Took car to VW dealer to have timing belt replaced and was notified that there were several open recalls and they offered to take care of them free of charge. However, they were unable to perform recall #08V156. Manufacturer #26E5. They installed the heat shield but could not perform software upgrade. I never received any recall notices in the mail. Now VW wants to buy the car back because they can't fix it. It's a 2001 VW Passat with 25K miles in showroom shape. Was never driven in snow and garaged it's entire life. They offered me $1500 out of which I owe $1300 for the timing belt. They said it may need a ECU but they are no longer available from VW but refuse to install a used one. The car has been at the VW dealer since 12/28/2020. I was under the impression that recalls never expire.

- Warminster, PA, USA

Faulty cam chain tensioner failed and caused severe engine damage to valves, pistons, camshaft, cam timing chain. I was stationary waiting at a red light when I heard a sudden loud grinding noise from inside the engine compartment, the engine began to shake and sputter. The car lost most of its power and I was barely able to make it through the intersection when the light turned green. Upon inspection it was clear to see that the cam chain tensioner had self destructed and caused the engine to fail.

- American Fork, UT, USA

So I got rear ended at the other party's fault at high speed while I was at a stop sign and they neglected to stop pushing me into an intersection full of traffic...no airbags deployed..and since my heater doesn't work but passenger seat heat burned my 12 year old daughters butt...anyone help? I just want heat for my babies..below zero here :( thank you!! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Watertown , SD, USA

I was driving and I pulled into my parking lot and my engine caught on fire. I put it out with snow thank god or it would have been a lot worse. I always have coolant and oil and I checked it a lot cause of the freezing weather we have had recently had -30 for quite awhile. I called VW customer care and they were very worried about my safety at 1st then they had a product something guy call me after see the picture I sent them. I understand they have people always looking for a quick escape goat but this was a fire it could have been so much worse if there was not snow near by. I want my car fixed but I am more worried about the next person this could happen too. I should tell you after ask him if he just wanted to find the reason behind it he said no. Personally a car fire is not a normal thing.

- Wooster, OH, USA

Car had been sitting all day drove it once caught fire around 4am in the morning car total alot burn bad in the front. I had notice that some features were not working but I did not attribute it to a electrical problem according to the fire dept who came to put the blaze out.

- Chicago, IL, USA