1999 Volkswagen Passat Problems and Repair Histories
1999 Volkswagen Passat problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
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Volkswagen Passat
1999 Volkswagen Passats for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 1999 Volkswagen Passat problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For 1999 Volkswagen Passat problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 1999 Volkswagen Passat problems and repair histories that follow it.
Volkswagen Passat Reliability through December 31, 2012
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Trips/Year/100 Cars | Compared to all models for the same year | |
| 1999 | Volkswagen Passat | 17 Passats, 7.4 months of data per Passat, average 144600 miles Small sample size. Join or 17 Passats, 7.4 months of data per Passat, average 144600 miles Small sample size. sign in to view |
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Non-members can see only ten 1999 Volkswagen Passat problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
1999 Volkswagen Passat
Engine not specified
| Volkswagen in Illinois, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2012 | 135000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2012 | 135000 | 535 | Turbo needed to be replaced |
| Volkswagen in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2011 | 140000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2011 | 141000 | 800 | Timing belt replacement |
| Mar | 2012 | 145000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Volkswagen in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2012 | 195000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2012 | 195000 | 1500 | broken control arm |
| Volkswagen in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2010 | 115000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2010 | 117000 | 730 | Bad ignition control module. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Volkswagen in Illinois, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2011 | 160000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2012 | 162000 | 0 | A/C condenser bad and heater fan stuck on. Noxious smoke coming out of vents when defrost was on. Would cost over $2,000 to repair. Sold the car. |
| Volkswagen in Connecticut, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2010 | 162000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2010 | 163000 | 500 | brake sensor computer |
| Nov | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Volkswagen in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2012 | 140000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2012 | 146500 | 260 | Oil cooler pipe leak |
| Mar | 2013 | 149000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Volkswagen in Iowa, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2012 | 139000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2013 | 139000 | 97 | I thought it needed new bearings because of the humming from the front tires, the repair shop rotated the tires and the problem was fixed. While there they changed my oil |
| Volkswagen in District of Columbia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2011 | 196000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2011 | 196000 | 500 | replace throttle body |
| Volkswagen in Georgia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2006 | 140000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2007 | 141000 | 1600 | throttle body and fuel injector failure |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Volkswagen in Minnesota, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2012 | 139000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2012 | 140000 | 75 | Heater vent stuck shut |
| Volkswagen in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2008 | 124000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2008 | 125000 | 1800 | Replaced tie rod ends and other front suspension parts that were causing the front end to feel loose and vibrate on the highway |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
1999 Volkswagen Passat 4-door
turbocharged 4-cylinder manual 2WD
| Volkswagen in Michigan, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2006 | 145000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2006 | 149000 | 170 | ABS sensor broken; problem returned after about 3 weeks Air bag sensor broken; problem returned after about 3 weeks |
| Oct | 2007 | 158000 | 100 | oil pressure sensor broke and was leaking oil. |
| Apr | 2008 | 164000 | 450 | Needed new pads a rotors. |
| Aug | 2008 | 168000 | 940 | Rocker Arm Broke off |
| Dec | 2008 | 169000 | 60 | Part of the exhaust system rusted off. |
| Aug | 2009 | 177000 | 110 | Flex pipe rusted in exhaust. |
| Oct | 2009 | 178000 | 0 | Airbag light on becuase one of the wires in the system for the drivers side airbag read a high level of resistance; lived with until sold car. The ABS sometimes would randomly fire and then turn off for the rest of the trip, bad sensor; lived with until sold car. |
| Volkswagen in Wisconsin, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2006 | 70000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2008 | 89000 | 1200 | Broken CV joint. |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Volkswagen in Washington, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2009 | 124000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2011 | 139500 | 1100 | rear brakes maintenance, in addition to regular maintence @ 140k miles |
| Mar | 2013 | 152000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
1999 Volkswagen Passat 4-door
turbocharged 4-cylinder automatic 2WD
| Volkswagen in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2007 | 155000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2007 | 157000 | 450 | Engine control module failed... stopped firing #2 cylinder. Sometimes no power. The turbocharger is failing. |
