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Problems with 99 VW Passat GLS - READ ONLY

527 messages,  Last post on Aug 09, 2000 at 12:56 AM

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What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Passat, Electrical, Fuel System, Transmission, Sedan

Messages Page 31 of 54

#294 of 527 radio problems by randall6

Jan 06, 2000 (2:55 am)

Pay attention VW customer service. The tape player in my 1998 GLS doesn't work. For nearly 3 months now I have been receiving one line of doggy do after another from the dealer and VW customer service (I hope you clowns at VW read this !!!!) I really think that VW is waiting for the 24 month warranty to run out and then give me the shaft. The friendly guy in the dealer parts department tells me I am not the only unhappy Passat owner wit ha bad radio. My wait pales in comparison to other --- some have been waiting for a new radio since August of '99. Anybody out have any advice or a shoulder to cry on?


Before I bought this Passat I was a loyal Honda driver. Believe me, I really like the VW but I question whether or not I will give them any brand loyalty on my next purchase. Bad service on the tie rod recall, a very messy oil change and suspension noise they say is fixed but really not doesn't help matters.

#295 of 527 Forget the negatives, this is a great car by ncourt1

Jan 06, 2000 (5:07 pm)

I recently bought a 2000 GLS 1.8 w/manual. I immediately took it on a 3,000 trip to Florida through snow, sun, and rain. The car has had no squeaks, rattles, malfunctions, or other problems. I don't know how it can even be compared to a Nissan, Honda, or Toyota. Each of those cars is designed on a platform built for the specific model. The Passat is based on a luxury car platform (A4/A6), and it shows. How many Accords and Camry's have an air-conditioned glove box, a trunk where the hinges do not intrude on the storage space, or a full trip computer? Clearly the Passat stands out in features. The base models have as many features as Acura TLs or Infiniti I30s. And performance leaves the Asians in the dust. I drove my friends Accord EX after driving my car, and I wondered how anyone in there right mind could ever buy a Honda over a Passat. n Obviously, they haven't driven the Passat. I am a little biased, I owned a 95 Passat, a great car which is much inferior to the 2000. Also, if you are reading this thread, you must remember that people with no problems are much less likely to write in than people who do have problems. I have had no major problems with either my 95 or my 00.

#296 of 527 topic consolidation by pat455

Jan 07, 2000 (11:11 pm)

Folks, we'd like to continue this conversation under a more generic topic name to cover more trim levels and model years of the Passat. Please join us here:


VW Passat troubles (Topic #929)


Pat
Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference

#297 of 527 indecisive need help by gbaxley1

Jan 09, 2000 (4:06 am)

hello all, I'm in the process of getting a new car. I'm interested in the vw passat 2000 V6. I have test driven the 5 speed and the auto, and I like the auto due to my last 2 cars have been standard. I would like to know what the invoice price is on the auto/v6 passat, becouse edmunds has only the 5sp and how others like the interior w/ woodgrain and tiptronic.have driven the 2000 maxima and I am indecisive between the 2. Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated. options im interesed in is sunroof,cd changer, cloth interior. help would be greatly appreciated. thank you greg

#298 of 527 gbaxley1 by pat455

Jan 09, 2000 (4:13 am)

Greg,


Have you checked out the Passat topics in our Sedans conference? That's where folks are discussing purchasing this vehicle, manual or five speed.


Just key in Passat to the Search feature at left to find all of the topics on the Passat and take a look at the conversations that are underway.


Pat
Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference

#299 of 527 Re: 308 of 309: indecisive need help (gbaxley1 by leeareed

Jan 09, 2000 (6:35 pm)

I too am considering the Passat and Maxima, as well as the smaller sibling in either case (Jetta and Altima) The VWs highly impressed me with the fit and finish both exterior and interior. But I can't forget the way the VWs drove. Simply awesome handling, more than adequate power, especially the Jetta, and features compared really well.


