1999 Volkswagen Passat: check engine light

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 Jun 25, 2008 · Brakes · 175,000 miles · MI

The ABS control module, in my 1999 volkswagen passat has malfunctioned which is major issue. I have seen/heard of a lot of early model passats (1998-2001) having problems with the ABS control module. It is placed directly next to the engine block, which gets extremely hot over time. The heat causes this malfunction which could have been avoided by volkswagen. When this unit malfunctions it causes the ABS breaking system to fail. Also, it flashes multiple check engine lights on the dashboard that are extremely distracting. Volkswagen of american does not have this under warranty or recall. Dealerships across the country are charging $1,200 to replace this unit that takes 20 minutes to change out. The hard part is trying to rebuild the module. I believe this a huge safety factor that should be seriously looked into by the office of defects investigations. Nothing has been done to resolve this yet. I plan on sending in the part for repair and than placing it back into the vehicle once it is fixed.

Filed Jan 4, 2008 · Electrical · 100,210 miles · 00

Vehicle:1999 vw passat 4 cylinder 1.8turbo check engine light has been a problem since 2005. Dealer would not consider it part of the warranty and took 2 years before the problem was rectified. But till today, still get the light and they are unable to rectify it. On 2 occassions the vehicle stalled at major intersection, and was a potential hazard to other vehicles. Vehicle had to be towed to the vw dealer. I met an owner of a vw golf 1999 at the dealer (yesterday jan 3rd, 2008) and he gave me to understand that he was told his check engline light was a known problem and it would be covered under warranty. I have searched the www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/recalls site and there are none recalls reported and yet his car was being fixed. Listed below are the cost total $727 6/29/2005 replaced secondary stage light $415 8/08/2005 consider sporadic and reset but determined camshaft $0 8/16/2006faulty mass air flow$232 8/18/2006replace elbow$80 though I have done the above, I still get the light and since they cannot track the symptons, they just reset the light. This is a hazard and could endanger lives of other drivers and passengers. 'this is a major problem that would endanger other lives 'I request this to be investigated and subsequently documented 'I would like to be reimbursed for the costs that I have incurred. I would like vw to take responsibility for this and make do what their customers have encountered.

Filed Apr 5, 2007 · Brakes · 62,150 miles · NY

Abs module failure. Abs light comes on with brake light flashing and 3 beeps intermittently. After turning the car off for awhile it may not come on for several miles the next time. Braking heavily causes the rear wheels to lock up and skid. Also what I think is particularly dangerous is when braking heavily with the ABS light off causes the car to skid and at the same time the check engine light comes on as well as the ABS light and brake light and stalls. If on a highway at high speed this could be deadly. The repair will be the replacement of the electronic module. Add me to the list of many who have this problem and want to get a recall instituted on this module.

Filed Aug 7, 2006 · Brakes · 97,630 miles · VA

1 - I was driving my 1999 vw passat with 97,630 miles on july 28, 2006 when it seemed to lose power and the "check engine light" came on. I pulled over as soon as possible to check oil, fluids, damage, etc but could find nothing out of the ordinary. 2 - a day later, the exhaust started to make a continuously loud noise and the accelerator pedal now fluctuates up and down automatically without any action from me. It appears like a circuit board or electronic control module went bad. 3 - the "ABS / brake" lights came on and started blinking at this time as well. 4 - my dealer said the modules go bad and it is not under any warranty, so the estimate was around $850 to fix. I called vw's national customer care and they did not have any warranty or recall notices that could help.

Filed Jul 26, 2006 · Engine · MD

Engine light.

