1995 Volkswagen Passat from North America - Comments

Have had to:

1. Replace the driver's window drive motor and gear mechanism.

Now...

2. The radio and CD player have quit working.

Other miscellaneous electrical problems have been experienced.

Have been generally satisfied with the performance of the car... but to have had to replace the window drive motor and now possibly the radio (!!!) is ridiculous.

You are absolutely right on the electrical problems. I own a 1993 VW Passat and I have replaced my driver's side window motor, my CD changer is broken, left turn signal will not auto return, the sunroof broke, fog lights keep shorting out. Many electrical problems.

Other than that, the car runs great and I have had no major problems.

Eight year old Passat estate owner since new. Am now having problems with my passenger rear window. The front passenger window packed up some time ago.

An unusual problem I also have is that for no reason all the panel lights go out except for the main beam light although externally everything is OK.

A sharp thump on top of the dash brings everything back to normal! And it is OK for days if not weeks.

Jim Dickson, Scotland.

2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS

My engine light came on at 5424 miles, the car started to shake and there was a bad smell from the engine compartment.

I called the Volkswagen service department and they told me not to drive the car that there is a problem with the ignition coils. The car was towed to the dealer and I was told that it would probably take two weeks to get the parts as there were a dozen others with the same problem ahead of me. They also told me that only the bad coil would be replaced, leaving me with three other potential problem coils to look forward to. The dealer said if it happens again just bring it back and then maybe they would change all of them. I called Volkswagen of America and they confirmed this.