The contact owns a 1999 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that she was unable to change gears. The contact also stated that the failure occurred once prior, and both occurrences took place during rainy weather. The first time the failure occurred, the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, who stated that the transmission control module needed to be replaced due to water damage. Two years later, the transmission control module failed again after a storm. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 59,859 and the current mileage was 81,000.

- Chicago , IL, USA

Water in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, from any source (including the sunroof drains that were recalled but not effectively fixed) or snow from boots that has melted... drains to the lowest point, which is where VW put the tcm (an electrical component highly sensitive to moisture) this caused the transmission to slam into limp mode at 65 mph with 2 kids in the back seat. Volkswagen is aware of the problem as are thousands of 1500$ poorer VW owners who had to replace the tcm and hope that this doesn't happen again.

- Guilford, VT, USA

The 1999 Passat has had a number of problems from excessive oil consumption, electrical problems, water pump defects, front end assembly and transmission problems. (nar)

- Chicago, IL, USA

The car is on it's second transmission with only 47000 miles, and having problems with it. Doesn't want to shift into higher gear and clunks sometimes. Headlights did not work for first 4 months we owned the car. Dealer could not find the problem. Sunroof opens and closes by itself. Dealerships have not found the problem. Map light has started to do the same. Indicator lights go on and off. Dealer says he has never heard of a problem with the wiring on these cars and that it is safe to drive.

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

Car with an automatic transmission will not go into gear due to failure of the computerized control module. Dealership claim problem is due to rain and will not cover repair under the warranty. (powertrain warranty is 100,000 miles, and care only has 20,000 miles).

- Atlanta, GA, USA

I have complained to the dealer at 20,000 miles and at 40,000 mile that the transmission downshifts very harshly at times. The dealer stated this is normal"?? and if I wanted them to look at it, I would have to pay for it up-front, and that the powertrain warranty would cover it only if they found something wrong. The sunroof has a "broken track" after 40,000 mi. It costs more to fix it than it did to buy it! is this a problem throughout all VW's"

- Columbus, OH, USA

Cold engine hesitation causing car to downshift, as if you were applying brakes, forcing you to accelerate

- Middle Village, NY, USA

Transmision fails to shift from lower gears, causing car to loose speed and break pedal gets extremely hard, I have made other vehicles make sudden stops this is very dangerous it's very frustrating, I can only drive the car to work. I don't know what to do. I can't keep risking my life, I need your advice.

- Prospect Hts, IL, USA