VW Passat Troubles (B5 platform, nee Audi)

pat455 · September 2000

I am just curious as to whether your GLX has the rear windshield embedded antenna and your Escort had the traditional exterior one.

I've had the same problem you are describing going from an '89 Accord (exterior antenna) to a '99 TL (embedded). I am not through fighting with my dealer over this, but I haven't gotten anywhere yet.

In any case, I would imagine that the fault lies more with the antenna than the radio head unit.

Perhaps someone else can chime in with specific knowledge of VW radios and antennas.

Pat
Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference

zainab · September 2000

Hi,

Thanks for the response. Yes, the VW has the embedded antenna at the back and the Escort has the regular exterior antenna on the front left hand corner. Wondering if the VW antenna is somehow more sensitive to picking up static or something? Going to take the car in to be checked.

--Z

automophile · September 2000

It not that the window antenna picks up more static, it is that it picks up LESS radio station signal. Be sure to have this checked out - it can be a bad antenna cable or loose wire. BUT in general, the window antennas are just not as good as the whip kind.

zainab · September 2000

Thanks automophile,

Just to clarify: what you refer to as "window antennas are the embedded VW kind correct? And the "whip kind" are your traditional antennas that often can be retracted.

Thanks,

Z

zainab · September 2000

Hi,

I side with Yanhao about the skipping problem. My 2001 GLX Auto 4WD Passat, which is just 2 days old is already skipping forward. Noticed the problem last night when driving into our apartment complex which is located on a hill. The car did a quick, startling skip which seemed to happen just before the car switched from 2nd gear to 1st. After reading the other comments about the skipping I drove up the hill again, only to experience the same problem. I am quite disappointed with the Passat now and I am thinking of returning the vehicle. Need advise about whether I will be able to return the car given that I have only had it for 2 days?

Thanks,

Z.

automophile · September 2000

Yes, you are correct.

slugbug3 · September 2000

I can't lend you any help here, but I would be very interested what other actions you take in the future. I too have a '98 Turbo Passat (never mind the "Slug Bug" ID, I have a '99 Beetle too), and as of one month ago (after the brake fluid was replaced during regular maintenance) I had noticed a squeak from (what I think) is the right front. It is intermittent, seems only to come a low speeds <35 mph / 60km, but it is loud at times, almost sounds like jingle bells. I suspect the bearings, or a rubbing brake pad, but I have decided to wait for my next oil change to report it to VW (or for it to get worse). I have not experienced the harsh ride you describe. Up to now I've had few problems with the car, all repaired under warranty (possessed alarm, A/C not working).

Peter

timswan · September 2000

At around 26,000 miles my 98 Passat started havings various whining, grinding, squeaking noises coming from the front drivers side. I took it to the dealer who told me that it sounded like a bad ball joint (or 2), but that it would be almost $100 just to diagnose it.

I took it to Sears where the former head mechanic from my VW dealer now works and he told me that it was a dry ball joint and that he would inject some grease with a hypodermic needle to see if that took care of the problem. It seems to have, for the time being, although he thinks it should be replaced in the next year (I was quoted $500 by my dealer.)

FYI, there was a recall for certain VIN numbers for tie-rod ends which I found on the net--wish I could remember where-- it could be that also.

All in all, this car had been a joy to drive but one of the most troublesome cars I've ever had. I've had: a bad temp sending unit which prevented the car from starting once warmed up and which took the dealer 4 months to diagnose; a faulty transmission switch which prevented the tiptronic from shifting manually; a leaky trunk; a windshield that cracked in the winter due to stress; sqealing brakes; rattles galore. Unfortunately most of these problems occurred after the skimpy 24-month warranty was up.

Would I buy another? Probably not.

evac · September 2000

Kramer,
I have the same problem with my Passat re: airbag light (and have had to get it replaced many times). How does (did) they lemon law work for you in that situation? If you could e-mail me: cnangia@home.com.
Thanks.

qtilidie · September 2000

I have a 1990 Q45. One day the brake light and ABS light came on on the dash and the "low battery charge" message cam on the information screen readout. I immediately thought that it was the battery, but after one jump start it couldn't be jumped again and wouldn't take a charge. Then I had the Alternator replaced. The same problem still persisted. The voltage would drop at idle and when the lights are turned on the voltage drops further and then the cars cuts off. The idle seems to raise and lower slightly. When I rev the engine, everything is fine, the brake, ABS lights and low charge lights and message go off, but when I let the car idle and the idle drops slightly, the lights come back on and eventually the car cuts off. I have over 150K miles and I don't know what the problem is. Have you ever experienced this problem?

