3.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,167 miles

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problem #3

Jan 152003

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
Seat belts never raval all the way (minor issue), air conditioner gets cold only for about a minute (once again minor), and now it misfires on cylinders 5 and 6. I have replaced both O2 sensors, the coil pack (3 times), ignition wires (twice), spark plugs (twice in 4,000 miles), and the ECU. Still misfires after 3 shops and the dealer having it twice for about 2 weeks straight (ken garff orem VW/Audi dealership). They told me "there is nothing we can do", VW America said "there is nothing we can do, those dealerships are independent from us". the dealer the first time I brought it in, broke some engine coverings, that I had to complain about to have them decide to replace. The next round I got the car back and the hood was poped a little bit but closed (I live 2 miles from the dealer). So I decided to take a look and not to my suprise, they left a few engine components unbolted and sitting in the engine compartment. They also left their tools and the bolts in small casim parts of the sheet metal. The wire harness was looked at and they convieniently left the wires cut but not all the way through. VW America all through this said only that I can complain and that they will "note this in my record, but thats all we can do." they haven't even offered to help me find a new dealer or tell me a typical way to fix a misfire.

- Orem, UT, USA

problem #2

Aug 162003

Passat 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 70,500 miles
On August 16, 2003, we were driving on the New Jersey parkway in our 1997 Volkswagen Passat station wagon when the clutch pedal broke. After having it towed to our mechanic, he confirmed that the clutch was fine but that the pedal had broken, a failure he had never seen before.

- Summit, NJ, USA

problem #1

Jan 282000

(reported on)

Passat

  • miles
Since purchased engine burns 1/2-1 qt of oil every 1000 miles. No safety defect listed in vehicle.

- New Hyde Park, NY, USA