MYRModel Year Report

2001 Volkswagen Passat

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2001 Volkswagen Passat
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
430
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2001

Investigations
7

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

22% of complaints

Complaints per year

1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2001 430 2002: 636 complaints 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1996 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2001 430 2002: 636 complaints 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1996 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2001 430 2002: 636 complaints 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022

2001: 430 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19880
19890
199034
199124
199240
199368
199425
199594
1996142
199770
1998331
1999664
2000507
2001430
2002636
2003629
2004279
2005148
2006576
2007262
2008168
2009146
2010163
201116
2012484
2013748
2014594
2015243
2016106
2017110
201846
201912
202018
202118
202213

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

22% · 95 reports

Most commonly citing engine and catalytic convertor.

FIRE

Electrical system

19% · 83 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and front underhood.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle caught on fire because of electrical system in engine. No prior warnings . Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-04-09

Service brakes

16% · 69 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

Show complaint excerpts

My fuses keep blowing, this is leading to replacing the Brake switch which I believe was recalled. If it was replaced,it's not working.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-06-18

ABS light on and break light flashing

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-08-15

Exterior lighting

9% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and flasher unit.

Power train

8% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and constant velocity joint.

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 7 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2001Complaint volume 430 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2001-05-01Fuel system, gasoline01V157000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2003-05-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-10-07 Passenger sir door mounting stud failure
  4. R
    2003-06-13Fuel system, gasoline02V026000 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.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2003-10-07Engineering analysisClosed 2004-04-23 Passenger air bag lid failure
  6. I
    2005-08-11Defect petitionClosed 2005-12-08 Engine stalling
  7. I
    2007-05-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2007-09-28 Passenger/engine compartment fires
  8. I
    2007-09-28Engineering analysisClosed 2008-07-07 Passenger engine compartment fires
  9. I
    2008-01-31Preliminary evaluationClosed 2008-05-30 Fuel tank leak
  10. R
    2008-06-13Fuel system, gasoline08V156000 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…

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    2011-01-26Engineering analysisClosed 2012-02-17 Engine Compartment Fire
  12. R
    2014-05-01Engine and engine cooling14E007000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2001 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 95 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 83 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 69 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 01V157000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 02V026000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 08V156000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 14E007000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2001 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Volkswagen Passat is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Volkswagen Passat?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2001 Volkswagen Passat have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.