen unable to repair car. both the dealer and volkswagen of america were made aware of the problems. 2. several failures including but not limited to: excessive oil consumption, loss of power and acceleration, transmission problems, failure to start, malfunction indicator lamp constantly on, braking problems, climate control problems, and several electrical problems including failed brake lights. 3. several attempts by volkswagen has failed to fix the problems. they are unwilling to resolve the problems adequately. *tr | |||
| 01/07/2007 | 82100 | 2 | 09/02/2003 |
| Tl* - the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen passat. the contact stated that the heating seat malfunctioned. the heating coil burned a hole in the seat, and burned the contact's leg. the driver's front seat had a silver dollar size hole in it, with a wire sticking out of the seat. the vehicle's seat began smoking and she turned off the car immediately. the contact planned to take the vehicle to the dealer on 02-09-07. also, the contact had a recurring problem with the transmission. the contact stated that usually when driving at 55 mph on the highway, and as she began braking the car jerked or threw the contact as if someone haad rear ended her. the contact stated that this happened at least once a week. she had taken the car to the dealer because they were not driving on the highway they were not able to duplicate the failure. in both instances neither weather nor speed were factors. *ak | |||
| 02/03/2007 | 35787 | 50 | 11/18/2003 |
| My car, a 2004 vw passat glx automatic, has had a transmission problem since the day i bought it, when the salesperson told me it just needed to adjust to my driving style. months later, it was clear that it wasn't adjusting to my driving style. i took it in and it was fixed. about may or june of 2006, it began to experience problems again, e.g., slamming, surging, delayed engagement, etc. i gave it some time, hoping it would readjust, then took it in november of 2006, when the problems had become more acute. in a 4-5 minute test drive within a mile of the dealer, the most worrisome malfunctions could not be repeated. the service manager at the time said the minor issues were normal, and that i would have to write a letter to get the problem addressed. on saturday, 2/3/07, a transmission surge propelled my car over a speed bump and into the concrete, causing what i presumed was an oil leak. this transmission issue presents obvious hazards to people, in addition to property. as of today (2/6/07), the dealer is requesting that i pay approximately $900 to fix the oil pan so they can drive the car and address the transmission malfunction. *jb | |||
| 12/05/2006 | 35000 | 1 | 12/01/2004 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the automatic transmission had a sluggish response while shifting gears. additionally, while driving uphill, the vehicle operated at a reduced speed. the vehicle was inspected by a dealer who was unable to duplicate the problem. the manufacturer was alerted. | |||
| 10/09/2004 | 120 | 8 | 09/27/2004 |
| Just about evrery time i drive my car there seems to be a lurching in the transmission when i start driving and when i start to slow down(5-15mph). the dealer(cooley mazda, vw in east greenbush,ny) said there was no problem, but after checking with your site i found out i wasn't alone. any help would be great.*ak | |||
| 06/01/2004 | 1290 | 3 | 05/07/2004 |
| While driving on the highway between 60-70 mph vehicle will down shift. when sitting in traffic vehicle will surge forward. consumer was very concerned. contacted the manufacturer. *ak when driving 65 the vehicle will upshift or downshift on its own. *tc | |||
| 09/28/2004 | 1220 | 1 | 08/23/2004 |
| When slowing down at traffic light car hesitated and then jerked foward, as if i had been hit from behind. it was enough to make my back and neck sore. i touched the accelerator pedal to give the car some gas and the engine freely revved, even thought the transmission indicated it was in 'drive'. the car has developed a hesitation to accelrate before the incident, and after. the car has also been showing signs of excessive fuel consumption.*ak | |||
| 08/04/2004 | 1 | 08/02/2004 | |
| Automatic transmission lurched on down shift when coming to a stop. while driving at any speed momentary hesitation particularly in an intersection. the dealership has inspected on several times and could not duplicate or correct the problem. please provide further information. *jb dealership corrected the problem with vehicle and consumer wished to rescind report from complaint database. *mjj | |||
| 07/03/2004 | 2 | 01/28/2004 | |
