Volkswagen Passat premature wear problems

Filed Nov 12, 2024 · Brakes · CA

In May of 2023, I reported that the driver side rear brake caliper appeared to be sticking as one pad at that corner was completely worn down and making contact with the rotor, while the other pad at that same corner had no visible wear. Dealer replaced the rear left rotor under warranty (40,805 miles). Warranty also covered both rear rotors and rear pads due to rotor damage. In February of 2024, dealer inspection noticed the exact same issue on rear right brake caliper and replaced it under the extended warranty (59,631 miles). Although rear right rotor was damaged again, the extended warranty did NOT cover rear rotors or pads and I had to cover the cost out of pocket. In November of 2024 with approximately 80,000 miles, I performed a full brake inspection and noticed that even at this mileage, there was NO visible wear to the factory installed front brake pads (which at this mileage was odd and concerning), and while inspecting the rear pads I noticed that there was no visible wear to the rear left pads, but the rear right pads were worn down almost to the rotor. This uneven wear was shown to the dealer and after a day of "diagnosis", the dealer tech found no issues. They claimed fluid was flowing freely and the brake pistons were not sticking (pointing to the ABS module applying significantly more braking force to the rear right corner, in my opinion). I pressed the issue and after another day of diagnosis, they claimed the ABS module was defective and submitted the claim to the extended warranty. Claim was approved and part is no order, but I do not trust the braking system on this car with brake pads wearing unevenly down to the rotors every 20,000 miles and no perceivable braking force taking place on the front brakes. I, again will have to cover the costs to replace the rear pads and rotors due to continued related and warrantied part failures. I also raised the issue to VW Customer CARE, who created a case and is investigating with the dealer.

Filed Jul 5, 2023 · Brakes · 5,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the rear brake pads were generating an excessive amount of brake dust. The dealer was notified. The contact stated that he was informed a year later at a vehicle State Inspection, that the rear brakes were significantly worn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was an uneven brake wear as the rear brakes were prematurely worn while the front brakes were in very good condition. The dealer notified the manufacturer, who informed the dealer that there would be no assistance as the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

Filed Jan 20, 2020 · Brakes · 57,000 miles · PA

Upon inspecting the brakes for wear I found they needed to be replaced, I chose to go to pep boys for the brake pads. These pads came with a wear sensor installed, so I called volkswagen to verify with the parts department my vehicle indeed needed the wear sensor they confirmed utilizing my VIN however, my vehicle is not equipped with the wear sensor. I took the vehicle to the dealership and was informed that I should just cut the wear sensor cable and install the brake pads as this would be what the technicians would do as well. I called other dealerships to confirm these actions, with positive confirmation other dealers would follow the same process. This does not seem safe to cut a sensor that is meant to notify the driver of brake pad wear.

Filed Apr 17, 2019 · Brakes · 26,000 miles · MI

Passat brakes started squealing at around 9000 miles. When serviced at dealer they stated brakes were fine. Squealing continued to 20k miles. Again serviced at dealer and said brakes were fine. Squeeling eventually stoped but after noticing severe vibration in steering wheel during freeway driving and when applying brakes, I stopped and took to nearby mechanic to inspect. He reported rotors are warped at 26k miles. This should not happen with a new car with light use. Since 3 years just passed car just exited warranty status. This problem might be due to the adaptive cruise control feature as it tends to apply the brakes hard during normal driving if set to setting number 1. To avoid hard braking, I have to keep the adaptive cruise at setting 3 which is what I've been doing when I do use it. Still, this seems to be a recurring issue in passats as apparent on search boards online. Vw should upgrade their adaptive cruise control firmware and replace impacted owners brakes, rotors and calipers. Brakes should not start going out a 9k miles and have warped rotors at 26k miles. The dealer should have caught this problem while I was still under warranty instead of reporting no issues and passing inspection reports falsely. Make people safe, recall this safety issue immediately.

Filed Feb 11, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 110,000 miles · MI

Check engine light prompted me to take my 2008 vw passat 2.0t to the dealer to have code read. Advised it was a malfunction of the camshaft and the high pressure fuel pump (hpfp) cam follower that has been recognized as a flaw meriting warranty extension on the 2006-2007 models. I have been informed that the 2007 model year was produced through 7/2007. My vehicle was manufactured in 8/2007 and thus has the 2008 model year, but the dealership service manager informed me that this was the same parts and the same problem as the prior years with extended warranty. This fault causes premature wear on the cam follower and the hpfp rod wears into the camshaft causing loss of fuel/speed, acceleration, or engine power upon failure. Seeing as how my vehicle has the same build as those of previous model years that were included in the warranty extension, further consideration of 2008 vehicles with the identical problem should be considered. Volkswagen customer service has been contacted by several affected owners in this matter and is unwilling to acknowledge that this flaw recognized in 06-07 vehicles extends into some 2008 vehicles and is denying coverage and disregarding the safety issue that follows failure of the camshaft due to the erosion of this part. Vw customer care was not able to produce proof that my vehicle had different or improved parts by way of a different set of part numbers installed. The technicians confirmed that my camshaft was identical to the recalled camshaft, and the cam follower wear was so extreme that the hpfp rod was eroding the cam surface directly. Vw customer care has denied any flaw or extended warranty for 2008 2.0t owners despite the warranty extension for prior model years for the exact same problem.

Filed Apr 24, 2009 · Engine · 12,000 miles · FL

Vehicle low oil pressure alarm came& stop engine alarm, I stopped vehicle, no oil on dipstick, I put in 4 qts, oil, still not full, took to dealer, they said it needs piston rings, I asked about the turbo & internal parts possibly damaged due to oil starvation, they will only replace rings, if anything else fails after the repairs they will repair it as long as it is still under factory warranty, the vehicle has approx 13000 miles, I requested a new engine since the vehicle is new, no help from customer service or dealer, I am afraid I will have to replace the engine after the warranty expires due to some internal parts premature wear due to the oil consumption which was confirmed by vw dealer, approx 1.9 quarts in 662 miles.

Filed Apr 7, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · 6,000 miles · CO

I have had my 2001 vw passat for 7 years now and have had it in the shop multiple issues including warped rotors (front and back), cracked chasse, electrical issues and various other problems. Before having this car, I had a toyota for 8 years and in the 8 years I had the toyota, I only had it in the shop for routine maintenance. This car is disappointing and everyone I talk to who has a similar model/year says the same thing. I think the 2001 vw passat is a lemon.

Filed Nov 5, 2007 · Brakes · 25,359 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen passat. The rear brake pads wear out every 15,000 miles, which is about four times faster than a normal vehicle. This is unexpected on a vehicle with such low mileage and could cause brake failure. In february of 2006, at 25,359 miles, the dealer informed the contact of this possibility. He notified the manufacturer and they denied any knowledge of the failure. The current mileage was 39,722 and failure mileage was 25,359.

Filed Nov 15, 2005 · Steering · 95,000 miles · IA

Premature tie rod failure. Left and right tie rod ends are prematurely worn resulting in the passenger side tie rod in breaking, parts need to repair damage, left and right tie rod assembly, ball joints, 1/2 shafts. Estimated repair cost $1678.

Filed Sep 29, 2005 · Brakes · 3,000 miles · NY

Bought new a vw passat, glx,v6 in may 2003. It has 18500 miles on it. I have had three sets of rear rotors replaced because they have warped. The last set were replaced in march 2005, and I am experiencing the same problem today, and have an appointment at the dealer to have them replaced again. The rotors warp badley, the car, especially at highway speeds shudders when the brakes are applied and does not stop adequately.