Here Are The Volkswagen Passat Years To Avoid
There is no better example of a classic family car than the Volkswagen Passat. This mid-sized vehicle is one of the most popular options on the market, equipped with plenty of room for everyone inside. The machine has been around since the 80s, so there are plenty of used options on the market. There are good ones and some Volkswagen Passat years to avoid.
If you are looking into a Volkswagen Passat, it’s vital to know the Volkswagen Passat years to avoid. Some of them are better than others. CoPilot can help you decide the ideal choice for your investment and determine the Volkswagen Passat years to avoid. We will help you locate your next vehicle the right way.
Quick Answer - Avoid Volkswagen Passat Year Models 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015
The Volkswagen Passat has been in production since 1981. Out of those, there are some incredible years. However, some are less than ideal. We recommend staying away from the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 models. They may require pricey fixes from the user.
The faults for the Volkswagen Passat lie in the engine, electrical, and fuel system. Understand which Volkswagen Passat years to avoid making every driving experience affordable. The fewer the issues, the more money in your pocket for more important struggles in life.
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Which Models of the Volkswagen Passat Are Safe to Buy Used?
Many Volkswagen Passat options are safe to buy used. You can buy a car built before 1992 - however, note that the vehicle is over thirty years old. We will focus on models built in 1992 and beyond for our recommendations on the Volkswagen Passat.
According to carcomplaints.com, here are the ideal years for the Volkswagen Passat:
- 1992 Volkswagen Passat
- 1993 Volkswagen Passat
- 1994 Volkswagen Passat
- 1995 Volkswagen Passat
- 1996 Volkswagen Passat
- 1997 Volkswagen Passat
- 1998 Volkswagen Passat
- 1999 Volkswagen Passat
- 2007 Volkswagen Passat
- 2008 Volkswagen Passat
- 2009 Volkswagen Passat
- 2016 Volkswagen Passat
- 2017 Volkswagen Passat
- 2018 Volkswagen Passat
- 2019 Volkswagen Passat
- 2020 Volkswagen Passat
- 2021 Volkswagen Passat
These are the ideal choices so far for the classic Volkswagen Passat. There are years when the vehicle seemed troublesome and other times when it performed well on the road.
Of course, some faults come with the best versions of the Volkswagen Passat. The 2017 Volkswagen Passat has some issues with the braking system. The 2008 Volkswagen Passat had troubles with the engine. However, these reports are less damaging than those from the Volkswagen Passat years to avoid.
Which Models of the Volkswagen Passat Are Not Safe to Buy Used?
Many Volkswagen Passat choices work well, but there are other options you should stay away from on the market. They can cost a lot and even prove dangerous in some circumstances.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
If you’re interested in this car, it’s ideal to invest in an option that will provide the most value for your expense. You might wonder - what is the most reliable Volkswagen Passat year available?
According to carcomplaints.com, here are the Volkswagen Passat years to avoid:
- 2000 Volkswagen Passat
- 2001 Volkswagen Passat
- 2002 Volkswagen Passat
- 2003 Volkswagen Passat
- 2004 Volkswagen Passat
- 2005 Volkswagen Passat
- 2006 Volkswagen Passat
- 2010 Volkswagen Passat
- 2012 Volkswagen Passat
- 2013 Volkswagen Passat
- 2014 Volkswagen Passat
- 2015 Volkswagen Passat
The worst fault in the Volkswagen Passat is in the engine. It’s one of the most expensive places for a car to have trouble, which can be frustrating for families who need a reliable vehicle to get them places. The 2002, 2003, and 2005 models are the worst in this area.
The 2002 Volkswagen Passat has the most issues. Major faults included oil sludge in the engine, a stop oil pressure light, and ignition coil failure.
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Another bad year was 2003. This Volkswagen Passat suffered from engine failure from oil sludge, engine failure from low oil pressure, and a check engine light. Other models held similar faults. Stay away from these if you can.
Common Volkswagen Passat Problems
According to repairpal.com, the Volkswagen Passat has a reliability rating of 4.0/5.0, which places it about average for other similar vehicles. Still, some critical issues appear often. You should be aware of these as a potential owner.
Here are a few of the most prominent Volkswagen Passat troubles:
- Engine misfires - The engine may misfire on occasion, especially in the mid-2000s models.
- Engine oil leaks - The car tends to leak oil from the engine, necessitating early replacement of the liquid.
- Digital display fault - The digital display in the instrument cluster tends to go dark or lose its ability after driving for a long distance.
IS GAP INSURANCE WORTH IT?
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Problem Counts By Year
People who have owned the Passat are excellent resources when determining the ideal car. Let’s check out customer complaint data by year for this family vehicle. It’s been around for a long time, so there are many opinions out there.
According to carcomplaints.com, here are the number of complaints by year for every model since 1992:
How Do You Find a Quality Volkswagen Passat Near You?
It can be intimidating to search for a Volkswagen Passat by yourself. We have the solution for you - the CoPilot car shopping app. The technology searches for dealerships operating in your area, looking for one that will suit your needs. You can look for the ideal vehicle right from the screen of your device.
You’re not missing out on anything with this app - CoPilot takes advantage of the same technology as dealerships. It makes the shopping process much simpler for those who are easily overwhelmed.
Those interested in newer models can look into CoPilot Compare, the search engine for nearly new cars. If you take advantage of this program, you’ll only see models five years old or newer. They also have low mileage, most with CPO availability. CoPilot Compare will break down the price comparison if your purchase used versus if you invest in a new car.
There’s no need to worry about sponsored ads here - we don’t work with dealerships to get our information. Learn more about how CoPilot works on our About Us page. We can’t wait to help you find the Volkswagen Passat of your dreams.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
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The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
