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.

- Ewing, NJ, USA

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

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was a fuel odor coming from the hood of the vehicle. The contact lifted the hood and noticed that fuel was leaking from the fuel pipe. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was not diagnosed. The VIN was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.

- Ridgewood , NY, USA

The car was parked. I attempted to start the engine, but it did not turn over. I tried a second time and noticed white smoke coming from under the engine hood. By the time I went inside to call for road service and returned to the parking lot, there were flames shooting from under the hood. The car was destroyed.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

Make:Volkswagen model: Passat year:2000 streaming gasoline leak inboard of the rear quarter panel on the passenger side when the engine starts. After operating for a time (20 min or more) the leak stops and does not reappear until the car has been sitting for several days without running. This condition was first reported to VW hiley about 3 years ago. They checked it out and could find nothing. I had seen occasional leaks since but this time scared me because it was so much that my gas gauge moved as a result. I was headed to work which is about 20 minutes away. By the time I got there the leak had stopped. Today is July 5th 2011. It was sitting since July 1st 2011.

- Desoto, TX, USA

Streaming gasoline leak inboard of the rear quarter panel on the passenger side when the engine starts. After operating for a time (20 min or more) the leak stops and does not reappear until the car has been sitting for several days without running. This condition has been in existence for about five years, but neither the VW dealer where I bought the car, nor an independent garage was able to find it (by the time I got it into the shop, the leak was gone and the gas had evaporated). It has gradually worsened, though, and last week I took it to the nearest VW dealer. When they detected the strong odor of gas, they parked it in an isolated area. The next day they called and told me that the "rollover" valve was defective and that the car needed a new gas tank. It is currently in the shop at drew Volkswagen in la mesa, ca, awaiting parts. When it occurs, this is a very substantial leak with gas streaming onto the ground.

- La Mesa, CA, USA

Gasoline is leaking from under the passenger rear side of my 2000 Volkswagen Passat gls V6; the gasoline is dripping from the heat shield in front of the rear tire. Note that the fuel door / filler neck is on that side. See the excerpt (following) from www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2000/Volkswagen/Passat/fuel+system complaint number: 10280791: Similar to other reports, there is apparently a common defect with older VW Passats (mine is a 2000) fuel lines leaking gas when pressurized by the fuel pump. The gas leak occurs in the rubber fuel line near the gas tank and filter. The leak was visible in front of the rear wheel on the passenger side. Mechanics, including the dealer have trouble locating the leak since it appears to be intermittent and only when the car is first started for a minute or so. The leak is significant and typically involves about a cup of gas. It is a fire hazard that should be part of a recall, but apparently is not. This problem seems to be related to the following recall for Volkswagen equipped with the 1.8T (turbo) motor or 4motion (AWD): 2000 Volkswagen Passat recall id from NHTSA: 08V156000.

- Frederick, MD, USA

Previously repaired fuel leak has recurred, ~18 months later. Leak can be seen when vehicle has been sitting for several hours and is then backed out of garage down inclined driveway. Fuel is leaking from passenger rear wheel area.

- Parker, CO, USA

Similar to other reports, there is apparently a common defect with older VW Passats (mine is a 2000) fuel lines leaking gas when pressurized by the fuel pump. The gas leak occurs in the rubber fuel line near the gas tank and filter. The leak was visible in front of the rear wheel on the passenger side. Mechanics, including the dealer have trouble locating the leak since it appears to be intermittent and only when the car is first started for a minute or so. The leak is significant and typically involves about a cup of gas. It is a fire hazard that should be part of a recall, but apparently is not since the dealer charged me for the diagnosis and repair.

- Cary, NC, USA

2000 VW Passat 1.8T had fuel leak. The car had a fuel leak in the garage which could have caused afire. This is a serious problem. I did some reading and thought it would be covered by a recall. However, the VW dealer charles maund volkswagan indicated that it was not covered by any recall.

- Austin, TX, USA

My 2000 VW Passat 1.8 manual smells strongly of gasoline on a semi-regular basis. Despite the fact that other Passats from 1999-2005 are subject to a recall for this problem, VW has refused to correct the same problem in my car, based on the VIN number.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Passat. When the contact started the vehicle, there was fuel leakage and smoke appeared from the muffler. She received a recall notice for the fuel system and took the vehicle in for repair. A technician repaired the vehicle, but did not acknowledge the smoke. The contact was informed that there was no failure with the vehicle. She has not driven the vehicle since the repair because she feels it is unsafe. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 156,520.

- Monrober, CA, USA

The fuel line on my 2000 Volkswagen Passat simply broke as I was driving. I don't know how it occurred. The fuel line was repaired at a Volkswagen dealership in glastonbury, ct. I am filing this complaint because I am not getting a satisfactory answer to why this problem is not being handled through a recall earlier this year of 412,000 1999-2005 Passats and the possibility that others are having the same problem.

- Middletown, CT, USA

Volkswagen has a recall due to fire hazard. Because I live in a small town, the nearest Volkswagen dealership is in the next state. When I explained this to the Volkswagen people they said I had to do this recall at a dealership with no compensation from them for my time or my expense. They also said that since I called them, they are no longer liable for this problem if my car caught on fire. I told them that I am not waiving any of my rights with this phone call and asked to have the call recorded. The nearest dealership is a six hour drive from my residence and be expected to wait three or more hours for the replacement on my vehicle to be done. This is unacceptable for me due to the fact that I am disabled and on a limited income. We have a Volkswagen repair shop here in my town. German motors 1065 K St arcata ca 95521 they will not let me have the recall done there.

- Arcata, CA, USA

Events leading to failure. First the fuel tank door switch became inoperable forcing me to remove the opening mechanism which allowed me to open it manually. Two days later the alarm began to sound on it's own, and did so for at least 8 hours or more. By the end of the night the car would not turn over and all the functions in the drivers side door as well as the alarm, ceased to operate apart from the locks. I had to remove the drivers side seat and carpet to access the convenience control module and subsequent wiring, while underneath the carpet I tried to suction up as much moisture as I could off the bottom of the floor and out of the padding. As of know I am quoted to purchase a new convenience control module to correct the situation.

- Plainfield, IL, USA