2002 Volkswagen Passat GLX 2.0 from North America
Summary:
I would never buy another Volkswagen again!
Faults:
March 2006 - 31K Miles - CV Boots replaced - $900.
August 2006 - 35K Miles - Coolant temp sensor went out - $155.00.
October 2006 - Heater Core went out - coolant leaked into front passenger floorboard - $1,400 - without a car for 6 days.
November 2006 - Cam Shaft Seal and Valve Cover Gasket bad. Engine is leaking oil. Replaced on both sides of engine cam shaft seal and valve cover gasket. 2 Days without a car.
9/14/07 - 46,500 miles - Pollen Filter Seal Recall - left motor mount hydraulic bracket is leaking and seeping out plus the serpentine belt which is the drive belt that runs the alternator is worn and starting to crack - $655.00.
2/14/08 - 50K servicing - Hood Latch Needed to be Replaced - $380.
6/26/08 - 53,057 Miles - heat shield recall. Right CV Outer Boot is torn and leaking grease. CV boots were just replaced in March of 2006 at 31K miles and should last 100K+ miles. Only got 22K miles off of the CV boot that was replaced in 2006. $372 for CV boot.
6/26/08 - also found Coolant Reservoir Bottle dirty and contaminated due to cap leaking coolant. They changed the reservoir and did a coolant system flush. Cost for CV boot and coolant flush $700. Just had 50K servicing done in February.
7/2/08 - 53,100K Miles - Stop light came on and said check coolant. Opened the hood and hardly any coolant in reservoir and they just did a coolant system flush a few days ago. As I was driving home, the sensor lights on the instrument panel blew out. Checked coolant when I got home and it was bubbling. I will be taking my car into the dealer again tomorrow morning. The saga continues...
I drive my car 7 miles to work and back, perform all of my servicing through the dealership as required, go in for oil change every 3K - 5K miles. You figure it out.
General Comments:
The only thing good about this top of the line 2002 GLX Passat is how it handles on the road and the stereo system. It is definitely a money pit and spends more time at the dealership being fixed than driven. This was my very first brand new car at $32,000+ and has been a lemon from the time it turned 30K miles. I have owned a Lexus, Toyota Camry and Honda and have never experienced any of the problems with any of those cars that I have experienced with this Volkswagen.
Can someone please explain to me what is going on???
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 3rd July, 2008
19th Mar 2010, 09:37
My friend - I feel like I could have written the EXACT list of fixes to my 2002 Passat! Money pit is a perfect description... I have had the CV boots replaced 3 times and now they want me to replace the motor mounts again. I join you in NEVER buying another VW automobile.
19th Aug 2010, 19:23
I know this was a while ago, but I have to say I feel your pain... am currently enduring your pain!
Less than 3 years with the car, 32000 miles and $10,000 in repairs. Was just in for 2 weeks, and they wanted another $2000.
Told the dealer no thank you, so took it home and the car will be donated. It is a total money pit.
20th Aug 2010, 17:30
Wow. That's even worse than the most unreliable car we ever were cursed with (a Honda)!! I might point out, however that in recent years VW has made huge strides in build quality and reliability, and are now on a par with Ford and GM, and way ahead of all Japanese cars. The new ones are very good cars.
3rd Jul 2008, 17:43
Very good review. Good example of dealer prices for service to generate revenue.