2001 Volkswagen Passat GLS Wagon 1.8T

Summary:

Near-perfect car IF you do much of your own work and/or have a trusted independent mechanic

Faults:

Power window plastic clip ($5).

ABS control module ($60 used).

Combi valve control solenoid/valve ($75).

Combi valve ($40).

Valve cover gasket ($500, incl. labor).

Outer control rod ends ($60/pair).

Oil cooler ($50).

Mass airflow sensor ($80).

Ignition coil ($30).

General Comments:

This is simply the best-sized, best-configured car ever sold on the North American market. Unmatched blend of driving experience, visibility, cargo space, fuel efficiency. It meets my needs and wants absolutely perfectly, checking all of the boxes, including rear passenger legroom and headroom.

If you are looking for Toyota-like bulletproof reliability and/or if you do not like to do at least some of your own car work and/or you do not have a trusted local independent mechanic, this is NOT the car for you. If you are buying a used one now (2023), make sure you know the entire maintenance and repair history. The cars have to be pampered with regular maintenance with VW/Audi specified fluids. Unlike a Toyota, they do not "thrive on neglect."

The Passatworld.com discussion website has been a huge money and time saver for me, along with my VCDS software and OBDII dongle from RossTech. Most of my friends on the site will agree that owning one of these cars is a love-hate relationship. For me, it has been worth it for 22 years, but "Your Mileage May Vary."

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd April, 2023

12th Apr 2023, 12:38

Could you confirm the 70k miles are correct? I owned this same model (a 1999), my father got it from new and gave it to me when it had about 130k miles. Fortunately he did use the car on mostly long distance drives so there will be less wear compared to a car that will be driven mostly inside the city. Yes, being an European car you will have to replace many engine 'sensors', window regulators, a few mechanical things around the engine, suspension components and so on. If I don't look at the expenses, I must say this has been one of the better designed cars I had. Everything was so well designed inside and out. Excellent cabin, excellent handling, suspension and engine. My complaints were the low sitting position - outdated by today's standards, the clumsy handling inside the city - but excellent handling on the road, the weak 1.8T again inside the city (very poor torque at low speeds) but excellent for passing on the road. In other words: an excellent car for long highway trips. The newer Passats are really only a shadow of these 2000 models.

2001 Volkswagen Passat GLS 2.8 V6 30v

Summary:

Quality and reliability were a bad joke

Faults:

Timing chain tensioners, twice on right side.

Recurrent oil leaks.

Radiator.

Rear door wouldn't open.

Trunk wouldn't close, then later wouldn't open.

Water leaking into car.

Previous owner replaced ABS module.

Left front turn signal light self ejected.

O2 sensors and flex pipes.

Rough idle and hesitation, undiagnosable.

Clutch.

General Comments:

Bought this as a 1 owner car, with some service history. Warranty helped, but the car was in the shop for about one third of the 388 days I owned it. Oil leak repairs lasted about 3 weeks each time. Oil leaked onto manifold and cats, causing smoke and bad odor. Oil ruined the plugs and wires. One of the leaks was near the timing belt. Replacing the belt and water pump required removal of the front bumper cover to gain access. The used dealer finally empathized and assisted with repairs. Finally, the right timing chain tensioner started to eject through the gasket, defective part sourced through Audi. Dealer bought the car back.

Other than a lack of storage and odd controls, the car was great when it worked. Very quick once it got moving, 90-100 mph with no strain at all. Good MPG, 30 on the open road. Smooth shifting 5 speed. Nice ride, seats, and handling. No rust, and the paint was still nice.

I've owned many cars. By far, the most unreliable but best performing. Required premium fuel and full synthetic oil.

Unless you have a friend in the business, a fat bank account, and other cars to drive, run the other way. Never again, VW.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th July, 2017

9th Jul 2017, 18:14

VW/Audi products have a long history of being unreliable crap with outrageously high maintenance cost. However, you bought this car with quite a bit of wear and tear on it already at 137,000 miles. I wouldn't expect any car to be trouble free with those kind of miles.

In reply to 9th Jul 2017, 18:14

10th Jul 2017, 15:54

As someone has already mentioned, a lot of what you listed as faults come under wear and tear at the mileage stated.

However you are right, quality and reliability of VW products in recent years has went downhill. Also I have noticed on here most negative reviews for VW come from the USA - I believe the cars for your USA market are not built in Germany and are made elsewhere (South America I think) and standards have fallen. In the UK where I live VW have a solid reputation and generally most VW's I have had (German built) over the last 20 years have been as good as any car, so long as you look after them.

One more thing I'd mention when people talk about "quality" cars; they don't always seem to be referring to reliability. Most compliment the fit and finish and general feel of the car's interior materials, like the doors closing with a satisfying 'thunk' and so on, in comparison to something much cheaper and nasty from a lesser manufacturer where the car looks and feels cheap the second you look at it. Generally VW have an "up market" feel. Unfortunately that does not always mean it will be more reliable mechanically than any other car.

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