1998 Volkswagen Passat from UK and Ireland - Comments

The engine automatically speeds up when driving. This occurred due to a faulty water temperature sensor on the engine. There are two water temperature sensors on the engine, one for the dashboard and one for the engine control system. The dashboard display is held at 90C unless it goes above 130!! This is not a one off.

Automatic door lock problems with car alarms. Electric door locks let water in and cause all types of problems.

Faulty brake lights due to high impedance electric connections at the junction boxes.

Petrol tank display was faulty. Readings were all over the place.

Handbrake failed totally. Was totally replaced as it cannot be repaired.

Suspension has got very noisy in last year.

Governance of the engine went fault with regard to idle speeds. Engine cutout when the electrical load was switched on e.g. rear window heater!

Water leak in front of the car into the floor area.

Boot lock was faulty.

Very comfortable car, however the quality in production has taken a bad turn in this model. 1999, 2000 and 2001 years are not much of a improvement as the faults above have not been removed as the years have gone on on.

This is especially so for the door and boot locks, which there is no excuse for!!

I own a 2000 tdi passat that also has a problem with door locks and I also found water in passenger footwell one morning. the dealership could not do enough to help, but I'm not so sure about buying another vw.

Stay away from these cars (they don't make VW's like they used to). Bought a 98 Passat Turbo in mid 2002, and apart from depreciating a further 50% for what I paid, its given me nothing but problems. Like the poster above I have suffered from water leaks and also dodgy electrics, door locks problems (pathetic cable mechanism broke away from the handle, my 20 year old bmx had a better design!) and not to mention for a 150bhp turbo it handles like a pram.

Just to add a positive comment since it's mainly people with bad experiences who tend to come forward and make their voices heard. I've been driving our 1998 R-reg Passat 20V SE Auto since early 1999 and have had no problems worth mentioning. The odd dashboard bulb that needed changing and the like. Very happy with it and wouldn't hesitate to buy one again. I hear they are being re-designed for 2004/2005 so might wait for those.

Cheers,

Matt.

I have had a 98 4cylc turbo, no problems, except now the driver's door lock is failing. Seems to be a common problem. I am also looking to change the timing belt, @80k. Anyone have advice on the risk I am taking by skipping that procedure?

Timing belt is nothing to be messed with. Check with a dealer what the interval for changing is and do it immediately if it is due a change. If it breaks you can expect bent valves and a general mess. The only cure is either a new engine or a very costly rebuild.