| I own a 2004 vw passat wagon v-6 and there is a problem with the transmission. the car bucks/jumps when decelerating into lower or accelerating into higher gear. it causes jerking of the vehicle at times. dealer checked the car on two different occasions but claimed that it found nothing wrong when a systems checked was run. dealer was unable to replicate the problem on a test ride. contacted vw to no avail. *la | |||
| 02/22/2004 | 2200 | 24 | 02/07/2004 |
| My transmission on a 2004 passat wagon all wheel drive (v6) engine slips and startles me very frequently. when the vehicle is slowed down it bucks violently as if i was rear ended by another vehicle. so far, volkswagon gave me a replacement car (since it was a brand new car). however, the replacement car is doing the very same thing. this problem is potentially dangerous because it feels as if you're being rear ended. also, it creates a potential danger on the roads. volkswagon originally said it was the all wheel drive (but this is simply not the case). now, they're saying the transmission needs to be flashed? i will be filing a lemon law complaint against the company. i fear that many other vehicles have the same problem and they're being ignored or swept under the carpet. i would really hope that someone in your organization would investigate this complaint and will bring this potentially serious problem to the attention of volkswagon. at at minimum perhaps, they should recall these vehicles and send out a notice to owners of this vehicle type. please plead my cause with vigor and determination. sincerely, david deboskey *la | |||
| 03/01/2004 | 3600 | 1 | 10/27/2003 |
| I bought the car new in october 2003, i noticed intermittent jerking of the transmisssion especially when slowing, accelerating slightly and then coming to a stop. the jerking is surprising and uncomfortable, but has not yet caused an accident. i had the car into the dealer for 9 days in march. they were able to reproduce the problem ,but had no way to fix it. i have been told it was a software problem and that a fix would be available: first in may, then in june, and now still no fix. *ak | |||
| 03/31/2004 | 60 | 30 | 03/31/2004 |
| When the vehicle was being slowed down the gears would slam into place. also when trying to accelerate, the vehicle didnt respond immediately. this problem has occurred at least thirty times since buying the vehicle in march. the dealer is aware of the problem and vw america is working on a solution. *nm | |||
| 04/10/2004 | 3 | 12/16/2003 | |
| 2004 passat with 4wd, car jumps forward when coming to a halt, clearly a safety hazard but nhtsa seems unwilling to accept the complaint. i have entered it three times without it showing up on the list. i guess campaign money talks louder than consumers.*ak | |||
| 04/07/2004 | 1 | 03/03/2004 | |
| I have a 2004 vw passat with a safety issue in the transmission. when i accelerate at slow speeds it hesitates before taking off and then bam, it's like some one hit you in the back of the car and the car jumps in gear. it does not happen all the time. but the transmission seems real slow going into first gear and it does with a clunk.*ak | |||
| 02/10/2004 | 30 | 1 | 02/09/2004 |
| I have a 2004 vw passat with a safety issue in transmission. when accelerating from a stop or low speed the car hesitates and then jumps. the problem is most severe in reverse gear. the dealership has no resolution. after changing multiple parts the problem still occurs. i have talked with other 2004 passat and touareg owners and they have the same complaint, so it appears to be affecting more than a single vehicle. can the nhtsa do somthing to help vw owners by forcing vw to acknowledge this issue and find a resolution before someone gets hurt. right now their dealers and engineers do not have a fix!*ak | |||
| 300 | 1 | 10/09/2003 | |
| When coming to a complete stop or while cruising, the vehicle lurches forward. the dealer recalibrated the computer chip in the accelerator pedal and also replaced the transmission control module. after the repairs, the problem continued. *ph the transmission made a clunk noise, malfunctioned in heavy traffic/highway, and a hard shift was present at times. *sc | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) | |||
| 02/25/2008 | 53000 | 1 | 08/01/2004 |
| 1. my wife was driving the car (2004 volkswagen passat gls, 1.8 l turbo), and it felt like it was having trouble shifting from first gear to subsequent gears. it was sudden, not gradual by any means - the car just started to hesitate when shifting, and the mil lamp was lit...this happened in heavy traffic in the detroit suburbs - not an ideal time to not be able to accelerate. 2. the transmission was replaced under my powertrain warranty (it's my opinion that this was an unnecessary replacement). upon further investigation, it was found that there was a water leak in the vehicle, and the passenger side floorboard was filled with water, inundating the transmission control module. it turns out that this damaged the module, and effectively rendered the car is not able to be driven. 3. the transmission control module is being replaced, as well as a seal that caused the water intrusion (i haven't been able to get out of them which seal was replaced - this can be addressed with a follow-up). *tr | |||
