1997 Volkswagen Passat Wagon

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Glx passat wagon

by Meghan M. on Oct 13, 2010
Vehicle: 1996 Volkswagen Passat

I am quite familiar with a lot of the issues I have been reading. One thing I have noticed with this car is that proper maintenance and proper fluids such as G12 coolant, premium gasoline, and synthetic oil are necessary for longevity. I have rebuilt the engine and replaced all of the gaskets, timing chain and tensioner, water pump, and cv shaft. I am approaching about 160k miles and I am still in love! Though, my boyfriend and I are VW enthusiasts and do many of the repairs ourselves and it is definitely important to find a VW mechanic and NOT a dealership. I will say, if someone is looking into this car, be prepared for a good amount of maintenance.

Terrible car!

by Mika on Dec 22, 2006
Vehicle: 1996 Volkswagen Passat

This is my second Volkswagen Passat. My first one was a '91 Passat which I loved. I decided to upgrade for the VR6. With 176 horsepower on tap on a much heavier car it wasn't going to win any races. This car has been a dismal experience, as the O2 sensors (in engine bay and under the fuel tank) have gone out, as well as the thermostat and automatic transmission. After thousands of dollars in repairs and countless man hours of doing the work myself, I have finally gotten rid of the beast.

Nice looking, but don't buy

by DA on Jun 15, 2005
Vehicle: 1996 Volkswagen Passat

Since buying our Passat GLX wagon in early-2004, we've had nothing but problems. The front doors don't close in the winter, the driver's door won't open at all, the transmission skips, the check engine light is ALWAYS on, the temperature light stays on through the summer months, it leaks oil...I'll stop there. This is a GREAT looking car with good gas mileage, but I will never buy another Passat wagon.

Fun, roomy...too many small problems

by Jessej on Sep 23, 2004
Vehicle: 1996 Volkswagen Passat

I have the same experience as so many others here... really love the brand, love the car... HATE the constantly breaking $200-$500 repairs on small things. Since the beginning I have had a rattle in the stickshift/transmission, O2 sensors replaced often, check engine light goes on all the time, ignition switch replaced, 2 door handles just stoped working, 3 window regulators replaced, clutch pedal broke off, tires are very non-standard size (restricts your choices and increases cost), ABS is gone. The door handles and windows are the most annoying... c'mon, those should not break so often over only 70k miles!! Really want to buy another, just cant.

Fun to drive, expensive to

by Dave GLX'ed on Apr 19, 2004
Vehicle: 1996 Volkswagen Passat

Bought this car for my wife in early 1998 w/ 30K miles. The car handles very well and gets good mileage. However, it's dark side is the reliability and maintenance costs. At 45K the instrument cluster stopped working. The check engine light is always coming on. Numerous visits to the garage to extinguish. Heater core disengrated, taking the water pump out with it. Now the rack and pinion is going, not sure if I should continue or put the car out to pasture. I am still a VW fan (my 87 Golf is at 310K and still going strong), however VW really over complicated the automobile when they designed this vehicle. Also the Service manual is terrible.

If mazda made a 626

by oldsport on Mar 7, 2004
Vehicle: 1996 Volkswagen Passat

I would be driving that. Wolfsburg could learn a thing or two from Japan about quality. Right off the bat, I had to replace a rear wheel bearing, and then I was burning O2 sensors every 6k miles. Then I found a good independent mechanic. The cruise control gaive up the ghost at 60k, and the radio is about to fall out of the dashboard. I bought this car used from a VW dealer, and discovered at 70k miles that the rear axle was bent. We've got the mechanicals sorted out, though, I'm getting about 26-27 mpg, and Autozone has oil filters for $15.