2002 Volkswagen Passat Body & Structure Problems

I WAS FILLING UP MY WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID AND WAS TRYING TO PUT THE CAP BACK ON MY 2002 PASSAT WHEN THE HOOD STRUT FAILED AND THE HOOD CRASHED DOWN ON MY FOREARM, PINNING MY ARM BETWEEN THE HOOD AND CAR FRAME. I SCREAMED OUT BOTH IN PAIN AND NOT BEING ABLE TO PULL MY ARM FREE AND HAD SOMEONE RUSH OVER TO ME WITHIN SECONDS. HOWEVER, THE HOOD LATCH HAD ENGAGED BUT WOULD NOT RELEASE SINCE THE HOOD WAS NOT CLOSED ALL THE WAY, MY ARM BLOCKING THIS FROM HAPPENING. THE FIRST GENTLEMAN TRIED TO ALLEVE THE PRESSURE ON MY ARM, WHICH HAD ALREADY STARTED GOING NUMB, WHILE HE CALLED OUT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO COME AND HELP AND BRING A HEAVY METAL BAR TO PRY ME OUT. THE SECOND GENTLEMAN CAME WITH A LARGE WRENCH AND WAS ABLE TO BEND THE FRAME ENOUGH FOR ME TO PULL MY ARM OUT. MAJOR INDENT OF MY FOREARM HAD ME MAKE AN EMERGENCY ROOM VISIT. XRAYS SHOWED NOTHING WAS BROKEN THOUGH 1 WEEK LATER I AM STILL SWOLLEN AND SORE. ABOUT $1900 BODY DAMAGE TO CAR, AS WELL AS AT LEAST $250 MEDICAL. MY MECHANIC NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE HOOD STRUT, SO THIS INCIDENT CAME AS A TOTAL SURPRISE TO HIM. HE HAS ORDERED A REPLACEMENT STRUT TO BE INSTALLED TOMMOROW. *CN

DURING HEAVY RAINS, WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SUNROOF, WHICH WAS PROPERLY CLOSED AND LATCHED. OWNER DID NOT KNOW THAT WATER INFILTRATION HAD OCCURRED. UPON DRIVING THE CAR AFTER THE STORM, MULTIPLE WARNINGS APPEARED. CAR SHUTTERED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. EVENTUALLY CAR SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. TOOK CAR TO SERVICE STATION, WHICH DIAGNOSED THAT WATER HAD ENTERED VEHICLE AND POOLED IN PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. TRANSMISSION MODULE LOCATED BENEATH PASSENGER FLOORBOARD FLOODED AND FAILED. TRANSMISSION MODULE AND RELATED COMPONENTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE CONTACTED MANUFACTURER OF VEHICLE AND WERE TOLD THIS WAS NOT A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT INFORMATION OBTAINED BY OUR INSURANCE COMPANY INDICATES OTHERWISE. *TR

ON OR ABOUT 2002 I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO VOLKSWAGEN ABOUT MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHENEVER IT RAIN THE BACK FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR HAVE WATER IN IT. WHILE MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY I CARRIED MY CAR INTO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEY NEVER FIXED MY CAR. WHEN MY WARRANTY RAN OUT I STILL COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TO CUSTOMER SERVICE AT VOLKSWAGEN AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I ALSO TOLD VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT I BELIEVED THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAD SOLD ME A LEMON BUT VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. YEAR 2007 VOLKSWAGEN USA SENT ME A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE SUN ROOF ON MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, THEY (VOLKSWAGEN) STATED THAT A RECALL ON THE SUN ROOF HAD BEEN RECALLED, AND TO TAKE IT TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER FOR REPAIRS. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL AND I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. AS OF NOW I HAVE RUST DAMAGE ON THE FLOOR OF MY CAR AND I BELIEVE THAT VOLKSWAGEN USA SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD SINCE 2002, AND I AM STILL HAVING SINCE VOLKSWAGEN USA DID THE RECALL. I HAVE REPEATEDLY CALLED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I AM HOPING AND PRAYING THAT THIS MESSAGE IS READ BY SOMEONE WHO WILL TAKE THE TIME OUT OF THERE BUSY DAY AND HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. IF I DECIDE TO SELL ME CAR THE PROBLEM WON'T GO AWAY SOME PERSON WHO EVER IT IS WILL END UP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD SINCE 2002 AND THAT'S NOT RIGHT. I BELIEVE THAT VOLKSWAGEN USA SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE AND RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM NOT JUST TO SELL THIS CAR AND PASS THE PROBLEM ON TO SOME INNOCENT PERSON WHO MIGHT END UP BUYING THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP ME VOLKSWAGEN RECALL ON THIS CAR WAS OCTOBER 2007. *TR