Thanks,

roger - gremlindog@hotmail.com

pat455 · September 2000

Welcome to Town Hall.

I think your post might be more appropriate in this topic:

Q45 Problems (Topic #401)

There may even be some helpful information in there for you already, just read through the existing posts to find out.

Good luck.

Pat
Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference

dek7 · September 2000

I've got one of the first of the new Passats in 1998. I love the way the car handles. However,
the interior and the keyless entry device has worn in such a way as to make me suspect of the quality of material used. The vinyl on the side of the center console has "bubbled" and peeled. The edges of the rubber buttons on the keyless entry device rips away, and the vinal on the shift boot cracks and wears. I am very careful of my car and take good care of it. The dealer states that they never saw this and that this is a one-of-a-kind issue. Sure, I believe that. I believe in the tooth-fairy too. - NOT! I was wondering if anyone else has had this experience.

Sporin · September 2000

I have almost a year and a half and over 30k miles on mine with ZERO wear on the items you noted. I haven't heard of this over at the Vortex either but you might want to post it there and see if you get any responses.

www.vwvortex.com

cookster1 · September 2000

Read / Heard / Saw somewhere sometime ago that this problem on VW's is usually directly related to the cable connection at the antennae. One has to remove the headliner to expose the wire to re-connect.

Good Luck!

paul1741 · September 2000

Our '98 Passat with 38K miles recently developed some passenger side front suspension noises. Sounds were similiar to what I imagine a small stone in the wheel rim would make. The dealer tightenedn and lubed the suspension elements (at no charge) and the problem has not recurred.
We love the car and have had only minor problems: Power window off track, door lock malfunction, and faullty cruise control module which were all covered under waranty.
Since it was a first year model we did get an extended warranty. (which paid for the above door lock module)

jed1894 · October 2000

Has anyone researched why VW dealers use Castrol Motor Oil instead of any other brand? Is it because it's cheap or did VW do some kind of test to reach the best oil for the Passat?

In my opinion, the oil must be pretty good because of the 5000 miles oil changes.....

Thanks John

Sporin · October 2000

It's probably as simple as VW having a contract fo some sort with Castrol.

dad17 · October 2000

I recently purchased a 2001 GLS, 1.8 Turbo with Tiptronic, Sunroof, and Monsoon System.

It seems that when the car is cold, and accelerating slowly, there is a groaning noise on the drvier's side of the car, near the wheel well or left fender, or left side of engine. You can hear it with the window open.

Has anyone else heard this low monotone groaning
noise? A VW mechanic will check out the car next week. It might be the molding around the door also....not sure what is caausing this??

Other than the groan, the Pasat runs and looks great !!! We couldn't be happier with our choice.

Poppa · October 2000

I have a 1999 1.8Turbo, and at 21 months old and 19,500 miles is in the shop for replacement of a right front caliper and brake pad. When I had pulled the car in the garage, I occasionally faintly smelled something unusual but couldn't pinpoint it when I lifted the hood. This weekend the odor became more pronounced, there was an occasional thumping sound, and the car pulled to the left when I braked. I knew it had to be brake related. I have enjoyed the car but I am getting a little nervous with a 39 month lease and a 24 month warranty (a big no-no).
I went back through old posts because I vaguely remember another post about a caliper problem. Any way, if your brakes are squeaking, make sure you have your calipers checked before your warranty runs out. At least you have established a record.
...And I reluctantly must comment on some other posts. Re: Auto tranny problems, when I test drove a Passat with an automatic, I was not happy with the way it wouldn't shift out of first, and decided on a stick.
And I must also add that I owned an 1986 Audi 5000s years ago. I would sit at a red light, and all of a sudden the RPMs would surge, the brake pedal would depress, and the car would surge forward. I always left room between me and the car in front of me. I also experienced this in an old K car years earlier. I often drive manuals and so know where all the right pedals are. The only driver error was buying the car.

