2001 Volkswagen Passat Fuel System Problems

Which parts fail

• Storage › Tank assembly
  6
• Storage › Fuel gauge system
  6
• Delivery
  6
• Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
  5
• Delivery › Fuel pump
  2
• Fuel injection system
  1

Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  618%
• 25k–50k
  824%
• 50k–75k
  412%
• 75k–100k
  515%
• 100k–150k
  412%
• 150k+
  618%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Volkswagen Passat owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Took car to vw dealer to have timing belt replaced and was notified that there were several open recalls and they offered to take care of them free of charge. However, they were unable to perform recall #08V156. Manufacturer #26e5. They installed the heat shield but could not perform software upgrade. I never received any recall notices in the mail. Now vw wants to buy the car back because they can't fix it. It's a 2001 vw Passat with 25K miles in showroom shape. Was never driven in snow and garaged it's entire life. They offered me $1500 out of which I owe $1300 for the timing belt. They said it May need a ECU but they are no longer available from vw but refuse to install a used one. The car has been at the vw dealer since 12/28/2020. I was under the impression that recalls never expire.

My 2001 Volkswagen Passat has had an r5 recall for fuel lines, fuel tank, and a heat shield. The hard (low pressure fuel return?) line, the middle one of the mounting bracket atop the firewall, has failed catastrophically. It now sprays gasoline directly down onto the catalytic converter heat shield. This is the same failure in the same exact point that many other owners have had. This part is dangerous and could have killed me and destroyed my car. Volkswagen refused to fix it. I've been in contact with vw customer care and my local dealer, both told me that once the recall is closed on my vehicle that there is nothing they'll do. They wanted me to tow my car to the dealership and pay $135 for a diagnostic until I showed them a video of the fuel line under pressure spraying everywhere.

Tl contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Passat. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the "stop vehicle do not drive", and oil pressure warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The indicators remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and they repaired the engine. The previous repair required the vehicle to remain at the dealer for one month. On three separate occasions, the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for identical failures, but there were no resolutions. In addition, during rainy weather conditions, five inches of water leaked onto the front passenger side floor panel. There was electrical failure due to the water leakage that caused gear component damage. Recently, the contact received a recall notice that consists of installation of a drainage filter and fuel system component repair. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification that her vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 08V156000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs. The dealer inspected and adjusted the fuel line routing as well as the fuel tank ventilation valve but did not replace any components. After repairs, the vehicle began spraying fuel onto the engine and was causing overpowering gasoline fumes to emit through the defogger system. The dealer was contacted who informed her that they made repairs to the vehicle under the recall and they only had to inspect the failure. The contact was advised that any further repairs would be at her expense. The manufacturer was contacted who confirmed that the dealer repaired the exact components listed under recall and nothing more. They offered no further other assistance. …

Several times now, I ran out of gas when driving my 2001 Volkswagen new Passat v6 glx. The last time it was absolutely irritating because the fuel gauge still showed a quarter tank available and did not give any indication or warning of low fuel. Worse, the car stopped at the middle of the road with no warning what so ever. Worst, when contacting the dealer, they offered to have a look at the gas tank, but they did not notify me at that time, that there is a known problem. They did not even contact me and inform me that there is a safety related problem and a recall on that vehicle!!! Please contact Volkswagen of America and make sure that all Volkswagen new Passat owners get informed of the safety related recall!!!! If I would not have found your website per pure incident, I would never have known of this actual problem known to Volkswagen.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, he would smell a strong odor of gasoline. He then inspected the engine and was unable to locate a fuel leak. He later discovered a trail of gasoline leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised him that there were no recalls on his vehicle. The failure and current mileages were approximately 198,000. Updated 07/21/11 the consumer stated the fracture occurred without external stress of any kind. It developed without warning and given the position within the engine compartment, it could have easily resulted in a fire. The consumer was informed his VIN was not included in the recall. Updated 02/03/12

The fuel gauge on my 2001 Volkswagen Passat has been malfunctioning for the past five weeks. The gauge displays a "full" reading for the first 100-150 miles of driving, after filling the gas tank. After 100-150 miles, the gauge displays 7/8 full, and the needle does not move until approximately 300-380 miles have been driven, at which point the needle displays 1/2 tank of fuel remains. This vehicle will generally yield 400 to 430 miles on a full tank of fuel. My wife drives this vehicle daily, and has nearly run out of fuel twice on the interstate due to a false reading on the fuel gauge. The local Volkswagen dealership, and Volkswagen of America states there is no recall campaign on my vehicle, and refuses to repair or replace the defective component at their expense.

Tl contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received a recall notice regarding the r5 recall campaign. She was unable to locate the NHTSA campaign id number online. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for repair. The technician stated that the catalytic converter flex pipe must be disengaged to perform the recall repair. If any damages occur during the detachment of the component, the contact would be responsible for the expense. The contact was displeased to know that the recall remedy could possibly be expensive. The failure and current mileages were 101,803. Updated 04/24/09. Updated 04/27/09.8jb

Original tires continental 195/65r15 91hch95 dot lmpcpxbu2300. Consumer heard a loud flapping noise, pull over looked all around car and didn't see anything. Consumer proceeded to drive noise returned with a small pop, then it was quiet again, then three minutes later noise returned even louder. Consumer pulled over and the right rear tire had completely come off of rim, the tire blowout damaged the fender lining and damaged the fuel tank, the repairs were not covered by the warranty or extended warranty despite the fact that vw Passat's for year 1997-2000 have been recalled for this problem, recall campaign id # 02v-026.

Kept smelling gas threw the vents, strong odor of gas wherever it was parked when you approached or got down from the vehicle. The last few times before the fuel line snapped there were small puddles of gas underneath the front passenger side tire when one drove away from a parked position. When I noticed the puddles I opened the hood and realized that one of the fuel lines had snapped, went to the auto parts store and bought rubber fuel line and clamps to temporarily patch the leak. Still smelling strong gas order even though does not seem like line is still leaking but cannot get it to the mechanic again until the weekend.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Fuel System complaints in other Passat years