NHTSA Complaint #10180688 — 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

VW PASSAT 2004 PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER IN JAN. OF 2005. WE DID OUR OWN OIL CHANGES FOLLOWING THE MANUAL RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE AND OIL SPECIFICATIONS (EVERY 5,000 MILES 5W-30 OR 5W-40 REGULAR OR SYNTHETIC OIL). WE NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM VW NOR THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE KNOWN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM NOR ANY NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR OIL CHANGES. MOST OF THE OIL CHANGES WERE DONE AT HOME AND RECORDED IN THE MANUAL; TWO WERE DONE OUTSIDE AND HAVE RECEIPTS. OIL PRESSURE LIGHT WENT ON AT ABOUT 45,000 MILES, CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY RECOMMENDED A NEW MOTOR. DEALERSHIP CONTENDS THAT WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER IT BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE SYNTHETIC OIL ONLY AND FOR OIL TO BE CHANGED AT THE DEALERSHIP. VW WARRANTY DENIED WARRANTY SERVICE. CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP. *NM