aramig · October 2000

I recently purchased a 2001 Passat GLX. With 2000 miles on it, the airbag default light came on while normally accelerating from a full stop at a stop sign. To keep it short, the dealer replaced the driver side airbag and the full harness system ! I really wasn't expecting this from a brand new German engineered vehicle. Any comments ? How should I document this for future trouble ? (I was told by one mechanic that this is a very common problem with the newer VW models because the sensor systems are very sensitive ! what a joke )

In addition, the vehicle's maintenance manual recommends 5-40 weight oil; the dealer uses 10-30W castrol oil claiming he cannot find the 5-40 weight. BMW dealers sell 5-40W sinthetic oil recommended for their 3 series. should I be using the recommended viscosity by supplying the dealer with the oil?

idgifer · October 2000

We have two '99 Passat Turbos...one sedan and one wagon. The sedan has developed a whining noise (sounds similar to the whistle you hear when you blow across the top of a bottle), mostly noticeable when releasing the throttle, or when pumping the breaks at a stand still. The dealer has tried twice to diagnose it and can't. Anyone else had a similar problem?

yankee256 · October 2000

Check out www.vwvortex.com go to the forum section there is a wealth of information and very helpful people there.

kmacd · October 2000

I have a new (well relatively) '00 Passat GLS.
I did NOT buy it at the local dealer as I was very unimpressed with them while I was shopping around.
I called at the beginning of the month for the 5,000 mile oil change/service and they told me it would take 3 weeks to "squeeze" me in.
Of course the 1st question they asked when I called was if I had bought the car there.
Now I am nervous that they are going to treat me poorly AND, I don't know what I should expect when I DO take the car in....
Any suggestions?

idgifer · October 2000

Regarding the whining noise in our '99 Passat Sedan...I've been to the vortex site. No one has an answer so I am trying here. Does anyone here have any suggestions?

jed1894 · October 2000

Call the 800 number in your owners manual and make a LARGE complaint. Don't let them get away with that. I'd also call the BBB in that area as well.

neurotic1 · October 2000

I was hoping someone here could tell if they have
heard of a noise that I hear when I first my start
car. I just got a 2001 GLS and might just be being neurotic about having a new car.

Anyway, when I first start the car and just idle
for a few minutes before going anywhere I sometimes here What sounds like a water flowing in the dash area(sounds like water flowing past a kink in a garden hose) when I lightly fan the throttle. It does not do it all the time. It does it most obviously when the car is started for the first time after sitting over night. Any ideas?

Could it just be the water flowing through the
heater core? or past a valve? Air in the system? Pinched/kinked Hose?

Does water always flow thought the heater core or only when the temp dial is set in the the heat range?

How much the dash would a dealer have to rip up to check the hoses/heater core?

Thanks.

ekkoh99 · October 2000

Today I discovered there was very little oil in my tank. the dipstick read no level. i took it to JIFFY LUBE and they said that the gasket was leaking. im over the 2/24k warranty. this sucks.

NQ

jed1894 · October 2000

Have you asked the dealer if the 100k warranty will cover the gasket. They might help you out...wouldn't hurt to ask.

JOHn

Sporin · October 2000

The 10/100 powertrain warranty covers all engine gaskets.

Get a second opinion though... most Jiffy Lube's are staffed by mechanics no reputable shop would hire.

maryee1971 · October 2000

Just had big problems with my 99 VW Passat with 38,000 miles. I took it in for oil leaks and rough idling. They had to replace the water pump and the valve cover gasket, plus the power steering fluid was leaking and a clamp was replaced. Most of this was under warrantee but that's not much consolation. It took a week to get into the servie schedule and two days for repairs. I don't have time for that! Am considering unloading it. Any buyers?

doagzombie · October 2000

At about 5,000 miles, my 2000 Passat 1.8 5 speed wagon started to lose the ability to travel in a straight line without incessant correcting. It will pull to the right, and no matter how gingerly you correct it, it will then pull to the left (and back and forth endlessly). I've been back to the dealer 3 times with it now (actually, to 2 different dealers) and they just blow me off and tell me that the car is "performing to manufacturer's specifications." The third dealer visit was subsequent to filing a complaint with VW North America and was supposed to include a test ride with a technician--who promptly told me the minute we got in the car that he gets paid by the job, not by the hour, and he wasn't going to waste any time with me--so our "test drive" consisted of a trip around a very congested urban block. Not exactly autobahn conditions.

