26th Sep 2002, 18:39

I just wrote a review on my 2002 Passat GLS V6. I have to agree that this machine is disappointing in initial quality coming from "German engineering". I'm an engineer myself and have owned two earlier VW's - a 1988 Fox GL sport 5 speed and my wife now has a 1998 Jetta GT. Both those machines are bulletproof. (Believe it or not the salesman who sold me the Passat bought my Fox with 200,000 miles on it, looking good and running strong).

I've lost confidence in the Passat as I've had too many early problems to think otherwise - even though I enjoy driving it. It truly is a car built on delicate tolerances and that's why my dash rattles so much. I hope I'm not in for a long haul of trouble as the odometer just turned 12,000 miles tonight.

Best of Luck!

2nd Oct 2002, 10:35

It is my understanding that the 2000 passat comes with 3 different types of brake setup. The VW-company redesigned the brakes twice that year and my friend who purchased his car late in the year 2000 has had no problems what so ever.

First VW replaced the disks with bigger ones and then they modified the brake pads as well.

15th Oct 2002, 16:21

I purchased a new 2000 Passat in January 2001. I absolutely love the car, but I wish I had done more research on the cost of maintenance. After only 40,000 miles on my car and having the service done on time every time, I now have a $700 bill to repair 3 parts that never should have malfunctioned if service was done properly, which according to the service manual, it was. Unless you have lots of money and time to burn, you should consider a more tried and true vehicle.

27th Oct 2002, 00:34

I own a 2001.5 VW Passat with every available option. I purchased the vehicle with a 10 year/100,000 mile warranty. I had a slight misalignment of the driver's rear door form day 1. over 1 year later, we finally notified the dealer. Fixed. No cost. Do-It-Your-Self-maintenance is a bear. The brakes are wearing unsatisfactorily, but, then, most OEM brakes do, when the vehicle steadily goes faster than most other vehicles in the same class, thereby leading to stiffer pedal usage. I had a '95 Thunderbird SC with the same problem. I'll simply go to my local shop, buy new rotors and pads, pay less, stop shorter, and wear longer. BTW, the drive line can handle over 500 horsepower with the tiptronic 4motion setup. Seems like the most solid and upgradeable family sedan I've ever seen.

1st Jan 2003, 18:36

I have a 2000 Passat, which I love to drive. Three of my relatives also own 2000 Passats. Between the four Passats, we've gone through a total of 7 air pumps. It seems they fill with water and become water pumps, for a very short while. VW Customer Service indicates this is a rare occurrence (just not for us I guess). It is also not an emissions part (so exactly what does it do), which would have been covered under the 50K emissions warranty, even though the "EMISSIONS" Trouble light comes on as a result. I love the car, but VW surely doesn't stand behind them. I'm afraid I'll never buy another for that very reason.

13th Mar 2003, 23:54

Hi there. I have a 2000 VW Passat 1.8T. I acquired this car when it had 11,000 miles on it. While initially I have not had any trouble at all with it, in the past 6 months, it seems all has gone to heck with it. Nearing 52,000 miles now, (in sales), I have having a problem with two things currently.

1. the emissions light (workshop) is on. It just got out of the shop for this and after a day, was right back on. Back to the dealer I go.

2. I had an issue in Jan. with the oil pressure light coming on, along with a very alarming STOP ENGINE/OIL PRESSURE message on the display. After determining that my last service work (done at an out of town garage) likely didn't change my oil or filter, my mechanic drained/cleaned/changed filter two times in a short period, and the problem seemed solved. No gunk in oil.. This week, after much driving of the car, the light is on again, though it can't be triggered. Back at my mechanic, he has done all he can do, sees no issue with the oil pressure at all. Guess I will have to take it to the dealer (who I am dissatisfied with due to past repair work).

Trying to see if anyone anywhere has experienced the oil pressure message and what might have been possible issues. Thinking of getting fixed best I can and trading car in due to assortment of issues in past few months.

29th Apr 2003, 22:22

I also have the problem with the oil pressure warning/stop warning lights shouting at me. I stopped my car and had it towed to the dealership and the mechanic drove my car for seven miles, but the fault indicators did not re-appear. The mechanics advised that I had many misfire codes and a faulty air flow sensor. He suggested I get the 80,000 mile service and a new sensor. I got the 80k service. The 80k service kept the fault warnings away for two days, but then the faults returned. Now it appears the problem may indeed be a faulty air flow sensor/oxygen sensor which will cost 700 bucks. I already paid about 500 bucks for the 80k service. My car is just parked in the garage now as an expensive ornament. Perhaps your problem will be the air flow sensor. Try that if you have the money. Good luck.

14th May 2003, 17:01

I bought a 2000 Passat wagon v6 in Feb 02 with 6500 miles. It was the General Manager's car so we got it as new being it had not been registered. I have had the Oxygen sensor replaced and have been to the dealer 6 times for Emission system/Check Engine/STOP driving low coolant lights. I also seem to have a problem with oil consumption. I add 1 to 1 1/2 quarts between each 5k mile oil change and I add coolant at least twice a year. My warranty expires in June 03 and wonder if the new Passat's are any better?

4th Jun 2003, 22:29

We have a 4motion wagon. We take it skiing a lot, get it quite dirty, occasionally beat it up, and have never had any of these problems. One time it wouldn't start up, but that seemed to fix itself and never resurfaced. I wouldn't mind some real cupholders, though...

5th Jun 2003, 12:56

I have a 2000 VW Passat and the rear brakes have gone out at 37,000 miles. They claim at the shop that I had been driving with the emergency brake on for many miles. I don't know how that could be possible. It has been a good car except for the brakes and the emissions light staying on.

11th Jun 2003, 11:50

I have a 2000 Passat and have had continual problems with the emissions systems. The 'check engine' light has been on and off for the past two years. I've had to had the same air pump replaced twice, plus some additional valves, for a cost of $2300 and not covered by warranty. A fun car to drive, but not much fun to own.