NHTSA vehicle safety data

2000 Volkswagen Passat Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2000 Volkswagen Passat has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 506 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Volkswagen dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2000 Volkswagen Passat, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2000 Volkswagen Passat owner complaints

Owners have filed 506 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Volkswagen Passat, describing incidents dated January 1, 2000 to September 8, 2025.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 207 complaints
Engine 100 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 46 complaints
Electrical System 42 complaints
Suspension 36 complaints
Steering 25 complaints

Of the 506 complaints on file, 11 report a crash and 25 a fire; across all 506 complaints, owners report 12 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11705331 · Filed December 16, 2025
Side airbag deployed for no reason while driving straight at the speed limit of 75 mph. The local VW dealer determined the side impact sensor is defective. This is a very interesting situation because a fail safe exists in these systems in that the supplemental restraint control module in the center…
ODI #11384369 · Filed December 21, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER BEING PARKED OVERNIGHT, HE NOTICED A FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS HALF EMPTY AFTER BEING REFILLED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND WAS…
ODI #11230809 · Filed July 10, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, SMOKE BILLOWED FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY LEAVE THE ROADWAY, THE HOOD WAS RAISED AND FLAMES APPEARED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE…

Read all 506 complaints

Owner-reported

2000 Volkswagen Passat mileage at failure

342 of the 506 complaints on file for the 2000 Volkswagen Passat give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Service Brakes	Median 75,000 miles	Middle half 60,000–95,000 miles	Based on 162 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System	Median 70,000 miles	Middle half 40,000–115,000 miles	Based on 32 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Complaints received before December 15, 2002 rarely give a mileage, so they aren't counted here.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2000 Volkswagen Passat in 7 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA07-014: PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Closed July 7, 2008
- Recall 08V-156
Preliminary Evaluation PE07-024: PASSENGER/ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Closed September 28, 2007
Defect Petition DP05-004: ENGINE STALLING
Closed December 8, 2005
Engineering Analysis EA03-020: PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE
Closed April 23, 2004
Preliminary Evaluation PE03-021: PASSENGER SIR DOOR MOUNTING STUD FAILURE
Closed October 7, 2003

2 more NHTSA investigations

Engineering Analysis EA00-028: FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
Closed January 29, 2002
- Recall 02V-026
Preliminary Evaluation PE00-033: FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
Closed December 28, 2000

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Water Pump may cause Failure of Timing Belt

NHTSA #14E007000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported March 7, 2014 · The Gates Corporation

Potentially affected: 50 vehicles

Repair completion: 2% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified May 1, 2014

Defect description

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Safety consequence

A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR

NHTSA #09E025000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported May 11, 2009 · DOPE, INC.

Potentially affected: 42,540 vehicles

Owners notified July 28, 2009

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY DOPE, INC.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS/FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS

NHTSA #08V156000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery · NHTSA notice

Reported April 7, 2008 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Potentially affected: 412,000 vehicles

Volkswagen campaign 26E5/R5 · Owners notified June 13, 2008 · Vehicles built June 1, 1999 – May 31, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A FUEL LINE (1.8T ENGINES ONLY) OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) THAT CAN LEAK DUE TO FRACTURE.

Safety consequence

A HEAT SHIELD THAT MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. IN ADDITION, A FUEL LEAK FROM A FUEL LINE OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS TO COVER THE POSSIBLY DAMAGED AREAS AND FLASH ALL 1.8T ENGINES WITH A PRECAUTIONARY SOFTWARE UPDATE. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT AND ADJUST THE FUEL LINE ROUTING ON 1.8T VEHICLES AND THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE ON 4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES, AND REPLACE COMPONENTS IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Notes

VWOA RECALL NO. 26E5/R5.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

VW/FILLER NECK/TIRE ABRASION

NHTSA #02V026000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly — Filler Pipe and Cap · NHTSA notice

Reported January 25, 2002 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Potentially affected: 487,284 vehicles

Volkswagen campaign WK · Owners notified June 13, 2003 · Vehicles built April 1, 1997 – August 31, 2002 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

VW/FUEL SENDING UNITS

NHTSA #01V157000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported May 3, 2001 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Potentially affected: 70,000 vehicles

Owners notified May 1, 2001 · Vehicles built September 1, 1999 – December 29, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SULFUR IN FUEL INTERACTS WITH CERTAIN ADDITIVES FOUND IN WIDELY AVAILABLE GASOLINE CAUSING SULFUR TO BECOME DEPOSITED ON THE CONTACT POINTS OF THREE FUEL SENDING UNITS MOUNTED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE TO READ FULL WHILE THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT IN FACT BE FULL OR COULD BE EMPTY.

Safety consequence

RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT FUEL IN THE TANK LEAD TO SAFETY PROBLEMS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE EXISTING FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNITS AND REPLACE THEM WITH FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNITS USING A NEW ALLOY COMPOSED OF GOLD, SILVER, AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF NICKEL, WHICH WILL NOT CHEMICALLY REACT WITH SULFUR. VW/AUDI WILL ALSO CALL BACK VEHICLES THAT WERE REPAIRED UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL LAST JUNE IN ORDER TO INSTALL THE UPDATED FUEL SENDING UNITS NHTSA 00V137/AUDI LB). OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 1, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-866-892-2834.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2000 Volkswagen Passat 4-DR. wSAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

7 investigations

506 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Volkswagen Passat.

