2005 Volkswagen Passat engine problems

Filed Aug 18, 2022 · Brakes, Engine · MO

It just died and I lost brakes, power steering, and only know what else stopped working. Come to find out the splines wear off of the oil pump shift after the counter balance and chain goes out. This is so common a problem that when you Google what happened there are numerous videos and complaints about this issue, with ways to stop it from happening. Korea has already recalled them and Europe has recalled them, why are we so far behind on this. Not only is it expensive, but also a major safety issue because this stops the brakes from working and the car does not have stopping power with the motor dead. NOT EVERYONE KNOWS TO REPORT TO the federal safety agency!

Filed Feb 14, 2019 · Engine · 85,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volkswagen passat. While driving 25 MPH, the engine began to overheat and drain the coolant. The failure occurred multiple times and the contact had to continuously replace the coolant over a couple of weeks. The check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the thermostat and housing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed May 4, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · MI

Over heated and timing belt

Filed Mar 2, 2016 · Engine · 95,900 miles · NJ · fire

Car was started at 9:30am at home- last driven night before locally. Car was driven @ 1 mile, parked, engine turned off, doors locked and left in parking lot. At 9:49 the local police called me to alert me that my car was on fire. There is footage of the fire on youtube. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqbndfdjpag the engine ignited for unknown reason. This car in un-repairable, there is no insurance claim. Receipts for work performed on this vehicle at the time of purchase and recent repair documentation is available. Car purchase bill of sale, receipt for title and registration and cost for insuring this vehicle since time of purchase are all available.

Filed Oct 3, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 142,000 miles · TX

Vehicle engine made unusual noise and stopped running. Steering and brakes became very difficult. Could not restart engine and heard loud banging from engine when starter was turning engine. Had to have vehicle pushed out of roadway. Inspection of engine revealed that the crankshaft had broken.

Filed Sep 22, 2014 · Engine · 187,000 miles · NC

Our passat is the tdi (diesel) model. We purchased it used and at around 185,000-190,000 (low miles by diesel engine standards), the vehicle completely shut down while being driven. I lost power steering and brakes. Diagnostics revealed that the chain driven oil pump assembly had malfunctioned. The chain broke and got all up in the engine and oil was no longer being pumped into the engine so the engine was destroyed requiring a complete engine repair. About 16,000 miles later, I was driving and the same exact thing happened. Did some research and found out that this is a very common problem with this model vehicle. Volkswagen has issued an internal technical bulletin telling the service departments how to fix the problem. The fix is changing out the chain driven assembly with a gear driven one. They also never made another model with a chain driven assembly after that model year. So they basically admitted that this is a faulty system yet won't issue a recall. Changing out the assembly is $1500 for the part alone and if you're changing out that part, the chances are good it's because it failed and you now have a destroyed engine as well which is a several thousand dollar job even for a used engine. There is no way to tell when it's going to fail and it's not part of any maintenance schedule. Volkswagen has told me that it's not a common enough problem to issue a recall and yet it's a common enough problem to have to issue a technical bulletin about it. I find it abominable that they know this has and is happening with this vehicle and they are not letting people know about it. Even if they refuse to pay for it to be fixed, the public should be aware that they are driving a ticking time bomb. Someone could get killed if the engine shut down on them while traveling at high speeds on a highway. No power steering. No brakes. It's completely unethical.

Filed Sep 19, 2014 · Engine · 101,900 miles · CT

Low oil pressure do to sludge build up. Bought the car as a certified pre-owned vehicle. I bought it around 60k and at 100k I am being told that I need a new engine.

Filed Jun 9, 2014 · Engine · 143,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact steered the vehicle to the side of the road and had it towed to a mechanic. The failure was diagnosed as engine oil sludge. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.

Filed Dec 7, 2013 · Engine · 89,000 miles · MI

Was driving home and the check engine light, stop driving light, low oil pressure light and a buzzer went off. Had the vehicle towed to a mechanic and have found that there is no oil pressure. The vehicle with this many miles should never have a problem with no oil pressure. The mechanic tells us that it might be "sludge" or the oil pump is shot. Either of which should never happen on any vehicle especially since it has only 89000 miles. This problem is typical with this motor and was recalled up to the model years 2004. The 1.8 l turbo motor is and always has been a terrible motor for this and just because they have not received a lot of complaints on this particular year does not mean that there is no problem. One only has to search on line to see that their is and has been an ongoing problem. Vw of america has acknowledged the recall and their culpability up to 2004, in an email to me, but because of our newer VIN has denied coverage.

Filed Oct 27, 2013 · Engine · 117,500 miles · CO

Engine oil pump drive failure (tdi engine), causing loss of engine operation including loss of power steering and loss of power brakes.