After having my 2000 Passat spend a total of five weeks at the dealership, both I and the dealership are at wits end. The issue is that when the climatronic unit is turned off, the vents will continue to blow air the same temperature as the the last setting on the thermostat, in spite of the unit completely off. This issue is more readily apparent when the air is comfortable outside since a change is interior temperature in unnecessary. For example, if at night the temp drops to 50 degrees and you set the thermostat to 72 degrees and the air is heated, as it should be. The next day, the car is driven for the first time that day with an outside temp of 70, even though the unit is still "off" it will blow warm air out of the vents when the car is moving. One thing I know for sure is that the 2001 Passat does not suffer from this since I test drove one. My issue is convincing the dealer that this problem is not an issue for ALL 2000 models, which he claims it is. If anyone out there has a 2000 Passat with the Climatronic system, I'd appreciate if you'd try this test when the weather is cool out and let me know your results. If the air is 50-72, set the thermostat above this temp. Drive for a couple of minutes until the air blows out warm. Then turn the unit completely off by pressing the "decrease fan speed button" until the unit states "off". Does warm air still blow through the car when it is moving at highway speeds? Is the air still blowing warm in spite of the unit stating off? If this is indeed a problem with all 2000 Passats, it should be fixed for ALL 2000 Passats!
I think all Passats have this problem. Before turning off the climatron, press the recirc button, this will keep the dampers closed. When you use your car later, with climatron off, nothing will come through front vents. My dealer tried to pass off this problem as a feature, flow through ventilation.
Thanks to all who responded to my plea. Please just let me clarify, the issue I mention is definitely not a problem in the 2001 models. It was either fixed in 2001 or mine indeed has a problem. Unfortunately pressing the recirc button does nothing to alleviate the problem. The only good thing is that this situation is only a "problem" when the temperature is nice outside. When it is either too hot or too cold, there is no problem since you need the air temperature changed by the unit. My dealer too told me it was a fresh air issue to keep a driver alert during long drives will the windows closed. If this really was the intent, why did they do away with it for the 2001 model year?
I've used these systems on a number of cars and none have been satisfactory. They are programmed for an "average" person's preferences, thus rarely will suit any particular individual.
After driving both the 4 and the 6 I bought a 1.8T wagon, but when considering a V6 I looked only at GLS versions - I would not buy a GLX because of the automatic climate control.
The other thing I do not like about all Passat ventilation systems is the fresh/recirculate button that forces you to choose one or the other. The continuously variable knob or slide control used by Toyota and others is much better, allowing a blend in any proportion.
Aside from that, the short sun visors and the cupholders - all minor annoyances - I have nothing but praise for my 2000 Passat wagon.
Seems like all VW service people are told to tell customers that problems are really "features". I'm sure GM/Ford/DC are sorry that they weren't clever enough to put the same spin on problems years ago. Now when an Explorer flips over, Ford can say it's an "alternate parking method".
Hi, I have a '98 passat with the 1.8T and 42k miles on it. Recently, I've noticed a squeaking type of noise coming from the front end whenever i'm accelerating/braking or cornering. It kept getting louder and louder so I finally brought it by my VW dealer. The service advisor came out and took a look at it and said this "squeaking/flexing" noise is fairly common on '98 -'99 passats. Apparently it's coming from the front control arm rubber bushings. It causes no harm to the vehicle (so he said) but is quite annoying. He said the only real fix is to replace the control arm assemblies which would run about $600. But he suggested I check the internet to see about any possible alternatives. Has anyone else had this problem or heard of it??
Sounds like an idiot service manager. Why doesn't he "check the internet for possible solutions?" In a year or two I'd like to hear him tell a customer with a $38,000 W8 Passat something like that. Should be his last day of employment. You should tell him to call the local OTS (ownership technical specialist) and let him give advice as to possible solutions. If he doesn't understand what your talking about, simply explain you'll call Donna Anderson at VW USA, 248 340 5000. He should act real quick with a viable solution. Don't hesitate to call her.
In June 2001 I had an in-dash CD player installed in our 2001 Passat GLS V6. A few weeks after the installation I noticed while driving at night that the lights illuminating the CD player's buttons were flickering.
