The contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Passat gls tdi. The engine began to rattle violently immediately after the vehicle was started. The noise sounded like marbles rolling around in the engine compartment. The noise was louder during start up and while driving lower speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the failure who replaced the glow plugs and fuel filters; however, the failure continued. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and who advised him that the balance shaft assembly needed to be replaced with a redesigned balance shaft assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 70,000.

- Seattle, WA, USA

The failure is with (1) the balance shaft oil pump chain drive system on the VW Passat 2.0 tdi diesel automobile. The failure has occurred numerous time to other VW owners and present an imminent threat to vehicle safety should such failure occur in heavy traffic. (2) ceramic glow plugs for the tdi diesel engine have a tendency to break off and cause catastrophic damage to a running engine. Both defects have been recognized by vwoa as evidenced by upgrades made to their european customers. However vwoa is totally ignoring the american customers and resulting in exorbitant repair prices. VW continues to violate epa rule by not releasing ECU reflash data to non VW service facilities, here again capitalizing on a known design flaw. Let it be know that only the symptoms of these impending failures have occurred at this point in time. Judging from reports of others who have suffered already this vehicle is in immanent danger.

- Smithmill, PA, USA

Diesel fuel fill back pressure overflow. 2005 VW Passat tdi.

- Ocean Springs, MS, USA

I have a 2005 VW Passat tdi which has rusting around the inside of the fuel tank. My dealer plus VW refuse to replace as they say it's not a warranty issue. I feel it must be a manufacturer defect. I'm afraid the rusty liquid will harm my engine in time.

- Trenton, NJ, USA