NOVEMBER 2008 -- VW is recalling 130 MY 2009 Passat, Passat wagon, and Passat CC vehicles. Some vehicles may have an electromechanical steering gear control unit that can malfunction due to a damaged capacitor. If this malfunction occurs, the driver's steering input is not properly processed by the system and the vehicle may not respond as the driver intends. This defect can only occur immediately after vehicle start-up when the steering wheel is moved for the first time and at speeds less than 5 mph. Driver attempts to overcome the system during malfunction will cause (1) vibrations in the steering wheel; (2) the steering system motor to turn off; (3) the red steering system malfunction indicator light to illuminate; and (4) audible warnings to chime. A malfunctioning steering system could lead to a crash without warning. Dealers will replace the steering gear in the affected vehicles. The recall is expected to begin during December 2008. . 08V577

NEWS:    2008 Volkswagen Passat & 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan

ConsumerReports.org -- July 21,  2008 -- Volkswagen is recalling over 4,000 Volkswagen Passat and 2,500 Tiguan vehicles equipped with 2.0T FSI ULEV II engines. The problem occurs when the engine is in idle and the air conditioning is turned on, the software may not control engine idle. As a result, the engine could surge unexpectedly.

Dealers will inspect and update the engine control module that contains the software, free of charge.

The recall began at the end of May. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298.

MORE RECALL INFORMATION:     VW Passat        Volkswagen Tiguan

MAY 2008 -- Volkswagen is recalling 4,000 MY 2008 Passat sedans and wagons and MY 2009 Tiguan passenger vehicles equipped with 2.0T FSI ULEV II engines. These vehicles have an engine control module (ECM) containing software that may not properly control engine idle with the air conditioning turned on. In rare cases, the ECM may unexpectedly increase engine RPM. An engine surge caused by an unexpected increase in engine rpm may surprise the vehicle operator and can result in a crash without warning. Dealers will inspect and update the ECM software. The recall is expected to begin during June 2008.  08V235

APRIL 2008 -- Volkswagen is recalling 412,000 MY 1999-2005 Passat (5th Generation) vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and produced after June 14, 1999. These vehicles may have an underbody heat shield that can become damaged. If this occurs, the heat shield may contact the exhaust system, which can result in a vehicle fire. In addition, affected vehicles with automatic or manual transmissions may have a fuel line (1.8T engines only) or fuel tank ventilation valve (4Motion All Wheel Drive only) that can leak due to fracture. A heat shield that may contact the exhaust system can result in a vehicle fire. In addition, a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire. Dealers will install additional underbody heat shields on vehicles with automatic transmissions to cover the possibly damaged areas and flash all 1.8T vehicles with a precautionary software update. Dealers will also inspect and adjust the fuel line routing on 1.8T vehicles and the fuel tank ventilation valve on 4Motion/All Wheel Drive vehicles, and replace components if necessary free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or about May 30, 2008. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987. This recall was the subject of a Preliminary Evaluation, PE08-008, and an Engineering Analysis, EA07-014, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation. 08V156

NEWS:  Volkswagen Recalls 410,000 Passats

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Volkswagen Group of America Inc. says it's voluntarily recalling about 410,000 gasoline powered Passats because of potential problems including damage to a heat shield.

Volkswagen announced the recall Friday, saying no accidents or injuries have been recorded related to the 1999 to 2005 model year Passats.

Some Passats with an automatic transmission may have an underbody heat shield that could be subject to damage. And some with 1.8T engines have a fuel line that requires potential replacement.

Also, some all-wheel-drive Passats will be inspected for potential fuel tank ventilation valve damage.

Volkswagen plans to notify owners of the recall, but says drivers who smell fuel should take the vehicle to a Volkswagen dealer or authorized repair shop

August 2007 -- VW is recalling 34,358 MY 2003 Passat and Audi A4 and A6 vehicles equipped with 1.8L turbo, 2.8L V6, or 3.0L engines. A change in the electrical motor components in the fuel pump can lead to an inoperative fuel pump and, ultimately, stoppage of fuel supply to the engine causing it to stall. If fuel flow to the engine is interrupted, the vehicle could stall without warning and thus present a potential risk of crash. Dealers will install new fuel pumps. The recall is expected to begin during September 20007. This recall is a supplement to a previous campaign (please see 06V017). 07V-375

NEWS:   VW Passat Recall

December 18, 2006
Volkswagen of America Inc. reports that 62,000 Passat sedans and wagons from the 2006 and 2007 model years in the U.S. and Canada will be recalled because of potential problems with wiper motors and braking in cold weather. Worldwide, Volkswagen is recalling 300,000 of its Passat sedans.

Volkswagen Passats built in 2005 and the first half of 2006 can develop a fuel leak and a 200-horse power model can develop brake problems. On some vehicles, a power brake vacuum line could fracture at low ambient temperatures and require increased effort to stop.

Volkswagen ruled out the danger of total brake failure.

Volkswagen said fixing the problems takes about an hour per vehicle. The company will begin to notify vehicle owners in January about the recall.

NEWS:   Volkswagen Recalls Passats on Brake, Diesel Systems

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Volkswagen AG, Europe's largest carmaker, recalled 300,000 Passat cars worldwide because of faulty brake and diesel systems and windshield-wiper motors.

Power-brake vacuum lines on the affected vehicles may fracture and become disconnected at low temperatures, drastically reducing braking power, the Wolfsburg, Germany-based company said in a statement today.

A fuel-cooling unit's holder on diesel-powered models sold outside the U.S. may break and cause a fuel leak, Hans-Gerd Bode, a Volkswagen spokesman, said in a phone interview. The wiper motor may fail during heavy rain due to excessive moisture.

NEWS:   Volkswagen recalls 62,000 Passats in U.S., Canada

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Volkswagen of America Inc. said on Friday it would recall 62,000 Passat sedans and wagons from the 2006 and 2007 model years in the U.S. and Canada because of potential problems with wiper motors or braking in cold weather.

Volkswagen said it would begin to notify the vehicle owners in January about the recall. On some vehicles, a power brake vacuum line could fracture at low ambient temperatures and require increased effort to stop.