I took it to my dealer and they replaced the old CD player with a new one but the new one does the same thing. I'm beginning to suspect it is an electrical problem rather than a CD player problem.
hi, i just had my 2001 passat services, since then on parking the car overnight in the Garage. and starting it in the morning i notice water/fluid dripping consisting of (water+oil/fule+smell of fuel). It lasts for about 2 minutes. the dealer says it's NORMAL, i would understand it's normal if it was only water. But it's viscous fluid, and i can definitely smell gas/petrol. However i don't notice the problems @my work pk.lot (after parking for more than 8-9 hrs) ? Is it the heat in the garage ? (or) something else.. Is this normal ? please advice, the dealer keeps telling me there is nothing wrong.I really need help.
Funny thing - mine just started that kinda thing. The lights in the lower center stack - HVAC - go out whenever I operate any of the HVAC control buttons. If I tap the side of the stack, they come on. Just started that, and I'm just out of warranty.
Just picked up my 2002 Pissat Wagon. Have noticed that the windshield has a distortion on the right and left edges. Difficult to see when stopped at intersection. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, has the dealer changed it out or is this a problem they all have and I have to live with It.
The distortion is in all Passats from what I understand. I think some people notice it more than others. I don't know if anyone has had it replaced. I am just dealing with it, doesn't really bother me...
I bought a 4 cylinder, manual shift Passat, and have never owned/driven a turbo before. With normal acceleration through the gears, I hear a noticeably loud, low and quick ""vvvooooppp" sound intermittently after shifting. Don't get it when accelerating more slowly or more quickly. I suspect it's a pressure release valve somewhere in the turbo air circuit, but should it be so noticeable? Thanks for any help on this
I had the same type of problem with my '99 with 25,500 miles. I called the dealer and said the car was groaning and creaking, especially when going slow. His first question was "Is this a Passat? It is probably the bushings." I made an appointment (they couldn't take the car for 4 weeks). I did some checking on the internet, especially at VW Vortex. From some of the posts there, and from what the dealer had said, I knew this was not an uncommon problem. I called VW Customer Service, the person told me that of course they had never heard of that problem before, but they would open a file and check with the dealer when the car when in for service. Since it was past the warranty, but not by much, I was hoping VW would do something. When I picked up the car from the dealer, VW had covered 100% of the bill. Changed my opinion of VW (at least until some other major problem comes up). I guess it doesn't hurt to let them know you are aware of a problem with Passats and Audis.
Slummyj, thanks for responding to my question, but what I've got doesn't sound at all like it is suspension-related. I've had that on other cars before, and have a fairly good idea of what it sounds like. Instead, it sounds to me like like what I've got now is engine- and acceleration-related (unless there are now some kind of bushings around which the engine rocks when accelerating). I've had it to the dealer twice on this: Their response both times has been mainly that the computer readouts on the engine are fine, and so there can't be anything to it. The last time, they suggested some personal failings, such as where I buy gas, and that the car has so little mileage yet (4K) that it hasn't yet had time to adjust itself(!) All in all, I'm treated as another psychiatric head-case who has no life except for the pleasure of imagining problems and the joy of arranging out of town repair appointments.
Said it before, and I'll say it again. Call, don't wait, VW USA in Auburn Hills, MI. The sooner they're made aware of these problems, the sooner they can attempt a fix. The numbers to call, NOT toll free, you'll get more respect.
Donna Anderson, (team leader of customer advocate group) 248 754 4665
Also, direct line: 248 340 5000, ask to speak with the OTS, (ownership technical specialist), mention the area of US you are in and they should connect you. If the operator hesitates, say you're returning their call. (Can't recall their name). Don't delay in calling the above. The longer you wait the less serious they feel you are about the problem. Can only be used against you.
I have a 2000 Passat w/ 13,000 miles on it. Yesterday the Check Engine light came on (and has stayed on) w/ the word EMISSIONS in the msg panel. Manual says this is the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) and alerts you of an emission malfunction, and to drive w/ "reduced power" and have the dealer check it right away.
Dealer said it's OK as long as it's not blinking, and something about an air hose being loose. Since the dealer is backed up and I can't get in for another 3 weeks, I wanted to ask if anyone can confirm the dealer remark that it's OK to drive, and if the air hose is the likely cause of the problem based on anyone else's experience, or if it might be something else.
