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2001 Volkswagen PassatProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 430 owner complaints about the 2001 Volkswagen Passat, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2001 Volkswagen Passat
27
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.6× the Passat median · #9 of 33 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints43039 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage62kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 18, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Volkswagen Passat has problems

430 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling924
Electrical system738
Service brakes, hydraulic480
Power train340
Visibility315
Exterior lighting300
Fuel system, gasoline281
Air bags2611
Suspension250
18 other systems12512

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2001 Volkswagen Passat recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery

Recall 08V-156 · Apr 7, 2008 · 412,000 vehicles

Risk. A HEAT SHIELD THAT MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Storage: tank assembly

Recall 01V-157 · May 3, 2001 · 70,000 vehicles

Risk. RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT FUEL IN THE TANK LEAD TO SAFETY PROBLEMS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

62kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 67 engine and engine cooling complaints. 84% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
9under 30k miles56under 100k miles11100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Engine and engine cooling

19 owners mentioned a cost

$2,000median

Middle half: $1,022 – $4,600

Service brakes, hydraulic

16 owners mentioned a cost

$1,000median

Middle half: $969 – $1,388

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other Passat year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Passat median. How we score

'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2001 Volkswagen Passat safety ratings

2001 Volkswagen Passat 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2001 Volkswagen Passat frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2001 Volkswagen Passat, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE STALLINGDP05004 · closed Dec 8, 2005
    No recall
  2. PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILUREEA03020 · closed Apr 23, 2004
    No recall
  3. PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA07014 · closed Jul 7, 2008
    Led to recall 08V-156
  4. Engine Compartment FireEA11002 · closed Feb 17, 2012
    No recall
  5. PASSENGER SIR DOOR MOUNTING STUD FAILUREPE03021 · closed Oct 7, 2003
    No recall
  6. PASSENGER/ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE07024 · closed Sep 28, 2007
    No recall
  7. FUEL TANK LEAKPE08008 · closed May 30, 2008
    Led to recall 08V-156
In owners' words

What Passat owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

MY CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING COOLANT. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEATER CORE WAS BAD. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE INSIDE COMPUTER ALREADY AND PROBABLY ALL THE CARPET SINCE THE WATER HAS BEEN LEAKING INTO THE CAR. I SUFFER FROM ASTHMA AND CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THIS CAR SINCE IT SMELLS LIKE…
Complaint 10500670 · Feb 27, 2013 · 155,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT, CAUSING SMOKE TO BE RELEASED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT ANTIFREEZE LEAKED ONTO THE ELECTRICAL WIRES. THE DEALER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF…
Complaint 10444616 · Jan 20, 2012 · 127,980 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND AVAILABLE. NEITHER…
Complaint 10440596 · Dec 20, 2011 · 70,000 miles

Own a 2001 Passat?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.