The A/C ventilation system is defectively designed such that it promotes the growth of bacteria which causes an awful odor when turned on. I would guess that it aerosolizes the bacteri and or fungi and sprays them at high speed through the ventilating system outlets. I do not know but wonder what potential health risk this poses to children, pregnant women and immunosuppressed people or others with chronic respiratory illness such as asthma and copd. Finally, I wonder if there is a theoretical or real risk of legionnaire's disease since the same risk factors found in airconditioners at hotels and building may be replicated in this automotive format. I would like your feedback and assessment of risk.
1998 Volkswagen Passat visibility complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 27 of 27, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Catalytic converter replaced early on in ownership. Water pump, oil pump, timing belt replaced two months ago. Turbo replaced twice and still defective. Electrical problems with driver's side window, heated seat, trunk light. Suspension system bushings need replacement @ only 56,000 miles. Steering column replaced early on.
Electrical short had affected window regulator and climate control. A tsb had been issued.
Driver's front and side doors had trouble opening and closing.
Driver's side back window had trouble opening and closing. Currently, driver's side front window had trouble opening and closing.
Sunroof opens spontaneously while driving with no control over shutting it.
Windshield cracked without any road damage. Verified by dealer!
4 mos. After having sunroof adjusted, sunroof cassette or frame needs replacement. Told that frame was cracked or damaged.
Loose shifter causing sporadic shifting from automatic to manual transmission control. Nlm
The right front seats would rock whenever vehicle is turning corners or curbs. This also happens when coming to or leaving a stop sign or light. Contacted manufacturer & nothing could be or would be done. Sun roof would open & close on its own. Would have no warning. The rear window looked like it had acid rain on it when bought. Been to dealer & mechanic removed seat & replaced it. No problem found. Checking on other problems.
The exterior mirrior on the passenger's side was made smaller than the one on the older year models. With these new ones, no matter how it's adjusted, there still remains a blind spot. Dealer has been contacted.
Window panel--prevents closing of window. Intake manifold oil leak (gasket).
On several occasion while driving at 65mph, and during rain , my sunroof would open while in off position, I have reported this to southern states volkswagen and also land volkswagen, this has been ongoing since I have had this car. It became unsafe while driving in the rain and this has happened more than 15 times in the past year. Dealerships and vw corp. Are givingme the run me the run around
This is the second time sunroof mechanisms fractured. This time they struck the driver while driving (pulling out of the driveway). In both failures, there were fractures of the mechanism. The second occurrence resulted in pieces flying off the car and striking the driver in the right shoulder.
I read on 3/19/99 some reviews by owners of passats on the internet (while I was searching for comments by owners of the honda odessey min-van). Unfortunately I cannot find the website again. However, while there, two people had asked questions relating to windshield cracking during a test drive by a well known magazine (I think it was car & driver) for the audi a4, basically the same car as the passat. The question was had anyone experienced such cracking. I was shocked on 3/20/99 to get into the car and see the 10-inch crack which was not there the day before. So I've been searching the www without success to find the comments from the message boards I read last friday.
Vehicle has serious blind spots caused by the small size and narrow view of the three mirrors.
Rearview mirrors are too narrow and small causing poor visibility.
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