Faults:

Automatic transmission failure, particularly when hot.

Cooling system problems (in part due to after-run heat sensor being left unmounted by someone who previously worked on the car. Independent VW tech said this is a commonly forgotten item due to its placement on the rear of the valve cover bolt. Even the dealership missed this when checking the cooling system).

Ignition problems. The condition of the ignition wire that has the induction sensor on it is critical. This caused occasional engine cut-out and stumble. It looked fine, but wasn't. Ignition wires for this car are particularly expensive and must be purchased as a set.

Front wheel bearings noisy.

Delamination of rear side windows.

Power window problems, particularly rear windows.

Plastic trim likes to break.

Radio speakers buzzy or inoperative.

General Comments:

Good handling car for a wagon. Good brakes and overall ride feel. Not very quick.

HVAC works well. Comfortable car with lots of cargo space when the rear seat is folded down. Four people can ride comfortably.

Gas mileage is decent.

Early electronically-controlled automatic transmission is very expensive to repair - will cost more than the value of the car.

Faults:

Had the transmission fluid changed in which the mechanic found pieces of metal that fell into the pan.

Entire exhaust system replaced due to rotting. Cost over $600.

Transmission electronics failed. Replacement cost $300.

General Comments:

I am a college musician and purchased this car (wagon) with the intent of hauling percussion equipment. For this purpose, it served me well. However, I cannot trust it enough to do any serious traveling. From what I've heard, the transmission will probably go soon, which is a real bummer.

The car is very attractive.

Very weak performance.

Feels good on the highway.

Faults:

At about 130,000 miles Car started losing power and stalling. Turned out to be an oily distributor, replaced distributor and cap, but it needed new seals.

At about 140,0000 miles, Heater core broke the coldest week in January. Could not fix by myself, garage said it would cost $1500. So by-passed core and went the rest of winter with no heat.

A/C never worked.

Door switches for interior lights all broke, 2 shattered, 2 rusted out.

Power seat belts stopped working.

Headlights really dim.

Exhaust system rattle is the loudest thing ever. All the hangers are sagging. Tried everything to fix problem. No success.

General Comments:

Not much good to report. But, besides the above, when the car did run, it was pretty fast in the sport mode.

It has the biggest trunk of any car I ever owned.

Faults:

Transmission, transmission, transmission!! Have I mentioned that the transmission failed, and would have cost more than the car's value to fix?

Window motors failed immediately following my purchase of the car.

The timing belt, which had been replaced twice previously before I owned the vehicle.

The whole exhaust system needed to be replaced (which cost over $1000US, without labor).

Various other minor things that I won't mention, but did fix and cost me a mint.

General Comments:

This car was trouble from the moment I laid eyes on it, but the gorgeous shape the body and motor were in took my focus off of what truly mattered about the car, which was the fact that the transmission had problems.

These transmissions in early 90s model Passats were notorious for being utter garbage, and I'd recommend anyone pondering the purchase of one of these fine vehicles get one with a standard, as they are great as far as I know, and I have asked around.

The car was great other than minor stuff, other than the transmission problems of course. One thing that was annoying was the major vibration it gave when at idle, which was very noticeable and unnerving.

Parts for this particular car, and any from Volkswagen for that matter, and any German car manufacturer are astronomically expensive, and I truly wish I'd done my homework before purchasing the vehicle, rather than after, because it most definitely would have swayed my decision.

One good thing is that most VWs retain their value quite well, and the car I originally paid $550US for, I turned around and sold for $1500US, and that was with a bad transmission, which required a rebuild very soon.

If you've got a never ending supply of money, then maybe I could recommend this type of car to you, but if you're anything like myself, I would recommend something which would be much less to maintain and that wouldn't be breaking down constantly, as Passats do, and most other VWs I'm told.

As I said, it really was a nice car, but it also had major problems, and it wasn't by itself either. I've read that if you're in the market for a Passat, then you'd be wise to stay away from the automatic transmission since they ALL fail eventually, and most sooner in their lives than later. I suppose for a well off person it would be okay, but then I suppose a new car every year would be in order, and there would certainly be no need for an ready made headache.