22nd Apr 2008, 15:17

My 2000 Passat 1.8T Wagon has currently 178,000 miles on it. I purchased it with around 35K on it, and it ran like a champ until about 80K. Then the EMISSIONS WORKSHOP signal. Took it into a VW dealer and got lucky, he told me not to worry about it and put some premium gas in her. I ran the premium for a tank and it went away. For a month. It has been on ever since. I just deal with it.

Also, I have blown at LEAST 5 of each headlamp bulbs and two or three front turn signal bulbs. Always seems to happen when first starting the car.

I was told I needed a new clutch at 105K, but drove from Grand Rapids to Maine and back no problem. Now at almost 180K, it is barely there anymore. Taking it in next week, initial estimate (non-VW mechanic) is $950. Other than the weird "quirks", its been a relatively good car, but next I will listen to Consumer Reports and buy a Honda or a Toyota.

7th May 2008, 08:10

I have a 2000 VW Passat 4 Motion... My "emissions workshop" light comes on all the frickin time... an easy fix for that is disconnecting the battery for 1-3 minutes and then hooking it back up... It resets the computer and makes the light go off... I have been dealing with that for about two years now... It first happend about 6 months after I bought it... it is a pain, but you can remedy the problem yourself... why pay someone else to do something you can do yourself!!! I have a few other problems though... my turn signal is loose... so if I hit a bump or something they come on... very annoying.. not sure how to get that fixed, also, if I turn the heat/ac up past like 2 it makes this horrible sound... It works, but it is so loud and embarrassing... I am not sure what that is either... any ideas?

6th Sep 2008, 15:49

I understand why you have brake-issues with a 2000 model Passat. The thing is, I live in Europe, and I remember that not long after the Passat was released here, they recalled 100.000+ Passats, because they had issues with the front brakes. The problems was numerous, but the reason for them to call back the cars, was that it was discovered, that snow would cloak up the air ducts that cool the brakes, leading to them overheating and fading, towards ultimately failing.

I don't know if this call back was performed in America - generally VW dealerships and service is a lot better in Europe than North America, through my impressions.

Fact is, the 2000 model wasn't much more than an extensive facelift of the old model from 1996-1999. Actually, they even overlap, so you can get the old model as "new" as 2001, and the new model as "old" as 2000.

This facelifted model brought so much bad publicity to Volkswagen, just due to problems like mentioned here. It was not really a "true" Volkswagen, it didn't match the same strong specifications. I've had two VWs that both went over 200.000 miles, and was then sold to others, and I'm about to buy a new one, still going for VW.

But I remember my driving instructor back when I took my license also had one of these, although it was slightly newer. When it had done 22000 miles, the entire clutch had to be replaced, because some rubberthingies on the clutch surface, designed to make the shifts smoother, was simply worn off, resulting in every shift being - well, let's say quite noticeable.

So I won't ever go for that version of the Passat. :) Sad to hear about your experience with the car though. I hope you'll come to appreciate it, if it starts acting right again ;)

11th Jan 2009, 16:29

The advice on synthetic oil is completely correct! Trust me, the added cost is well worth it compared to the cost of a new engine if you use regular oil. This will happen! I have heard of engine failure as early as 35,000 miles when someone had used conventional oil. Also make sure to us a 5W-40, Castrol Syntec makes one that I would reccommend, Mobil 1 will work also. And just because its synthetic don't wait more than 5000 miles between oil changes and make sure you watch anyone working on the car, because before you know it some mechanic who knows nothing about these cars will fill it with some cheap oil and cost you thousands.

19th Jan 2009, 10:05

I bought a 2000 VOW 4 wheel in 2008. It had more than 110k miles on it. The car is beautiful to behold, however I can't say I have enjoyed the car. Firstly, right from delivery, starting the car was problematic. The dealer said that was a normal problem with VOW and all we had to do was hold down the key for some few seconds. The problem hasn't improved and is worsening. Presently some days it starts on cue, on other days it's an embarrassing 5- 10 minutes wait repeatedly holding the key down. I don't know if anyone has had such problems and found solution. My problem is compounded because presently am using the car in a region of Nigeria in Africa with no VOW dealership or mechanics well versed in repair of this model.

The other problem of overheating and leaking power steering fluid has been sorted at astonishing cost. I guess my next car will be maybe a Honda or Toyota which can be easily fixed here. I guess I was used to VOW, which was the first car I owned.

19th Jan 2009, 12:38

Check the fuel pump relay. Happened to my Audi. Hairline crack on the solder causes this. Car electrician pulled it out, opened the casing, and melted some solder on the crack, and bingo -- it never gave problems.

18th Nov 2009, 14:30

I have a 2000 Passat 4motion that has had the Emissions Workshop Light on, off and on for the past three months. I have had two suggestion to replace the catalytic converters. How expensive should this procedure cost? At what point do I need to replace them? Any suggestions??

5th Jan 2010, 17:37

I have a 2000 Passat 4motion V6 GLS:

Problems I have had since I bought it at 98k to 145k over 3 years.

First problem was I cracked the oil pan because it is lowered with 18's.. that's my fault and replaced the pan.

Second problem was check engine light came on because of a faulty spark plug.. I don't see this as a problem, but what I did notice is that it looked like oil was on the end of the plug.. this is telling me that maybe the 2nd cylinder has a crack? I replaced the plug and got a new wire set.. no misfires for the past few years.. however it is running rough again.. so I think the plugs need to be changed..

Then the ABS warning light came on and has been on for 2 years.. At first it would go on and off.. then it started coming on all the time.. The brakes work like old school drums now and will lock up if you really get on it.. it has caused me a flat spot in one tire since this problem, and I believe it has made my low beams not work. On top of that, SMOG check cannot connect with the computer, and I have been avoiding smog for two years now by stealing reg. stickers.

Then my mufflers were having problems, and my emissions light came on.. I then found out there was rusty holes in my pipes from my resonator to my muffler.. Eventually they fell off my car and I had to get them re-welded on with aluminum pipes.. The light has never come back on..

Meanwhile I took the Passat off road like a rally car and busted up the ball joints.. cost me $800 to fix.

All I can say is you guys sound like a bunch of babies.. I love my Passat and it has problems just like any car.. I have owned 2 Acuras, 3 Hondas, 1 Mazda RX7, 16 classic VWs, 1 Cadillac... and I will tell you this not one of those cars didn't have a single problem that didn't stem from maintenance issues.. every single problem you are complaining about could be avoided if you took care of your car properly.. but I on the other hand like to tear the living daylights out of my cars, so I expect these problems to happen, and if I don't I am not surprised.. I just pay for it or figure out the cheapest way to fix it..

Seriously though.. you guys are talking about a few issues that happen with every car.. I had two Honda Accords, and both needed radiators replaced, waterpumps, and hoses.. on top of all the crappy plastic that breaks on the interior.. so seriously give your LEMON stereo type a rest, and go buy another car of the same year with the same miles.. you'll see that all cars are crap.. all of them..