Volkswagen Passat pulling problems

Filed Feb 21, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · CA

The component that failed is in the official dealer report. I am not an expert however definitely an issue with electrical, engine, steering and acceleration meter. The car shakes/jolts aggressively. Once the shaking of the vehicle begins it accelerates with the breaks being pressed in under a red light and also under parked mode. In the red light case the vehicle then turns off the steering wheel freezes and all power comes off. The shaking/jolting takes place as I am driving as well. Which I then have to pull to the right to ensure my safety and others. This is major safety concern as it accelerates /jolts forward which can cause harm to pedestrians crossing the street, having me enter crossing traffic causing a major accident to myself and others. I have the brakes pressed in having no control of the vehicle. The vehicle turning off as I am driving is a major safety concern as I can cause an issue specially going on higher speed like freeways. The steering wheel comes into a complete freeze once the vehicle turns off as I’m operating the vehicle which then does not allow me to control the movement of the vehicle if I want to pull to the right away from traffic to avoid collisions. Once the car looses electricity and the steering wheel freezes I have to force my car to the right or a safe space. I then have to take my car key off the ignition and then turn it back on in hopes that it does turn on. No warning lamps have turned on. My dashboard is cleared with no lights. The dealer in downtown Los Angeles was informed of this issue, inspected and the report did come back reporting manufacturing issues. My vehicle did have a steering wheel recall before which I assumed was resolved as I did previously visit their center to ensure I was safe driving and leaving the dealer I trusted that the issue was resolved by their expert and experienced personnel. I am not sure or it’s unknown if this might have anything to do with the current issue I have.

Filed Feb 7, 2023 · Brakes, Suspension · 25,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH or at various speeds, there was a delay while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle was also pulling to the left and the right while depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the suspension was loose while driving over bumps in the roadway causing the vehicle to bounce. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front wheel bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

Filed Jun 18, 2016 · Airbags, Electrical · 147,300 miles · VT

Takata recall air bag fault light is on non-stop, a recall for airbag is issued, concerned that if airbag deploys I will be killed by the shrapnel. Car is not worth the repair to the airbag fault light, as the airbag it will deploy is dangerous. Vw of USA cannot help me. Can't sell the car as is...too dangerous. Also a wandering electrical problem that causes doors to be unopenable from the outside...never know which door or how many will not open. Today it is the driver's door.have been paying on it, but haven't driven it (out of fear) since august '15. I owe $2045 on it...want vw to buy me out and scrap it. Car woke up with the airbag fault light one day. Vw USA is very sorry for my problem, but no fix available/no buyout.

Filed Oct 22, 2015 · Suspension · 200 miles · CA

I have taken this vehicle into the dealership 3 times since original purchase for concerns with the suspension. At normal operating speeds, the car will pull to the right very quickly on a straight road. At 65+ MPH, any road changes force the car to jump lanes. It feels like driving a boat in rough water. I was told each time that everything is in spec. The car will lurch off the shoulder during turns that have any minor rough patches at all. This has gotten to the point now where we cannot operate the car safely.

Filed May 15, 2015 · Steering · FL

On 5/17/2014 we bought the car under there verbal, that they would fix the car from pulling right. They scheduled us to bring the car back 5/29/2014 to fix the pull to the right and have cosmetics done to the car. 5/30/2014 we picked up the car, on 6/5/2014 we brought the car back to the dealership the car still pulls right, dealership had the car three weeks trying to fix the right pull. They changed the tires from hankook to continentals, this helped a little and we took the car. 2/16/2015 we brought the car back to the dealership the car is pulling us out of the lane within 4 seconds, if you don't pull down on the steering left, the car takes you right. We understand that the car meets vw specs for aligment, we have had two other companies verify this, and they state its pulls right. I would like to find out if we can have this car inspected for safety issues, taking you out of your lane (always right), in 4 seconds we feel this is a huge safety issue.

Filed Aug 25, 2014 · Steering · 200 miles · MI

My 2014 passat tdi vehicle pulls to the right ...on highway, in right lane, will move right off the road in less than 7 seconds if hands are not on the wheel. Dealer made some improvements ....ie before it would run off the road in less than 3 seconds. Vw field representation claims this is normal effect of road crown and refuses to correct the condition. I drove a passat ( non diesel ) that drove fine... I drove a 2015 passat diesel that was better but still had excessive pull from road crown. I'm constantly fighting the vehicle to stay on the highway....especially while driving in the right lane. This is a safety issue to me .....vehicle will not stay on the road!

