1993 Volkswagen Passat GLX VR6 review from North America
"Grounds for a lawsuit against VW"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Multiple coolant leaks.
Multiple oil leaks.
Speed sensor on transmission broken.
Required new mufflers and work on exhaust piping.
Heater core needed replacing after 90K.
Brakes need replacing NOW.
Transmission slipping.
Car stalls in low gears.
Interior leather worn and separating from plastic.
Heated seats broken.
Many interior lights broken.
Factory speakers broken.
Door handles separating from metal.
Typical rust pattern on trunk, running boards, around emblems and trim.
General comments?
I couldn't hate this car enough, or agree more with most of the reviews in this forum.
Yes, it is fun to drive on the highway.
Otherwise, it's a maintenance nightmare. Almost no independent shops in Northern California will even take the car in. As I found out when I tried taking it for a '10-minute Oil Change' most routine repairs (replacing the air filter for instance) have to be carried out by an experienced technician with a stock of VW parts. Even the oil filter is nonstandard. There are two mufflers in the car -- the one I needed cost $500 from the factory!
The interior deteriorates daily, with leather separating from its molding and convenience electronics braking regularly.
Recommended reviews
  | A comfortable, economical, reliable car that will burn your wallet if you don't care for it |
| One gas miser long distance runner for long road trips |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | V6 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7/10 |
| Reliability marks | 3/10 |
| Comfort marks | 5/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 3/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 1/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 95000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 100000 miles |
| Previous car | Pontiac Grand Prix |
| Date of Entry | 7th August, 2002 |