VW Passat - Problems Alert!

ssjr0498 · 17th December 2008, 11:12

I am not sure what has happened to the VW Passat in India. When I was in the US I had a Passat W8 for over 3 yrs. It was built like a tank. The only thing that I had to change is the heater, whose coil got burnt and luckily I was under warranty so no issues there also.

Never thought a VW will give so many problems.

Cheers
Shrey

sridhga · 17th December 2008, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by CtrlAltDel

...and people complain about the robust Tata cars...

Hey, I love Tata cars, man! They are simple in technology without many complications. They have strong bodies and good suspensions. Many Indicas and Indigos I know have put in more than 150,000km. and are still going strong. And the company has just about 10 years in car making experience.

ACM · 17th December 2008, 21:03

Agree with GTO totally.

Maybe the quality on Passats will improve with time as with the Laura but what about first year buyers?

Own a Laura that has been through Warranty replacements for Turbo, ?Intercooler, DSG Auto Gearshift top portion, Horn, Total CD Changer System etc. Parts worth more than Rs. 2.5L

Plus have after warranty got over
Actually Paid for AC Compressor and AC Fan Replacement - 70K odd.

Car is still only at 50,000 kms. It is a dream to drive, but one is always looking over the shoulder when ever one hears a change in noise/sound (Even if it is from the music system/FM)

Since this share a lot of parts with the Jetta (entire engine, transmission and all electricals) and also with the Passat, can understand the Passats being unreliable.

The Laura has just started offereing a 3 year warranty (was 2 years non extendable when mine was bought) but this is limited to 50,000 kms, so one can guess..

Yes the new compressor that was replaced (paid for) in place of the earlier one has a different design so they seem to be improving on things but who knows if it is significant enough.

FlyingSpur · 17th December 2008, 22:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACM

Maybe the quality on Passats will improve with time as with the Laura but what about first year buyers?

Quality and reliability of the Laura has hardly improved since it's launch. The cars are still plagued with reliability issues.

GS-R · 18th December 2008, 07:36

It is note quite surprising that the VW Passat has issues. If you look at the CR reports or any reliability rankings (US) for VW..they rank lower than most of the american manufacturers.
No wonder they cannot compete against the Hondas and Toyotas in terms of quality and reliability. They are better driver cars than the Japanese counterparts and appear to be more upscale (interiors)..but then I am sure a person who spending around 25L would be sorely disappointed by the number of issues they would face with a VeeDub.

Elito11 · 24th December 2008, 23:44

The passat now has a common rail engine!

More here - > :: AUTOCAR INDIA - CAR AND BIKE MAGAZINE ::

So does the new engine have better reliability vis a vis the outgoing one??

Elito

@Mods - If needed please create a new thread for this topic.

GTO - Touring · 25th December 2008, 13:27

So I hear! A step in the right direction....we can expect more power and lesser noise. However, it still isn't a solution for the gearbox & electrical problems that plague the Passat.

P.S. Hopefully, the annoying turbolag of the current Passat is a thing of the past too!

Vid6639 · 25th December 2008, 13:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO - Touring

So I hear! A step in the right direction....we can expect more power and lesser noise. However, it still isn't a solution for the gearbox & electrical problems that plague the Passat.

I doubt much more power since the CRDi makes the exact same 140bhp as the PD.

GTO - Touring · 25th December 2008, 13:53

They run the same engine in a 170ish BHP / 350 NM of torque tune too. Hopefully they launch that spec.

CBlazer · 25th December 2008, 14:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO - Touring

So I hear! A step in the right direction....

It sure is. But what were they thinking when they launched the Jetta a few months ago with the PD engine?

ImmortalZ · 25th December 2008, 14:56

If they don't, Pete's is just a phone call away!

palioman · 18th May 2009, 14:50

I always used to consider Japanese cars as tinpots with very refined and high strung engines..I used to favour the Europeans for build, ride and looks, however now I feel that a majority of the so called premium Euros are not worth the expense, brand or no brand. The worst of the pack seems to be the Volkswagen group, Audi seems to be the worst in the VAG group with Skoda leading. Audi's in USA are owner irritants, I know of quite a few, including my cousin. The gremlins include the vaunted DSG gearbox,electricals,cabin rattles !
Honda and Toyota lead in reliability, with Toyotas having better build and low end torque, while Honda betters in looks.
Another convert to Japan ? Perhaps...

tifosimagic · 18th May 2009, 15:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by palioman

I always used to consider Japanese cars as tinpots with very refined and high strung engines..I used to favour the Europeans for build, ride and looks, however now I feel that a majority of the so called premium Euros are not worth the expense, brand or no brand. The worst of the pack seems to be the Volkswagen group, Audi seems to be the worst in the VAG group with Skoda leading. Audi's in USA are owner irritants, I know of quite a few, including my cousin. The gremlins include the vaunted DSG gearbox,electricals,cabin rattles !
Honda and Toyota lead in reliability, with Toyotas having better build and low end torque, while Honda betters in looks.
Another convert to Japan ? Perhaps...

Exactly. Everytime I watch a Top Gear review, I get excited by VWs and Audis... And many car reviewers trash the Japanese brands for being soulless and dull, but soul or no soul, I would prefer a car where things don't keep breaking.

