1997 Volkswagen Passat SE 1.9 110tdi

Summary:

Very unreliable

Faults:

Suspension wishbone arm snapped off while driving.

Passenger Side door Lock Won't close.

Boot light faulty.

Dash board lights tend to be temper-mental .

Shifting snapping between gears.

Center console creaks and rattles.

Passenger side door creaking and rattling.

Water leakage from drainage sill below windshield.

Door handles jamming won't open doors.

Turbo cutting out at at 30000 revs resets itself when engine is turned of and on turbo was replaced at 920000miles now doing same thing at 104000.

Boot lock jamming when opened with key and opening windows.

General Comments:

Nice comfortable car.

Good looking.

Handles well.

Not a very reliable car too many problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 28th January, 2005

4th Aug 2005, 07:50

As far as the turbo goes, I don't think there was much need to change it. I had the same problem, and it transpired to be a perished hose.

Look out for small droplets of mucky oil in your engine compartment, it'll go like a dream after that!

1997 Volkswagen Passat Sport 1.9 turbo diesel 110

Summary:

Could be much better, if only it was as reliable as VW would have you believe

Faults:

Front suspension ball joints wear out very quickly and are expensive to replace.

Catalytic converter ceramic matrix broke up at 105,000 miles. Caused a severe drop in performance.

Climate control panel is faulty and the system has leaked Freon gas.

Hydraulic pipe between the slave and master cylinder to the clutch leaked, because it chafed on the gearbox. Took FOUR DAYS to repair!

General Comments:

Big interior and very economical on fuel (typical 60+mpg in everyday use).

Comfortable for a family of five and plenty of luggage space.

Let down by suspect build quality.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 31st May, 2001

1997 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE 110 1.9 turbo diesel

Summary:

Appalling reliability

Faults:

Too many to list or to remember, but those which caused three days or more off the road include gearbox, starter, suspension, electrics, water ingress etc.

General Comments:

By a long way the least reliable car I have ever owned. It has been out of use at least ten times. At the moment the car is off the road - I am in the 12th week of what VW tell me will be a 14 week wait for parts to repair the failed suspension. The car is just three years old and it has failed its first MOT on several significant grounds.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th September, 2000

1997 Volkswagen Passat SE 1.8 Turbo

Faults:

Aircon drain hole blocked - water in footwell.

Welds missing on NS A post - creaks.

Control arm replaced on NSF susp - bushes failed.

Temp sender replaced - 3 week back order from DE caused starting and engine running problems.

Water leak in front wheel arch damaged central locking ECU and harness - 3 week back order - car has been at dealer for 2 weeks awaiting parts and is not expected back for at least 2 more weeks.

Squeaking/sticking clutch pedal, and lots of other minor faults.

General Comments:

This could be a great car but this is the worst built car I have ever owned.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st May, 1999

1997 Volkswagen Passat Sport TDI

Faults:

Speedo sender intermittent, unlocking with key sometimes opened windows (fault cleared without intervention), poor glovebox fit. Need to watch oil consumption in first 5000 miles.

General Comments:

Very good chassis (unlike previous VR6 Golf which was awful) if slightly inert compared with BMW 3-series. Well made, comfortable, good performance and excellent economy - especially if you take it easy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th March, 1998

1997 Volkswagen Passat 20V Sport Turbo 1.8 turbo petrol

Faults:

FM radio cuts out intermittently.

General Comments:

Big car refinement at family car price.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd February, 1998