Defective timing chain tensioner in 2.0 tsi engine damage the car and engine not getting started. Mechanic asked for $3500 approximate estimate for repair which is known defect of VW 2.0 tsi engine. Vehicle was in motion when I was parking the car in mall parking area.

- Avenel, NJ, USA

My 2009 Volkswagen stoped starting, so I had it towed into a dealership where they ran a few tests and determined that my timing chain tensioner failed which resulted in the failure of my engine. As a result, I needed to pay around $7000-$8000 in order to replace. Given I could not afford, ive been making my monthly payment as I am financially obligated to do so. The car only had 70,000 miles, therefore I am surprised that the engine already went and feel this is something VW should replace.

- Lemont, IL, USA

My vehicle was in motion on a city street and suddenly it started shaking while driving and when I braked, it shaked even more vigorously. I took it to a local mechanic who said there is an issue with the engine and the dealership will have to look at it. They recommended that I tow the car to the dealership and advised against driving it. I towed the car to the dealership. After two days the dealership calls me stating that the timing chain has jumped and there is no compression. They would have to repair or replace the engine. The dearlship technician said that they have had several VW vehicles brought in with similar issues but VW has refused to issue a recall or take any action to correct this issue. This is a dangerous safetly hazard. If I was driving on a highway and this happened, I could have easily caused a big accident because I literally had very little control over the car and what it was doing. This is a defect in the car's manufacturing and VW needs to do something urgently to fix the issue. There are other cars and owners out there unaware of this potentially dangerous issue and NHTSA needs to bring this to everyone's attention. Thank you.

- Skokie, IL, USA

Found out there was a timing chain issue with the vehicle where it jumped 22 degrees. After research have found on a number of forums that this is a widespread issue with this engine in both VW and Audi vehicles. VW will not issue a recall, the claim is, due to it being too widespread and extremely expensive. Under most circumstances from what I have read, it causes catastrophic engine failure. Luckily, mine did not jump that far, but it still was an expensive repair that shouldn't have had to happen. Well now I have had $4200 in repairs made to my engine due to this issue and I think VW should have paid for it.

- Greenwood, IN, USA

Sudden loss of engine oil causing engine failure

- Carnation, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Passat. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly stall. Moments later, the vehicle could be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (suntrup Volkswagen in St. Louis, mo), but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

Car was parked and would not start. Had towed to mechanic--castastropic engine failure due to broken timing belt tensioner. 105K miles--maintenance upkept. Obviously there is a latent defect in the tensioner system of the timing chain that can cause the chain to “jump a tooth” in the vehicle’'s camshaft, which causes serious and sometimes fatal damage to the engine. Unfortunately the defect is impossible for car owners to discover, but Audi and Volkswagen knew of the tensioner system problem since at least June 2010. Normally, the timing chain is meant to function perfectly for at least 120,000 miles. Because the system is not on the schedule for recommended maintenance from the manufacturers. However, with the defective tensioner, the timing chain frequently fails well before that mark, but often after the warranty has expired. This issue caused my engine to have catastrophic engine failure. Why has the VW owners not been notified and why hasn't the ntsb done anything about this. 7K+ to get a new engine. This is an internal part and not a scheduled maintenance issue.VW should be held accountable. People don't have money to purchase a car and have the engine fail before car is paid for.

- Austin, TX, USA

Cam chain tensioner failure. Driving down road engine started to run rough then stopped got car back to house (75 yards) had car towed to VW dealer paid $140 for diag.L major engine damage from cam chain tensioner failure valves and piston damaged could have been major safety problem if on major road ( dangerous unsafe )

- N.Lauderdale, FL, USA

The car had been driven a short distance and parked. Shortly after that it caught on fire and was destroyed.

- Decatur, GA, USA

I bought this car unaware of a carbonization issue on the valves\. the carbon build up causes a missfire read and a lean fault in left bank. The missfire issue makes the vehicle virtually undrivable which put me and my family in danger at the time this occurd. Accordingly after plenty of research this apparently is a very common issue and is a manufacture issue since the issue could be solved by placing the fuel injectors behind the valves to clean them instead they are costing consumers obscene amounts of money and putting their lives at risk for no other reason then to not fix this issue.

- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA

Vehicle started rough and was vibrating. Shut off and vehicle would not restart. Towed to dealer who informed that an internal failure occurred causing the timing chain to slip and that the engine would need to be replaced. Dealer informed me that, "these things just happen sometimes". however, an internet search revealed that this is an ongoing and repeated issued for many VW and audit owners and that there are three class action lawsuits filed for timing chain tensioner problems. VW of America was not helpful. Why should the consumer be out thousands of dollars for engine replacement for what should be a known defect. The vehicle only has 105,000 miles.

