1999 Volkswagen Passat Volkswagen Passat 1999

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1999 Volkswagen Passat repairs by problem area

Engine (42%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (8%)

Brakes and Traction Control (8%)

Suspension and Steering (25%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (11%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (1%)

Other (5%)

Chart based on 120 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 1999 Volkswagen Passat.

1999 Volkswagen Passat repair cost distribution

$2500+ (1%)

$1000 - $2499 (10%)

$500 - $999 (17%)

$100 - $499 (33%)

< $100 (38%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 86 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

1999 Volkswagen Passat

Engine not specified

Volkswagen in Massachusetts, United States
Mar 2012 - Apr 2012
Apr 2012

195000 mi

US $1500
broken control arm 
Volkswagen in California, United States
Jun 2008 - Mar 2010
Jul 2008

125000 mi

US $1800
Replaced tie rod ends and other front suspension parts that were causing the front end to feel loose and vibrate on the highway 
Volkswagen in Illinois, United States
Nov 2011 - Feb 2012
Feb 2012

162000 mi
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 District of Columbia, United States
Nov 2011 - Dec 2011
Dec 2011

196000 mi

US $500
replace throttle body 
Volkswagen in Connecticut, United States
Jul 2010 - Nov 2010
Aug 2010

163000 mi

US $500
brake sensor computer 
Volkswagen in Pennsylvania, United States
Feb 2010 - Jun 2011
Apr 2010

117000 mi

US $730
Bad ignition control module. 
Volkswagen in Illinois, United States
Jul 2012 - Aug 2012
Aug 2012

135000 mi

US $535
Turbo needed to be replaced 
Volkswagen in Texas, United States
Aug 2012 - Sep 2013
Nov 2012

146500 mi

US $260
Oil cooler pipe leak 
Aug 2013

151000 mi

US $1000
Oil leak, replace head gasket replace tie rod end & ball joint replace washer tank 
Volkswagen in Michigan, United States
May 2013 - Oct 2014
Dec 2013

218000 mi

US $130
starter went out 
May 2014

218000 mi

US $300
rear break calipers were locked up and needed to be replaced. 
Volkswagen in Iowa, United States
Dec 2012 - Jan 2013
Jan 2013

139000 mi

US $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 Virginia, United States
Mar 2013 - Apr 2014
Apr 2014

145000 mi
Third gear began grinding and gears would randomly stop physically being able to move into position. Forcing it into gear would make weird sounds, the only way to fix it was to wiggle the shifter around until it finally fit into place. 
Volkswagen in Georgia, United States
Dec 2006 - Mar 2010
Jan 2007

141000 mi

US $1600
throttle body and fuel injector failure 
Volkswagen in Minnesota, United States
Nov 2012 - Dec 2012
Dec 2012

140000 mi

US $75
Heater vent stuck shut 
Volkswagen in Georgia, United States
Nov 2012 - Jan 2015
Nov 2014

69300 mi

US $900
Timing mechanism had to be replaced 

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1999 Volkswagen Passat 4-door

turbocharged 4-cylinder manual 2WD

Volkswagen in Michigan, United States
Oct 2006 - Oct 2009
Nov 2006

149000 mi

US $170
ABS sensor broken; problem returned after about 3 weeks Air bag sensor broken; problem returned after about 3 weeks 
Oct 2007

158000 mi

US $100
oil pressure sensor broke and was leaking oil. 
Aug 2008

168000 mi

US $940
Rocker Arm Broke off 
Dec 2008

169000 mi

US $60
Part of the exhaust system rusted off. 
Aug 2009

177000 mi

US $110
Flex pipe rusted in exhaust. 
Oct 2009

178000 mi
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
Oct 2006 - Mar 2010
Dec 2008

89000 mi

US $1200
Broken CV joint. 
Volkswagen in Washington, United States
Apr 2009 - Jun 2015
Jun 2013

154000 mi

US $500
Had to replace control arms and tie-rod ends, after 150k miles, they just plumb wore out. 
Sep 2013

155000 mi

US $170
clutch + flywheel replaced replaced 9 year old battery. :) 
Apr 2014

158300 mi

US $50
replace failing ignition coils 

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1999 Volkswagen Passat 4-door

turbocharged 4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Volkswagen in Michigan, United States
Jun 2011 - Jul 2011
Jul 2011

140000 mi

US $400
power steering pump, tie rod end left and control arm left cv shaft left 
Volkswagen in Ontario, Canada
Dec 2009 - May 2010
Feb 2010

117480 mi
comfort module and wiring, wiring had many issues causing many separate frustrating issues. 
May 2010

119040 mi
Car no longer being driven regularly. Suspension and electrical problems would cost more to fix than the car is worth. 
Volkswagen in Virginia, United States
Oct 2008 - Mar 2010
Nov 2008

130000 mi

US $15
Temp gauge did not work and had to replace the temp sensor with gauge. 
Volkswagen in Colorado, United States
May 2009 - Jun 2014
Mar 2010

119000 mi

US $500
replaced oxygen sensor 
Volkswagen in Pennsylvania, United States
Jan 2007 - Oct 2007
May 2007

157000 mi

US $450
Engine control module failed... stopped firing #2 cylinder. Sometimes no power. The turbocharger is failing. 
Oct 2007

160000 mi
The Turbo-charger had seized and there was an engine misfire problem making it no longer drivable. 
Volkswagen in California, United States
Dec 2006 - Mar 2010
May 2007

120000 mi

US $140
Mass Air Flow Sensor failure. 