| Oct | 2007 | 160000 | 0 | The Turbo-charger had seized and there was an engine misfire problem making it no longer drivable. |
| Volkswagen in Michigan, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 138000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2011 | 140000 | 400 | power steering pump, tie rod end left and control arm left cv shaft left |
| Volkswagen in Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2008 | 129000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2008 | 130000 | 15 | Temp gauge did not work and had to replace the temp sensor with gauge. |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Volkswagen in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2009 | 113460 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2010 | 118080 | 0 | comfort module and wiring, wiring had many issues causing many separate frustrating issues. |
| May | 2010 | 119040 | 0 | Car no longer being driven regularly. Suspension and electrical problems would cost more to fix than the car is worth. |
| Volkswagen in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 117000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2010 | 119000 | 500 | replaced oxygen sensor |
| Mar | 2013 | 154000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
1999 Volkswagen Passat 4-door
6-cylinder manual 2WD
| Volkswagen in Wisconsin, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2009 | 150000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2009 | 151000 | 0 | waterpump(original)replaced,new thermostat(3rd),radiator replaced-starting to leak at seams; new belts @148K no damage to belts New injector seals - gas smell in car @ times, most noticable when stopped or after shutdown. one week after prob #1 (sigh) |
| Jun | 2011 | 157000 | 250 | Battery was dead for > 1 week computer needed to be reset Valve cover gasket, PCV system repaired. Still needs new cat passenger side. |
| Sep | 2012 | 167000 | 225 | Replaced power steering pump (original failed), serpentine belt (WYAIT maitainence) |
| Mar | 2013 | 169000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Volkswagen in Minnesota, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2006 | 78000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2008 | 96000 | 0 | Needed new control arms. Needed new thermostat. Needed new rear window motor. |
| Volkswagen in Alberta, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2007 | 151280 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2007 | 155000 | 3136 | Installed a control arm kit, replaced the passenger's side axle,replaced tie rods and replaced front wheel bearings by an independent shop. |
| Aug | 2007 | 156860 | 0 | Hydraulic tensioner on timing belt failed. Replaced idle pulley tensioner, hydraulic tensioner and timing belt; also replaced water pump, serpentine belt and oil filler cap gasket (maintenance items). |
| Sep | 2007 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Volkswagen in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2009 | 126000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2009 | 126000 | 2400 | Coolant leak Valve cover gasket leaked Hood latch inop Windshield wiper motor intermittent. Needed replacement. Front rotors replaced. Drain plug removed in the accessory section at rear of engine compartment. It would flood and not drain. |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Volkswagen in Arizona, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2011 | 126000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2012 | 132000 | 0 | The latch to the glove box broke about two years ago, and I never repaired it. The air conditioner had not functioned since the end of last summer. Likely a compressor issue. The ABS control unit failed late last year, which is apparently not uncommon in this car. There is an electrical problem that I suspect has been around since Feb 2011 that intermittently drains the battery. I've had two new batteries in the last year. |
| Volkswagen in Florida, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2010 | 189000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2010 | 191000 | 0 | Oil and transmission leaks were fixed by resecurring some loose components. |
| May | 2011 | 195000 | 30 | Acting as though throttle was sticking very intermitently. Same problem caused some difficulty starting the car at times. Mechanic couldn't find specific fault, suggested using fuel injection cleaner frequently. |
| Feb | 2012 | 201500 | 0 | Leaking oil from a seal on the back on the engine. Mechanic tried to seal the leak with silicone sealant. |
| Mar | 2012 | 202000 | 40 | Intermitent difficulty starting when engine was hot, coolant temperature gauge not functioning. Replaced the coolant temperature sensor. |
| Mar | 2013 | 213000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
1999 Volkswagen Passat 4-door
6-cylinder automatic 2WD
| Volkswagen in New Jersey, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2008 | 105000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2012 | 120000 | 300 | Computer problems |
| Aug | 2012 | 121300 | 900 | ABS module replaced |
| Mar | 2013 | 126000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Volkswagen in Nova Scotia, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2010 | 139500 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2010 | 140120 | 88 | Secondary injection pump is very noisy on startup. I can live with this for a while but will soon have to replace it. |
| Nov | 2010 | 148180 | 128 | Temperature gauge was not functioning. Sensor had to be replaced. This repair was successful. Apart from this I had new brakes installed AND they attempted to fix the engine warning light but to no avail. Problem with air pump, part of the environmental air intake. It was emitting a loud shrill sound on engine warm-up. They rebore the screw or containment nuts and bolts but this did not solve the problem. New parts too expensive. |