It's probably fine - just get it documented by the dealer. An email, letter, service order - something you can use to prove that they said it was OK to drive for 3 weeks.
Call VW USA, direct, 248 754 3471, ask for the OTS - Ownership Technical Specialist for your part of the country. Tell him your problem, if he thinks 3 weeks is too long to wait, you'll be moved to the front of the line. This call will give you some peace of mind. Alot better than fighting with the dealer later.
This is the EXACT problem I'm having with my '98 Passat. I've had 2 different VW service managers tell me that it is indeed the front control arm bushings that are making the squeeking/groaning noise. They also said it would be about $600 to fix. I can't imagine they would pay for it since my warranty expired over a year ago. I'm going to keep checking the internet to see if there are any other cheaper solutions, but I doubt I'll find much.
has anybody changed a brake light bulb on the wagon? (2000 GLS) The owner's manual says to take it to VW (NOT!) I looked inside the compartment where the bulbs should be, and it's all enclosed. before I start disassembly, I figured maybe I'd check to see if there are any secrets.
my 99 1.8T has brake noise, like a chirping bird. i went to a brake shop and they changed front and rear pads to red midex without sensors. they turned the rotors and the car still chirps in the front.
I'm new here, sorry if this has already been covered. I'm thinking hard about buying a 2002 Passat GLS 1.8T, and a certain relative is telling me horror stories (so far not actually documented by him) of outrageous maintenance costs for the Passat. It's hard to find any data on that question, can anyone here tell me if there's anything to it? I'm living in the Maryland suburbs of DC.
Just noticed today that the left brake light is not working on our 2001 VW Passat V6. Tried my darnest to get into the tail light compartment without breaking or tearing anything from within the boot/truck area. Couldn't find *ANY* access panels.
The manual doesn't even mention how to replace any bulbs!
The check engine light (MIL light ) on my 2002 Passat wagon with the 1.8T has come on for the third time in 4 weeks. The local dealership checked it out and even called VW because the error code said something about a problem with all 4 cylinders. VW replied that it was probably bad gas. The dealership reset the computer and told me to drive the car and change to a different gas. The next day the check engine or MIL light came back on. I am beginning to think that they do not know what the heck they are doing. In the owners manual it states that the MIL light indicates an emissions malfunction. Has anyone else had any similar experiences with the check engine light? Please help my patience with my new VW is wearing very thin.
Check my message number 171 - similar experience. It may the injectors. Then again it may not (we ditched the car within a week of the last repair). This is a wonderful moneymaker for VW: take five minutes to misdiagnose or simply fail to diagnose the problem, reboot the onboard computer, and nick the owner for $65. Wish I could charge thirteen bucks a minute for what I do...
I had owned VW a few years ago and liked the handling of the car but the service cost was almost as expensive as any other German cars (particularly if you take their reliability into consideration) WITHOUT the responsiveness one would expect from such high priced service departments. The car also had numerous electric problems which were never truly fixed. I was so frustrated I sold the VW and bought a BMW which has been much more reliable and the service is a lot better. The maintenance cost is not necessarily much higher than what I had to pay for the VW repairs. I think the problem with VW's attempted strategy to move upscaled is that their dealers remain to have "economy" car mentality with the same comparable attitudes in operating their dealership.
I think the problem with VW's attempted strategy to move upscaled is that their dealers remain to have "economy" car mentality with the same comparable attitudes in operating their dealership.
Right on. That, along with substandard long-term reliability (despite excellent build quality on first blush) will be their undoing. Another setup for poor Pieschetsrieder!
I own a 1.8T '99 Passat Wagon with 20,000 miles which I recently had serviced due to a "check engine" light. The following were the results:
1) $200 fee for diagnosis. 2) replaced power output module ($305 parts + $81 labor) 3) replaced coolant temp sensor (covered by warranty exception) 4) replaced spark plugs - fouled by power output module malfunction ($42 parts)
I called VW to request a warranty exception and they told me in a polite way to pound sand. Has anyone had a similar problem? The $200 diagnostic fee seems excessive and its hard to believe the power output module would fail on a car with 20,0000 miles. Also, while the car was in the shop I had the 20,000 mile service done for $220. Based on what they did it looks like a glorified oil change. I've been happy with the car up until now. Any comments are appreciated.
