Model year record

2001 Volkswagen Passat

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 559 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V156000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected: 412,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2008-04-07
Owners notified: 2008-06-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V026000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected: 487,284
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-01-25
Owners notified: 2003-06-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V157000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected: 70,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-05-03
Owners notified: 2001-05-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine	32	56,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	31	70,000 mi
Electrical system	30	51,323 mi
Electrical system: ignition	20	18,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	20	36,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	16	106,000 mi
Air bags	13	55,256 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	13	37,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	12	131,356 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	12	70,000 mi
Structure	12	65,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	12	19,000 mi
Exterior lighting	10	90,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm	10	52,020 mi
Service brakes	9	126,000 mi
Visibility: windshield	9	—
Air bags: frontal	8	53,650 mi
Structure: body	8	64,445 mi
Unknown or other	8	12,700 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	7	21,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	7	59,100 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module	6	21,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	6	68,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	6	76,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	6	34,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	6	59,100 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery	6	62,004 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system	6	24,516 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	6	90,000 mi
Power train	6	26,000 mi
Tires	6	14,900 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	6	54,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core	6	62,800 mi
Electrical system: wiring	5	17,000 mi
Engine	5	160,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	5	45,658 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	5	14,900 mi
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint	5	40,000 mi
Suspension: front	5	35,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm	5	52,020 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	5	52,020 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	4	6,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	4	30,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit	4	39,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	4	40,000 mi
Service brakes, electric	4	115,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	4	58,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light	4	81,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	4	26,788 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	4	44,779 mi
Air bags: side/window	3	54,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger	3	72,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	3	72,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch	3	90,135 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock	3	57,982 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler	3	115,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	3	25,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion	3	32,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs	3	5,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	2	58,500 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers	2	45,658 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan	2	20,000 mi
Equipment	2	5,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: unit	2	39,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	2	40,000 mi
Fuel system, other	2	36,000 mi
Interior lighting	2	38,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly	2	30,000 mi
Seat belts	2	81,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor	2	26,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner	2	—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	2	11,472 mi
Structure: body: door	2	—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	2	—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint	2	40,000 mi
Visibility	2	53,287 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	2	70,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	2	5,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module	1	103,400 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	1	—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	17,000 mi
Electrical system: horn	1	—
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module	1	—
Electrical system: starter assembly	1	—
Electronic stability control (ESC)	1	60,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	1	99,387 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: other fuel types: turbo/supercharger	1	57,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)	1	6,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility	1	80,000 mi
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer	1	30,276 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights	1	5,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices	1	60,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch	1	82,095 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights	1	5,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal	1	—
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	—
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system	1	16,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly	1	69,800 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	1	57,982 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)	1	21,300 mi
Seats	1	46,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust	1	—
Service brakes, air	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper	1	25,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	57,300 mi
Steering	1	153,340 mi
Steering: column	1	13,000 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)	1	—
Structure: frame and members	1	95,000 mi
Suspension: front: hub	1	—
Suspension: rear	1	120,000 mi
Tires: sidewall	1	60,000 mi
Traction control system	1	160,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	1	28,980 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices	1	—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior	1	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor	1	—

The 2000 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.