AFTER HEAVY RAINFALL, WATER FILLED THE PASSENGER FLOOR WELL. I VACUUMED OUT THE WATER AND MOVED VEHICLE ON A SURFACE THAT IS SLOPED AND ANOTHER 3 GALLONS OF WATER CAME THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER KICK PANEL WHERE THERE ARE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. IN TOTAL, THERE WAS 7 GALLONS OF WATER. NOW ALL THE SERVICE LIGHTS COMES AND REMAINS ON. *TR

WHEN IT RAINS WATER LEAKS INTO THE CAR UNDER THE PASSENGER DASH OVER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR THE CAR. *TR

FOLLOWING A HEAVY RAIN, ENTIRE FLOORBOARD WET WITH NO EVIDENCE OF OVERHEAD OR SIDE PANEL WETNESS. WATER DRAINED DIRECTLY INTO CAR BUT NOT THROUGH DOOR SEALS OR WINDOWS. DRAIN PLUGS IN UNDERCARRIAGE REMOVED AND WATER STREAMED OUT FOR APPROX. 10 MINUTES. INITIAL ASSESSMENT BY DEALER INDICATES WATER DAMAGED COMFORT MODULE (CONTROLLING ALL POWERED COMPONENTS LIKE WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS, SUNROOF, CRUISE, SEATS, ETC.) AND TRANSMISSION MODULE AND CONNECTORS. OVER $4500 ESTIMATE (NOT FINISHED TO DATE). SOURCE OF LEAK NOT YET FOUND BY DEALER. *NM

DEBRIS IN COWL AREA CAN CLOG DRAIN HOLE CAUSING WATER TO ENTER VEHICLE SHORTING OUT COMPUTER AND WIRING. *NM

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. IN MAY 2006 AFTER SOME HEAVY RAIN, I NOTICED SOME DAMPNESS AND ODOR EMANATING FROM THE PASSENGER-SIDE FLOORING OF MY VEHICLE. DURING THE LAST TWO MONTHS, THE LEAKAGE HAS DRAMATICALLY INCREASED. AFTER A HEAVY RAIN I HAVE SEEN AS MUCH AS ONE INCH OF STANDING WATER IN THE REAR FOOTWELL. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP TODAY, WHO SUGGESTED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO AN AFTER-MARKET PIECE OF RADIO EQUIPMENT THAT WAS INSTALLED MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND CAREFULLY EXAMINING ALL OF THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE HOLE, I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DRAIN DOES NOT DRAIN TO ITS INTENDED LOCATION. THE WATER SEEPS THROUGH THE REAR DOOR'S CASING/SEAL AND INTO THE FLOOR. THE LEAK HAS CAUSED MY UNDERCARRIAGE TO RUST AND LEAK. MANY OTHER VW OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE AVERAGE COST TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE IS OVER $1000. SOME CONSUMERS HAD ELECTRICAL FAILURES AS THE STANDING WATER OCCURS DIRECTLY OVER ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENTS. THE DEFECT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY FROM VW, REGARDLESS RF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. VW STATES THIS IS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE; HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT MENTIONED IN ANY OWNER'S MANUAL, AND IT IS NOT A PART OF ANY VW SERVICE PLAN. *NM

1 - HEAVY RAINS - CAR PARKED OUTSIDE IN DRIVEWAY - NO FLOODING. WATER LEAKED INTO 2002 VW PASSAT PASSENGER SIDE REAR FOOT WELL, VIA VENT/AIR FILTER - 3 INCHES OF STANDING WATER ON THE FLOOR. 2 - CARPETING SATURATED - DUE TO INSULATION UNDERNEATH, UNABLE TO DRY WITHOUT REMOVING. VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEMS UNDER SAME SIDE CARPETING ALL DAMAGED - IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT - DEALERSHIP ESTIMATES REPAIRS AT OVER $2000. 3 - CALLED VW CUSTOMER CARE CENTER - THEY SAID THAT BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WILL GIVE NO CONSIDERATION TO HELPING WITH REPAIR COSTS. WILL CONTACT INSURANCE COMPANY AND/OR LAWYER. *NM

