I have a 2000 Passat GLS 4-Motion and I have experienced similar problems.
I had to get the fuel sensors changed twice, but my gauge actually died on me and wouldn't work anymore. It sort of worked after the sensors were changed the first time and went bad again. The dealership claimed that the first replacement set was faulty. However, there is still an inconsistency in readings from time to time.
I agree with the general disapproval of premature brake wear/problems. I had to change the rear brake pads around 35000 miles, and I know for a fact that my rotars are not in good shape either. I am considering replacing them with aftermarket parts.
Finally, my tires. My VW came with Michelin's MXV4 Plus tires. A pretty good and respectable tire, so I though. I started experiencing problems at 33000 miles, one of the tires started to separate and another one developed flat spots. All 4 tires wore out way too quickly. I had to replace the tires at 37000 miles when I should have been able to get at least another good 10000 out of them. Right now I am running Goodyear Eagle LS tires.
My last comment is a loud clonking noise I hear when I am making a slow stop. I had this checked out at the dealership and they assured me that it was normal. The diagnosis was backlash from the drivetrain and only seems to happen with the car warms up. In Fact I drove another Passat that was on the lot and it made the exact same noise. As I put more miles on the car, it seems to get louder and worst.
Thanks.
I purchased a 2000 Passat V6 in June 2000. I have had several problems; both front headlights went out in the first year, the turn signal motor went out and had to be replaced around 38,000 miles, the passenger seat got stuck in one position due to a cable disconnecting and had to be repaired, the rear passenger door has been misaligned from day 1 although we did not notice it when we picked up the car, I have had the Oil Pressure/Stop Engine immediately light come when I started the car on which panicked me, but I stopped the car and started it again and it never happened since. My check engine/emissions work shop light has been on for 3 months. It came on once before, but corrected itself within about 3 weeks.
My husband is very irritated at the high cost of oil changes and scheduled maintenance so he does most of it himself-even the brakes.
Even though I loved this car when I bought it and I plan to keep driving it since it is paid for I can say I will not purchase another Volkswagen.
I have been having many of these same problems. I bought my 2000 V4 Passat used from a reliable dealership about 1 1/2 years ago. Unfortunately, the warranty was no longer in good standing with the VW dealership. Despite this, I though I had made a good purchase, and was very proud of myself, this being the first car I have purchased on my own. Now I am not so sure.
Last winter, during an especially cold week, I failed to drive my Passat for a few days. When I restarted my car, it started extremely rough, and then the emissions workshop/check engine light came on. I was told by others not to worry, this was just because I hadn't driven my car in a few days. I added some fuel injector cleaner, and filled the gas tank with gas, and the problem corrected itself in a few days.
Once again, this same thing has happened to me this winter, although the problem has not yet corrected itself. The emissions workshop/check engine light has been on for over a week, and no matter how much I drive it, and despite the addition of fuel injector cleaner, nothing seems to help.
I wasn't worried until reading these other comments. Not I wonder if it's not better to abandon ship before it's too late!
We purchased a 2000 Passat Wagon 8 months ago and thought it was a great car. The first weird problem we had was an odd engine smell after driving long distances. Eventually this went away. Our latest problem involves the check engine light / emissions workshop. When I took the car in to check out the problem, I was quoted a price of $3000 in parts alone to replace the 2 main catalytic converters. We shopped around and found a cheaper price of $2500, but decided to wait on the repairs. We can't believe this car is just outside the warranty period and now has major problems. We will either have to fix it to pass the smog test or sell the car. I think it's a lemon and would like to sell. I don't recommend buying this year or model.
I have a 2000 Passat wagon. I have had all the 'usual' VW maintenance wrinkles: oem tires turned to junk at less than 30,000 miles, rear pads and rotors replaced before 40,000 miles, front pads have "less than 10% remaining" according to dealer service (this at less than 45,000 miles) but the rotors are intact - for now.
