9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,200
Average Mileage:
140,800 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (1 reports)
  2. replace thermostat and water pump (1 reports)
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problem #2

Feb 172017

Passat

  • Manual transmission
  • 223,600 miles

This was the beginning of the end for my car, first I put up with freezing all winter. Then engine problems naturally started, followed by not being able to open my trunk.

- Älex N., Ottawa, ON, Canada

problem #1

Aug 012009

Passat 1.8t

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

We're driving on the tollway in August, and I notice the temperature gauge start to creep up, which had never happened before. Within ninety seconds, the red display reads something like "STOP VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY." I pull over and stop, and the temperature gauge shot into the red (probably because there was no air moving across the radiator now). I pulled out the owner's manual, and learned that the cooling system on this stupid car is sealed, meaning you can't add coolant. We sat there until the temperature dropped below the red, then limped to a nearby dealership. The thermostat had gone bad at only 58,000 miles. They strongly recommended replacing the water pump as well, since they had to take it off anyway to get to the thermostat. I also had them replace the timing belt 2000 miles early (since that had to come off too), and replace the motor mounts that had been leaking since 45,000 miles (since they had to raise the engine to get to the cooling parts). Total bill: $2100.

- bryanr01, Dallas, TX, US