2002 Volkswagen Passat 1.8 from North America

Summary:

Not worth the money!

Faults:

Ignition coils. They would only replace one at a time, so you were scared to death of breaking down at any given time. It seemed each year, one went at a time. Luckily for me, all of mine have been replaced at this point. The final replacement I refused to drive the car in (it wasn't totally broken down, but sputtering), and my dealership gave me a hard time and just told me to "drive it in." Needless to say, after that conversation, I was on the phone with the General Manager. I think because the service representative I happen to get on the phone thought because I was a woman, I must not know what I was talking about, and it couldn't possibly be the ignition coil... guess what? It was.

This summer... water pump went... since I had less than 50,000 miles, it was under warranty.

Check Engine Light. Comes on every single winter. Usually, it is nothing. I've been told it's some senor, or some misfire...etc,., and the car runs fine even w/the engine light on. This winter, about 3 weeks ago, the engine light came on again. But then, went off a week later. A big sigh of relief. Next week, back on. Running fine until about a week ago. Starts fine, runs fine, but when I'm at a light, it does not idle properly and feels like its going to stall, but does not (I give it gas to "even it out.") Called two VW dealerships in my area (the one I purchased the car, and another one that is actually closer to my home). The one dealership, will not look at something like that on a Saturday, so has to be a weekday, which means, time off from work. And the other dealership will do it on a Saturday, but there is a "special technician" that takes care of the engine light problem, and only works one Saturday a month. Thankfully, that is this Saturday. So this Saturday, I guess I will find out how much this is going run me!

General Comments:

Love the stereo and how it handles, but would never purchase another Passat...I'll go back to Toyota, thanks...200,000 miles and rarely had a problem, except for general maintenance!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th March, 2007

2002 Volkswagen Passat SE 1.8Turbo from North America

Summary:

The worst vehicle known to man; I'd rather take my child's Sesame Street car for a ride!

Faults:

Oil Reserve Line replaced @ 5500 miles. Oil still leaks.

Engine coils (4) replaced as car broke down within weeks of each other.

Glove compartment door & latch replaced.

Leak of plastic seal causing water build up in passenger seat.

Wheel housing recall.

Tires continually squeak.

Rusted out rotors & Brake Pads on a garaged vehicle.

Replaced Air Cleaner Housing & Headlights.

General Comments:

Wow! What a bargain! VW really got the best of me! If this was an all you can eat buffet then VW has won! I cannot tell you how many times we have had this car in and out for some type of problem. The reality is this, VW makes a car that looks good, drives with some power, but is as reliable as that relative of yours that is still promising to take you to Yankee Stadium to meet the fellas in the locker room because he supposedly works for the organization, but in reality he really lives in the East Wing of Bellevue Mental Hospital. Do you get it now? The Passat is a Pinto in so-called superior engineered metal clothing! I tell everyone that I know that if I really do not like someone then I will tell them to buy a Volkswagon! Farfrignugen!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th January, 2007

18th Jan 2007, 14:14

Although Volkswagen's patchy quality record with this particular generation of vehicles is well-known, I wish to point out that rusted out brakes on garaged vehicles is an ailment common to all vehicles regardless of manufacturer or country of origin. Even the slightest bit of humidity will quickly attack the unprotected metal of the rotors causing rapid rusting. Driving the vehicle on a regular basis basically wears off the rust before it becomes visible. On a garaged vehicle, the rust is never removed and rapidly infects the whole disc. That being said, the other quality issues you mentioned are totally unacceptable, especially in a vehicle in this price range.