Used 1996 Volkswagen Passat Consumer Reviews
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Original owner still trying . . .
Georgia driver, 08/23/2004
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I am the original owner of a 96 GLX which now has about 80K miles on it. I echo the comments about the parts/systems that required replacement. Mine include: abs pump, instrument cluster, ignition switch (2), odometer, headliner, rear seat belt, and at least 3 cup holders. I also must use 2 keys since the ignition problem required them to make a change (one key for the door, one for the ignition). The trunk release button in the glove box does not work. I have spent MUCH more $ maintaining and repairing this vehicle than the Toyota Camry which preceeded it. Still looks nice, but I would not buy another VW
Fun, roomy...TOO MANY SMALL PROBLEMS
Jessej, 09/23/2004
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Wagon
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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.
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See all 0 listingsCar Care is the Cure
4N-Fever, 10/23/2004
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My wife and I have owned our Passat for almost 4 years and we love it. Plenty of room for the kids(x2) stuff and luggage. In those 4 years we have replaced the timing belt twice (due to high milage) and the water pump as well. We have put on 3 sets of tires, changed the oil and filter approx 20 times and had the radiator flushed twice. I guess what I'm saying is, proper or preventative car care/maintainence will keep your car going for a long time. The down side which there are some are the resale value seems low, the drivers side window regulator broke, the door handles do not always open the doors, the air lock system sometimes fail and the check engine light remains on all the time.
Very Dependable!
Thomas, 01/14/2005
1996 Volkswagen Passat TDi 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car with 107,000 miles on it. My parents were the original owners. It has been a very dependable car that continually averages around 42 mpg combined driving. At 196,000 miles it still has the original alternator, ac compressor (blows ice-cold) oil pump, clutch, master cylinder, etc... Vehicle uses little to no oil. I have had to replace all of the door handles at around 160,000 miles. Also had to replace the reverse gear in the transmission. Blew it out when I was stuck in a snow drift. Window regulator has been replaced in drivers door twice. Overall great car!
Still one of the best wagons ever
JerryCS, 03/21/2006
1996 Volkswagen Passat TDi 4dr Wagon
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is the finest all around car I've ever owned: comfortable, quiet, amazing mpg, and a blast to drive. With sport suspension it handles like a sports car. The TDI diesel motor is powerful and fast, and extremely reliable. With 142,000 miles, it stilll has the original clutch. Its only downside is some of the VW body parts: door handles, window lifts. Everything else continues to work well and we still get 45 mpg on the highway, in a mid-size wagon, running it on 100% biodiesel-- an American grown, renewable fuel.
Passat's Are Lemons
Slydnnia Wulff, 03/19/2003
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Passat model has has recall problems with ignition problems, which in turn has caused the electrical instrument panel array to fail. There has been early and unusual failures in water pumps, brakes, and intstument ligts malfunctioning. This product cannot be a preferred mid- size sedan, it is unreliable and should carry only a very low recommendation.
Has Been Hood
toms4w, 10/05/2006
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my 1996 Volkswagen Passat new and have only had minimal problems after 10 years.
Horrible, Expensive, and Unreliable!
Rupert, 12/22/2006
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car has been a complete nightmare to own. It has had issues with the transmission, electrical, interior cosmetics, expensive parts...the list goes on. This car was wonderful when I bought it new in April of 1995. Then at 31,000 miles all hell broke lose. I lost my heated seats, and soon after my entire instrument cluster. Then at 33,000 miles my transmission went out - thank God it was under warranty as it costs nearly $6,500 to repair. The rear O2 sensors require taking off the FUEL TANK to reach them. This car is too much work and is costing me too much money. I am VERY unhappy with this car!
Great VW
Germancarfan, 01/30/2007
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I received this car in my grandmother's will, and as she meticulously maintained it and kept it in excellent shape. I see no major problems in the car. It drives nicely, accelerates quickly, and handles like a car half its size. My only gripe is the door handle, it seems to act up every once and a while, leaving me fiddling with it for a bit to get it to work. As this is my second car, my first car was an Isuzu Rodeo, I am very pleased with it.
Now I'm a Believer
Dr. T, 03/05/2002
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I now believe that VW can build vehicles to compete with BMW and Mercedes Benz at far less $$$. The German engineering and craftsmanship is clear in the Passat.
My last VW
my last vw, 05/06/2003
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I purchased my Passet GLX new. I love driving it. Lots of fun. However, the fun of driving it comes at a heavy price. The car has 90k miles on it and here is a sampling of the big ticket repairs: 1) the electronic dash went at 40k 2) the alternater 3) ac compressor 4) had to replace all the door handles due to sticking or unable to open 5) replaced the fabric from on the ceiling 6) and numerous other techie things i don't understand. As soon as i think i have it fixed, something else pops up. In all, i estimate i have dropped at least $6k on this car over the last 4 years. Although i enjoy driving the car, it is not worth the trouble.