Air Bags

ODI #11705331

1 injury

Incident: September 8, 2025 · Filed: December 16, 2025

Side airbag deployed for no reason while driving straight at the speed limit of 75 mph. The local VW dealer determined the side impact sensor is defective. This is a very interesting situation because a fail safe exists in these systems in that the supplemental restraint control module in the center of the car must simultaneously "see" a side impact g force in order to deploy the side air bag. In other words even with a defective side impact sensor The side air bag should not have deployed. At the time of the incident the vehicle was travelling straight ahead next to a semi truck. No such impact occurred and the VW dealer confirmed the vehicle has no evidence of such an impact. I had this investigated by Volkswagen AG and my local dealer. Suffered broken teeth, bruised ribs, hearing loss in left ear.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #11384369

Incident: November 12, 2020 · Filed: December 21, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER BEING PARKED OVERNIGHT, HE NOTICED A FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS HALF EMPTY AFTER BEING REFILLED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAM IN THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL LEAK. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11230809

Fire

Incident: July 3, 2019 · Filed: July 10, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, SMOKE BILLOWED FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY LEAVE THE ROADWAY, THE HOOD WAS RAISED AND FLAMES APPEARED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED AND REMAINED AT THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Engine

ODI #11093885

Incident: April 18, 2018 · Filed: May 15, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING AND THE "EMISSIONS WORK" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED SOMETIMES DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E007000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #10957424

Incident: August 20, 2015 · Filed: February 27, 2017

PROBLEMAS ELCTRICOS

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10940191

Incident: January 5, 2017 · Filed: January 6, 2017

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WE STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE IN THE CABIN. WE PULLED OVER AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD. A FUEL LINE ATTACHED TO THE FIREWALL HAD A LEAK DIRECTLY ABOVE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, AND WAS SPRAYING GASOLINE EVERYWHERE IN THE ENGINE BAY, INCLUDING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND EXHAUST SYSTEM. WE WERE INFORMED BY TOW TRUCK DRIVER THAT WE WERE INCREDIBLY LUCKY NO FIRE GOT STARTED IN THE ENGINE BAY WHILE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10897203

Incident: August 1, 2016 · Filed: August 19, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. UPDATED 11/01/16*LJ

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10766704

Incident: July 11, 2014 · Filed: September 21, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FRACTURED AND THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

Electrical System; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10731607

Incident: July 1, 2014 · Filed: July 1, 2015

IN APPROXIMATELY JULY OF 2014 MY VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STARTED EXPERIENCING ON AND OFF AGAIN PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE FIRING. I HAD RECENTLY RETIRED AND WAS NOT DRIVING THE CAR DAILY, AND SO I WAS UNABLE TO ASSOCIATE THE PROBLEM WITH ANY RECENT DRIVING EVENT. HOWEVER, ONE MORNING WHEN THE HESITATION WAS VERY PRONOUNCED I POPPED THE HOOD TO HAVE A LOOK. WATER WAS STANDING ALMOST LEVEL WITH THE TOP OF THE BATTERY IN THE AREA HOUSING THAT PART. I USED MY INDOOR/OUTDOOR VACUUM TO PUMP OUT AS MUCH WATER AS POSSIBLE. WHEN I THOUGHT THE AREA WAS THOROUGHLY DRIED OUT I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. HE DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO DETERMINE THAT DRAINAGE HOLES ON BOTH SIDES UNDER THE HOOD WERE CLOGGED. HE WAS ABLE TO UNCLOG THE HOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IMMEDIATELY, BUT THE HOLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS LOCATED BENEATH PARTS THAT HAVE TO BE MOVED FOR ACCESS. I RECALLED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE YEARS WHEN I WAS CERTAIN I WAS HEARING THE SOUND OF WATER SLOSHING AROUND UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD ASKED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AT TIME OF SERVICE FOR THE SOUND TO BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER. I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THE SAME THING: THERE WAS NOTHING TO EXPLAIN THE SOUND I WAS HEARING. I NOW BELIEVE THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM OVER THE YEARS I'VE OWNED THE CAR, AND MIGHT HAVE IMPACTED MORE THAN JUST THE BATTERY AT ANY TIME. I THOUGHT THERE SHOULD BE MORE THAN ONE REPORT OF THIS PROBLEM ON FILE.

Electrical System; Structure; Unknown or Other

ODI #10724634

Incident: June 10, 2015 · Filed: June 10, 2015

MY HUSBAND PICKUP WOULD NOT START, SO I LIFT MY HOOD OF MY PASSAT TO GIVE HIM A JUMP AND THE WHOLE SECTION ALL THE WAY ACROSS THAT HOLDS THE BATTERY HAVE AT LEAST 6 INCHES OF WATER JUST STANDING IN THERE. WE HAVE HAD SOME DOWN POURS OF RAIN,BUT RAIN WATER SHOULD NEVER BE STANDING ON THE INSIDE OF MY HOOD. THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY KILLED ME IF I NEVER HAD TO LIFT MY HOOD AND TRY TO DRIVE THIS WITH WATER STANDING AROUND ALL OF MY ELECTRICAL WIRES AND BATTERY. I HAVE TAKEN TWO PICTURES FOR VISIBILITY, BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW I AM GOING TO GET THAT WATER OUT WITHOUT ELECTROCUTING MYSELF. SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME.

Other Volkswagen Passat model years

Check your 2000 Volkswagen Passat VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volkswagen Passat at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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