Problems with 1999 Volkswagen Passat ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Timing belt tensioner on my 1999 vw passat 1.8t (vin # [xxx]) failed at 76,623 miles causing timing belt to slip off, thus causing major engine valve damage. i was close to home and was able to return home and call a tow truck, but had i been further away from home i'm not sure what would have happened. vw advises owners to have timing belts checked at 40,000 and 80,000 miles and to have them replaced at 106,000. because the timing belt tensioner fails early i believe this part should be recalled or at the very least that vw should advise owners to replace the timing belt tensioner at 60,000--70,000 miles in order to avoid severe engine damage.*ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

There was a loud noise coming from the engine.*jb

The vehicle stalled on several occasions.*jb

A plastic shield which was mounted under the engine became partially loose while accelerating. *dt *jb

Consumer stated that the timing belt broke, causing the engine to freeze up. ts

Consumer states while driving the vehicle at any speed the check engine light would come on then engine would fail. dealer notified. ts

While driving the vehicle on september 2002 suddenly intermittently engine light and heavy vibration force to pull off the road. due to a faulty engine coil pack. dealer change the faulty coil pack. dealer refuse to change the other three coil. please provide further information. ts

I purchased a 1999 volkswagan passat in april of 2002 with 49,000 miles on it the timing belt broke on it at 58,000 miles in september of that same year. as per volkswagon, the belt is not due to be changed until 105,000 miles. it ruined the top end of my engine, cost to repair is 3,000-4,000 dollars. volkswagan will not pay for any of the cost, i find this to be unfair that i should get only 6 months use out of a car that i still owe 17,000 dollars on.

The leak detection pump is part of the evaporative emissions control on this car. within 2 days of buying it, the check engine light came on. dealer diagnosed and replaced the pump but light came back on next day. same pump replaced again. search on internet and discussion w/dealer indicates this part (made by siemens) is a common failure and warranty only 24,000 miles. cost was $275 for me to have fixed. if new ones commonly fail and this is emissions related, shouldn't there be a recall? is this the right place to report this? nlm

Engine experienced sudden breakdown. dealer said that sludge buildup (due to suspected but not verified poor maintenance) was cause. independent mechanics verify that there was no sludge buildup, but lack of oil, probably from failed oil pump. owners can confirm maintenance exceeding recommended standarads for the 18 months/30k miles prior to engine breakdown. vwoa refuses to take responsibility and alleges that engine problems could have started prior to the above-mentioned maintenance period.*ak

Vehicle stalled on two occasions while driving, vehicle been at dealer on two occasions, and problem has reoccurred. feel free to provide any further information.*ak

1) coolant temp. sensor failed at @47422 miles 2) chaplins checked car because i reported noise in front wheel area. they said both front wheel bearings needed replacing and refused to cover the costs. i took it to an independant vw specialist and was told only the right front wheel bearing was bad. cost was $466.79. vw still refused to assist. 2 independant vw specialists reported vw has a "bad wheel bearing design". 3) replaced original tires with exact brand and style of tire that was originsal to car. tires felt odd, i had them checked by 2 tire retailers and did own pressure checks twice monthly. after 15,804 miles on tires left rear tread separated from sidewall while driving on freeway at 70mph.*ak

1999 passat engine seized due to a oil pump failure. *ts the consumer had the oil leak repaired on 5 different occasions. the consumer had other problems with the vehicle such as a faulty drive shaft, right cv joint, the glove compartment latch, the control knob for the side view mirrors, the heater control unit, engine control unit, water pump seal rings, a power steering leak which was had to be fixed twice, the coolant pump, o-rings and the oil pump and pump rod bearings. there is a noise coming from the rear right wheel, oil is leaking from the valve covers. *jb

1.car was due for 30k maint. and check engine light came on, called dealer, was told appointment unavailable for two weeks. was told car was ok to drive. 2.day before appointment engine seized while driving, car was towed in, determined engine seized due to slippage of internal timing chain. this was caused by tensioner cam loosening because oil pressure dropped from lack of oil in the engine. oil was sludgy and burned.*ak 3.vw service manager at dealer was rude from the get go, vw refused to honor reciepts of oil change from a quick lube and warranty claim was denied by vwoa. they stated the auto had not been maintained properly. the car had 32000k miles on it. i have been attempting to have my car fixed since 2001 and my claim has been continually denied by vwoa.

Car stalls when stopped, runs poorly, a/c does not cool. shop can not fix. *ak

When starting the vehicle, both after it has been sitting for a while and when the engine is still warm, the engine revs up to about 2000 rpm and then after a few seconds drops back to normal idle speed. then, almost immediately after the rpm drops back to normal idle speed, the "check engine" light will come on and stay on. this has been happening intermitantly over the past 2 months. the dealer has checked the vehicle twice and cannot stop it from happening again at a later date. i don't think they really know what's wrong with it.

While driving about any speed then parking, turning off engine, and then trying to start the engine, it won't restart. *ak with spark plugs and thermostat installed at factoury, the vehicle runs at 165 degree. when new spark plugs and thermostat were installed, the vehicle run at 190 degree. the owner says these items have been on recall. *yh

Vehicle stalls intermittently at speeds of 25-65 mph. vehicle taken to dealer 10-15 times, cannot find a cause. *ak the mirror switch is inoperative due to window switch failure. the driver seat warmer was inoperative. engine has a burning smell due to oil leak. vehicle made noise in front end on left turns due to a stabilizer bar clamp being loose. front brakes make noise. steering makes noise and locked while driving. steering column sliding cover cracked. *yh

The brakes squeak. nlm

Ongoing problem with engine stalling while driving at any speed and at any time. vehicle been to the dealer on five occasions, and problem still reoccurring. feel free to provide any further information.*ak

Oil filter line was routed too close around catalytic convertor. this caused it to overheat the metal oil line. flow of oil to the turbo-charger would be stopped. also, engine bearings burned up & turbo-charger destroyed. took vehicle to dealership to check. *ak

Oil line broke while driving. also, abs/master cylinder malfunctioned, causing the entire abs system to be replaced.vehicle was not braking properly when brakes were applied. in addition, had pads replaced twice/needed a new booster installed, and sun roof was replaced because it leaked and made a squealing noise.*ak

From stops, the engine experiences hesitation in accelerating. regardless of the amount the gas pedal is depressed, the engine does not respond for about 3-5 seconds. this problem has occurred at least 5-10 times. it occurs only from a stop.

Passenger side air bag cover is not fitted correctly. the dealer attemped to install a new cover. also there was anti-freeze leakage all over the engine two months after purchase of vehicle. anti freeze had hardened. dealer said that the rubber hose had failed under normal driving coditions. dealership replaced the hose on 6-16-99.*ak consumer stated the airbag was replaced by dealer on june 16, 1999 however the airbag was again not fitted correctly and popped up and therefore it was not secure, also the radio does not work properly on the am band, there is interference.*jb

Car is leaking oil. attempted repair three times. car was smoking from beneath passenger compartment

This car has now been into the dealer ship 4 times to repair a persistent water leak from a pollen filter located in the engine compartment. this leak causes water to pool up to approx one inch in the right rear footwell.

The vehicle was found w/oil leak since 5000miles. 4 times was the vehicle brought to the dealer for service for oil leak. the car was brought to service last on 1/3/00. it is estimated on 2/20/00 the car will have the engine replaced, due to pin-hole in engine block. i have lost the use of the vehicle since 1/3/00.

Engine experiences hesitation, repair attempt failed, continues to hesitate. mjs