2018 Volkswagen Passat

I initially brought my vehicle in for service due to a strong gasoline odor and the vehicle failing to start. At that time, I was informed that no gasoline smell was detected and that the issue was instead a faulty starter, which I authorized for repair. Approximately two weeks later, my vehicle again would not start. I was then informed that the issue was a lower fuel injector, which required additional repairs. Just three days after that service, the vehicle once again failed to start, and I was told this time that the upper fuel injector was the cause. As a result of these events, I incurred a total of $3,946.96 in repair costs across two service visits and was forced to have my vehicle towed three separate times. Before the third visit, I was informed that I would need to pay an additional $1,500, on top of the nearly $4,000 I had already paid. I challenged the accuracy and consistency of the diagnoses at that point, and ultimately, the vehicle was repaired without charging me the additional $1,500. While I appreciate that the final repair was completed without further cost, I am deeply concerned about the pattern of repeated breakdowns, inconsistent diagnoses, and the financial burden placed on me as a customer. The original concern of a gasoline smell appears to have been valid from the outset, yet it took multiple failures, repairs, and significant expense before the underlying issue was resolved.

Battery drains overnight. Started with a boost all dashboard warning lights on, vehicle runs fine all day with many starts and stops, battery dies again overnight. Diagnosed with a bad fuel pump control module that continues to run and does not shut off until all battery power is drained. Mechanic changed the fuel pump control module, cleared all fault codes, and vehicle fixed. I saw a Carfax report for an identical 2018, SEL Premium Passat to mine with the exact same issue of a bad fuel control module in that vehicle Carfax report and realized it was a much bigger issue. I am aware of a similar recall for vehicles up till 2016 model year, but this issue is wider for higher model years. Besides the other identical problem listed below in the Carfax report, I am aware of many other fuel pump control module problems reported to online VW forums and online. The identical Passat vehicle information is below: 2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0T SEL PREMIUM VIN: [XXX] XXX SEDAN 4 DR 2L I4 F DOHC 16V GASOLINE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE 06/27/2025 69,955 mi Piazza Volkswagen Ardmore Ardmore, PennsylvaniaArdmore, PA Ardmore, XXX [XXX] 4.6 / 5.0 88 Verified Reviews 2,091 Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Fuel pump module replaced Vehicle washed/detailed URL for this vehicle Carfax report is below: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

First/only owner of a 2018 VW Passat GP r-line, scheduled maintenance intervals followed religiously and performed by VW; only filled with top tier fuel (mid/premium), no prev. indicator lights ever illuminated until ECM light (no accompanying warning lights) came on while driving at highway speed with Adaptive Cruise Control engaged. Immediate loss of power and shaking vibration upon any attempt to accelerate/change lanes to safely get off of roadway. Once off roadway, all systems shut down and engine turned off for several minutes. Restarted car w/o difficulty, remained parked for 5 more minutes to monitor ECM light which did not return after shut down/restart. Returned to highway while safely merging into lane with conservative acceleration. ECM warning light did not return and vibration/shutterring had ceased. No unusual or abnormal gas mileage readings found upon close monitoring. Vehicle was driven x3 (relatively short distances) with speeds no greater than 65 mph; no return of ECM or any other warning lights. On the 4th drive, while attempting to evade an idiot, accelerator was applied more aggressively so as to avoid a near-catastrophic collision (nowhere to slow down or go to shoulder safely within 0.75/sec) which triggered the ECM light accompanied with loss of power/shuttering/vibration when pressure applied to accelerator. Pulled over, shut down, waited, panicked a little, then restarted engine. ECM light did not reappear after shut down/restart. Vehicle operated flawlessly once more. Injector/fuel system cleaner added to fuel tank and driven 40 mins in Sport mode to burn corrosive buildup effectively. Fuel tank refilled at new fueling station (thinking bad gas was a differential) and no issues since. Codes not showing up when diagnostics are ran. VW won’t fix something that isn’t presenting itself as a problem, at that very moment. 93k miles w/ NO prev. engine/emissions/transmission probs.