2001 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.