2001 Volkswagen Passat GLS from North America - Comments

Rear brake pads and rotors replaced at 3 months old (dealer.

All four engine coils replaced per unofficial recall.

Front center console lost power, needed a new spark plug.

Throttle body became clogged with dirt, causing near engine failure when idle at stoplights at 50,000 miles.

Bottom panel came loose while driving on the highway, but did not fall all the way off (all, but 1 bolt fell off)

Had sliced vacuum hose at 55,500 miles.

The engine spit out a spark plug at 60,000 miles.

Had a cracked wheel at 60,000 miles.

Just had rear brake pads replaced at 60,000 miles, and am going to have to take the car in for full rear rotor repair (have never had front pads replaced)

Emergency brake handle is starting to peel, which is odd, because I touch it maybe 4 times a day.

I am in love with my car. When I first bought it, the turbo engine performed beyond expectations. The Monsoon stereo system is excellent, and I relished the heated seats in cold winters.

However, the unexpected repairs are mounting in expense and I don't think I should have to repair the brakes this many times over the life of any car.

With just 12000 Miles, my wife's 2001 VW Passat V 6 needed new rear brakes. When braking the car was shaking.

My 2002 Passat has had two sets of rear brake pads and rotors already. The last were installed 13,000 miles ago, and are starting to shimmy again. I was told I must be braking too aggressively. Come on! Should I really expect to replace rear brake pads and rotors three times before 50,000 miles?

If you are driving a stick, maybe you should try downshifting. If you are driving automatic, stop riding the asses of the people in front of you. This should help you out with your brake pads.

Just replaced the rear brakes *again* after driving only 16,000 miles in my 1999 Passat. It's a great car except for the high maintenance. I've put low mileage on it (2000/year) which seems to make for more problems. The brakes corrode and the battery even went dead simply because the car was not driven for 2 months while I was traveling.

Yeah, try changing your driving style. My Jetta GLI is just getting new pads and rotors at 41,000 miles, and I brake often, so you must be intense. And to the last comment - drive your car. It's not surprising at all that your battery died after sitting for two months.

I hate this car. For an expensive car it really has a lot of 'hiccups' which is what the VW repair service called it when my radio stopped working for no reason. And it was more hiccups when my instrument panel had to be replaced TWICE because it would just blank out while driving. Or the hiccup when all the interior lights would go out while driving (at night!) - good excuse for speeding I guess since I couldn't see what the speedometer said.