That said, I kept a Maxima over night from the dealer, and liked the car overall. The leather wasn't as nice, and the car felt a little big, though I do need a spacious car. The pricing and better deals can certainly be had on the Nissan, if that;s your incentive. I feel that VW won;t budge TOO much off sticker. Really if money were no object, and knowing how much I loked to drvie, the Passat would be my choice, but it IS expensive in loaded form. If you keep cars a while, VWs 10yr/100k powertrain bests Nissans impressive 5yr/60k powertrain, while I'm concerned about VWs short bumper to bumper, though I'm more familiar with Nissan's reliability, and I've heard that German cars are expensive to maintain. The powertrain warranty eases that, but how about pricing on other components for the car?


I hope I've helped, but let me summarize:
Quality of materials int/ext: VW
Driving fun: VW
Price/value: Nissan
Roominess, comfort: Nissan
Warranty: VW
Looks: VW
Resale value: VW


Lee

#300 of 527 98 Passat Oil Leak by phylp

Jan 09, 2000 (9:47 pm)

My housemate's 98 Passat is leaking oil from, can you believe this, the oil cap at the top of the engine. Or, that is the explanation thus far!

#301 of 527 Leaking engine Oil Too by randall6

Jan 09, 2000 (10:12 pm)

My 1998 Passat is also leaking engine oil. It appears to be coming from the valve cover gasket. Although it is difficult to see there are indications of moist oily residue around the area where the valve cover sits on the engine head. Also there are indications of an oil leak around the main pully coming of the crank shaft. Even though it is hidden under a shroud there is a greasey mess in the vicinity. I hesitate to bring it into the dealer -- do't trust them one bit. Since it is fairly minor I think I should let it go. It should be covered under the power train warranty. Anybody have any ideas?

#302 of 527 Lack of torque w/99 GLS PAssat by joebrod

Jan 10, 2000 (1:41 am)

Hello,


I have a Passat GLS w/auto I purchased at Thanksgiving. I have 3 problems with the car (or at least I think they are problems) that I wanted to run by this message board to make sure I am not over reacting or expecting too much from the car.


First is the lack of torque from the engine after it shifts. Basically I drive the car rather mellow, that is I don't race or accelerate rapidly from a stop. What happens is when in auto and the car shifts there is a slight, but perceptible loss of power and speed. I've driven automatics before but have never felt this before (is it because it's a 5 speed auto?). It becomes an issue if I need to accelerate right after the trans has shifted. The engine tends to "bogg" down until it builds up enough torque. If I recall right the tranny tends to shift at around 2200rpm and drops to 1700 after the shifting before building up.
My question is - is this the right point for the tranny to shift? The only thing i can think of is that the tranny is shifting to early. Is this normal? It has this problem with every shift except between 1&2. If I shift the car manually (via Tiptronic) and keep it in gear slightly longer it feels fine - more like my previous experience w/automatics. I did not test drive this particular car and only test drove the one i did drive in the manual tiptronic mode


The other issue is the famous "choking" that a car gets when you hit the accelerator and nothing happens for a beat. It seems to be limited to when the engine is cold and I notice it when turning a corner as I decelerate and then accelerate after the turn (I shifting problem again?). Does anyone else experience this when the engine is cold? Is it because the turbo is not up to operating temp? I


Last but not least is a rattling coming from the right side of the car when the right wheel hits a certain kinda bump. It not there all the time only on some bumps. I think this topic was covered already


Does anyone have similar experiences with their Passat concerning the lack of power or am I expecting too much from a little 1.8T


Thanks for any advice


Joe

#303 of 527 Re: Lack of torque... by mknight

Jan 10, 2000 (6:47 pm)

Joe,


Did you realize the Passat's automatic is controlled by a computer chip which "learns" your driving style. If you "drive the car rather mellow" most of the time, the tranny picks up on this and adjusts it's shift points accordingly.


My best advice would be to learn to use the tip more, or learn to anticipate when you'll need to stomp on it, and stomp earlier.


--Mike

Messages Page 31 of 54

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