2009 Volkswagen Passat High-line Plus 2.0 TDi from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Nightmare

Faults:

To name just some of the problems;

Clutch, turbo, oil leaks, DPF, driveshafts, ABS, and major rust everywhere.

General Comments:

This Passat I bought used back in 2017 was a decent car for the first year or so, then it quickly fell apart.

Looked after well (full history and I also did every service and drove properly!) yet this car gave me too many problems. My previous old Mondeo from the year 2000 was honestly better.

The car was just unreliable and expensive to fix, which is a shame as it was otherwise a fine car.

High-line model had leather and lots of toys, comfortable to drive, 2.0 TDi was economical (around 45 mpg) and had just about enough power.

Good looking in silver, till the wheel arches rusted like a pig.

VW is overpriced and overrated, not recommended.

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

Review Date: 23rd July, 2024

2009 Volkswagen Passat Highline 2.0 TDI from Norway

Summary:

Rust bucket

Faults:

Rust and then more rust.

Electronics problems like central locking.

Clutch and flywheel.

Weak suspension.

General Comments:

Comfortable, but poor quality.

Paint quality poor and anti corrosion non-existent.

Rusted out doors and trunk after a few years.

Looked like junk after 7 years.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th October, 2020

5th Oct 2020, 18:19

Sad to hear modern Passat's are like this. I've seen a lot of 2009/2010 Passat's with rust on the arches. Shame really, years ago I had an 1990 Passat that I scrapped in 2005. Engine problems, but no rust, even at 15 years old.

6th Oct 2020, 18:57

All Passats of sixth generation suffer from this; some more than others. Most is cosmetic and not structural. Especially the trunk lid on these rotted after few years. Mine was no exception. Really nothing you can do. Trunk lid on mine was sand blasted and painted twice. First time after less than two years under warranty. Rust came back after a year. Completely crazy. This car looked like a junkyard car when I sold it at 7 years old.

2009 Volkswagen Passat R36 3.6 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Serious sleeper... unassuming

Faults:

Nothing, only a dead battery, which I replaced.

General Comments:

I really love this car, and due to the fact that this is the only car that I have owned with this level of refinement, I cannot really compare it to say a BMW or something of similar value.

Well appointed and probably the most comfortable car seats I have ever sat in; no backaches after long drives.

DSG gearbox is questionable and can feel a bit clumsy at times, but then in Sport mode it will blow away everything I have been next to from a standstill at the lights, so it has its fors and againsts.

I love the exhaust note and have no idea why people upgrade to another exhaust system.

Paint is of very good quality and buffs up well.

Hi beam could be brighter for a car of this quality.

I love the car, but could still see myself upgrading to an AUDI down the track and going back to a turbo powerplant over NA...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd August, 2016

2009 Volkswagen Passat Highline 2.0 turbo from North America

Summary:

Amazing, powerful car to drive with near luxury feel

Faults:

Windshield leak near rear view mirror; fixed by the dealer at no cost to me.

Knocking sound from rear when accelerating. The dealer checked it out and couldn't replicate the sound, and an inspection revealed all is well.

General Comments:

This car handles beautifully, it's a solid car to drive with excellent driving dynamics. There is no turbo lag when pushing off, especially with the manual transmission and 211 pound feet of torque!

The car is really good with fuel consumption, especially given how powerful it is. The recommended fuel is premium for ultimate performance, so that's what I use.

Interior is near luxury standards, with a simple, elegant and logical layout. The navigation system is pretty straightforward to use with nice graphics, and the Dyna Audio system is fantastic.

The interior is quite roomy and comfortable. I wish the passenger side seat had a power option though. The trunk is really huge, and the 60/40 split rear seats increase the versatility of the trunk.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th September, 2013

2009 Volkswagen Passat 1.4 petrol from Turkey

Summary:

The car is OK, but gas consumption is awful

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with the car.

General Comments:

The car consumes petrol like drinking water. Anybody who wants to buy a Passat with the 1.4 engine and automatic gears, should think thrice...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th June, 2012

2009 Volkswagen Passat Komfort Wagon 2.0L turbo from North America

Summary:

VW, please make the Passat Komfort into a mid-size SUV/wagon for us tall guys!

Faults:

Keyless fob quit working after the 1st day.

General Comments:

My Passat is very quick & agile.

VW needs to raise the Passat 4-5 inches higher off ground for us 6'7" owners.

Love the engine sound when the turbo kicks in.

It would be nice to have the TDI or natural gas engines offered in Europe.

I love plugging my Android into the aux jack so that I can listen to Peter Gabriel, 10cc, Annie Lennox, Pink Floyd, Paul Rodgers, Queen, John Lennon, Jeff Beck, Neil Young, Yardbirds, Robert Plant & others on the premium sound system.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th January, 2011

2009 Volkswagen Passat from North America

Summary:

Wish I didn't lease this car :(

Faults:

Throttle body, throttle body wiring, and steering column have all had to be replaced. The car has broken down and left me stranded 5 times, and I haven't even owned the car for 2 years. It's horrible; worst car I have ever owned.

General Comments:

Extremely unreliable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th July, 2010

2009 Volkswagen Passat Komfort Wagon 2.0L I4 turbo from North America

Summary:

Very nice car for the price - I don't get why wagons are not more popular in the U.S.

Faults:

Steering wheel controls for factory installed Bluetooth function did not work - fixed under warranty.

General Comments:

Very comfortable on long trips.

Adequate power and good handling.

Low ride height takes some getting used to after driving SUV's for years.

Plenty of cargo/storage space.

Lacks an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Purchasing dealer was not very responsive - have since found a better dealer closer to home.

Like the fact it looks great and is fairly rare.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th March, 2010