2000 Volkswagen Passat V6 4Motion wagon from North America - Comments

I sort of messed up on my explaining the probs with my 2000 Passat, here is how it went;

1. Timing belt, water pump and back brakes = $2100

2. Less than a week after that, check engine light emissions workshop. Oxygen sensors = $1000

3. Less than a week later, check engine light emissions workshop, fuel heat sensor and ONE bad plug wire = $900

4. Less than a week later, check engine light emissions workshop, this time I ditched the dealer and took it to a local mechanic. All plug wires bad, all plugs bad, coil bad. He DID show me the BAD parts, black gunky plugs etc. = $1000.

After the second time to the dealer, I noticed that the stereo only worked after 8am, perfectly I might add. About a week later the stereo only worked after 10am and now it works on & off after noon. I really want to try the #42 fuse thing, but I can't find the fuse box.

I have had similar problem of the seals for the boot for the drivetrain. I sent a letter to VW complaining about this issue and they said that there was no recall notice so it would not be covered. Actually, the boot for my 2000 Passat cracked at around 70k and then around 90k. I find this very disturbing to know that it is NOT a defective part problem. Also, I have had to replace the water pump twice in the lifetime of the car: once at 60k and second time at 80k. Fortunately, I bought the car with the original factory warranty of 100k powertrain coverage or else the cost would have been $1500 to replace the water pump. As to one of the previous comments regarding a thumping noise when coming to a stop, I had that experience in my old Ford Windstar and it was due to the engine mounts wearing out. I don't know if it is the same problem for the VW, but I suspect it to be similar.

Now at about 99k I need to replace the clutch.

I have two VW at home: 2001 Passat and 2002 Golf.

Both cars' check engine lights on and off all the time. THe sensors have been replaced for numberalbe times ($400). Passenger side water leaking happened once ($400), 4 tires have to be changed at 38000 miles ($400), head lights changed twice for Passat, air meter and hose ($600)...

Although driving VW is fun, it is too expensive to maintain it. Vote NO for future.

My 2000 Passat 1.8T Wagon has currently 178,000 miles on it. I purchased it with around 35K on it, and it ran like a champ until about 80K. Then the EMISSIONS WORKSHOP signal. Took it into a VW dealer and got lucky, he told me not to worry about it and put some premium gas in her. I ran the premium for a tank and it went away. For a month. It has been on ever since. I just deal with it.

Also, I have blown at LEAST 5 of each headlamp bulbs and two or three front turn signal bulbs. Always seems to happen when first starting the car.

I was told I needed a new clutch at 105K, but drove from Grand Rapids to Maine and back no problem. Now at almost 180K, it is barely there anymore. Taking it in next week, initial estimate (non-VW mechanic) is $950. Other than the weird "quirks", its been a relatively good car, but next I will listen to Consumer Reports and buy a Honda or a Toyota.

I have a 2000 VW Passat 4 Motion... My "emissions workshop" light comes on all the frickin time... an easy fix for that is disconnecting the battery for 1-3 minutes and then hooking it back up... It resets the computer and makes the light go off... I have been dealing with that for about two years now... It first happend about 6 months after I bought it... it is a pain, but you can remedy the problem yourself... why pay someone else to do something you can do yourself!!! I have a few other problems though... my turn signal is loose... so if I hit a bump or something they come on... very annoying.. not sure how to get that fixed, also, if I turn the heat/ac up past like 2 it makes this horrible sound... It works, but it is so loud and embarrassing... I am not sure what that is either... any ideas?