My 1999 Volkswagen Passat has bad ignition coils. My son was driving the Passat. When he got home from school he informed me the car was sluggish and the engine light was blinking. I went out and drove it to see what he was talking about. I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that if I drove it, it could catch fire. It didn't. I was told that after the discovery of bad coils. That was when a family friend looked at it and told me that it had bad ignition coils. Fortunately school is only a mile away. I was told to have it towed to my nearest dealership for repair (each coil costing over $100 to replace - not including labor) because the engine could catch fire if I drove it. I checked online and I see hundreds of complaints about this. I saw VW is doing a voluntary recall but on 2001-2007. When I called the dealership to find out how much this was going to cost me they even told me they recommend replacing all 4 (it is a 4 cyl) because if even one is bad, the others will follow. This is not just me. This is hundreds of people with the same year same model as mine. All should be replaced by the dealership as well as the ignition pack. That has been a problem from people as well. I don't understand how this car manufacture can put parts out there that could have caused potential harm to my son. I don't understand how nothing is being done about it. And they want me to go in and pay for all of this, when they put those bad parts in the car.

- Centennial, CO, USA

When a $2 O ring in oil filter housing fails, oil is quickly pumped from the engine.. mechanic says this is a common problem with the 1.8 liter turbo. Daughter was driving when the oil light finally came on. In less that 5 miles engine damage started. Cam shaft is scored.

- Narragansett, RI, USA

99 VW Passat's oil pump failed. * the engine seized while the consumer was driving. Three oil pump had been replaced prior to this failure. The consumer indicated that VW is aware of problem with oil sludge in VW's but refuses to replace the engine because the vehicle has 105000 miles.

- Hamden, CT, USA

Chronic oil pressure problems (due to oil sludge buildup) starting at 73000 miles leading to replacement of oil pump at 100000. Although this should have been covered by manufacturer extended warranty, I paid ($1250). I have old parts.

- Jessup, MD, USA

Engine light.

- Bethesda, MD, USA

1999 Volkswagen Passat 1.8L turbo engine with 71,000 miles stopped suddenly; then check-engine light came & car would not re-start. Check-oil light had been intermittently on for 2-3 miles prior, but oil was checked and it was actually overfull. 803 miles prior, VW service dept had serviced car for check-engine light, and replaced turbo recirculation valve and hose. Oil has been changed every 3000 miles since car was purchased used, with 30,000 miles, in Feb. '04. VW service department claims failure was caused by engine becoming oil-starved due to sludge in oil take-up tube. Sludge caused by not using synthetic oil, although it is not required. Cam gear was damaged, leaving metal pieces throughout engine. Entire engine, turbo and catalytic converter had to be replaced. VW denies any responsibility. Parts may still be w/mechanic, I certainly do not have facilities or desire to store an entire ruined engine.

- Modesto, CA, USA

The contact stated there were toxic fumes in vehicle. The dealership replaced the turbo, but this did not help to eliminate the fume problem. Currently, they insisted that the engine needed to be removed and all of the seals need to be replaced. The manufacturer advised him not drive the vehicle because it was not safe. There have been no further repairs made to the vehicle.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

Timing belt broke with no warning before the 90,000 mile suggested check was performed. This is going to cost me somewhere between 2000 and 4000 to repair.

- Lakewood, CO, USA

Check engine light repeatedly on. Error code 17544 bank 1 system too lean (P1136) long term fuel trim. I had my mechanic fix all vacuum leaks, low fuel pressure, exhaust leaks, injectors and secondary air system. Had the maf sensor replaced and still have the check engine light on.

- Oakland Gardens, NY, USA

Belt time damage, consequences engine repair.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

The ABS, brake and oil light all come on (oil will flash) with sporadic irregularities in the tachometer. The tachometer will sometimes drop to zero. All this happens with 3 distinct beeps whenever I use the brakes. Colder temperatures can lessen the occurrence of the problems. Dealership service says that the ABS module needs to be replaced at a cost of $3600. I have not yet approved the repair on the car.

- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA

Engine oil leak. Dealer repair service indicated that cam tensioner and cam seals need to be replaced.

- Richmond, VA, USA

Our oil light kept coming on. Kept taking in for oil change and said was fine. No one could tell us why oil light kept coming on. Then received a letter from VW of America stating there was oil sludge problem. Will not fix car w/out oil receipts. Can not drive car w/out getting oil sludge prob. Fixed because it can damage engine.

- Richmond, VA, USA

82290 miles on car. Car engine suddenly lost power and would not run. Turning on emergency flashers, blowing my horns and then rapidly exiting the road I was able to avoid getting rear-ended. Cam belt is broken and then causes about $3500 in damage to the top-end (bend valves, etc.) of the car car is current in the VW repair shop awaiting $4650 in total to replace cam belt and damaged top end. Note: Cam belt may have been stressed due to ignition modlule failure at 80330 document on 10090985.....

- Peoria, AZ, USA

While driving at low speeds the vehicle lost oil pressure intermittently. Please provide additional information.

- Milton, FL, USA

Timing belt on vehicle broke resulting in damage to the engine valves. The newer editions of the Passat have redesigned tension systems for the timing belt.

- Greensburg, PA, USA

While driving 80 mph the vehicle's engine stalled without warning.. please provide additional information.

- Blacksburg, VA, USA

The timing belt loosened, flapped up, and severed. When this occurred the vehicle lost power and stalled. The engine would not run and the vehicle did not accelerate. The vehicle displayed a rough idle and rattled. This was a common problem with these vehicles, per dealership. The timing belt tensioner failed while the vehicle was in motion. The timing belt broke after the tensioner shredded it. The vehicle was shifted into park while in motion. The power brakes and the power steering failed. The vehicle was purchased with 52,515 miles and the failure had already occurred. Less than 4K miles later. The consumer requested reimbursement.

- Eugene, OR, USA

Vehicle caught on fire while parked in the driveway. The fire department indicated that the fire started on the right side of the engine. The fire may have been caused by the battery. The vehicle was totaled.

- Latrobe, PA, USA

Oil leaking from valve cover seals, cylinder head and cam cover seals.

- Holmdel, NJ, USA