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VW Passat TDI

1046 messages,  Last post on Dec 07, 2012 at 4:03 AM

You are in the Volkswagen Passat Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Passat, Diesel, Sedan

Messages Page 103 of 105

#1020 of 1046 Re: What years were Passat TDI wagons made? [jsnap] by cosmo

Mar 15, 2008 (10:24 am)

Replying to: jsnap (Mar 14, 2008 3:21 pm)
1996, 1997, 2004, and 2005 were the only Passat TDI models imported to the U.S. As with other VW models, the electronics can be problematic. We have had only two minor problems (windshield washer pump leak and electric motor that controls air cutoff to the engine) with our 2004 Passat TDI wagon in 3.5 years. We had a 1996 Passat 2.0L sedan, and I still miss the room and comfort of that car.

#1022 of 1046 water drains blocked in the vw passat tdi 2003 model by seasidelanebar

Aug 14, 2008 (6:26 am)

I need to know where the drains in the water box (underneath the engine bonnet in front of the windscreen) are situated, when it rains it keeps filling with water. the car is a vw passat 03 reg. Thanks for your answers.

#1023 of 1046 Trailer Hitch by houstonken

Nov 18, 2008 (10:13 pm)

I am thinking about adding a trailer hitch to my 2005 Passat TDI wagon. Has anyone done it ? How much ?

#1024 of 1046 5 Recalls with 2005 TDI VW Passat by cansu

Nov 29, 2008 (4:28 pm)

Guys:
 
I need some advice. I bought in Sept, 2005 a 2005 TDI VW Passat. Since I have the car, I had to replace the whole front brakes after only 15 months. I had 2 times the "emission light" on and took it to service and they fixed it. Fine. Then 1 time the "engine light" went on. Went to service fixed it. Fine. All under warranty. Thank god. But replaced once the Turbo. All of the sudden on the street it would not go more than 40mph. Went to service and fixed it. Fine. Received another call from VW for a recall (for a change????) and this time they called me to fix something. Done. Fine. And today while I was coming back from an event, where I had to take the highway, again my car started not go drive more the 40mph. Took different route to avoid highway speed. It is still under warranty since it has only 39500 miles. I have one more year (50K miles...etc. )
Any idea what I should do? I feel like I am having an used old car? It is bizarre. Please advice.

#1025 of 1046 Re: 5 Recalls with 2005 TDI VW Passat [cansu] by gagrice

Nov 29, 2008 (5:41 pm)

Replying to: cansu (Nov 29, 2008 4:28 pm)
Next time you get it back from the dealer put it in the paper or on Craigslist for sale. It will bring top dollar while it still has warranty. Then buy the new Jetta TDI. You seem to know the shop people very well. I would not trade as with all dealers you will get shafted.

#1026 of 1046 Re: 5 Recalls with 2005 TDI VW Passat [gagrice] by cansu

Nov 29, 2008 (6:12 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Nov 29, 2008 5:41 pm)
Thanks for your reply gagrice. Can they trace through the VIN number what has been done to the vehicle? Is this normal that the Passat TDI Turbo is breaking twice withing a year? Today, the fact that I could not make more than 40mph is again a Turbo problem. Honestly, I am not planning to buy any new cars at this point. In the past 3 years I had 5 recalls and is that suppose to happen?

#1027 of 1046 Re: 5 Recalls with 2005 TDI VW Passat [cansu] by gagrice

Nov 29, 2008 (9:30 pm)

Replying to: cansu (Nov 29, 2008 6:12 pm)
I owned a 2005 Passat TDI for 13 months and had no problems with it. I don't know if the dealers document repairs tied to a VIN. Some say babying a TDI can cause some of the problems you described. Cheap diesel can also be problematic. I only used BP/ARCO ULSD the whole time I owned it. That is very good diesel. Generally CA has good diesel. With diesel more than gas all over the country you may have a harder sale. I would try to get an extended warranty if VW will sell you one after all the problems.

#1028 of 1046 Re: 5 Recalls with 2005 TDI VW Passat [gagrice] by cansu

Nov 30, 2008 (8:19 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Nov 29, 2008 9:30 pm)
I use shell or exxon. I do not buy cheap diesel as I believe it is not worth it to save. I think they sold me a defective car. I cannot sell all of the sudden because of all the problems they are responsible for selling me a car with existing problems. How can the Turbo breakdown twice within 3 years? It is unbelievable.

#1029 of 1046 Re: 5 Recalls with 2005 TDI VW Passat [cansu] by sebring95

Dec 03, 2008 (6:46 am)

Replying to: cansu (Nov 30, 2008 8:19 am)
Honestly, it sounds like you have VW dealer syndrome, particularly on this "turbo" issue. It's very rare for a turbo to go out on a tdi, but they get misdiagnosed all the time. It's a very robust low-pressure turbo, and very common to see 200k-300k with original turbos. There's quite a few sensors and relays that can effect the performance, and that's usually the real problem. Sometimes just unplugging one can fix it for awhile, so after they've pulled the car apart to replace the turbo, violla the car runs fine. For awhile. In my experience, sensors on VW's are VERY touchy.
 
Most VW dealers have very minimal training on TDI's and I'm guessing many of the techs sleep through it. There are some good dealers out there, but finding one can be a project in itself. It's the biggest short-fall of the TDI...a poor dealer support network. I don't recommend a TDI to anyone that's not capable of doing their own maintenance/repairs. They're actually pretty easy to work on if you research the problem properly and follow the factory repair manual. But dealers get paid very little to diagnose warranty problems and a set amount to repalce parts, so it's easy to just throw parts at it and hope something sticks.
 
If you're going to keep the car, you have three choices. (a) Research and find a very good dealer that knows what they're doing and use them. (b) Find a good TDI specialist that can do the repair and you'll have to pay for it. (c) Research/diagnose the problem yourself and fix it or steer the dealership to what you believe it needs. tdiclub.com is a good place to start trouble-shooting.

Messages Page 103 of 105

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