2001 Volkswagen Passat LX review from North America

Only had the car a month and the coolant hose had a hole in it. I lost all of my coolant three times. Once while on vacation! It took three visits to two different Volkswagen dealerships until it was finally corrected.

Only had the car a month and there was a problem with the axial. The car was at the Volkswagen dealership for two weeks getting repaired.

Numerous problems with the ignition coils. A recall repair finally corrected it, but I took it into the Volkswagen dealership several times prior and they could never get it corrected.

Only had the car a month and no air (heat nor A/C) would come out of the vents. Made another trip to the dealership to get corrected.

The rubber on the interior has been peeling off around the door handles, etc. ever since I've had the car.

The truck would not latch. Had to take it into the dealership to have repaired.

The back passenger door would not close all the way. Had to take it into the dealership to have repaired.

The driver sun visor light stopped working. The dealership wants to charge me $600 to install a new sun visor. I said forget it!

Several hoses have gone bad and causesd my check engine light to come on. Each time I have one repaired it costs me no less than $500.

Many other small issues that keep me running into the dealership.

Although I like driving the car - it handles smoothly and tight - there has been one problem right after another that started the first week I had the car.

The constant trips to the Volkswagen dealerships (I say dealerships because I've dealt with three in five years) have turned my stomach against Volkswagens. I will never purchase another Volkswagen. They produce a nice concept, but the reliability is not there. I've been afraid from day one to take the car out of the city for fear it will break down on me.

It is a pain and an embarrassment to have to go to your boss each month and tell him you have to get off work to haul your car 20 miles away to the dealership, because once again your car is having unnecessary problems. The benefit of having a Volkswagen does not out weigh the cost.