I've checked the tire inflations, which are all correct, and I'm on the verge of filing a lemon law complaint. I'd really just like to get the damn thing fixed because I otherwise like the car--although the total contempt with which I've been treated by VW really does make me wonder if it was a mistake to buy this car.

Anybody else experience a phenomenon like this?

jimlongisland · October 2000

Now that VW sales continue to soar with no new dealers being opend coupled witht he free maint for 2 years you have to wait over 4 weeks for an appointment on Long Island. This is a problem that is getting worse as the sales volume continues to improve. This will really hurt VW in the end as repeat buyers will not exist!!.............you comments please...

georgek44 · October 2000

This may be a problem in some areas only. My local dealer (CVM, Mechanicsburg, PA) gave me appts within a few days of my request both for the 5K service, and a warranty repair to the sun roof. I waited a little over an hour while they did the 5K service, the warranty repair was done in one day.

Last week I drove to Savannah, GA to visit family. I called on Friday and had a Monday morning appt at Vaden VW there for the 10K service. I dropped the car off Sunday evening and it was ready at 11:00 a.m. on Monday.

Both dealerships are easy to deal with and wash the car before returning it.

I've been happy with my Passat and with these two dealerships

kmacd · October 2000

Hey jimlongisland... I posted something about the same concerns a little while back. I had to wait 3 weeks for my 1st service. I guess I just know that I should plan to make the next appt 1 month before I think I'll hit 10,000. Kinda a bummer, but at least the service was good when I did finally get in!

jed1894 · October 2000

No problem here with service. I called today to get 5000 change tomor...(Augusta, GA.)....he said no problem any day would be fine. He gave me several times to pick from for tomor: 10 am, 11 am, or 2pm, with a one hour wait.

I asked about this Saturday (so I wouldn't have to take a day off work). He again said no problem and gave me several times to pick from.

My dealership has been great from the sale, to say the least. I am very pleased with them.

John

milford1 · November 2000

My husband's 99 Passat died on the freeway last week. Fortunately he didn't get killed. It was towed to our VW dealer who has not been gracious. He wasn't gracious when the brakes fried the first week we had the car, so we had no illusions of good customer service.
We were told at first that the engine fried because the water pump went out, and this melted... and then that didn't work... and the engine would be replaced. Its been a week now and they have been replacing one part at a time rather than just replacing the engine. Only 2 pistons are working - I guess the rest melted. They have to order more parts, so maybe it will be ready Monday... I am scared to death of this car and they just called me to let me know they won't even cover the rental car even though the delays are totally under their control. They have lost a customer for life.
It just doesn't seem right that auto manufacturers can charge so much for cars that we have to work 5 years to pay one off, and the car won't even run for 2 years. Not to mention that they don't even care about endangering our lives. Wish I could roller skate to work.

fred137 · November 2000

I have 2 1999 Passat's and they have been great. We have had some minor problems, such as interior trim which had to be replaced and I just had a fuel injector replaced. All work was done quickly and covered under warranty. When I had the fuel injector replaced the car was no longer under warrany, but the dealer still took care of it. We will definitely buy more Passats in the future.
Sounds like you just have lousy dealers.

Sporin · November 2000

The fuel injector is covered under the 10/100k powertrain warranty I believe.

Going on 33k trouble-free miles on my '99 Passat Turbo Sedan! :-)

jed1894 · November 2000

Has anyone noticed on their Passats a loud start-up knock. Only occurs on cold starts, but it knocks really loud for about a second.

2001 V6....Castrol 10w30.....5200 miles

Thanks John

carguy1000 · November 2000

We have a 2000 V6 with 1800 miles, there is definitely some valvetrain noise on cold mornings. I am waiting for a really cold morning to make a determination as to the source.

jed1894 · November 2000

I called the dealer/service manager who went out and started a few Passats. According to him, the startup knock is normal. It sure does sound hard on the motor doesn't it?

John

carguy1000 · November 2000

One thing I find is the level of acceptance that Volkswagen considers "normal". We have experienced a warm fall so far in the Northeast, I will need cold weather first. Once I can get a feel for the noise, I will test their definition of "normal". More to follow!!!

gregg20 · November 2000

I was seriously considering a 2000 or 2001 Passat, but had heard horror stories about the reliability and service on them. I loved the ride of that car, especially with the 5 speed. Even the 4 cylinder seemed very peppy and fun to drive.