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1999 Volkswagen Passat 4-door

6-cylinder manual 2WD

Volkswagen in Wisconsin, United States
Nov 2009 - May 2015
Dec 2009

151000 mi
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 mi

US $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 mi

US $225
Replaced power steering pump (original failed), serpentine belt (WYAIT maitainence) 
Oct 2013

173300 mi

US $35
Needed a new relay under the dash. 
May 2015

179000 mi
seized rotor 
Volkswagen in Alberta, Canada
Mar 2007 - Sep 2007
May 2007

155000 mi

C $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 mi
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). 
Volkswagen in Pennsylvania, United States
Aug 2009 - Mar 2010
Sep 2009

126000 mi

US $2400
Coolant leak Valve cover gasket leaked Hood latch inop Windshield wiper motor intermittent. Needed replacement. Drain plug removed in the accessory section at rear of engine compartment. It would flood and not drain.  
Volkswagen in Arizona, United States
May 2011 - Jan 2012
Jan 2012 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 Minnesota, United States
Nov 2006 - Dec 2008
Dec 2008

96000 mi
Needed new control arms. Needed new thermostat. Needed new rear window motor. 
Volkswagen in Florida, United States
Sep 2010 - Jul 2014
Oct 2010

191000 mi
Oil and transmission leaks were fixed by resecurring some loose components. 
May 2011

194100 mi

US $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

201800 mi
Leaking oil from a seal on the back on the engine. Mechanic tried to seal the leak with silicone sealant. 
Mar 2012

202000 mi

US $40
Intermitent difficulty starting when engine was hot, coolant temperature gauge not functioning. Replaced the coolant temperature sensor. 
May 2013

214000 mi
Secondary air injection pump has failed along with air injection hose. Not uncommon. This problem doesn't hinder the normal functioning of the car. It just causes some annoying noise for 90 seconds after a cold start. 
Nov 2013

219400 mi
Whining noise, was not isolated but suspect power steering pump. No repair was attempted for now. 
Feb 2014

221400 mi

US $250
The whining noise reported earlier turned out to be a belt pulley and tensioner. The part was replaced on this trip. 

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1999 Volkswagen Passat 4-door

6-cylinder automatic 2WD

Volkswagen in Connecticut, United States
Oct 2006 - Jun 2018
Dec 2006

82000 mi
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 mi
Right and left valve cover gaskets leaking oil. Repaired under 10yr/100k powertrain warranty. 
Oct 2007

87000 mi
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 mi

US $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 mi

US $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 mi

US $118
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

109200 mi

US $600
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 mi

US $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 mi

US $541
Oil leaking from PCV breather hose. Tech found breather hose clogged. Replaced 2 PCV breather hoses, PCV suction pump, PCV check valve, PCV gasket and about 9 feet of brittle vacuum lines. On previous visit, tech noticed engine motor mount worn/ leaking hydraulic fluid. Replaced motor mounts. 
Aug 2013

117000 mi
Clunking noise in front end when going over bumps. Tech took car for test ride, didn't hear the noise. Customer took ride with service writer, service writer heard the noise. Tech inspected front end and couldn't find cause. 
Apr 2014

119000 mi

US $1574
Left and right cam plugs leaking oil. Replaced cam plugs.  Also replaced orig front and rear shocks/struts and strut mounts. 
Volkswagen in California, United States
Mar 2008 - Sep 2008
Apr 2008

89000 mi

US $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. 
Volkswagen in California, United States
Dec 2007 - Dec 2008
Dec 2008

59000 mi
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 Montana, United States
Sep 2011 - Jun 2018
Jan 2012

US $350
Front passenger side upper control arm ball joints worn out. 
Volkswagen in Nova Scotia, Canada
Mar 2010 - Aug 2011
Apr 2010

140120 mi

C $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 mi

C $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 mi

C $120
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 mi

C $120
Losing engine coolant. Temperature light coming on. Did pressure test of system and found leak, replaced faulty part or bracket.  
Volkswagen in New York, United States
Sep 2009 - Jun 2011
Dec 2009

73000 mi

US $330
Power Steering Hose replace radiator fan Replace motor mounts Rough shifting 
Jun 2011

89000 mi

US $1
window regulator pin fell out. replaced the pin ($1 part) 
Volkswagen in Florida, United States
Jul 2010 - Jul 2011
Aug 2010

86000 mi

US $950
Changed front upper arms shocks etc Changed water pump 
Volkswagen in New Jersey, United States
Nov 2008 - Apr 2021
Jun 2012

120000 mi

US $300
Computer problems 
Aug 2012

121400 mi

US $900
ABS module replaced 

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1999 Volkswagen Passat 4-door

4-cylinder manual 2WD

Volkswagen in Brazil
Jun 2010 - Jun 2018
Jan 2011

117800 mi

$1
One of the suspension upper control arms has broken 
Jun 2011

122760 mi
Lower Suspension Control Arm broke. Same wheel. I've now replaced all eight. 
Jul 2012

133920 mi
One of the Flexible Brake Hose has snapped away 
Jul 2013

139480 mi

$100
Replaced front and rear shocks 
May 2018

192200 mi

$200
Control Arm replacements 

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1999 Volkswagen Passat 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Volkswagen in Great Britain
Feb 2011 - Sep 2012
May 2011

137000 mi

£286
replace n/s cv joint replace both stabliser arms 
Jun 2011

138000 mi

£207
severe bang from gearbox on selection of drive, no tiptronic operation 
Jan 2012 Replaced all top and bottom ball joints due to gator rips, replace bottom steering joints, M.O.T. major service 

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1999 Volkswagen Passat Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 1999 Volkswagen Passat problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.