Presently the "Emissions Workshop!" notice and check engine light come on intermittently, and the idle lopes. For the many others with the emissions notice, be advised that the small oem vacuum hoses (with the woven covering) go bad very rapidly. The rubber dries out, and they crack and crumble. Replace any that are found to be bad, and the light and message should go out after a few trips. Tip: don't use oem hose, or you will have the same problem in a few thousand miles. Toss those crimped clamps, but do use clamps - even an intermittent leak can set off the check engine light and notice.
The idle lope has been traced by me to the carbon canister system, as the lope changes or even goes away depending on how much gas is in the tank. Over 1/2 tank or about 3 gallons remaining, the idle is fine. Anything in between or almost empty, it is a real adventure to control the car at low throttle (while parking, say). Acceleration from a stop requires patience when it is in this mode.
I'm not real anxious to return to the dealer for 'diagnosis' after a previous repair left me with almost no oil (dipstick was dry when I checked, yet no warning lights).
Southern California residents note: trying to sell a car to avoid a huge emissions repair bill won't work. The law requires the seller to have the car smogged before title can be transferred. I am not sure about out-of-state sales, but I do know that charitable donations are exempt from this requirement.
I have received a VW 2000 Passat. It is a V6 with manual transmission. It has about 65k. It seems the problems I've had are very different from the others. My air conditioner wouldn't blow or let out cold air. well carmax (ware I had gotten it) fixed the blower, but not the cold air problem. I then went to the dealer for a recall and told them of this problem. they said that the problem was that there was a door that either let the outside air in or blocked it and that the motor that moved this door needed replacing. He also recommended the 60 or 80 k service check (i can't remember which) I went back to car mas and they told me that the hose that sends the air to the vents were constricted (i didn't think it made sence because if it was constricted why would it be able to blow?) anyway they fixed it and I now have cold and strong blowing air. the odd thing is it doesn't start blowing very strong till I hit second gear or more. another problem I have found was that there is a plastic base holding the windows. I live in South Florida and it gets pretty hot down here. Well because of this heat the plastic melted and the window fell!! and flopped sideways into the door. well I went to a local place to get this fixed because my 30 day warranty had expired with carmax Well the guy behind the counter had told me that his sister had my same car in blue and all 4 of her windows did the same thing. (I'm just wondering why plastic?) well it was fixed, but while doing so they broke the button to roll up and down the window from the passengers side. (drivers side still has control) so I still need to fix that. (I hear it's a do it your self simple kind of job). and my last problem is the sun roof. the lining is coming off and the orange glue foamy stuff is exposed so I'm now saving up to get that reapolsterd. Besides that I love my car to death. I find it is driving excellently. It is very responsive and gas mileage is good. I thinking I might be the only one here that would say that they would recommend this car.
We have 3 VW Passats in my family, 2000 & 2001. All three have an issue where there is water filling up in the passenger side of the car.
My mother has been bringing the car to some mechanics, and body people, and nobody can figure it out. My sister brought it to the dealer, and their solution did not work.
Yesterday, I noticed that I had the same problem. The worst part about it is that the water is in the area of the computer. I do not know if this is related, but my dashboard no longer lights up when I put the lights on.
It seems very strange that all three of us have the same issue.
This is the last VW that my family will purchase.
I bought a VW Passat 2000 1.6 turbo with 70K miles. When I drove the car, the check emissions light came on. I took to couple of workshops and they changed the oxygen sensors and charged me $500. But the problem re-appeared. I too the car to a very reputed VW dealer and after spending $1200 on the car, the problem was fixed. They have to replace the mass air flow meter and remove the carbon deposits. I thought the car is fine. I did my 80K service recently. The dealer replaced all the internal belts because the belts were making noise when the car is started. $1500 spent. Again, I thought the car is good now. Guess what, when I take my leg off the accelerator and when the engine is idle or when I brake, there is huge idling noise from the engine. It keeps increasing. Do post if you know a solution. The car is good, but every now and then... you have to spend thousands of dollars.