| 10/14/2007 | 67976 | 1 | 10/10/2006 |
| The tcm (transmission control module) failed due to a leak,that is a common problem ,i now find out $1300.00 later on this 2004 glx passat. after searching for 4 months for a tcm i learn that this is an on going problem 2001-2004, that vw hasn't addressed ,but is aware of due to the configuration of a drainage system that causes water to enter the passenger floor board and fry this tcm .which could result in an injury or further damage to the vehicle,due to transmission shifting suddenly and unexpectedly into 3rd gear. *tr | |||
| 08/15/2007 | 52000 | 12 | 12/23/2004 |
| Transmission on car shudders when accelerating between 50 mph and 75 mph creating unsafe distraction and performance liability. *tr | |||
| 12/01/2004 | 30 | 2 | 12/01/2004 |
| Water coming into front passenger seat resulting in damages to the tcm (transmission control module), wet carpeting, and rust under the passenger seat. the transmission module failure resulted in vehicle not able to shift into higher gear, and delay acceleration. the tcm and carpeting was replaced. | |||
| 05/27/2004 | 1 | 05/12/2004 | |
| When slowing to a stop transmission/drive train occasionally will demonstrate a jarring and potentially dangerous clunk as if the trandmission is dropping out of the car. the car also lurches forward slightly. we have read that some dealers tell their customers the problem is due to a faulty transmission control module. our dealer, russel vw in catonsville md said they could do nothing, denying ever hearing about the problem. we contacted vw-usa and they said they had no knowledge of such a problem. this is clearly untrue!!! there are complaints of this problem all over the internet. vw is setting itself up for tremendous liability issues should injuries occur because of this problem.*ak | |||
| 04/05/2004 | 100 | 100 | 03/31/2004 |
| There is a problem with the transmission. the car shifts sharply in lower gears causing severe jerking of the vehicle at times. dealer rebooted the control module but no change. the mechanic at the dealership let it slip that they were aware of this problem and that there is no solution at this time. i can't believe they sold the car knowing of this problem. i contacted vw and complained to the dealership. i was offered 2 months of free loan payments by vw. i recently received a call from the dealership saying that the software problem has been fixed. i am taking car in this week.*ak | |||
| 01/01/2004 | 25 | 12/20/2003 | |
| Purchased 12/03. within 2 weeks began to shift abnormally slamming in/out of 1-2nd gears. drove technicians 3 times before they would admit something wrong. unplugged transmission module - no fix, replaced module - no fix, then admitted they have software programming problem and engineers are working on it - no fix right now. has been 6 mos of poor shifting, now likely transmission damaged, still no fix available. *la | |||
| 03/03/2004 | 3956 | 2 | 12/09/2003 |
| Vehicle transmission lurches forward when slowing to a stop. vehicle purchased on 12/9/03. problem occurred on 3/3/04.dealer replaced the transmission control module. problem has reoccurred on 5/20/04. dealer states they are aware of the problem and are awaiting software update from volkswagen. they have no anticipated date from volkswagen on the correction.*mr | |||
| 02/02/2004 | 200 | 10 | |
| Automatic transmission lurched on downshift when coming to a stop. dealer replaced the transmission control module...problem has not yet been duplicated again, but it has only been a day. *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | |||
| 08/22/2006 | 45000 | 1 | 04/20/2004 |
| Clutch and flywheel had to be replaced on 2004 passat wagon with only 45k miles. *jb | |||
| 01/05/2005 | 34240 | 1 | 02/16/2002 |
| (1) slight pulsation was felt in clutch pedal. assumed clutch release bearing failed. 2) took car to dealer who claimed the clutch failed prematurely and damaged the flywheel as well. (3) had car repaired by dealer. clutch apparently is not covered under warranty after 12000 miles.*ak | |||
| 09/05/2004 | 4940 | 2 | |
| While driving 60 mph clutch failed. vehicle lost power. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - PEDAL/LINKAGE | |||
| 06/15/2004 | 3000 | 3 | |
| Clutch failed three times since the vehicle was purchased. consumer first had it replaced at 3000 miles. the second time at 30,000 miles, and then at 40,000 miles.*ak | |||