Filed Jun 12, 2006 · Brakes, Suspension · 74,200 miles · NJ

I have a 1999 vw passat v6 gls. I have 74, 270 miles on the car. My ABS and brake light came on about 1 1/2 weeks ago, then my check engine light came on, then my ABS/ brake and oil pressure light came on and were flashing. I brought it to vw dealer today, and was told my ABS module needed replacement for $975.00. I went online and found at vwvortex.com that quite a few people had similar problems with their passat in my year range. I don't feel that I should be charged for a defective part that is jeopardizing my safety. In addition, I received a recall in 11/04 for vehicle control arms. I brought my car to vw dealer on 12/17/04, and was told that my control arms did not need to be replaced. At that time I had 61, 923 miles on the car. Today, I am told only 12,000 miles later that my control arms need to be replaced at my own expense because the recall is closed. I don't feel that I should be charged for this part either, the defective part should have been replaced in 12/04 before it could pose a hazard to my safety.

Filed Jan 24, 2006 · Brakes · 60,000 miles · FL

In my 1999 volkswagen passat there is a control module known as the ABS control module. I belong to a nationwide passat group known as www.passatworld.com/forums and this is a major issue. It seems in early model passats (1998-2001) the ABS control module gets extremely hot over time since it is placed directly next to the engine block. This causes the unit to malfunction. When this unit malfunctions it causes the ABS breaking system to fail. Also, it flashes multiple check engine lights on the dashboard that are extremely distracting. Volkswagen of america does not have this under warranty, or recall. Dealerships across the country are charging 1,200$ to replace this unit that takes 20 minutes to change out. The hard part is trying to re-build the module. I believe this is a huge safety factor that should be addressed. On our website we have a list of people who's ABS control module has failed, along with the date and mileage on their vehicle when it happened. If you would like this information please contact me.

Filed Jan 22, 2006 · Engine · 77,116 miles · CA

1999 volkswagen passat 1.8l turbo engine with 71,000 miles stopped suddenly; then check-engine light came & car would not re-start. Check-oil light had been intermittently on for 2-3 miles prior, but oil was checked and it was actually overfull. 803 miles prior, vw service dept had serviced car for check-engine light, and replaced turbo recirculation valve and hose. Oil has been changed every 3000 miles since car was purchased used, with 30,000 miles, in feb. '04. Vw service department claims failure was caused by engine becoming oil-starved due to sludge in oil take-up tube. Sludge caused by not using synthetic oil, although it is not required. Cam gear was damaged, leaving metal pieces throughout engine. Entire engine, turbo and catalytic converter had to be replaced. Vw denies any responsibility. Parts may still be w/mechanic, I certainly do not have facilities or desire to store an entire ruined engine.

Filed Oct 14, 2005 · Engine · 65,000 miles · NY

Check engine light repeatedly on. Error code 17544 bank 1 system too lean (p1136) long term fuel trim. I had my mechanic fix all vacuum leaks, low fuel pressure, exhaust leaks, injectors and secondary air system. Had the maf sensor replaced and still have the check engine light on.

Filed Aug 18, 2005 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · NY · fire

Dt: while driving at 30 MPH and suddenly there was a jerking of the car as if the tire was flat. Pulled over , inspected the vehicle for a flat and none was found. Consumer got back into the vehicle and noticed the malfunction engine light was blinking. At this point consumer continued to drive down the service road of the highway of about 15 MPH. There was a strong odor of something burning, no smoke was seen. This smell was like burned rubber. Consumer called volkswagen, and they suggested that if the malfunction engine"light was blinking to shut off the engine immediately. After pulling over, consumer called tow truck. Tow truck arrived , inspected under the hood and discovered there was fire from underneath the engine itself. The tow truck driver tried to extinguish fire with water and later a fire extinguisher-this did not put the fire out. The fire department had to be called.,in the meantime the fire grew larger. At that time, fire department came and put fire out. Fire crew noted this was most likely an electrical fire, perhaps due to the intensity of the heat from summer and a mix of electrical wiring started the fire. The car was then towed to an insurance company lot for further investigation. Currently, the consumer did not know why this h happened. The vehicle was regularly serviced and maintained. The vehicle had only 60,500 miles. The was the first problem experienced with this vehicle.