2002 Volkswagen Passat GLX from North America - Comments

CV joint failed at 40.000 miles.

Second CV joint failed at 51,000 miles.

Coolant leak from a coolant connection at the back of the motor at 70,000 miles.

Secondary air pump line failed at 65,000 miles causing the check engine light to come on.

A/C failed because of a bad realy at 71,000 miles.

A/C failed again at 88,000 miles.

Engine is overheating at 88,000 miles.

Rubberized interior trim pieces began peeling at 25,000 miles.

Things just fall off for example: 1. Rear door trim came lose so that when the door was opened it scraped/scratched the front door and the trim piece had to be replaced.

2. the trim piece surrounding the Home link controls on the visor fell off because the clips that hold it on had broken off even though I never touch it and rarely use the visor. Cost to repair is over $500 because you cannot buy the part and must replace the entire visor. (I glued it back)

3. decorative interior trim around the back door came unglued and was hanging loose.

Engine mounts struts have failed. Identified at 70,000 miles.

The car drives and handles great. However, I would NEVER own another Volkswagen. This is the second one I have owned and the second time I have dealt with the terrible reliability. the first car was a new Beetle and had so many problems in the first thirty thousand miles the I was going to use the lemon law to make the company buy it back. Instead we worked out a deal where they took it on trade and gave me an additional credit toward another car. I bought the Passat hoping it would prove to be more reliable. It has not and, in fact, has been the most unreliable car I have ever owned or have ever heard of.

I perfectly agree with this review. Passat is the most unreliable car I've ever owned. I don't know just how Volkswagen is able to make such bad cars.

I had all the problems mentioned in this review and in my case there were oil leaks from the engine cam seals, valve gasket and onto the catalytic converter which was smoking like crazy. It could have caused death if it had caught flames.

Please do not buy a Volkswagen how much ever cool the car looks. It is just not worth the money that you will spend maintaining the car.

Since a lot of people have reported the same problems with respect to cam seal oil leaks, cooland leaks etc. on these cars, could we file a class action lawsuit against Volkswagen for producing and selling such defective and potentially dangerous piece of machinery?

February 13, 2007.

I just returned from the service department at VW dealer after getting the cam adjuster seals and valve gaskets replaced. My car is at 57,000 miles. I had the same problem: oil leaking onto the catalytic converter and creating a terrible smell. Also, I had to replace the CV joints at 55,000 miles. I am in total agreement; I will never buy another VW product again and I wold be all in favor of joining in a class action lawsuit.

I agree with all of the comments and am now experiencing A/C problems on top of those listed by others. My VW Passat is a 2001 with only 56K on it. I take very good care of it and have done all of the suggested maintenance at each interval. Like others, I have shelled out thousands of dollars on this car. I will never purchase any VW or Audi product again nor would I recommend the purchasing either make to others. And yes, I wish individuals very similar experiences would join together to file a class again VW, Inc. for such willful omissions and negligence by this manufacturer. This is pathetic and deplorable.

I completely agree with all comments. Although I have not had the AC problems, I need to replace the CV shafts, and the motor... the timing chain broke and threw a rod and all hell to break loose inside the motor. It is an auto, therefore never over rev-ed. I now get to use my college grad money to replace the motor so that I can sell the thing. There are 46K on the 6 year old motor.

2001 GLX 4-motion wagon. Love everything about it except the reliability. Unfortunately, that is a big issue when I go shopping again.

Do any of these comments make it back to VW? They really need to. How do we get them to the right people?

I just reached about 60,000 miles and I've had the CV boots and front axles replaced since April, when I purchased the car. I now am replacing 2 cam seals and a valve cover in the engine. Also, the upholstered trim around the window on the passenger side is falling off. I love the car and take excellent care of it, but it may be for sale soon. I bought it for $12,000 and now have put close to $2000 into it. I'm sure it won't get any better.

Left CV boot tore at 70k miles. Both left and right CV boots tore at 80k miles.

The plastic water pump impeller broke causing overheating at 85k miles. The impeller breaking is a widespread problem.

One of the coilpacks failed at 90k miles. The coilpack failing is also a widespread problem.

Secondary air pump broke at 95k miles.

Drives great but the worst car for reliability. I've had to get the car towed because it's broken down on the highway twice from the impeller and the coilpack breaking.

I would never ever get a VW and have told everyone I know not to get one. I'm trading my VW for a Lexus.

This car is garbage. VW has now ruined its reputation. It will never win back my shattered confidence.

We have had many of the same problems listed above. We have contacted the NHTSA to file complaints, we suggest everyone who is experiencing the same problems contact them and file a complaint @ www.odi.nhtsa.gov

We've had the same problems and more with our 2001 Passat. We use the car to take our daughter to school (ten minutes away) and run local errands--have done all recommended maintenance on schedule. CV boots broke in 2007. Then again in 2009! We've replaced the brakes twice. Now there's a leak in the engine that smells terrible and makes the car too dangerous to drive (thank god the power train warranty will cover that). Vacuum hose needs to be replaced also. Have already had radiator hoses replaced and ABS brake sensors repaired (very expensive). The car has only 48,000 miles on it! What a piece of junk.

We have had a lot of problems with our 2001 Passat wagon GLX V6.

Replaced both drive lines at 26k miles. Then again at 38k miles while on a road trip.

Most expensive road trip we ever took after two days on at the local VW dealer. Transmission slipping out of drive without moving the gear selector. Very dangerous and took months and a friend from GM who is engineer who works on transmission design for figure out the problem. The cable was out of adjustment, three dealers couldn’t figure that out.

Now we have a mystery coolant leak. After a short trip to the grocery store (6 miles) it dumped all the coolant while parked in the lot outside the store. Could not find the leak, or reason for the drainage. Repair shop did a pressure test and no leak. It was not coming from the cap either.

We now only have 47k miles on the car. We have done all of the scheduled maintenance. Would not buy another VW.

Wow, and I thought it was just my lousy luck!

I have had my 2001 Passat wagon GLX 4-motion for 3 1/2 yrs now and it has been one headache after another.

While still under warranty, had several issues, including replacing the water pump and timing belt well before suggested time of replacement.

Then as stated above, the cover came off of the built in garage door opener, and can't be repaired, only replace the entire visor and control which was about $500.

The trim strip on the driver side inside near the window is falling down.

Then I have had multiple heating/cooling problems. I went through at least 4 trips to the dealership (which is 45 minutes from where I live, not to mention having to get a rental) and still the problem wasn't fixed.. Finally they replaced the heater core in spring of 2009 and seems to be working for now.

Now, for the last 10 months - since having problems with heat, I have this horrid smell that originally smelled like coolant even though they said they tested and there were no leaks anywhere. Finally they tell me there is an oil leak somewhere even though they aren't sure exactly from where, and that it is leaking oil onto the manifold and will be a minimum of $700-800 to fix this problem! I had a local repairman who is a friend take a look, immediately said the cam seals were bad and needed replaced, and did this for $200. I just got the car back 4 days ago, still smells of the oil, but he said that should clear up in a week or so once the old oil burns off (great)..

NOW my brake and ABS lights are flashing, had the brakes checked, said no problems there, and called VW, they said probably a sensor and looking at taking back to dealership again!!

This is the biggest lemon of a car I have ever owned, love the ride and amenities inside, but totally not a reliable car!! I owned a 91 GEO Metro for 9 yrs, had a ball bearing replaced and that was the only issue in 9 yrs!! I want to hold out and think that I can get this problem fixed, but then how long before the next thing, and the next?? I just paid my final payment 2 months ago, and am thoroughly disgusted with this car.