Passat - another word for
Southern Tier of NY, 01/19/2003
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Wagon
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
And I thought I had the only bad Passat! The Check Engine light comes on about once per month, with multiples of $100 consequences. Last month it was O2 sensor connector and it's ON AGAIN! Transmission leak fixed, but it's still losing fluid somewhere. Gas mileage nowhere near published w/ VR6. Wire came loose from drivers door handle, causing all power windows to roll down in pouring rain. Security system has not armed in some time - probably another broken wire. Don't let the battery get low, the computer will get reset. Previous car was 1985 GTI, traded in at 189,000 miles on this piece of junk. Been kicking myself ever since.
I like my Passat VW Wagen
Gary Fisher, 01/09/2003
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Wagon
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I like the car and have had good results generally. The cost of repairs in year 2002 has been over $1500 in replacement parts and service and the cost of repairing a seal in the air conditioning system was $1400, which I have not repaired. The cost of repairs for the miles driven is significantly higher than my wifes four Honda cars. I like the car, but not the cost of repairs.
96 Passat GLS
PO, 02/20/2003
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great car! Fun to drive, lots of space for an affordable german car, great fuel economy.
Just say "NO"
never, 01/15/2003
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We bought it used with 45K on it. So some problems are to be expected. First we replaced the AC. A few months later, we take it to the garage. It needs not only a new abs break pump, but a new oil cooler. The car only has 70k when these items went wrong! When your own mechanic tells you to get rid of the car, rather than make a mint on the repair, then you know its bad. He said all VW's fall apart these days at about 70K. Lastly, power door locks and handles wear out early too! No VW for me ever again!
Nice Enough Car
mistahsinclair, 05/21/2003
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car is good...when everything is working. But if anything goes wrong it's not a cheap or easy thing to fix. The Engine compartment is not laid out well...but that's a VW thing. The least reliable parts are the hardest to get to, and the most expensive.
1996 VW Passat
ex-passat owner, 05/30/2003
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Performance, even after 100,000 miles, was very good - tight cornering, sufficiently-powered engine, nice steering, solid suspension. For its size, the Passat has a very large trunk and lots of room elsewhere. HOWEVER... Reliability was VERY poor. Despite the car's solid feel, in the 3 years I kept it on the road, it was rarely without a problem of some sort. I put an average of $1200 of repairs into it annually, and I still never managed to catch up with everything that went wrong. Finally, to replace the failing flywheel, given the low value of the car, would have been unreasonable.
sweet wagon
mhix01, 06/04/2003
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Wagon
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We bought our manual transmission GLX wagon new in 1996. The VR6 gets up and goes (with enough RPM's) and it handles GREAT!! The rear hatch seems to eat anything we try to put back there. We've replaced the clutch, one of the half-shafts and the front wheel bearings. ABS comes and goes (but the brakes still work). Fun car to drive. Not so great reliability (but not horrible either).
great car
vw fan, 03/19/2002
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The 1.8L, 8 valve engine is a bit under powered for this size vehicle. The gas milage is a good balance / trade off to the power, (24 city/ 28 highway). It is a nice commuter car. Built very sturdy. 125,000 mile and not a penny of maintenance besides oil changes and tune ups. Nice stif european ride. handles well for a non sports car. Negatives: disapointing resale value, 14" wheels/tires.
VW PaCRAP
KSQRD, 03/21/2002
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Major recurring service problems with nothing from VW other than a big fat bill each time. For instance, our 1996 VW Passat has been having problems with the Knock Sensor from day 1. The car has been diagnosed and "fixed" for this 4 times under warranty, plus 3 additional times at our expense for the exact same problem, for a total of 7 occurances on a part that several VW personnel and an indep. VW mechanic have told us is VERY UNLIKELY to happen at all, let alone 7 times! VW will do nothing as they claim it is out of warranty. The problem has never been fixed to begin with from when it happened in warranty, as evidenced by VW's own service records.
LOVE IT!
cacree, 09/05/2011
1996 Volkswagen Passat TDi 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my car from my brother in South Dakota for $100. It had been abused, and ran without oil, so my dad and I had to completely rebuild it. After finally finishing this job, I know all about my car, and I love it. Even with it's peely paint. Best first car ever. I plan to keep it, and fix all my own problems for the rest of my life. :) Thank you Volkswagen! I love you!