Electrical fires galore!! Blown fog lights, cruise control, air conditioning, rear window motors, side marker lights, remote trunk release, frequent electrical shorts- many not fixable. The dash needs to be smacked in some spots to illuminate it. The stereo only works about 25% of the time (after-market stereo since the original caught fire). Leaks oil and coolant (both need to be checked daily). Not a walk in the park.
Do not, buy a Passat if you are looking for a reliable car. It is FAR from it. In fact, being rich would help because it will need repairing monthly and its repairs are quite costly. Oil changes alone run over $30.
I've noticed a lot of reviews or comments on this website about the Passat, and other Volkswagen's, are not very good ones. But they almost always come from the USA. I'm in the UK, and I can tell you, the Volkswagen's here (and elsewhere in the world) are very reliable. I've had two Passat's, a 90' 1.8, and 91' 2.0. Both never let me down, even after 150,000 miles and 15 years old. No problems at all. Also I know people with more modern Volkswagen's, and they have no problem. What I'm asking is why do all the lemon Volkswagen's seem to be in the USA only?
I believe it's because most VWs sold here in the US are made in Brazil or Mexico rather than Germany.
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