I bought a 2001.5 Passat V6 GLX 4motion on eBay last fall. The car showed 82,000 miles. I've put nearly 5,000 miles on it. I have had absolutely no problems at all! It will scream at the highway on isolated stretches and has no issues getting up ice-covered hills. It has every option, but the cd changer and everything works perfectly. The tires seem to have been on it for some time, but show even wear. I average from 19 to 23 mpg. I have even run it successfully on 50% E-85. I had run a carfax on it which showed consistent service during the warranty, and I think that is key. Also, one must run the proper grade of synthetic oil and change it every 5k. To get it serviced, either buy the manual and do it yourself, which does take some time, or find a very good, experienced VW mechanic to service it. These are unique cars with unique tolerences. If the mechanic overtightens some belt rollers it can cause catastrophic engine damage.
Re: Water in 2000 & 2001 Passat passenger cabin. Please have your mechanic inspect the pollen filter (and/or housing) for leaks/clogs. I have a 2000.5 VW Passat GLX (V6) 4Motion. Despite numerous trips to the dealer, water continued to collect on the floor of the back seat--passenger side--until the pollen filter was determined to be the culprit.
I have a 2000 Passat v6 with "Emissions Workshop" lights on and off. New O2 sensors from dealer and VW qualified mechanics. Still those #@$%^& lights come on/off. I give up. Learn to live with it. Engine runs like there's trash in fuel line, but idles fine. I guess I could try the mass air handler, but right now its in the shop for a new clutch ($1,100) I can't tell if that's too high, but it sounds like a rip off. The clutch kit can be purchased online for under $300 - So that leaves $800 for labor?? Any comments?
PS Your headlights are ON when the engine is on so its not unusual to have them needing to be replaced occassionally.
Just bought a 2000 v6 30v 110000 miles (miles wasn't an issue on previous Vdubs, All the symptoms I have them
hard starting, flex joints noise, check engine, ABS light on and off my mechanic
can't find the problem.
Computer says map 1 sensor???
I found a place to rebuild the ABS module
for 200 plus shipping that I can change my self
MODULEMASTER.com do a search.
Only 1 month in and VERY disappointed had jetta, gti, rabbit no unexplained problems
What happens to VW they are crap
Realistically I expected to spend $750 to 1500
I think I am screwed.
Is there a COMPLAINT MOVEMENT going on
cause problems is all I see on the internet.
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks.
"EMISSIONS WORKSHOP": There is a computer upgrade recall for Passats (1998-2001 I believe) for this issue. If your vehicle has 80K or less mileage you don't have to pay for the upgrade. Otherwise, it's $150. When you do the upgrade, they will tell you that you might "blow the computer chip" during the process which would result in $1000 more work that you would be responsible for. However, if the upgrade works, it will clear the issue to determine if your catalytic converters are okay or not and will help clear up your other dashboard issues. If they persist, you may need your module changed...cost...1000. Good luck!
I'm so disappointed with my 2000 Passat V6 wagon. This is the fifth vw that my husband and I have owned, and the only one to give us any problems--and they've been substantial.
We bought this car less than a year ago and have spent more than $2000 in repairs on things ranging from cracked boots and joints (a standard repair after 100k miles, but phenomenally expensive) to having to replace the entire steering column because steering oil had filled the boots on either side of the column. The tech at the dealership told me that it's been a fairly common problem--that the seals were faulty and fine after being replaced. If this is a known vw problem, why isn't this a recall? So they can get you into the dealership to spend yet another $1000! boo.
My first vw was an '85 jetta. her name was tank and I loved her... i had her from 150k-190k and only ever had to replace a $10 belt and the tires. one repair on my husbands '90 jetta with 210k miles that we had for several years. love our super reliable '98 gti, the '97 jetta was fine and easy to maintain. whereas this 2000 passat is a piece of garbage and just a giant money sucker. I had thought it was my dream car and it's been hugely disappointing. junk, junk, junk.
As much as I've loved them, I think that I'm done with vw. makes me want to cry... and SCREAM.
JUNK--shame on you vw.
Surely if only one of five VW's you have owned are bad, why quit the whole brand? Some people are just stupid in their logic. Whats saying you are going to get a good example of whatever you get next? At least you will enjoy driving your VW!