# 2010 Volkswagen Passat - any recourse for timing chain repair? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** volkswagen, passat\ **Created:** [July 1, 2020, 1:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655 "2020-07-01T13:18:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![peggybause](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@peggybause](https://community.cartalk.com/u/peggybause)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 1:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/1 "2020-07-01T13:18:45Z")
Daughter bought from personal owner. Lied about car being in great condition. 200 miles later the timing chain brakes and leaves her 3800. repair. How do I get Volkswagen to help with this? ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 1:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/2 "2020-07-01T13:48:02Z")
> [@peggybause](#): > > How do I get Volkswagen to help with this? You don’t because the daughter is not the original owner and the warranty is expired . And I doubt if the original owner knew the timing chain was about to break . The vehicle probably did not get the service it should have which is the chance one takes buying a used vehicle. That is why it is a good idea to have a shop inspect any used vehicle before you pay for it. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 4:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/3 "2020-07-01T16:02:49Z")
> [@peggybause](#): > > Daughter bought from personal owner In every state with which I am familiar, private car sales do not include a warranty, except (perhaps) for the ability of the vehicle to pass a state safety inspection. > [@peggybause](#): > > How do I get Volkswagen to help with this? Manufacturers do not normally “help” with the cost of repairs on a 10 year old vehicle. > [@VOLVO\_V70](#): > > The vehicle probably did not get the service it should have which is the chance one takes buying a used vehicle. Very likely. Unless the car has been driven for a HUGE number of miles over the past 10 years, the most likely reason for a timing chain to **break** is failure of the previous owner(s) to change the oil as often as they should have. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 4:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/4 "2020-07-01T16:03:20Z")
This car is far out of warranty, so you can forget that idea. For what it’s worth, this is probably a sign that the oil was badly neglected. ---
**Author:** ![kurtwm1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/13edae/32.png) [@kurtwm1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kurtwm1)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/5 "2020-07-01T16:11:55Z")
> [@VOLVO\_V70](#): > > The vehicle probably did not get the service it should have which is the chance one takes buying a used vehicle That’s an assumption. We don’t know what the mileage is and what the history of the car is. ---
**Author:** ![thegreendrag0n](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thegreendrag0n/32/9265_2.png) [@thegreendrag0n](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thegreendrag0n)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 4:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/6 "2020-07-01T16:16:12Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > the most likely reason for a timing chain to **break** is failure of the previous owner(s) to change the oil as often as they should have +1 an additional contributing factor here can be that German cars are known to require the oil of the higher spec/grade, which would be clearly indicated in the owner’s manual, but a lot of people pay no attention, including “quick lube” places… eventually it leads to faster wear on the components, including timing chain ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 4:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/7 "2020-07-01T16:16:55Z")
> [@kurtwm1](#): > > That’s an assumption. We don’t know what the mileage is and what the history of the car is. The OP didn’t include anything about the car’s odometer mileage, and it is very likely that the buyer doesn’t know the history of the car. So, all we can do is to speculate, as I did when I stated… > [@VDCdriver](#): > > Unless the car has been driven for a HUGE number of miles over the past 10 years, the most likely reason for a timing chain to **break** is failure of the previous owner(s) to change the oil as often as they should have. When we are provided with very little information, all we can do is to speculate and/or assume, based on the most likely scenarios. ---
**Author:** ![pyrolord314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6a8cbe/32.png) [@pyrolord314](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pyrolord314)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 4:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/8 "2020-07-01T16:17:25Z")
> [@kurtwm1](#): > > That’s an assumption. We don’t know what the mileage is and what the history of the car is. likely a correct assumption, though. Timing chains don’t typically break when the owner is changing the oil every 5k miles. And @VOLVO\_V70 is 100% correct, when you buy used you take the chance that the previous owner deferred maintenance. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 4:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/9 "2020-07-01T16:24:05Z")
> [@thegreendrag0n](#): > > an additional contributing factor here can be that German cars are known to require the oil of the higher spec/grade, which would be clearly indicated in the owner’s manual, but a lot of people pay no attention, including “quick lube” places… eventually it leads to faster wear on the components, including timing chain Yes, there is also that factor. If (yes, I know that we are assuming… 😉) the previous owner(s) did not use the specified oil, that would be a contributing factor. And, if they delayed oil changes while using the wrong-spec oil, that would essentially be a “perfect storm” for timing chain **breakage** and other potential engine problems. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 4:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/10 "2020-07-01T16:33:36Z")
There was a class action settlement and warranty extension for the VW timing chain problem but it too late to file; > **[Audi and VW Timing Chain Warranty Extended](https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2019/audi-vw-timing-chain-warranty-extended.shtml)** > > A Volkswagen timing chain warranty extension is included in a settlement agreement between Audi and VW owners who filed class-action lawsuits over the timing chains and tensioners. ---
**Author:** ![peggybause](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@peggybause](https://community.cartalk.com/u/peggybause)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 5:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/11 "2020-07-01T17:13:23Z")
Thank you: What a bummer ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 5:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/12 "2020-07-01T17:16:20Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > There was a class action settlement and warranty extension for the VW timing chain problem but it too late to file Hmmm… Perhaps we now need to suggest that prospective buyers of used cars perform due diligence on sites like CarComplaints, in addition to doing a pre-purchase mechanical inspection. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 5:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/13 "2020-07-01T17:25:10Z")
Buying a 10 yr old vw/Audi turbo 4 cyl with a history of turbo/riming chain issues and complaining when they pop up is kinda hard to sympathize with. They look good. Sitting still. It’s the moving part that is the problem. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 5:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/14 "2020-07-01T17:30:53Z")
> [@Cavell](#): > > complaining when they pop up is kinda hard to sympathize with Well, in defense of the OP and her daughter, if they are not car-oriented folks, the checkered history of those VW/Audi timing chains was not likely to have been on their radar screen. ---
**Author:** ![peggybause](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@peggybause](https://community.cartalk.com/u/peggybause)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 6:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/15 "2020-07-01T18:07:19Z")
That truly would be wise. My daughter wouldn’t let me help and now look what happens. She did good with research but trusted the lady because she was a nurse? Can’t trust anyone any more. Not even a hand shake was etched in stone back in my day. ---
**Author:** ![peggybause](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@peggybause](https://community.cartalk.com/u/peggybause)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 6:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/16 "2020-07-01T18:08:43Z")
I sure hope that was the issue. Thanks for a positive outlook. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 6:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/17 "2020-07-01T18:17:03Z")
I was brought up to not trust **anyone** trying to sell me something. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 6:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/18 "2020-07-01T18:20:59Z")
Motors on today’s cars are covered in delicate bits. Chains, tensioners, turbos, balance shafts, cam followers and buckets that like to wear oddly when oil changes are neglected. And you have no history if any other system is next? Since you never got to drive it. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 6:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/19 "2020-07-01T18:22:58Z")
> [@peggybause](#): > > but trusted the lady because she was a > nurse? The Nurse may be just another person who does not fully understand vehicle maintenance . This site gets questions all the time from people who don’t know how to check their oil level , don’t grasp the miles or months for service or just drive and put fuel in the vehicles and think that is enough . ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 6:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655/20 "2020-07-01T18:27:46Z")
> [@peggybause](#): > > She did good with research but trusted the lady because she was a > nurse? Can’t trust anyone any more. What would a nurse know about Volkswagen reliability? Your daughter shouldn’t ask me for medical advise. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-volkswagen-passat-any-recourse-for-timing-chain-repair/166655.md?page=2)