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VW Passat Troubles (B5 platform, nee Audi)
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Comments
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
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
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
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.
Peter
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.
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.
Thanks,
roger - gremlindog@hotmail.com
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
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.
www.vwvortex.com
Good Luck!
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)
In my opinion, the oil must be pretty good because of the 5000 miles oil changes.....
Thanks John
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
NQ
JOHn
Get a second opinion though... most Jiffy Lube's are staffed by mechanics no reputable shop would hire.
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?
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
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
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.
Sounds like you just have lousy dealers.
Going on 33k trouble-free miles on my '99 Passat Turbo Sedan! :-)
2001 V6....Castrol 10w30.....5200 miles
Thanks John
John
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.
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!
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
As soon as we dump the Passat, the dealer's name and details of our experiences will be on every forum I can access.
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
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
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.