1) INTERIOR OF CAR FLOODS (3RD INCIDENT IN 4 YEARS)-FIRST INCIDENT 11/2003 2) DON'T KNOW WHAT IMPACT THE POOLING WATER HAS ON INTEGRITY OF VEHICLE 3) DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE REPAIRED PROBLEM. *JB

SEVERE FLOOD DAMAGE INSIDE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FOOT WELL OF MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. FLOODING OCCURRED AFTER A MODERATE RAIN. COULD FIND NO BLOCKED DRAINS IN THE SUN ROOF OF THE POLLEN FILTER. *JB

CLOGGED DRAIN,FOR SUN ROOF,CAUSES WATER BUILD UP ON RT. SIDE FLOOR OF CAR,ELECTRONIC MODULE($800.00),NOT WATER PROOF,CREATES MIXED SIGNALS-AIRBAG FAULT HAVE SERVICED-ENGINE LUBRICATION FAULT "STOP ENGINE"--THERE DEFECT,THEY DON'T PAY DUE TO "WATER EXCLUSION"-CARPETING $1,400.00-"WATER EXCLUSION!!!!!

2002 VW PASSAT: WATER LEAKAGE INTO THE CAR ACCUMULATING IN THE FLOOR WELLS WHEN IT RAINS. NO IMMEDIATE CAUSE DETERMINED. WINDOWS ALL CLOSED. DRAINS FOR SUNROOF OPEN AND CLEAR. HAPPENS REPEATEDLY WHEN RAINING. *JB

WE HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGON. SEVERAL DAYS AGO, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON STEADILY & THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING SLUGGISHLY. WE TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY. THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE POLLEN FILTER HOUSING WHICH HAD ALLOWED RAINWATER TO TRACK INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, UNDER THE CARPETS. A NUMBER OF KEY ELECTRONIC MODULES ARE IN THIS LOCATION, INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND THE COMFORT CONTROL MODULE. THESE UNITS HAD BEEN DESTROYED BY THE POOLING WATER AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS US THAT THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PASSATS; FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALS A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO'VE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS (SEE HTTP://WWW.THEAUTOBAHN.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=12789&PAGE=1&PP=10). I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT WITH PASSATS THAT CARRIES RISK TO DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OF THESE CARS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE COWLING DRAINAGE BECAME FILLED WILL DEBRIS CAUSING WATER TO ENTER THE TRANSMISSION MODULE. THE VEHICLE LOST PARTIAL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP CLEANED THE COWLING DRAINS, REPAIRED THE WIRING AND BATTERY. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKE BOOSTER, THE TRANSMISSION MODULE AND THE CARPETING WERE REPLACED. *NM

DURING NORMAL DRIVING, MY 2002 PASSAT 1.8T HAS SUFFERED DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE SHIELD TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR. THE SHIELD COMES LOOSE OR TEARS LOOSE FROM ITS MOORINGS AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I DO NOT DRIVE OFF ROAD OR USE EXCESSIVE SPEED. MY SECOND APPOINTMENT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE SHIELD IS OCTOBER 13, 2005. AT LITHIA VOLKSWAGEN IN RENO, NEVADA. *NM

WHEN IT RAINS, MY VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2002 STATION WAGON FLOORS GET SOAKED AND PUDDLE. HAD BACK TO DEALER 3 TIMES OVER 1.5 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, HAD RUGS REPLACED 2X, THEY SAID IT WAS A FILTER SEAL THAT WAS BAD. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*AK

THE ENTIRE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE FLOODS WHEN IT RAINS.CAUSE/LOCATION OF THE LEAK IS UNKNOWN. *AK

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SEVERE VIBRATION.*JB

THE AIR DAM THAT PROTECTS THE TRANSMISSION/ENGINE BOTTOM, ONLY THE FRONT CENTER BOLT HAD BEEN ATTACHED. THE RIGHT AND LEFT BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED. DAM BROKE WHILE MOVING AND COULD GET WEDGED UNDER VEHICLE CAUSING A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. *JG

THE AIR DAM THAT PROTECTS THE TRANSMISSION/ENGINE BOTTOM, ONLY THE FRONT CENTER BOLT HAD BEEN ATTACHED. THE RIGHT AND LEFT BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED. DAM BROKE WHILE MOVING AND COULD GET WEDGED UNDER VEHICLE CAUSING A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. *JG