2001 Volkswagen Passat: engine failure

Filed Sep 21, 2009 · Engine · 155,000 miles · IN

1. During my wife's morning commute the oil light stop engine light illuminated in our 2001.5 vw passat. Fortunately she was in a rural area and was able to get the car shut off immediately and coasted off the road without incident. 2. The failure was the result of severe oil coking with the 1.8t engine. Vw issued a notification letter dated august 2004 advising of the ?oil sludge? Problem. The letter states ?engine oil sludge occurs when old, dirty engine oil thickens and cannot continue to provide adequate engine lubrication.? The letter implies the issue is due to poor maintenance. In reality the failure is due to a latent design defect of improper heat rejection attribute of the engine sump. Basically not enough oil quantity and oil cooling capacity. The oil then cokes over time in a similar manner as is encountered on gas turbine engines under extreme temperatures. Eventually the coked particles accumulate and plugs the sump screen. The oil pump then resulting in the loss of oil pressure and engine failure. The loss of engine power at a critical time is a safety concern. 3. Fortunately as our car was not run without oil pressure I was able to save the engine. Vw would not honor the warranty despite providing a log book from all the maintenance performed from new. They required all receipts of oil changes. I perform all my own maintenance. Vw clearly has gamed the warranty and misrepresented the problem as poor maintenance and sludge. I have always changed the oil every 5k miles. This cost me nearly $2k in parts not including my labor. This is a major repair. The oil pump, sump screen, all crank case ventilation lines, turbo lines, etc. Had to be replaced. There was coffee grounds (coked oil) throughout the engine. What a mess. I hold a bs in aero engr tech and faa a&p license. I run the aftermarket for a large gas turbine engine mfg. I know engine design and warranty gaming when I see it.

Filed Apr 15, 2008 · Body, Brakes · MA

1. Front and rear brakes inadequate for vehicle--had to have brake work at ~20,000 miles and again at just under 42,000 miles (this has never been a problem with any other car). Brakes repaired/parts replaced twice. Car should be recalled by manufacturer for brakes 2. Sunroof +/- windshield drain(s) became blocked and leaked and flooded passenger footwells, with risk of damage to transmission. This is a manufacturing defect with this make and model and has been widely reported on the web. Vw needs to recall cars for the problem with blocked drains/leakage and damage to vehicles. Cost to vacuum water out of footwells below the carpet > $600 with no guarantee that problem will not recur 3. Vw passat has a known problem with sludge build up in engine and consequent engine failure--I have not (?yet) had the problem but feel that vw guarantee to repair problem only if owner can prove oil changes every 3000 miles in an unreasonable abnegation of duty. This is a design flaw and the company should have to recall all cars with the problem and repair at no charge without being able to shift blame to consumer. Now having to use expensive synthetic oil for oil changes on a very frequent basis.

Filed Aug 22, 2007 · Engine · VA

I brought my vehicle for service on august 4, 2007, at vw dealership fairfax imports, in fairfax, va. At this time I informed mr. David deloatche, service advisor, that my coolant light (stop red light flashing) had come on and there seemed to be a leak as the fluid was not sustaining and rather spilling out. On august 4, 2007, I was charged $776.99 for manifold of services including an injector flush, power steering flush, brake fluid flush, and coolant flush. The coolant bottle was replaced and I was assured that there was no engine flush needed. I was informed that there wasn't enough time to fix the temperature sensor and the car was safe for me to drive. As I left the parking lot on august 4, 2007, after my service at fairfax imports, the coolant light came on and the temperature sensor rose to 260 degrees. I called david deloatche immediately to inquire on the safety of my car. I was assured once again to ignore the coolant light and the temperature sensor, and that it is safe for me to turn on and use the air conditioning and that the car was completely safe for me to drive. My employer, ibm sent me for training to palisades, ny from august 5 to 12, 2007. On wednesday, august 15, 2007, I was enroute to ibm office in bethesda, md from fairfax, va. My engine blew out on highway 270 and I was placed in a dangerous situation. My safety was disregarded as my vehicle wasn't properly fixed, and I was abandoned on a major highway.

Filed Jul 30, 2007 · Brakes, Electrical · NJ

I own a 2001 volkswagen passat station wagen and have had nothing but trouble with it since I bought it. I had to replace the engine due sludge and volkswagen of america would not reimburse me because I was missing one oil change receipt the lights keep coming on in the car telling me I have engine problems once again, and I bring it in for regular repairs and check ups. Currently the suspension part of the car has gone and that will cost another $2000 on top of the $7000 I already put into it. That does not include new tires and other things that have gone wrong with this idiot car. Volkswagen does not stand by its customers at all and I will never ever buy from them again and will tell people I know the car is a piece of crap. The place I bring in my car to for repair already knows that. Do not bring it into a volkswagen repair place to have it fixed> they are the biggest ripp offs and so totally dishonest!!!! I bought the car from jack daniels in fairlawn, nj and have had it repaired at trend motors, in denville, nj