| Feb | 2011 | 150040 | 430 | ASHR right front axle replaced. Window had frozen shut then when weather warmed up window fell into bottom of door panel. Had to reattach the vice like grips of the window mechanism. |
| Jun | 2011 | 157480 | 120 | Losing engine coolant. Temperature light coming on. Did pressure test of system and found leak, replaced faulty part or bracket. |
| Aug | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Volkswagen in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2007 | 52000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2008 | 59000 | 0 | The car suffered a major mechanical malfunction. An idler pulley stopped turning and the timing belt overheated and shredded itself. This occurred 300 miles from home, so I had no choice but to sell it to a service tech at the dealership. |
| Volkswagen in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2008 | 88000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2008 | 89000 | 600 | AC pressure sensor failed, causing fan to operate constantly and completely drain battery. Had to call AAA for jump start before taking car to dealer. |
| Sep | 2008 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Volkswagen in Connecticut, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2006 | 81000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2006 | 82000 | 0 | Automatic transmission hesitating during upshift and banging into gear during downshift. Automatic transmission replaced under 10yr/100K warranty. Tech found transmission fluid burnt and black. |
| Sep | 2007 | 87000 | 0 | Right and left valve cover gaskets leaking oil. Repaired under 10yr/100k powertrain warranty. |
| Oct | 2007 | 87000 | 0 | Remanufactorered transmission found bad. Ordered another transmission Installed new transmission Right CV Boot wide open, throwing grease, Left CV Boot cracked. Replaced both CV Boots. |
| Jun | 2009 | 99000 | 700 | Felt clunking in front end. Tech found upper left control arm worn. Ordered parts. While diagnosing problem 1, tech found front sway bar bushings worn, not holding sway bar. Ordered parts. Installed new control arm. Installed new sway bar bushings. |
| Dec | 2009 | 101000 | 300 | Engine would turn over but not start. After many attempts, engine started. Drove to mechanic. Found bad ignition switch. Switch replaced. |
| Nov | 2010 | 105000 | 235 | ABS warning light on with audible alarm, brake light/oil pressure light flashing, braking characteristics different. Numerous reports of same problem on VWVortex pointing to Electronic Brake Control Module. Removed module, sent for rebuild. Electronic Brake Control Module was recieved after rebuild and installed. Repair successful! |
| Oct | 2011 | 109300 | 1205 | Engine oil leak. Tech found both valve cover gaskets leaking and camshaft adjuster seals leaking. Ordered parts. Felt ball joint clunking from front suspension. Tech found passenger side upper control arm worn. Ordered parts. Parts installed Parts replaced |
| Jan | 2013 | 114000 | 1550 | Car running cold. Suspected a failed thermostat in open position. Tech confirmed bad thermostat. Replaced thermostat. Front suspension made clunking noise going over bumps. Tech found tie rods worn. Replaced tie rods and did 4 wheel alignment. |
| Mar | 2013 | 115000 | 942 | Oil leaking from PVC breather hose. Tech found breather hose clogged. Replaced 2 PVC breather hoses, PVC suction pump, PVC check valve, PVC gasket and about 9 feet of brittle vacuum lines. On previous visit, tech noticed engine motor mount worn/ leaking hydraulic fluid. Replaced motor mounts. |
| Volkswagen in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2009 | 71000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2009 | 73000 | 330 | Power Steering Hose replace radiator fan Replace motor mounts Rough shifting |
| Mar | 2011 | 86000 | 699 | upper & lower control arm replacement |
| Jun | 2011 | 89000 | 1 | window regulator pin fell out. replaced the pin ($1 part) |
| Volkswagen in Florida, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2010 | 82000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2010 | 86000 | 2650 | Changed front upper arms shocks etc Changed water pump |
| Jul | 2011 | 108000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Volkswagen in Montana, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2011 | 118000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2012 | 121300 | 350 | Front passenger side upper control arm ball joints worn out. |
| Dec | 2012 | 126000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
1999 Volkswagen Passat 4-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| Volkswagen in Brazil | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2010 | 104780 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2011 | 117800 | 1 | One of the suspension upper control arms has broken |
| Jun | 2011 | 122760 | 0 | Lower Suspension Control Arm broke. Same wheel. I've now replaced all eight. |
| Jul | 2012 | 133920 | 0 | One of the Flexible Brake Hose has snapped away |
| Mar | 2013 | 137640 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
1999 Volkswagen Passat 4-door
4-cylinder automatic 2WD
| Volkswagen in Great Britain | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 136000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2011 | 137000 | 286 | replace n/s cv joint replace both stabliser arms |
| Jun | 2011 | 138000 | 207 | severe bang from gearbox on selection of drive, no tiptronic operation |
| Jan | 2012 | 139000 | 0 | replaced both front brake discs Replaced all top and bottom ball joints due to gator rips, replace bottom steering joints, M.O.T. major service |
| Sep | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
Expert 1999 Volkswagen Passat Repair Advice
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