A lot:
Spark plug wires (2 sets), cylinder head gasket, O2 Sensor, power steering (4 overhauls), tires (2 sets), injection control module, instrument cluster, fading paint, rear brake calipers, muffler (after 2 years), parking brake wires.
Those problems were encountered in the first 4 years of ownership. For the last 3 years the car has been pretty reliable if you consider its age (7 year, 158 000 Km). The body is still in very good shape (no rust). I now only use this car in winter and plan to sell it this summer. This car was my 7th volks and the least reliable. I now drive a Volvo V70.
Hi. I also have a 1991 Passat which has given me a lot of trouble. The most distressful has been a problem with the brakes malfunctioning in hot weather. In cold weather, 15 C or less, this does not seem to happen. What happens is the ABS light and the Brake light come on after a days driving in hot (25 to 35 C) weather and the brakes become spongy and hard to apply, making it dangerous to drive. I have had the ABS reservoir replaced twice in an attempt to alleviate the problem, but no luck (actually it was the dealer's idea). The fluid in the reservoir exceeds the height limit when the brakes are malfunctioning, therefore it seemed that it was likely that the ABS reservoir was leaking.
Do you know if anyone else has had this problem and how it was fixed? I also just drive the car during cool weather. It has other problems, like howling sounds when I back up sometimes.
Lydia Goatcher
email: justing@oanet.com
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