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Problems with 99 VW Passat GLS - READ ONLY

527 messages,  Last post on Aug 08, 2000 at 11:56 PM

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

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#491 of 527 My 2000 Passat by rickrover Jul 09, 2000 (6:38 am)
I have to agree with sporin, your first mistake was buying the first year of a redesigned car. My 2000 has been perfect, no problems at all, VW has made a lot of running changes. I do think part of your problems are poor dealer service, that is an area VW could to a lot better on. I can't stand any of the VW dealers in my area, incompetent to say the least.
#492 of 527 Re: Roof Rack Gap by azile Jul 09, 2000 (7:12 am)
I also have a 2000 Passat Wagon and I just looked at the roof rack and yes, on my car, there is a small gap between the metal and the plastic. It looks pretty normal to me, although I did notice that the roof rack plastic meets the car above the driver's seat. I love our Passat. It does have a bit more body roll than I'd prefer at times, but it's a fun little car. I just hope the car continues to be problem free as I rack up more miles. Oh yes, I'm not sure about other 2000 models, but my Passat came with a 6 disk cd changer for free. It was advertised as a Volkswagon special, but I think it's cause so many people complained about not having an in dash cd player. Have other people with the 2000 models received this extra? Azile
#493 of 527 1999 Passat GLS V6 Tiptronic by jayay1 Jul 10, 2000 (10:45 pm)
I've driven my 1999 Passat V6 with tiptronic for 1 1/2 years and 27,000 miles in L.A. traffic and freeways daily. I haven't found a better everyday, economical car for a performance oriented driver like myself (I've owned a 911S, BMW 3.0, Lotus, Fiat 124 sport coupe and have been through the Bondurant Race Drivers School). I've had no real problems at all with the car that VW didn't promptly fix (steering pump or something like that). The car screams when you get the revs above 4000. My normal driving mode is in tiptronic. I only use standard automatic in stop-and-go traffice. When you need to pull onto the freeway and get to 80 mph fast, the V6 with tip gets you there mighty quickly. The car is very comfortable, and a high quality vehicle in all respects. Don't let these maintenance posts discourage you. The Passat is one hell of a performance automobile. You have 24,000 miles to get the bugs fixed. A final tip: when shifting the tiptronic, to get a rapid shift, make the shift first, then instantly back off the gas,then get back on it. This is the reverse of what you are used to with a standard shift, but it works great. You'll be able to shift with nearly the speed you would get out of a manual transmission.
#494 of 527 Passat Oil leak by cleonecon Jul 12, 2000 (4:57 pm)
Not certain if thisis relevent but I had a 1993 Passat station wagon that leaked oil for what seemed like years. The VW dealer kept telling me that it was no real problem and to diagnose the problem and fix it would cost me at least $250. Then I blew out a tire while traveling near the Poconos and ended up at a garage with all kinds of VW's sitting around and he says that he can fix "that oil leak ya got" for $30. It actually cost me $28. He said all he did was replace a gasket. I was in such a hurry that night that I forgot to ask him the details but it did not leak oil at all for the two years that I owned it afterward.
#495 of 527 Response to Jeffrey by manchuza Jul 12, 2000 (7:32 pm)
Just bought my first VW--a beautiful new 2000 Passat 1.8T., and found this thread while browsing through Edmunds. Sorry to hear about your VW troubles. Not that it will necessarily make you feel any better, however, I would suggest that if that is the most trouble you've ever had with one car, then your'e not doing too badly--remember, it could be worse. As for your car--well, I must agree with the sentiment of others here--I would never, I say NEVER buy the first year of a redesign. WHY? I did this once with a '92 BMW 325i, and learned the hard way (I've mentioned my woes on other threads previously). My troubles outnumbered yours many times over, and was the worst nightmare my entire life. As for my car, only has about 600 miles as of today, but the initial quality and satisfaction is very high. If everything that I've read about the '98 Passats is true--which I don't doubt those of you who have posted troubles are not telling the truth--I would say that someone somewhere is paying attention. Live and learn, I suppose. READERS TAKE NOTE: NEVER, EVER, EVER BUY THE FIRST YEAR OF A MAJOR REDESIGN OF ANY CAR--unless you are very daring, patient, and have plenty of free time (you'll likely be spending lots of time at your local dealer). Just pick up a copy of the Consumer Reports Car Buying Issue, and compare all the repair records of different cars from the first year of their release to the most recent.
#496 of 527 My 1999 Passat GLS by skurtzer1 Jul 12, 2000 (7:39 pm)
My 1999 Passat has been a pain in the a** since it turned 24,300 miles. First the car died, after getting it towed, they said the plugs were fouled and needed replacement. Plugs $12.50 each, plus big $$$ for labor Not bad, only 25% of the scheduled life. At 28,000 the brain failed and left me sitting in traffic. Another tow and a $1000 plus bill. Now, my Passat has been at the dealer 28 days as of today. The timing belt went at 37,000 miles and ripped the engine apart in the process. Again leaving me on a busy Philadelphia interstate stranded. (not a real good place to get stuck). They are repairing the engine, not giving me a new one like I should receive. Volkswagen of America has been very unsympathetic and is a victim of its own growing pains. The dealer can't handle the workload. It will never be like it should, I don't care how good the mechanic is, and it will give the next owner a life of problems. I'm getting rid of it as soon as I get it back. I would not suggest this car to anyone shelling out the $25K+ for this thing.
#497 of 527 You have got to be kidding by rickrover Jul 16, 2000 (2:27 am)
I have a hard time beleiving that post. A lot of unusual problems for one car. I belong to two websites devoted to the B5 Passat. Several hundred Passat owners report on every aspect of ownership, good and bad. Passats don't have problems with their computers, never heard of spark plugs fouling and never has anyone posted about a timing belt breaking, especially at only 37k. Either you drive the hell out of your car and don't maintain it or you are totally full of it (I strongly suspect the latter).
#498 of 527 Should I get one (Passat)??? by m9431 Jul 17, 2000 (12:29 am)
Earlier today I visited my local VW dealer after I saw saw an ad that they would consider "any reasonable offer on in-stock VWs." Thought I'd offer $21.7k for a 1.8T with lux. package. I'm driving a 93 Accord EX 5-spd which has given NO problems to date. I took one last look at an Accord EX V6 which, currently, I can have for $22.6k. Pros and cons to each vehicle but the Passat is so much fun to drive. Gees...after reading posts on problems, I'm leaning toward the Accord...and I thought I had my mind made up?! I wasn't expecting the Passat to be as reliable as an Accord, but after hearing of some 'horror stories,' I just dunno (again)....
#499 of 527 WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS ? by glsammi Jul 17, 2000 (2:59 am)
WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSAT??
#500 of 527 manishrb brake pedal adjust by 1611man Jul 17, 2000 (5:37 am)
I just read through all of your writing about your problem with the brake pedal on your new VW. One thing caught my attention - if you car has 4 wheel disc brakes - there is no adjustment to be made on 4 wheel disc brakes that would lower or raise your brake pedal. Follow me on this - as your discs wear, the distance between your pads and the rotors becomes greater and your pedal must travel down further to push the greater amount of brake fluid to move the pads farther. Right? So, if your brake pedal now travels further than it did when you took it in to the dealer. it sounds to me as if he CUT the rotors to remove the rust spots and didn't replace them as he stated. That would account for the greater pedal travel you are seeing.

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