Tl* the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle after being parked overnight, he noticed a fuel odor. The contact stated that the fuel tank was half empty after being refilled. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic and was informed that the seam in the fuel tank was fractured which caused the fuel leak. The fuel tank was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.
2000 Volkswagen Passat: gas smell in the cabin
5 of the 507 complaints about the 2000 Volkswagen Passat describe gas smell in the cabin.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 114,248
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
Gas smell in the cabin by model year
What owners say
I kept noticing a smell of gasoline. One morning when I backed up and looked forward there was a puddle. I got out, bent down and smelled it. It was gas. I backed up a little more and there was another small puddle. It also was gas. When I first saw the puddles of gas I called volkswagen and was told there was no recall for this and that any recall that was on my vehicle has been complete (nothing to do with the fuel leak). Just this past week (5/2/15) I noticed the same smell. This time I could actually see the fuel leaking from the back passenger side and I filmed it on my cell.
As with similar reports the car was driven then sat for 24hrs, when it was started again a strong gas smell was noticed and a puddle of gas was found under the passenger rear panel. Immediately took to repair station where they could not find a leak. They filled the tank with gas and left it to sit overnight and under pressure. No leak. 3 weeks have passed with typical driving, not excessive use and no leaks until today september 5th 2014. Started the car up and backed up to find a gas puddle again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was a fuel odor coming from the hood of the vehicle. The contact lifted the hood and noticed that fuel was leaking from the fuel pipe. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was not diagnosed. The VIN was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.
Our volkswagen dealer (martens volkswagen) was initially contacted for service when an engine light came on my 2000 passat gls wagon that said "emissions workshop". They said they couldn't take a look at the car for about two weeks because it wasn't a serious problem and we should just keep driving it. After a few more days of driving the car, we smelled gasoline fumes coming from the engine compartment (while driving, not while starting). We then insisted that martens look at the problem immediately. The mechanic said that all four fuel injectors were leaking fuel through the side of the injectors into the engine compartment and needed replacing. He claimed that something in the gasoline was melting the seals. The car has only 33,421 miles on it. It has had regular service at volkswagen dealers and was only filled up with 93 octane gasoline bought in the us as required by volkswagen. In addition we have never used any fuel additives. I believe that these fuel injectors are defective and there may be many other people who are also being told to continue to drive with the engine light on who may in fact have gasoline leaking into the engine compartment due to leaking injectors. Therefore we recommend that the federal safety agency investigate if a safety recall is needed to prevent engine fires that might result from defective fuel injectors in this model volkswagen.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen is recalling 412,000 my 1999-2005 passat (5th generation) vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and produced after june 14, 1999. These vehicles may have an underbody heat shield that can become damaged. In addition, affected vehicles with automatic or manual transmissions may have a fuel line (1.8t engines only) or fuel tank ventilation valve (4motion/all wheel drive only) that can leak due to fracture.
- Risk
- A heat shield that may contact the exhaust system can result in a vehicle fire. In addition, a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install additional underbody heat shields on vehicles with automatic transmissions to cover the possibly damaged areas and flash all 1.8t engines with a precautionary software update. Dealers will also inspect and adjust the fuel line routing on 1.8t vehicles and the fuel tank ventilation valve on 4motion/all wheel drive vehicles, and replace components if necessary free of charge. The recall began on june 13, 2008. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 08V156000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- On some passenger vehicles, the fuel tank filler neck can suffer abrasion damage if the rear tire goes flat and the vehicle is driven until the tire disintegrates.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage can occur increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will fit passat vehicles with a new wheel house liner that will better protect the car's filler neck. Jetta vehicles will be fitted with a different metal shield designed to enhance abrasion protection in the event of tire disintegration. Owner notification began june 13, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 02V026000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Sulfur in fuel interacts with certain additives found in widely available gasoline causing sulfur to become deposited on the contact points of three fuel sending units mounted inside the fuel tank. This could cause the fuel gauge to read full while the fuel tank may not in fact be full or could be empty.
- Risk
- Running out of fuel without warning while the fuel gauge indicates that there is sufficient fuel in the tank lead to safety problems.
- Remedy
- Dealers will remove the existing fuel level sending units and replace them with fuel level sending units using a new alloy composed of gold, silver, and a small amount of nickel, which will not chemically react with sulfur. Vw/audi will also call back vehicles that were repaired under a previous recall last june in order to install the updated fuel sending units the federal safety agency 00v137/audi lb). Owner notification began may 1, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact audi at 1‑866‑892‑2834.
Recall number 01V157000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2000 Volkswagen Passat fuel smell
Is gas smell in the cabin a common problem on the 2000 Volkswagen Passat?
5 of 507 owner complaints about the 2000 Volkswagen Passat (1%) mention gas smell in the cabin. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2000 Volkswagen Passat?
There are 3 recalls and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2000 Volkswagen Passat
ABS 181Ball joint 44Check engine light 28Fire or smoke 23Stalling 16Brake failure 15Fuel gauge 14Fuel leak 14Won't start 9Engine failure 8Power windows 8Hesitation 7Loss of power 7Airbag light 6Headlights 6Fuel pump 5Tire blowout 5
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