Does anyone have any experience with the VW extended warranty on the Passat? We habe a 2001.5 1.8T and drive a lot (over 20k per year), the 5year/75k warranty costs about $1,600 and the 6y/100k costs $1900. I am not sure if it is really worth it because we will reach that mileage pretty quickly, plus no regular maintenance, brakes, timing belt etc. are covered, just things that shouldn't go wrong on a reliable car anyway. I would think for almost 2000 Dollars, I could fix a lot myself, but again, I might be wrong. I have a Mazda and though it's 6 years old and has over 80k miles, I never had to pay to pay much except regular maintenance, maybe $200 extra at most, once a squeaking belt and the oxygen sensor (wasn't even really necessary I think), that's all. Anyone has some experience/recommendations? I heard the new Passat have above average reliability, so I wonder if it's worth paying so much money.
I'm wanting to buy a 93 Passat GL. The car is in great condition. It looks and drives great. It's almost flawless, except sometimes is doesn't start. You turn the key and nothing happens, won't even turn over. We think it's electrical. The owner thinks it's the power output module. However someone else told us that if it was the power output module nothing would work, and the car wouldn't ever start. Same guy also told us he thinks it could be the electrical ignition switch. Does anybody have any ideas? thanks
I'll have to admit I have one immediate idea: why in the world are you considering buying a used car that won't start? Look carefully at some of the posts above, and ask yourself how a car can be "almost flawless" that can't make it out of the driveway? Huh?
jrct9454, the car does start, it always starts, just not on the first try. And the only time it takes a few tries to start it, is when it's hot outside. See I'm on a tight budget, I'm in school, and if this problem could be fixed with an electrical ignition switch ($22) the car would be perfect for me. I just wanted to know if anyone else had a second opinion, on the diagnosis. If the problem would be too costly I definitely would not buy it. But $22? I would put it in myself and be on my merry way.
Do all Passat's have a pantload of electrical problems or are all these just bad luck stories?
Our new 2002 GLX Passat, 5 weeks old, has been flawless, until this week. With 2500 non-problem miles on her, one finally showed up. On a recent trip and still enjoying the computer, my new toy, I suddenly told my wife, "We have a problem." With almost a half a tank of gas, and my computer reading that we have over a hundred and fifty driving miles left, the light came on telling me that we needed gas.
After the first panic wave left, I attempted to decide whether to believe the computer or the low on gas warning light. After a few more miles of undecided driving, and trying to control my feelings of panic, my beautiful wife turned to me, with a smile on her face, and said, "Honey, the light you are looking at is not the low gas light, it is the icon for the miles you have left BEFORE you run out of gas."
Talk about feeling stupid, this is one I will never be allowed to forget! My attempt to save myself, by saying, "I knew that, I was just testing you.", didn't fly! I have now been removed from my "All knowing seat", at the top of the Male Ego Mountain.
I take my 99 Passat sedan to Jiffy Lube every 3k miles. For the past 4 times I have gone, they have told me each time that my car was almost entirely out of oil! No dipstick reading at all! I have begun adding oil between the 3k intervals and have noted that it is going through over a quart of oil every 800 miles or so...
There are no oil drip stains on my driveway, so I can only assume the car is drinking/burning the oil, and not dripping it.
Anyone with similar problems? How were they resolved? I am thinking of trading the Passat in before the problem gets any worse.
A qt. every 800 miles seems to indicate a serious problem. Is it a 1.8t? Do you notice very dark smoking from exhaust when driving off in the morning? How many miles on engine?
While changing the oil on my 98' 1.8 Passat I noticed that the air intake system, from the turbo to the throttle body, heavily coated with oil. I was even able to drain about 1/3 pint of oil out of the intercooler. Anyone have any experience with this problem? Have an appointment with VW service but initial conversation with service writer not very enlightening. He was more interested in selling other services.
Just leased a 2002 passat gls 1.8t wagon. I love the car, but did not notice until this week that the horn does not work, and the cruise control and stereo functions on the wheel do not work either. looked in my vw manual, and found out about a switch on the steering wheel that should illuminate the red lights on the stereo and cruise control switches. Checked this also to find it did not work. Pretty shocked this car got off vw's lot without the horn working, taking it in to service this week. I am hoping this is not the beginning of those mystery electrical problems that vw is known for, and only a minor problem. Anyone with similar experience?
Just turned over 30K on a '99 GLS V6 (5spd). Only serious problem to date was when some local critter chewed through the gas line (also ate considerable chunks of the hood liner). Otherwise this has been one heck of a ride, with a wonderful balance between creature comfort & performance (mediocre stock tires notwithstanding). Overall gas mileage is 28 - 29 mpg (runs around 27 mpg to & from work, mix of freeway & surface streets). Just replaced the stock tires (195/65/15 Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus) with a set of Dunlop SP Sport 5000s (205/55/16 WR, on a set of "Valore" wheels from Tire Rack): initial impression, after 200 miles of almost exclusively WET roads, is that this is a LONG overdue change. Not simply "like having a new car again," but rather like having a Better car than original. (We'll see how they work in the snow...) Car still appears to be in wonderful shape, inside & out - even the leather still looks new. Brake pads have lots of life left, exhaust looks good, & everything works like a charm (well, maybe the cupholders aren't all that good!) Buy another? "In a minute" ---- although VW will need to pick up the 220HP 3liter Audi is now using if they hope to compete against the new Altima (assuming THAT car lives up to its advanced billing).
I have been scoping out the Passat for about 2 years now (and drooling every time I see one drive by). Last weekend I test drove a 2002 GLS 1.8T Automatic and fell in love all over again.
But after lurking through several message boards (including vwvortex), I am saddened to come to the realization that the Passat is not going to deliver the reliability I have been accustomed to (I own a '95 Honda Civic EX 2DR coupe). It is unfortuante that I must decide between reliability and excitement in my price range (below $25K MSRP), but such is life.
The new Altima seems to be generating a good bit of excitement, but I don't anticipate feeling comfortable with the unproven reliability of that car.
So I'll probably end up with an Accord or Camry, which will fit my personality just like the Civic: dependable, practical, and not too flashy.
I know how zeitgeber feels, because I also like the Passat (the wagon in my case) and have been lurking on Passat message boards.
Before the web I would have bought it, for all I would have known was that I loved the test drive and that the Passat received great reviews in magazines. It wouldn't have been possible to hear about the experiences of very many owners. But with message boards, that experience is right before our eyes.
One possible answer, which some Passat owners give, is that people with complaints are more likely to post on the various boards than people who are happy. That is no doubt true. But surely it is equally true of owners of _all_ cars. And yet, if you read the boards for different vehicles, the Passat boards (vortex, club b5, edmunds-vwpassat) have more complaints than most of the others I have seen. That is especially true if you try to factor in the number of vehicles of a particular brand on the road. {You would expect Honda Accords to generate more complaints than Passats because there are more of them.}
I currently drive a trouble-free Honda Accord EX. Maybe it is especially difficult for us Honda owners to buy into the Passat because so many of us have grown accustomed to reliability.
I'll keep reading the message boards until I make a final decision. But I'm not optimistic that VW will get its act together anytime soon.
I drive a troublefree '00 Passat GLS V6 Wagon. They are out there! I think the reliability problems are being overstated, often by those who do not own VWs.
it's not just the car, it's the treatment by the dealer and service mgr. Also poorly trained mechanics, require many visits for minor repairs. Eventually, the great ride and handling don't seem so great when your route is always towards the service dept. It seems that with very little effort VWoA could turn things around; but for reasons best known to themselves they just don't care. I've found that after reading hundreds of comments, the common thread is lack of caring by VW. It's sort of ironic that the "people's car company" doesn't give a sh?t about the people.
I have to agree, the dealer makes all the difference. Mine is pretty good on the service side - the service manager is honest and knowledgeable, the mechanics are competent and they provide a shuttle service.
The sales side is so-so. While it is a low-pressure environment and I bought for a good price, I discovered months later (too late to do anything about it) that they had lied to me about the existence of VWoA-to-dealer incentives. The other problem is that too many of the salesmen seem to have been spoiled by BMW customers willing to pay high prices - some of them treat you like a leper once they know you are looking at VWs or Subarus, the other lines the dealership sells.
Hi, what was this response "only works with ignition on"??? This was a problem that I noticed while driving so the car was obviously on. The passat is now in service, and I just received a call that the problem was indeed electrical, and caused by a bad seat heating element on the drivers side which blew a fuse. They said that replacing this "element" and fuse will fix the problem with steering wheel.
I hadn't realized you meant during driving. Mine didn't "work" while car was parked. I'd never owned a car that the horn wasn't "live" all the time. Glad yours was an easy fix.
Comments
After driving both the 4 and the 6 I bought a 1.8T wagon, but when considering a V6 I looked only at GLS versions - I would not buy a GLX because of the automatic climate control.
The other thing I do not like about all Passat ventilation systems is the fresh/recirculate button that forces you to choose one or the other. The continuously variable knob or slide control used by Toyota and others is much better, allowing a blend in any proportion.
Aside from that, the short sun visors and the cupholders - all minor annoyances - I have nothing but praise for my 2000 Passat wagon.
Has anyone else had this problem or heard of it??
I took it to my dealer and they replaced the old CD player with a new one but the new one does the same thing. I'm beginning to suspect it is an electrical problem rather than a CD player problem.
Does anyone have a similar experience?
i just had my 2001 passat services, since then on parking the car overnight in the Garage. and starting it in the morning i notice water/fluid dripping consisting of (water+oil/fule+smell of fuel). It lasts for about 2 minutes.
the dealer says it's NORMAL, i would understand it's normal if it was only water. But it's viscous fluid, and i can definitely smell gas/petrol.
However i don't notice the problems @my work pk.lot (after parking for more than 8-9 hrs) ? Is it the heat in the garage ? (or) something else.. Is this normal ?
please advice, the dealer keeps telling me there is nothing wrong.I really need help.
thanks in advance
Instead, it sounds to me like like what I've got now is engine- and acceleration-related (unless there are now some kind of bushings around which the engine rocks when accelerating).
I've had it to the dealer twice on this: Their response both times has been mainly that the computer readouts on the engine are fine, and so there can't be anything to it. The last time, they suggested some personal failings, such as where I buy gas, and that the car has so little mileage yet (4K) that it hasn't yet had time to adjust itself(!)
All in all, I'm treated as another psychiatric head-case who has no life except for the pleasure of imagining problems and the joy of arranging out of town repair appointments.
Donna Anderson, (team leader of customer advocate group) 248 754 4665
Also, direct line: 248 340 5000, ask to speak with the OTS, (ownership technical specialist), mention the area of US you are in and they should connect you. If the operator hesitates, say you're returning their call. (Can't recall their name).
Don't delay in calling the above. The longer you wait the less serious they feel you are about the problem. Can only be used against you.
Indicator Lamp (MIL) and alerts you of an emission malfunction, and to drive w/ "reduced power" and have the dealer check it right away.
Dealer said it's OK as long as it's not blinking, and something about an air hose being loose. Since the dealer is backed up and I can't get in for another 3 weeks, I wanted to ask if anyone can confirm the dealer remark that it's OK to drive, and if the air hose is the likely cause of the problem based on anyone else's experience, or if it might be something else.
I'm going to keep checking the internet to see if there are any other cheaper solutions, but I doubt I'll find much.
any suggestions?
erik
- GM
The manual doesn't even mention how to replace any bulbs!
Thank you
I think the problem with VW's attempted strategy to move upscaled is that their dealers remain to have "economy" car mentality with the same comparable attitudes in operating their dealership.
Right on. That, along with substandard long-term reliability (despite excellent build quality on first blush) will be their undoing. Another setup for poor Pieschetsrieder!
1) $200 fee for diagnosis.
2) replaced power output module ($305 parts + $81 labor)
3) replaced coolant temp sensor (covered by warranty exception)
4) replaced spark plugs - fouled by power output module malfunction ($42 parts)
I called VW to request a warranty exception and they told me in a polite way to pound sand. Has anyone had a similar problem? The $200 diagnostic fee seems excessive and its hard to believe the power output module would fail on a car with 20,0000 miles. Also, while the car was in the shop I had the 20,000 mile service done for $220. Based on what they did it looks like a glorified oil change. I've been happy with the car up until now. Any comments are appreciated.
Anyone has some experience/recommendations? I heard the new Passat have above average reliability, so I wonder if it's worth paying so much money.
Do all Passat's have a pantload of electrical problems or are all these just bad luck stories?
After the first panic wave left, I attempted to decide whether to believe the computer or the low on gas warning light. After a few more miles of undecided driving, and trying to control my feelings of panic, my beautiful wife turned to me, with a smile on her face, and said, "Honey, the light you are looking at is not the low gas light, it is the icon for the miles you have left BEFORE you run out of gas."
Talk about feeling stupid, this is one I will never be allowed to forget! My attempt to save myself, by saying, "I knew that, I was just testing you.", didn't fly! I have now been removed from my "All knowing seat", at the top of the Male Ego Mountain.
gone, they have told me each time that my car was almost entirely out of oil! No
dipstick reading at all! I have begun adding oil between the 3k intervals and have
noted that it is going through over a quart of oil every 800 miles or so...
There are no oil drip stains on my driveway, so I can only assume the car is
drinking/burning the oil, and not dripping it.
Anyone with similar problems? How were they resolved? I am thinking of trading the
Passat in before the problem gets any worse.
My car before this one was a Taurus, and it also guzzled oil like crazy. Turned out that it needed a valve job.
Only serious problem to date was when some local critter chewed through the gas line (also ate considerable chunks of the hood liner). Otherwise this has been one heck of a ride, with a wonderful balance between creature comfort & performance (mediocre stock tires notwithstanding). Overall gas mileage is 28 - 29 mpg (runs around 27 mpg to & from work, mix of freeway & surface streets).
Just replaced the stock tires (195/65/15 Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus) with a set of Dunlop SP Sport 5000s (205/55/16 WR, on a set of "Valore" wheels from Tire Rack): initial impression, after 200 miles of almost exclusively WET roads, is that this is a LONG overdue change. Not simply "like having a new car again," but rather like having a Better car than original. (We'll see how they work in the snow...)
Car still appears to be in wonderful shape, inside & out - even the leather still looks new. Brake pads have lots of life left, exhaust looks good, & everything works like a charm (well, maybe the cupholders aren't all that good!)
Buy another? "In a minute" ---- although VW will need to pick up the 220HP 3liter Audi is now using if they hope to compete against the new Altima (assuming THAT car lives up to its advanced billing).
But after lurking through several message boards (including vwvortex), I am saddened to come to the realization that the Passat is not going to deliver the reliability I have been accustomed to (I own a '95 Honda Civic EX 2DR coupe). It is unfortuante that I must decide between reliability and excitement in my price range (below $25K MSRP), but such is life.
The new Altima seems to be generating a good bit of excitement, but I don't anticipate feeling comfortable with the unproven reliability of that car.
So I'll probably end up with an Accord or Camry, which will fit my personality just like the Civic: dependable, practical, and not too flashy.
Sigh...
Before the web I would have bought it, for all I would have known was that I loved the test drive and that the Passat received great reviews in magazines. It wouldn't have been possible to hear about the experiences of very many owners. But with message boards, that experience is right before our eyes.
One possible answer, which some Passat owners give, is that people with complaints are more likely to post on the various boards than people who are happy. That is no doubt true. But surely it is equally true of owners of _all_ cars. And yet, if you read the boards for different vehicles, the Passat boards (vortex, club b5, edmunds-vwpassat) have more complaints than most of the others I have seen. That is especially true if you try to factor in the number of vehicles of a particular brand on the road. {You would expect Honda Accords to generate more complaints than Passats because there are more of them.}
I currently drive a trouble-free Honda Accord EX. Maybe it is especially difficult for us Honda owners to buy into the Passat because so many of us have grown accustomed to reliability.
I'll keep reading the message boards until I make a final decision. But I'm not optimistic that VW will get its act together anytime soon.
But what a great car....
Good luck.
I have to agree, the dealer makes all the difference. Mine is pretty good on the service side - the service manager is honest and knowledgeable, the mechanics are competent and they provide a shuttle service.
The sales side is so-so. While it is a low-pressure environment and I bought for a good price, I discovered months later (too late to do anything about it) that they had lied to me about the existence of VWoA-to-dealer incentives. The other problem is that too many of the salesmen seem to have been spoiled by BMW customers willing to pay high prices - some of them treat you like a leper once they know you are looking at VWs or Subarus, the other lines the dealership sells.