2005 Volkswagen Passat Other Problems

Your car caught fire approximately 19 minutes after being parked and turned off, with no apparent cause. The engine ignited while the vehicle was unoccupied in a parking lot, resulting in a complete loss. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

Your car has intermittent starting problems where the engine cranks but won't start, sometimes taking 15 minutes to 5 hours to restart—the wait time seems to depend on how long you drove before shutting it off. A diagnostic code pointed to a faulty crankshaft position sensor (CPS), which you replaced, but you're still experiencing random starting failures and the same code keeps appearing, especially in rainy weather. You've also noticed the engine speed fluctuates while driving. The problem is difficult to diagnose because it won't consistently fail at a mechanic's shop. A complete electrical and sensor system inspection, including the crankshaft position sensor wiring and connectors, may be needed to find the root cause.

Your check engine light keeps coming back on with engine misfires—this is the fourth time it's happened, and each repair costs around $2,000 but only lasts a short while. You've already replaced the oil pump, spark plugs, and fuel injectors, and recently had the timing belt, injectors, and gaskets replaced, but the same problems returned within two months. Your engine is now shuttering and trying to stall while driving. The fix will likely involve diagnosing the root cause of the misfires, which could require engine oil system cleaning or further fuel system and ignition component service.

WATER LEAKS INSIDE PASSENGER FLOOR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THERE IS A FIRE REPORT BUT THE CONTACT DOES NOT HAVE A COPY. THERE WERE NO DEATHS, INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES ARE 40000.

WHEN MAKING A TURN FROM A STOP POSITION, THE CAR STALLS. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN GOING FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *JB THE MECHANIC WENT ON A TEST DRIVE WITH THE CONSUMER AND HE NOTICED THAT SHE DROVE WITH BOTH FEET, THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE SHOULD SSTOP OR GO FORWARD WHEN TURNING, AND THEREFORE IT STALLED. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS MADE AN EFFORT TO USE ONLY ONE FOOT AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE RESOLVED. UPDATED 10/31/07. *JB

TWICE THE FLOOR BOARD IN THE RIGHT BACK SEAT FLOODED DUE TO AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED POLLEN FILTER. THE SECOND FLOODING CAUSED MY AUTO TRANSMISSION MODULE TO SHORT AND PUT THE CAR IN LIMP MODE. *JB