2002 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T
Summary:
A good car with poor service support
Faults:
Engine Sludge (covered by warranty) at 48,000 Miles.
Mass Airflow Sensor at 66,000 Miles.
Interior light of heating/cooling system failed at 52,000 miles.
Headlights, complete failure of low beams electrical system both sides, at 100,000 miles.
Front Ashtray/cigarette lighter (non smoker) broke at 70,000 miles.
General Comments:
The car has had a few major issues, the most annoying and expensive being the headlight issue.
I love the car, as it's easy to drive, very comfortable on long trips, and generally easy to maintain.
It's had service issues, but I can't complain, as I drive it a lot and it's endured many different climates, from Las Vegas Desert to Sierra Nevada snowstorm, to big city stop and go, to East Coast oceanfront living. It's performed well in all those.
Unfortunately, my biggest complaint is with Volkswagen Service. They are the most unhelpful group of people I have ever met. As for the engine sludge, why not just admit you've made a mistake and fix it for life? How hard is that?
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 7th April, 2008
19th Jan 2008, 15:38
Why do you think VW's market share in the States has plummeted? The Passat has been uniformly unreliable for quite a few years now... and I don't see anything that would lead me to believe the redesigned 2007 should be any better.
I hate to say this (because I lean towards domestics), but buy an Accord or Camry. They might be appliances, but at least they're reliable and keep their value. Or, if you're feeling adventurous (first model year), buy the redesigned Malibu.