What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2001 Volkswagen Passat

Typical pattern

8.7% of complaints about the 2001 Volkswagen Passat came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2001 vehicle — around the middle of the 216 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine cooling (93 complaints), typically at 5.1 yr or about 62,000 miles.

Complaints
529
Median age at failure
4.8 yr
Median mileage
59,100 n=367
Crash / fire / tow
8.5% of reports
Safety recalls
4

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine cooling
93 reports · 62,000 mi
5.1 yr
4.3%
Electrical system
76 reports · 38,000 mi
3.5 yr
14.5%
Service brakes, hydraulic
54 reports · 60,900 mi
5.3 yr
0%
Exterior lighting
33 reports · 69,500 mi
5.0 yr
0%
Power train
31 reports · 39,000 mi
3.8 yr
0%
Suspension
30 reports · 52,020 mi
4.8 yr
0%
Fuel system
29 reports · 76,000 mi
6.3 yr
3.4%
Visibility
27 reports · 57,982 mi
3.7 yr
18.5%
Air bags
26 reports · 64,445 mi
5.3 yr
42.3%
Structure
25 reports · 68,698 mi
5.7 yr
8%
Speed control
15 reports · 50,000 mi
2.1 yr
26.7%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

14E007000 2014-03-07
Engine and engine cooling:engine

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the af

A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

08V156000 2008-04-07
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A FUEL LINE (1.8T ENGINES ONLY) OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) THAT CAN LEAK DUE TO FRACTURE.

A HEAT SHIELD THAT MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. IN ADDITION, A FUEL LEAK FROM A FUEL LINE OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

02V026000 2002-01-25
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.

FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

01V157000 2001-05-03
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SULFUR IN FUEL INTERACTS WITH CERTAIN ADDITIVES FOUND IN WIDELY AVAILABLE GASOLINE CAUSING SULFUR TO BECOME DEPOSITED ON THE CONTACT POINTS OF THREE FUEL SENDING UNITS MOUNTED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE TO READ FULL WHILE THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT IN FACT BE FULL OR COULD BE EMPTY.

RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT FUEL IN THE TANK LEAD TO SAFETY PROBLEMS.

In owners’ own words

Visibility mileage not reported 2 mo in service
WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VISUAL DIFFICULTY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. OCCUPANT FOUND OUT THAT WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR WAS LOW, AND FILLED IT UP, AT WHICH WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE OPERATING. *AK
Visibility mileage not reported 8 mo in service
WHILE DRIVING REAR PASSENGER'S WINDOW EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. JUST PRIOR TO EXPLOSION, HAD JUST CLOSED WINDOW.*AK *JB
Visibility mileage not reported 8 mo in service
WHILE DRIVING REAR PASSENGER'S WINDOW EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. JUST PRIOR TO EXPLOSION, HAD JUST CLOSED WINDOW.*AK *JB
Speed control mileage not reported 3 mo in service crash / fire / tow
CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 65 MPH WITH ABOUT 400 MILES ON VEHICLE, AND BRAKES DID NOT TURN OFF CRUISE CONTROL . VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. DRIVER HAD TO USE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE, AND CRASHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS. *AK VW DID NOT GIVE CONSUMER A LOANER CAR AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. *SLC

Other Passat model years

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