I plan to keep my car for 5+ years, so reliability was a major issue, so I decided instead to buy a 2001 Maxima SE and really enjoy the car, although not as much fun to drive as the Passat because I did not want to wait for a 5 speed. Every day when I see a Passat on the road, I wonder if I made the right choice.

After reading some of these posts, I am comfortable with my decision. Fried brakes after 1 week, blown engine and they want to replace cylinders, $115 to CHECK a stereo, etc. One poster considered it minor that 'only a fuel injector and trim had to be replaced on his <2 year old car!! What would you consider worrisome?

Jwood, you ought to post the dealers name on this site and tell him to visit the posting so that he can see how much of an audience you can command to steer business away from dealers. I realize these cars are probably the minority. Best of luck getting them resolved.

Sporin · November 2000

gregg,
The Max is a great car, no doubt... I just couldn't get past the hindquarters. :-)

The "horror stories" you hear here are the exception not the norm. My car has been trouble-free for over 33k miles now and my dealer is jsut fine.

If what you read here was the norm, then Consumer Reports wouldn't have picked the Passat AGAIN this year for best mid-size family sedan.

Good luck with your Max!

jed1894 · November 2000

I agree with sporin.....My Passat so far is been fine. I love the car...so does wife. It is very tight and the ride is great. I really like the night rides.....

Furthermore, the 100,000 mile warranty sold me on the car. The knock I mentioned above is probably normal. I'm not really worried because I have the 100,000 warranty........

If I had it to do again...I would buy the Passat. I will also buy another one in about 3-4 years..... The Max is also a good car....

John

milford1 · November 2000

I'm glad you didn't get the lemon. CR liked our piece of junk Windstar too. Our dead Passat has been at the dealership for 2 weeks as they painstakingly replace one part at a time while we pay for the rental car. We've had the car 15 months and it has 20k miles on it. The brakes failed and the engine is fried - our lives have been endangered twice and they won't even cover a rental while we wit for them to figure out how to get it back on the road so that they don't have to replace it. I don't think I can take 80k more miles of this kind of stress. I will never buy another VW *or* a copy of Consumer Reports!

As soon as we dump the Passat, the dealer's name and details of our experiences will be on every forum I can access.

jeffmaxse2k · November 2000

man....I thought I had it bad with my car...I have a 2000 Maxima SE that does have some issues as far as rattles and stuff but nothing major as the stuff I've read here. My biggest issue is that the electric motor mounts in my car make a racket but appear functional...

My friend just bought a 2000 Passat wagon...I don't have the heart to tell him about the stuff I've seen here.

I'm not overally enthralled with MY Maxima (due to the little nagging probs) and was considering a GTI GLX......somehow reading this thread doesnt make me feel any better...don't think I want to trade my Max with its noise problems in for a major engine problem

During the test ride I took in my buds Passat, it seemed the nuts.....love the dash at night...man that almost sold the car right there

Good luck to the folks having probs

rickrover · November 2000

milford - you say your brakes and engine "fried" - what on earth does that mean? Both problems you describe are way out of the norm and your discription is overly vague, please clarify. - over 10k trouble free miles on my 2000 Passat, a co-worker has 50k trouble free on his 99 Passat. I was recently in for my 10k service and waited for the car - a total of 4 Passat owners were waiting as well - all 4 of us were in for routine maintenance - we all compared notes on our cars - everyone was extremely happy with their cars and reported nothing going wrong with them - which seems to be the norm for Passats - they are reliable and Consumer Reports owners surveys back that up.

jed1894 · November 2000

If your car is under 24k and the bumper to bumper still good, the dealer should be giving you a rental car. If not, I would raise H@%$!

My dealer offered me a car for a simple oil change. He told me to keep it all day and/or bring it back the next day.

Good luck....John

s923 · November 2000

At 35k miles, my passat needs a new power steering pump and a new water pump. As the "service advisor" said, the good news is that water pump is under the 100k mile powertrain warranty.

This is in addition to electrical glitches - a vw tradition. First, the engine temperature sensor, no trunk light (intermittent), after trunk release trunk locks with lid open.

I had read that vw had improved quality, but after a GTI that shed 5th gear (at 70 mph), a Golf with a fried sunroof motor, and this, I'm ready to give on VW permanently! So much for German driving character at a budget price.

VW Passat Troubles (B5 platform, nee Audi)

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