2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
557
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
9
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
The 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has received a total of 557 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP. 9 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingengine (32 complaints), Engine And Engine Cooling (31 complaints), and Electrical System (30 complaints).
Recalls for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, potentially affecting up to 969,334 vehicles.
Recall 14E007000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
| 50 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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.
View full details →Recall 08V156000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
| 412,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: A HEAT SHIELD THAT MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. IN ADDITION, A FUEL LEAK FROM A FUEL LINE OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
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...
View full details →Recall 02V026000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
| 487,284 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
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....
View full details →Recall 01V157000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 70,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT FUEL IN THE TANK LEAD TO SAFETY PROBLEMS.
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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
557 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The driver's side airbag of my 2001 VW Passat spontaneously deployed while I drove on Hwy 494 in Woodbury MN. Sometime within 24 hours before the airbag deployed, the airbag fault light turned on in the car's dashboard display. Within 15 minutes before the incident, the car's automatic locking locks unlocked twice while I was driving the car. After the second time, I tried to lock the car doors by pressing the lock button on the driver's door console but the doors would not locked. At that time I noticed that the two interior lights in the back seat area were turned on. All the doors of the car were properly shut. When the airbags deployed I was driving on the smooth 1 year old concrete section of Hwy 494. I did not hit anything on the highway. After the deployment, I parked on the shoulder, shut off the engine and opened the passenger door to air out the car. After about 5 minutes, I got back in the car and drove home. The automatic locks worked again. The interior lights automatically turned off. The drive home was uneventful.
TOOK CAR TO VW DEALER TO HAVE TIMING BELT REPLACED AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL OPEN RECALLS AND THEY OFFERED TO TAKE CARE OF THEM FREE OF CHARGE. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO PERFORM RECALL #08V156. MANUFACTURER #26E5. THEY INSTALLED THE HEAT SHIELD BUT COULD NOT PERFORM SOFTWARE UPGRADE. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES IN THE MAIL. NOW VW WANTS TO BUY THE CAR BACK BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIX IT. IT'S A 2001 VW PASSAT WITH 25K MILES IN SHOWROOM SHAPE. WAS NEVER DRIVEN IN SNOW AND GARAGED IT'S ENTIRE LIFE. THEY OFFERED ME $1500 OUT OF WHICH I OWE $1300 FOR THE TIMING BELT. THEY SAID IT MAY NEED A ECU BUT THEY ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM VW BUT REFUSE TO INSTALL A USED ONE. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE VW DEALER SINCE 12/28/2020. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT RECALLS NEVER EXPIRE.
TOOK CAR TO VW DEALER TO HAVE TIMING BELT REPLACED AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL OPEN RECALLS AND THEY OFFERED TO TAKE CARE OF THEM FREE OF CHARGE. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO PERFORM RECALL #08V156. MANUFACTURER #26E5. THEY INSTALLED THE HEAT SHIELD BUT COULD NOT PERFORM SOFTWARE UPGRADE. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES IN THE MAIL. NOW VW WANTS TO BUY THE CAR BACK BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIX IT. IT'S A 2001 VW PASSAT WITH 25K MILES IN SHOWROOM SHAPE. WAS NEVER DRIVEN IN SNOW AND GARAGED IT'S ENTIRE LIFE. THEY OFFERED ME $1500 OUT OF WHICH I OWE $1300 FOR THE TIMING BELT. THEY SAID IT MAY NEED A ECU BUT THEY ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM VW BUT REFUSE TO INSTALL A USED ONE. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE VW DEALER SINCE 12/28/2020. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT RECALLS NEVER EXPIRE.
ABS LIGHT ON AND BREAK LIGHT FLASHING
ABS LIGHT ON AND BREAK LIGHT FLASHING
Safety Rating for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 9 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
TT001703 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Tip for Scan tool concerns that may occur duing a test plan
V551613_2039446 — STRUCTURE:BODY
TO UPDATE MODEL TABLE TO CLARIFY JETTA WAGON APPLICABILITY TO TB CONTENT.
2038981 — WHEELS
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
TT 45-06-54 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Tech Tips (Bosch 5.3 ABS Control Module ? ABS Coding Tables): This document informs To code a Bosch 5.3 ABS control module, use Vehicle Self-diagnosis to enter the correct coding value from the tables in this document.
TT871005 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
Air Conditioning Does not Operate
TB-07-09-06 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VOLKSWAGEN: ENGINE OIL PRESSURE TOO LOW, LIGHT IS ON, ENGINE FLUSH. THE LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE CONDITION MAY BE CAUSED BY A RESTRICTION OF THE OIL PUMP SUCTION LINE STRAINER. *PE
P-9-99C8 — STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
VOLKSWAGEN: SERVICE AIR PLENUM AREA TO IMPROVE DRAINAGE AND INSTALL IMPROVED POLLEN FILTER SEAL. *PE
P-9-99C8 — STRUCTURE
VOLKSWAGEN: SERVICE AIR PLENUM AREA TO IMPROVE DRAINAGE AND INSTALL IMPROVED POLLEN FILTER SEAL. *PE
0101 — STRUCTURE:BODY
CONCERNS WITH NOISE FROM HEADLINER COMING FROM FRONT OF SUNROOF AREA ON VEHICLES UP TO VIN 3B_1P284196. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT.
Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
- 1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 48 complaints
- 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 57 complaints
- 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 476 complaints
- 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 854 complaints
- 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 625 complaints
- 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (current)
- 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 772 complaints
- 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 816 complaints
- 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 348 complaints
- 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 172 complaints
- 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 779 complaints
Other VOLKSWAGEN Models
- VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 13,715 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 3,613 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN — 3,104 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS — 2,635 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 1,991 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 1,916 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 — 1,568 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN CC — 1,356 total complaints