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Volkswagen Complaint - I own a 2003 Passat Wagon
Complaint
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA -- I agree with the other 2003 Passat owner review here. Bought it because it was a nice car. Leather interior, sunroof, premium sound, TipTronic Transmission, good looks, Heated seats, Everything, Ect.....
In the initial years I owned it, first 40-80,000 miles, an engine mount broke (which has since broken again), Transmission seal/gasket broke/ leaked, Water pump, CV boots replaced 1 & 1/2 times along with one axle.
Fortunatly these were all under warranty. This is what I can think of off the top of my head. Its been years now and I should have written reviews on every discussion forum I could find then. I didn't.
Since then: I'm at 160,000 miles. Brakes have never worked well, I believe contributing to an accident I was in, the car just didn't stop when I had to jump on them. Heater no longer works, Driver door mechanisim electronics no longer work, meaning no more warning buzzer that the door is open or the lights are left on, no seat belt warning (which is kind of an improvement, Etc.... $525.00 or so to repair.
Car locks itself whenever it feels like it, not all the time, just whenever.
Both catalytic converters are gone. $1500.00 +
Transmission is leaking again $225.00.
Electonic key no longer works, I was told not a battery issue. $120.00 + to replace eletronic key.
I'm sure there's more but I will end it here.
I've taken very good care of my VW and it still looks great, No dents, no dings, a couple of scraches, one from my bike and one shopping cart scratch, that's it. Still a good, cool looking piece of junk.
If you have any smarts you will stick with Toyota or Honda....My opinion.
Certainly better cars if not the best. I'm not a Toyota or Honda sales person, and actually wasn't very pleased with my Toyota T100 either, They were just a bad model for them. But if I was to buy a new car it would not be a VW.
In the initial years I owned it, first 40-80,000 miles, an engine mount broke (which has since broken again), Transmission seal/gasket broke/ leaked, Water pump, CV boots replaced 1 & 1/2 times along with one axle.
Fortunatly these were all under warranty. This is what I can think of off the top of my head. Its been years now and I should have written reviews on every discussion forum I could find then. I didn't.
Since then: I'm at 160,000 miles. Brakes have never worked well, I believe contributing to an accident I was in, the car just didn't stop when I had to jump on them. Heater no longer works, Driver door mechanisim electronics no longer work, meaning no more warning buzzer that the door is open or the lights are left on, no seat belt warning (which is kind of an improvement, Etc.... $525.00 or so to repair.
Car locks itself whenever it feels like it, not all the time, just whenever.
Both catalytic converters are gone. $1500.00 +
Transmission is leaking again $225.00.
Electonic key no longer works, I was told not a battery issue. $120.00 + to replace eletronic key.
I'm sure there's more but I will end it here.
I've taken very good care of my VW and it still looks great, No dents, no dings, a couple of scraches, one from my bike and one shopping cart scratch, that's it. Still a good, cool looking piece of junk.
If you have any smarts you will stick with Toyota or Honda....My opinion.
Certainly better cars if not the best. I'm not a Toyota or Honda sales person, and actually wasn't very pleased with my Toyota T100 either, They were just a bad model for them. But if I was to buy a new car it would not be a VW.
Comments:
Posted by trmn8r on 2011-11-11:
I bought a '98 Passat Wagon new and put 130,000 miles on it. The problems I had were the coil pack failed, the water pump failed at 95,000 miles (replaced for free under the wonderful OEM warranty they had back then), a couple of window regulators(one warranty, one not), the ignition switch (warranty). Then the secondary air pump failed at 130,000 miles and that was $800.
That was one comfortable and sporty wagon, and I miss it. I did get a bit disappointed at the frequent repairs. But boy it was fun to drive, and was a great value at the time.
German engineering is a double-edged sword and always has been. Currently I own a BMW motorcycle, and it is no different. The fuel gauge sensor appears to break (repeatedly) due to ethanol in US gas. Not really their fault, I guess.
That was one comfortable and sporty wagon, and I miss it. I did get a bit disappointed at the frequent repairs. But boy it was fun to drive, and was a great value at the time.
German engineering is a double-edged sword and always has been. Currently I own a BMW motorcycle, and it is no different. The fuel gauge sensor appears to break (repeatedly) due to ethanol in US gas. Not really their fault, I guess.
Posted by swimjim on 2011-11-11:
These (ignition) coil packs must be a common problem, as I've replaced the ones on my sister's car twice over on her 2k Passat with now 160k miles on it. She says she still loves it, and has had no other real mechanical issues with it - still looks good and rides nice. Replacements can be found online for about 40.00 apiece - 1/2 of what a local parts place wants for them and it takes about 5 minutes to replace one.
Posted by MRM on 2011-11-11:
The ignition coil in my mother's 98 Dodge Caravan has failed at 53,000m and after I replaced the coil, the Caravan no longer stalls.
Posted by chemman on 2011-11-14:
I have an 05 Passat TDI with 230k miles on it and it has been running like a champ. I've heard you either get a good one or a lemon, I guess I git lucky because I have done nothing but oil changes and a timing belt change and mine has ran smoothly this whole time. My factory brakes lasted until 200k. Sorry to hear yours has been such a problem. I wish they could get their act together and make a consistent product.
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