Filed May 25, 2014 · Tires, Wheels · 71,000 miles · NV · crash

I was traveling on I-70 east 25 miles east of denver at mile marker 133, with three of my granddaughters in the car with me. I heard a noise and immediately started to pull to the right shoulder and brake when the car went out of control, spinning me out to the left across both traffic lanes, took me in a 360 degree circle and then into the ditch on the right side of the road. It was only an instant from first noise to being spun out of control - no warning. Because I was spun out to the left, I was not hit by the semi directly behind me. The right rear tire ran ahead of my car from the point where I first attempted to stop. There was an incident report: colorado state patrol #[xxx]. Officer on scene examined tire and said it was an "instantaneous separation" of tread from sidewall and possibly faulty tire manufacture. He also said we should have rolled but my car's low center of gravity saved us. We were unhurt but traumatized. The tire was purchased 1-30-14, 3-1/2 months prior to incident and was in like-new condition. Purchased from discount tires on lake mead in las vegas, manufactured by gt radial, giti tire (USA) ltd., 10404 sixth street, rancho cucamonga, ca 91730-5831, phone (909) 980-0968. Car had been completely gone over two days before when I departed on trip, tire pressure was checked the day before, and a visual check was done before I got on the road that day. There was no indication that the tire was damaged or underinflated in any way. I believe utterly that the tire was defective and am considering a lawsuit despite fact that we were uninjured. This was a terrifying event and one which could have taken the lives of my granddaughters through no fault of my own. This is happening more and more and mfgrs are using old "dry" rubber and/or ineffective adhesive. I trust you will pursue this very serious issue. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed May 5, 2014 · Driver assistance · 106 miles · CA

I purchased a 2014 volkswagen passat tdi sel on 03-31-2014. I was driving it home when I went through a freeway interchange at highway speeds. The road was dry and other vehicles were going through the interchange at a speed faster than me. The electronic stability control (ESC) applied the brakes in such a way that it tried to straight my vehicle out into the turn, causing me to nearly hit the guard rail. I took my car in to the vw dealer the next morning and told them about the ESC issue and the fact the car pulled to the right (alignment issue). They checked it and found nothing and even said the alignment was fine. They said the ESC sounded normal to them. I've been driving the same roads for 20 years and I knew this wasn't normal. I made videos of the ESC car slowing me down below highway speeds around sweeping corners. I was taking my daughter home one day and a ford explorer nearly rear ended me. I've taken the car back two additional times, during which they corrected the alignment and fixed a trim panel that was falling down. The ESC they maintain is working perfectly. The funny thing is I also have a 2014 vw jetta tdi that never engages the ESC, though is equipped with the same system. I drove a 2014 vw cc as a loaner and the ESC never engaged. This system is going to kill someone if vw is allowed to tell consumers there isn't a problem with their programming or hardware.

Filed Sep 17, 2013 · Steering, Wheels · 470 miles · SD

This car has an issue with stability above 65 MPH. (yes they are inflated to proper pressure) I took a 550 mile trip right after I bought it and the car was extremely unstable at 65mph+ on all surfaces including: smooth concrete, grooved concrete, old pavement, brand new pavement, pavement with no tire wear or tire grooves, in wind or no wind. The problem is when you try to keep the car in a straight line. It will not track straight. It will go left or right, but not straight. Had alignment checked and it was correct. The car also tends to drift to the right a little no matter if your on the down or upslope of the crest on the road. It is borderline dangerous because in traffic I found the car wanting to dart towards the left and right lane. If you don't constantly fight the steering every second, you will hit a car next to you. I highly suspect it is the 17" hankook tires that come on the car as many have reported the same problems with these tires and have had issues from being dangerous in snow and water to the wandering left and right when trying to drive straight. Some have even reported the sidewalls rupturing. This is an issue that puts me in fear for the safety of my family and I will be replacing the tires as soon as I can afford it. Hopefully more people will complain here instead of just on forums. I urge you to research these tires and the vw passat forums and you will find tons of complaints about these tires. Another note: I have driven trucks, family sedans, sports cars, SUV's, audis, vw, mercedes, bmw, ford, chevy, dodge, and I have never felt the steering refusing to stay on the center line until this car.

Filed Aug 12, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 150 miles · AZ

Steering: vehicle pulls to an excessive amount potentially leading to injury or death. It does not track straight at all, no matter if it's on the left lane of the road, center crown of the road or in the right lane (no curves. I took the vehicle in to the dealership over 4 times thinking it may be an alignment problem. I was told the second time that it pulls hard to the right as a "safety measure", to lead the car to the right shoulder to get off the road on to the shoulder. Asked the service advisor to show me where vw had disclosed this as a "safety" measure. There was no such documentation. I took it in to another vw dealership in my same city. They did what they said was the 'best they could do without exceeding vw's specifications. This is a dangerous defect and the second dealership admitted to me that vw was having some problems with this issue. Lights/electrical: the low beam light went out on the drivers side of the vehicle. I took it to one of the dealerships in my city. I thought it went out too soon but suspect it was an issue. It turned out to be more then a simple burnt out bulb. The whole light assembly had to be replaced because of what the service advisor told me was indeed a problem vw was having with the electrical connection making continuous contact (like a plug & receptacle). He stated that they had changed the design in the 2014 models because of this defect in the 2013 models. I requested that since it was a known issue, I would like them to retrofit or change out the passenger side light. He stated to me he was not authorized to change the defective unit until it actually fails. This is potentially dangerous as it can happen at night when lights are really needed, and during the day if lights need to be on for safety where it is required on some of the more dangerous roads. Get it in writing what is wrong-no glossing over.