2009 Volkswagen Passat: sudden loss of power

Filed Jul 5, 2019 · Steering · 120,175 miles · VA

My steering will lock up and fail, but then after I restart the car a couple times it works again. Then it fails without warning. I get the auditory alert as well as a solid red steering wheel on the dash. There is a recall on 130 of this exact car, but when I do a VIN search it is not included. The current recall number is 08v577000, and I want to know about getting my VIN included since its the same failure. It has already been to the shop 3 times to be corrected, but only in the steering wheel, not in the steering box as indicated on the recall. My wife was driving it when it failed, but was in her patients neighborhood when it lost power steering (likely within the 5 MPH speed for it to fail).

Filed Jun 13, 2018 · Fuel system · 63,136 miles · LA

The company issued a recall for this issue with no remedy. My vehicle experienced this issue prior to the recall and we paid out of pocket for the repair that they recommend however, they will not reimburse us because they have not specified a "repair" on the recall although they do provide a remedy. This is a technicality on their (vw) end to not reimburse customers for repairs that they already know are needed. Prior to the repair we experienced symptoms below. Loss of power while driving and no start. We had no option but to pay for repairs out of pocket. Recall described as: fuel pump control module vw action code 20ae the federal safety agency recall number 17v509 start date 08-16-2017 description on certain vehicles, there could be an interruption in electrical power from the fuel pump control module. This could result in the fuel pump running continuously, resulting in a drained battery and/or a no start condition, or cause a loss of motive power while the vehicle is in motion, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Remedy replace the fuel pump control module and relocate it within the vehicle.

Filed Mar 20, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 90,000 miles · MI

Main rear bearing seal failure, sudden loss of power, burning smell from under car, $1,700 repair.

Filed Jan 12, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 50,800 miles · MI

Initial failure occurred while accelerating onto main thoroughfare. Vehicle lost all engine power and stalled out. Vehicle was send to vw dealer for repair where some warranty repairs were made as well as preventative maintenance that was advised. The car was returned as "repaired" and after driving home experienced the exact same failure while the car was idling in the driveway. Car was returned again and experienced the same failure a second time while I was traveling on i275 in detroit. The car stalled out and I again lost all power. I was forced to the side of the road where the car then failed to start. I was forced to sit for three hours in 20 degree weather with a twice in 2 weeks repaired issue as my car was buried in snow on the interstate. This is a major safety hazard!

Filed Sep 25, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 69,000 miles · NE

The car suddenly has 50% or less power and begins stumbling very badly. Acceleration is so poor that it's quite dangerous in heavy traffic and the ability to pull off the road is severely hampered. The only way I'm able to keep the car moving and running is to use the manual feature of the automatic transmission and keep the RPM's very high. The four coil packs in the car were replaced this spring. Suddenly, the same exact problem is back again 4 months later. Codes were random misifre and multiple misfires at various cylinders. Strange that all four packs go out at the same time....? That's not logical unless is something other than normal wear causing the issue. This problem has occurred twice and both time it begins in the middle of heavy traffic where the situation is very dangerous as the power loss is nearly complete. Both times were under acceleration when the heavy stumbling occurred. I turned the car off and disconnected the battery for 5 min. To hopefully reset the cars epc as the problem is so sudden it almost certainly is electrical. There is no logical explanation for four coil packs all needing to be replaced at the same time and 4 months after the last replacement...? Undoubtedly a consistently dangerous situation.

Filed Jun 29, 2013 · Engine · 44,500 miles · NC · fire

Traveling at posted speed limit on local highway when the engine lost power, battery light illuminated, A/C stopped blowing altogether. Vehicle was traveling up slight incline so vehicle pulled into nearest parking lot off of highway. Once vehicle pulled into parking lot it was turned off and the key removed. Attempted to re-start vehicle, engine would turn over but would not start. Removed key from vehicle, exited vehicle and noticed smoke coming from underneath hood. Raised hood and found top left rear engine cover and surrounding plastic tubing as well as the fabric on the underside of the hood on fire. Fire department was called but fire was extinguished prior to their arrival. Vehicle towed to local vw dealership and awaiting insurance adjuster and vw to assess damages.

Filed Feb 2, 2011 · Steering · 24,000 miles · CT

Loss of power steering. Steering gauge light turns on, along with ABS light, traction light. Steering wheel hardens and it is unable to steer vehicle. Second time that has occurred. Crash averted due to low speeds. Had the incident occurred minutes before during highway drive, certain accident would've been unavoidable. Incident happened at approx. 7000 miles first and now again at approx. 24k miles. Vehicle being reviewed.