Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Volkswagen Passat owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the transmission would slip and then the vehicle stalled. The engine continued to run, but the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and it was determined that the teeth on the gears of the transmission had fractured and the entire transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000. Updated 8/19/15 the consumer stated there was a recall for the same make, model, and year but, the consumer's VIN was not included. Updated 9/30/2015
As my son got on the highway the transmission felt like it was slipping and jerking to then catch back up to the original speed I was going. When he put his foot on the gas pedal the car would struggle to go, 5 seconds later it would get up to speed but then slow back down. At a stoplight the car would shake roughly and idle really high, then he saw the front of the hood start to smoke and I realized there was a problem.
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. …
I have vw Passat, 2001. It has around 30 000 miles on it. The clutch has gone down on this car and it needs to be replaced. Parts and labor for this repair are more than $2200. This car has electrical problems also. The warranty is gone after 24000K or 2 years. I have extended warranty on this car, but they don't cover anything from the long list of repair. I called to vw customer care and ask to reimburse me for clutch repair, since it must be after 10 years/100 000 miles power train warranty. They refused to participate. I complain about vw quality ( I have friends having trouble with vw as well). I believe that manufacture has to take care of bad product and cover the repair cost. I purchased this car brand new and I expect to have a quality item, not the junk for more than $25K. I also completely dissatisfied with vw service!!!!
I have a 2001 new Passat glx AWD sedan with 23,000 miles. The automatic transmission has multiple problems, at least two with safety ramifications: (1) from a standstill start, the transmission will often produce a several second lag before synchronizing with the engine - the safety concern is that the car does not move at a rate of speed the driver could normally expect and May leave the driver and occupants exposed to collision from on-coming cars at difficult traffic intersections and merges; (2) at low speeds, 15 MPH and lower, the transmission often clunks into gear causing a forward surge of the vehicle, creating the risk of the vw rear ending a vehicle in stop and go traffic. Vw has been unable to fix the problems.
Dec 12th 2008 the interior of my passt was flooded with water, vw service removed 10 + gallons of water which entered from air plenum /pollen filter hosing(cabin area). Service informed me of the p9 recall for the passats manufactured nov '00 to dec '05. But, vw of America will not help me they said my VIN # is not in the recall. The computers are on the floor of car. Air bag is in default damage from electrical damage from water damage.. My trans mod is wrecked from the water damage, just the part alone will cost $1,300. I have lost work and can not drive. The make of car & year is in recall so why is my VIN not included?! Someone please, please help me.
Car died while driving on 55 MPH road. Starter worked and engine would turn, but would not run. Dealer found no codes in computer. Engine and horn fuses blown and dealer replaced horn relay. I asked the dealer why there were no codes in the computer and they didn't know the answer. They would not replace the computer. Car was in the shop for 7 days. Incident happened over 100 miles from home and dealer finally authorized loaner after 2 days. Dealer was very rude during the whole incident and construction made it difficult to communicate. Phone lines were disconnected part of the time.
I have a 2001 Passat with 66,[redacted] miles on it and the transmission went out. It is going to cost 4000.00-5000.00 to have this fix. I do not think a car with this many miles should have a transmission go out and to top it off when I purchased this car 6 months ago with 51,060 from walsher in bloomington, mn they said I had a 10yr/100,000 mile power train warranty on it, well come to find out since I am a second owner it only goes to 50,000 miles which means *jbwhen I purchased the car it didn't even have the warranty.
Tl*- the contact took the 2001 Volkswagen Passat to a dealer, and they stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. All 8 tie rods and the one link arm were showing excessive wear. The dealer and the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was out of warranty so the repair would be at contacts expense. The current and failure mileage were both 79200. The right outer cv boot was torn and the left outer tie rod end was worn. The ABS control module was replaced. Updated 03/30/07.
Safety: operation of the "drive by wire throttle" on my v6/tiptronic 2001.5 vw Passat. The throttle does not operate in a "linear manner". It May struggle to move out from a stop (sounds as if the engine is working very hard to move the car) one moment and then it May "leap" ahead under light throttle application from the next stop. (this can leave you struggling to cross a busy interesction) the dealer says vw says this is "normal operation".
Transmission complaints in other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Volkswagen Passat, 8% of the model year's 432 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Volkswagen Passat transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2001 Volkswagen Passat, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Volkswagen Passat transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.