2001 Volkswagen Passat: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 432 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (19% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Mar 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 432 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My fuses keep blowing, this is leading to replacing the Brake switch which I believe was recalled. If it was replaced,it's not working.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2026
“Started smelling gas and mileage started droppi g bad around the end of november. We see that there has been recalls on the gas tank and fuel lines for 01 volkswagen passats but unfortunately not for this VIN # which happens to be my sons car. Now its at the shop because its gas mileage went way down and and smells like gas and he was told that he was driving a bomb basically. It could be around $1000 to fix it. None of us have that kind of $ and hes still has $800 left oweing on it. Help”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2017
“Faulty cam chain tensioner failed and caused severe engine damage to valves, pistons, camshaft, cam timing chain. I was stationary waiting at a red light when I heard a sudden loud grinding noise from inside the engine compartment, the engine began to shake and sputter. The car lost most of its power and I was barely able to make it through the intersection when the light turned green. Upon inspection it was clear to see that the cam chain tensioner had self destructed and caused the engine to fail.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“My car is a 2001 model, and I'd like to know if it has takata airbags in it, even if it isn't covered by the recall. Dealer doesn't know if the airbags are takata or not. Can you give me this information?? I hope so, otherwise I don't know how to find out. Thanks [xxx] *dl information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2017
“As my son got on the highway the transmission felt like it was slipping and jerking to then catch back up to the original speed I was going. When he put his foot on the gas pedal the car would struggle to go, 5 seconds later it would get up to speed but then slow back down. At a stoplight the car would shake roughly and idle really high, then he saw the front of the hood start to smoke and I realized there was a problem.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the transmission would slip and then the vehicle stalled. The engine continued to run, but the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and it was determined that the teeth on the gears of the transmission had fractured and the entire transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000. Updated 8/19/15*cn the consumer stated there was a recall for the same make, model, and year but, the consumer's VIN was not included. Updated 9/30/2015*js”Owner report · Power Train · May 2015
“So I got rear ended at the other party's fault at high speed while I was at a stop sign and they neglected to stop pushing me into an intersection full of traffic...no airbags deployed..and since my heater doesn't work but passenger seat heat burned my 12 year old daughters butt...anyone help? I just want heat for my babies..below zero here :( thank you!! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2014
“I was driving on I-95 at approx. 78 mph when the car suddenly says stop! Brake failure! See volkswagen service. In my research on the issue, I've found this happens on almost all 1998-2001 vw passats and audi a-4s. This needs to be addressed. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2014
“I notice that fuel is leaking from my vw passat 2001's fuel tank. I fill out this complaint in order to seek a help from authorities on these matters and also knowing if my issues can be handled by volkswagen america. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2014
“ABS module is out, can't get emissions passed unless I pay over 600 dollars. Also I don't have ABS, can't see if my check engine light means anything because I'm told it all gets re routed thorough the ABS module and can't get past that problem. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SULFUR IN FUEL INTERACTS WITH CERTAIN ADDITIVES FOUND IN WIDELY AVAILABLE GASOLINE CAUSING SULFUR TO BECOME DEPOSITED ON THE CONTACT POINTS OF THREE FUEL SENDING UNITS MOUNTED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE TO READ FULL WHILE THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT IN FACT BE FULL OR COULD BE EMPTY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE EXISTING FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNITS AND REPLACE THEM WITH FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNITS USING A NEW ALLOY COMPOSED OF GOLD, SILVER, AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF NICKEL, WHICH WILL NOT CHEMICALLY REACT WITH SULFUR. VW/AUDI WILL ALSO CALL BACK VEHICLES THAT WERE REPAIRED UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL LAST JUNE IN ORDER TO INSTALL THE UPDATED FUEL SENDING UNITS NHTSA 00V137/AUDI LB). OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 1, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-866-892-2834.
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A FUEL LINE (1.8T ENGINES ONLY) OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) THAT CAN LEAK DUE TO FRACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS TO COVER THE POSSIBLY DAMAGED AREAS AND FLASH ALL 1.8T ENGINES WITH A PRECAUTIONARY SOFTWARE UPDATE. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT AND ADJUST THE FUEL LINE ROUTING ON 1.8T VEHICLES AND THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE ON 4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES, AND REPLACE COMPONENTS IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
How other years compare
Check your exact Passat by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
NHTSA has 432 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Volkswagen Passat. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Volkswagen Passat problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Volkswagen Passat have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.