1999 Volkswagen Passat review from North America

First, the "shrouding", a protective plastic type cover that goes under the bumper and over the oil pan and front undercarriage of the car blew part way off and was dragging on the highway. This happened 2 days after I had the car serviced at the local dealership. It has happened 2 more times since, each time after having the car serviced.

At 30,000 miles and less than 18 months after the Passat was purchased, the rear passenger-side window stopped working. The dealership fixed the window, but nicked and scarred the inside of the door in the process. After having the window fixed, it has broken twice more until I had it fixed by an independent mechanic. Next the outside mirror adjuster and mirror defroster control handle broke off.

I rarely use this window, it has only been raised and lowered about 50 times at the most over the lifetime of the car.

The dealership then lost my maintenance manual and could not find another for my car.

Then the dealership gouged a 3" chunk out of my front bumper.

Then the sunroof opened of it's own accord during a thunderstorm while I was driving on the freeway. The sunroof opened, closed, opened, closed, then finally stuck open before I could even pull off of the freeway. I found a hand crank and closed it, and I am afraid to have it fixed for fear that it will happen again!

More plastic parts have broken, including the button that opens the box on the armrest.

At 71,000 miles the check engine light has come on.

I have only owned this car for 3 years. I have taken it in for all recommended services. I commute about 90 mile per day round trip, all on flat freeways.

The 99 Passat drives beautifully, handles well, gets great gas mileage, but the little things breaking constantly.

The Dealer indifference and incompetence, and the fact that it is impossible to reach Volkswagen to lodge a complaint have made me decide to get rid of this car soon and never purchase another Volkswagen so long as I live.