Overview & Reviews

The 2001.5 Passat arrives this spring with updated exterior styling, minor interior changes and a more powerful four-cylinder engine, but if you liked the "old" styling, a few 2001s should linger on dealership lots for a while. New features for the 2001 model year -- standard front and rear side curtain airbags, optional steering wheel controls for the audio and cruise for GLS (standard on the GLX) and a standard trunk entrapment release button -- carry over into 2001.5 Passats.

• Fun-to-drive, excellent value in base trim, stronger 1.8T powerplant in mid-2001, roomy/comfortable interior, solid build quality, available all-wheel drive.

• Some confusing interior controls, price goes up quickly with options.

User Reviews:

Showing 51 through 60 of 207.00

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  Disappointed - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By shark - July 23 - 11:10 am

  This otherwise enjoyable and luxurious family sedan is proving unreliable in the long-term. My repairs in the past nice months include: new vacuum hoses; rear brake rotors; power steering rack; and inner/outer tie rods. To add insult to injury, VW dealers charge outrageous rates for routine service: $575 for 40,000 mile service; $60 for oil change; $140 for a brake fluid flush! Sadly, with the mounting repair and service costs, its time to ditch this pariah for something much more reliable.

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  Better than an SUV - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By ShrinerMonkey - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Great looking and equiped car for the money, basically an Audi but for thousands less. However, the build quality leaves a lot to be desired, squeeks and rattles abound and are very hard to fix. The turbo lag of the 1.8T is annoying and the engine is noisy. The MAF sensor went out at 32,000 miles ($500 to replace). The rear seats are a major hassle to fold down and the glove box and cup holders are a joke. The headlights are also dangerously underpowered on their low beam setting. Overall a good car, but disappointing build quality and reliabilty.

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  Drains? - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By anonymous - July 1 - 8:46 am

  I love my gold 2001 Passat. It is so beautiful and I always end up smiling while Im driving it. It drives great, looks great, and holds its value. However, it seems to have problems with the drains. First, the air conditioning got moldy in it because there is no drain for it. Then, the sunroof started leaking. Now, the floor in the back gets a nice puddle in it if it rains and I drive. Other than these problems, it has been very dependable. For a first car I really couldnt ask for anything better. At least, after reading the reviews with sludge problems, I hope so...

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  Love this car - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By JKeiser - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car in 2003, only a couple years old and already had 66k on the odometer. 7 years and 120k later, this car is starting to show its age, but its still quick, agile, and very comfortable. even at over 180k, the engine feels great. like any german car, it requires a little more tlc. change the timing belt when youre supposed to, and dont freak out everytime the check engine light comes on. i may have just gotten a good one, but the only major repairs ive had have been in the last 30k miles or so. ABS controller, tie rods, shocks. like most cars at its age, its becoming to expensive to maintain, so ill be trading it in. i guarantee i will cry, this has been a great car.

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  Beats my Mazda 6 - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By KJBell - May 16 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car used as a VW Certified vehicle for my wife. Since, I own a new 2003 Mazda 6s, I was amazed at how well this car compares and excels vs. the Mazda. Once you get used to some of the quirky German engineering controls for wipers and onboard computer, all the controls become intuitive. This car is as fun to drive as any I have driven and when compared to my Mazda 6s, exceeds in just about every category. I especially like the cool blue glow of the instruments.The 4Motion is great in the snow and ice of New England winters.

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  Passat - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By shannyb - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Great car. I have had a couple minor problems with the glove box latch and the trunk latch not working, but both were easily repaired at no cost to me by the dealer.

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  Oil Pump problems!! - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By NikkiB - March 28 - 9:10 pm

  I purchased my 2001 Volkswagen Passat GLS model in July of 2002. In the three years that I have owned it, I had to replace the coils around 45,000 miles, and the oil pump at 60,000 miles. I just took my passat in for the oil pressure light coming on AGAIN, and found out that it will be $2000 to fix due to oil sludge. This is a VERY common problem occuring in the 2001 Passats. Please ask about this problem before you consider buying one...it is a very expensive problem to fix, and will continue to occur regardless of any repairs. I am trading my car in ASAP. Its a beautiful car, but its not worth all of the problems!!! Very unreliable.

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  Love this car - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Brentkate - March 23 - 1:30 am

  We have owned three Volkswagens and loved all of them. The Passat wagon is fun to drive, great on long trips and comfortable for our family of four day to day, not to mention it looks great. It has been in the shop several for various things such as the brake sensors going out, replacing tie-rod ends and cracked oil pan. It developed the typical oil leaks around 80,000 miles and sometimes we still get a whif of oil smell well after it was repaired. It is great to drive and easy to maintain. Find a mechanic who knows Passats inside and out, they have helped us anticipate several things before they became costly. There have been some issues, but I would by another one tomorrow

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  Best Value In Its Class - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By slax - March 20 - 2:00 am

  I researched cars for months and everything consistantly pointed me back to the Passat. For the money, I dare anyone to try and find a car that gives you more value, safety and performance. This car is essentially an Audi with a VW badge. I drove the V6 model also, but the 1.8T has plenty of pep, better milage and saves you a couple grand to boot.

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  My Passat - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By phista4169 - February 27 - 6:20 am

  This car has everything I have ever wanted except for a moonroof. this car is great, from being able to fit four guys my size in it with no problems and to how quick it is, It may not win any races, but it gets there with plenty of frills including windows that automatically go down and up.