2000 Volkswagen Passat GLS review from North America

@ 24k KM's replace rear brake lights: warranty.

@ 41k KM's

replace rear brake light: $10.

Engine lurching problem, throttle body service: $122.50.

Repair heater control lamp: $27.

Engine light begins to come on, no problems according to computer.

@54k KM's Replace front bulb, $38.30.

@56k KM's Replace front bulb, $38.30.

@67k KM's

Complaint of gas smell from exhaust and dashboard engine light on.

Replace rear brake pads $284.80.

Autotransmission not shifting, gets stuck in 1st or 3rd. to trouble shoot & reset computer, $45.

Replace catalytic convertor and related parts: warranty.

Replace seatbelt clip: $4.80.

@69k KM's replace Mass Airflow Sensor: after complaing dealer agrees on a 50% "discount": $337.05. VW sends a "warranty extension" notice for the mass airflow sensor 7yrs/105km and will refund any paid repairs, which takes about a year later to receive the refund.

@77k KM's replace rear right window regulator: $343.09

Left rear shows signs of wear. Keep in mind we don't have kids and don't use the rear windows very often.

@80k KM"s transmission stuck in 3rd gear, call to VW service, shut engine wait few minutes restart to reset computer.

@83k KM's replace windshield washer container unit: $180.35.

@88k KM's

Replace Oil Cooler seal & clean corrosion: $212.80

Shampoo motor to see the source of oil leak: $60.

Repairs were done by a local garage not at VW dealer, which would have cost at least another 30% more.

@96k KM's Source of oil leak determined:

Replace valve cover gasket & cam seal: $483.

Throttle body service: $135.

VW will not compensate for these last two repairs.

Thanks for "sweating the details" VW, what next?

For anybody thinking about buying a VW Passat.

These repairs are on top of regularly scheduled maintenance costs, which you should look into. Are you willing to pay these kind of money for what you get?

All costs in Canadian currency, but I suspect it would be the same cost in US dollars too.

1 mile = 1.6 Kilometers.

Should a 4 year old $36000, "premium" car have these kinds of problems?

Compare to my first car: 1982 used Honda Civic with 50k KM. drove for 9 yrs with over 250k KM's: replaced alternator $200, one brake light, one headlight. Plus regular maintenance. Yeah the body eventually got rusty, but I could still get from A to B rather than be towed from A to a repair shop!

Buying a Toyota, very soon, before we go broke.