1999 Volkswagen Passat GL from North America - Comments

Electrical problems; starter, alternator, door locks, power window control failures.

Engine failure, oil leaks, water pump failure, broken hood release.

Engine surging and sudden acceleration after stopping at red lights. I narrowly avoided collision with car ahead of me.

CD changer replaced twice in first year.

Turbo charger replaced twice within first 100000 km; luckily this was covered by standard and extended warranties.

Power side-view mirror control - five replacements in four years; Since the last time it broke, I now adjust these mirrors manually...just like in the old days.

Brakes squeal constantly, and require replacement far more frequently than in other cars that I have owned.

Expensive fix for a "rough idle" experienced a few weeks following a timing belt replacement.

Many other problems; just recalling them and the related financial burden... and my thoughts regarding VW are most impolite.

The car drives well... when it works. Too bad it works so infrequently.

I'm a regular client at my favorite care rental outlet. I test drive their cars frequently while mine is in the shop for yet another expensive repair.

Volkswagen "Customer Care" is a joke.

1999 Volkeswagen suddenly surged forward as I was slowing at traffic light. Threw car in reverse and it surged back at full throttle. I almost hit cars both forward and back. Car refused to stop even though I was practically standing on the brakes. I had just had brakes done last month so I know it wasn't them either. Could be a throttle, engine, or trans problem. Any comments? (turning off the engine key saved me)

I experienced sudden acceleration while driving my 2004 I-4 turbo at 60mph on highway. This occurred on Sept. 19, 2004. I almost rear ended the car in front of me and avoided the accident by putting the car in neutral while the engine revved to >5,500 rpm.

I was able to reproduce the problem while stationary in neutral the next day. The floor mat was removed to ensure this was not the cause (floormat was locked in place and too short anyways to depress the pedal.

The car has been experiencing rough idle. I was advised this is because of sludge in the engine oil when the car was taken in for oil change at ~10,500 miles. (~2weeks ago)

This car is dangerous to drive and the dealership advised that they are unaware of any such concerns.

If you have experienced the same please advise.

My new VW Passat GLX 2004 drove well for several months. I had no complaints until one afternoon, this past August, 2005, it suddenly accelerated and surged forward into the back of my garage. When I tried to reverse, it surged back at full throttle. Then the car went forward at full throttle again through my garage wall. I experienced exactly what the driver did, who wrote the previous comment dated lst April, 2004.

VW refused to take responsibility, claiming driver error and returned the car to me after the vehicular damage was fixed.

VW also claimed that no error was registered in the car computer. When I asked for the mechanic's report, I was told that I was not privy to it and that that was the Company's policy. When my husband drove it (I was too afraid to get behind the wheels of the car lest I killed someone), he experienced the same problem. He drove it with a VW mechanic who witnessed the same phenomenon and acknowledged the problem. Then the car was returned to me "fixed".

I have suffered whiplash, paid deductibles for both car and garage damage and am now saddled with a higher car insurance premium. Despite numerous letters to their corporate offices in Michigan, I have gotten the cold shoulder. The executive I had spoken to and corresponded with, keeps "stalling".

Any and all comments from other VW Passat GLX 2004 owners regarding a similar problem, will be deeply appreciated.

If they fixed it, there was a problem. Time to lawyer-up.

Passat 99 1.8 turbo... wow, that's all I have to say. Problem after problem, electronic especially... My car is the garage as we speak and they still don't know where the problem is... Sucks sucks sucks. Never ever again Volkswagen!!!!!