2005 Volkswagen Passat: fuel pump failure

Filed Nov 17, 2021 · Fuel system · FL

Approximately back in June 2021, I noticed the smell of diesel fuel coming from the rear of the vehicle, noticed hours and days after the vehicle was parked. The smell is partially present from the interior in the trunk area, but mostly evident when standing near the vicinity of the fuel tank when outside of the vehicle. After driving the vehicle, I occasionally notice small puddles of diesel fuel (as evidenced by the oily texture and smell) coming from below the fuel tank. On occasion, I can also spot actual drops of diesel fuel on the lower car frame from underneath the vicinity of the fuel pump. These puddles usually evaporate or dissipate within an hour or two after appearing. Given that these puddles only appear after driving, and not after extended periods of the vehicle sitting in my driveway, I suspect that there is a leak in the fuel pump. A more recent VCDS scan of the ECU on 29 October 2021 results in a Gateway and Dashboard fault code in the fuel pump, which may or may not be related to the fuel pump leak. The fault code is 00476, relating to the fuel pump control module, indicating "no communication"; the code is marked as "static". This fault code may not be related to the underlying fuel leak, but since it relates to the fuel pump, I thought it would be worth mentioning. Last but not least, a recall notice was issued on the diesel fuel pump assembly that impacted the make and model of my vehicle, issued in December 2004, just a couple months before the manufacture date of my vehicle (February 2005). As a result of this cut-off date, my vehicle's VIN number was not included in the official recall notice (the federal safety agency # 04V586000); see: https://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/Volkswagen/PASSAT/2005/fuel%20system,%20diesel/recall/04V586000. Due to the commonality of my vehicle's components with the 2004 Volkswagen Passat TDI and close temporal proximity to the recall notice, I highly suspect that my vehicle's fuel pump is impacted by this latent recall.

Filed Jul 12, 2014 · Fuel system · 75,000 miles · PA

I was driving across connecticut on friday june 27 2014 on I-84 (danbury to mass pike), traveling from philadelphia to boston. After passing through hartford the road expands from 2 -3 lanes to 8, I was in lane 4. The road was going to split going 84 east and 383 se. 84 was still 8 lanes when my car completely died - no gas was getting to the engine. I had semi tractor trailer very close behind me, the time was 5:30 - rush hour, everyone was speeding, and I was shut down in lane 4. At this point, thankfully and miraculously, the 2 highways split and it was all I could do but fall into the newly created breakdown lane; otherwise I don't see how I could have walked away from the road. There was no, none, no warning that the car was going to die, no lights, no shaking, no alarm. I called the state police to get me off the highway. As it was friday evening, aaa could only tow me to a pep boys and as it was 7 pm by this time, I had to spend the night in a residence 6 in manchester cn. Pep boys looked at the car the next day and determined that no fuel was getting to the engine; I would need a new fuel pump. Also, for no other reason that it was interesting, apparently a 2004 all-wheel drive pump had been put on my (new) 2005 front-wheel drive car. I am told this is not unusual. They eventually found a pump and installed it, I left for maine around 1 pm that day. I had my car in my local shop before leaving on this trip, as is always done, and was deemed safe to drive. I have since call vw and they say that they have no real explanation for the pump dying other than this happens. I appreciate that equipment needs to be replaced and car parts maintained. It is outrageous that not to have provision to give warning to your car about to go into complete failure is acceptable by anyone. How many people have to be put in danger before this changes?

Filed Jun 25, 2010 · Fuel system · 54,000 miles · PA

Driving my 2005 vw passat wagon with 50k miles. Engine died suddenly while driving and was able to pull to the side of the road. No warning lights of any kind appeared on the dashboard. Car would not restart and was towed to the volkswagen dealership. Problem was stated as failure of the fuel pump and replacement would run $550.00. This item was recalled on previous model years but not on the 2005 1.8t engines. I feel that this item should not fail on a low mileage engine. Dealer notated that numerous other vehicles have been suffering from failing fuel pumps as the summer heat sets in.

Filed May 11, 2010 · Fuel system · 98,500 miles · CT

While I was driving home from work on the highway my 2005 passat (1.8t) suddenly shut off. Fortunately, I was able to move quickly to the break down lane to get out of the way of the cars behind me. The passat was towed to the dealer where they discover the fuel pump had failed. So then I paid the dealer replaced the fuel pump, since there are no recalls for the 2005 model (only 2003).

Filed Sep 23, 2009 · Fuel system · 68,000 miles · WA

I was driving down the road and the car started chugging and died. The dealership told me the fuel pump failed and a new pump and filter were replaced. There has been a recall on the fuel pump for the 2003 vw passat but the dealership won't recognize it for the 2005.