Nonetheless, I'm curious to see if the new generation Polo and Golf (and subsquent derived cars), will have solved the reliablity issues that have plagued their predecessors. Until then, I will be wary of the brand...

TRAUMASURG · 18th May 2009, 23:52

VW passat model 2008 has been on recall list here in US.Peoblem is ECU faulty causeing unintended rpm raise may lead to accident.There are few other problems most notably is can't start.The car just crank but is does not start .problem is ignition module/faulty steering column

goacom · 19th May 2009, 08:26

Really? This is news to me. I have a 2008 Passat here in the US and have not received any such notice. Can you provide some evidence for your claims?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRAUMASURG

VW passat model 2008 has been on recall list here in US.Peoblem is ECU faulty causeing unintended rpm raise may lead to accident.There are few other problems most notably is can't start.The car just crank but is does not start .problem is ignition module/faulty steering column

17th December 2008, 11:12	#61
ssjr0498 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Blr-Ccu Posts: 860 Thanked: 516 Times View My Garage	I am not sure what has happened to the VW Passat in India. When I was in the US I had a Passat W8 for over 3 yrs. It was built like a tank. The only thing that I had to change is the heater, whose coil got burnt and luckily I was under warranty so no issues there also. Never thought a VW will give so many problems. Cheers Shrey
	() Thanks

17th December 2008, 21:03	#63
ACM Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,745 Thanked: 4,361 Times View My Garage	Agree with GTO Agree with GTO totally. Maybe the quality on Passats will improve with time as with the Laura but what about first year buyers? Own a Laura that has been through Warranty replacements for Turbo, ?Intercooler, DSG Auto Gearshift top portion, Horn, Total CD Changer System etc. Parts worth more than Rs. 2.5L Plus have after warranty got over Actually Paid for AC Compressor and AC Fan Replacement - 70K odd. Car is still only at 50,000 kms. It is a dream to drive, but one is always looking over the shoulder when ever one hears a change in noise/sound (Even if it is from the music system/FM) Since this share a lot of parts with the Jetta (entire engine, transmission and all electricals) and also with the Passat, can understand the Passats being unreliable. The Laura has just started offereing a 3 year warranty (was 2 years non extendable when mine was bought) but this is limited to 50,000 kms, so one can guess.. Yes the new compressor that was replaced (paid for) in place of the earlier one has a different design so they seem to be improving on things but who knows if it is significant enough.
	() Thanks

18th December 2008, 07:36	#65
GS-R BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: San Francisco/N Posts: 50 Thanked: 27 Times	Not surprising.. It is note quite surprising that the VW Passat has issues. If you look at the CR reports or any reliability rankings (US) for VW..they rank lower than most of the american manufacturers. No wonder they cannot compete against the Hondas and Toyotas in terms of quality and reliability. They are better driver cars than the Japanese counterparts and appear to be more upscale (interiors)..but then I am sure a person who spending around 25L would be sorely disappointed by the number of issues they would face with a VeeDub.
	() Thanks

24th December 2008, 23:44	#66
Elito11 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Delhi Posts: 509 Thanked: 107 Times	Comman rail IN Pump duese OUT! The passat now has a common rail engine! More here - > :: AUTOCAR INDIA - CAR AND BIKE MAGAZINE :: So does the new engine have better reliability vis a vis the outgoing one?? Elito @Mods - If needed please create a new thread for this topic. Last edited by Elito11 : 24th December 2008 at 23:46.
	() Thanks

25th December 2008, 13:27	#67
GTO - Touring BHPian Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 710 Thanked: 54 Times	So I hear! A step in the right direction....we can expect more power and lesser noise. However, it still isn't a solution for the gearbox & electrical problems that plague the Passat. P.S. Hopefully, the annoying turbolag of the current Passat is a thing of the past too! Last edited by GTO : 26th December 2008 at 09:11.
	() Thanks

25th December 2008, 13:53	#69
GTO - Touring BHPian Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 710 Thanked: 54 Times	They run the same engine in a 170ish BHP / 350 NM of torque tune too. Hopefully they launch that spec.
	() Thanks

25th December 2008, 14:56	#71
ImmortalZ Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 2,179 Thanked: 488 Times View My Garage	If they don't, Pete's is just a phone call away!
	() Thanks

18th May 2009, 14:50	#72
palioman BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dubai Posts: 53 Thanked: 2 Times	I always used to consider Japanese cars as tinpots with very refined and high strung engines..I used to favour the Europeans for build, ride and looks, however now I feel that a majority of the so called premium Euros are not worth the expense, brand or no brand. The worst of the pack seems to be the Volkswagen group, Audi seems to be the worst in the VAG group with Skoda leading. Audi's in USA are owner irritants, I know of quite a few, including my cousin. The gremlins include the vaunted DSG gearbox,electricals,cabin rattles ! Honda and Toyota lead in reliability, with Toyotas having better build and low end torque, while Honda betters in looks. Another convert to Japan ? Perhaps...
	() Thanks

18th May 2009, 23:52	#74
TRAUMASURG BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MASSENA, NY. Posts: 87 Thanked: 32 Times View My Garage	VW passat model 2008 has been on recall list here in US.Peoblem is ECU faulty causeing unintended rpm raise may lead to accident.There are few other problems most notably is can't start.The car just crank but is does not start .problem is ignition module/faulty steering column
	() Thanks