Faults:

Emissions workshop frequently on.

Drink tray holder wouldn't latch 50000.

Oil pump issues 52000.

Flasher unit went out 55000.

Trunk latch broke 58000.

Timing belt broke 71000.

General Comments:

Absolutely disappointing and expensive to own. It currently sits at the VW shop with an open case with VW Corp regarding a defective timing belt breaking at 71,000 miles, although inspected at 60K and supposedly good through 105,000...estimated damage to the car which was moving at 30mph when this happened---$6,412.00..yes, that is not a typo... NEVER consider this year, engine and turbo combination!

Faults:

Oil pump.

Window regulator.

Drivers side door lock fell apart.

Various lighting issues (exterior).

CAM position sensor.

Axles/CV joints.

Throttle body adjustments.

Radio display distorted.

Leaky valve cover gasket replaced.

Leaky coolant flange on the back of engine block - make of plastic!

Turbo return line developed a mysterious hole in it!?

General Comments:

The car handles very well for a front wheel drive car and is fun to drive. But the thing is so freakin unreliable and expensive to maintain, you end up hating it.

This car has left my wife stranded more times than I can remember. And we spent a lot of time and money on preventative maintenance as well. We were angry when we just spent $800 on a timing belt job, to find out a month later that the oil pump was shot - another $1000 please. SUCKS!

It might not be as bad if parts and labor were reasonable. But no, everything is like $500 starting, and higher. It's just insane! You may as well be driving a Porsche.

I've had 2 Audi's that are high maintenance as well, and this Passat has cost me more than both those cars together to keep on the road, and I've owned it the least amount of time.

The car is in the shop right now (12 days now), and they don't know what's wrong with it. But I know that it's going to end up being electrical problems. Either way, as soon as we get this car back (fixed or not) we're dumping it at the first seller or dealer willing to taking off our hands and count it as a loss. Obviously, I will never buy another VW again. Total CRAP! We're going to get an Infiniti I35 or a Lexus ES300.

Faults:

Two ignition coils failed (after being replaced in recall!). This is apparently a bad part and/or it's so deep in the engine that it gets too hot (design problem).

CD changer lasted ~15 months.

Trunk lock can't be opened with key.

General Comments:

It's perfect in every way.

It's economical (1.8 4cyl), but has plenty of power if I need it (turbo)

It's quiet (and quieter after I replace the Conti Contact tires with Conti Pro Contact)

It handles beautifully -- the sort of ride you expect from a German car.

It's surprisingly big for its size if you know what I mean -- plenty of room in the back seat and trunk.

The controls/dashboard layout is superb.

Faults:

Water Pump broke after 60,000 miles.

45 minutes after the water pump was replaced, the car overheated on a busy highway, and flashed the check engine light. Back to mechanic - replaced the filter after 2 more days of inspection.

3 months later, Oil pump clogged starved the pump and subsequently the engine for oil, resulting in a complete engine failure. The car had routine oil changes with synthetic oil (as recommended)

Car died, I had it towed to 4 different mechanics, (3 of them VW specialists) who could not figure out the oil pressure problem. Now it sits in Maryland (I live in NJ) waiting to be picked up for parts.

General Comments:

Never, ever ever buy this model. it is a lemon and will cause you nothing, but distress and $$$$$$$$!!!