1999 Volkswagen Passat GLS review from North America
"Safe, fun, but problematic!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
58000 miles front-end clunking?
60000 miles replaced wore out tie-rod ends.
64000 miles timing belt broke damaging the cylinder head and other related parts! $4k!
68000 miles auto trans problems. The gear indicator turned black and wouldn't go into reverse. Dealer replaced sensor.
70000 miles alarm remote quit! replaced $130!
72000 miles engine coolant leak. Replaced several hoses before actual leak was detected. Plastic hose bib on the back of the cylinder head!
76000 miles turn signal lamp fell off and ran over it!
78000 miles oil leaks - replaced plastic vacuum tube thingy.
80000 miles ABS sensor quit.
83000 miles drivers door lock quit! Works with key only.
85000 miles driver rear door lock quit - won't respond to key, remote, or switch. Can pull/push it though - nice option!
88000 miles Tip-Tronic shifter shifting quit. Standard gear selector still works - for now!
90000 miles oil dipstick tube broke off when pulling out the dip-stick.
100k miles entire from end is making noises.
110k miles replacing brakes for the first time.
General comments?
I've had several major and minor issues with my '99 passat 1.8t wagon. I love the car, but it has been very problematic.
Today it has several outstanding issues. Thankfully I am very handy and can perform most work myself - staying away from the dealer.
The radio buttons stick. There are several dash lights out. Alarm remote quit again. Drivers door lock still only works with the key. The rear passenger door lock mysteriously started working again? The entire front suspension is clunking and making noises. The rear cup holders are broke. Both rear door mouldings have come loose and broke partially off when the kids opened their doors! The rear drivers side seat latch broke off and I can no longer lower that seat.
I really like the car and the fact that it is paid for. I want to keep it and just ordered on-line over $1000 in parts to replace all the front end suspension parts. New brakes rotors, shocks, springs etc. I hope this will buy me another 50k miles until I can afford to buy a new car.
My only concern now is that recently the car started shifting a little erratically/ loosely from 2nd to 3rd???
Recommended reviews
| Don't be tempted by the beauty, she is so ugly where it really counts |
|
| Beautiful but painfully expensive |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Model year | 1999 |
| Year of manufacture | 1999 |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2006 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.8t Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 2 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 8 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 2 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 58000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 118000 miles |
| Previous car | Toyota 4Runner |
| Date of Entry | 30th August, 2006 |