7.7% of complaints about the 1998 Volkswagen Passat came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 1998 vehicle — around the middle of the 180 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.2 yr in service. The most-reported system is suspension (94 complaints), typically at 4.3 yr or about 72,000 miles.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.
FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.
IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A CONTROL VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTING THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FULLY AT TEMPERATURES BELOW -4 F UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS.
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE BACKFIRES DURING A COLD-START, AN AIR SCREEN WHICH IS LOOSELY SEATED IN THE AIR FLOW METER CAN BECOME DAMAGED.
SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.
VEHICLE HAS SERIOUS BLIND SPOTS CAUSED BY THE SMALL SIZE AND NARROW VIEW OF THE THREE MIRRORS.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME SUNROOF MECHANISMS FRACTURED. THIS TIME THEY STRUCK THE DRIVER WHILE DRIVING (PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY). IN BOTH FAILURES, THERE WERE FRACTURES OF THE MECHANISM. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE RESULTED IN PIECES FLYING OFF THE CAR AND STRIKING THE DRIVER IN THE RIGHT SHOULDER.
ON SEVERAL OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH, AND DURING RAIN , MY SUNROOF WOULD OPEN WHILE IN OFF POSITION, I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO SOUTHERN STATES VOLKSWAGEN AND ALSO LAND VOLKSWAGEN, THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS CAR. IT BECAME UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 15 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. DEALERSHIPS AND VW CORP. ARE GIVINGME THE RUN ME THE RUN AROUND
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE ENGINE SHIELD FELL OFF FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL. ALSO, STEERING WAS VERY HARD TO STEER, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE SHOULDER. THE CONSUMER LOOK UNDER THE VEHICLE,AND NOTICED THE FRONT OF THE SHIELD WAS ON THE FREEWAY, AND THE SHIELD WAS RUBBING UP AGAINST THE FRONT TIRES. *AK