10.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$5,000
Average Mileage:
82,000 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace turbocharger, oil pump, intercooler, oil piping (1 reports)
2012 Volkswagen Passat engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Volkswagen Passat Owner Comments

problem #1

May 222016

Passat SE Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This problem should not happen to a properly maintained Diesel engine such as this. It is known to VW and instead of recalling the cars in question they have a new tactic, wait until a turbo fails catastrophically causing collateral damage to the entire engine and then offer a rebuilt unit plus a plethora of additional parts impacted by the destruction. Rather than offer to replace the affected parts with the updated part they redesigned before the entire engine is contaminated with metal filings they allow their customers to attemp to destroy their engines first. If my car could not survive the original design of the turbo no car like this will survive. After receiving the warranty extension I was relieved that I had done the right thing by always changing the oil at one half the recommended interval and always driving light footed for optimal mileage. I supposed that since I had taken perfect care I would certainly not be a candidate for this tragic failure. I was stranded at night on the side of an interstate and had to be flatbedded to my home and then further to the dealer, who kept the car for two weeks and charged 5000 to try to undo the damage done by this turbocharger self destructing under my feet. It remains to be seen if repeated oil flushes and all new oil system parts will be enough to secure my car's mechanical future. This destruction is VW's plan for their customers. If you choose to remove the turbocharger before the catastrophic end occurs you will pay out of pocket. Only after your car is ruined will they step in. This is a safety issue because you will be stranded as part of the problem. The owner's manual clearly states you must pull over immediately and shut off the car when the glow plug light blinks. This will occur with no prior notice from the car. Many people are killed and injured after pulling over in an emergency situation. Having done the correct thing immediately did not lessen the severity of the damage done to my car. The light only comes on after the damage is done!

- James P., Lindenhurst, NY, US

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