2001 Passat Problems
My wife and I bought a 2001 Passat – New. We bought it in 2002.
Since we have had it there has been a recall for which they did replace the covered part. Something having to do with a faulty piston or cam.
We have also had problems with an emmisions light coming on.
The light prompted us to bring the car in for diagnostics. The test is $80 and is only covered by the extended warranty if the problem found is covered by the warranty.
So far everything diagnosed has been you guessed it not covered under warranty.
A week after having the vaccuum lines replaced, the cause of the emissions light, the light came back on again.
Needless to say I am regretting my letting my wife buy the Passat.
The thing that amazes me is that Consumer Reports lists the Passat annually as the best family car and a CR Best Buy.
There have also been some minor problems that when added to the larger ones further irritate us.
Bolts in wheel well – some have fallen out. That is not covered and they want us to pay $6 each to replace them.
The safety clip cover for the child safety seat will not and has not stayed on since we bought the car and because that is cosmetic they will not fix it.
I really wish I had listened to the myriad of others that owned VWs and not bought one myself.
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JP Said,
March 12, 2004 @ 12:00 pm
2001 Passat Problems – I was just curious about the warranty part. I know all ‘new’ VW’s come with a 4yr warranty bumper to bumper and a 5yr warranty for the powertrain. Did yours have a different one? I know sometime ago it was only a 2 yr warranty. How lame is that?
But I hear you – you saw my troubles and mine is supposedly under warranty but for a while (before I got their manager involved) but refused to even acknowledge any problems. Could you use the lemon law where you live?
Perhaps when the Kingdom of God comes and removes all evil he will take VW’s with him!
Jabberwock3D Said,
March 12, 2004 @ 12:00 pm
2001 Passat Problems – JP -
We paid extra(suckers) and got the 8 year/80,000 mile warranty.
Like I said before the only stuff covered has been the recall stuff. The faulty piston or cam mentioned before was the faulty ignition coil by the way.
Our car has also had problems with the inferior interior..peeling. This started with only a couple thousand miles on the car. My wife was told that was cosmetic and not covered.
A bolt fell out from somewhere under the passenger seat when I tried to move the seat backwards. I haven’t asked about that..I don’t want to know.
Oh and as a further update..my wife is at the service dept now..and told me over the phone that the emissions light came on this time for another (yeah right) cracked vacuum hose.
Anyone care to guess if it is covered by the extended warranty?
Nope another $140. With the repair costs it is like having an extra car payment once every other month.
I have had a Ford Ranger for over 10 years, bought new and have only changed the oil in it about 4 times in all this time(not recommended) and I have no problems with my truck.
We have followed the rigorous maintenance schedule with her car and “”poof”" problems galore.
Not sure about the lemon law. Problem is they fix the problems in a couple of hours each time and I don’t know if the car has to be in the shop a certain amount of times in a certain amount of months/whatever or a number of whole days.
Anyone have the answer?
I really want to trade her car in and get her something nicer and more dependable, like a Kia.
LOL
Anyone want to buy a 2001 Passat?
Lisa Said,
March 17, 2004 @ 12:00 pm
2001 Passat Problems – I also was fooled by consumer reports touting great German Engineering and Design… I assume they can only ride that legacy for so long. Truth is – “German Enginering” means nothing with poor design and shoddy parts/manufacturing. I find myself laughing almost daily at the continuous array of broken, peeling and malfunctioning parts in my car. Demand what you can for things under warranty – be insistant if possible…my car is out of warranty and I regret not insisting more of the things I chose to ignore – get them fixed…on their bill…You, like me are keeping up your part of the bargain – hefty monthly payments and in return we should not feel bad for expecting well-designed, well-manufactured automobiles in return.
I’m simply tired of hearing the same response if I bother to mention my VW problems -”That I shouldn’t have bought one”. I didn’t build it – I didn’t design it – I didn’t market it – I didn’t write the reviews…
My response: “VOLKSWAGON SHOULDN’T BUILD AND SELL SHODDY QUANLITY, POORLY DESIGNED VEHICLES”. I’ve painfully come to terms that the dealerships aren’t supporting/repairing them either. I do hope that you and your wife have better results in the future.