2.1

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,849 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1999 Volkswagen Passat electrical problems

electrical problem

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1999 Volkswagen Passat Owner Comments

problem #12

Feb 152007

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1999 VW Passat, 1.8T engine: Ignition coils needed to be replaced at 76,000 miles.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #11

May 112006

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles
: the contact stated without warning the vehicle lost power and would not accelerate above 20 mph, causing the vehicle to shake. The vehicle was driven to the dealership and the ignition module was replaced. This problem returned, and the vehicle was driven to an independent repair shop, where the same component was replaced again. Updated 06/07/2006.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #10

Nov 152004

Passat 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 139,683 miles
Was driving vehicle in left lane on the highway. At 65 mph, engine light began blinking and engine power dropped out. Engine stalled completely - I had to pull over through traffic lanes to come to a stop in the breakdown lane of the highway without the aid of power steering or power brakes, both of which were disabled once the engine cut out. Engine would not restart - after 30 minutes and several attempts, got engine to start and idle was extremely rough - drove car down the street and brought it to the dealer for diagnosis and repair. Problem was determined to be a failure of the ignition control module (Bosch part number 4D0 905 351). Replacement of this part restored the engine to normal function. This is the second time I have replaced this exact same part. This part had been replaced approximately 24 month earlier.

- West Hartford, CT, USA

problem #9

Oct 282002

Passat 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 87,031 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving on highway check engine light began blinking and car idle became extremely rough - had to drive home from highway using reduced power - engine would only work when driven at specific RPM. After approximately 10 miles of extremely rough running, car engine would not start at all. Vehicle had to be towed to the dealership for repair. It was found that the ignition control module, Bosch part number 4D0 905 351 failed. Part was replaced and engine began working again. Car was not safely driveable when this part had failed.

- West Hartford, CT, USA

problem #8

Oct 082004

Passat 4-cyl

  • 75,800 miles
Car would lose power with a blinking check engine light. Then the car's check engine light quit blinking and it would suddenly surge forward. I almost rear ended another car when it surged. Dealer diagnosed and replaced the ignition control module.

- San Angelo, TX, USA

problem #7

Dec 262001

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,993 miles
50993 miles on car. Engine light started flalshing and engine is running rough: Cause was failure of ignition module P/N 4D0-905-351 without warning, caused reduced engine speed and danger driving to repair shop approximately 8 miles. Parts replaced by VW after 2(two) weeks.

- Peoria, AZ, USA

problem #6

Jul 082004

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,330 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

80330 miles on car. Engine light starting flashing and engine was running rough. Cause was failure of ignition module P/N 4D0-905-351 without warning. Caused reduced engine speed and danger driving to repair shop approx. 10 miles. Parts were replaced.....

- Peoria, AZ, USA

problem #5

May 152003

Passat 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 81,200 miles
Engine began to seriously misfire - check engine light came on vehicle became undriveable -- dangerour lack of power replaced ignition conrtol module internet if full of descriptions of this kind of failure -- VW does nothing.

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #4

Oct 202003

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles
Spark plug ignition module failure. Car suddenly lost power and caused a potentially dangerous situation for my wife and children.

- Bradford, MA, USA

problem #3

Oct 042003

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,598 miles
The catalytic converter failed on my wife?S Passat. The car is 4 yrs old and has less than 85000 miles on it. The estimated repair from bill barry VW. To fix it is around 1600 dollars. I was told that when I purchased the car new that the exhaust systems never fail because they are made of stainless steel. Before that around 68000 miles the car began to run on 3 cylinders. They had to replace a control module that cost me $612 none of this was covered under any of my warranty. Even though I am supposed to have a 10 yr. Or 100000 miles. This will be our last volkswwagen. If I were told that the exhaust system was worth so much money up front, we would never have bought this car.

- Hartland, CT, USA

problem #2

Apr 022003

Passat 4-cyl

  • 40,653 miles
I have a 1999 VW Passat, 1.8L turbocharged, manual transmission. There are 40,500 miles on the clock. One of the 4 ignition coils just failed. This is costing me about $550. I know there are acknowledged problems with the coils on later models, which VW is 'recalling', but wanted to register my problem for the record. Also this problem occurred immediately after the 40,000 mile service and state inspection, which I find 'ironic'?

- Lansdale, PA, USA

problem #1

Oct 032002

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,402 miles
Failure of coil pack within epa emissions warranty period not covered by vehicle manufacturer. At 3.5 years/78402 miles after purchase, one of the 4 coil packs on my 1999 VW Passat failed, leaving the vehicle running on 3 cylinders to Transport me to the dealer for replacement. The cost was $174.25, but fortunately there was a replacement coil in stock, so the vehicle was unavailable but for 1 day. I have received notification that VW is paying for the replacement of this part on 2001 and 2002 Passats, but why not my 1999?

- Lewiston, ME, USA

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