B6 Passat - Common Faults Support Thread

[evobaz]

Hi Folks,

As many of you will be aware the B6 Passat has some serious and expensive common faults including the following:

Oil Pump failure leading to catastrophic engine and or turbo failure
Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) caliper / motor failure
Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) switch faults
Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) ECU/Controller failure
Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) failure
Fuel Injector failure
Steering lock module failure
Corrosion of the bootlid around the number plate light

These are usually followed by complete denial by VW and a huge bill (usually for £1000+)

My own car suffered both EPB calipers failing within days of each other leaving myself and my 7 yr old stranded twice. After the second caliper failed I started digging and discovered just how common the problem was. I then contacted Volkswagen UK Customer Service who listened to me but then said that despite my car having only 48k miles and full main dealer service history they told me they were "offering me no support" and that I'd need to pay the full whack at £1000+

Thats when I found this Facebook page - set up by another hacked off Passat owner. It currently has 587 members.

VW Passat Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) Faults
https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/172638656097468/

I have been intouch with VOSA regarding the EPB failures but despite cars being stranded at busy junctions and cars rolling away with no one inside them - VOSA dont deem the EPB failure to be a safety issue. They claim the fact that the car has a warning lamp which warns the driver there's an issue with the system is enough to highlight the fault and stop the car before it becomes unsafe.

I recently found the Volkswagen UK Facebook page and after seeing the following advert i started getting really p1$$ed off with the way VW are just burying their head in the sand and hoping these issues will just go away:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a377/evobaz/Tiguan_zps82134e5c.png (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/evobaz/media/Tiguan_zps82134e5c.png.html)

I started posting various comments on the Volkswagen UK facebook pictures just to set the record straight. I wasn't the only one getting p1$$3d off though as the creator of the EPB Faults Facebook page posted this picture :D
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a377/evobaz/PassatB6_zpsa9979dd9.jpg (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/evobaz/media/PassatB6_zpsa9979dd9.jpg.html)

I quickly pinched it and fired it straight onto the VW UK page and it was almost instantly removed. I stuck it on again and it was removed again. After posting it 50 times in 48 hours I received a message from VW asking me to get in touch to discuss my car:D

PLEASE DONT ALL BOMB THE VW UK FACEBOOK PAGE JUST YET

This thread is to try and gain support from others who have had serious and expensive issues with their Passat so we can build up evidence of how common these faults are.

Please feel free to post some details below about the issues you have had with your Passat:
ME:
2008 Passat 2.0 Tdi Sport
48k miles , FVWSH
Both EPB calipers failed
Glow Plugs failed and replaced at my cost
Injectors replaced due to recall
(Not wanting to tempt fate but I think I have got off lightly compared to many others)

[martin1810]

As many of you will be aware the B6 Passat has some serious and expensive common faults including the following:


I actually don't agree with your claims. I guess that makes me odd.

[david dey]

I must be odd also

[evobaz]

I actually don't agree with your claims. I guess that makes me odd.

What dont you agree with Martin?

[Ragtag]

I also have a B6 (2007) Passat 2.0 TDI. Full VW service history. 83k miles.
The EPB will refuse to turn on once about every second day of use, with the dash reporting ' handbrake fault, refer to manual'. Then when the engine is stopped and the car cools down, it will work correctly.
Initially i thought it was due to us not applying it properly, ( see my other forum question).. but now we know its a fault!
Its still under the warranty of the garage I purchased it from, and when it was taken in a couple of weeks ago, they said the couldn't reproduce the fault.
Its going back in again this morning. To arrange for it to be corrected!
I have just joined the Facebook page as above.
rags.
** Now booked into local VW dealer for check / repair ( I hope). I'll update when done.

[marklee55]

I have had a used 2006 B6 passat for 3 years now, and the EPB warning came on several times and the brakes wouldnt release on two of those occassions. Switching off and/or repeatedly pressing the handbrake button fixed it. All ok for now until the next time..

[marklee55]

B6 2006 passat diesel 2.0 turbo 90k miles. I had a fault this winter where after a heavy storm there was 3 inches of water in the driver side foot well and in the passenger behind driver (UK model). Would clean it up and next day it was the same after rain. Following investigation by autovolks the plenium chamber drain holes were blocked with decaying leaf matter that had built up over the years and then the water was building up and draining back through the footwell vents into the cabin. This isnt something that is checked on service either. You cant get to the plenum chamber easily so this is not a regular car user cleaning issue... Another common fault ?

[marklee55]

b6 2006 passat 90k miles 2.0 turbo diesel.

Another common fault - headlight manual height adjuster mechanism seizes causes MOT failure- requiring full headlight replacement. The new part is £200+ and needs an hours labour to replace. vw dealer quoted me £300.

[Novica]

How is reliability with Passat B6 with common rail engines (these last models, 1.6 tdi and 2.0 tdi 2009,2010)? Do they have any problems with Oil pump, electric hand brake, injectors, flywheel? I would like to know as I have intention to change my current car(Audi A4 Avant 1.9 TDI 2004) and this passat is among preferred cars. Thanks

[marklee55]

How is reliability with Passat B6 with common rail engines (these last models, 1.6 tdi and 2.0 tdi 2009,2010)? Do they have any problems with Oil pump, electric hand brake, injectors, flywheel? I would like to know as I have intention to change my current car(Audi A4 Avant 1.9 TDI 2004) and this passat is among preferred cars. Thanks

Did you actually read the rest of this thread before posting ?

[Novica]

Did you actually read the rest of this thread before posting ?

Yes, I have. So far, I have saw that is the 2.0 TDI PD in question. I am wondering how is the thing going with this "new" CR engines?

[david dey]

Hi.
Mine is a 2010 16tdi with 91000 miles on the clock. It has only had routine maintenance( dmf and timing belt) and up to now it has been ok. I have had 1.9 tdi's in the past which have been great but with all the improvements this has been better, just keep up to the servicing and they are ok.
This car has been mot'd this very morning and passed with flying colours.

DD

[Novica]

Hi.
Mine is a 2010 16tdi with 91000 miles on the clock. It has only had routine maintenance( dmf and timing belt) and up to now it has been ok. I have had 1.9 tdi's in the past which have been great but with all the improvements this has been better, just keep up to the servicing and they are ok.
This car has been mot'd this very morning and passed with flying colours.

DD

Thanks for the information. That is what I am looking for, more experience is welcome. So, you had 1.9 tdi in past. Can you please advise which car and engine power. I am asking this, because I am afraid of "under-power" of this 1.6 tdi in reference to my 1.9 tdi PD of 130 hp. I did not have opportunity to test any car with this engine. Your experience will be appreciate even more if you had same engine like my in the past.

Looking forward to hear from you.

[david dey]

Hi.
Both my passats (and a 1.9 A3 audi) were 105 bhp and they were allways enough for me. The 1.6 is also 105 bhp but a mild remap will give you enough and smooth the engine also.

DD