1999 Volkswagen Passat engine problems

Filed Jun 24, 2015 · Engine · 179,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that while having a routine service performed at an independent mechanic, the technician diagnosed the water pump was cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 179,000.

Filed Mar 9, 2015 · Acceleration, Engine · 205,029 miles · MD · fire

Passat began to accelerate under no pressure to pedal. Passat started to accelerate fairly slowly but steadily at first, then it increased. It wasn't possible to decelerate/no pressure on the brake pedal stopped the acceleration. It began to reach an unsafe speed then I began to downshift and to apply the brake in sequence to slow the passat, then I tried to slow the vehicle to coast it onto the shoulder, but the speed remained too high to halt the car. Having no other way to slow the vehicle, I started to downshift and to apply extreme pressure to the breaks, and was able to slow the vehicle enough after several miles of downshifting and riding the breaks to reach a point at which I could shift the car into neutral, then began coasting it up a long driveway while the engine continued to race and rev. I then dropped the car into neutral and engaged the emergency break, then forced the trans into park and shut the passat off. The front breaks were both glowing, with the driver's side having burst into flames as a result of the friction and heat from having ridden them for several miles. Shop that examined the passat assessed that the throttle body control module had failed and wasn't communicating with the main on-board computer, and that this type of problem had been seen before on other volkswagen models of the same era. Technician indicated that this was the third time that he'd seen this failure. It apparently usually results in the car coming to a stop although there are other cases customers reported that resulted in the uncontrolled acceleration that I experiences. The breaks and other internal components were significantly damaged as a result of the accident/throttle body failure, and the vehicle had to be scrapped. Someone should research this further as this is a potentially fatal issue. Please contact me if any further information is required to investigate.

Filed Sep 9, 2012 · Engine · 175,000 miles · PA · fire

Was driving vehicle on the highway , the vehicle's check engine light and brake light came on and the vehicle completely shut down , I pulled over to the side of the highway I seen smoke I opened the hood and it was on fire. I called police and fire. The fire was put out the fans are melted and I'm not sure what else is burned , I have no idea what could have started the fire the vehicle is taken care of and there's no warning lights on , on the dash.

Filed Sep 28, 2010 · Engine · 135,000 miles · CO

My 1999 volkswagen passat has bad ignition coils. My son was driving the passat. When he got home from school he informed me the car was sluggish and the engine light was blinking. I went out and drove it to see what he was talking about. I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that if I drove it, it could catch fire. It didn't. I was told that after the discovery of bad coils. That was when a family friend looked at it and told me that it had bad ignition coils. Fortunately school is only a mile away. I was told to have it towed to my nearest dealership for repair (each coil costing over $100 to replace - not including labor) because the engine could catch fire if I drove it. I checked online and I see hundreds of complaints about this. I saw vw is doing a voluntary recall but on 2001-2007. When I called the dealership to find out how much this was going to cost me they even told me they recommend replacing all 4 (it is a 4 cyl) because if even one is bad, the others will follow. This is not just me. This is hundreds of people with the same year same model as mine. All should be replaced by the dealership as well as the ignition pack. That has been a problem from people as well. I don't understand how this car manufacture can put parts out there that could have caused potential harm to my son. I don't understand how nothing is being done about it. And they want me to go in and pay for all of this, when they put those bad parts in the car.

Filed Jul 29, 2009 · Engine · 110,000 miles · MI

The engine in my 1999 volkswagen passat 1.8t appears to be dead. Oil pressure light comes on and won't go off. Volkswagen is aware that they provided bad information on oil chnage intervals for this cars, but still insists owners have docements for every oil change ever on the car. As the second owner of this car, this is impossible for me to prove. Also, I change my own oil, again making it impossible to prove the intervals to their satisfaction. Mechanic has told me that at minimum, they have to pull the engine to replace the oil pump, but that the engine is likely so full of sludge that the engine will need to be rebuilt or replaced, to the tune of about $8000. Volkswagen knows this is a defect that is their fault, look for a memo titled: august 2004 subject: warranty extension for 1998 - 2004 model year volkswagen passat sedan or wagon equipped with turbo engine note that after repair the oil spec has changed from the original and the interval between changes is shorter - an outright admission that they desgined the engine incorrectly if ever I've seen one.

Filed May 19, 2009 · Brakes, Engine · 67,000 miles · NJ

Abs, brake light and oil light indicators on - apparently a common problem with passats. Faulty ABS module according to dealership, $900 part. Vehicle has 67,000 miles and dealership serviced. This should not be happening and a recall should be made.

Filed Nov 19, 2008 · Engine · 120,000 miles · RI

When a $2 o ring in oil filter housing fails, oil is quickly pumped from the engine. . Mechanic says this is a common problem with the 1.8 liter turbo. Daughter was driving when the oil light finally came on. In less that 5 miles engine damage started. Cam shaft is scored.

Filed Jul 8, 2008 · Engine · 80,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen passat. While the dealer was repairing the exhaust system they observed that the engine cradle frame was corroded. The manufacturer stated that they would not assist with the repairs. The failure was mileage 85,000 and the current mileage was 87,000.

Filed Feb 6, 2008 · Engine · NC

Oil sludge problem with my 1.8t engine in a 1999 vw passat after getting oil changes with synthetic oil now I'm with out a vehicle and my job requires me to drive.

Filed Feb 16, 2007 · Engine · 150,000 miles · MA

Tl*- the contact stated that sometimes in june 2006 while driving on the highway at 65 MPH the 1999 volkswagen passat started to lose power. Also, he heard a rapping sound coming from the engine of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed into a repair facility, where they determined that the engine completely ceased. The repair was not completed. The current and failure mileage were both 150000.