Filed Jul 28, 2006 · Engine · 62,000 miles · VA

We have a 2001 passat and put about 10k miles/year. The car has been serviced about twice every year at our local vw dealership since we bought it new. We originally bought the car with safety in mind. While driving on the interstate about a week ago, the engine light came on. The car seized/stalled as I was getting off the interstate. This could easily have LED to a serious accident. I had the car towed to our dealership. Once they realized what had happened, they became very hostile. They asked us for all of our records. They had incomplete ones for us as the dealership had changed hands a few years ago. We have almost every record but this will not suffice for them. They are asking for half of the 11k repair bill (and suggested that we repair it and trade in for one of their used cars). What really bothers us is that part of the problem of missing records is due to the dealership. The other issue is that when the car had failed, the tow guy showed me that the oil cap was encrusted with sludge. When I pointed this out to the dealership and that while they probably would have seen this at the last oil change, that they are under no obligation to inform the customer of such a potential hazard. This is a major safety concern and vw/vw dealerships should be obliged to watch for this and at least suggest an engine flush. After too much trust, we are very disappointed with vw for this. They should know better.

Filed Feb 6, 2006 · Engine · 42,900 miles · NH

My 2001 volkswagen passat needs a new engine because it is filled with sludge. After researching this on my own I found that this is a common problem with the 1.8t engine. Vw issued an extended warranty on that engine provided the consumer can produce oil change receipts showing the car was maintained according to the owners manual. I sent them the proper receipts showing my car was maintained properly and they still denied me. My car only has about 43,000 miles on it and I just bought it 10 months ago.

Filed May 10, 2005 · Engine · 40,000 miles · MD

While driving my 2001 volkswagen passat on highway 95 at highway speeds, the "stop engine" light came on. The oil pressure warning light came on and indicated no oil pressure. We had to have the vehicle towed to the nearest volkswagen dealer where it took a complete engine teardown and oil pump replacement. The vehicle had only 40,000 miles on it and had been maintained well. This occurred without warning and could have resulted in stranding a woman or children alone. No deaths occurred, however complete engine failure at highway speeds could have resulted in loss of control of vehicle, leading to same.

Filed Jan 10, 2005 · Engine · 57,800 miles · MD

I own a 2001 1.8 turbo vw passat with give or take 57,000 miles. The 1.8 turbo has an issue with oil sludge. While researching this issue I have discovered that this is not an uncommon problem with the 1.8 turbo and have concluded that this issue seems to be a manufacturing defect. Accordingly, vw has extended the power train warranty. I have records showing that all of my oil changes were done within a timely manner. However in two instances I exceeded the "recommended maintenance": in the first case it was by 26 miles and in the second case it was approximately 290 miles. If vw has denied my claim due to those situations, they should not state in the warranty that the owner follow the "recommended maintenance" schedule but that the owner should follow a "required maintenance" schedule. I would also like to point out that a 2001 car, that cost over $22,000, that has been taken care of, and has less that 60,000 miles, such as mine, should not have engine failure. Even if I went over the "recommended maintenance" by 500 or 700 miles, which was not the case, the engine should not give out. Vw needs to take accountability for this issue. I would also like to point out that I never received notification from vwoa regarding the oil sludge issue. I have all of my records stating that I have performed the "recommended maintenance" not required maintenance, in a timely manner. Yet vw has denied my claim to cover the engine under warranty.

Filed Dec 8, 2004 · Engine · MA

The crank shaft screw got loose, backed out, and rattled throughout the engine at 50 MPH. Consumer was informed by the dealer that a new engine was needed because the screw ruined the interior parts of the engine.

Filed Sep 3, 2004 · Engine · 72,300 miles · NJ

2001 volkswagen passat - oil sludge - my car had a stop low oil pressure warning light. I had it towed to the dealer and was told I needed a new oil pump for $900. Volkswagen would not pay for the repair, so I did. 10,000 miles later my engine failed and I was informed by the dealer I needed a new engine for $11,000. Again vw would not cover this fialure.. Volkswagen is trying to look like the nice guy with their extended warranty. The big catch--must have every receipt for every oil change to prove they were done every 5,000 miles. Volkswagen is not standing by their car. Horrible to deal with. This is a huge problem with many passat owners affected.

Filed Sep 2, 2004 · Engine · 56,000 miles · CA

2001 volkswagen passat - oil sludge - my car had a stop low oil pressure warning light. I pulled over, checked oil and oil pressure was not low. Proceeded and car lost power on the highway. It was very dangerous pulling over.*ak volkswagen will not pay for the $6000 repair. Engine seized. Volkswagen is trying to look like the nice guy with their extended warranty. The big catch--must have every receipt for every oil change to prove they were done every 5,000 miles. Volkswagen is not standing by their car. Horrible to deal with. This is a huge problem with many passat owners affected.

Filed May 6, 2004 · Electrical · 17,000 miles · CA

While driving at 65 MPH vehicle shook and lost power. Then stalled in the middle of the highway with little room to reach the shoulder. Twice vehicle staaled on the highway. On two other occasions consumer could not start the vehicle. Dealer examined the vehicle, and replaced the engine coil and the battery.