- Longmeadow, MA, USA

There is a latent defect in the tensioner system of the timing chain that can cause the chain to 'jump a tooth' in the vehicle's camshaft, which causes serious and sometimes fatal damage to the engine. Unfortunately the defect is impossible for car owners to discover, but Audi and Volkswagen knew of the tensioner system problem since at least June 2010. Normally, the timing chain is meant to function perfectly for at least 120,000 miles. Because the system is not on the schedule for recommended maintenance from the manufacturers. However, with the defective tensioner, the timing chain frequently fails well before that mark, but often after the warranty has expired. This issue caused my engine to have catastrophic engine failure.

- Miami Springs, FL, USA

2009 Volkswagen Passat timing belt/chain tensioner problem in July 2016 my mother-in-law was leaving work, when she tried starting the car it didn't started. Someone in the parking volunteered to help her. They decided to jump start the car with a jump box, the car started and she made it home. Once she got home she tried to start the car and it did not start. She is a single mother and do not make a lot of money to fix her car, after a month and half of the car been park at home and taking rides from whoever can take her, we decided to get a mechanic that works for VW dealership. He came and fully checked the car and told us that the timing chain/belt jumped and that engine it's out of time, which it could have been caused from a bad tensioner. He said this is a real bad issue that could cause the valve to be bended. He gave us an expensive price to fix the car, so we decided to wait and be patience and be optimistic that it wasn't that since my mother in law doesn't have the money to fix it. A month later we decided to get other mechanics to get different opinions, they all said it was the same issue. One of the mechanics came and checked the pressure of the engine and it stay on 0 and that's when he confirmed that valves are bended. I have checked about this problem on the internet and many people are complaining about the same issue and VW knows about this issue for some time, I also see there is a lawsuit going on this issue. I can't believe and it should not be acceptable that VW knowing of this problem, it's not doing anything about fixing this problem. This issue could cause varieties of accident on the street, because if this issue happens to anybody on the street driving, it could lock the engine and cause the person lose control of the vehicle and either hit or get hit by somebody.

- Sunrise, FL, USA

My wife was driving the car to the airport and stopped at the cell phone waiting area. Tried to start again and car didn't start. Changed the battery with aaa and still didn't start. Towed it to dealer. They said the timing chain tensioner failed and it completely damaged the engine. Engine needs to be replaced which costs about $7K. I have checked about this problem in internet and many people are complaining about the same issue and VW knows about this issue for some time. As this can happen in middle of the traffic and can cause a fatal accident, we request you to investigate and make Volkswagen recall and replace this part. Also, VW should take responsibility for the failed part and the repairs caused due to this part as it knows about this and ignored. I also see there is a lawsuit going on this issue. Check the link www.carcomplaints.com/news/2016/Volkswagen-timing-chain-tensioner-lawsuit.shtml VW really should be more responsible to avoid serious accidents

- San Jose, CA, USA

I bought this car used and from the moment I took it of the lot 13 months ago I have been having problems. The care will stop, shake. I have already had it check 3 times and repaired twice. Fuel pump has been changed twice and I am having the same problem again. This is a huge safety hazard if I am on the expressway and no warning take place which could lead to a major accident. According to what I have read this make and model have had many issues and volkswagon has not resolved the situation. Help!

- Chicago, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Passat. While the vehicle was parked and while driving various speeds, the vehicle accelerated independently without the accelerator pedal being depressed. In addition, the contact noticed engine oil leaking from underneath the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear main engine seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

My car has 76000 miles and is otherwise in excellent condition. I just got a check engine light, and after replacing the PCV valve, and I was told by my mechanic that the rear main engine seal is leaking. The car is out of warranty at this point and now I have to spend almost $1000 in repairs. This is something that should be covered by VW warranty, as there are so many cases of this exact failure at the same amount of miles.

- West Hempstead, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Passat. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Peoria, IL, USA

Purchased this vehicle used. I have had it for two years now. Problems encountered: Burning smell, driver side flood light blew out or came off; shaking momentarily while driving, driver side mirror flew off while making a left turn; noticed when I had an oil change last of January or first part of February the vehicle was using quite a bit of oil. I put about five or more quarts in by May. The latter part of may it used two quarts in two weeks. Went shopping Saturday before mother's day, parked the car at food lion when I came back out, I tried to start the car and it stalled. When it did start, the vehicle was shaking. I took the car home, checked the oil along with my brother and it needed more oil. I put two more quarts in. On Monday I was at the dealership at 6:40 a.M. (woke them up). After checking the car, their finding was it needed a fuel pump and a sensor; later they replaced two crank sensors and said the car is still shaking; then after approximately a week and a half, I called the service manager and he informed me the car needs a engine. Friday, May 22, I went by the dealership and picked up some things out of the automobile and was told the warranty company finally gave in and the motor will be in, in three days. Well, after reading the horror stories about the 2009 Passat on this website. I plan to trade this vehicle without delay, as soon as they release it to me. I am sadden, because I really loved this vehicle. I have been reluctant to drive this car out of town, and now I am afraid to drive it to work which is 30 mile a day plus or at all. I do not feel safe in it, and I pay to much to be having all these problems. Who knows what will be next.

- Elgin, SC, USA

Main rear bearing seal failure, sudden loss of power, burning smell from under car, $1,700 repair.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA