9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,400
Average Mileage:
92,150 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace engine/timing chain (5 reports)
  2. 2 fuel injectors went bad. total cost will e a bit over $1k (1 reports)
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problem #6

Feb 052019

Passat 2.0t

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles

My check engine light comes on and I freak out as I had perviously had the engine replaced. Diagnostics says it's a fuel pump failure which is currently a recall. I take my car in a week after light came on which is today 3/6. I start the car and it shuts off after about 2 seconds and says steering column lock defective. I receive a call from VW that my car engine has gone bad, fans have failed, oil is leaking into camshaft and turbo is not working properly along with a few more problems and the cost will be about $4,000.

- Evaniza G., Bridgeport, CT, US

problem #5

Apr 012018

Passat 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,450 miles

I've owned this car since 2009 and have always taken to a dealer for major mileage maintenance events. handed down the car to my college age son and on last trip home, it wouldn't start. Took to local garage, thinking it was just the starter, since battery had just been replaced. I was SHOCKED when they called me and said it was the timing chain and that it would be $4200 to fix (if even possible to fix) OR they could replace the entire engine for $5800 - the car is not even worth that much!! I'm waiting to call VW dealership this morning, but am not confident they will do anything to help me.

- Corey D., Fort Mitchell, US

problem #4

Sep 032017

Passat 2.0L T

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,847 miles

Timing chain failed causing irreparable engine damage.

- Delois P., Durham, US

problem #3

Jul 052017

Passat 2.0t

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles

Car was parked and would not start up. Towed to mechanic and car has catastrophic engine failure due to failure of timing belt tensioner. Upon research I find that there have been several class action lawsuits. This was not a maintenance item and internal to the engine. VW needs to be held accountable. With so many having the same problem, obviously it's their faulty engineering. Over 5K for "fix" or 10K for a new engine.

- Ann B., Austin, TX, US

problem #2

Jul 182016

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,001 miles

The timing chain on my vehicle was faulty and just stopped running on the highway. Luckily I was in the right lane and could get to the shoulder easily. By the time I got it to the shop, the timing chain problem had led to other difficulties meaning that the entire engine needed to be replaced. Between purchasing the engine and the labor costs it will be $7000 to fix the car - which is more than the total value. It is absurd that a relatively new car for a brand that claims to be reliable is having this difficulty.

- Emilia M., Bayonne, NJ, US

problem #1

Jan 222012

Passat Komfort

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,543 miles

HORRIBLE car. 4th time in the 3 years that I have owned it that we have hod to get it towed to the dealer. Worst purchase I have ever made.

- Chelsy T., Westlake Village, CA, US