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 1 through 10 of 207.00-
FUN TO DRIVE BUT? - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
By LAY LOW BAT - December 9 - 2:00 amGREAT CAR KIND OF EXPENSIVE WHEN YOU ADD OPTIONS. WAS NOT AWARE ABOUT IGNITION COIL PROBLEM. AFTER 19 MONTHS 1 COIL WENT OUT THEN 3 MONTHS LATER 1 MORE WENT OUT. TWO LEFT TO REPLACE WONT REPLACE UNTIL IT GOES OUT. THEY WILL REPLACE IT. ANY VW OWNERS WITH SAME PROBLEM?
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This is a disappoinment - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
By ken - November 21 - 7:56 amI bought this vehicle as new. Great style, works fine in two years until last year when suddenly the oil light came on 4000 miles after last oil change, took to the dealership and they told me the engine is burning oil in 1 qt. per 1000 mile, which I suspect even higher, the warranty forfeited because I didnt keep all the oil change record. the maintenance is fairly expensive overall, I took the car to the same dealership recently for battery change and it cost $400. I already regret buying it and am telling my friends not to buy it.
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German engine-rng, Grt Dsgn, Headturner - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
By xandre - November 11 - 10:00 amI traded Audi A4 for a Passat. Other than losing the name-plate and sportier handling (esp. stability at high speeds and on curvy roads) that Audi A4 offers, Im very satisfied with my Vee-Dub. ItÂ’s reliable, and built like the upscale luxury sedans. Materials quality is great. I got rear- ended once but the bumper bounced back out leaving no scratch. But the panel and other stuff inside the trunk were slightly damaged. I replaced everything anyway (including the bumper) since insurance paid. When I decide to change, IÂ’ll most probably go for another Passat with more HP. I havenÂ’t tried 4Motion yet, may be I should.
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Caution Germans dont do Electronics - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
By Gene - November 5 - 10:46 amOver $6000 in repairs, thank goodness I bought an extended warranty. Mostly electronic, including power seat, heated seat, heated seat control, dash instruments, check engine light, climate control temp electronics, cv boots, leaking camshaft seal. Would buy again if it came with a 100K warranty, otherwise forget it. Really a shame because it looks good, rides good, handles good, has plenty of power.
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Electrical Problems - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
By Troy Gilbert - September 30 - 10:00 amI based this car based on a recommendation and the lack of competition. Within 40,000 miles I have had to ake this car back numerous times for electrical problems. I have gone through three sets of headlights and three electrical clusters (Not sure of technical term). This cluster controls all interior lights within the car. Fortunatley I bought the extended warranty or I would have been in trouble by now. Each time I have had this cluster replaced it has managed to go faulty again within a year. To date we have spent almost $4,000 in maintenance related issues on this car.
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Some bad things some good things - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
By Not Too Happy - September 15 - 2:00 amOk, it has been a good car but there have been some problems. First, in the last three months we have heard a rattling sound in the car....Over head cam tensioner needs replacing...., the running day lights have gone out twice...cheap bulbs burn out. The turning lights switch burnt out...needed replacing. Overall a good vehicle but beware it does not get mileage in stop and go. I live in NYC and my city mileage is like 170 miles on a full tank (12 gals). Better for surburban or rural open roads type atmosphere. Would probably have bought an SUV...
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Awesome - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
By carole1003 - September 9 - 10:00 amI love my VW Passat. When I was shopping for a vehicle, I originally thought that I wanted a Honda Accord. However, when I visited Edmunds.com and read the reviews for the Honda, it said to also check out the VW Passat. Im glad I did! I read its review and then test drove it! Ive never been happier. It rides smooth and I havent had any problems. Also, it comes with a lot of standard safety features that are not standard on an Accord, like the side curtain airbags. Im really impressed with this car! The only drawback is that it is a little more expensive for servicing than an Accord.
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A Great Station Wagon - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
By szakal - September 4 - 10:00 amThe moon roof is so loud when open that we could not enjoy the ride with it at all. So I went out to buy the wind deflector for it. It does a great job, but then, when the window is closed it generates a lot of extra noise. I still dont know if I liked with or without it better.
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Huge Repair Bills - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
By Frustrated - September 1 - 8:26 pmThis car was fine until at 36,000 miles I had to spend $1,000 on the front end. It now has 58,000 miles on it, and I have spent over $7,000 in repairs in the past 2 years. I am a safe and careful driver, and have done proper maintenance. The front end just keeps falling apart. The CV joints, CV boots, axles, tie rods, and control arms all had to be replaced on both sides. It has had oil leaks and brake problems too. I am extremely disappointed. I wanted to drive this car for 12 years, not five.
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Fun when it runs - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
By JoeMaMa - August 9 - 1:20 amBought new fall 2000 first problems right away. Coil problems and only 3 months old! Multiple trips to dealer before it was fixed. Over the next 4 years only a few trips to dealer for electrical related problems. Most trips were in the $400.00 range each time. Spring of 06 500 miles from home motor burns up due to oil sludge problem. After being required to produce all receipts for oil changes VW replaces motor and turbo. Its a miracle a trip to dealer that I didnt have to pay for. Except for van rental, crying kids and hotel. All this with only 54K on odometer. 6 trips to dealer since, more electrical problems. Its fun when it runs. (zoom zoom?)
